Welcome! The Choral Eucharist On The Feast Of All Saints

Transcription

1 104 Union Street South Concord, North Carolina Office Phone: Office Fax: Web Site: November 5, :00 a.m. in the Nave The Choral Eucharist On The Feast Of All Saints Welcome! Saint James is a house of prayer where all people can come to know the compassionate heart of Jesus. We are a diverse community of progressive Christians where you can belong before you believe. At Saint James the beauty of ancient worship and traditional spiritual practices transform contemporary lives. Join us as together we discover the sacred in the heart of the city. Our worship includes ancient and contemporary symbols and practices along with preaching and music to inspire you to follow Jesus in your daily life. We welcome both the spiritual seeker and seasoned disciple to find their home in God with us. If you are looking for a spiritual home or just exploring the life of faith, we hope you will walk with us on that journey of discovery. THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS The Introduction To Today s Liturgy... All Saints celebrates the baptized people of God, living and dead, who are the body of Christ. As November heralds the dying of the landscape in many northern regions, the readings and liturgy call us to remember all who have died in Christ and whose baptism is complete. At the Lord s table we gather with the faithful of every time and place, trusting that the promises of God will be fulfilled and that all tears will be wiped away in the new Jerusalem. Page 1 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

2 Welcome! We welcome everyone on this Lord s Day to the liturgy of Holy Eucharist. To all who are spiritually weary and seek rest; to all who mourn and long for comfort; to all who struggle and desire victory; to all who sin and need a Savior; to all who are strangers and want fellowship; to all who hunger and thirst after righteousness; and to all who will come, this parish opens wide her doors and offers welcome in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! Newcomers and visitors, we hope that you will feel at home in this place and in this liturgy. Ushers are available in the narthex during the liturgy should you have any questions or concerns. If you are a visitor or guest, please be sure and sign the guestbook located in the Narthex and introduce yourself to the Pastor or to an usher so that we can extend to you a warm welcome. Although there are customary postures (such as standing and kneeling) in Lutheran worship, you are invited to be seated at any point, according to your needs and comfort. This Service Leaflet contains all of today s hymns and liturgy. Children are most welcome in worship at Saint James Church. Children s Ministry Bags are located in the narthex for use during worship. Please return them to the narthex area or leave them on the pews at the end of worship. Be sure to take home the Children s Worship Bulletin and color sheets for your child. For those who desire it, nursery care is provided on the first floor of the Education Building. Invitation to Communion: All baptized Christians who seek God and desire a deeper, stronger life in Christ are invited to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The Pastor will bring the sacrament to persons in the pews who are unable to come forward. Please advise an usher if you wish the pastor to do so. The First Aid Kit and the Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) are located outside the church office door, immediately behind the sanctuary. Fire Extinguishers are located in the Sacristy and in the Narthex. If you are interested in membership to this parish or desire a call from the Pastor, please indicate this to an usher or to the Pastor. Restrooms are available on the first and second floors of the Education Building. About the Liturgy During Pentecost he liturgy changes in an important way after the Day T of Pentecost. Rather than taking place within specific seasons, each with its own theme, this period does not have one overall theme. Each Sunday takes its theme from the Gospel reading for that day and from the biblical and liturgical meaning of Sunday as the Lord s Day. The most notable feature of this period is that we finish reading substantially all of one Gospel each year, having begun this in Advent and Epiphany. The three-year lectionary appoints one of the three synoptic Gospels Matthew, Mark, and Luke for each year. John s Gospel is used throughout the three years for certain Holy Days, Lent, and Easter, and in filling out the Gospel of Mark, which is considerably shorter than the others, in Year B. We also read several of the epistles each year during this period. Finally, the Old Testament readings are chosen to complement the Gospel reading each Sunday. Most often they are events or prophecies which point to the work of Christ in the Gospel passage they accompany. This, then, is a period in which the liturgy Sunday after Sunday leads us into a serious consideration of the content of Holy Scripture in an orderly way. This time in the Church Year is a time to build on the growth and renewal of grace we experienced in the first half of the year, a time to prepare ourselves to celebrate more fully when we come around again to the seasons from Advent through Easter. T The Meaning of Sunday he Day of Creation, the Day of Resurrection, the Day of the Spirit the Lord s Day is all of these, and for that reason it is the day of celebration for the church. So it is also the baptismal day and the Eucharistic day. It used to be said that every Sunday is a little Easter. Another way of saying this is suggested by the Roman Catholic writer, Aidan Kavanagh: Easter is a big Sunday. It was the overwhelming significance of the first day of the week which led the first Christians to go beyond the Old Testament, which had set Saturday (the Sabbath) as the day holy to God, and to establish the first day of the week as the Lord s Day. The earliest Jewish Christians continued to keep the Sabbath, but they also gathered on the first day of the week to celebrate the Eucharist. Later Christians moved the celebration of Christ s resurrection from Passover to the Sunday following. As we celebrate each of these Sundays, we have the opportunity to reflect on God s Word in an orderly and comprehensive way. We also find ourselves being made the living and visible sign of God s kingdom in this world. All that we heard and said and did, from Advent through Pentecost, is summed up in our Sunday celebrations. We, the people of God, are made fruitful, and we are equipped to live in Christ and to reveal him to this world. THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS Page 2 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

3 The Preparation for Worship All worshipers are invited to remain reverently silent before the service, and to join fervently in prayer, enthusiastically in praise, and heartily in song during the service. We gather together for worship on this first day of the week, the day Christ Jesus rose from the dead, for an intimate communion with our Lord. He comes to us, speaks to us, and blesses us through his Word and Sacrament. We come to him and speak to him in prayer and praise and thanksgiving. This liturgy is the recurring moment of high splendor in our earthly lives, a God-given foretaste of the heavenly life to come. Out of respect for the liturgy we are about to celebrate and those sitting around you, help us create sacred space by powering down your cell phones and electronic devices. As we prepare our hearts and minds for worship this morning, we make a transition from the hustle and bustle in our lives to that ardent and humble devotion. We quiet ourselves and center ourselves on God. We remind ourselves, Surely the Lord is in this place...this is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. As we ready ourselves for worship this morning, you are invited to meditate and to pray silently the Prayer of Preparation. THE SILENT PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP Breathe into me Holy Spirit, That my thoughts may all be holy. Move in me Holy Spirit, That my work, too, may be holy. Attract my heart Holy Spirit, That I may love only what is holy. Strengthen me Holy Spirit, That I may defend all that is holy. Protect me Holy Spirit, That I always may be holy. (Attributed to Saint Augustine) Personal prayer in preparation for worship: Prepare my heart, O God, to accept your Word. You have given me a mind to know you, a heart to love you, and a voice to sing your praises. Fill me with your Spirit, that I may celebrate your glory and worship you in spirit and in truth. Speak to me, Lord, for you have the words of eternal life. Amen. THE RINGING OF THE TOWER BELLS THE PARISH NOTICES/COLLECT FOR BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK The Liturgy begins with the music of the organ. The organ voluntary is a veil drawn reverently between the cares of the week and the time of worship where all are welcome to experience the presence of God with the people of God. Through its power and brilliance may you feel the majesty and glory of God, and in its quietness, his peace. THE OPENING VOLUNTARY Before Your Throne I Now Appear, BWV 668 Johann Sebastian Bach ( ) THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS Page 3 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

4 The stand Liturgist Liturgist Liturgist Liturgist Liturgist Liturgist THE GATHERING FOR THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS Beloved in Christ, we have gathered today to worship, to proclaim Christ crucified and risen, and to remember before God the saints of all times and all places both those on earth and those in heaven who now rest from their labors. Eternal God, maker of heaven and earth, who formed us from the dust of the earth, who by your breath gave us life, We glorify you. Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life, who suffered death for all humanity, who rose from the grave to open the way to eternal life, We praise you. Holy Spirit, author and giver of life, the comforter of all who sorrow, our sure confidence and everlasting hope, We worship you. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of all mercy and the God of all consolation, who comforts us in all our sorrows so that we can comfort others in their sorrows with the consolation we ourselves have received from God. Thanks be to God. THE THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM When we were baptized in Christ Jesus, we were baptized into his death. We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS Page 4 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

5 The Entrance Rite The Holy Spirit gathers us in unity on the first day of the week, the day of Christ s resurrection The service begins with the Entrance Rite. We sing and process toward the altar as a cross leads the way. The Hymn at the Procession is a hymn of praise and sets the tone of the liturgy. The stand THE HYMN AT THE PROCESSION, VSS. 1, 2, 7, 8 SINE NOMINE THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS Page 5 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

6 The Opening Versicles (exchanges between and ) are chosen according to the season. The words of Saint Paul, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (from 2 Corinthians 13-14) form the Apostolic Greeting because they come from the Apostle Paul himself, who gave a similar greeting in his correspondence with churches. In this way we recognize ourselves as fellow apostles and are reminded that God, the Holy Trinity, forms us and shapes us into disciples and unites us in baptism. THE OPENING BAPTISMAL VERSICLES & APOSTOLIC GREETING Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed be God s kingdom, now and for ever. There is one Body and one Spirit; There is one hope in God s call to us; One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism; One God, Creator of all. Beloved of God, called to be saints: From the one who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from Jesus Christ, the first fruits of the resurrection, grace and peace be with you all. And also with you. THE GATHERING LITANY FOR ALL SAINTS Christ says, Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. And you will find rest for your souls. The Canticle is a song of praise that focuses our thoughts toward the broader picture of the current season of the Church. We acknowledge God s presence and invoke God s Spirit to move among us during worship to equip us for more faithful service. THE CANTICLE Verse 1 Verse 2 Praise the Lord! O heavn s, adore him; Praise the Lord, for he is gracious; Praise him, angels, in the height; Never shall his promise fail. Sun and moon, rejoice before him; God has made his saints victorious; Praise him, gleaming starts and light. Sin and death shall not prevail. Praise the Lord, for he has spoken; Praise the God of our salvation; Worlds his mighty voice obeyed; Hosts on high, his pow r proclaim; Laws which never shall be broken Heav n and earth, and all creation, For their guidance he has made. Laud and magnify his name! Words: The Foundling Hospital Collection, London, 1796 Music: AUSTRIA, Franz Joseph Haydn, The Collect is a short prayer which gathers or collects the thoughts and prayers of the entire Church as they apply to the theme of the day. THE SALUTATION AND COLLECT OF THE DAY The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. Almighty God, you have knit your people together in one communion in the mystical body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant us grace to follow your blessed saints in lives of faith and commitment, and to know the inexpressible joys you have prepared for those who love you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS Page 6 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

7 The Liturgy of the Word God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song The sit THE MESSAGE FOR YOUNG DISCIPLES The First Reading is generally from the Old Testament and is intentionally related to the Gospel reading of the day. THE OLD TESTAMENT READING Revelation 7:9-17 The book of Revelation is written to seven churches in western Asia Minor during a time of great oppression. Today s reading provides a response to the question asked in 6:17: Who is able to stand? The writer responds to the faithful with the assurance of God s protection and a vision of eventual victory. Lector Lector A reading from Revelation, the seventh chapter. A fter this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. 10 They cried out in a loud voice, saying, Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb! 11 And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 2 singing, Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen. 13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from? 14 I said to him, Sir, you are the one that knows. Then he said to me, These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. 16 They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; 17 for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. The Second Reading usually comes from one of the letters (epistles) in the New Testament. In the early church, letters from the apostles began to be read along with the custom of reading Scripture. THE EPISTLE READING 1 John 3:1-3 A saint is one who has been set apart by God for God s purposes. God, out of divine love, set us apart to be the children of God. Our holy hope is that we shall see God as God really is. Lector Lector A reading from First John, the third chapter. S ee what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 3 And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS Page 7 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

8 The stand Every hymn in the liturgy is chosen carefully and thematically to reflect all the readings of the day by providing theology, prayer, and praise through poetry and music. In particular, the Sequence Hymn focuses our attention toward the Gospel text, the text that provides the theme for the day. THE SEQUENCE HYMN Verse 1 The saints sing songs and praises to The Christ, our Servant King. All righteous souls now join with them Their hymns and echoes ring. All faithful ones, come gather now And with them praise His name. In love, in peace and joy we sing, Our heav nly anthems raise. Verse 2 Sing Mary your magnificat As Simeon s light now shines. Great rock, on which this church is built, Preach Christ till end of time. Apostle, spread throughout the world; And holy twelve, confess With holy ones and all in Christ, Your risen voices, bless. Verse 3 In dust we meet our genesis, In dust our death is thus. From ashes we are given breath, Until life s exodus. But then, our risen faith proclaims, A new song birthed at grave. All saints, souls shout their Easter hymn; Our Phoenix God now saves. Verse 4 Now is the time when all shall praise As one with heav n above. And join with those departed ones, Our kindred souls in love. Come saintly band and meet again At table with our Lord, Who reigns now in his Father s house And Spirit, evermore. Words: J.M.A. Wright+ Music: FOREST GREEN The Gospel reading centers on the life and works of Jesus and is the theme for the day. We stand during the reading from the Gospel as a sign of respect for the words of Jesus and to manifest an eagerness and attentiveness to hear the good news. It is here that we see God in the flesh among us. THE HOLY GOSPEL Saint Matthew 5:1-12 In the beatitudes, Jesus provides a unique description of those who are blessed with God s favor. His teaching is surprising and shocking to those who seek wealth, fame, and control over others. Gospeller Gospeller The Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew, the fifth chapter. Glory to you, O Lord. W hen Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. The sit THE SERMON Rev. Tony Bradshaw, Senior Pastor THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS Page 8 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

9 The stand We have heard God s Word to us. Now we respond by confessing what we believe. The Nicene Creed dates from the 4th Century A.D. It was written by the early Church and adopted by the Church Council at Nicaea in an effort to unify the Christian church. The Nicene Creed is both a declaration of our faith and a concise statement of our beliefs. The word Creed comes from the Latin Credo which means, I believe! THE NICENE CREED God has made us his people through our Baptism into Christ. Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith. We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS Page 9 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

10 The kneel or sit as able The Prayers of the are another response to the Word of God. They are intercessions (prayers) for the whole state of Christ s Church and the world. In obedience to Christ s commands, we offer intercessions for the universal Church, the nations and all in authority, the welfare of the world, the concerns of our local parish, those who suffer or are in any need, and for the faithful departed. THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE With all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of God's creation. The sing the following refrain two times. Intercessor Intercessor Intercessor Intercessor Intercessor Intercessor Intercessor Intercessor Almighty God, you have knit your chosen people together in one communion, in the mystical body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Give to your whole Church in heaven and on earth your light and your peace. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Grant that all who have been baptized into Christ's death and resurrection may die to sin and rise to newness of life and that through the grave and gate of death we may pass with him to our joyful resurrection. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Grant to us who are still in our pilgrimage, and who walk as yet by faith, that your Holy Spirit may lead us in holiness and righteousness all our days. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Grant to your faithful people pardon and peace, that we may be cleansed from all our sins and serve you with a quiet mind. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Grant to all who mourn a sure confidence in your loving care, that, casting all their sorrow on you, they may know the consolation of your love. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Give courage and faith to those who are bereaved, that they may have strength to meet the days ahead in the comfort of a holy and certain hope, and in the joyful expectation of eternal life with those they love. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Help us, we pray, in the midst of things we cannot understand, to believe and trust in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection to life everlasting. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. We give thanks for the faithful witness of all your saints who now rest from their labors and dwell in your eternal light. With affection and love we remember those dear to us who have died. As we light these candles that shine with the light of your love and unfailing promises, we give you thanks for the lives of those saints who have fought the good fight, who have received the crown of glory that never fades away. The Prayers of the continue overleaf. THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS Page 10 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

11 THE CANDLE LIGHTING IN REMEMBRANCE At this time, the are invited to come forward and light candles in remembrance of loved ones who have entered the Church Triumphant. The candles are located below the Lectern and the Pulpit. Please approach by the center aisle and return to your seats by the side aisles. THE ANTHEM AT THE CANDLE LIGHTING The Parish Choir Goin home, I m a goin home; quiet-like, some still day, I m jes goin home. It s not far, jes close by, through an open door; work all done, care laid by, going to fear no more. Mother s there expecting me, father s waitin too; Lots o folk gathered there, all the friends I knew. I m goin home! Nothin lost, all s gain, no more fret nor pain, no more stumblin on the way, no more longin for the day, going to roam no more! Mornin star lights the way, res less dream all done; shadows gone, break o day, real life jes begun. There s no break, there s no end, jes a-livin on; wide awake, with a smile goin on and on. Goin home, I m a goin home; quiet-like, some still day, I m jes goin home. It s not far, jes close by, through an open door. I m a goin home! Words: William Arms Fisher, adapted Music: Antonin Dvorak ( ); Largo from the New World Symphony, Op. 95 Intercessor The stand After everyone has returned to their seats, the Intercessor continues: Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, strengthen us to run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory, and we feast at his heavenly banquet. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Into your hands, gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. The peace that passes all understanding is Christ s gift to us. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we share a gesture of God s peace with one another as a sign that we are united as one family with God at the table of the Lord. THE PEACE The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS Page 11 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

12 The Liturgy of the Eucharist God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ The sit We have listened to God s Word both read and preached. God has spoken to us in mercy and blessing. Now we offer to God our hearts and lives that we might be eager and strong to do his will in thought, word, and deed. THE PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR AND COLLECTION OF ALMS An offering of money is collected. Your generous contribution, together with the gifts of many others, makes possible the community of welcome, Reconciliation, and service that is Saint James Church. During this time, the table is set. After the offering is gathered, the gifts are brought forward. THE ANTHEM AT THE OFFERTORY The Parish Choir O how glorious in the Kingdom wherein all the saints rejoice with Christ. Clothed in white robes they follow the Lamb withersoever he goeth. O how glorious in the Kingdom wherein all the saints rejoice with Christ. O how glorious. Words: Revelation 7:9; paraphrased by Basil Harwood Music: Philip W. J. Stopford (b.1977) The stand THE OFFERTORY HYMN AT THE PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS THE COLLECT AT THE PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR Let us pray. Merciful God, Receive the gifts we bring, our selves, our time, and our possessions. Through this meal unite us as your body, shining with the light of your justice and mercy; for the sake of him who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS Page 12 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

13 The words Sursum Corda come from the Latin and mean Lift up your hearts. This Preface (a reciprocal prayer between the and ) serves to remind us of God s action coming to us, our thoughts ascending to God, and that the Lord is truly present with us in this service of thanksgiving. THE SURSUM CORDA The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give God thanks and praise. The Proper Preface directs our attention to different occasions in the life of our Lord and the Church. THE PROPER PREFACE OF THE LORD S DAY It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ; for in the multitude of your saints you have surrounded us with a great cloud of witnesses, that we might rejoice in their fellowship, and run with endurance the race that is set before us; and, together with them, receive the crown of glory that never fades away. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: The word Sanctus comes from the Latin and means Holy. In the Sanctus we are reminded of Holy Week and the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem with the multitude who sang, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the Highest! The Sanctus is especially appropriate at this point in the liturgy, as Jesus is about to make his entrance among us in his very Body and Blood. THE SANCTUS AND BENEDICTUS Setting: William Mathias ( ) THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS Page 13 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

14 The Eucharistic Prayer gives thanks and praise to God for God s many acts of mercy. This prayer originated in the ancient Jewish meal prayer which was customary at the time of Jesus. THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, you have brought us this far along the way. In times of bitterness you did not abandon us, but guided us into the path of love and light. In every age you sent prophets to make known your loving will for all humanity. The cry of the poor has become your own cry; our hunger and thirst for justice is your own desire. The Words of Institution, Jesus words from the Last Supper, are the words which he spoke when he instituted the Supper with his disciples in the Upper Room. With these words the bread and wine are consecrated, that is, set apart for God's use in this special meal. THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. We affirm through the Memorial Acclamation that the risen Christ is with us now and that he will be coming again. We believe this because Jesus promised us. THE MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. The Lord s Prayer is a distinctive prayer of Christians. We are reminded that we are together in the family of God, that at this Communion table we are not many individuals, but one body brothers and sisters in the faith. Placed in our liturgy at this point, the Lord s Prayer becomes the summation of our prayers to God in blessing the Bread and Wine. THE LORD S PRAYER And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray, THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS Page 14 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

15 The sit THE INVITATION TO HOLY COMMUNION The gifts of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God! Reverently we come and kneel before the altar of God, humbly to receive Christ into our lives. As he once gave himself for us on the altar of the cross, so he now gives himself to us on the altar of the Sacrament. In this way he assures us all that the blessings he won for all sinners on the cross (forgiveness, life, and salvation) belong to everyone. THE EUCHARISTIC CANTICLE THE MINISTRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION All baptized Christians are welcome to Holy Communion at Saint James Church. If you desire to receive the Sacrament at the High Altar, please proceed through the Choir to approach the High Altar and kneel at the communion rail for the reception of the Blessed Sacrament. If you desire to receive the Sacrament at the Communion Station located below the pulpit in the Nave, please proceed toward the Chancel steps for the reception of the Blessed Sacrament from the Communion Assistant on the Nave level. The Sacrament is administered by the method of Intinction. Take the wafer from the Assistant then dip it in the wine. The Pastor will bring the sacrament to persons in the pews who are unable to come forward. Please advise an usher if you wish the pastor to do so. THE ANTHEM AT THE COMMUNION The Parish Choir Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those in mourning, for they will find comfort in God. Refrain: Be glad and rejoice for great is the promise of heaven! Blessed are you! Holy are you who work for the kingdom of heaven on earth. In one heart and voice, be glad and rejoice! Blessed are the humble-hearted, for they will inherit the kingdom. Blessed are those who hunger for justice: they will be satisfied. Refrain. Blessed are the tenderhearted, for they will know God s gracious mercy. Blessed are the pure and clean of heart: they will see God face to face! Refrain. Blessed are those who work for freedom, for they will be called God s own children. Blessed are those who honor God s law, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven! Refrain. Blessed are you who suffer because you believe what I ve told you. Refrain. Words: Matthew 5:3-12 Music: Paul A. Tate THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS Page 15 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

16 THE HYMN AT THE COMMUNION After the choir has communed and returned to their places, verse 1 will be repeated. THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS Page 16 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

17 The Sending God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world The stand After all have communed, we offer our joyous and prayerful thanks to God. THE EUCHARISTIC BLESSING The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen. This concluding collect (prayer) thanks God for the gift of communion and recognizes that it inspires and empowers us to live out our Christian mission in the world. THE POSTCOMMUNION COLLECT Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, we give thanks for the wonders of your grace made manifest in all your saints, and we acknowledge you to be the source of true holiness: fill us with your love as we set forth from this table on our earthly pilgrimage, and bring us at the last to your heavenly banquet; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. With the assurance of the Lord s blessing resting upon us and his strengthening presence accompanying us, we are ready to depart in peace. We move out of the church into the larger liturgy of our daily life, sent on our way with God s blessing to be a blessing to others and to do God s will. THE BLESSING The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the (+) Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen. The Liturgy concludes overleaf. Please feel free to take your Service Leaflet with you. However, if you would prefer to discard your leaflet, please recycle it by placing it in one of the recycling bins which are located by the doors outside the Chapel, by the front doors in the Narthex, outside the Parish Office, or by the back door at the portico entrance. THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS Page 17 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

18 THE HYMN AT THE PROCESSION THE DISMISSAL Go in peace. Remember the poor. Thanks be to God! THE CLOSING VOLUNTARY Phoenix Processional Dan Locklair (b.1949) THE RINGING OF THE TOWER BELLS THE LITURGY HAS ENDED; THE SERVICE BEGINS! Finally, brethren, farewell. Be complete. Be of good comfort. Be of one mind. Live in peace and the God of love and peace will be with you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Corinthians 13:11-14 THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS Page 18 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

19 Notes From The Liturgy THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS Page 19 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA

20 THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS Page 20 SAINT JAMES CHURCH, ELCA