All Souls Day Holy Eucharist November 2, 2014 6:00 p.m. Welcome to St. Paul s. In the tenth century it became customary to set aside a day to remember the faithful who have died. The day, traditionally called All Souls Day, provides an opportunity for us to gather to remember both those in our parish community who have died, as well as family members and friends. If you would like the name of someone you love who has died to be said aloud during the Eucharistic Prayer, please add his or her name to the list in the narthex near the church entrance. If you wish seated communion, please notify an usher. Reading glasses and hearing enhancement devices are also available. To assist others as they worship, please turn off or silence your cell phones. An Order of Worship for the Evening The church is dark, or partially so, when the service is to begin. The people stand, as they are able. Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Thanks be to God. Celebrant I cannot think of them as dead, Who walk with me no more; Along the path of life I tread They have but gone before. The Father's House is mansioned fair, Beyond my vision dim; All souls are His, and here or there Are living unto Him. And still their silent ministry Within my heart hath place, As when on earth they walked with me, And met me face to face. An Excerpt from I Cannot Think Of Them As Dead by Frederick L. Hosmer Let us pray. We gather this evening to remember and give thanks to God for the lives of our friends and loved ones who have died, to renew our trust and confidence in Christ, and to pray together that we may be one in Christ. We thank you Jesus, for those who have gone before us. Through their lives you helped us learn that in every season of life and death you are near us, standing firm when we falter. Be our Companion this day, our path on the way, and our door to life eternal; as we place ourselves in your love, O Christ, who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives in glory everlasting. Amen. 1
During the lighting of the candles, the people remain standing and sing the Hymn. Hymn Le Cantique de Siméon Collect of the Day The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. O God, the Maker and Redeemer of all believers: Grant to the faithful departed the unsearchable benefits of the passion of your Son; that on the day of his appearing they may be manifested as your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Liturgy of the Word The people are seated for the reading. Lesson Wisdom 3:1-9 The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be a disaster, and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace. For though in the sight of others they were punished, their hope is full of immortality. Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good, because God tested them and found them worthy of himself; like gold in the furnace he tried them, and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them. In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and will run like sparks through the stubble. They will govern nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord will reign over them forever. Those who trust in him will understand truth, and the faithful will abide with him in love, because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones, and he watches over his elect. 2
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. The people stand, as they are able, and remain standing for the Gospel. Hymn Eventide Gospel Lesson John 5:24-27 The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ According to John. Glory to you, Lord Christ. Jesus said, "Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life. Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; and he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man." The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ. 3
The people are seated. Homily The Reverend John Denson, D. Min., Rector Silence. Reflect on the gospel and remember that we belong to the whole company of saints both past and present. The Prayers of the People Cleansed in the blood of the Lamb, and one in communion with all the saints of every time and place, let us offer our prayers to the God who loves us. For the holy church of God throughout the world, that the Lord may confirm it in faith, sustain it in hope, and deepen its communion in charity, let us pray to the Lord. For those who wield earthly power, that they may recognize in the disciples of Jesus children of God anxious to serve in building up the earthly city, let us pray to the Lord. For those beset by persecution for righteousness sake and those weighed down by trial and distress, that the example of the saints may give them courage and the help of believers give them hope, let us pray to the Lord. For this congregation gathered to celebrate the Eucharist in communion with the church in heaven and throughout the world, that nourished by the word of truth and the bread of life we may bear witness in our own generation to the timeless gospel of Christ, let us pray to the Lord. I invite your additional prayers of intercession and thanksgiving, silently or aloud. For those who departed this life in faith and in the fear of God, especially those known to us, that they may join the innumerable throng of holy ones gathered before the throne and the Lamb, let us pray to the Lord. Celebrant concludes Holy God, mighty God, immortal God, adored by angels and praised by saints, receive the prayers of your holy church, and grant them in accordance with your gracious will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Peace The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you. The Celebration of Holy Communion Offertory The people stand, as they are able; the Celebrant says, The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give our thanks and praise. It is right to give God thanks and praise. Blessed are you, God of all creation, Source of all mercies, Fount of love beyond all measure, It is fitting and right to give you thanks and praise and to adore you with grateful hearts and voices. For wondrously you have created heaven and earth, hovering in gracious care over all that you have made. You formed us as your image of love in the world. Yet even more wondrously, when we distorted your image you called us back again and again, forgiving us, delivering us from captivity to sin and death, feeding, healing, reconciling, making covenant, and setting before us the way which leads to life. 4
Therefore, with your people in all ages, in the communion with the saints, and with the whole company of heaven, we join the glad song of unceasing praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord Sanctus and Benedictus Holy are you, and blessed be your name, gracious God, for you gave us Jesus, who emptied himself that we might be filled, who suffered and died that we might live. He fed the hungry, healed the afflicted, and ate with the scorned and forgotten of this world. He washed his disciples feet and gave a holy meal as a feast of his ever-present love. On the night he gave himself up for us and for the world, at table with those who would desert and deny him, he took bread, gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. When supper had ended, he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, saying; Drink from this, all of you; for this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. Therefore, remembering Christ s life of ministry and service, his suffering, death and resurrection, his ascending to glory and his abiding presence through the power of your Holy Spirit, we come in praise and thanksgiving with these gifts of your love, as we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us gathered here in Christ s name, and upon these gifts, that they may be for us his body and blood; and so feed us with his grace that, in union with Christ, we may become a living offering to you. Remember, God of all mercy, those who suffer this day from injustice or poverty, with no place to call home. Remember those who are sick, imprisoned, or troubled, and those who face death with no one to comfort them. Remember also, (the Celebrant reads the names of those buried from St. Paul s since last All Souls Day and those names given to the Celebrant prior to the liturgy; during the period of silence that follows the reading of the names, you are invited to add other names either aloud or silently.) Transform us into the image and likeness of Christ; that we may faithfully serve others in his name, and look forward to the final feast in which all shall be gathered as one at your table, and all manner of things shall be well. Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory and blessing is yours, Almighty God, now and forever. AMEN. And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say, Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 5
The Breaking of the Bread The Celebrant breaks the bread. A period of silence is kept. Fraction God of promise, you have prepared a banquet for us. Happy are those who are called to the Supper of the Lamb. Invitation Whoever you are and wherever you are in your faith journey, you are welcome here at the Table of the Lord. Gluten free bread is available upon request. Communion Hymn Taizé Chant The people stand, or kneel as they are able. Post Communion Prayer Let us pray. God of abundance, you have fed us with the bread of life and cup of salvation; you have united us with Christ and one another; and you have made us one with all your people in heaven and on earth. Now send us forth in the power of your Spirit, that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world and continue for ever in the risen life of Christ our Savior Amen. Blessing Go forth into the world: in the love of God the Father who created you, in the mercy of Jesus Christ who redeemed you, in the power of the Holy Spirit who strengthens you. In communion with all the faithful, may you dwell this day and forever more in peace. Amen. Dismissal The Assisting Priest dismisses the people, and they respond: Thanks be to God. The congregation is invited to remain in prayer and then leave in silence. Weather permitting, a priest will be in the columbarium to offer prayers for anyone who so desires. Copyright permission granted by the following: OneLicense.net #A-702801 6
Leaders in today s Worship Celebrant: The Reverend Barbara Kempf, Pastoral Associate Preacher: The Reverend John Denson, D.Min., Rector Organist: Brad Hughley, Associate Organist and Choir Director We remember those who have died since All Saints, 2013 Mary Anne Cunningham Carolla Jeanne Carvey L. Charles DeVoe Elizabeth Bette Kennedy Aubrey Fulcher Lowe Richard Dick Morris Barbara Sams Barbara Wever Bradley K. Messamore Dr. Joe Webb Burrage, Jr. John E. Pless, M.D. Herman Hank Baylis Nikolas Hansen, M.D. Eileen Wright Eugene Carlisle. Miller, Jr. Mary Caroline Molly Adams Philippa Connor Hughes Gertrude James Connor James F. Frank Everett Carl D. Overman 7