Eternal reward of the faithful
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Call to Worship
Pastor:
Blessed are those who are faithful to Christ in this life!
People:
We celebrate the glory of those who now surround the throne of Christ, praising God!
Pastor:
This world is transitory, but full of sorrow and pain. Those who endure by faith in Christ are blessed with joy forever!
People:
Salvation comes from God! We praise him for the faithful who serve him, and for his faithfulness to those who trust him.
Collect
Gracious Father, whose glory is poured upon those who gave faithful service to your Son: Endow your church with conviction to be faithful in times when persecution is replaced by apathy and indifference, that we may continue to serve Christ, and become his church triumphant. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Praised be your name, O God, for you have remained faithful in every generation! Glory and honor is yours for the mighty deliverance you have given to those who commit their ways to you. With the gift of your Son, you have opened the blessing of eternity to all who will believe. Accept us as those who believe, forgiving us for our sins. Cleanse us of unrighteousness, that we may join the chorus which forever sings your praises. Hear us for Christ's sake. Amen.
Hymns
"Angel Voices, Ever Singing"
"For All the Saints"
"Look, Ye Saints! The Sight Is Glorious"
ALL SAINTS' SUNDAY
(Or the First Sunday in November)
Second Lesson: 1 John 3:1-3
Theme:
We shall be like him
Call to Worship
Pastor:
God loves us so much that he calls us his children!
People:
God is, and always will be, our Father. But we do not know what we shall be like after death.
Pastor:
We know that when we see Jesus, we shall be like him!
People:
That is our hope, and it motivates us to keep ourselves pure for our Lord.
Collect
Almighty God, whose love is without end to those who call you Father: Help us to live like Jesus as much as we possibly can; that we may continue in your love even into eternity where we shall be like Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We are your children because of your great love, Father. And we look forward to the glories of eternity. But we struggle with our attempts to be pure. Forgive us our sins which keep us impure. Cleanse us with Christ's purity; that, in eternity, sin may no longer mar the image you have given us. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hymns
"Blest Are the Pure in Heart"
"Give Me the Wings of Faith"
"Happy the Souls to Jesus Joined"
"Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart"
ALL SAINTS' SUNDAY
(Or First Sunday in November)
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12
Theme: The Beatitudes
Call to Worship
Pastor:
Many saints suffered humiliation when they served our Lord. But now they enjoy his glory in eternal bliss.
People:
We are not without example in living consecrated lives for our Lord.
Pastor:
If we are faithful, we, too, shall enjoy God's glory, as it begins in this life and continues into the next.
People:
Praise God for all his saints! By their witness we are inspired with faithfulness.
Collect
Eternal Father, who blesses forever those who are faithful to you: Inspire us by the example of the saints who have gone before us and are now in your eternal care; that we may serve you with steadfastness, and know the happiness of faithfulness. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We are sure of joys forever which you give your Saints in glory, Father. But we are less sure of the joy which belongs to this life. Forgive us when our service, as well as our joy, has been hindered by our fear of suffering and ignorance of true happiness. Give us courage, and conviction, to be true to our Christian nature; that we, too, may share in your eternal joy. We pray in our Savior's name. Amen.
Hymns
"Blest Are the Pure in Heart"
"For All the Saints"
"Give Me the Wings of Faith"
Pastor:
Blessed are those who are faithful to Christ in this life!
People:
We celebrate the glory of those who now surround the throne of Christ, praising God!
Pastor:
This world is transitory, but full of sorrow and pain. Those who endure by faith in Christ are blessed with joy forever!
People:
Salvation comes from God! We praise him for the faithful who serve him, and for his faithfulness to those who trust him.
Collect
Gracious Father, whose glory is poured upon those who gave faithful service to your Son: Endow your church with conviction to be faithful in times when persecution is replaced by apathy and indifference, that we may continue to serve Christ, and become his church triumphant. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Praised be your name, O God, for you have remained faithful in every generation! Glory and honor is yours for the mighty deliverance you have given to those who commit their ways to you. With the gift of your Son, you have opened the blessing of eternity to all who will believe. Accept us as those who believe, forgiving us for our sins. Cleanse us of unrighteousness, that we may join the chorus which forever sings your praises. Hear us for Christ's sake. Amen.
Hymns
"Angel Voices, Ever Singing"
"For All the Saints"
"Look, Ye Saints! The Sight Is Glorious"
ALL SAINTS' SUNDAY
(Or the First Sunday in November)
Second Lesson: 1 John 3:1-3
Theme:
We shall be like him
Call to Worship
Pastor:
God loves us so much that he calls us his children!
People:
God is, and always will be, our Father. But we do not know what we shall be like after death.
Pastor:
We know that when we see Jesus, we shall be like him!
People:
That is our hope, and it motivates us to keep ourselves pure for our Lord.
Collect
Almighty God, whose love is without end to those who call you Father: Help us to live like Jesus as much as we possibly can; that we may continue in your love even into eternity where we shall be like Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We are your children because of your great love, Father. And we look forward to the glories of eternity. But we struggle with our attempts to be pure. Forgive us our sins which keep us impure. Cleanse us with Christ's purity; that, in eternity, sin may no longer mar the image you have given us. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hymns
"Blest Are the Pure in Heart"
"Give Me the Wings of Faith"
"Happy the Souls to Jesus Joined"
"Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart"
ALL SAINTS' SUNDAY
(Or First Sunday in November)
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12
Theme: The Beatitudes
Call to Worship
Pastor:
Many saints suffered humiliation when they served our Lord. But now they enjoy his glory in eternal bliss.
People:
We are not without example in living consecrated lives for our Lord.
Pastor:
If we are faithful, we, too, shall enjoy God's glory, as it begins in this life and continues into the next.
People:
Praise God for all his saints! By their witness we are inspired with faithfulness.
Collect
Eternal Father, who blesses forever those who are faithful to you: Inspire us by the example of the saints who have gone before us and are now in your eternal care; that we may serve you with steadfastness, and know the happiness of faithfulness. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We are sure of joys forever which you give your Saints in glory, Father. But we are less sure of the joy which belongs to this life. Forgive us when our service, as well as our joy, has been hindered by our fear of suffering and ignorance of true happiness. Give us courage, and conviction, to be true to our Christian nature; that we, too, may share in your eternal joy. We pray in our Savior's name. Amen.
Hymns
"Blest Are the Pure in Heart"
"For All the Saints"
"Give Me the Wings of Faith"
