More Than You Can Count
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series VII, Cycle A
Call To Worship
Have you ever tried to do math without the zero? Trying doing serious multiplication in Roman numerals. That's why twelve is such a handy number. You can split it by one, two, three, four, and six. And twelve is a lot. And twelve twelves, that's a whole lot. And a thousand twelve-twelves? Beyond comprehension. As numerous as the stars in the sky and the grains of sand beside the sea.
Collect
Lord we are not alone. We are surrounded by the unseen hosts who have confirmed by the manner of their living the truth of your gospel. You know their every name. As we gather to worship we call to mind those whom we knew, those who we would recognize, and those who you know only. Thank you, Jesus, for this cloud of witnesses. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, how glorious is the sight of the communion of saints, even when glimpsed as through a glass darkly in our faulty memory. You alone can make us worthy to stand in that number. Just the thought of those innumerable saints fills us with longing. Even more we long for you. Forgive us our sins. Perfect us in your love. Amen.
Hymns
"When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder"
"We've A Story To Tell To The Nations"
"Look, You Saints, The Sight Is Glorious"
All Saints' Sunday
Second Lesson: 1 John 3:1-12
Theme: Plea Bargain
Call To Worship (Psalm 34:6)
This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord, and was saved from every trouble.
Collect
This day we praise you for your clear message of conviction and clarity. This day we thank you for those who are now firmly in your fold for eternity because they were willing to live lives of faithfulness and obedience. Grant them peace and rest, and make us restless for peace. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Can it be clearer that all have sinned? Is it not also obvious that we confess our sins and are forgiven, and live in the shelter of God's grace, then the new life will cause the world to hate us? We cannot have both Jesus and the World. Lord Jesus, like so many others before us, women and men of so many nations who were faithful in life and in death, we choose you. Amen.
Hymns
"Just As I Am, Without One Plea"
"Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us"
"In The Bulb There Is A Flower"
All Saints' Sunday
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 5:1-12
Theme: Rejoice In Your Suffering
Call To Worship (from Matthew 5:12)
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Collect
We are blessed that in this place every brick and every board bears the unseen mark of saints who have by their example taught us to put our trust in the kingdom of Jesus Christ. They are here with us still, the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. Let the world laugh, let the powerful scorn, let the rich ponder. We rejoice and are glad because their reward is great in heaven. This day in our worship we take our stand with them. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
We confess our sorrow at our losses, of so many loved ones who are now with you and gone from presence for this time. We commence again our own journey to join them, that begins with our conviction that you, King Jesus, are Lord of our lives. Amen.
Hymns
"O Have You Not Heard Of That Beautiful Stream"
"Shall We Gather At The River?"
"Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross"
Have you ever tried to do math without the zero? Trying doing serious multiplication in Roman numerals. That's why twelve is such a handy number. You can split it by one, two, three, four, and six. And twelve is a lot. And twelve twelves, that's a whole lot. And a thousand twelve-twelves? Beyond comprehension. As numerous as the stars in the sky and the grains of sand beside the sea.
Collect
Lord we are not alone. We are surrounded by the unseen hosts who have confirmed by the manner of their living the truth of your gospel. You know their every name. As we gather to worship we call to mind those whom we knew, those who we would recognize, and those who you know only. Thank you, Jesus, for this cloud of witnesses. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, how glorious is the sight of the communion of saints, even when glimpsed as through a glass darkly in our faulty memory. You alone can make us worthy to stand in that number. Just the thought of those innumerable saints fills us with longing. Even more we long for you. Forgive us our sins. Perfect us in your love. Amen.
Hymns
"When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder"
"We've A Story To Tell To The Nations"
"Look, You Saints, The Sight Is Glorious"
All Saints' Sunday
Second Lesson: 1 John 3:1-12
Theme: Plea Bargain
Call To Worship (Psalm 34:6)
This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord, and was saved from every trouble.
Collect
This day we praise you for your clear message of conviction and clarity. This day we thank you for those who are now firmly in your fold for eternity because they were willing to live lives of faithfulness and obedience. Grant them peace and rest, and make us restless for peace. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Can it be clearer that all have sinned? Is it not also obvious that we confess our sins and are forgiven, and live in the shelter of God's grace, then the new life will cause the world to hate us? We cannot have both Jesus and the World. Lord Jesus, like so many others before us, women and men of so many nations who were faithful in life and in death, we choose you. Amen.
Hymns
"Just As I Am, Without One Plea"
"Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us"
"In The Bulb There Is A Flower"
All Saints' Sunday
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 5:1-12
Theme: Rejoice In Your Suffering
Call To Worship (from Matthew 5:12)
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Collect
We are blessed that in this place every brick and every board bears the unseen mark of saints who have by their example taught us to put our trust in the kingdom of Jesus Christ. They are here with us still, the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. Let the world laugh, let the powerful scorn, let the rich ponder. We rejoice and are glad because their reward is great in heaven. This day in our worship we take our stand with them. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
We confess our sorrow at our losses, of so many loved ones who are now with you and gone from presence for this time. We commence again our own journey to join them, that begins with our conviction that you, King Jesus, are Lord of our lives. Amen.
Hymns
"O Have You Not Heard Of That Beautiful Stream"
"Shall We Gather At The River?"
"Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross"
