Nov. 7 Livestream – Totenfest

November 6, 2021 by  
Filed under Featured, Livestream Links and Order for Worship

Thank you for being with us today as we mark Totenfest, the annual celebration of life remembering those we have lost in the past year. If you are joining us online, please gather your bread and wine or grape juice so we can have communion together.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Prelude on “Bread of Life” – Young

*CALLING ONE ANOTHER TO WORSHIP
One: Come, all who are anxious or angry.
All: Come, all who are discouraged or exhausted.
One: Enter into the joy of your Master. This is the sanctuary of God.
All: This is holy ground.
One: God is here to receive you and to love you.
All: From the past will come the future. What it holds is a mystery!

One: Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
All: In our death, a resurrection. At the last, a victory!

*HYMN – A Mighty Fortress Is Our God – #1

A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us for;
His craft and power are great, And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving wold be losing,
Were not the right Man on our side, The man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabbath His name, From age to age the same, A
nd He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, Should treated to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us;
The prince of Darkess grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, For lo, his doom is sure;
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers, No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours Through him who with us sideth;
Let good and kindred go, This mortal life also;
The body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still;
His kingdom is forever.

*OPENING PRAYER
God of abundant blessing; out of pure love, you set people free.
God of everlasting life; we worship you!
We praise you as a Giving, Loving God. All people are in your care, and you are stirring among us. It is thanks to you, O God, that relationships are healthy; that compassion flows abundantly; that brokenness is mended; that souls love one another!
We come this day, seeking your guidance, God. Reveal to us, we pray, ways that we may faithfully offer people support and blessing. In your life, Christ Jesus, we see unselfishness and kindness that we want to emulate. Merciful and Mighty One, guide us to follow you by offering tender, loving care to all. Lead us toward becoming your joyful children of grace. Amen.

*RESPONSE – Be Still and Know – #24

Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am God.

I am the Lord that healeth thee.
I am the Lord that healeth thee.
I am the Lord that healeth thee.

GOD’S WORD – Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – For All the Saints (Verses 1-4) – #548

For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
They name, O Jesus, be forever blest:
Al-le-lu-ia! Al-le-lu-ia!

Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might,
Thou Lord, their captain in the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light:
Al-le-lu-ia! Al-le-lu-ia!

O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold:
Al-le-lu-ia! Al-le-lu-ia!

O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine;
Al-le-lu-ia! Al-le-lu-ia!

TOTENFEST – Thanksgiving for Loved Ones

SPECIAL MUSIC – Marcia Funebre sulla morte d’un Eroe, Op 26 (Beethoven) – Mike Waller

GOD’S WORD – Mark 12:38-44 – Pastor Dan

SERMON – Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
We celebrate “open communion,” for we believe Christ’s Table is open to all people. All who desire the bread and the cup are welcome to receive God’s gifts at this communion table.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Hymn of Promise – #277

In the bulb there is a flower; In the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise: Butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter There’s a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season, Something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, Seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn in every darkness, Bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; What it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season, Something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; In our time, infinity.
In our doubt there is believing; In our life, eternity.
In our death a resurrection; At the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season, Something God alone can see.

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – To God Be the Glory – Hustad

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Food photo created by mdjaff – www.freepik.com