WORSHIP RESOURCES

All Saints’ Day

Revelation 21:1-6a

God Makes All Things New

 

Additional Scriptures

Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 24;
John 11:32-44; Doctrine and Covenants 165:6c

 

All Saints’ Day is a day to remember and celebrate all the saints—Christian people past and present. As a reminder of our communion of saints, this service is nontraditional, intended to be shared around a table with a meal. If your group feels uncomfortable singing hymns around a table, try reading them as poetry or listening to them played.

Preparation: Announce plans ahead of the service for a potluck meal. You are encouraged to place an empty place at the table as a symbol of those saints who have passed and are not present in body but in spirit. This service may be celebrated at the start of the meal, during the meal, or after the meal.

 

Prelude

If access to an instrument is a problem in the space for the meal, play recorded music.

Call to Worship

For all the saints, who from their labors rest, all who their faith before the world confessed, your name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!

—William Walsham How, CCS 331, Stanza 1

Hymn Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.

“Blest Be the Tie that Binds"
CCS 325

OR “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow"
CCS 54 

Invocation

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 25:6-9

Focus Moment

Today is All Saints’ Day! Orthodox Christians typically celebrate the saints who have been formally canonized, which traditionally happens many years after the person dies. Do you know any of these saints? You might know them as names of churches or schools!

In Community of Christ, we recognize the Worth of All Persons, which means all people are of equal and immeasurable worth. In William Walsham How’s hymn, “For All the Saints,” CCS 331, we sing “May we your saints, your servants true and bold, serve as the saints who nobly lived of old.” Who are people you know who served or continue to serve with passion, striving to invite people to Christ, abolishing poverty and end suffering, pursuing peace on Earth, developing disciples to serve, and experiencing congregations in mission? Who has been a ‘saint’ to you?

Prayer for Peace

Light the Peace Candle.

Prayer

O God of All the Saints,

Today we give thanks for all those who have come before us, and who have now gone ahead of us. We are in awe of those who followed your example of servant leadership, working tirelessly for peace in places as far away as the other side of the globe and as close as their own homes. We remember the saints who came before and their sacrifices, and as always, you and your sacrifices made in the name of peace. May we have the strength to pick up the candle of peace to share its warmth with those in need so that the pursuit of peace might continue into the next generation. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

 —Tiffany and Caleb Brian

Testimonies

Invite individuals to share stories of the faithfulness of all kinds of saints— past and present. You might focus on those people from your community who have passed in the past year, or someone special to your community, or others.

Scripture Reading: Revelation 21:1-6a

Disciples’ Generous Response

Statement

During the Disciples’ Generous Response, we focus on aligning our heart with God’s heart. Our offerings are more than meeting budgets or funding mission. Through our offerings we can join in making God’s work visible in the world. As we share our mission tithes either by placing money in the plates or through eTithing, use this time to thank God for the many gifts received in life. Our hearts grow aligned with God’s when we gratefully receive and faithfully respond by living Christ’s mission. We are called to join God in making all things news! Our time, talents, and treasures all are needed to build the kin-dom of God on Earth. In light of these stories we’ve heard today of the generous spirits of saints come before us, prayerfully discern how God calls you to respond.

If your congregation is meeting online, remind participants they can give through CofChrist.org/give or eTithing.org (consider showing these URLs on screen).

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes

Hymn 

“For All the Saints"
CCS 331

OR “Christ Has Called Us to New Visions"
CCS 556

OR “Sing a New World into Being"
CCS 576

Sending: Doctrine and Covenants 165:6c

Postlude

 

 

SERMON AND CLASS HELPS

Year B—Letters

All Saints’ Day, Ordinary Time

Revelation 21:1–6a

Exploring the Scripture

The day following All Hallows Eve (Halloween) is All Saints’ Day, a celebration of all the saints, martyrs, and spiritual mentors who influence us. Today we recognize with gratitude all those, past and present, who have touched our lives with their faithful commitment, humble example, and compassion.

The book of Revelation was probably written during the reign of Roman emperor Domitian (81–96 CE). The text strengthened and supported persecuted Christians, many of whom became martyrs. Like other apocalyptic literature, the visions in the Book of Revelation assert that God set a limit to the present evil age. The new age will be ushered in with birth pangs of cataclysmic destruction, unrivaled conflicts, and terrifying omens. The end is merely the beginning of God’s victory and realizing a new creation.

The old heaven and Earth will pass away with the primordial sea of chaos that existed at creation’s beginning. God will replace them with a new heaven and new Earth, as declared by Isaiah in 65:17 and 66:22. Balance and harmony will be re-established. All life will be perfected and find its purpose in fulfilling the potential for which it was created.

Jerusalem was often a symbol for Israel—or in the Christian community, the church, and the people of God (Galatians 4:26). A New Jerusalem, the “holy city,” will descend from heaven, adorned as a lovely bride. Revelation 21:9–27 elaborates on the image of the New Jerusalem as Christ’s bride, highlighting its purity, perfection, completeness, accessibility, and inclusive nature. The Reign of God that Jesus preached and modeled during his lifetime has come to fruition.

In fulfillment of the old covenants, God’s presence will live among humans, who will be known as God’s people. There will be no more death, pain, sorrow, or grief. Those words comforted followers who were facing persecution or lost loved ones to martyrdom. God personally will wipe away all tears while the first creation, broken and shattered, passes away.

God (the one seated on the throne) speaks personally to the author in the vision. First, God calls John to witness what is happening. “See, I am making all things new” (v. 5). But it is not enough to be a silent witness. God commands the vision be written down for others to read and affirms the experience as genuine and trustworthy. 

In words that echo Jesus’ cry on the cross, we hear the voice declare, “It is done!” (v. 6). What God intended from the beginning has come to a glorious end. God adds a signature, a confirmation of identity: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end” (Ibid.; also Revelation 1:8). Alpha was the first letter of the Greek alphabet; Omega was the last letter. God is the source of all things and the completion to which all history has been pointing.

Note, however, the first and last letters are ineffective in carrying meaning unless the letters between are also used. Between the beginning and the end, God moved in history, calling, enticing, revealing, and finally incarnating the Divine in Jesus Christ to bring about fulfilling and completing the broken human race.

Central Ideas

1. God will build a new heaven and a new Earth, balanced, harmonious, and whole.
2. There will be no death, pain, grief, and sorrow; all will be made new.
3. God is the source of all and the completion to which all history has been pointing.
4. Between the beginning and the end, God moved in history, finally incarnating the Divine in Jesus Christ as the completion of humankind.

Questions for the Speaker

1. When has God done something new in your life and “old things” passed away?
2. What would the world be like if there was no death, pain, sorrow, or grief?
3. What are signs your congregation is moving toward “perfection,” that is, fulfilling the purpose for which it came into being?
4. Where have you seen God moving in history? In your local community? In the call to bring about peace and justice where you live?

 

 

 

SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY

Year B Letters

All Saints Day

Revelation 21:1-6a

Welcome

All Saints’ Day is observed as a day to remember disciples of old, people who made contributions to Christian community, and church members who lived lives of faithfulness and service. It is also a time to remember friends, family, and community members who died

during the year. In this way we honor those who have gone before us and reaffirm our belief in eternal life.

Prayer for Peace for All Saints Day     

Ring bell or chime three times slowly.

Light Peace Candle

Ringer of the first bell,

Today we give thanks for all the saints who have come before us, and who have now gone ahead. We are in awe of those who followed Your example of servant leadership, working tirelessly for peace in places as far away as the other side of the globe and as close as their own homes. We remember the saints who came before and their sacrifices, and as always, You and Your sacrifices made in the name of peace. May we have the strength to pick up the candle of peace to share its warmth with those in need so that the pursuit of peace might continue into the next generation.

In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen. 

Spiritual Practice

Dwelling on the Word

Today we are observing All Saints Day, those that have come before us. 

I will read the following scripture aloud. As you hear it allow words, images, or phrases to come to your mind. Try not to focus on them. Let them rest in you. After a moment of silence, I will read the excerpt again a second time. As you hear the words again listen for how God’s spirit is nudging you or catching your attention.

Read the Follow Excerpt from Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls or lose heart.

Pause

Read the passage a second time:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls or lose heart.

Pause

Invite group member to share responses to these questions:

1. What words, phrases or images came to mind?
2. How are you responding to God’s call to be fully alive in community with Christ?

Sharing Around the Table

Revelation 21:1-6a

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

“See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them and be their God;
he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.”

And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.

It is difficult to thrive in chaos. Child psychologists agree that living in chaos diminishes the ability for children to thrive, it causes long term trust issues, and causes children to bury feelings of hurt and discomfort, further damaging the development processes.

Why the short trip into childhood development?  Chaos isn’t good for anyone.  In the first sentence of today’s text John of Patmos shares that the new heaven and new earth are devoid of chaos.  John’s Revelation, like much of the Bible, equates the presence of the sea with the presence of chaos.  Water is a fearful thing; scary things live in it.  During the first century very little was understood beyond a few feet of the surface of the sea.  Weird creatures became tangled in nets and washed up on shore.  The sea was full of the strange, and if it covered your head for just a few moments you died.

The symbol of water is central in Christian faith and represents a passage events: Moses and Israel passing through the Red Sea, Israel passing through the Jordan, and Jesus being baptized.  Christian baptism is a sacramental passage of life through death to new life.  In John’s vision of a new heaven and new earth the chaos of death is gone, and the presence of life eternal is evident. Everything is new and truth and justice will reign.

Living in the first part of the 21^st century seems like anything but ordered and peaceful.  It seems that chaos rules. Sometimes it feels like we are floundering in the sea of unknowing and fear.  But as much as we think we are special, the churches that John was writing to were experiencing the same things we are: powers of oppression, economic uncertainty and inequality, and a feeling that the tension between good and evil was pulling toward evil more every day.

But John knows better.  John knows that in the church, in community, order can be established, that a new heaven and new earth already exist.  In a community that is focused on principles of fairness, openness, equality, and servant ministry God is present. God dwells in and blesses that community. 

John of Patmos reminds and encourages us that dwelling in community is living a new life, and is in fact living in a new heaven and new earth, and that all of those who have walked the path of discipleship throughout the eons journey alongside us in God’s eternal kingdom.

• Share about a time when you found yourself amid chaos and the community came to your rescue.
• Reflecting on present time, past, and future, who are some of the saints (people of faith)—historical and personally known—who have impacted your journey of faith?

Generosity Statement

” Beloved Community of Christ, do not just speak and sing of Zion. Live, love, and share as Zion: those who strive to be visibly one in Christ, among whom there are no poor or oppressed.” Doctrine and Covenants 165:6a

The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing small-group ministries as part of your generous response.

This offering prayer is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response:

God,

You have blessed generations before us and will bless generations yet to come. May we be a generous people in response to your boundless grace and unending love. Bless and magnify our offerings and our service to others. Let generosity become part of our nature, we pray. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting

Closing Hymn CCS 331 “For All the Saints”

Closing Prayer

 

Optional Additions Depending on Group

• Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
• Thoughts for Children

Thoughts for Children

You will need:

• Flowers (can be real cut flowers, fake flowers, or flowers made from Pipe Cleaners and tissue paper)
• Construction paper cut into small rectangles with a hole punched in them
• String
• Vase
• Something to write with

All Saints’ Day is a day to remember disciples of old, people who contributed to Christian community, and church members who lived in faithfulness and service. It is also a time to remember friends, family, and community members who have died during the year. In this way we honor those who have gone before us and reaffirm our belief in eternal life. Those who have come before us have helped make the world a more beautiful and hopeful place. To remember them, we are going to create a bouquet of flowers that remind us of that beauty and hope. I am going to give you each a small piece of construction paper. On that piece of paper, I want you to write the name of someone who came before you who helped make the world a more beautiful and hopeful place. Once you have written their name, use some string to tie the paper near the top of one of our flowers. Once you have done that, add your flower to the vase.

If you need help thinking of someone’s name to write, find an adult and ask them for a name they would like to include.

Once each participant has had a chance to write someone’s name, offer a prayer of gratitude for all the saints and a prayer of comfort for those who they have left behind.

Description of All Saints Day taken from Sacred Space Year C: All Saints Day (https://www.cofchrist.org/all-saints-day)