Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
November 1, 2009
Worship 10:00 am              Sunday School 11:10am
 

  Morning Praise (9:45 am)
  Announcements
  Prelude

  Responsive Call to Worship                                             (back of the bulletin)

*Hymn                              "For the fruit of all creation"                                  90
                      (sung to #433, here's #90 from our hymnal, an as-yet unfamiliar tune)

*Opening Prayer

  An Opening Word                     Isaiah 25:1-9

  For Children                       "a Christ window"

  Hymn                                     "For all the saints"                                        636

  Sharing a joy, a concern, a word of testimony or praise
                                 (please be brief, and aware of God's listening presence)

  Pastoral Prayer

  Returning our Tithes and Offerings

  Offertory              (Please sign the attendance pad and pass it on)

*Doxology                                                                                                119A

*Dedication

  Scripture                                   John 11:32-44

  Message                                 "Table of Life" (mp3)

*Hymn                                    "Come to the table"                             (see insert)

*A Closing Word                                                                                        860

*Benediction

*Postlude

*Rise in body or in spirit

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Call to Worship
A FEAST FOR ALL

One: God of all creation, we gather for worship and await evidence of your presence.

  All: We see a vision of abundance for all people.

One: Your table is spread with bountiful goodness, and there is joy when all people are welcomed and filled.

  All: Yet we approach cautiously, for we witness too many funeral meals, we experience too much separation at family tables, and we know greed and hunger still exist. Instead of a feast, too often we see fear bring darkness into our lives and into your world.

One: Wipe away the tears from our faces; take away the disgrace of broken lives.

  All: O God, prepare us for your rich banquet. Comfort us with your peace. Help us trust again. By your mercy and goodness, challenge us to forgive and give abundantly.

One: We have waited for this day of celebration. Now help us to see you here, welcoming all to your feast.

  All: Let us give thanks and sing. Fill us with your renewing, reconciling, and overflowing love.

by Alice Martin-Adkins
Asheville, North Carolina
Church of the Brethren Living Word Bulletin
Anchor/Wallace, Sleepy Eye MN 56085, "The Living Word Series"
   

Opening Prayer

         Holy God, make your presence known to us today. We come to you as we are, called to be saints, holy ones, but so often less than our calling. Help us this hour to let go of those sins to which we cling. Help us to know that our self-worth does not depend so much on our ability to hold on to our lives, as on your power to release ourselves into your hands.
        Holy God, make your presence known to us today. We come to you with our vision so often clouded by our sin. Clear away the mist, through Jesus, that we can catch a glimpse, now, of your presence here. Help us to behold you as you are, not as we would like you to be. In Him, through whom we become holy, on the wings of the Spirit, we pray to you, our Father. Amen.
  

For Children
"a Christ window"

            Growing up in my home church (Bethesda First Baptist, now the Church in Bethesda), I looked at this window every Sunday. It was on the wall above the baptismal, about where the cross is in our sanctuary. You couldn't miss it. All the pews aimed in its direction. Can anyone read what it says? "I am the light of the world. He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness." Who says that? Jesus. Who is that pictured in the window? Yes, Jesus.At the bottom is a scene from the Bible, which took place at a pool called "Bethesda." Jesus healed a man there. I grew up in a town called "Bethesda." That's why this window had that scene in it. My home church was in Bethesda.

            This "Christ window" is made of stained glass. Now, one thing you probably need to know about a stained glass window is that without light shining through it, it isn't colorful. In fact, you probably can't even see much of what's in it. The picture you see on the screen is beautiful because of the sunlight that is shining through it from outside the sanctuary. It's this sunlight that helps us to see Jesus. It's this sunlight that makes it possible for us to get the message that he is "the light of the world," and that those who follow Jesus "shall not walk in darkness."

            Today is sometimes called "All Saints Day." I think you may know another name for it, which is "All Hallows Day," because last night was "All Hallows Eve," or "Halloween." "Hallow" is an old word that means "holy." Maybe you remember when we say the Lord's prayer, it starts "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name..." Or, "holy is your name," or "sacred is your name." The word "saint" also means "holy" or "sacred." It's someone who God makes holy or sacred.

            I don't know about you, but I find that hard to understand. This Christ window helps me. It's the light shining through this window that helps me see something of God. A "saint" is like this window. A saint is simply someone who follows Jesus, and as he or she walks, God's light shines through. When we see them, we see something of God. Believe it or not, this room is filled with saints - people trying to follow Jesus, walking in his light. God's light shines through them, just like God's light shines through you.

            On "All Saints Day" we remember God's saints, God's holy ones. In some churches, these are people from long ago who did big things for God. In other churches, like ours, these are people we have known. Someone older who has showed us something of God through how they lived. They have died, but because of God's light shining through them, we have learned about following Jesus. And we believe they are with God now, shining bright - just like this Christ window.

Pastoral Prayer

written closer to the time (if not at the moment)

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

read Psalm 24, then: 

Dedication

            These gifts are yours, O Lord. We can return but a fraction of what you have first given us. And yet, you have called us daughters and sons. This work is yours, O Lord. We are but laborers in your fields. And yet, you have called us friends. These hands are yours, O Lord. We reach out but little in comparison to you. And yet, you have called us brothers and sisters. Empower us to give with the joy of children, to labor with the freedom of friends, to touch with the connectedness of family. Be risen in us, that our living may be for you. In Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
  

A Closing Word

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 as their God;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them;
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.”

Revelation 21:1-4 (NRSV), Hymnal #860
 

Benediction

Go now:
        Go in safety,
                for you cannot go where God is not.
        Go in love,
                for love alone endures.
        Go with purpose,
                and God will honor your dedication.
        Go in peace,
                for it is the gift of God to those
                whose hearts and minds are in Christ Jesus.
Amen.

by Earle W. Fike, jr
Taken from For all who Minister,
©1993, Brethren Pres, Elgin, IL, p.122