Description

John 11:32-44

As we celebrate All Saints Sunday we read of the promise of the resurrection.  Here we see that promise first hand as Jesus goes with Mary and Martha, walks to the tomb of Lazarus and raises him from the dead.  What we often overlook in this miracle is the promise of how Jesus faces pain and morning with us.  Other places in scripture Jesus heals without being present.  In both Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10 we see similar scenarios where someone is sick or “nearing death.”  In the same way in John 11:3 the sisters send a message to Jesus that Lazarus is sick.  These other stories would illustrate that Jesus could heal without even going, yet he doesn’t.  In both cases, Jesus meets us where we are.  The centurion is met on the road to find Jesus.  When Mary and Martha stay, he goes to meet them.  Jesus faces death head on, even his own morning, to be present there with Mary and Martha.  Lazarus is raised from the dead.  As Jesus says, he will die once again, but God’s promise to be present with us never dies.

 

… We Lift Our Hearts in Worship …

[Preservice options include videos (countdowns, worship music, welcomes), worship music CD, or live music by worship band.]

 

Time of Praise and Worship

Nothing Is Impossible

Jonathan Hunt © 2008 Planet Shakers Ministries Int. Inc. (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

Our God

Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Jonas Myrin, & Matt Redman, ©2010 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)  Said And Done Music (Admin. by EMI Christian

Meet With Me

Lamont Hiebert, ©1999 Maranatha! Music (Admin. by Maranatha! Music)

[Traditional Options]

For All The Saints

BH75 144; BH91 355; CH 767; CHH 637; EH 287; ELW  422; HWC 546; HFG 614; HLC 533; HGP 25; LBW 174; LSB 677; LW 191; NCH 299; PH 526; RH 667; STTL 685; TFWS 2283; WC 751; UMH 711; WAR 529; WHM 597; WIS 310

Behold A Host Arrayed in White

ELW 425; LBW 314; LSB 676; LW 192; NCH 296

 

Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme

Pastor              We come today to worship the Living Lord.

ALL                  We come, worshiping the God of our ancestors

Pastor              We come today knowing Christ Lives!

All                     We come today knowing Christ has power over death!

Pastor              We gather now in the name of God the Father who created us, Christ who redeemed us   in the Holy Spirit who guides us each day.

ALL                  Amen!

  

Opening Prayer 

Pastor              Loving Lord Jesus, we come today on this All Saints Sunday remembering and celebrating those who have gone before us.  We give you thanks for their witness to                                       your grace and mercy.  Open our eyes today to experience your presence with us once again.  Fill our hearts anew with the glory of your Spirit as we celebrate your                                     victory over death.

ALL                  In Jesus’ …..  Amen. 

  

Time of Greeting

 

Time of Confession and Forgiveness

[Alternate location:  following Message] 

Pastor              We come before you Jesus our sins, our doubts and our pains…

                                                                     (silence) 

Pastor              Jesus, we confess that we often seek the very things you warn us against;

All                     We seek power and glory;

We blame you when things don’t go our way;

We doubt when we life doesn’t match what we think is your plan.

Forgive us for falling short in our lives, for our questions, doubts, struggles and selfishness.

Pastor             Our Lord Jesus comes to us in the midst of our struggles, doubts and failures.  When we mourn, he comforts.  When we hunger and thirst he fills.  When we sin, he                                    forgives.  Experience now the forgiveness of your sins and the grace of Christ, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All                    Amen

 

… We Hear God’s Word …

[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]

 

First Reading          Isa 25:6-9     

The Lord is preparing an eternity for us! We rejoice in His gift of salvation.

 

On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine—the best of meats and the finest of wines.7 On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples ,the sheet that covers all nations;8 he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The Lord has spoken. 9 In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD; we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”