Worship and Devotions

Welcome visitors and old friends. Welcome regardless of belief, ethnic background, sexual orientation, gender, socio-economic status, marital status, age, abilities, or life situation. Welcome believers and doubters as well as doubting believers. Welcome to share the fullness of Christ's love for the world!(Adapted from The welcome message from the Thomas Community in Finland. "Celebrating milestone moments" by Rev. Jukka Joensuu. Canada Lutheran January/February 2024 Vol. 39 No. 1; chorus of ELW 523)

Sunday November 1, 2026

All Saints Sunday

All Saints celebrates the baptized people of God, living and dead, who are the body of Christ. As November heralds the dying of the landscape in many northern regions, the readings and liturgy call us to remember all who have died in Christ and whose baptism is complete. At the Lord's table we gather with the faithful of every time and place, trusting that the promises of God will be fulfilled and that all tears will be wiped away in the new Jerusalem.

Music

Sing With All the Saints in Glory

ELW 426 "Sing with All the Saints in Glory" - Virtual Hymn - Samm Hills & Mt. Si Lutheran Church

Prayer of the Day

Almighty God, you have knit your people together in one communion in the mystical body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant us grace to follow your blessed saints in lives of faith and commitment, and to know the inexpressible joys you have prepared for those who love you, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Music

Rejoice in God's Saints

Rejoice in God's Saints - ELW 418

Readings

Revelation 7:9-17; Psalm 34:1-10, 22; 1 John 3:1-3

Gospel - Matthew 5:1-12

Revelation 7:9-17

The book of Revelation is written to seven churches in western Asia Minor during a time of great oppression. Today's reading is a response to the question asked in 6:17: "Who is able to stand?" The writer gives the faithful the assurance of God's protection and a vision of victory.

After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying,

"Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne and to the Lamb!"

And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, singing,

"Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom

and thanksgiving and honour

and power and might

be to our God forever and ever! Amen."

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?" I said to him, "Sir, you are the one who knows." Then he said to me, "These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

For this reason they are before the throne of God

and worship him day and night within his temple,

and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.

They will hunger no more and thirst no more;

the sun will not strike them,

nor any scorching heat,

for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd,

and he will guide them to springs of the water of life,

and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Sermon

Gospel - Matthew 5:1-12

Glory to you, O Lord.

In the Beatitudes, Jesus provides a unique description of those who are blessed with God's favor. His teaching is surprising and shocking to those who seek wealth, fame, and control over others.

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he began to speak and taught them, saying:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

REMEMBRANCE OF MARTIN MADELUNG (1953-2026)

In joyful expectation of the resurrection to eternal life, we remember Martin Madelung, a much loved member of our congregation, dedicated and caring leader and friend, who has gone before us in faith and who now rests from his labours.

Lord God, you have surrounded us with so great a cloud of witnesses. Grant that we, encouraged by the example of Martin Madelung, may persevere in the course that is set before us and, at the last, share in your eternal joy with all the saints in light, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Music

Borning Cry

Prayers of Intercession

United with the great cloud of witnesses, we offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all of creation.

A brief silence.

Fill your church with mercy and humility as we proclaim the gospel in our worship and witness in the world. Renew and inspire all who preach and teach among us. God in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Unite the nations in their actions toward justice and peace. Raise up leaders who listen deeply for the needs of their communities. Thank you for all those who voted in our provincial and municipal elections and for all who were elected. Grant them wisdom and discernment and help them work together for the common good. God in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Restore all lands suffering from ecological degradation. Protect soils and waterways Point us toward innovative ways of living in harmony and joy with creation. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bring comfort and care to all in need, especially those who mourn this day. Sustain any who are weary, experiencing loneliness or struggling with illness. God in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Nurture programs and communities that support elders and those who are homebound. Bless caregivers, nurses, chaplains, social workers, and hospice staff. Guide this congregation's ministry with seniors and their families. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

With grateful hearts we remember all who have died and now rest from their labours, especially Martin Madelung. Fill us with songs of praise until we too are gathered at your side. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Into your steadfast love, faithful God, we entrust all for whom we pray, in the name of Jesus, your beloved.

Amen.

Music

For All Your Saints, O Lord

For All Your Saints, O Lord - ELW 427

Give Thanks for Saints

Give Thanks for Saints - ELW 428