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    Nov 01, 2020

    It Is Well

    It Is Well

    Passage: Revelation 21:1-7

    Speaker: Rev. Jennifer Eschliman, Pastor

    Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
    All Saints’ Sunday
    November 1, 2020 - 10 am
     
     
    Prelude: When the Saints Go Marching In
    Arr. Adam O’Dell
     
    Welcome
     
    Call to Worship
    Brothers and sisters in Christ,
    today we remember and give thanks for the faithful servants of God
    in every age, whose lives have testified to God’s goodness and grace.
    Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
    let us lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely,
    and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.
    In the name of Jesus, the author of salvation and the source of our hope,
    we bring our praise and thanksgiving to God.
     
    Opening Hymn “For All the Saints”
    William W. How | Ralph Vaughan Williams
    watch the original recording
     
    Opening Prayer (unison)
    Good and faithful God, we gather to celebrate all that you have done: from creation, to the cross and empty tomb, to the gift of the saints who have lived among us. We give you thanks for all those who have formed us in the faith, for those near to us who have instructed us, for those in public roles who have inspired us, and for those in generations past who have paved the way for us. For all these, may you receive glory; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
     
    A Time of Remembrance
     
    Mark Strandberg, Michael John Richardson, Kevin Karl Kirsch, Donald Lee McNeiland, Atwood Smith, Monica Roppelt, William G Bond, Jr., Betty Bogert, Dennis Whitlock, Robert Tracy, Jean Ather, Dorothy Lockwood, James Haines, Mary Jane Peters,
    Dorothy (Dotty) LaRue Harry, Betty Jane Ensor, Robin Haines, Bryan Harlee Moore, Jacqueline (Jackie) Constance Hart, Dorothy LaRue Allewalt,
    Patricia (Patti) Ann Giarffa, Norman Lee Ports, Roger Alderman Krause
     
    Song “Scars”
    Ethan Hulse | Jon McConnell | Matthew Armstrong | Matthew Hein
    Watch the Original Recording
      
    After the candle-lighting is finished, all pray together:
    Gracious and loving God, for these precious friends and Christian people of all the ages who have enriched our lives, we give you thanks and praise. Along with them are many others named in our hearts, whose lives taught us the meaning of faith, love and self-sacrifice. We have not forgotten and cannot forget these saints, whose presence contributed to the richness of our lives. Be with us in our grief. Mix our sadness with joy. Hear our gratitude as we say thanks for those whom we have known and loved, who have passed from our presence into fuller life with you. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 
     
    Proclamation and Response
     
    First Reading: Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
    1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.
    8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old—and Sarah herself was barren—because he considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, “as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.”
    13 All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, 14 for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.
     
    Second Reading: Revelation 21:1-7
    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. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 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;
    4 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.”
    5 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.” 6 Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who conquer will inherit these things, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
     
    Leader: This is the Word of God.
    All: Thanks be to God!  
                                                                           
    Message “It Is Well”
    Pastor Jen Eschliman
         
    Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts to God
     
    Thanksgiving                                              
     
    Holy Communion
     
    The Lord’s Prayer
          Our Father, who art in heaven,
                hallowed be thy name.
                Thy kingdom come,
                thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
           Give us this day our daily bread.
           And forgive us our trespasses,
                as we forgive those who trespass against us.
           And lead us not into temptation,
                but deliver us from evil.
           For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
          forever. Amen.        
                                                                                                                                
    Closing Hymn: “It Is Well with My Soul” (vv. 1-2, 4)
    Horatio Spafford | Philip Bliss | arr. Bill Meyers
    Watch the Original Recording
     
    Sending Forth
     
    Announcements
     
    Benediction
     
    Postlude: Soon and Very Soon
    ~ Andrae’ Crouch
     
    The scripture readings are from the Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission.
     

     Song Credits:

    Opening Hymn “For All the Saints”
    William W. How | Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Words & Music: Public Domain
    Used by permission. CCLI License # 1011499
     
    Song “Scars”
    Ethan Hulse | Jon McConnell | Matthew Armstrong | Matthew Hein 
    © Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC); EGH Music Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC);
    I Am "They" Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC); Curb Wordspring Music (Admin. by W.C.M. Music Corp.);
    Eyes Up Songs (Admin. by W.C.M. Music Corp.)
    Used by permission. CCLI License # 1011499
     
    Closing Hymn: “It Is Well with My Soul” (vv. 1-2, 4)
    Horatio Spafford | Philip Bliss | arr. Bill Meyers
    Words & Music: Public Domain
    Used by permission. CCLI License # 1011499