All Saints' Sunday November 5, 2023
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then 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 righteousness' sake, 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." Matthew 5:1-12
This Sunday, church communities who were not able to gather on November 1st, will come together to celebrate the fest of all saints. We will remember the famous and the unknown saints who have gone before us. There is a joy and a melancholy this day, for we speak the names of those we love who are no longer present here with us. We trust them into the warm embrace of our loving God. And we cling to their examples, their lessons, so we might live a life of service and faithfulness like them, Their lives were not easy, and our can be a challenge too. Yet, we hear that we are blessed, even in our darkest and most painful moments. We can trust that God draws near to us, even when the world troubles and abuses us and our communities.
Loving Creator, source of all blessings
you shower love upon all the people
you call us to be your family here
and give us the strength to be your saints.
Lord, make us your blessings, for our world and in times of need.
Our world is full of violence and hate
we can think you are far away from us
we imagine that we are left all on our own
yet daily, you draw closer in our challenges.
Lord, make us your blessings, for our world and in times of need.
Help us to see your love at work around us
make us blessings to those who need your love
give us the strength to beat the world's pain
and offer all the needs to you, O Lord.
Lord, make us your blessings, for our world and in times of need.
For you are our maker and redeemer
you hold our ancestors in your loving arms.
Lord, make us your blessings, for our world and in times of need.
We fear needlessly since you are here
help us to see your blessings today.
Lord, make us your blessings, for our world and in times of need.
Your love is more than enough blessings
help us to bring your blessings to our earth.
Lord, make us your blessings, for our world and in times of need. Amen
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