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November 6, 2022
All Saints Sunday
OPENING MUSIC In Paradisum - Alfred V. Fedak
All We Go Down to
the Dust
- Greek Orthodox Service for the Departed
All we go down to
the dust,
yet even at the
grave we sing:
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia!
Opening Sentence from For Us the
Living: A Requiem Alfred V. Fedak
Stand
WHymn Blue WOV 689 Rejoice in God’s Saints
APOSTOLIC GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the
communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
KYRIE
ELEISON
Almighty God, whose people are knit together in one
holy Church, the body of 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 your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
CALL TO
THE WORD
Those who
heard the word of truth and believed in Christ
were
marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13
Let us hear the Word of the Lord.
Sit
FIRST READING
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
1In the first year of King
Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head as he lay in
bed. Then he wrote down the dream: 2I, Daniel, saw in my vision by
night the four winds of heaven stirring up the great sea, 3and four
great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another.
15As for me, Daniel, my spirit was
troubled within me, and the visions of my head terrified me. 16I
approached one of the attendants to ask him the truth concerning all this. So
he said that he would disclose to me the interpretation of the matter: 17“As
for these four great beasts, four kings shall arise out of the earth. 18But
the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the
kingdom forever—forever and ever.”
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
PSALM 149
Antiphon
1Hallelujah! Sing to the Lord
| a new song;*
sing
his praise in the congregation | of the faithful.
2 Let Israel rejoice | in his maker;*
let
the children of Zion be joyful | in their king.
3 Let them praise his name | in the dance;*
let
them sing praise to him with tim- | brel and harp.
4 For the Lord
takes pleasure | in his people*
and
adorns the | poor with victory.
5 Let the faithful | rejoice in triumph;*
let
them be joyful | on their beds.
6 Let the praises of God be | in their throat*
and
a two-edged sword | in their hand;
7 to wreak vengeance | on the nations*
and
punishment | on the peoples;
8 to bind their | kings in chains*
and
their nobles with | links of iron;
this
is glory for all his faithful people. | Hallelujah!
SECOND READING
Ephesians
1:11-23
11In Christ we have also obtained an
inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who
accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, 12so that
we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of
his glory. 13In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth,
the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the
seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14this is the pledge of our
inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.
15I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love
toward all the saints, and for this reason 16I do not cease to give
thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17I pray that the
God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of
wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18so that, with the
eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has
called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19and
what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according
to the working of his great power. 20God put this power to work in
Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the
heavenly places, 21far above all rule and authority and power and
dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in
the age to come. 22And he has put all things under his feet and has
made him the head over all things for the church, 23which is his
body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Stand
VERSE
Revelation 7:15 Setting
by Walter L. Pelz
Alleluia. They are before the throne of God, and he
who sits upon the throne will shelter them with his presence. Alleluia.
Gospel Luke 6:20-31
The
Holy Gospel according to St. Luke.
20Then [Jesus] looked up at his
disciples and said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
21“Blessed are you who are hungry now,
for you will be filled.
“Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
22“Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude
you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. 23Rejoice
in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for
that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
24“But
woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
25“Woe to you who are full now,
for you will be hungry.
“Woe to you who are laughing now,
for you will mourn and weep.
26“Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their
ancestors did to the false prophets.
27“But
I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless
those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29If anyone
strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away
your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30Give to everyone who
begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31Do
to others as you would have them do to you.”
SERMON
WHYMN OF THE DAY Green LBW 174 For All the Saints
Choir/ St. 2, St. 5
1 For
all the saints who from their labors rest,
all
who by faith before the world confessed,
your
name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia!
Alleluia!
2 You
were their rock, their fortress, and their might;
you,
Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;
you,
in the darkness drear, their one true light.
Alleluia!
Alleluia!
3 Oh,
may your soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,
fight
as the saints who nobly fought of old
and
win with them the victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia!
Alleluia!
4 Oh,
blest communion, fellowship divine,
we
feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
yet
all are one within your great design.
Alleluia!
Alleluia!
5 And
when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
steals
on the ear the distant triumph song,
and
hearts are brave again and arms are strong.
Alleluia!
Alleluia!
6 The
golden evening brightens in the west;
soon,
soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
sweet
is the calm of paradise the blest.
Alleluia!
Alleluia!
7 But
then there breaks a yet more glorious day:
the
saints triumphant rise in bright array;
the
King of glory passes on his way.
Alleluia!
Alleluia!
8 From
earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
through
gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
singing
to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia!
Alleluia!
Text: William W. How, 1823-1897, alt.
CONFESSION OF FAITH Nicene Creed
X At the words ‘For us and for our
salvation,’ and continuing through ‘and was made man,’ a solemn bow is appropriate
to praise the incarnation of our Lord.
We believe in one God,
the
Father, the Almighty,
maker
of heaven and earth,
of
all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus
Christ,
the
only Son of God,
eternally
begotten of the Father,
God
from God, Light from Light,
true
God from true God,
begotten,
not made,
of
one Being with the Father.
Through
him all things were made.
X For us and for our salvation
he
came down from heaven;
by
the power of the Holy Spirit
he
became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man. X
For our sake he was crucified under
Pontius Pilate;
he
suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he
rose again
in
accordance with the Scriptures;
he
ascended into heaven
and
is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He
will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and
his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the
Lord, the giver of life,
who
proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With
the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He
has spoken through the prophets.
We
believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We
acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We
look for the resurrection of the dead,
and
the life of the world to come. Amen
Let us pray
for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to
their needs.
A brief silence is kept.
O God, though nations rise and fall, your kingdom
is forever; and you give your Holy Spirit of wisdom and revelation to enlighten
the hearts of those whom you have called to be your holy ones. Stir up your
Spirit within us, that with reverence towards our mothers and fathers in faith
we may live our lives with Christ’s humility and love for all. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
O God, stir up your Holy Spirit in the whole Church
and in our faith family, that we may believe and experience the riches of
Christ’s glorious inheritance among the saints and the immeasurable greatness
of his power for us who believe. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
O God, bless the people of this nation as we
participate in elections on Tuesday. Give us charity towards our neighbors,
dedication to the common good, and zeal for justice. Be with each candidate for
office. Give graciousness to those who are not chosen, and humility to those who
are chosen. Direct our lives to reflect the beauty of your will.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
O God, adorn with your victory the poor in mind,
body, and spirit, and give them confidence in you. Hear our prayers for our own
needs and the needs of others.
The pastor reads the names submitted for prayer;
The people offer spoken or silent intercession and
thanksgiving.
Lord, in
your mercy,
hear
our prayer.
We rejoice in the
saints and martyrs of the Church, in St Stephen our namesake, and in people of
every time and every place, of every tribe, nation and language, who have
witnessed to your love in Christ.
Especially this day
we give thanks for those we love, and those of our faith family who have died during
this past year:
Jane Shepard
Joan
Derrick
Ruth
Duessel
Lorraine
Roberto
Elsie
Mae Kemmler
Bring us, with
them, before your throne, worshiping you with unwearied alleluia. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
We worship
you, O God, for in the resurrection of Christ we see the future you have
prepared for all your saints. Bring us quickly to that day when every tear will
be wiped away; when death shall be no more, and when you shall make all things
new. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Into your hands, Father, we commend all for whom we
pray, trusting in your steadfast love, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
The peace
of the Lord be with you always.
And also with you.
The
people exchange a sign of peace with the simple words, Peace be with you.
Sit
The Lord’s Table is prepared.
OFFERTORY
Revelation 19:7-8 Setting by Richard Hillert
Let us rejoice and exult
and give him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride
has made herself ready. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory. It was
granted her to be clothed with fine linen bright and pure, for the fine linen
is the righteous deeds of the saints. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the
glory.
It is
indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all
places offer
thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father,
through Christ our Lord. In the blessedness of your
saints you have given us a glorious pledge of the hope of our calling; that,
moved by their witness and supported by their fellowship, we may run with
perseverance the race that is set before us and with them receive the unfading
crown of glory. And so with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we
praise your name and join their unending hymn:
The pastor leads the people in praying the Eucharistic canon:
Almighty God,
we
rejoice in your goodness and in your sustaining grace.
By that grace you chose Abraham and Sarah
and
blessed their descendants as the people of your promise.
You made of them a nation
by
your covenant established on Sinai’s hills;
and
though they often strayed from your commands,
your
remained faithful to them, promising them life and peace.
Then, in love and mercy for all your creation,
you
sent your Son, our Lord Jesus,
who
was faithful in fulfilling your will
as
he reached out to the poor and lonely;
as
he forgave sinners;
as
he blessed those distressed by life;
and
who, as he poured out his life upon the cross,
sealed
the new covenant of life in his kingdom
for
all the saints.
In the night in which he was
betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread and gave thanks,
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of
me.
Again, after supper, he took
the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness
of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of
me.
For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from
this cup,
we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
Gracious Father, we give thanks for our Lord’s life and
death,
and
for his glorious resurrection and exaltation
at
your right hand.
We bless you for sealing us in Holy Baptism
to
the promises made to all the saints,
and
for incorporating us into your Church,
the
dwelling place of your Holy Spirit.
Send your Spirit upon these gifts,
this
most holy mystery of our Lord’s body and blood;
enliven
us in the faith we share
as
we partake of this meal of life;
unite
our praises with all those
whom our Lord Jesus calls blessed,
until the new day when the Lamb shall be our light
and when we shall share in his heavenly glory.
In the presence of Christ, we pray to his Father using
the words he gave us.
By the power of the Spirit,
we pray to his Father, saying:
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
and ever. Amen
Matthew 6:9-15
The
Lord takes pleasure in his people
and adorns the poor with victory. Psalm 149:5
Thanks
be to God.
We adore Christ, present in bread and wine.
Sit
DISTRIBUTION
Admission
to the Sacrament is by invitation of the Lord, presented through the Church to those
who are baptized. They
may receive the Lord’s Body and Blood who are baptized in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, who commune in their home
churches, and who believe that Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is truly
present in, with, and under the forms of bread and wine for the forgiveness of
sins, life, and salvation.
WDISTRIBUTION HYMN
Choir
O How Glorious - Text/ Revelation
7; Music/ Sam Batt Owens
O how glorious is
the kingdom, where all the saints rejoice with Christ. Clothed in white robes
they follow the Lamb wherever he goes.
O how glorious.
Alleluia.
When all have received, the congregation stands at the direction of the
pastor.
The body and
blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
Amen
POST-COMMUNION
CANTICLE
Almighty
God, you gave your Son both as a sacrifice for sin
and a model
for the godly life. Enable us to receive him always
with
thanksgiving, and to conform our lives to his; through the same
Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE FAITH
FAMILY
Stand
BENEDICTION
Almighty God, Father, XSon, and
Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
Amen
WCLOSING
HYMN
Green LBW 351 Oh,
Happy Day When We Shall Stand
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God!
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2022 Augsburg Fortress.
All rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission under Augsburg
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New Revised Standard Version Bible,
copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the
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rights reserved.
Agnus Day appears with the permission
of www.agnusday.org
St Stephen Lutheran Church
55 Forsythe Road
Pittsburgh PA 15220
(412) 279-5868
office@ststephenpittsburgh.org
Saturday Evening Worship – 6:30 pm
Sunday Morning Worship – 10:30 am
