Today is All Saints Sunday, when we recognize those who have died before us. We will also celebrate Communion, so we invite you to bring a piece of bread and some juice as we celebrate that everyone is invited to God's Table. All Saints Day has increasing significance this year, as our black siblings continue to be murdered in the streets by police brutality at three times the rate of our white siblings. And deaths due to COVID 19 have increased this last week to 1,000 a day just in the United States. So today we will mourn not only these deaths, but also a system that leads to those deaths. And we will worship a God who says the systems of death are not of God. They are not set in stone. They can be changed. And so today we lament. And we recommit ourselves to a world where God's love and justice become a reality. If that sounds like a community you'd like to be with, join us!! Prelude Adam: God be with you. All: And also with you. Welcome and Announcements – Adam Ericksen Lighting of the Peace Candle – Amira Stanley and Adam Adam: Our tradition at CUCC is to light a peace candle at the beginning of each worship service to center ourselves around the Peace of God. Amira will lead us in the liturgy as Gavin lights the candle… Amira: I invite you to join us in lighting the peace candle… All: We pray for peace in our hearts, in our homes, in our communities, in our nations, and in our worlds. Scripture Readings Matthew 23:1-12 *Call to Worship – Amira Amira: Please join us in the call to worship… Amira: In all our weakness and strength, with hope and with despair All: We come to be your people of love and justice, O God. Amira: In all of our faith and all of our doubts, singing our praises and speaking our prayers All: We come to be your people of love and justice, O God. Amira: Remembering those who have died before us, and trusting that we are all held eternally in your loving arms All: We come to be your people of love and justice. May we be your people, today and forevermore. Amen.* Children’s Moment *Passing of the Peace – Amira Amira: Friends, although we are physically separated as we practice social distance, in reality we are all connected. And so we come to the point in our service where we pass the peace with one another. I invite you to open your palms up like this and imagine yourself connected to everyone watching this livestream as we pass the peace to one another. Amira: Beloved of God, may the peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you. Song: In God’s Hands – Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey Invitation to the Offering Adam Ericksen Prayers of the People – Adam (After each prayer, Adam will say, “God in your love” and you are invited to respond with “hear our prayers.”) Community Prayer and Lord’s Prayer – Amira Our God, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed by 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. 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. Sermon – Calling All Saints and Sinners Communion – Amira and Adam *Unison Benediction – Judy Boncaro May God bless you and keep you. May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God look upon you with kindness and bring you peace. This day and forever more. Amen -Numbers 6:24-26 *Based on the website Seasons Online for All Saints Day (Year A)
