Welcome to ICYMI Worship!  ICYMI stands for In Case You Missed It; our ICYMI series gives a brief snapshot of worship each week so that you can worship in your home, on the road, or wherever life takes you.

At Cross of Christ, our basic worship order is based on worship patterns from Hebrew traditions and biblical accounts of the earliest Christians:
We GATHER with songs and prayer,
We HEAR God’s word,
We SHARE a meal of bread and wine,
We are SENT into the world to love and serve.

Let us know how this format works for you.


TODAY IS ALL SAINTS SUNDAY


GATHERING SONG

“For All the Saints”

We have two takes on this hymn for you today. The first is from our former Music Director, Lacey Brown, who gives us new music to the traditional words.

For a slightly more traditional take on the tune, the Lutheran Quartet, using the harmonies as written in the hymnal.

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 Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

THIS WEEK’S READINGS

Isaiah 25:6-9 

Psalm 24  

Revelation 21:1-6a   Here is a vision of the new heaven and new earth in which God resides fully with God’s people so that mourning, despair, and pain have been eradicated. These renewing words from the God who spans all of time are trustworthy and true.

THIS WEEK’S GOSPEL

John 11:32-44    Through the raising of Lazarus, Jesus offers the world a vision of the life to come, when death and weeping will be no more.

 

PASTOR DAVE’S SERMON SNAPSHOT: “How He Loved Him”

Of all three years of the lectionary cycle, this year’s All Saints readings have the most tears. Isaiah and Revelation look forward to the day when God will wipe away all tears; in John’s gospel, Jesus weeps along with Mary and all the gathered mourners before he demonstrates his power over death. On All Saints Day we celebrate the victory won for all the faithful dead, but we grieve for our beloved dead as well, knowing that God honors our tears. We bring our grief to the table and find there a foretaste of Isaiah’s feast to come.

 

SONG OF THE DAY

“For All Your Saints, O Lord”

Here we hear a fun intro to the tune for this hymn, “Festal Song.”

 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Freed by God in Christ to live and love and serve, we pray for the church, those in need, and for all of God’s creation.  On this All Saints Sunday each petition will end “Merciful Father” to which your response is “Hear our prayer.”

In faith we give you thanks, O God, for the gifts of this day. We remember all who have come before us.  We are grateful for those who let their light shine before others, who lit our pathway and led us to your Son. Bless their memory, and fill us with confidence in your promise of reunion with all the saints in the life to come, offered freely to us and to all through Jesus Christ. Merciful Father,

Hear our prayer.

In faith we give you thanks, O God, for the freedoms we enjoy: freedom to worship openly, freedom to speak and assemble, freedom to elect our leaders, freedom to challenge systems that are unfair, freedom to act for a more just nation and world. We pray for places where these and other basic liberties are not enjoyed by all people, in our nation and around the world.  We remember especially all who are persecuted for their faith, including our Christian brothers and sisters who daily face persecution for following your Son. Stir us to advocate for liberty and justice for all.  Merciful God,

Hear our prayer.

In faith we give you thanks, O God, for hearing our prayers, and answering according to your perfect will. Only in faith are we able to counter the tragedies that fill the news and break our hearts. We lift to you those who grieve deeply today in the wake of sinful and sorrowful events – our Jewish kindred in Pittsburgh and those who stand with them here in Bellevue, especially our friends at Temple B’Nai Torah; the victims of yet another mass murder, the shooting in Tallahassee, Florida; the family and friends of Brent Taylor, the mayor of North Ogden, Utah, who was killed yesterday in Afghanistan, where he was serving as a member of the National Guard; those who mourn today the deaths of three Girl Scouts and their leader who were killed in a pedestrian-automobile accident in Wisconsin where they were picking up trash along a roadside.  How we long for an end to these and all tragedies. Consul the sorrowful and stir us and others to act as their comforters and companions. Merciful Father,

Hear our prayer.

In faith we give you thanks, O God, for all members of our church family.  Protect those who are traveling. Strengthen those who serve our neighbors, especially the team supporting the Sophia Way Emergency Women’s Shelter which we continue to host this month. Guide our leaders as they make critical decisions for our present and future ministries. Bless those no longer able to regularly attend worship.  Touch all who suffer, including members and their loved ones who have asked for our public prayers: Anna Bero, Ellie Dennison, Linda Ernst, Phyllis Hahn, Ruth Huehnerhoff, Eileen Johnson, Priscilla Kanestrom, Wanda McGee, Wanda Nelson’s daughter Nyra and her son Spike, Marlys Paulson, John Paulson, and Marilyn Van Brero. Comfort all who mourn the death of your servant, Rev. Winston Bone, whose Memorial Service will be held here on December 8.  Merciful Father,

Hear our prayer.

Into your wide embrace, faithful God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your boundless mercy through Jesus Christ, your Son, who sets us free indeed.

Amen.

 

COMMUNION SONG

“When Peace Like A River”

On 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.

All are welcome to receive Christ’s Body and Blood in the Bread and Wine of the Eucharist.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ARE INVITED TO THE “PRAY-GROUND” This special space in the Sanctuary is designed for our youngest worshippers and their families. Children age 8 and under are welcome to color, play games, enjoy age-appropriate books, and just have their own space in the back of the transept – the southeast corner of the Sanctuary. We LOVE having children in worship! We hope this special place helps make them and their families feel both welcome and comfortable.

SCOUT HOLIDAY WREATH ORDERS TODAY – Preorder your holiday greens today from our Boy and Cub Scouts, who will be taking orders in the Narthex. Thank you!

NEW ADULT FAITH FORMATION SERIES BEGINS TODAY – Pastor Dave is launching a new study on the exciting, action-packed book of Acts. Adult Faith Formation meets from 10:15 to 10:55 am, in the Library, between worship services.

CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL – for kids ages 4-10 will meet in the Youth Room between services and is designed for any child to drop in at any time. Come join the fun!

PASTOR DAVE IN ARIZONA – officiating the wedding of a very special family friend.  Pastor will be gone Thursday through Monday. Pastor Judy will be preaching and leading worship next Sunday, and responding to pastoral emergencies during this time.

SAVE THE DATE FOR ADVENT SMORGASBORD – Our annual fun and festive Advent Smorgasbord will be held in the Fellowship Hall immediately following a single 10 am worship service on the First Sunday in Advent, December 2. Stay tuned for more details.

PRAYERS FOR HOMEBOUND MEMBERS – Marilyn Van Brero, Ed and Phyllis Hahn, Doris Lundquist, Bill and Betty McConnell, Mary Moen, Marlys Paulson, Jane Pittenger, and Norman Stromer.

SOPHIA WAY EMERGENCY WOMEN’S SHELTER AT CofC – The Women from Sophia Way will be with us through the month of November. They need the following items: umbrellas, rain slickers, tampons, Poise products, and handwarmers.  There is a collection box for these items at the Information Desk.  They also need breakfast items.  If you would like to help, please bring 3 dozen hard boiled eggs on Sundays through November 25, with date clearly marked.  These can go in the refrigerator in the Fellowship Hall. You can also sign up to provide a meal at: http://signup.com/go/tMaKqVQ  or contact Dorinda Otto to sign up for you.  Thank You!

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION – Pastor Judy is collecting box tops for the PTA of her children’s school throughout the year. They can be found on various boxes, like Cheerios, Kleenex, etc. Just clip them out and stick them in her mailbox. Thanks!

SENDING SONG

“How Great Is Our God”


By God’s grace, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, we are called to

Worship God
Grow in Faith
Share the Gospel
Serve others, and
Welcome all.

Thanks be to God!

 

 

 

 

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