All Saints’ Day (obs.) 11.2.25
All Saints Day11.2.2025 PDF ds1
ALL SAINTS’ SUNDAY (observed)
NOVEMBER 2, 2025
ST.PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, FALLS CHURCH, VA
✠ ✠ ✠
PRELUDE 8:00 a.m. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty Setting: William Braun
10:30 a.m. Pauline Bell Ringers Praise to the Lord, the Almighty Setting: Sandra K Tucker
WELCOME
ENTRANCE HYMN (Stand) Praise to the Lord, the Almighty LSB 790
1 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is your health and salvation!
Let all who hear
Now to His temple draw near, joining in glad adoration!
2 Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things is wondrously reigning
And, as on wings of an eagle, uplifting, sustaining.
Have you not seen
All that is needful has been sent by His gracious ordaining?
3 Praise to the Lord, who has fearfully, wondrously, made you,
Health has bestowed and, when heedlessly falling, has stayed you.
What need or grief
Ever has failed of relief? Wings of His mercy did shade you.
4 Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you;
Surely His goodness and mercy shall daily attend you.
Ponder anew
What the Almighty can do as with His love He befriends you.
5 Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that has life and breath, come now with praises before Him!
Let the Amen
Sound from His people again; gladly forever adore Him!
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION LSB 151
In the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Silence for reflection on God’s Word and for self-examination.
Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.
Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have
sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by
what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have
not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal
punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us,
renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to
the glory of Your holy name. Amen.
Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
KYRIE LSB 152
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above and for our salvation let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for
the unity of all let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise let us pray to
the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.
THIS IS THE FEAST LSB 155
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of
God.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, and honor, blessing, and glory are His.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Sing with all the people of God, and join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing, honor, glory, and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
For the Lamb who was slain has begun His reign. Alleluia.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God,
You knit together Your faithful people of all times and places into one holy
communion, the mystical body of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant us so to follow Your
blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that, together with them, we may
come to the unspeakable joys You have prepared for those who love You; through
Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and forever. Amen.
✠ ✠ ✠
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
FIRST LESSON (Be seated) Revelation 7:9-17
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
“Therefore they are before the throne of God,
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
the sun shall not strike them,
nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
ANTHEM Jubilation Choir Grant Peace, We Pray, in Mercy, Lord Felix Mendelssohn
Grant peace, we pray, in mercy, Lord;
Peace in our time, O send us!
For there is none on earth but You,
None other to defend us.
You only, Lord, can fight for us.
Amen.
SECOND LESSON 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 11-12
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.
This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— . . .
To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
CHILDREN’S SERMON
HYMN (Stand) For All the Saints Sts. 1-3 LSB 677
1 For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
2 Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might;
Thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
3 Oh, may Thy 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!
GOSPEL Matthew 5:1-12
The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew the 5th chapter.
Glory to You, O Lord.
Seeing the crowds, [Jesus] went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be
satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others 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 so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, O Christ.
SERMON
Grace, mercy and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus. Amen. Dear friends in Christ:
Today at the church we are celebrating All Saints’ Day. The actual festival day was yesterday, Nov. 1. But we’re remembering it on a Sunday because we love it so much and because we want to celebrate it together.
Much of the world, however, has been celebrating aspects of this festival’s themes all weekend – whether they realize it or not. Two days ago, many celebrated Halloween – a day that takes its name from the All Saints’ or All Hallows’ celebration. And today, Nov. 2, many people are celebrating All Soul’s Day, or its Mexican version, known as the Day of the Dead.
I will say more about these observances and a suggested attitude towards them in the last part of the sermon. The sermon will consist of three parts – each corresponding to a different understanding of what it means to be a saint. Our goal will be to understand what the church is teaching us through this festival and to cut through some of the confusion surrounding the use of the word “saint.”
The first use of the word to address is its use in describing a person who lives rightly according to God’s commands. The church and its scriptures, as we know, hold up a moral code that people are commanded to follow. And those who do an extra good job of following it can be called saints – meaning those who are holy.
Since its earliest days, the church has remembered people who have lived the faith particularly well with annual celebrations in their name, usually held on the anniversary of their death. The church knows that we need good examples. And it knows that good people who have died are missed. Eventually there were so many of these festival celebrations that the church calendar was completely full, and that’s one reason why the church started celebrating a day for all saints.
In the Lutheran Church, we don’t try to figure out who deserves this label and who doesn’t. We generally apply it to those Biblical figures who had a great impact on the faith – people such as St. Paul and the rest of the apostles. And we don’t mind referring to some of the church’s important contributors as saints either – people like St. Patrick or St. Augustine.
Our assigned Gospel reading today was no doubt chosen because it gives many important qualities that describe a Christian life well lived. The reading calls us to the good traits of hungering and thirsting for righteousness, being merciful toward others, being pure in heart, and helping to make peace. All these traits help bring blessings to others.
And as we know, some people exhibit these traits particularly well in this life. And each of us has benefited from such people in our lives who have blessed us with their holy words and actions, and through their good example. Today I encourage you to think about those people who have impacted you in these ways and give God thanks.
Let me say, too, that today at St. Paul’s we are beginning an emphasis on saintly living in one particularly important way – that of Christian stewardship. Stewardship is the managing of our time, talents and treasures in healthy and God-pleasing ways. When we steward these things well, we are living in a saintly way.
This coming week you will receive our annual stewardship letter as a means of introducing this task and encouraging your participation. The letter contains helpful thoughts on how you can best steward the gifts God has given you, and it gives important updates on our congregation and its needs. Please read it.
The theme verse for this year’s emphasis comes from today’s second reading. In these opening verses of Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, which we chose because it is the appointed reading from our normal Pentecost cycle, we hear Paul commending the good work of the people. He says: “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.”
Yes, when God’s ways are observed, the blessings of growing faith and increased love will follow. And these are certainly among the greatest of God’s gifts – bringing peace and joy to everyone, both individuals and communities. We all benefit from increased faith and love.
But here we should start thinking about that second way of understanding the word saint. According to the scriptures, saints are not just those who live rightly and obediently. Rather, in the Christian faith, all who trust in Jesus are saints, no matter how well they live.
And we know this because this is how the Bible primarily uses the word. In today’s reading from Thessalonians, Paul addresses his fellow Christians as “brothers,” by which he means both brothers and sisters. And the use of such family language is common for Paul and certainly reflects well Jesus’ understanding of his followers. However, in many of his other letters, such as those to the Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, Paul addresses his fellow believers as “saints.” And this designation isn’t singling out some Christians as living better than others. Rather, it reflects the fact that all believers in Christ are considered holy in the sight of God.
This holiness in God’s sight comes via one path only. It can’t come from our good works, because none of us lives as rightly as we should. No, truly holiness only comes when sins are forgiven. And this forgiveness comes by trusting what Jesus has done for us on the cross, where he died to pay for our sins.
Today’s first reading, from Revelation chapter seven, pictures the saints of God standing before the throne of God in heaven. And these saints are all those who have died in the faith. We know this because in the description of that scene we’re told that the saints are those who have “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” This phrase conveys how those who placed their faith in Christ were purified by Christ’s blood. And thus purified, they were then worthy of heaven.
All Christians can therefore be referred to as saints, whether they act like one or not. And this understanding is not to excuse poor behavior or make light of it. The Christian who plays fast and loose with God’s commands may lose their faith and suffer the Lord’s discipline. The idea of sainthood, instead, is a message of comfort that assures us that even we poor sinners can still be saved.
And here we come to a third understanding of being a saint. In certain Biblical passages, and with great frequency in Christian hymnody and prayer, saints are those who have finished their course on earth and are now with the Lord in heaven. They are members of what we call “The Church Triumphant.”
This idea of sainthood is seen in the many references to such people as saints in the Book of Revelation. And we see it in great hymns such as the one we’re singing today – For All the Saints – where the saints are those “who from their labors rest.”
It is particularly this understanding of the saints which makes the festival of All Saints’ so beautiful. And that is because we all take great comfort in knowing that our loved ones who have died are not really dead, but are living, in the presence of God, and waiting for the great resurrection to come. And we enjoy, too, the opportunity to remember the blessed dead and think about them, because we miss them.
I have people I greatly miss. You have people you miss. We all have people we love who are no longer with us but are still close to us in our memories and in our hearts. Today we remember them, say prayers to help with our grief, and give thanks for God’s promises.
In the Roman Catholic Church, this aspect of sainthood is extended into Nov. 2nd and called “All Souls’ Day.” In the predominantly Catholic nation of Mexico, the celebration has morphed into a version called The Day of the Dead.
In thinking about these celebrations, let’s keep in mind that the meaning ascribed to a festival by its contemporary observers is often very different than what was originally intended. Think of all the different ways people today celebrate Christmas.
And such is the case with All Souls’ and Day of the Dead celebrations. On the positive side, each of these celebrations help people remember their deceased relatives and friends. And this is a very important thing to do in a world that keeps pushing us forward instead. The celebrations help people process their grief and move people to learn the lessons which come from knowing that time on earth is short.
But these celebrations have their downsides as well. In Roman Catholicism, the All Souls’ Day observance is used to supposedly spring people from the pains of purgatory through the cleansing of their souls by means of a requiem mass or dedicated prayers. We Lutherans reject this idea, for the concept of Purgatory is unknown in the scriptures and takes away from what Christ has done for us on the cross.
Likewise, the Day of the Dead celebration sometimes leads people to think they can communicate with the dead. And it can suggest, too, that those who died even without faith are redeemable when the right things are done.
These same downsides often get played out in Halloween festivities too. And Halloween introduces many other strange ideas and practices as well. Many of these are harmless and come from the Christian perspective that we can laugh in the face of death. Christ our Savior has defeated death, and we no longer need to fear it. Therefore, some partying at this time can be appropriate, including the sharing of treats and dressing up as a means of joyful play and creativity.
As well, the ghoulish themes and decorations of this season come from a very natural fascination with death. We know that death is a power that affects us all, and this is why we can find a certain delight in doing things which draw on this power to scare people or make them uncomfortable, ourselves included.
But let’s remember, too, that Halloween often takes this delight to unhealthy extremes. It can push people to do pranks that are hurtful instead of fun, and take such a light-hearted view of death that it ends up promoting death as good. It can also perpetuate false beliefs, such as wandering lost souls and work yet to be done.
And let us remember, too, that Halloween often connects with pagan ideas that are contrary to the Christian faith. As such, it can be a time for drawing on dark powers of evil and asserting alternate views about life, death and God.
As Christians, we each decide our own course for dealing with Halloween. Some avoid it completely, which can be a very wise strategy. Others will seek to render it harmless by participating minimally or by emphasizing it as fantasy and fun. Many of us have found that while Halloween can leave us with feelings both good and bad, we definitely enjoy the easy connection it gives us with our neighbors – a connection that is much easier on this day than many others. Connecting with our neighbors is always a good thing.
In any case, the greater celebration for Christians is the Festival of All Saints’. Therefore, as our sermon today concludes, let us lift up some particularly important words of Jesus from today’s Gospel reading. Jesus said: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” All Saints’ Day helps us mourn, for sure. For through its messages, we remember that God has promised to care for his saints – both in this life and the next.
These words of Jesus, and all of those from this section, are known to us as the Beatitudes. And they are not just descriptions of what the saintly life looks like. Rather, they are also promises from Jesus telling of the help he gives to his beloved saints. These promises assure us that the mourning, the meek, the poor in spirit, and all those who find themselves beaten down by the demands of this world and persecuted by those who don’t follow God’s ways will be helped by God in due time as they continue to trust in him.
God’s people can therefore rejoice and be glad – even in the face of such challenges – for our reward is great in heaven. The Lord our God loves saintly living, yes. But even more, he loves his saints.
Let us then commit ourselves to his ways and purposes. And do so, above all, with faith.
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
HYMN (Stand) For All the Saints Sts. 4-8 LSB 677
4 Oh, blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
5 And when the fight 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 cometh rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
7 But, lo, 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!
NICENE CREED Hymnal, back cover
I believe in one God,
the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth
and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
begotten of His Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light,
very God of very God,
begotten, not made,
being of one substance with the Father,
by whom all things were made;
who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary
and was made man;
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.
He suffered and was buried.
And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures
and ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of the Father
And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead,
whose kingdom will have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord and giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified,
who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church,
I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,
and I look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life T of the world to come. Amen.
OFFERING
Offerings support the church’s mission work – both here and through our many partners. Offerings may be placed in the box at the sanctuary entrance or sent to the church through our website or the mail. Fellowship Cards help us welcome new people and track participation. Please fill one out and place it in the offering box following the service.
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
In our time of prayer, we remember with thanksgiving those who have gone before us with the sign of faith. God gave new life to them through Holy Baptism, nourished them in the company of His people at His holy table, and in His mercy summoned them to His eternal presence so that they may continue to serve Him forever.
Those members and former members of St. Paul’s
receiving Christian burial this past year:
Tor Eide, Cliff Warfield,
Trudy Walker, Mary Ann Wollerton
Eunice Brown, Michael Kuhn
also in our prayers are loved ones of our parishioners
who died this past year:
Norma Noble, Carol Drager, Duane Fisher, Karen Kirkup,
Gary Mather, Gilbert Wellington, Pastor Ralph Wiechman
OFFERTORY (Stand) LSB 159
What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits to me?
I will offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call on the name of the Lord.
I will take the cup of salvation and will call on the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people,
in the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
✠ ✠ ✠
THE LITURGY OF HOLY COMMUNION
PREFACE (Stand) LSB 160
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who, out of love for His fallen creation, humbled Himself by taking on the form of a servant, becoming obedient unto death, even death upon a cross. Risen from the dead, He has freed us from eternal death and given us life everlasting. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:
SANCTUS LSB 161
Holy, holy, holy Lord God of pow’r and might:
Heaven and earth are full of Your glory.
Hosanna. Hosanna.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING LSB 161
Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on those whom You created and sent Your only-begotten Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. With repentant joy we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice of His body and His blood on the cross.
Gathered in the name and the remembrance of Jesus, we beg You, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strengthen us with Your Word and Spirit. Grant us faithfully to eat His body and drink His blood as He bids us do in His own testament. Gather us together, we pray, from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
THE WORDS OF OUR LORD
Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My ✠ body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”
In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My ✠ blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, in giving us Your body and blood to eat and to drink, You lead us to remember and confess Your holy cross and passion, Your blessed death, Your rest in the tomb, Your resurrection from the dead, Your ascension into heaven, and Your coming for the final judgment. So remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:
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 and ever. Amen.
PAX DOMINI LSB 163
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Amen.
AGNUS DEI LSB 163
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.
DISTRIBUTION (Be seated)
Those wishing to commune at the foot of the steps should come forward first. Those wishing to commune at the altar rail should come forward after these, front rows first, from both sides of the aisle. After receiving, all should return to their seats. A common dismissal will be given at the end.
DISTRIBUTION HYMNS Wide Open Stand the Gates LSB 639
1 Wide open stand the gates adorned with pearl,
While round God’s golden throne
The choirs of saints in endless circles curl,
And joyous praise the Son!
They watch Him now descending
To visit waiting earth.
The Lord of Life unending
Brings dying hope new birth!
2 He speaks the Word the bread and wine to bless:
“This is My flesh and blood!”
He bids us eat and drink with thankfulness
This gift of holy food.
All human thought must falter—
Our God stoops low to heal,
Now present on the altar,
For us both host and meal!
3 The cherubim, their faces veiled from light,
While saints in wonder kneel,
Sing praise to Him whose face with glory bright
No earthly masks conceal.
This sacrament God gives us
Binds us in unity,
Joins earth with heav’n beyond us,
Time with eternity!
Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness LSB 636
1 Soul, adorn yourself with gladness,
Leave the gloomy haunts of sadness,
Come into the daylight’s splendor,
There with joy your praises render.
Bless the One whose grace unbounded
This amazing banquet founded;
He, though heav’nly, high, and holy,
Deigns to dwell with you most lowly.
2 Hasten as a bride to meet Him,
And with loving rev’rence greet Him.
For with words of life immortal
He is knocking at your portal.
Open wide the gates before Him,
Saying, as you there adore Him:
Grant, Lord, that I now receive You,
That I nevermore will leave You.
3 He who craves a precious treasure
Neither cost nor pain will measure;
But the priceless gifts of heaven
God to us has freely given.
Though the wealth of earth were proffered,
None could buy the gifts here offered:
Christ’s true body, for you riven,
And His blood, for you once given.
4 Now in faith I humbly ponder
Over this surpassing wonder
That the bread of life is boundless
Though the souls it feeds are countless:
With the choicest wine of heaven
Christ’s own blood to us is given.
Oh, most glorious consolation,
Pledge and seal of my salvation!
5 Jesus, source of lasting pleasure,
Truest friend, and dearest treasure,
Peace beyond all understanding,
Joy into all life expanding:
Humbly now, I bow before You;
Love incarnate, I adore You;
Worthily let me receive You
And, so favored, never leave You.
6 Jesus, sun of life, my splendor,
Jesus, friend of friends, most tender,
Jesus, joy of my desiring,
Fount of life, my soul inspiring:
At Your feet I cry, my maker,
Let me be a fit partaker
Of this blessèd food from heaven,
For our good, Your glory, given.
7 Lord, by love and mercy driven,
You once left Your throne in heaven
On the cross for me to languish
And to die in bitter anguish,
To forego all joy and gladness
And to shed Your blood in sadness.
By this blood redeemed and living,
Lord, I praise You with thanksgiving.
8 Jesus, bread of life, I pray You,
Let me gladly here obey You.
By Your love I am invited,
Be Your love with love requited;
By this Supper let me measure,
Lord, how vast and deep love’s treasure.
Through the gift of grace You give me
As Your guest in heav’n receive me.
NUNC DIMITTIS (Stand) LSB 165
Lord, now You let Your servant go in peace; Your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation which You have prepared in the sight of ev’ry people:
A light to reveal You to the nations and the glory of Your people Israel.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
POST-COMMUNION COLLECT
BENEDICTION
SENDING HYMN Sing with all the Saints in Glory LSB 671
1 Sing with all the saints in glory,
Sing the resurrection song!
Death and sorrow, earth’s dark story,
To the former days belong.
All around the clouds are breaking;
Soon the storms of time shall cease;
In God’s likeness we awaken,
Knowing everlasting peace.
2 Oh, what glory, far exceeding
All that eye has yet perceived!
Holiest hearts for ages pleading
Never that full joy conceived.
God has promised, Christ prepares it;
There on high our welcome waits.
Ev’ry humble spirit shares it,
Christ has passed the_eternal gates.
3 Life eternal! Heav’n rejoices:
Jesus lives who once was dead.
Shout with joy, O deathless voices!
Child of God, lift up your head!
Life eternal! Oh, what wonders
Crowd on faith; what joy unknown,
When, amid earth’s closing thunders,
Saints shall stand before the throne!
ANNOUNCEMENTS (Be seated)
DISMISSAL
POSTLUDE Sing with All the Saints in Glory Setting: Walter Pelz
FELLOWSHIP CONTRIBUTORS: Board of Property Management
Those serving:
8:00 a.m.:
Greeter: Steve Berg
Comm. assist: Jim Easterly
Reader: Rich Kauzlarich
10:30 a.m.:
Greeter: Lynn Jacquez
Comm. assist: Dan Buuck
Reader: Lynn Jacquez
Acolyte: William Dennis
AV Assistants: Hannes Buuck, Andreas Buuck
Acknowledgements
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2025 Concordia Publishing House.
790 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty Text: Joachim Neander, 1650–80; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–78, alt. Tune: Ander Theil Des Erneuerten Gesang-Buchs, 1665, Stralsund Text and tune: Public domain
677 For All the Saints Text: William W. How, 1823–97, alt. Tune: Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872–1958 Text and tune: Public domain
639 Wide Open Stand the Gates Text: J. K. Wilhelm Loehe, 1808–72; tr. Herman G. Stuempfle, Jr., 1923–2007 Tune: Christlich Neu-vermehrt . . . Gesangbuch, 1663, Erfurt Text: © 2002 GIA Publications, Inc. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326 Tune: Public domain
636 Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness Text: Johann Franck, 1618–77; (sts. 1, 4–5): tr. Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978; (sts. 2–3, 6–8): tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–78, alt. Tune: Johann Crüger, 1598–1662 Text (sts. 1, 4–5): © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326 Text (sts. 2–3, 6–8) and tune: Public domain
671 Sing with All the Saints in Glory Text: William J. Irons, 1812–83, alt. Tune: William B. Roberts, 1947 Text: Public domain Tune: © 1995 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326
777 Grant Peace, We Pray, in Mercy, Lord Text: Latin, c. 6th cent.; adapt. Martin Luther, 1483–1546; tr. Laudamus, 1952, Hannover Tune: Felix Mendelssohn, 1809–47 Text: © Lutheran World Federation. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326 Tune: Public domain
