November 5, 2006

31^st Sunday in Ordinary Time - All Saints Sunday

Preparation for Worship

Jesus said to them,

“Unbind him and let him go.”

John 11:44

The irony of man's condition is that

the deepest need is to be free of the

anxiety of death and annihilation;

but it is life itself which awakens it,

and so we must shrink from being fully alive.

Ernest Becker

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,

Life is but an empty dream!

For the soul is dead that slumbers,

and things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!

And the grave is not its goal;

Dust thou art; to dust returnest,

Was not spoken of the soul.

Henry Wadswoth Longfellow

In worship today, we observe All Saints’ Day. While this festival of remembrance has its roots in the Catholic Church, the early reformed church eliminated all celebrations for saints since these observances encouraged the idea of “praying” to saints for intercession with God. This stood in opposition to the reformed belief that Christ’s sacrifice was sufficient intercession. However, in recent years, many Protestant denominations have included observances of All Saints Day as a way to recognize and offer thanksgiving for God’s work in and through those “saints” who have gone before us. The liturgical color for All Saints’ Day is white.

     During our Litany of Remembrance, we will lift up by name, those members who have gone on to be with God since last All Saints’ Day. As we recall these witnesses, we take light from the Christ Candle and light a candle in remembrance of the departed. This is done to symbolize the light of Christ reflected in the life of each individual. A seventh, “un-named” candle is lit in remembrance of those who were dear to us in our own lives, but who may not have been members of Westminster. These candles remain lit through the sacrament of communion to remind us of the cloud of witnesses who are with us always.

     The music chosen for worship this morning draws upon a wide range of memorial hymns. The opening hymn, “Jerusalem, the Golden” is used to describe the beautiful vision we have of heaven. Both the prelude and the closing hymn are settings of the English composer, Ralph Vaughn Williams’ hymn “For All the Saints.” “Going Home” and “When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder” are both settings of American memorial folk hymns.

     The choir anthem, offered in response to the Litany of Remembrance, is a setting by contemporary Canadian composer Eleanor Daley. Daley serves as Organist and Director of Music at Fairlawn Heights United Church of Canada in Toronto. A prolific composer, Daley has a remarkable gift for melody.  Her works are most notable for their sensitive interweaving of text and music. “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep,” evokes the memory of those Christian witnesses whose effect on our lives lingers long after they have gone.

     LITANY OF REMEMBRANCE

Leader:

Eternal God, we bless you for the great company of  those who have kept the faith, finished their race, and who now rest from their labor. As we light these candles, we praise you for your servants in this congregation, whom you have received into your  presence since our last All Saints’ observance. Lord, we remember your servant...

People:

We remember and give you thanks, O God.

Leader:

As we light this additional candle, we praise you for all those departed saints who are dear to us, our family members and friends whom we name now in our hearts before you,

People:

We remember and give you thanks, O God.

Leader:

We thank you, O God, for the saints of all ages; for those who in times of darkness kept the lamp of faith burning,

People:

We remember and give you thanks, O God.

Leader:

: For the great souls who saw visions of larger truths and dared to declare them,

People:

We remember and give you thanks, O God.

Leader:

For the multitude of quiet and gracious souls whose presence has purified and sanctified the world,

People:

We remember and give you thanks, O God.

Leader:

For all your servants and witnesses who have inspired our hearts and strengthened our wills by their devotion,

People:

We remember and give you thanks, O God.

Leader:

For those known and loved by us, who have passed from this earthly fellowship into the fuller light of life with you,

People:

We remember and give you thanks, O God.

Leader:

In Christ’s name we pray, as we gather in communion with all your saints around the Table you have prepared for us.

People:

Amen.