November 7, 2021 – Remembrance of All Souls
Good morning (or afternoon, or evening) and welcome to worship.
Whoever you are, wherever you may be (figuratively or literally), you are welcome here.
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Sunday, November 7, 2022
Remembrance of All Souls
CALL TO WORSHIP
Come now, and worship, but do not come alone;
bring with you all the souls you have loved–
for God knows them well,
and welcomes them all.
PRELUDE
Ein’ feste Burg ist unser Gott Johann Pachelbel
Dr. Thomas Pousont, organ
READING
from Isaiah 25:6-9
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. And God will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; God will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have been waiting, for You.
RAISING OF THE PRAYER FLAGS
(to view the flag raising, click here)
Flags of Remembrance, 2021
(to sing along with choir members, click here)
For All the Saints (Tune: Sine Nomine)
READING
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-6
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to scatter the stones, and a time to gather them together…
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to let go.
READING
Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and every sin that entangles us, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
PRESENTATION OF CROSS
From the First Congregational Church of Greenfield, Massachusetts
Barbara Alden
PRAYER
from Psalm 25
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
O my God, in you I trust.
Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation
Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!
READING
Sonnet 71 of William Shakespeare
No longer mourn for me when I am dead
Than you shall hear the surly sullen bell
Give warning to the world that I am fled
From this vile world with vilest worms to dwell;
Nay, if you read this line, remember not
The hand that writ it; for I love you so,
That I in your sweet thoughts would be forgot,
If thinking on me then should make you woe.
O, if (I say) you look upon this verse,
When I (perhaps) compounded am with clay,
Do not so much as my poor name rehearse,
But let your love even with my life decay,
Lest the wise world should look into your moan,
And mock you with me after I am gone.
REFLECTION
may their memory be a blessing
AFFIRMATION OF REMEMBRANCE
(by Sylvan Kamens and Rabbi Jack Riemer)
At the rising sun and at its going down: We remember them.
At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter: We remember them.
At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring: We remember them.
At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer; We remember them.
At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of the autumn: We remember them.
At the beginning of the year and when it ends: We remember them.
As long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us:
We remember them.
When we are weary and in need of strength: We remember them.
When we are lost and sick at heart: We remember them.
When we have decisions that are difficult to make: We remember them.
When we have joy we crave to share: We remember them.
When we have achievements that are based on theirs: We remember them.
For as long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us:
We remember them.
SHARING OF OUR GIFTS
(To make a donation to support the ministry of the First Church of Deerfield, click here.)
OFFERTORY ANTHEM
Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit arr. William Grant Still
The First Church of Deerfield Choir
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
We place our offerings in your hands, O Beloved.
Bless these small gifts, that they might become
the seeds of a greater harvest
of blessing and hope for your people.
In (Christ’s/Love’s) name, Amen.
HYMN
Be Still My Soul
Tom, Marc, Karen, and Nancy, vocals
POSTLUDE
Ein’ feste Burg ist unser Gott J.G. Walther
ANNOUNCEMENTS !!
Sunday, November 14
Join us for a musical treat! Our organist Tom Pousont will be joined by guest musician Alice Robbins playing viola da gamba. At this service we will collect donations of non-perishable food for the Franklin Community Meal Program.
Sunday, November 21
There will be no worship at the Brick Church on November 21, as we gather instead via Zoom for our annual “seder” – a Thanksgiving celebration of feasting, friendship, and story-telling. Watch for more details coming next week!
