Our Identity and Destiny

Our Identity and Destiny


Service of Worship

Prelude – Hani

My Jesus, I Love Thee
Arr. Dale Wood
© 1993 Sacred Music Press
Used with Permission. ONE LICENSE # A-401420


Welcome and Call to Worship

Leader: As we gather to worship today, turn to a church family next to you and say, “Welcome! I am glad you are here!”
People: Welcome! I am glad you are here!
Leader: Now, turn to another church family and say, “You are loved by God and by me!”
People: You are loved by God and by me!
Leader: Beloved children of God, how can we love each other today?
People: By meeting and listening and caring for one another face-to-face.
Leader: Beloved children of God, how can we love God today?
People: By practicing our love for one another and God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Leader: Let us worship God together today!
People: We come to worship God by living our love for God and neighbor face-to-face. Amen.

(Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries)


Opening Hymn — #66 “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven” (v. 1, 2, 4)

1. Praise, my soul, the King of heaven,
to the throne thy tribute bring;
ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
evermore God’s praises sing.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King.

2. Praise the Lord for grace and favor
to all people in distress;
praise God, still the same as ever,
slow to chide, and quick to bless.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glorious now God’s faithfulness.

4. Angels in the heights, adoring,
you behold God face to face;
saints triumphant, now adoring,
gathered in from every race.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace.

Praise My Soul The King Of Heaven
Henry Francis Lyte | John Goss
Public Domain


Holy Communion, The United Methodist Hymnal, page 15

The Great Thanksgiving

The Lord be with you
And also with you.

Lift up your hearts
We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

…The pastor concludes:
And so,
with your people on earth
and all the company of heaven
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

…The pastor concludes:
And so,
in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving
as a holy and living sacrifice,
in union with Christ’s offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery of faith.

Christ has died;
Christ is risen;
Christ will come again.

The pastor concludes:
All honor and glory is yours, almighty God, now and for ever.
now and for ever.

Amen.


Pastor’s Time With the Children – Rev. Jacob Lee


Joys and Concerns, Pastoral Prayer, 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, the power, and glory forever. Amen.


Stewardship Testimony – Willie L


Remembering Our Saints

(As the names of members of our church who died since last All Saints Day are called, family representatives or others designated will come forward and light the taller candles.)
Following the reading of each name, we will respond together, “Present with the Lord.”

Richard K. Nishimura July 17, 2023
Annette Mays September 15, 2023

Remembering Family Members Who Were Not Members of This Church
(Let others come to light the smaller candles in memory of family members who have died this past year but formally have not been members of our church. Please share their names at the microphone held by the pastor as you come to light a candle.)

Prayer of Remembrance
Leader: On this All Saints Sunday, we also remember that we too are living saints, members of the family of God with all the saints of the past, the present, and the future. And so, we remember:
People: We are God’s children. What we shall be has not yet been revealed; but we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. So today and every day, may we put on Christ and live as saints who tend the poor, comfort the mourners, learn from the meek, affirm those who seek righteousness, offer mercy alongside the merciful, and work for peace with the peacemakers until Christ comes in final victory and we feast as the family of God at his heavenly banquet. Amen.


For those who are called and able, gifts and tithes can still be made through online giving, by mailing them in, and by dropping them off to the office through the secure mail slot to the left of the double door entry to the church hallway.


Offertory – Hani

In the Garden
Arr. Greg Howlett
© 2016 Greg Howlett Productions
Pending Approval


Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (Old 100th)
Louis Bourgeois | Thomas Ken
Public Domain


Offertory Prayer

God of all generations, as we worship today, we offer our whole selves to you, all that we have and all that we are. Like your saints who have gone before us, we pray that you will help us to be bold in our mission and in our witness. May we who have been given so much give freely, ministering in your compassion to the multitudes near and far, so that one day, we may stand amid the multitude that gathers at your heavenly throne. We pray this in the name of our Savior and Redeemer, Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Revelation 7:9-17)


Scripture Readings — Ephesians 1:11-23 (NRSV)

11 In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, 12 so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14 this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.

15 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20 God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. 22 And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

The Word of the Lord: 
Thanks be to God.


Choral Anthem — Chancel Choir

One Bread, One Body
John Foley | Arr. Mark Hayes
© 1978, 2001 John B. Foley S.J. and New Dawn Music
Used with Permission. ONE LICENSE # A-401420


Sermon — ​Rev. Jacob Lee
“Our Identity and Destiny”


Closing Hymn — #723 “Shall We Gather at the River”

1. Shall we gather at the river,
where bright angel feet have trod,
with its crystal tide forever
flowing by the throne of God?

Refrain
Yes, we’ll gather at the river,
the beautiful, the beautiful river;
gather with the saints at the river
that flows by the throne of God.

2. On the margin of the river,
washing up its silver spray,
we will walk and worship ever,
all the happy golden day.

Refrain

3. Ere we reach the shining river,
lay we every burden down;
grace our spirits will deliver,
and provide a robe and crown.

Refrain

4. Soon we’ll reach the shining river,
soon our pilgrimage will cease;
soon our happy hearts will quiver
with the melody of peace.

Refrain

Shall We Gather At The River (Hanson Place)
Robert Lowry
Public Domain


Benediction


Postlude – Hani

Sortie
Cesar Franck
Public Domain


Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from
– ONE LICENSE with license # A-401420, and from
– CCLI with license # CSPL052773.
All rights reserved.