November 1: All Saints’ Sunday

ALL: Revelation 7:9-17 (Behold a host, arrayed in white! Blessing and honor and glory and power be unto God and the Lamb!)

ALL: Psalm 34:1-10, 22 (O taste and see how gracious the Lord is; look upon him and be radiant;

the Lord ransoms the lives of his servants)

ALL: 1 John 3:1-3 (We are God’s children now; we shall be like Jesus, see him as he is)

ALL: Matthew 5:1-12 (The Beatitudes)

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Opening Hymn: For All the Saints: LBW #174, ELW #422 (note: it’s edited to be less martial), LSB #677

OR Blessing, Honor, Glory to the Lamb: ELW #433

Hymn of Praise: Blessing and Honor and Glory and Power: LBW #525, ELW #854

OR Alabare: WOV #791, LSB #799/800

OR Cantad Al Senor: WOV #795, ELW #822

Hymn of the Day: Behold the/a Host, Arrayed in White: ELW #425, LSB #676

Who Is this Host, Arrayed in White: LBW #314

OR Blest are They: WOV #764, ELW #728

Communion 1: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling: LBW #315, ELW #631, LSB #700

Communion 2: Thee We Adore, O Hidden Savior, Thee: LBW #199, LSB #640

Thee We Adore, O Savior, God Most True: ELW #476

Closing Hymn: Rejoice, O Pilgrim Throng: LBW #553, LSB #813

Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart: ELW #873/4

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Let us approach the Throne of Grace, there to pray for the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence is kept.

Thank you, dear Father, for all your saints. Thank you for the ones who shaped our faith and molded our lives. Thank you for Spirit-filled heroes, martyrs, scholars, and pastors who have kept your Church “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.” Thank you for the nameless and forgotten faithful, known only to you, whose humble lives perfume the airs of heaven. Thank you for joining us to Jesus, and so to all your saints: past, present, and future.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant that the Church may always proclaim your living and holy Word to the world. Use it to forgive and transform many sinners into your saints, your Church, and your beloved children.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless, as you have promised, those who are persecuted for Jesus’ sake. Crown their faithful endurance with his triumphant victory over sin and death; and adorn them with the robes of his righteousness.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Touch with goodness the hearts of everyone in this congregation. Make our words and deeds gracious and truthful . Let the light of Jesus shine in in all we say and do, so that through us, our neighbors encounter their Savior’s love.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

With reverence and affection, we remember before you those who have shaped our faith and influenced our lives in godly ways. We entrust to your tender care our beloved dead who are now at rest in you. {Here the names of the faithful departed may be read, with tolling of the bell}. Thank you for their witness, love, and encouragement. Grant that we may likewise help others – especially the young and those who do not know you – to seek your face and rejoice in your goodness.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Keep our nation safe, strong, and honorable. Grant that our elections are honest and accurate. Give wisdom and prudence to all who seek or who hold public office  in our land. Give each of us the desire and the ability to love justice, do mercy, and walk humbly with you and with each other.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Ransom the lives of your servants who are bound by cords of suffering, including: {List}. Let them look upon you and be radiant. Let them taste and see your gracious favor. Let them be healed and purified in body, mind, heart, and faith, to praise your saving deeds and rejoice in your great goodness.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Most holy and gracious Father, receive into your Kingdom our beloved dead. Keep us faithful, true, holy, and steadfast, as we walk the narrow Way established by Jesus. Give us a foretaste of heaven’s joy  in our Spirit-led fellowship with one another and with Christ. Bring us safely your Kingdom which you prepare for all whom you redeem by his death and resurrection. There let us abide in your dear presence, and love and serve you forever.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear our prayer; and graciously grant all that glorifies you and benefits our poor broken world, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

“And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers” (Luke 2:36-37).

There are those whom the Lord calls who are dedicated to His service.  Anna was one of these people.  Living a devoted life of prayer and service, they are often seen as fixtures in the church, but seldom thought of.  We each have a call upon our lives.  We each have a desire to serve.  The question is, whom will we serve?  Anna served the Lord.  Whom do you serve?  Not that everyone must do as Anna did, but this is a good question for each of us to ask ourselves.

Lord, I say that I serve You, but I most often serve myself.  You have given many examples of those who have willingly and lovingly served You.  Help me to learn and understand from their example what it means to serve.  Help me to understand what devotion means and learn how to be devoted to what is good, right and salutary.  Guide me out of the life of one who lives for self, and into a right way of living.

Lord Jesus, You came to serve.  You have served each one of us by granting us grace through the shedding of Your own blood.  Help me now and always to see that in this world of selfishness, no one really gets anywhere; but in You, we have the opportunity to learn how to live life as it is meant to be lived.  Guide me in the upward call You have given me to humbly walk the upward path of salvation You have placed before me.  Amen.

“And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him.  And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed – and a sword will pierce even your own soul – to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:33-35).

This is a different kind of prophecy that reflects wisdom born of age.  This is a shift from the nation to the person.  The Lord raised up Israel to show what kind of God He is.  He has come to redeem individuals so that we can live in the truth of who He is.  Our hearts are revealed, and the One who created us loves us, redeems us, and has come and bears the brunt of our burdens.

Lord, there are so many things going on around me and I do not know where to stop, listen and learn.  You have offered me wisdom.  You grant me strength.  Help me to hear when people of wisdom speak.  Help me to hear when You speak through others.  You know my heart and You are slowly revealing it to me.  Lead me in the way of life which is right, fitting and abiding in Your will.

Lord Jesus, the people then did not know who You were.  People now still do not know who You are.  Help me to see You, come to know You, and walk in the provision You place before me.  Guide me to become wise as Simeon, loving You and those whose paths cross mine.  Be the One who is leading me in living this life You have given me.  Help me to see the new heart You are creating in me.  Amen.

“For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a Light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel” (Luke 2:30-32).

Mine eyes have seen Your salvation.  Have you seen Jesus?  Jesus is your salvation!  The body of Christ, the church, His bride, is a continuation of the Incarnation.  One comes into a living relationship with the living Lord.  Have You seen Jesus?  Wherever two or more are gathered in His name, there He is.  The Lord has prepared this in the sight of all people.  Those who are given sight, see.

Lord, You have shown us Your salvation.  It is not an idea or precept, but You in person.  Coming to You is coming to salvation.  Sinfully, we want some other thing to follow, but You are asking us to follow You.  Lead me away from what I want to come into Your peace which surpasses all understanding.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life so that I may humbly follow You.

Salvation shown, Jesus my Savior, You came and fulfilled the promises given to the prophets of old.  In these last days, teach me what it means to listen to You.  Guide me in the way of life which You have come to establish.  You know all that I need in order to follow You, and You have provided all that is needful.  Lead me, dear Savior, in being a part of what You are creating.  Help me to live faithfully among all people.  Amen.

“And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word” (Luke 2:27-29)

The Lord has fulfilled His promise with the coming of Messiah.  The faithful of every time, moved by the Holy Spirit, know.  It is true for all of us.  With the coming of Jesus, we are brought into the peace which surpasses all understanding.  All things which remain shall equally be to the Word of the Lord.  The Lord is faithful and brings us to the place of peace.

Lord, amidst a world filled with hostility, You have come bringing peace.  Help me to understand all that You have fulfilled according to Your word as well as the things to come which shall be done in Your perfect timing. Teach me trust You above all of the things of this world, for You are the Maker of all things.  I am Your bond-servant and You have given me peace through Your salvation.

Lord Jesus, God’s salvation, You are the peace we long for.  Reconciled to You and what You have accomplished, You are bringing all things into submission to lay at the Father’s feet.  I live in the in-between time.  Help me to learn how to be faithful, giving praise and thanksgiving without looking to my circumstances, but instead trust in the truth that Your word has been and will be fulfilled.  Amen.

“And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” (Luke 2:25-26).

The name Simeon means to hear or listen.  Simeon was a devout man who looked for God’s presence in the hope of what He had promised.  He was told by the Lord that the Christ would come in his lifetime.  It takes faith to trust the Lord.  Listen as the Lord speaks and heed the word He gives.  The Lord has given us all the word of hope in the promise that, because Jesus lives, we too shall live.

Almighty God, You have given us a revelation that is filled with hope and promise.  You have fulfilled those words of prophecy that we might believe.  Help our unbelief and continually remind us that we live by faith.  What we cannot yet see will come to pass as You have told us.  Teach us to be devout with our lives, living according to the word You have given us in the hope of faith.

Lord Jesus, You are the fulfilment of the promise.  You have come to us that we may have life and have it abundantly.  Guard and guide my mind to rest upon the hope You give above all earthly circumstances.  Lead me in my life that I may hold fast to the hope You give.  May I be found faithful in the small things You give me and not listen to the world which seeks to distract me.  Amen.

“And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons” (Luke 2:22-24).

Set apart for the Lord’s service, according to the word the Lord established, our Savior was dedicated.  We too have been dedicated through the water of our baptism in order that we might walk in the way of holiness.  Come to the Lord with the dedication You have received and walk in His ways all the days of Your life.  He is the One who not only will, but must, lead the way.

Lord God, I am often too independent.  I think in terms of what I can or cannot do.  You have come so that I may have life and have it abundantly.  You have come to show me the way to live.  You have come to prepare and lead the way which leads to eternity.  Help me to live in the faith You gave me.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to humbly walk with You in the baptism You have given me.

Savior Jesus, You have done all things in accordance with the will of the Father.  Teach me how to do the same.  Today and each day You give me, guide me in Your goodness and mercy to hear, see, and understand through Your word and prayer.  Let me take in what You give that I may expel all that need not be in me.  Sanctify me in order that I may always humbly walk with You leading the way.  Amen.

“And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb” (Luke 2:21).

Fulfilling all that the law required, the name, which means ‘God’s salvation,’ was given.  We know His name as Jesus.  It is the name the Lord has spoken all along, that He would be our salvation.  Trust in the One who fulfills His word.  Know that God has come and all who follow Him, follow in the way of salvation.  He will lead all who follow into the adventure of being with Him forever.

Lord, in the grand mystery of what You have shown us, help me to see and, where possible, understand that You have invited me to come into the name You have given, Your salvation, to humbly walk with You all the days of this life.  Lead me into all goodness for Your name’s sake so that I may become what You will make of me.  Help me to learn how to praise You in every circumstance.

Lord Jesus, Salvation Incarnate, You have come to lead the way.  Only You, who descended from heaven can ascend into heaven.  Only You can lead the way, for You are the way.  With a similar vulnerability as You came, lead me to walk with You, no matter the cost, in order that I may be in the Father’s will.  Help me to do what is right and fitting in every circumstance as You lead me.  Amen.

“The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them” (Luke 2:20).

Should we not do the same?  Should we not leave each time we gather in the Lord’s name glorifying and praising God for all that we have heard and seen?  I wonder if we forget who it is that has called us together and the wonderful things He has done for us.  Things happened just the way the Lord has told us they would.  We are invited to see the world in a wonderfully different way.

Lord, help me to see the way things really are and enter into Your world.  Guide me so that I live giving thanks and praise You with every encounter of life in the day.  Daily, You minister to all.  Help me to learn how to live a life of praise, being thankful for all of Your benefits.  Lead me in Your goodness and mercy to live according to the way You have established knowing that Your word shall be fulfilled.

Sweet Jesus, lying in a manger and with vulnerability, You have come to save all who turn to You.   Help me learn how to be vulnerable so that I willingly, gladly, and daily, enter into praise and thanksgiving.  Guide me this day to take every opportunity to see Your presence and give thanks for the Father’s will being done.  Lead me to live in Your kingdom always.  Amen.

Friday, October 9, 2026 Devotion

“And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.  But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart” (Luke 2:18-19).

God provides the witnesses that He provides.  We tend to listen or not listen, not based upon the message, but upon who it is that is telling us.  You know that the Lord is speaking to you each day, but often we are not listening.  Learn to listen and do not weigh the message upon who is giving it, but upon the weight of what is being said.  Treasure the word of the Lord and see it grow in your heart.

Lord, I do have many prejudices.  Regardless of the reasons that I have, shatter them so that I may hear when You speak.  Lead me according to Your word, for Your word is truth.  In these last days You have spoken through Your Son.  Help me to hear and heed His word through the many reminders that You send each and every day.  Lead me to become more like Christ in all I say and do.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead us into the way of living that You established from the beginning.  You have come so that I may go from where I am to where I need to be in order to live according to the way You created for us to live.  Help me to heed the word You give, listen, and come into the way that You are showing me.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to live now and always following You.  Amen.