First Presbyterian Church of Weedsport
November 1, 2026
All Saints’ Day
Rev. Brian Copeland
CHIMES (Preparing ourselves for worship.)
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist
PRELUDE
OPENING SENTENCES (Responsive) Liturgist
What kind of love has God given us? A love that proclaims we are God’s very own.
What kind of promise has God given us? God will wipe away every tear from our eyes.
What kind of future has God given us? God will lead us to springs of life-giving water.
Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving,
honor and power and might be to our God, forever and always!
HYMN: Blest Are They (Insert)
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Everlasting God, in the beginning there was you. Ever since, you have made yourself known to us through ancestors, siblings in faith, and loved ones who have left us. We remember each of the many saints who touched our lives and, however imperfectly, showed us your way of love. Keep us in the great cloud of their witness, that we may be guided by them and by you, now and forever. Amen.
CONFESSION AND PARDON (Responsive) Liturgist
It is hard to believe that a day will come when there will be no more hunger or thirst, no more tears or death. As we remember our loved ones, we cannot help but doubt. God is big enough to handle that doubt, so let us pray.
God of eternal life, we gather in gratitude for all the saints of the ages and our lives.
We also confess our sorrow as we ache from their absence. We hear you call us blessed when we mourn, but we do not find the comfort you promise. Be with us in our remembrance and strengthen us until the day we join them, singing your praises in the great multitude.
SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION MAY BE OFFERED
See what love our Creator has given us: we are children of God. Our heavenly Parent loves us, forgives us, and is with us through every trial.
SPECIAL MUSIC
CHILDREN’S TIME (If children are present.) Children may leave to go to Sunday School after Children’s Time.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (Unison) Liturgist
Faithful God, how blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Sanctify us by your Word and Spirit so that we may glorify you in the company of the faithful; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 34:1-10, 22 Liturgist
1 I will bless the Lord at all times;
the Lord’s praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
3 O magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt the Lord’s name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me,
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Look to the Lord, and be radiant;
so your faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord,
and was saved from every trouble.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good;
happy are those who take refuge in the Lord.
9 O fear the Lord, holy ones,
for those who fear the Lord have no want.
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in the Lord will be condemned.
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 5:1-12 Rev. Brian Copeland
1When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. .
7“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON Rev. Brian Copeland
HYMN #522 Lord, When I Came Into This Life
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Unison) Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.10
The risen Christ is the Savior of all people. Those joined to him by faith are set right with God and commissioned to serve as God’s reconciling community. Christ is head of this community, the church, which began with the apostles and continues through all generations.
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND THE LORD’S PRAYER (Hymnal p. 16 Traditional)
Our shepherd satisfies our needs; in faith, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, our God, we pray for the church . . . Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, our God, we pray for the earth . . . Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, our God, we pray for all nations . . . Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, our God, we pray for this community . . .Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, our God, we pray for loved ones . . . We remember…[names & chimes]
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING (Offering plates are not passed. Offering plates are on the front and back tables.)
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Unison)
God of the harvest, you are continually planting the seeds of your love in our world and in our lives. As we bring our gifts to you, may they be seeds of your grace, peace, and hope, planted deeply in our community. Amen.
HOLY COMMUNION
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 our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God: You are enthroned in glory; salvation belongs to you!
You have given your Lamb to be our shepherd, to guide us to the water of life, and wipe away our tears.
Therefore, we praise you, joining the song of the universal church and the heavenly choir:
A Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy”) is sung.
HYMN #526 For All The Saints
BLESSING AND CHARGE
POSTLUDE
**LARGE PRINT BULLETINS ARE AVAILABLE. Please ask the greeter.)
Reminders:
Nov. 1 – All Saints’ Day/end of Daylight Savings Time
Nov. 2 – Blood drive at UMC, hosted by WFPC, 12:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Nov. 15 – Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes returned
Go in peace to love the Lord your God with heart and soul and mind and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself.
