First Presbyterian Church
November 9, 2025
All Saints’ Day & Healing and Wholeness
Rev. Brian Copeland
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist
PRELUDE “With Reverence Let the Saints Appear” Lani Smith
Call to Worship (Responsive) Liturgist
Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Give praise to God the Almighty.
By God’s great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope
God consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction.
For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ.
OPENING HYMN (insert) “We Cannot Measure How You Heal”
CONFESSION AND PARDON (Responsive) Liturgist
The redeeming love of God in Jesus Christ extends from generation to generation, keeping us in life and in death and in life everlasting. Together, let us seek God’s forgiveness.
God of the ages, as we remember the saints who have gone before us, we are grateful for their witness and humbled by their example. Though they have marked well the path of faith, following in that way is hard for us. We drift and waver. We resist and rebel. Remind us that the saints before us were not perfect, just forgiven, and saved by grace. We ask for that forgiveness, and we pray for the courage to trust in that grace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The hope to which we are called is the glorious inheritance of all the saints, the immeasurable greatness of God’s power for us who believe. This is good news!
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
PRAYER FOR REMEMBERING THE SAINTS
SPECIAL MUSIC
CHILDREN’S TIME (Children may leave to go to Sunday School after Children’s Time.)
SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Kgs. 19:4–8
4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. He ate and drank and lay down again. 7 The angel of the Lord came a second time, touched him, and said, “Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.” 8 He got up and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.
As the music is played you are invited into a time of prayer. You may remain in your seat if you wish or if you would like the pastor to pray for you come forward during the music.
Scripture Reading Psalm 121
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.
As the music is played you are invited into a time of prayer. If you need the pastor to come to you for prayer please raise your hand.
SCRIPTURE READING Rom. 8:26–28
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes[a] with groanings too deep for words. 27 And God,[b] who searches hearts, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit[c] intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28 We know that all things work together[d]for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
A Moment of Silent Reflection
SCRIPTURE READING Matt. 5:1–12a
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And 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.
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 the sake of righteousness, 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.12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven
As the music is played, if you want, you may come forward to be anointed with oil.
HYMN (Insert) “There is a Balm in Gilead”
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Unison) Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.19
Out of Israel, God in due time raised up Jesus. His faith and obedience were the response of the perfect child of God. He was the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel,
the beginning of the new creation, and the pioneer of the new humanity. He gave history its meaning and direction and called the church to be his servant for the reconciliation of the world.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND THE LORD’S PRAYER Traditional, p.16 (hymnal)
God, our creator, your will for us and for all your people is wholeness and salvation: have mercy on us.
Jesus Christ, Son of God, you came that we might have life and have it in abundance: have mercy on us.
Holy Spirit, dwelling within us, you make us temples of your presence: have mercy on us.
To the triune God, the source of all love and all life, let us offer our prayers.
A time of silence is kept after each petition.
For all who are in need of healing . . . 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 THANKSGIVING (Unison)
Eternal God, as we wait for the fulfillment of your reign, use these gifts and the gifts of our lives to bring justice to those who are oppressed, to set free those who are in prison, to lift up those who are bowed down, and to uphold those who are vulnerable. Amen.
HYMN #276 “Great is Thy Faithfulness”
BLESSING AND CHARGE
POSTLUDE “With the Saints in Glory Shining”
Large print bulletins are available. Please ask the greeter.
Reminders:
Nov. 9 – Session and committee meetings following worship
Nov. 16 – 200th Anniversary Celebration
**Loose change offering from the 4th quarter (Oct.-Dec.) will benefit the Honor Flight
