SERMONS AND SERMON STARTERS
How Jesus Grieves, a Sermon for All Saints Day
Scripture: Matthew 14:1-21

There’s No Place Like Home, a message on the now and note yet of heaven
From the sermon series Finding God in Oz
Scriptures: Revelation 21:1-5, 22-26; 1 Peter 2:9-12

Church as Communion of Saints, Cloud of Witnesses
Quotes and Sermon Illustrations

PRAYERS, POEMS AND LITURGIES
All Saints Remembrance
This liturgy includes quotes from Nelson Mandela and James C. Howell, a reading of 1 Corinithians 1:2-3, a brief explanation of what it means to be a saint, a prayer, naming saints who have strengthened our faith, and flowering the cross. Feel free to use only parts of this liturgy and to assign multiple persons to lead it.

Run Beloved, Run- a poem for All Saints Day

All Saints Day– a poem by Steve Garnaas Holmes based on 1 John 3:1, “See what love God has given us, that we should be called children of God.”

All Saints Remembrance 2020
Let us remember who we are in Jesus-
Beloved, Wounded Healers,
Saints set apart by God and for God

Let us remember our purpose-
To lead a devoted life of compassion, generosity, justice, and hope
A life worthy of the calling to which we have been called
A life which inspires faith in others

Let us remember and recommit ourselves to this life,
by first honoring the lives of those who have inspired us
The heroic and humble who ran the race before us
The martyrs who sacrificed all for the sake of Jesus
And especially those who we have known and loved
who led us to Jesus and encouraged us to deeper faith and service

Name those persons out loud now… pause

From wherever you are worshiping, repeat after me.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God
ALL: Blessed are you, O Lord our God

You surround us with witness after witness to your transforming love
Inspire us and empower us to endure
Fill our hearts with courage

Blessed are you, O Lord our God
ALL: Blessed are you, O Lord our God

You weep with us in our personal heartbreak and loss
Name those you are grieving out loud now… pause
Comfort us and protect us in our mourning
Fill our souls with hope

Blessed are you, O Lord our God
ALL: Blessed are you, O Lord our God

You weep with us in our communal heartbreak and loss
COVID… Fires… Storms… Division… Injustice… Death
Comfort us and protect us in our mourning
Fill our souls with hope

Blessed are you, O Lord our God
ALL: Blessed are you, O Lord our God

You cry out in victory over sin and the grave
Raise us and release us to fulfill your calling
To be saints
Fill our lives with faithfulness and good works
Honor and hope
In Jesus’ Name and for His Glory. Amen.

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How Jesus Grieves, a sermon for All Saints Day © 2019 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
There’s No Place Like Home… © 2016 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
All Saints Remembrance © 2016 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
Run Beloved, Run © 2014 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
All Saints Remembrance 2020 © 2020 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution.
by Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia (www.revlisad.com)
Please contact Lisa for information and permission to publish this work in any form.