Prayer of Praise: –   

Blessed are you, O God, for you are holy, gracious, and good, the hope of all the faithful.

We give you thanks, O God, for all the saints who ever worshiped you,
whether under trees or in cathedrals, in wooden churches or brick meeting houses.

We give you thanks, O God, for hands lifted in praise: manicured hands and hands stained with grease or soil, strong hands and hands gnarled with age.

We give you thanks, O God, for hardworking saints, whether hard-hatted or aproned, blue-collared or three-piece-suited.  They left their mark for you, for us, for our children to come.

We give you thanks, O God, for the sacrifices made by those who have gone before us.  May we learn how to walk wisely from their examples of faith, their dedication, their worship, and their love.  Amen.

https://www.presbyterianmission.org/wp-content/uploads/prayers_for_all_saints_day.pdf A Prayer Meditation for All Saints Day (Written by Safiyah Fosua)  https://www.umc.org/en/content/united-methodist-meditation-for-all-saints-day#:~:text

Prayer of Confession   

Jesus, Saviour and friend, you showed us holiness in action through the way you lived your life.  You gave away your time and energy in the service of others and turned our understanding of blessedness on its head.

We confess the difficulties we experience in living as you lived and loving as you loved.

We confess how easy it is to concentrate on our own pleasures, taking note of the plight of many in the world only as the News bulletins momentarily grabs our attention.

We confess our capacity to be so consumed by our own agendas that our concern for the needs of others shrinks all too rapidly.

We confess our failure to act when we see around us weakness, pain, suffering, and powerlessness.

We confess how easy it is to turn away and to walk on the other side of the road.

We confess our reluctance to love our enemies and to do good to those who dislike or even hate us.

We confess the ease with which we become conformed to the World’s standards rather than facing the challenge of conforming to those of Christ.

Merciful God, forgive us.  Stir up your Spirit in us, so that we may experience the joy and blessing of being your disciples in more than name only.

Strengthen us to be people who sing and live your song of love; who willingly serve our neighbours; who seek justice and mercy for all, and who truly repent of what is past and look with anticipation for what is yet to come.  This we pray in your name and for your sake.  Amen.

(https://pilgrimwr.unitingchurch.org.au/?p=313)

Assurance of Forgiveness

(from 1 John 3: 5a) 

The Apostle John tells us that:

“Christ appeared in order to take away our sins”.

Let us hold onto that truth, believe it, and accept it for all of its ramifications and implications for each of us, that our faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ means that God has heard our prayers, that God has forgiven our sins, and that our lives have been cleansed in the sight of God.

Thanks be to God.

Prayers for Others

Almighty God, knowing of your love for all of Humanity, especially of your compassion for the needy, we come to you with our cares and our concerns.

We bring to you our prayers for the World around us and for people individually.

We remember the poor who are on the margins, living day by day, wondering how they will care for their children,

praying that you will ensure that food is put on their tables, that a roof is maintained over their heads, that they will enjoy the fruits of your Kingdom on Earth.

We remember those who mourn, who are finding this moment to be a season of grief and lament and of isolation from loved ones,

praying that though they may be experiencing deep uncertainty, that they will be comforted.

We remember the meek, the ones who are committed to be of service to others,

praying that you will encourage and support them so that they will continue to open their ears to listen, their hands to help, and their hearts to love.

We remember those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, those who dare to ask hard questions of our systems and leaders,

praying that they will not give up on their dream of a future of radical change and neighbourly love, that their hopes will be fulfilled.

We remember the merciful, the hospital staff, sanitation workers, store clerks, shelf stockers, restaurant servers, social workers, farmers, caregivers, and teachers,

praying that they will be blessed in their service and receive mercy in return.

We remember the pure in heart, those who bring hope amid sorrow, children who laugh and share their joy, adults who cry and share our pain, and friends who embrace us as we are,

praying that they will glimpse how much they reflect your care for people in what they do.

We remember the peacemakers, the ones who offer prayer and solace, the ones who advocate for justice, the ones who work for peace and reconciliation where there currently is no peace and reconciliation,

praying that they will see their actions bear fruit as others seek to be your children.

We remember those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

praying that they will be confident of the peace that is theirs in your Kingdom in Heaven.

Communion Liturgy for All Saints Day: “The Great Thanksgiving for All Saints and Memorial Services”: https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/the-great-thanksgiving-for-allsaints-and-memorial-occasions

(https://doc.vaumc.org/MinServices/AllSaintsLiturgy.pdf) (adapted)

We remember all who walk in darkness and who are heavily burdened,

praying that they will find comfort and release in your presence.

We remember all who have lost hope and who despair, those who can no longer cope on their own,

praying that they will feel you close by with them, giving them meaning and purpose in life.  

We remember all who are chronically ill, the homeless, the incarcerated,

praying that you will provide healing and wholeness for them in their specific situations.

(https://www.wantagemethodist.org.uk/doc/easter-day-michael-appleyard-D455996.pdf)

We pray for those who conduct Religious Instruction classes at Bald Hills State School. Guide them in the words to say and the approach to take with the children in their classes.  May the Holy Spirit challenge the children in the RI classes to come to a closer relationship with you.

We pray for Kylie Conomos, the Scripture Union Chaplain at Bald Hills State School. Please guide and equip her as she seeks to address the concerns and needs of children, parents and teachers at the school.

We pray for those who we have not seen for some time and who are unable to attend worship. Please guide and comfort them in their particular circumstances.  May they be aware of your care for them as they meet what each new day brings.

Lord God, we bring these prayers to you, trusting in your lovingkindness.  To your glory we pray.  Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil,

For the Kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,

now and forever.  Amen.