Theme: All Saint's Day--The Rutter Requiem
Order of Service for November 4, 2012
Words of Preparation Rev. Lisa CR
On
this All Saints' Day, we remember those of our friends and family who
have died this year. And we honor their memory, their lives of faith
and God's faithfulness in their earthly lives. We do this today with
a Requiem, a service of music which focuses our hearts and our
worship on the reality of death, grief and God's healing presence
throughout as we journey on to new life in Christ. The composer, John
Rutter, wrote this Requiem after the death of his father. He wrote it
to express his grief, to respond to it from a deep personal place and
to express his faith through music. Our readings use scriptures to walk through the stages of grief. Today, Rutter's work, the scriptures and the work of
our choir and musicians will lead us as we take a moment to slow down
and be mindful of all who mourn.
"Requiem Aeternam" from Requiem
First
Reading Denny Chandler, Narrator
“Introduction: When We Walk with
Grief” by Andy Raine of the Northumbria Community
“Do
not hurry as you walk through grief; it does not help the journey.
Walk slowly pausing often: do not hurry as you walk with grief. Be
not disturbed by memories that come unbidden. Swiftly forgive; and
let Christ speak for you unspoken words. Unfinished conversations
will be resolved in [God's heart]. Be not disturbed. Be gentle with
the one who walks with grief. If it is you, be gentle with yourself.
Swiftly forgive; walk slowly, pausing often. Take time, be gentle as
you walk with grief.”
Invocation Don Sorrell, Liturgist
Lord's
Prayer
Second
Reading Denny Chandler, Narrator
"Shock/Denial: Locked Out in the Cold—I Kings 19:3-6, 9-10"
Elijah
was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah,
he left his servant there,
while
he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a
broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have
had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my
ancestors.” Then
he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.
All at once an angel
touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”
He
looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot
coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
And
the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here,
Elijah?”
Elijah
replied, “I am the only one left...
“Out of the Deep” from Requiem
Third
Reading Denny Chandler, Narrator
"Anger: Raging against the Storm—Psalm 22: 1-2"
“My
God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from
saving me, so
far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do
not answer, by night, but I find no rest.”
“Bargaining: Trying to Change the Weather”—Psalm 40:6-8
“Doing
something for you, God, bringing something to you—
that’s not what you’re
after.
Being religious, acting pious—
that’s not what you’re
asking for.
You’ve opened my ears
so I can listen.”
Prayer
of Intercession Rev. Lisa CR
Call
to Communion/Fifth Reading Denny Chandler, Narrator
"Sadness: From the Valley of Death to the Table of Life--Psalm 23:4-6"
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Transitional Music
Elder's
Prayer Elder
Words of Institution Rev. Lisa CR
Words of Institution Rev. Lisa CR
Partaking
of the Lord's Supper
"Pie Jesu" from Requiem
Sixth
Reading Denny Chandler, Narrator
"Acceptance: Wakening to the Dawn of a New Normal—Psalm 40:1-5"
“I
waited and waited and waited for God.
At
last he looked; finally he listened.
He lifted me out of the ditch,
pulled
me from deep mud.
He stood me up on a solid rock
to
make sure I wouldn’t slip.
He taught me how to sing the latest
God-song,
a
praise-song to our God.
More and more people are seeing this:
they
enter the mystery,
abandoning
themselves to God.
Blessed
are you who give yourselves over to God,
turn your backs on the
world’s “sure thing,”
ignore what the world
worships;
The world’s a huge stockpile
of God-wonders and
God-thoughts.
Nothing and no one
comes close to you!
I start
talking about you, telling what I know,
and quickly run out of
words.
Neither numbers nor words
account for you.”
“Sanctus” from Requiem
Roll
Call of Saints Don Sorrell, Liturgist
“Agnus
Dei” from Requiem
[hold last note of Agnus day while "Call to Offering" and/or "Narration" are spoken so that we can go right into "The Lord is My Shepherd."]
Call
to
Offering Don Sorrell, Liturgist
"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake." All that we need is provided for along the way that God leads. Let the gifts and offerings we bring today reflect the abundance with which God has supplied our path in the past and our confidence of God's blessing in the future.
“The Lord Is My Shepherd” from Requiem
Doxology
or Hymn
Seventh
Reading Denny Chandler, Narrator
"Conclusion: When We Can Run Again, and Fly—Isaiah 40:27-31"
Why
would you ever complain, O Jacob,
saying, “God has lost track of
me. He doesn’t care what happens to me”?
Don’t you know
anything? Haven’t you been listening? God doesn’t come and go.
God lasts.
He’s
Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn’t get tired out,
doesn’t pause to catch his breath.
And
he knows everything,
inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives
fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop
out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait
upon God get fresh strength.
They
spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get
tired,
they
walk and don’t lag behind.
“Lux
Aeterna” from Requiem
Benediction Don Sorrell, Liturgist
"Light eternal shine upon them, Lord we pray: with saints and angels ever dwelling, for they mercy's sake, may they rest in peace. Grant them rest eternal, Lord our God, we pray to thee: and light perpetual shine on them for ever. Amen." --Lux Aeterna
"Light eternal shine upon them, Lord we pray: with saints and angels ever dwelling, for they mercy's sake, may they rest in peace. Grant them rest eternal, Lord our God, we pray to thee: and light perpetual shine on them for ever. Amen." --Lux Aeterna
