November 1st Worship Service

Today is All Saints Day. In 313 CE (4th century), Constantine enacted the Edict of Milan, recognizing Christianity as the religion of the empire. All Saints Day reaches back to the 4th century and was established to commemorate Christian martyrs. In the 9th century, the Catholic Church dedicated November 1st as the day when we remember and celebrate our Christian saints. Currently there are about 10,000 canonized saints. But to really understand All Saints Day, we need to look further back to the celebration of Samhain, an ancient Celtic holiday in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and stretching into some areas of Northern Europe.

Samhain, established as a celebration between 800 and 600 BCE, is based on an annual environmental transition caused by the changing of the seasons. Celebrated on October 31 or November 1st, it marks the end of the summer/harvest season and the beginning of winter. When the Roman Empire conquered the Celts, they added their festival of Feralia, a commemoration of the dead and the traditions of the goddess Pomona, saint of fruit trees and orchards.

One of the aspects of Samhain was the thinning of the barrier between the realms of the living and the dead. Those who had passed were believed to return to their homes, and often meals and celebrations were prepared for them. The developing Christian Church, recognizing this as an established gathering of the people, added the Allhallowtide to the event. Allhallowtide is a three-day celebration starting with All Hallows Eve on October 31st (when the veil thins between the living and the deceased), with All Saints Day on November 1st and All Souls Day on November 2nd.

All Saints Day originally honored martyrs and canonized saints, but by the 8th century, it had evolved to commemorate all believers, both living and deceased. This shift allowed for a broader recognition of the faithful, not just those officially canonized by the Catholic Church.

And so all those who were believers in our salvation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus have moved to heaven, each becoming a saint through their own belief and diligence. From 1 Corinthians 1:2, "to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord," King James Version. And all of us, following that path, will also be recognized as Saints, the children of God.

Join us for our All Saints Day Worship Service.

Pictures: The saints have no power, only God has the power to do anything, but the saints are there to help us by carrying our concerns to God and interceding on our behalf. Probably the saint most often conferred with is Mary, the mother of Jesus, asked to intervene on a requester's behalf. Photos: Right: Saint Mary and Baby Jesus, nearly 1,000 year old Orthodox Church, Kastania, Greece / Left: Saint Mary and Baby Jesus, Orthodox Cathedral of Mystras, 1270 CE, Mystras, Greece.

September 27th Praise Team

Musicians: Donna, Pastor Bob, James and Dean.

Praise Team: James, Lucinda, Lea, Nancy, Rod, Rich, Larry and Aleeya

November 1st Worship Service

Gathering Music: Praise Team

“Family of God”

Announcements: Chris Buchanan

Call to Worship: Rod Thompson

Songs of Praise: Praise Team

“For All The Saints”

Congregational Prayers: Pastor Bob Ramos

All Saints Day - In Memorial Reading - Pastor Ron Urzua

Projection - Yvette Herrera

Scripture: Pastor Ron Urzua

Various

Message: Pastor Ron

“When All The Saints…..”

Communion: ‍ ‍Pastor Ron / Rod Thompson / Lea Blair

Dedication of our Tithes and Offerings: Jeri Mead

Doxology: Praise Team

Closing Song: Praise Team

“Soul on Fire”

Blessing:‍ Rob Schleef ‍

Ron Urzua, Pastor

Bob Ramos and Rob Schleef, Commissioned Lay Pastors

Music Director: Aleeya Flores

Accompanist: Donna Nelson / James Gomez / Lucinda Anderson / Deane Terry