11/2 - For this Joy

Blessings St. Andrew's Family

This Sunday, we step into one of the most sacred moments of the church year — All Saints Sunday. It’s the day when heaven and earth seem to draw close, and we remember that our worship is part of something much larger — the great communion of saints, past and present, who live in the light of God’s eternal love.

Our worship moves like a river — flowing from remembrance into hope, from grief into joy. We’ll begin by singing “Shall We Gather at the River,” a hymn that reminds us of the eternal promise that God’s people will one day gather together again. During this hymn, you’ll hear a beautiful clarinet countermelody of “Deep River,” a soulful echo of longing and peace. Together, these two melodies, one from the river of life and one from the river of freedom — invite us to listen for the deeper current of God’s grace that carries us all home.

The message, “When We All Get to Heaven,” calls us to look ahead with joy — to see heaven not only as our destination, but as something that begins now in every act of love and praise. Then, through the choir’s anthem “For This Joy” by Susan LaBarr, we lift up creation, gratitude, and the fullness of life. The third verse especially resonates on this day: our “tender hearts” hold both love and loss, and through that tension, we discover resurrection at work even now.

Finally, we’ll close with “When We All Get to Heaven,” a song of pure celebration. From the waters of remembrance to the promise of reunion, our worship this Sunday reminds us that joy has the final word — because in Christ, love always lives on.

May this All Saints Sunday fill your heart with gratitude for those who have gone before and renewed hope in the God who gathers us all into one eternal song of praise.

Musically and Musingly

Music Tom

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