https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vrNO4Qb3QdVsrUbypdULNpRMZREUnMQ0/view
Above is the link to our recording of worship from Sunday the 1st of November.
To view & listen to the recording copy the link and place it into your browser.
Order of Worship, Grafton Community Church, 11-01-26
Bill Watson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Grafton Community Church Worship
Time: Meeting – 9:45 a.m. November 1, 2026
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Meeting ID: 235 223 715
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**In the sanctuary, masks and a safe social distance are suggested, especially when singing or responding in prayer!!!
Order of Worship, Grafton Community Church, 11-01-26 – All Saints Sunday with
Holy Communion
Note: Gathering Music will begin at 9:50 with the Prelude to follow
Musician Amy Cann
Gathering Music—
Prelude —
Welcome and Announcements (Linda Robertson, Council Chair)
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!
*Please observe a moment of silence; so we may each offer our prayers and praise to Creator, Christ & Holy Spirit.
*Hymn #637 “For All the Saints” verses 1 – 3
1 For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
who thee by faith before the world confessed,
thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia, alleluia!
2 Thou wast their rock, their fortress and their might:
their strength and solace in the well-fought fight;
thou, in the darkness drear, the one true light.
Alleluia, alleluia!
3 O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We live and struggle, they in glory shine;
yet all are one in thee, for all are thine.
Alleluia, alleluia!
All lyrics © 1995 Chalice Press
Used by Permission. CCLI License #21383697
* Call to Worship (from “Prayers for the World & Its People,” Iona Abbey Worship Book)
One: Believing that God made and loves the world,
Many: we gather.
One: That it may be reshaped to fulfill God’s purposes,
Many: we pray.
One: To seek a wisdom deeper than our own thinking,
Many: we listen.
One: To honor God who gave us voice,
Many: we worship.
* Unison Prayer
Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit; bless us with Your healing presence, make us hungry for justice, strengthen our faith, and increase our love for others – especially those we find it most difficult to love. Amen!
* Response Hymn #637 Verse 3
O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We live and struggle, they in glory shine;
yet all are one in thee, for all are thine.
Alleluia, alleluia!
All Saints Day Presentation: Pastor Bill Watson
Honoring: The Saints of Grafton & Grafton Community Church
2026: Cathy Hallock, Rosa and Dean Zeller
*Concluding Prayer:
Source of all being, beginning and end, we praise You for all the Saints of this Church, who served
You faithfully. For the sake of Christ Jesus, replenish our hope in Your eternal kingdom, that we may
live life in all its fullness, unconstrained by the fear of the future before us. Amen.
* Response Hymn #637 Verse 5 (Seated)
From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,
through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Scripture:
Matthew 5: 1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him.
And he began to speak and taught them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
*Hymn #452 “Here I Am, Lord”
1. I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry,
All who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save.
I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold Your people in my heart.
2. I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people's pain
I have wept for love of them, they turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them. Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if You lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.
3. I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them, my hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.
Reflection: “Winners & Losers Pastor Bill Watson
Synopsis: On All Saints Day Sunday, we celebrate those from our community and the wider world — those who are there to help those who need it. When we participate, we can feel good about it. We are the “Blessed” of Matthews Gospel — the winners. That, however risks glossing over our own spiritual poverty and insecurity. When we face up to our deep failings, we seem to be losers, but It’s then we can begin our own transition from loser to winner.
*For the direction of this reflection I am grateful to the faith, humility and scholarship of Rev. Doctor David Lose,
Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, Minneapolis and Rev. Doctor Karolyn Lewis of Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN.
*Hymn #15 “Rejoice, You Pure in Heart” ©
1 Rejoice you pure in heart; lift praises to the sky;
your festive banner wave with joy the cross of Christ raise high!
[Refrain]
Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing.
2 Bright youth and snow crowned age, strong souls and spirits meek,
raise high your free, exulting song, God’s wondrous praises speak
[Refrain]
3 With voice as full and strong as ocean’s surging praise,
send forth the hymns the saints have loved, the psalms of ancient days.
[Refrain]
Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing
4 Yes, on through life’s long path, still singing as you go,
from youth to age, by night and day, in gladness and in woe.
[Refrain]
5 Praise God who rules all worlds; the risen Christ adore.
Praise God the Spirit Holy Fire, one God for ever more.
[Refrain]
Holy Communion Pastor C.J. King
Bread is passed
Wine* is passed *grape juice
Offerings of the People
You can present your offering for the work of Grafton Community Church, using the “Donate Now” button on our Facebook page at The Grafton Church, or on our web site www.graftoncommunitychurch.org (The button may actually say “Shop Now,” but it has the same function.
Offertory: Grafton Community Church Choir
“Let us now praise famous men” R. Vaughn Williams (See Music Notes)
Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers that begat us.
Such as did bear rule in their kingdoms men renowned for their power,
Leaders of the people by their counsels, and by their knowledge,
Such as found out musical tunes, and recited verses in writing:
All these were honored in their generations, and were the glory of their times.
And some there be, which have no memorial; who are perished, as though they had never been.
Their bodies are buried in peace; but their name liveth for evermore.
Response: Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God all creatures here below – Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God above the source of gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts.
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit – Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Offertory Prayer of Dedication
The Benediction & The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,
For ever and ever. Amen.
Postlude:
As the postlude ends, feel free to move about the Sanctuary. Music may continue as you join others for coffee or greet your friends as you exit the Sanctuary. All should feel free to share the peace of this space in the Sanctuary or on Zoom. On Zoom you may unmute your mics and begin virtual coffee hour. (You will temporarily be muted in the Sanctuary.)
In the sanctuary, use appropriate precautions for those with health concerns.*
*Masks are available in the sanctuary for those wishing to use one.
Music Notes
“Let us now praise famous men” R. Vaughn Williams
The text for this anthem is from the book Ecclesiasticus, commonly called The Wisdom of Sirach, a work from the early 2nd century BCE written by the Jewish scribe Jesus ben Sirach. This book is not in the Protestant or Jewish canon, but exists in the. Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Bibles
Ralph Vaugh Williams set it to music in 1923 to encourage community singing.
We sing now of honored heroes and leaders, those whose legacies were forged in wisdom, courage, and faith. Inspiring as are his words, Ben Sira could not have known how, in our age today, leaders and heroes span not just generations, but also genders.* [Also faiths] *J. Curwen & Sons Ltd.
Quintessentially English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams was born in 1872 to a comfortably situated and philosophically progressive family -- related to the Wedgewoods and Darwins, filled with academics, judges, and clergy. He took his duties to his country seriously, attending Cambridge in his twenties, wandering the countryside collecting folk tunes in his thirties, serving as an ambulance driver/stretcher bearer in WWI in his forties, and throughout his life composing not only highly "modern" and intellectual symphonies and grand commissioned works for royalty, but also many approachable pieces meant to be performed by the average enthusiast. We hear two of these today: two anthems, both crafted with thoughtful harmonies, to be sung in unison by children or adults. Meant to be performed as a pair, one praises the Saints we know and venerate, one recalls the ones we perhaps never realize. Both have a steady "walking" accompaniment, thought to represent the march of Time that carries all along, saints and sinners alike.
The service music this morning is in honor of a rather idiosyncratic collection of latter-day saints of my own experience -- perhaps you will recognize a few of yours.
Grafton Prayer List:
Our Planet Earth * Immigrants experiencing or facing detention or deportation in their loneliness and fear *Transgender people and their families *Those enduring times of stress *Those with PTSD & their families *Beloved pets of Grafton *Mary Karam, & the Humes family *Arlene & Ron Carey *Gaelle McLoud *The Rowley family *Carol Bason *Nancy Merrill *Dick Warren *Cecile Fisher Smith *Todd Baker (Pastor Watson’s friend) *Linda Preziosi *Christine Tattersall *Karen Hunt *David Lambert *Irene Rice *Max Brown *Dick Desrochers *Ben Williams (Pastor King’s husband) *Patricia Donatelli *Lorrie Young *Ed Gruelich *Flo & Tim Bosch *The Olsson families. *Candace Damon & the Jacobson family *The Arbuckle family *Christian Rogerson & family *Krista Gay *Lima Leland *Darlene Babbitt (Katherine Gorey’s sister) *Joanne Giel *Frances Alford *Conrad Delia *Bob Pusey (Pastor Watson’s friend
Those Who Have Lost Loved Ones
*Irene Rice & family *Family & friends of Liam Parker (Michele Chickering’s son) *Family & friends of Barbara Andrews (Meg Gonzalez’ mom) *Family & friends of Bob Haseltine *Family & friends of Denize Schemm *Family & friends of Helen Lanoie (mother of Andre Lanoie) * Family & friends of Bernard “Pete” Haley *Family & friends of Donna Rice *Family & friends of Galen Pinkham *Family & friends of Susan Lathrop *Family & friends of David James Smith (Cecile Smith’s brother in law) *Family & friends of David Fischmann (partner of Katherine Brown) *Family & friends of Estelle Pieth *Family & friends of Dave Robinson *Family & friends of Debbie Wright *Family & friends of Stephan Fitzsimmons (Caidin Domeracki’s grandfather) *Family & friends of Norm Robertson *Family & Friends of Lisa Cashetto (Lorrie Young’s sister-in-law) *Family & friends of Diana Toomey *Family & friends of Jim Webb (Angela Moulton’s Father) *Family & friends of Kenneth Dorko (Pastor Watson’s nephew) *Family & friends of Dennis Scharback *Family & friends of Arthur Park *Family & friends of Sophie Field *Family & friends of Susan Hadden *Family & friends of Ross & Ginger Ludeman *Family & friends of Christine Kent (daughter of Jean & Galen Johnson) *Family & friends of Zoe Schemm *Friends & family of Julie Shore (Pastor King’s friend)
Extended Care:
*Dottie Royal, Bromley Manor, 2595 Depot St., Manchester, VT 05255
*Addie Hall Vogel. Equinox Village, 49 Maple St. Manchester, VT 05255
*Judy & Chuck Dickison, Equinox Village, 49 Maple St. Manchester, VT 05255
*Rev. Catherine Cadieux, Vernon Green Nursing Home, 61 Greenway Dr. Vernon, VT 05354
*Conrad Delia, Charles Meadows, 125 Dover Rd. Millis, MA 02054
Grafton Community Church, 55 Main Street, PO Box 158, Grafton, VT, 05146, United States
(802) 843-2346 Graftonchurch@gmail.com
Our Website: www.graftoncommunitychurch.org
On Facebook: The Grafton Church
Realize Our Hope for Redemption
with Grafton Community Church