When We All Get to Heaven: A 21st Century Africana Resource for All Saints Day, Year A

Entrance and Processional
While the congregation is standing and singing "When We All Get to Heaven," (United Methodist Hymnal, 701), people of various ages, sizes, and ethnicity (if available) process down the aisle with drawings or enlarged pictures of men, women, and children from various nations and religions, a minimum of ten representative people. Include pictures of relatives who are "saints in heaven" and casualties from Hurricane Katrina, war, 9/11, and so on. Pictures should be slightly larger than pew fans and may be taped onto these fans. The processors hold the fans in front of their faces, being careful to still be able to see. The processors will spread across the altar, facing the altar. Each will have his/her right hand holding the fan and the left hand on a neighbo'rs shoulder. People who are physically not able to walk down the aisle may be pushed in wheelchairs or otherwise escorted. If there are people who are unable to extend their arms, that is all right.

Gathering Call
Leader: When we all get to heaven, there will be people there from every nation: Americans, Mexicans, Canadians, Pacific Islanders, West Indians, New Zealanders, Russians, Germans, Liberians, Nigerians, South Africans, Ethiopians, Iranians, Palestinians, Israelis, Portuguese, Brazilians, South Koreans, North Koreans, Japanese, Austrians, Australians. When we all get to heaven, we will be speaking one language, the language of love.

People: When we all get to heaven, what a wondrous day that will be. We'll sing and shout the victory!

Leader: When we all get to heaven, there will be Christians there and also others who follow the Ten Commandments, who love God and their neighbors as themselves. There will be people who tasted long years of life and people who caught but a glimpse of life. O God, but one day in your kingdom is like a thousand years! When we all get to heaven, money will be no problem, because we will all be rich in love.

People: When we all get to heaven, what a wondrous day that will be. We'll sing and shout the victory!

Leader: When we all get to heaven, we will leave hurt, fear, and sadness behind; we will put on robes of power, peace, and joy. Sin will be no more. Suffering will be no more. Discrimination will be no more. Jealously will be no more. When we boast, we'll boast about being all children of the Powerful and Merciful Creator God. When we all get to heaven, we will, indeed, finally be one nation under God, a nation called love.

All: When we all get to heaven, what a wondrous day that will be. We'll sing and shout the victory!

Opening Hymn: "When We All Get to Heaven," 701, United Methodist Hymnal

Liturgical Dance
"Heaven" by Mary Mary

(For choreography, an easy to use sacred dance resource with step-by-step illustrations is Dancing Through the Christian Calendar by Sylvia B. Bryant)

Children's Time
(focus on 1 John 3:2)

1. While the children are coming, have the congregation stand and sing "Jesus Loves the Little Children." Add the word "brown" so that the song would sing "Red, brown, yellow, black and white."
   
   Print the portions of the following verse in 48 point, bold type and select one child to read it:
   "Beloved, we are God's children…we shall be like him."
   Below that, add chapter and verse in 20-point type, flush right:
   "1 John 3:2"
2. Ask the following questions:
   1. Whose child are you?
   2. What are the things your parents do that you like?
3. Tell them that the Bible says we are also God's children. God has lots and lots of children.
   
   From UNICEF or Ten Thousand Villages obtain a pillow, picturing children from around the world or a large piece puzzle of global children and show it to the children. Later, in children's ministry settings, the children can take turns putting the puzzle together.
   
   Tell the children that God is a Spirit that is all things good: women, men, and children — red, brown, yellow, black, and white. Tell the children: "God cares when you fall down and scrape your knees. God cares when you are afraid in the dark, and God wants you to know that the Spirit of God is right there with you to protect you. God wants you to laugh and be happy. God wants you to treat all people as if they were your best friends."
4. Finish by asking the children to answer the following:
   1. Name one thing you do that reminds you of God.
   2. Will you do one more thing this week to be more like God? Will you treat all people you meet this week like they are your best friends? Will you do that? Great!
5. Say to the children: "Let's pray! Let's make a circle and hold hands."
   "Thank you for making me. I am beautiful. All your children are beautiful. Help me to treat everybody like my best friend, starting right now. Help me to share; help me to care; help me to be fair. We love you God." Amen."

Sherrie Dobbs Johnson is the pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in Brooklyn, New York.