All Saints' Day

In the early church it became customary to remember the martyrs of the church in worship. When the list of martyrs became too great, a special day was set aside to remember their commitment to Christ, a commitment that led to their suffering and death for the sake of the gospel. Although different areas of the church celebrated the memory of these saints on different days at first, by a.d. 835 it became the custom to celebrate these martyrs on November 1. Today, All Saints' day is celebrated on November 1 or the Sunday closest to November 1.

Scriptural Words of Greeting for All Saints' Day Grace be to you and peace from God, who is and who was and who is to come, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Amen. (Rev. 1:4–5) Opening Prayers for All Saints' Day Almighty God, whose people are knit together in one holy church, the body of Christ our Lord: Grant us grace to follow your blessed saints in lives of faith and commitment, and to know the inexpressible joys you have prepared for those who love you, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Lord God, you have surrounded us with so great a cloud of witnesses. Grant that we may persevere in the course that is set before us, to be living signs of the gospel and at last, with all the saints, to share in your eternal joy, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Lutheran Book of Worship Scriptural Statement of Faith for All Saints' Day We believe in God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that nothing—neither death, nor life; angels, nor principalities; things present, nor things to come; neither height, nor depth, nor anything in all creation—will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. (Rom. 8:37–39) Blessings for All Saints' Day May God, who has bound us together in the company of the elect, in this age and the age to come, attend to the prayers of his faithful servants on your behalf, as he hears your prayers for them. Amen. May God, who has given us, in the lives of his saints, patterns of holy living and victorious dying, strengthen your faith and devotion, and enable you to bear witness to the truth against all adversity. Amen. Book of Occasional Services A Service for All Saints' Day in the Free Church Tradition The following service for All Saints' Day is designed for churches that do not follow a prescribed liturgical pattern. It is designed to highlight each of the important themes of worship on this day. ENTRANCE (Worshipers enter in silence for meditation.) Statement of Purpose Commentary: A brief explanation outlines the nature and purpose of worship on All Saints' Day. Hymn of Praise: Te Deum Commentary: This ancient canticle is present in many recently released hymnals in metrical form with the title "Holy God, We Praise Your Name." LAMENT Commentary: In this section of the service, the community remembers and laments the death of members, friends, and relatives of the community who have recently died, and takes comfort in the promise of Jesus. Scripture Lesson: Matthew 11:28–30 Silent Meditation Spoken Prayer Psalm 23 Commentary: This psalm may be sung responsively or sung to a metrical setting such as "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need." THANKSGIVING Commentary: In this section of the service, the community gives thanks to God for the faithful witness and service of all the saints. Scripture Lesson: Psalm 116:12–15 Litany of Thanksgiving Leader: O eternal God, we, your children, give you thanks for our ancestors in the household of faith: For Abraham, the father of the faithful, For patriarchs and matriarchs who followed him in faith, For Moses, who—with your guidance—led your people to freedom and gave them your law. People: We bring thanks to you, O God. Leader: For the prophets who declared your Word and will, For David, the king who sang your praise, For those who gave their lives to preserve your law, For those disciples of Christ who left all to follow him, For Paul, who so richly experienced the grace of the risen Lord and brought his gospel to the nations, People: We bring thanks to you, O Lord. Leader: For the fathers and mothers of your church, who guided her even in her oppressed beginning, For the noble army of martyrs who faced death for their love of you, People: We bring thanks to you, O Lord. Leader: For mothers, fathers, and grandparents who ushered us into the knowledge of you and now have been ushered into your kingdom, For elder members of our community who mentored us, and dear friends old and young who brought joy into our lives, who now praise you in heavenly glory, People: We bring thanks to you, O Lord. All: Glory be to God, our Fortress and our Rock. Hymn: "For All the Saints" ANTICIPATION Commentary: In the final section of the service, the worshiping community looks forward to the coming reign of God, where all of God's saints will gather at the feast of the Lamb. Scripture Lesson: Revelation 21:1–7 Silent Meditation Hymn: "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" Blessing