Sunday, November 1 Worship: All Saints Day

All Saints is a day of remembrance for the saints. We celebrate the communion of saints as we remember those who have died and give thanks for our connectedness as Christians. The Christian festival of All Saints’ Day comes from a conviction that there is a spiritual bond between those in heaven and on earth. This day allows us to express gratitude to God for the lives and deaths of all the saints that have influenced and shaped our lives. On this Sunday, we hear a passage from the first letter to the Thessalonians written by Paul, encouraging the early Christ followers: “We encouraged you, we urged you, and we insisted that you live good lives for God, who calls you to his glorious kingdom.”

As we worship, we will light a candle, ring a bell, and after all names have been shared, we will stand for the saints that have died this year. Often, we come to All Saints worship remembering the saints that have influenced our lives. We invite you to light a candle for these saints, even if it is not this year that they have died, and for those who may not have been named in worship. There will be tables in the front of the sanctuary, and you can light a candle before worship, during the opening hymn, or as worship concludes. This practice will express gratitude for all the saints who have influenced and shaped our lives.

On this All Saints Day, we remember, we weep, we celebrate as we look to the promised possibilities of life beyond death. We find encouragement to live our lives well before God. Let us experience, celebrate, and share God’s love.