All Saints Day is an opportunity to give thanks for those who have gone before us in the faith. It is a time to celebrate our history, what United Methodists call the tradition of the church.
From the early days of Christianity, there is a sense that the Church consists of not only all living believers, but also all who have gone before us. For example, in Hebrews 12 the author encourages Christians to remember that a "great cloud of witnesses" surrounds us encouraging us, cheering us on.
This is a day of looking forward, even as we remember the past we shared with the beloved of God. We long for the fulfillment of the promises and the in-breaking of eternity that we might stand with those who have gone before. So, while there is sadness and the grief of loss, there is also the joy of the promises of God. Our brothers and sisters before us has witnessed Gods loves, and so we today are experiencing His everlasting mercy. As we are in union today, let us receive, reflect and respond to Gods calling and remember our beloved that is feasting at the Lords heavenly banquet. Please join me in our OPENING MEDITATION…
OPENING MEDITATION
We give you thanks, O God, for all the saints who ever worshiped you
Whether in brush arbors or cathedrals,
Weathered wooden churches or crumbling cement meeting houses
Where your name was lifted and adored.
We give you thanks, O God, for hands lifted in praise:
Manicured hands and hands stained with grease or soil,
Strong hands and those gnarled with age
Holy hands
Used as wave offerings across the land.
We thank you, God, for hardworking saints;
Whether hard-hatted or steel-booted,
Head ragged or aproned,
Blue-collared or three-piece-suited
They left their mark on the earth for you, for us, for our children to come.
Thank you, God, for the tremendous sacrifices made by those who have gone before us.
Bless the memories of your saints, God.
May we learn how to walk wisely from their examples of faith, dedication, worship, and love. Amen
A CALL TO REMEMBER
Leader: We have come to affirm our historic faith.
People: To worship the God of our mothers and fathers.
Leader: We have come to remember God’s benefits to us the living.
People: To respond in thanksgiving to the mighty works of God in our lives.
Leader: We have come to affirm our trust in the God of all futures,
People: To whose name be blessing and honor, glory and power forever and ever. Amen.
(Some moments of reflective silence)
Leader: God’s Word to us is a word of forgiveness, a word of assurance, a word of grace. We are loved and accepted because we are we and God is God, and nothing can separate us from our Creator, our Parent, our Sustainer. Rest assured that although our earthly life is short lived, our eternal life is forever with the living God. As saints of the living God, we are to fight intensely, endure bravely and guard faithfully, all to be a fulfillment of our divine destiny to finish well.
REMEMBERING THE SAINTS INTRO
Let us be in an attitude of prayer…
Blessed are you, O God, for you are holy, gracious, and good, the hope of all the faithful. Empower the meek and encourage the poor. Comfort those who mourn and fill humble hearts with gladness. Give food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, peace to the peacemakers, mercy to the merciful, and honor to the despised. Sustain your saints in ministry, until at last they see their reward: the joy of eternal life with you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In gratitude for the gifts of these saints we take a moment to name them before you, and the body of Christ, claiming their lives as a gift to the church, in memory, word and deed:
[Reading the Names of the People]
REMEMBERING THE BELOVED SAINTS OF GOD
John and Margaret Laycock
Matthew Childs
Lawrence and Libby Dehaven
Herb Rudisill
Bob Chrisman
Steve Eisner
Noami Henry
Frances Price
Mary Ketner
Goldie Dunn
Donna Wilt
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Behold: there is a new heaven, a new earth and a new city, where the river of life flows, where the tree of life bears fruit in every season.
This heaven, this city, this river, this tree are a vision of your life reborn, restored, and renewed. Thanks be to God!
CLOSING PRAYER
Thank you, God, for the sacrifices made by those who have gone before us.
May we walk wisely in their examples of faith, dedication, worship, and love.
We commit to continue their legacy of walking in The Way.
May new generations find us worthy to be called saints in your kingdom.
In the name of the Creator, the Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit,
Amen.