Here are the resources you need for All Saints which may be observed on the first Sunday of November.Please feel free to choose what is suitable for your congregation’s needs. You will notice that the orders of service are available in different formats: choose the “pdf” format if you want something that is ready to print and photocopy, the “doc” or “rtf” format if you wish to change the formatting yourself or the “ppt” format if you use PowerPoint.
IDEAS FOR VISUALS
COLOUR
The colour for the day is white. White (and red) flowers could be displayed, perhaps arranged with tall stems (representing the saints).
VISUALS FOR THE READINGS
Pictures or visual symbols could be displayed on banners or the overhead screen during the readings.
SYMBOLS
A common symbol for All Saints is the crown of victory with a sheaf of wheat representing the final harvest. Other images, especially symbols of the church, may be used, such as the ark or the ship of the church.
CANDLE-LIGHTING
Set up a tray of sand near the font, provide a small box of candles, and light the paschal candle. During the service, members of the congregation may be given an opportunity to come forward and light individual candles from the paschal candle and then place the lighted candles in the tray of sand as a way of remembering those who have died in the faith. (This may be done as the names of those who have died are read out, perhaps during a memorial rite such as that given below). This tray could be left at the font throughout the year for people to light a memorial candle, especially on birthdays or deathdays (if this is not a day on which the paschal candle is lit, a single lighted candle may be placed in the tray before the service begins). A brief note of explanation and invitation may be included in the bulletin.
MEMORIAL RITE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED IN THE FAITH
A memorial rite is especially appropriate on All Saints Day. It may be helpful to indicate at funerals (eg on the service order) that the person who has died will be remembered on All Saints Day and also that a memorial hymn will be sung during a forthcoming Sunday service, if this is planned.
A few weeks before All Saints Day, contact the families of those who have been buried from the church (or by the pastor elsewhere) during the year, telling or reminding them that their loved one will be remembered during the service on that day (and a candle may be lit for them, etc).
The following memorial rite may be observed after the prayer of the church.
INTRODUCTION
The minister says:
Grace and peace to you from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
Friends in Christ: Today we remember members of this congregation (and our Christian friends and relatives)* whom our heavenly Father has called out of this life during the past year. We remember them and thank God for the gifts he has given us through them.
READING OF NAMES**
The names of those who have died in the past year are read out aloud.
WORD OF GOD
The minister says:
Our Lord Jesus Christ says:
Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life. (John 5:24 NRSV)
And the apostle John says:
These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. (Rev 7:14b, 15 NRSV)
OR
Our Lord Jesus Christ says:
Do not be worried and upset. Believe in God and believe also in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house, and I am going to prepare a place for you. I would not tell you this if it were not so.
(John 14:1,2 TEV)
And the apostle John says:
I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord’. ‘Yes’, says the Spirit, ‘they will enjoy rest from their labours, because the results of their service goes with them’. (Rev 14:13 composite)
HYMN
A memorial hymn may be sung here or at the end of the rite.
PRAYER
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, all who have died in Christ are in your presence.
We thank you for N, N and N (or: those whom we have named before you).
During the past year, they completed the race that was set before them,
and we thank you for sustaining their faith throughout their lives.
We thank you also for the blessings that flowed to us from their lives.
Be with all who mourn their passing.
Comfort them in their sorrow.
Remember us all in life and death and bring us at last into your eternal home.
We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
OR
Gracious heavenly Father, we praise you for the glorious company of the saints who have finished the course of their lives in faith, and now rest with you from all their work.
We thank you today for those who have departed from this life over the past year, and remember them in gratitude before you.
Sustain us in life and death, and let perpetual light shine on us and on all your faithful people.
Amen.
BLESSING
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus.
Amen.
* A list of those who have belonged to the congregation is simple to make up ahead of time. However, some may wish friends, relatives and significant Christian members of the community to be remembered also, and so people may have to be invited to suggest these names before the service.
** There are several possible ways the reading of names could be highlighted ritually. Here are some suggestions:
– Light the paschal candle for this rite and conduct the rite from the baptismal font
– Light individual candles, one for each person who has died in the past year, as their names are read out (they could be lit from the paschal candle) and place them in a tray in the sanctuary or at the baptism font. These candles may be left burning during the Lord’s supper to remind us of our communion with them. See the suggestions above under ‘Candle-lighting’.
A gong or a mellow-sounding bell may be rung after each name (or, if the church has a bell, toll the church bell once after each name).
Altar colour: White
Bible readings:
Year A
FIRST READING Revelation 7:9-17 Saints around the throne of God
PSALM Psalm 34:1-10,22 *For musical settings of this Psalm, please see the song suggestions below*
SECOND READING 1 John 3:1-3 We are God’s children
GOSPEL Matthew 5:1-12 The beatitudes
Year B
FIRST READING Isaiah 25:6-9 God prepares a banquet for the peoples
PSALM Psalm 24
SECOND READING Revelation 21:1-6a The new heaven and the new earth
GOSPEL John 11:32-44 Jesus raises Lazarus to life
Year C
FIRST READING Daniel 7:1-3,15-18 Daniel’s vision of the holy ones of the Most High
PSALM Psalm 149
SECOND READING Ephesians 1:11-23 God’s blessings through Christ for his people
GOSPEL Luke 6:20-31 Blessed are the poor and the persecuted
Sermons:
Lay-readers please note: the linked sermons have not been edited for general use. As part of your preparations, keep in mind that they have been written for specific people in a specific context, and for this reason the issues they address or the examples they use may not be entirely suitable for people in your congregation. If you feel this is the case, you may need to make minor adjustments or find another sermon
Based on Matthew gospel (Year A): edited for lay-reading sermon – matt 5v1-12 – year a – all saints
Based on 1 John 3 reading (Year A): Pr Heath Pukallus
Based on Revelation 7 reading (Year A): Pr Vince Gerhardy ; edited for lay reading sermon – rev 7 9-17 – year a – all saints
Based on John gospel (Year B): Pr David Christian
Based on Revelation 21 reading (Year B): Pr Vince Gerhardy
Based on Ephesians reading (Year C): Pr Roger Atze
Suitable in any year: edited for lay reading sermon -all saints – november 2015
Opening sentence(s):
God has made Christ the head over all things for the church,
which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Eph 1:22b,23 NRSV)
Orders of service:
All Saints Word & Prayer ( pdf / doc )
Service order with holy communion
All Saints Simplified Spoken (doc)
PPT background for All Saints
Prayer of the Day (Collect): Choose one of the following
Traditional
O Lord,
the crown and reward of all your saints:
Grant us grace that,
as we follow their steps,
we may walk in your ways
and live with you in eternal joy;
through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
OR, modernised traditional
Lord, you are the crown and reward
of all your saints.
Lead us to follow their steps
and live as your people,
and bring us to eternal joy with you.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
OR, alternative
Almighty God,
you bring your people together
in one holy church,
the body of our Lord.
Lead us to follow your saints
and to know the inexpressible joys
that you have prepared
for those who love you.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Prayer of the Church/ General Prayer: Prayer of the Church- All Saints
Visual images for the day: 1 John reading, Revelation 7 reading , The Beatitudes ; Ephesians reading ; Isaiah 25 reading ; Revelation 21 reading
Song/Hymn suggestions: * = Modernised version available (please click here to go to the Modernised hymns page) ;G3, G4 . . . = Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . .; GS = Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH
Year A
First reading: Revelation 7:9-17
LHS
210 Thy Word, O God, declareth* G5
211 Who are these like stars appearing G8
212 Lo, round the throne, a glorious band G4
214 Hark! the sound of holy voices G5
445 Ye holy angels bright G8
459 Worship, honour, glory, blessing G8
484 Blessed are the heirs of heaven G6
494 Jerusalem, the golden G6
495 Jerusalem, thou city fair and high
496 Ten thousand times ten thousand
805 We are heirs of the Father GS
841 O welcome, all you noble saints of old GS
AT
12 We are heirs of the Father
77 God and man at table are sat down
324 Saints of all time
302 Soon and very soon
465 How deep is the love
TIS
108 You holy angels bright
142 Glory be to the Father
192 Christ is the world’s Redeemer
193 God, you are clothed with light
438 Give me the wings of faith to rise
772 Worship, honour, glory, blessing
Second reading: 1 John 3:1-3
LHS
151 Jesus, Thy boundless love to me* G5
154 Amazing love, that rent the heavens asunder* G4
323 Blessed are the sons of God* G4
794 What wondrous love is this GS
AT
24 God’s love
145 Wondrous love
153 The steadfast love of the Lord
276 Into your death
398 A child of God
534 I always will love you
TIS
115 Behold the amazing gift of love
118 We give immortal praise
164 The great love of God
217 Love divine, all loves excelling
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12
LHS
161 How sweet the name of Jesus sounds G5
213 For all the saints
AT
436 Amen, amen, it shall be so
TIS
223 How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
448 Blest are the pure in heart
455 For all the saints
470 Rejoice in God’s saints, today and all days
566 Lord Jesus, if the same you are
Year B
First reading: Isaiah 25:6-9
LHS
89 Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands* G3 (see TIS 364)
92 Christ the Lord is risen today (see TIS 370)
97 The strife is o’er, the battle done G5 (see TIS 367)
104 Awake, my heart, thy praises sing* G5
281 Jesus Christ, our blessed Saviour
287 Deck thyself, my soul, with gladness (vv 1,3)* G5 (see TIS 503)
326 O how great is Thy compassion* G3
543 Abide with me, fast falls the eventide (see TIS 586)
834 At the Lamb’s high feast G3
841 O welcome, all you noble saints of old GS
AT
77 O welcome, all ye noble saints of old
479 For living, for dying
TIS
364 Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands
367 The strife is past, the battle done
370 Christ the Lord is risen today
503 Robe yourself, my soul, with gladness
516 Here, gracious Lord, we see you face to face
545 Shout for joy! The Lord has let us feast
586 Abide with me, fast falls the eventide
Second reading: Revelation 21:1-6a
LHS
147 O Morning Star so bright and fair* G3 (see TIS 199)
156 Jesus, our Saviour, of true joy the giver (v 4)* G3 (see TIS 208)
210 Thy Word, O God, declareth* G5
287 Deck thyself, my soul, with gladness (vv 2,3)* G5 (see TIS 503)
306 I heard the voice of Jesus say G (see TIS 585)
489 Rejoice, rejoice, believers* G4
786 In faith and hope and love GS
854 Be still, my soul
AT
137 I heard the voice of Jesus say
182 Christ is changing everything
302 Soon and very soon
479 For living, for dying
TIS
123 Be still, my soul (esp v 4)
199 Lord Jesus, our bright Morning Star
208 Jesus has come, and brings joy as our Saviour
503 Robe yourself, my soul, with gladness (vv 2,3)
585 I heard the voice of Jesus say
628 In faith and hope and love
653 This is a day of new beginnings
Gospel: John 11:32-44
LHS
92 Christ the Lord is risen today (see TIS 370)
96 Ere yet the dawn has filled the skies G4
101 Jesus lives! Thy terrors now* G5 (see TIS 372)
763 Now is eternal life
838 I am the Bread of life GS (see TIS 535)
AT
167 I am the Bread of life
TIS
370 Christ the Lord is risen today
372 Jesus lives! your terrors now
385 Now is eternal life
535 I am the Bread of life
Year C
First reading: Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
LHS
210 Thy Word, O God, declareth* G5
213 For all the saints
219 Jesus shall reign where’er the sun G3
AT
–
TIS
207 Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
455 For all the saints
Second reading: Ephesians 1:11-23
LHS
115 Rejoice, the Lord is King!
118 O Holy Ghost, to Thee we all pray* G3
132 Spirit of wisdom, turn our eyes (alt tune 245, G6)
169 The head that once was crowned with thorns G5
191 The Church’s one foundation G4
327 Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness* G3
337 God, from all eternity* (alt tune 276, G5)
782 At the name of Jesus G7
863 Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine GS
AT
26 He is Lord
161 Majesty
252 He is exalted
357 Give us hearts to know you, Lord
370 You are glorious
448 Loving Spirit
487 Make your home in me
499 It was me
503 Show me heaven
TIS
164 The great love of God
189 Glory to our boundless God
192 Christ is the world’s redeemer
216 Rejoice, the Lord is king
219 Jesus comes with all his grace
225 My heart and voice I raise
231 At the name of Jesus
371 God is gone up on high
378 The head that once was crowned with thorns
417 Loving Spirit, loving Spirit
442 All praise to our redeeming Lord
457 The church’s one foundation
548 Eternal light, shine in my heart
549 God be in my head
604 Make me a captive, Lord
653 This is a day of new beginnings
685 Lord, I come to you
Gospel: Luke 6:20-31
LHS
161 How sweet the name of Jesus sounds G5
213 For all the saints
AT
436 Amen, amen, it shall be so
TIS
223 How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
448 Blest are the pure in heart
455 For all the saints
470 Rejoice in God’s saints, today and all days
566 Lord Jesus, if the same you are
The following is a general list of hymns and songs suitable for All Saints Day:
From the Lutheran Hymnal and Supplement:
183 The saints on earth and those above G6
191 The Church’s one foundation (see also TIS 457)
210 Thy word, O God, declareth (*modernised version available) G5
211 Who are these like stars appearing G8
212 Lo, round the throne a glorious band G4
213 For all the saints who from their labours rest (TIS 455)
214 Hark! the sound of holy voices G5
457 Mighty God we praise Thy name (see TIS 127 for modernised text)
494 Jerusalem the golden G6
495 Jerusalem, thou city fair and high (esp vv 3, 5)
496 Ten thousand times ten thousand
841 God and man at table are sat down (O welcome, all you noble saints of old) GS (for holy communion)
From the ‘All Together’ books
1 Lord of our days
12 We are heirs of the Father
77 God and man at table are sat down (O welcome, all you noble saints of old) (for holy communion)
119 Come and praise him, royal priesthood
249 Dreams and visions
324 Saints of all time
403 God of Abraham
462 Hand in hand
From Together in Song
See the listing for All Saints and All Souls on pages 1092-3 of the Harmony edition.
PSALM 34 (Year A)
The following metrical version of Psalm 34:1-10,22 by David Schütz may be sung to the tune Llanfair (LH 11, TIS 388) with alleluias, or to the tune Gott sei Dank (LH 221, TIS 450) without alleluias. If reproducing this version, please put ‘Words (c) David Schütz’ at the beginning or the end of the psalm.
I will bless the Lord always;
his praise always fills my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in God;
let the humble hear with joy.
Glorify the Lord with me,
let us praise his name as one;
I cried out, he heard my voice.
He freed me from all my fears.
Faces bright will look to him.
Never will we be ashamed.
In my helplessness, I prayed;
he saved me in time of need.
See, the angel of the Lord
guards and saves his faithful ones.
Taste and see the Lord is good.
Blest are those who rest in him.
Fear the Lord, you saints of God.
Those who fear him have no want.
Many hunger though they’re strong;
yet the saints of God are filled.
He will pay the ransom price
for the lives of all his saints.
All whose refuge is in him,
shall not ever be condemned.
Music Resources Vol. 3– Psalm settings – Psalm 34 p63
PSALM 24 (YEAR B)
TIS 13, The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness, and TIS 12 are versions of Psalm 24:7-10.
Music Resources Vol. 3– Psalm settings – Psalm 24 p39 , Psalm 24 p40
PSALM 149 (YEAR C)
TIS 95, Sing a new song to the Lord, is a version of Psalm 149:1-5.
The following paraphrase of Psalm 149 by David Schütz may be sung to the tune Alles ist an Gottes Segen (LH 283, TIS 556). If reproducing this version, please put ‘Words (c) David Schütz’ at the beginning or the end of the psalm.
Alleluia! Sing a new song
to the Lord, our King and Maker,
with his people gathered here!
Let the children of Jerus’lem
praise his name with dance and music,
and with tambourine and lyre.
God takes pleasure in his people,
and the Lord adorns the humble
with the crown of victory.
Let the faithful rise in triumph,
sing for joy at night and always
praise our God continually.
So, with swords of prayer and praises,
bring God’s justice to the nations,
bring his judgment on the world!
To bind kings in chains of iron,
and bring prisoners into freedom,
is our glory! Praise the Lord!
Music Resources Vol. 3– Psalm settings – Psalm 149 p249
OTHER HELPFUL WEBSITES FOR CHURCH MUSIC
While the LCA does not necessarily endorse the content of these websites, you may find them helpful in your worship planning.
Small Church Music: You can download mp3 and midi files of popular hymn tunes from this site.
Together to Celebrate: lectionary based song and hymn suggestions from a variety of sources.
Singing from the Lectionary: has song and hymn suggestions based on the RCL from other hymnals.
Song Select: you can search for more contemporary songs by theme. If your congregation has a paid subscription you can also download sheet music.
Hymns Without Words: mp3 downloads of hymn tunes.
Song and Hymn Index. Contains all the indexes of the LHS and AT books in one Excel file. Download the file (zip file) here.
