+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

All Saints Day is the feast of the known and unknown believers who are redeemed and now in heaven. It has been celebrated for centuries on this date. Those who have gone before us cheer us on, and encourage us to live faithfully.

Opening Sentence

I desire to love.

As I get older my arms must get wider to embrace more of the world.

I think of the ones I have cared for in my life, all remembered and all loved.

Though some be in heaven and some still on the road, all remembered and all loved.

Ita (480-570) in fostering courage

Reading: Hebrews 12:1-2, 22-23 (NLT)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
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No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect.

Reading: Revelation 7:9-10, 16-17; 19:5, 9 (NLT)

After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar,

“Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”

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They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”
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And from the throne came a voice that said,

“Praise our God, all his servants, all who fear him, from the least to the greatest.”

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And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.”
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Prayer: – Hymn: “For All the Saints”

For all the saints, who from their labors rest, Who Thee by faith before the world confessed, Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest — Alleluia, Alleluia!

Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress, and their Might; Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well-fought fight; Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light — Alleluia, Alleluia!

Oh, may Thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold, Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old, And win with them the victor’s crown of gold — Alleluia, Alleluia!

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long, Steals on the ear the distant triumph song, And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong — Alleluia, Alleluia!

From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast, Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host, Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost — Alleluia, Alleluia!

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“Litany of the Saints” – John Becker

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!