By Beth A. Richardson
Who are your saints—the people, living and dead—who guided, shaped and nurtured you? Write down their names and remember the ways that they influenced your life.
On All Saints Day (November 1) or early in the month of November, take time to celebrate them.
Consider participating in an All Saints Day celebration and lifting up these names. Decide how you would like to commemorate each person. (You might light a candle and ring a bell for each name. You may want to gather photographs of each person to keep in your home worship space.) Participate in a virtual celebration or hold your own ritual by using the liturgy below.
All Saints Liturgy
Read this blessing of the saints by Beth A. Richardson or watch the video below.
For all the saints . . .
Who birthed and nurtured,
Mothers and fathers,
Grandfathers and grandmothers,
Aunts, uncles, cousins, friends,
We are grateful. Alleluia, alleluia!
For all the saints . . .
Who loved and cherished,
Husbands, wives, partners,
Friends and lovers,
We are grateful. Alleluia, alleluia!
For all the saints . . .
Who died too soon,
Whose absence pains us still.
We remember with tears,
Aches in our hearts,
And yet, we are grateful. Alleluia, alleluia!
For all the saints . . .
Who taught and mentored,
Teachers and spiritual directors,
Older friends and younger prophets,
Guiding us, inspiring us,
We are grateful. Alleluia, alleluia!
For all the saints . . .
Who watch over us,
Pray for us,
Sit with us,
Guide us,
We are grateful.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
From Christ Beside Me, Christ Within Me: Celtic Blessings by Beth A. Richardson. Copyright © 2016 by the author. Used with permission of Upper Room Books.
Silence
Sharing the Names of the Saints
Call out the name of each saint either out loud or in your heart. After the name is said, pause for a moment. (During this time, light the candle, ring the bell, etc.)
Silence
Sing or listen to “For All the Saints.”
Closing prayer by Safiyah Fosua
Read or watch the video.
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.
By Safiyah Fosua. From UMCDiscipleship.org.
Beth A. Richardson serves as the director of prayer and worship life and Dean of The Upper Room Chapel.
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