21st Century Africana Liturgy Resources for All Saints Day, Year B

Greeting

We do not come empty, Lord.
We come with joyful memories and hope for the future.
We come with tears of pain and heavy hearts.
For all the saints and martyrs who have been made perfect, Lord.
We worship you and praise your Holy Name!

Congregational Prayer
Lord, we know you have prepared a heavenly banquet and invited both saints and sinners. Here, on earth, we mourn and weep the loss of these saints; while in heaven they laugh and feast with you. We thank you for their lives on earth and rejoice in the promise of your kingdom coming when a new heaven and a new earth will feast as one. Amen.

The Great Thanksgiving
Officiant: Use "A Service of Word and Table II," 12-15, The United Methodist Hymnal with the following suggestions:

After the line in the printed greeting that says: "It is right to give our thanks and praise," have the choir sing: "Just Want to Praise You" as recorded by Maurette Brown Clark.

Officiant: Continue with the Great Thanksgiving as printed. Add the following seasonal sentences after the first asterisk:

We rejoice in you and your Creation, God Almighty. We give thanks for your cycle of life, for molding us in your image and giving us the breath of life, For staying with us and giving us new life ?? even when we failed you. For guiding us home as we release our last breath on earth.

Officiant: Return to the Great Thanksgiving. Continue as printed to"… join their unending hymn." Substitute the following for "Holy, holy, holy…":
Choir and Congregation sings Hymn 64, United Methodist Hymnal, "Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty" (verses 1 and 2)

Return to the Great Thanksgiving. Continue as printed to "And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ…"

Officiant (Add the following seasonal sentences): We feast at your Communion Table, as so many have feasted before. We feast at the same table with the saints before us ?? your disciples, John Wesley, Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King, Jr., loved ones, and the hosts of saints in heaven.

Officiant: Return to the Great Thanksgiving. Finish as printed.

Remembrance Prayer
Preparation: List each person in your congregation who has died in the past year. Additionally, list the immediate family members of people in your congregation who have died in the past year. Ensure that there are sufficient candles for all on the list. Have extra candles available for others who may be named in the worship service.

Leader: We remember the saints who have gone home this past year.

Invite family members of those who died in the past year to come forward to kneel or stand around the Communion rail when the name of their loved one is called. Invite one family member to light one candle in the beloved's honor. As the names on your list are read, take time for each person to be remembered individually. Allow sufficient time for family members to come forward. When all names have been read, invite others who have lost a loved one who hasn't been named to come forward and say the name of that person. A bell may be tolled at the reading of each name. When all have finished, invite a member of your congregation to offer prayer for the family members celebrating the lives of those who have died and asking for comfort for those who mourn. Close with the following unison prayer:

We give thanks for the lives who have blessed ours. May their lights continue to shine in our hearts, even after their passing. Amen.

Invite the congregation to stand.

Leader: As a congregation, let us express our support of those who mourn for their loved ones.

People: Sit on the mourner's bench as long as you need to weep. We, your friends and family in Christ, commit to sit with you, to remember with you, and to wipe away your tears. Pour out your Spirit, Lord, on your people so that we may all feel your peace. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Sending Forth
People of God, stand tall! The Lord conquered death for all generations! He is resurrected and is sitting at the right hand of God Almighty! Stand tall, People of God, remembering that death is defeated. When any saint departs, he or she is resurrected into a new life with God. Go in peace to experience God's daily resurrection in your life. Amen!

About the Author: Ciona Rouse is a freelance writer and a former staff member of the Discipleship Ministries, Nashville, Tennessee.