All Saints Sunday is one of the most precious in the life of a community of faith. It is an opportunity to celebrate beloved members of the church and to acknowledge a worldwide connection with those who claim the name of Christ. This standalone worship theme invites us to bear witness in the name of those who have gone before by standing firm in faith and growing in love and discipleship. We give thanks to the saints we revere by living as saints in the world today.

2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12 New International Reader's Version

1 I, Paul, am writing this letter. Silas and Timothy join me in writing.

We are sending this letter to you, the members of the church in Thessalonica. You belong to God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

Paul Prays and Gives Thanks

3 Brothers and sisters, we should always thank God for you. That is only right, because your faith is growing more and more. We also thank God that the love you all have for one another is increasing. 4 So among God’s churches we brag about the fact that you don’t give up easily. We brag about your faith in all the suffering and testing you are going through.

11 Keeping this in mind, we never stop praying for you. Our God has chosen you. We pray that he will make you worthy of his choice. We pray he will make every good thing you want to do come true. We pray that he will do this by his power. We pray that he will make perfect all that you have done by faith. 12 We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus will receive glory through what you have done. We also pray that you will receive glory through what he has done. We pray all these things in keeping with the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Objects:

Photos of Mother Teresa, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and two local church “saints.”

Message:

Good morning! Today is a very special day in the church called All Saints Day. Can you say that with me? (Pause, repeat together) All… Saints… Day!

Now, that might sound like a big church word, so let’s break it down. Can anyone tell me what a saint is? (Pause to let the kids answer.)

That’s right! A saint is someone who loves and follows Jesus. Sometimes we think of saints as people in old stories or depicted in stained-glass windows, but the Bible tells us that saints are also ordinary people who live their faith every day.

In our Bible passage today, Paul writes to the church and says, “I thank God for you because your faith is growing, and your love for one another is increasing.” That means saints are people who help us grow in faith and love.

In our world, we often admire people who are rich, famous, or talented. But God reminds us that saints are people who show love, kindness, and faith. I brought some pictures of people for us to look at. Let’s play a game: when I show you a photo, you tell me how this person is considered a saint.

(Show Mother Teresa.) Do you recognize this person? (Pause.) Mother Teresa showed Jesus’ love by caring for the poor and sick.
(Show Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.) Do you recognize him? (Pause.) Dr. King showed Jesus’ love by working for peace and justice.

Now, here are some people you might not recognize right away. These are saints from our church. They may not be famous, but they show us what it means to follow Jesus.

(Show photo of a local church member.) Do you know this person? (Pause.) This person showed Jesus’ love by serving others in our church.
(Show second local saint.) Here’s another. This person taught us about God’s love through kindness and faithfulness.

Paul says he’s proud because the church didn’t give up when life got hard. Saints are people who don’t give up easily. Can you think of someone who continued to love others even when life was tough? Maybe someone who kept praying, or helping, or being kind? (Pause for answers.)

On All Saints Day, we remember people who helped us grow in faith and love, and we recognize that God is helping us grow, too.

Let’s use our hands to remember the love Paul talks about. Can everyone make a heart with their hands? (Pause.) Good! Now, hold your heart up high. This reminds us of the love the saints showed us and the love we can share.

Now hold your heart close to your chest. Think of one person who taught you about Jesus’ love—someone who prayed with you, gave you hugs when you were sad, or helped you know God loves you. (Pause.) Beautiful. That’s what All Saints Day is about: remembering those people and living out the love they shared.

Prayer (repeat-after-me with hand motions):

(Hands open wide) Dear God, thank you for the saints…
(Hands over heart) …who taught us to love Jesus.
(Hands reaching out) Help us to love one another…
(Point upward) …and shine your light.
(Hands together) Amen.

Between the Sundays: Family Conversation Starters

Based on 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12

We have added conversation starters to each children’s message series to help spark conversations within families during the week. We encourage families to use these questions to guide them through conversations and subject matter discussed during the worship service, including the children’s messages on Sundays. These conversations will reinforce learning and nurture faith formation for the entire family.

Who taught you about Jesus’ love? (It could be a grandparent, teacher, friend, or church member.) Share a story about something that person did or said that helped you grow in faith.
How did that person show you love or faith? Was it through kindness, prayer, encouragement, or something else? Discuss the various ways we can demonstrate Jesus’ love.
What do you think it means to be a “saint” today? Brainstorm qualities of a saint. (Examples: someone who forgives, someone who helps, someone who prays, someone who shares God’s love.)
How could our family show Jesus’ love to others this week? Plan together. Maybe it’s making a card for someone, helping a neighbor, giving food to a food pantry, or praying for someone who is sick.
Who in our church family might need encouragement right now? Decide together how you could reach out through a phone call, drawing a picture, or sending a kind note.
What is one way each of us can “stand strong in faith” this week? Share ideas and hold one another accountable. (Examples: pray before school, be kind to a friend, read a Bible verse, forgive someone who hurt you.)
Where have you seen God’s love at work today? Take turns noticing “God sightings,” moments when you saw or felt love, kindness, peace, or joy.

Family activity: Create a Heart of Saints.

Cut out a big heart from paper (or use sticky notes).
As a family, write the names of people who helped you know Jesus. These could be family members, teachers, or church members.
Place the heart somewhere you’ll see it all week (perhaps on the fridge).
Each day, pick one name and say a prayer:
“Thank you, God, for ___ and for their love that helped me know Jesus.”

Family Action Activity: Stand Strong Together

Paul bragged about the church because it didn’t give up when things were hard.
As a family, stand tall and strong like trees.
Take turns naming a way you can stay strong in faith (praying, helping, forgiving, singing, sharing).
End by linking arms or holding hands as a sign of standing strong in faith together.

Family Bedtime Blessing

At bedtime, make a heart with your hands over your child and say:

God loves you. God is helping you grow in faith. We give thanks for those who helped you grow in faith and in love.

Love Increasing

Love Increasing

Stand Firm & Hold Fast

References

Colors

Browse Sections