Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (4)

Reading the names of the departed on All Saints’ Day has the purpose of remembering God’s grace in Christ to those who have fallen asleep in him. Other customs have been connected with the reading of the names:

  • Some churches have the custom of lighting candles or ringing bells as the names are read.
  • Some churches have the custom of reading the individuals’ confirmation verses along with the names.
  • In larger congregations, a simple reading of the names may suffice.

This rite may follow the Prayer of the Church / Prayers of the Faithful, or may be used at another appropriate place in the service.

I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”
“Yes,” says the Spirit, “because they will rest from their labors, for their works follow them.” (Revelation 14:13)

We remember with thanksgiving those who have gone before us in faith,
who have shared with us in God’s gifts of life,
of peace and forgiveness through the hearing of the gospel,
of new life and the promise of resurrection through his Son in baptism,
who with us have been fed the body and blood of his Son at this holy table,
and who now have been called to the heavenly feast that will never end.

The names of those who have died in the last year are read.

Let us pray.

Lord, look upon your holy Christian Church, the communion of saints here on earth. Strengthen and keep us in the one true faith, and make us grow in fervent love for you and for one another. Bring us with your saints to glory everlasting, that with them we may sing your praise forever; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Prepared for http://www.acollectionofprayers.com. Scripture is from The Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version.

Link to access this rite in Christian Worship: Service Builder.

Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (3)

Reading the names of the departed on All Saints’ Day has the purpose of remembering God’s grace in Christ to those who have fallen asleep in him. Other customs have been connected with the reading of the names:

  • Some churches have the custom of lighting candles or ringing bells as the names are read.
  • Some churches have the custom of reading the individuals’ confirmation verses along with the names.
  • In larger congregations, a simple reading of the names may suffice.

This rite may follow the Prayer of the Church / Prayers of the Faithful, or may be used at another appropriate place in the service.

You, Christ, are the King of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.

You overcame the sting of death
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

You sit at the right hand of God in the glory of the Father.
We believe that you will come to be our judge.

Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints
to glory everlasting.

With hope in Christ and in the resurrection to eternal life, we remember those in this congregation who have died in the last year:

The names of those to be remembered are read aloud.

Let us pray.

Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Resurrection and the Life, and through your victory you have brought us eternal righteousness, joy, and holiness. As you have promised, we pray, bring us a joyful resurrection to life and a homecoming in the eternal paradise of our Father’s kingdom. You, Jesus, are arisen from death, and rule with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.

Link to access this rite in Christian Worship: Service Builder.

Source: Based on a document from the Diocese of Gloucester. (https://www.gloucester.anglican.org/content/pages/documents/1380206639.pdf). Responsive reading is from the Te Deum Laudamus. Closing collect is translated and adapted from Prayer for the Order of Burial, found in Allgemeines evangelisches Gesang- und Gebetbuch zum Kirchen und Hausgebrauch,Hamburg, 1846, p. 758.

Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (2)

Reading the names of the departed on All Saints’ Day has the purpose of remembering God’s grace in Christ to those who have fallen asleep in him. Other customs have been connected with the reading of the names:

  • Some churches have the custom of lighting candles or ringing bells as the names are read.
  • Some churches have the custom of reading the individuals’ confirmation verses along with the names.
  • In larger congregations, a simple reading of the names may suffice.

This rite may follow the Prayer of the Church / Prayers of the Faithful, or may be used at another appropriate place in the service.

Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive the glory and the honor and the power,
for you have created all things,
and because of your will they existed and were created.
(Revelation 4:11)

You are worthy, O Lamb, because you were slain,
and you bought us for God with your blood
out of every tribe and language and people and nation.
You made them to be a kingdom and priests for our God,
and they will reign on the earth.
(Revelation 5:9-10)

With hope in Christ and in the resurrection to eternal life, we remember those in this congregation who have died in the last year:

The names of those to be remembered are read aloud.

Jesus said, “This is the will of him who sent me: that I should lose none of those he has given me,
but raise them up on the Last Day.” (John 6:39)

Eternal God and Father, you are not the God of the dead but of the living, and all who have put their trust in you, who rest in their chambers under the earth, live in you. Be merciful to us, dear Father. Do not let us be afraid of the power and sting of death, but keep us in the true faith in your dear Son, who is the way, the truth, and the life. Uphold us with your Holy Spirit, and give us a clear conscience, that we may live our Christian lives, and finally fall asleep in peace and joy when we leave this valley of tears, and rest in peace until you open our graves and awaken us with the sound of the last trumpet; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Link to access this rite in Christian Worship: Service Builder

Source: Based on a document from the Diocese of Gloucester. (https://www.gloucester.anglican.org/content/pages/documents/1380206639.pdf). Responsive reading is from passages in Revelation and John. Scripture is taken from The Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version.  Closing Collect is from Order for Burial, found in Allgemeines evangelisches Gesang- und Gebetbuch zum Kirchen und Hausgebrauch,Hamburg, 1846, p. 760#2.

Featured Prayers: All Saints

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We Will Not Die, but Peacefully Sleep and Be Raised

Almighty and eternal God,
by your Son you promised us
forgiveness of our sins
and deliverance from eternal death.
We pray that by your Holy Spirit
you will daily increase our faith
in your grace through Christ
and establish us in the certain hope
that we will not die,
but peacefully sleep
and be raised again on the last day
to eternal life and salvation;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one true God, now and forever.

Source: Veit Dietrich, d. 1549, Trinity 24

Source of this version: The Collects of Veit Dietrich in Contemporary English © 2016 Paul C. Stratman

This revision/translation of The Collects of Veit Dietrich is licensed by Paul C. Stratman under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International LicensePlease contact for permission for any commercial use.

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In Your Mercy, Lead Me

The Evangelist Mark, from the Book of Cerne

Almighty God and Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I pray, in your mercy lead me: where thousands of angels always reflect the exceeding glory of the King of kings, praising him;
where the twenty-four elders fall before the throne of the Lamb of God, praising him;
where the four living creatures surround the throne, and every eye sees his wonderful works;
where the four rivers flow from their one source;
where the patriarchs, the first to believe in God, rule with him in his divine city;
where the prophets, full of the pure Holy Spirit, praise Christ together in the purest light of truth;
where Christ with the apostles Peter and Paul rule, sitting on their thrones;
where the flower of the state of virginity of the innocent with the pleasantness of the people of flourishing are following the Lamb;
where the martyrs of Christ are dressed in white robes and singing and waving palm branches;
where the holy, pure virgins hold palms for the king of kings;
where the crowd of saints sings to the Lord with constant peace in the land of the living;
where there is happiness;
where there is security;
where there is always health
where there is purity of mind;
where there is no pain;
where there are no problems, no anger, no pain of labor;
where there is no hunger;
where there is no deep water;
where no fire burns;
where no one perishes;
where there is no old age;
where youth flourishes;
where there is no groaning;
where the poor do not weep;
where there is eternal peace;
where there is joy;
where there is no trouble;
where there is true life;
where there is no bitter death;
where it is always divine;
where no one knows evil;
where love is strong;
where the nourishing glory of Christ the King reigns;
where there is true joy;
where the cup is full of constant life;
where the clear name of Christ rules upon his throne;
where all things are made right;
where there is salvation for all;
where there is unity;
where there is Trinity;
where there is real truth;
where there is divine virtue;
where there is the God of gods;
where there is the Lord of lords;
where there is the King of kings;
where there is the choir of heaven;
where there is the Light from Light;
where there is the source of life, flowing in the heights of the city;
where the voice of praise resounds for the Lord;
where there is no darkness of night;
where the King of kings rules forever and ever.

Source: The Book of Cerne, p. 106-108

Original in Latin:

Deus pater omnipotens domine caeli ac terrae deduc me obsecro te per misericordiam pietatis tuae
Ubi resplendent semper angelorum milia regem regum laudantes cum ingenti gloria .
Ubi uiginti quattuor seniores sunt proni agnum dei laudantes ante conspectum throni .
Ubi mystica quattuor animalia tota oculis plena tarn mira magnalia .
Ubi ilia flumina bis bina manantia uno e fontis rore inrigati .
Ubi patriarchae primi credentes deo ciues urbis diuinae regnantes sine (fine) cum eo .
Ubi prophetae puri spiritu sancto pleni christum conlaudant clara causa luminis ueri .
Ubi sancta maria sanctis cum uirginibus uitae fruentes prmiis & in thronis sublimibus .
Ubi petrus et Paulus christi cum apostolis regnant cum rege sedentes in cathhedris .
Ubi sequuntur agnum turbae innocentium uirginitatis flore amoeno florentium .
Ubi martyrum chori amicti stolis albis christo canentes habentes uitae palmam .
Ubi uirgines sanctae castitatis nimiam habent palmam gloriae regni regiae .
Ubi sanctorum turbae domino canentium gaudent cum pace firma in terra uiuentium .
Ubi est felicitas .
Ubi et securitas .
Ubi semper sanitas .
Ubi mentis puritas .
Ubi nullus dolor .
Ubi nee mentes nee irae furor Nee dolor laborantibus .
Ubi nullus esurit .
Ubi nee ullus bibit .
Ubi ignis non urit .
Ubi nullus peribit .
Ubi senex non manet .
Ubi iuuenis florebit .
Ubi lesus non gemit .
Ubi pauper non plorat .
Ubi pax perpetua .
Ubi et laetitia .
Ubi nee molestia .
Ubi uita est uera .
Ubi nee mors amara .
Ubi semper diuina .
Ubi non nocent mala .
Ubi caritas firma .
Ubi alma gloria christi regis regiae .
Ubi lumen diuinum .
Ubi gaudium uerum .
Ubi poculum purum uitae perennis plenum .
Ubi nomen praeclarum Christi regnantis (in) thronum .
Ubi est rector rerum .
Ubi salus cunctorum .
Ubi unitas .
Ubi diuinitas .
Ubi trinitas .
Ubi ueritas uera .
Ubi uirtus diuina .
Ubi deus deorum .
Ubi dominus dominorum .
Ubi rex regum .
Ubi caelorum chori .
Ubi lux lucis .
Ubi fons uiuus fulget in summa poli .
Ubi uox laudis resonat domino regi .
Ubi nox nulla tetra .
Ubi regnum regnorum saeculorum in saecula . Amen .

 

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Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (1)

Evening Prayer for All Saints Day, Friday, November 1st at 6:30pm | St ...

Reading the names of the departed (also called the “necrology”) on All Saints’ Day has the purpose of remembering God’s grace in Christ to those who have fallen asleep in him. Other customs have been connected with the reading of the names:

  • Some churches have the custom of lighting candles or ringing bells as the names are read.
  • Some churches have the custom of reading the individuals’ confirmation verses along with the names.
  • In larger congregations, a simple reading of the names may suffice. 

This rite may follow the Prayer of the Church / Prayers of the Faithful, or may be used at another appropriate place in the service.

If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:19-20)

With hope in Christ and in the resurrection to eternal life, we remember those in this congregation who have died in the last year:

The names of those who have died in the last year are read.

We remember in silence those who have died in previous years, and those who were members of other Christian congregations.

Silence.

For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.
For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:21-22)

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.
Yes, they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them. (Revelation 14:13)

Let us pray.

Lord Jesus Christ, you told Mary and Martha that you are the Resurrection and the Life. You promised your disciples that you would prepare a place for them. You promised the repentant thief that he would be with you in Paradise. And through the disciple John, you revealed to us that you will wipe away every tear from our eyes in the Day when there is no death or sorrow or crying or pain. Fill our hearts with these firm and certain promises. Comfort us with the assurance that those who have died in faith now see you face to face. You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, surrounded by a great multitude that no one can count, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

“Blessed are They Which Are Called,” or another hymn may be sung.

Link to this rite in Christian Worship: Service Builder

Source: Prepared for A Collection of Prayers.

Scripture is from The Holy Bible: New International Version. 

Not the God of the Dead but of the Living

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In some branches of Christianity, November 2 is celebrated as ‘All Souls Day,’ or ‘Commemoration of the Faithful Departed.’  In some countries it is also called ‘The Day of the Dead.’ This prayer reminds us that those who die in faith live in Christ.

O eternal God and Father,
you are not the God of the dead but of the living,
and all who put their trust in you,
who rest in their chambers under the earth,
live in you.
Be merciful to us, dear Father,
do not let us be afraid of the power and sting of death,
but keep us in the true faith in your dear Son,
who is the way, the truth, and the life.
Uphold us with your Holy Spirit,
and give us a clear conscience,
that we may live our Christian lives,
and finally fall asleep in peace and joy
when we leave this valley of tears,
and rest in peace until you open our graves
and awaken us with the sound of the last trumpet;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Order for Burial, found in Allgemeines evangelisches Gesang- und Gebetbuch zum Kirchen und Hausgebrauch,Hamburg, 1846, p. 760#2.

A similar prayer appears in Christian Worship: Occasional Services in the burial rite.

Original in German:

O ewiger Gott und Vater, der Du nicht bist ein Gott der Todten, sondern der Lebendigen, denn in Dir leben alle, so unter der Erden in ihren Kammern ruhen: wir bitten Deine väterliche Güte, Du wollest uns des Todes Gewalt und Stachel nicht lassen erschrecken, sondern uns in Deinem Sohne, welcher ist der Weg, die Wahrheit und das Leben, in rechtem Glauben und gutem Gewissen gnadiglich mit Deinem Geiste erhalten, damit wir christlich leben, und seliglich von diesem Iammerthal abscheiden und in Fried und Freude einschlafen, und sanft ruhen können, bis Du unsere Graber eröffnest, und durch der Posaunen Stimme uns wieder zum Leben aufweckest, durch Jesum Christum unsern Herrn. Amen.

 

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All Saints Day

On November 1, the Christian church remembers those who have died in faith, and now enjoy eternal pleasures at Christ’s right hand as his church triumphant. We, too, are his saints, but in the church militant.

O Lord Jesus Christ,
you are the Resurrection and the Life,
and through your victory
you have attained
eternal righteousness, joy,
and holiness for us.
As you have promised,
we pray,
come soon to judge,
and bring us
a joyful resurrection to life
and a homecoming
in the eternal paradise
of our Father’s kingdom.
You, Jesus, are arisen from death,
and rule with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
forever and ever.
Amen.

Source: Prayer for the Order of Burial, found in Allgemeines evangelisches Gesang- und Gebetbuch zum Kirchen und Hausgebrauch,Hamburg, 1846, p. 758.

O Herr Jesu Christe, der Du bist die Auferstehung und das Leben, und hast uns durch Deinen Sieg eine ewige Gerechtigkeit, Freude und Heiligkeit erworben: wir bitten Deine milde Güte, Du wollest bald zum Gerichte kommen, und uns eine fröhliche Auferstehung des Lebens verleihen, und in das ewige Paradies und Vaterland uns heimholen, der Du vom Tode bist erstanden, und herrschest mit dem Vater und heiligem Geiste, von Ewigkeit zu Ewigkeit. Amen.

 

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A Home Liturgy for All Saints Day

In the history of the Christian Church, All Saints Day, November 1, is a time for visiting graves and remembering the faithful departed. The following may be used at home or when visiting the grave of a family member or friend.

We know that the one who raised the Lord + Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and bring us into his presence. (2 Corinthians 4:14)
Amen.

The following Scriptures or other passages may be read:

Now we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal home in heaven, which is not made by human hands. (2 Corinthians 5:1)

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor rulers, neither things present nor things to come, nor powerful forces, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Let us pray.
Lord Jesus Christ,
you told Mary and Martha
that you are the Resurrection and the Life.
You promised your disciples
that you would prepare a place for them.
You promised the repentant thief
that he would be with you in Paradise.
And through the disciple John,
you revealed to us
that you will wipe away every tear from our eyes
in the Day when there is no death or sorrow or crying or pain.
Fill our hearts
with these firm and certain promises.
Comfort us with the assurance
that those who have died in faith
now see you face to face.
Strengthen us
with these words of your gospel;
you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
surrounded by a great multitude that no one can count,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

How blessed are those who live in your house.
They are always praising you.

How blessed is everyone whose strength is found in you.
The highways to Jerusalem are in their hearts.

As they pass through the Valley of Weeping,
it becomes full of springs. 

They go from strength to strength.
Each one will appear before God in Zion.

O LORD, God of Armies, hear my prayer.
Give ear, O God of Jacob.

One day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather wait at the doorway of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

The LORD is a sun and shield.
God gives grace and glory.

The LORD does not withhold any good thing from those who walk with integrity.
O LORD of Armies, how blessed is everyone who trusts in you. (from Psalm 84)

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever. (Revelation 5:13)

How blessed are those who live in your house.
They are always praising you.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ + Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
Amen.

__________

This short rite is based in part on the outline of a short rite in Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers © 2007 by the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The prayer “Lord Jesus Christ, you told Mary and Martha…” and the responsory from Psalm 84 are newly composed. “Valley of Weeping” is in the footnote. Biblical text reads “Valley of Baca.” All Scripture is taken from The Holy Bible: Evangelical Heritage Version, © 2017.  www.wartburgproject.com

This “Home Liturgy for All Saints Day” has been translated into Portugese, available at lecionario.com website.

© 2017 Paul C. Stratman and A Collection of Prayers.

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