A Prayer for All Saints' Day

          In our liturgical tradition, we offer up a prayer of remembrance for those who have died in the Christian faith in the past year.  Normally, we do this on the second last Sunday of the Church Year, a Sunday known as "Saints Triumphant."  This year, since All Saints' Day lands on a Sunday, we will observe this rite this Sunday, November 1.
          Below is the prayer that we will use, as well as the names of members, members' family, and members' friends which have been submitted for remembrance.  (Names may still be submitted for remembrance, but will not be included in the bulletin.)
          "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints." (Psalm 116:15)


PRAYER FOR ALL SAINTS’ DAY

Almighty God, today we recall with thanksgiving those saints who were taken from us in the Church Militant and carried by the angels to you and the Church Triumphant.  Especially, we give you praise for our departed family and friends who have gone before us in faith and all those who are in our hearts and minds this day:

(The names of those who are to be remembered are read.)

Irmgard Black, aunt of David Kirvan, (died January 2015)
Yesmeen Zayed, aunt of Norma Kirvan, (died February 2015)
Walter G. Trapp, friend of David & Diane Rumics, (died February 16, 2015)
Catherine Reising, daughter of Richard & Janet Reising, (died March 16, 2015)
Steven Paul Voigt, cousin of Colleen Fadool, (died April 2015)
Alice Rauchholz, mother of Jean Rauchholz Nabozny and Dan Rauchholz, (died June 1, 2015)
Melvin Usimaki, uncle of Mary LeFevre, (died September 17, 2015)
Genevieve Usimaki, aunt of Mary LeFevre, (died October 25, 2015)

To these, you have granted eternal rest this past year.  We thank you for giving them new life in Christ while on this earth and for sustaining them in true and saving faith throughout their life.  We praise you for finally giving them the fulfillment of your promises of salvation and eternal life.  Strengthen and sustain us in this saving faith so that we may also join with the angels and archangels and all the company of heaven in joyful praise, peace, and rest forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Cong: Amen.