Collects and Prayers - November 1, 2009 - The Feast of All Saints

Greeting
Leader: The God of all time and eternity speaks to us through the stories of the saints.
People: Today we celebrate and give thanks for their lives.
Leader: Moses, Ruth, David, Saint Paul, Saint Peter and all holy men and women, both known and unknown.
People: Their heroic and faithful lives call us to deeper faith.
Leader: Let us go now into God's temple, surrounded by this great cloud of witnesses.
People: Let us follow the saints, today and all days!

Collect
Almighty and ever-lasting God, Lord of all ages and times. We thank you for all the saints - those recognized by the Church and those known only to a few, and to Him. We rejoice that they live in heaven with every tear wiped away. May all who have died in the friendship of the Lord know his mercy and lasting peace.

We now remember our saints who have died during the past year.

*{Names were read aloud here}*

We rejoice in the communion of saints, the dead, the living, and those yet to be born. We here on earth wait for that glorious day when mourning and crying and pain are no more, and all things will be made new. Grant us the faith to walk bravely in the footsteps of the saints, and to serve you wholeheartedly, just as those before us have done.

We ask this for your glory and renown, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.