At-Home Family Worship for All Saints' Day

Every other week we are offering a simple family service for children and families to follow together at home. We hope this can act as another spiritual formation resource for families during this time we cannot meet in-person for worship.

1. Gather Together

Gather all of your household members in one place. Find somewhere in your home that feels comfortable and inviting! You can sit in a circle, perhaps around the dinner table or in the living room. You could even get pillows and sit on the floor! Wherever you are, take a moment to pause and breathe together, maybe light a candle.

Begin by discussing the meaning of All Saints’ Day. You can read this short description together:

What is All Saints’ Day?

In the New Testament, the word "saints" describes the entire community of followers of The Way of Jesus. We all bear the word of God within us. From the very early church, followers whose faith and lives were particularly inspiring began to be described as "Saints" with a capital S. On All Saints' Day, November 1, we remember with gratitude those Saints whose lives and actions we look to as models for our own.

Invite one person to lead the opening prayer.

2. Opening Prayer

Prayer leader: The Lord be with You
All: And also with you.
Prayer leader: Let us pray.

God, we are surrounded by a cloud of faithful witnesses who have gone before. 
Those who have loved when many would have hated.
Those who have healed when many would have hurt.
Those who have spoken out when many remained silent.
God, may we join that cloud of saints—  
Walk in their footsteps
Learn courage from their sacrifice 
And gain strength from their faithfulness.
May we learn to give so that others may receive.
Love so that others may be set free.
Die to self so that others might live.
Treading paths of loving obedience, 
Leaving footprints for others to walk in.
God, may we too lead faithful lives,
And walk in your loving ways. 

Amen.

(Adapted from a prayer by Christine Sine at godspacelight.com)

3. Reading

Watch this video of the wonderful Isla Smith reading Matthew 5:1-10.

4. Reflection

Watch this short reflection on the reading from director of Children’s Formation, Brooke Parker.

5. Music

In the spirit of All Saints’ try listening to or even learning and singing along with one of these classic
hymns about Saints! Here are two versions of “When the Saints Go Marching In.”

One is by the choir of the Polk Street United Methodist Church. And the other is by none other than
Louis Armstrong himself!

And here’s one more hymn about saints. Found in the hymnal, Hymn 293. This is a simple lyrics video with organ accompaniment that you can use to learn the words and sing along! A great reminder that we can ALL be saints!

6. Closing Prayers

Invite another member of the household to be the prayer leader to lead these or similar prayers:

Prayer leader: Let us pray together, either silently or aloud, saying thank you to God for the good things in our lives. What would you like to say thank you for? (Give time for others to share out loud or silently.)  For all these things, let’s say together: Thank you so much, Lord!

All: Thank you so much, Lord!

Prayer leader: Now, let’s pray for the people or animals who are sick or need help. We also pray for the things that worry us. Are there specific people, animals, or worries you’d like to pray for? (Give time for others to share out loud or silently.) Let us say: Please God, help us!

All: Please God, help us!

Prayer Leader: Repeat after me.

Dear God,
Thank you for this time together
Stay with us
This week and always. 
Help us to be like Jesus. 
Amen.

These family services are inspired by and adapted from the Family Worship: Home Edition services at Trinity Wall Street in New York City.