All Saints Day falls on Tuesday this year. It could be celebrated with great creativity during
a mid-week gathering, but many congregations will celebrate it either on the
Sunday October 30 and tie it to Halloween or on Sunday November 6 and tie it to
the resurrection of the saints.
If
you celebrate All Saints Day on October 30, look at the
suggestions below but also go to HERE. Especially Habakkuk
and the psalm featured there may be more useful for children than the texts
specifically for this day are.
If
you celebrate All Saints Day on November 6, look at the
suggestions below but also go to Proper 27. The gospel and epistle there offer more ideas
than the ones here.
Whenever you celebrate it, All Saints Day is one great holy
day for children. It is both an
opportunity to point to Christian hero/ines and a chance to explore God’s
promise to be with us always and forever no matter how hard things get. So think of the children as you plan. Check out both the general All Saints Day ideas
below and the suggestions for the texts for the day that follow.
All
Saints Day
With children, it is easy to turn All Saints Day into a celebration of Christian heroes and heroines. There is value in doing that. Children need role models and it is wise to
offer them some specifically Christian ones.
+ To do this (and connect to the
Halloween interest in costumes) invite children (or worshipers of all ages) to wear costumes
or carry a prop related to one of their Christian
hero/ines. Stage a processional in which
worshipers stop at a microphone to tell in one sentence the name of their
hero/ine and why that person is important to them. Help parents get their children into this
with advanced publicity that defines saint as a person who shows us about God,
lists several well-known saints, e.g. St. Patrick, St. Paul, Martin Luther
King, Mother Teresa, at least one local saint and notes that saints may be
living or may have already died. In an
oral announcement, identify one of your saints and tell what you would wear or
carry to represent that person. If there
are churches named after saints in your community, encourage people to learn
about one of those saints. A light touch
throughout will make this a fun and celebratory worship event for everyone.
+ Instead of wearing costumes,
challenge church school classes and households to make a paper banner or poster about
one of their saints.
Stage a processional of these art works and display them during worship.
+
The downside of celebrating saintly hero/ines is that it
leaves most of us feeling less than saintly.
To avoid this, emphasize that all God’s
people are saints. Saints
are people through whom God shines. Each
saint shows us a different part of God.
Illustrate this by naming what of God you see in some of the saints in
your congregation – maybe the music minister or the guy who heads up the CROP
Walk every year. Challenge worshipers to
identify what they see of God in people around them. Remind them that the more people we know and
pay attention to, the more we know of God through those people. To
celebrate some of these saints (both living and dead) who are dear to members
of the congregation create posters, banners, or table cloths decorated with
their names.
+ Prepare several blank banners (possibly
cloud shaped to refer to the great cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 12). Invite worshipers to arrive early enough to
add names of their saints in fabric marking pens to one of the banners. Just before worship slide the banners on to
poles, process in with them, and display them prominently during worship.
+ Instead of creating banners create a table cloth for the central worship table. Worshipers can write the names of their
saints on a white sheet which is then draped over the worship table at the
beginning of worship. Candles, crosses,
even communion elements can be added during a Call to Worship which summons all
the saints, both the living and the dead.
Two
children’s picture books about quilts provide good back stories for these creations.
+ In The Keeping Quilt, by Patricia Polacco, a woman immigrating
to America creates a quilt that connects to memories of family in the old
country. The quilt is used as a bedcover,
a Sabbath tablecloth, a wedding canopy, and a baby blanket to wrap a new
generation. The book is too long to read
in worship, but can be easily told turning to a few key pictures for
illustration.
+ In The Naming Quilt, by Phyllis Root, a little girl goes to
sleep each night with stories about the people represented in her family
quilt. The quilt is destroyed in a
storm, but the little girl and her Grandmother still have the memories, and
start a new quilt that includes the little girl’s name in the middle. (This book may be harder to locate than the
other.)
To introduce the idea of saints to the children display one of the
following pieces of art.
 |
| Used by permission. Go to http://paintedprayerbook.com/2011/10/29/inspired-on-the-feast-of-all-saints/#.VDV2W890wyU |
+ “Gathering of the Spirits” is non-
literal art and will challenge children.
Some “I wonder” questions will help them understand the picture:
I wonder what that round thing
is? the sun? the moon?
the light of God?
I wonder who the gold things are?
Can anyone guess what the square
things are?
(You may have to talk briefly about halos
here.)
(You may have to talk briefly about halos
here.)
This should get to a discussion about
all the people/saints who we are always aware of, who show us about God by just
being there, and who help us live well.
 |
| Used by permission. Go to http://paintedprayerbook.com/2009/09/29/of-supper-and-saints/#.VDcuic90wyU |
+ Or, look at her collage “Of Supper and
Saints” in which many different kinds of “saints” gather around
the Table. Identify what makes each
figure unique. Then, ponder what holds
them together. What do they share and
what do they gain from being together “at the Table? (This is especially effective if communion
will be celebrated during this service.)
"(I
believe in) the communion of saints..."
+
If you regularly recite the Apostles’ Creed in worship, point
to the phrase “(I believe in) the communion of saints.” Direct worshipers to find it wherever you
have it printed. Note that it is a
reminder that we are connected to all the people who have loved God and
followed Jesus in all times and all places.
We are a community, a family.
Name some of the saints you will be thinking of today when you say this
and invite others to think about the saints they will remember. Then, recite/read the creed together.
A Little Easter
+
All Saints Day
is also known as a Little Easter.
Children are fascinated by celebrating Easter in a different
season. So bring
out all the Easter paraments and robes. If you “buried” an Alleluia banner or poster
during Lent, bring it out and process it around the room as you sing a hymn
with lots of alleluias.
+
Talk about the
difference in celebrating
resurrection in the springtime when flowers blooming and in the autumn when
everything is turning brown and dying. Celebrate both the joy of knowing there is
new life when you see it all around you and the importance of remembering there
is new life when everything around you is looking dead. Older children enjoy thinking about how
different Easter feels in the different hemispheres.
+
On this day
many congregations remember all the members of the
congregation who have died during the last year. Children are keenly aware of the intensity of
this reading. Indeed, many adults have
childhood memories of the occasion. Ways
to enhance this worship event for children (and all worshipers) include:
- Toll a handbell as each name is read.
- Light a candle as each name is read and leave
the candles lit throughout the service as a reminder of the continuing presence
of the saints who have died.
- One church in Maine projects the names on the
walls – talk about being surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses!
- Speak briefly about the connection between the
living and dead saints. At its best this
can be a time when gratitude takes the center in the grieving process.
Selecting hymns for All Saints Day is almost a
no-brainer. But there are ways to make
them more sing-able for the children.
+ “For All the
Saints” is 6 verses long!
Rather than sing all of them at once, spread them throughout the
service. Everyone will pay better
attention to the words. At the beginning
of the service point out the Alleluias and practice them so non-readers can
join in.
+ “I Sing A Song
of the Saints of God” uses simpler language, names very specific
recognizable saints, and asks the singer to commit to sainthood. Singing it in the congregation suggests to
all that children are also saints.
+ “For All the Saint’s Who’ve Shown Your Love”
by John Bell uses simpler language than some All Saints hymns but is not as
“cute” as “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God.” Go HERE for music and lyrics.
+ “We Are the Church Together” makes the
point that the church is not a building, a steeple, or a resting place, but a
community of people. Before singing this
song, recite this phrase and remind worshipers that they and all saints
together are the church.
+ The second verse of “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty” is
especially appropriate for All Saints and Communion. Walk through it pointing out the
connections. Define cherubim and
seraphim simply as angels. Ask a class
of children in advance to make banner illustrating all sorts of people and
angels praising God together. Process
the banner in and display it during the singing of the hymn. Sing the second verse again at communion even
in response to the phrase “with the faithful of all times and all places.”
+ Highlight the phrase “Praise Him above you heavenly host” in
the Doxology. Note that we are among
“all creatures here below” and that everyone who loved God and has died is one
of “the heavenly host.” Point out that
all the saints you have been talking about in worship today praised God when
they were creatures her below and praise God now among the heavenly host. Praising God connects us.
+ Singing “When
the Saints Go Marchin’ In” in worship delights children and
helps them understand the song in a new way.
I even heard of one congregation that sang “When the Saints Go Marchin’
Out” at the end of service.
+
Something to think about: This is one of those days on which
rituals, liturgy and songs have more power than preaching. The challenge is to help children understand
some of those rituals and the words in them.
It may be worth spending more time on getting banners made and involving
people in rituals than in producing well studied sermons.
Year
C All Saints Day Texts
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
+
On the day before Halloween (and maybe near the end of a
Halloween focused weekend), Daniel’s nightmare
recalls all the scary stuff dealt with at Halloween and connects those to the
scary nightmares and fears of monsters under the bed that trouble
children. It can also lead to
identifying other scary things we face every day. To all of these monstrous fears verse 18 is
the answer.
+
Verses 1-3 say only that there were four monsters in Daniel’s
dream. Add verses 4-8 from CEV to hear
about each monster and enjoy the awfulness of his
nightmare. A dramatic reading including
facial responses to some of the details of the monsters bring the monsters to
life. Four older children might read one
of the beasts each.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Daniel 7:1-15
Daniel wrote: In the first year of
King Belshazzar of Babylonia, I had some dreams and visions while I was asleep
one night, and I wrote them down.
The four winds were
stirring up the mighty sea, 3 when suddenly four powerful beasts
came out of the sea. Each beast was different.
The
first was like a lion with the wings of an eagle. As I watched, its wings were
pulled off. Then it was lifted to an upright position and made to stand on two
feet, just like a human, and it was given a human mind.
5 The
second beast looked like a bear standing on its hind legs. It held three ribs
in its teeth, and it was told, “Attack! Eat all the flesh you want.”
6 The
third beast was like a leopard—except that it had four wings and four heads. It
was given authority to rule.
7 The
fourth beast was stronger and more terrifying than the others. Its huge teeth
were made of iron, and what it didn’t grind with its teeth, it smashed with its
feet. It was different from the others, and it had horns on its head—ten of
them. 8 Just as I was thinking about these horns, a smaller horn
appeared, and three of the other horns were pulled up by the roots to make room
for it. This horn had the eyes of a human and a mouth that spoke with great
pride.
Pause here,
shaking your head as if shaking off the dreams.
Then read verses 15-18. I’d
immediately say “let’s reread that last verse again. It is the one we need to remember.” Then,
reread verse 18.
15 Daniel wrote: I was terrified by these visions, and I didn’t know
what to think. 16 So I asked one of those standing there, and he
explained, 17 “The four beasts are four earthly kingdoms. 18
But God Most High will give his kingdom to his chosen ones, and it will be
theirs forever and ever.”
From CEV
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+
Some Things are Scary Things,
by Florence Parry Heide, can take you from Halloweeny fears to more everyday
fears. The book is a random collection
of wonderfully illustrated things that scare children. Rather than reading the whole book, select a
few of the pages to read and discuss.
Present verse 18 as hope for each of the fears.
Psalm 149
+
Turn
verses 1-5 into a responsive reading. Have a worship leader read the verses with
the congregation responding, “Praise the Lord!” to each one. Even non-readers can join in on that. Or, prepare a more elaborate reading with a
choir (maybe a children’s choir) and children (maybe those who are not in the
choir) with rhythm instruments. One
brief rehearsal with the saints involved in the latter is essential.
* ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! *
Psalm 149:1-5
Responsive
Reading
Leader: Shout
praises to the Lord!
People: Praise the Lord!
Rhythm
instruments sound off
Leader: Sing him a new song of praise when his
loyal
people meet.
people meet.
People: Praise the Lord!
or a praise phrase sung by choir
or a praise phrase sung by choir
Leader: People of Israel, rejoice because of
your Creator.
People: Praise the Lord!
Leader: People of Zion, celebrate because of
your King.
People: Praise the Lord!
Leader: Praise his name by dancing and
playing music on harps and tambourines.
playing music on harps and tambourines.
Rhythm
instruments sound off
Leader: The Lord
is pleased with his people,
and he gives victory to
those who are humble.
People: Praise the Lord!
Leader: All of you faithful people, praise our
glorious Lord!
Celebrate and worship.
People: Praise the Lord!
Rhythm
instruments sound off
Based on the CEV
* ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! * ! *
Ephesians 1:11-23
+
On the Sunday before Halloween, Paul insists that the saints
belong to Christ who is the most powerful being in the whole universe. We are safe.
 |
| Last Judgment, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=29448 [retrieved October 3, 2013]. |
+ To explore the lordship of Christ,
display a photo of a judgment door from a middle ages
cathedral. Point out the demons who are
being thrown aside and the big powerful statue of Christ in the middle. Note that every time people walk through those
doors to worship, they remember that they are safe with Christ.
 |
| Mosaic of Jesus Christ, from Hagia Sophia, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54554 [retrieved October 3, 2013]. |
+ For the youngest children, display a picture of a very gentle Jesus (maybe Jesus
with the children) and a stern Jesus as the Lord of the world. Discuss the differences in the faces and how
it feels to look at each picture. Note
that both are the same person – Jesus, the Christ. Jesus is what his friends called him. Christ is who he really was, the Lord of the
whole world. Conclude that having both
pictures reminds us that we are safe with Jesus who is the Lord of the world
and who loves us.
+ Talk with the children about all
the gory tattoos people wear on Halloween, then give them each a removable cross tattoo or sticker to remind them
that they belong to Jesus, the Christ, who is Lord of the whole Universe.
+
Tell worshipers that Paul wrote a prayer for the Christians at the
church in Ephesus. Insist
that the same prayer could be for us.
Invite them to listen to it as if it were being prayed for them and for
your church. For the sake of the
children with shorter attention spans, read only verses 16-18. Read from The CEV with great inflection
stopping to look up at the congregation at key points.
Luke 6:20-31
+ This reading might be titled “Rules for
Saints.” Children will
get lost in the blessings and woes. So
select one or two to highlight with them.
The best might be The Golden Rule in verse 31. Read it first introducing it as the number
one rule for saints. After discussing
this key rule briefly, encourage older children to listen for other rules that
go with it as you read the text.
+ Highlight “Forgive
us our debts/transgressions/sins, as we forgive…” in the Lord’s
Prayer. Before the congregation prays
it, point to the phrase. Talk about all
the things people do to each other that need forgiving. Include everything from saying mean things,
hitting, taking what isn’t ours, and playing mean tricks on people to really
hurting someone, even going to war with them.
Insist that the only difference between a friends and enemies is that
the friends forgive each other.
Challenge worshipers to think of friends they need to forgive so they
don’t become enemies. Then, pray the
whole prayer.
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