All Saints' Day
For All the Saints The summer has passed, and we’re headed full speed ahead toward the festival half of the liturgical year. But before we enter Advent, the end of the Church year brings us several special holy days. Reformation Day and All Saints’ Day are just two of the late fall holidays especially beloved by Lutherans, and they happen to be right next to each other: October 31st and November 1st, respectively. “All Saints” honors every Christian who has gone to be with Jesus, from the apostles and martyrs to the lesser-known saints who may even have been members of our own congregations and families. In the liturgy on All Saints’ Day, it is common for the pastor to name in the prayers all who died over the course of the previous year; after each name, the bell is often tolled until the last name is commemorated followed by three bell tolls, during which people may name in their hearts all whom they love and have lost. Naturally, this day is quite special to those ...