What is All Saints Day?

Each year on November 1st-and on the first Sunday in November-United Methodist congregations across the world gather to celebrate All Saints Day. While the celebration dates back to the early centuries of the Christian church, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, held a deep personal affection for this holy day.

Wesley saw it as a sacred time to reflect on the unity of God's people across time and eternity. In the United Methodist Church, our understanding of "sainthood" is rooted directly in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul frequently addressed his letters "to all the saints"-meaning ordinary believers gathered in community. In Wesleyan theology, a saint is not an extraordinary, canonized figure placed on a pedestal, but every person who is claimed by grace through Jesus Christ.

All Saints Sunday is not merely a memorial; it is a proclamation of resurrection hope. It reminds us that we belong to the "communion of saints"-a living connection that binds the church militant (those of us still living and serving on earth) with the church triumphant (those who rest from their earthly labors in the nearer presence of God).

How Does the United Methodist Church Celebrate?

As outlined by The United Methodist Book of Worship and resources from Discipleship Ministries, All Saints Sunday is marked by joyful solemnity, thanksgiving, and liturgical signs of resurrection:

How Do We Celebrate All Saints at Lawrenceville First?

At Lawrenceville First United Methodist Church, All Saints Sunday is one of the most meaningful and moving worship gatherings of the entire year. Here is how our church family comes together to honor our saints:

• 1
  Remembering Our Saints by Name: During our worship services, we solemnly read the names of our church members who entered the Church Triumphant over the past year, giving thanks for their lives, their prayers, their service, and their love.
• 2
  Candle Lighting & Moment of Remembrance: We light a candle for each beloved saint as their name is called. We also invite everyone in attendance to silently hold in prayer the loved ones, mentors, and family members who passed the faith along to them.
• 3
  Passing the Torch of Faith: As we look back with gratitude, we are also challenged to look forward. We remember that we are surrounded by a "great cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1), encouraging us to run with perseverance the race set before us right here in Lawrenceville.