All Saints' Day

Last night was Halloween, or as it was originally called, All Hallows' Eve, which makes today All Saints' Day.  Whether or not your denomination commemorates this church holiday, it is interesting to learn about the history of it.  Different denominations celebrate this day in the following ways:

The festival was retained after the Reformation in the calendar of the Anglican Church and in many Lutheran churches. In the Lutheran churches, such as the Church of Sweden, it assumes a role of general commemoration of the dead. In the Swedish calendar, the observance takes place on the Saturday between October 31 and November 6. In many Lutheran Churches, it is moved to the first Sunday of November. It is also celebrated by other Protestants of the English tradition, such as the United Church of Canada, the Methodist churches, and the Wesleyan Church. ^[9]

In the United Methodist Church, All Saints' Day is on the first Sunday in November. It is held, not only to remember Saints, but also to remember all those that have died that were members of the local church congregation.^[10] In some congregations, a candle is lit by the Acolyte as each person's name is called out by the clergy. Prayers and responsive readings may accompany the event. Often, the names of those who have died in the past year are afixed to a memorial plaque.

In many Presbyterian churches, All Saints' Day and Reformation Day are observed concurrently on the Sunday before or of those dates, given Reformation Day is observed in Protestant Churches on October 31. Typically, Luther's Mighty Fortress is Our God is sung during the service. Besides discussing Luther's role in the Protestant Reformation, some recognition of the prominent early leaders of the Reformed tradition, such as John Calvin and John Knox, occurs. The observance of Reformation Day may be immediately followed by a reading of those members of the local congregation who have died in the past year in observance of All Saints' Day. Otherwise, the recognition of deceased church members occurs at another designated portion of the service.

In the Roman Catholic Church, All Saints' Day is a Holy Day of Obligation in many (but not all) countries, meaning going to Mass on the date is required (unless one is ill or elderly). However, in a number of countries that do list All Saints' Day as a Holy Day of Obligation, including England & Wales, the solemnity of All Saints' Day is transferred to the adjacent Sunday if 1 November falls on a Monday or a Saturday, while in the same circumstances in the United States the Solemnity is still celebrated on November 1 but the obligation to attend Mass is abrogated. 

[Wikipedia: All Saints' Day] 

Thus, we will follow suit by celebrating All Saints' Day in one of the following ways:

1. Remember those we know who have died in this past year. Thank God for that person and for the impact they had on your life. Remember their admirable traits and pray that you'd also be able to impact others as they impacted you.

2. Google a saint you've always heard about it, but know nothing about. How do you see Christ reflected in that person's life? Pray that God would also mold you into conformity with Christ.