Reminder

Many of our Lutheran parishes this coming Sunday will celebrate All Saints, and many will combine that feast with a remembrance of the faithful departed. The Lutheran Service Book Agenda on pp. 151-153 provides some resources for this remembrance.

Of special importance is the part titled: Remembrance of the Faithful Departed.

The rubric suggests that this remembrance may be accomplished at any of several points in the Divine Service (before the liturgy proper, after the Sermon or Creed, or during the Prayer of the Church). I think the last option makes the most sense.

If a parish reads out the names of those who have fallen asleep in the Lord in the year past, the bell may be tolled following the reading of each name. After all names have been commemorated, a beautiful collect is spoken that recalls the similar collect at graveside.

It's a worthy practice to follow. If not on All Saints, then on December 31st or the Last Sunday in the Church Year. We do not forget those who have died in Christ, for we know they live. To quote Urbanus Rhegius, we do not say that they are gone, but that they are gone ahead.