This week’s updated nondenominational worship service celebrates All Saints Day, traditionally observed on Nov. 1, the day after Halloween.

I love this service! It’s such an encouraging look at 1) the history of this celebration, 2) the people who’ve gone before us as models in the faith, and 3) the way our dependence on God draws us close to the kingdom of heaven.

As always, this service is suitable for older adults with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Watch the 45-minute church service for All Saints Day here.

And here’s the updated written agenda for All Saints Day. I’ve included a link to make papel picado, or cut-paper banners (see photo above) — an excellent seasonal craft.

HISTORY OF ALL SAINTS DAY

Every year, I include some background history and context for this service, which may help elders who might associate Halloween with darker spiritual forces.

More than 2,000 years ago, the Celtic harvest festival Samhain (pronounced sow-INN) observed a time when the spirits of the departed were believed to mingle more freely with the living world.

According to History.com, by the 9th century, Christianity’s influence blended with Celtic rites, including Samhain. “In 1000 A.D., the church established All Souls’ Day, a day to honor the dead. The All Saints’ Day celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse, meaning All Saints’ Day). [The] night before, the traditional night of Samhain in the Celtic religion, began to be called All-Hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween.”

In some parts of Latin America, this between-worlds celebration is now the highly decorated Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) to honor relatives who’ve passed on. (Try making traditional papel picado, or cut paper banner decorations, with elders this week!)

For Christians, remembering the saints past and present gives us the chance to thank God for their example and to remember their legacy and lessons.

Peace be with you,

Photo by Anastasiia Malai on Unsplash