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October 26, 2026
All Saints' Day
· One-Year Lectionary
- First Reading
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Rev. 7:(2–8) 9–17 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, 3 saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” 4 And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:
5 12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed,
12,000 from the tribe of Reuben,
12,000 from the tribe of Gad,
6 12,000 from the tribe of Asher,
12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali,
12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh,
7 12,000 from the tribe of Simeon,
12,000 from the tribe of Levi,
12,000 from the tribe of Issachar,
8 12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun,
12,000 from the tribe of Joseph,
12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed.(ESV)
A Great Multitude from Every Nation
9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 “Therefore they are before the throne of God,
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
the sun shall not strike them,
nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”(ESV)
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- Psalm
-
Psalm 149 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
Sing to the Lord a New Song
149:1 Praise the LORD!
Sing to the LORD a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the godly!
2 Let Israel be glad in his Maker;
let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!
3 Let them praise his name with dancing,
making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!
4 For the LORD takes pleasure in his people;
he adorns the humble with salvation.
5 Let the godly exult in glory;
let them sing for joy on their beds.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats
and two-edged swords in their hands,
7 to execute vengeance on the nations
and punishments on the peoples,
8 to bind their kings with chains
and their nobles with fetters of iron,
9 to execute on them the judgment written!
This is honor for all his godly ones.
Praise the LORD!(ESV)
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- Epistle
-
1 John 3:1–3 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
3:1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
(ESV)
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- Gospel
-
Matt. 5:1–12 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
The Sermon on the Mount
5:1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
The Beatitudes
2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
(ESV)
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All Saints' Day
One-Year Lectionary
About this service
Saints Are Blessed in the Eternal Presence of Christ
“A great multitude from all tribes and peoples and languages,” cry out “salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne” (Rev. 7:9–17). Faith-filled saints from every place and time with unified voices eternally magnify the Lamb of God. As His beloved children, we too, “shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:1–3). Joined with the throng of angels and a myriad of saints, we shall “serve him day and night in his temple” (Rev. 7:9–17). In our earthly tension vacillating between saint and sinner, faith and doubt, sacred and profane, we earnestly seek Jesus to calm our fears, comfort our spirits, and forgive our sins. The Holy Spirit, through faith in Christ propels us forward, fortifying us in Word and Sacrament, to our eternal home. In the midst of our constant struggle as believers, we need to be blessed. And so we are. The poor in spirit, the meek, the hungry, the thirsty, the merciful, the pure, and the persecuted are all blessed and we will most certainly inherit the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:1–12).
Source: LCMS Worship, Lectionary Summaries — One-Year Lectionary (opens in a new tab). Used by permission. These pages may be reproduced for congregational use only. Commercial reproduction, or reproduction for sale of this work or any portion of this work, without the written permission of the copyright holder, is prohibited. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Scripture quoted in the summary is from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Introit, Gradual and Verse
Reviewed Introit, Gradual and Verse citations have not yet been published in the Toolbox for this service.
Collect
Historical Collect — Saints and Martyrs
O ALMIGHTY God, Who hast knit together Thine elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of Thy Son Christ our Lord; Grant us grace so to follow Thy blessed Saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable joys which Thou hast prepared for those who unfeignedly love Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Source: Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book (Baltimore, 1893), Introits and Collects for the Church Year (opens in a new tab). Public-domain text (published 1893), transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of the Princeton Theological Seminary Library copy.
Prayers of the Church
Prayers of the Church for November 1, 2024 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Father in heaven, remember the poor in spirit who gather this day to receive Your grace and steadfast love, by which we are made rich in Christ. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, our Father, You have set apart a people for Yourself and washed them in the blood of the Lamb to be Your own. Restore us daily through repentance and forgiveness, and renew our hearts and spirits in holiness, righteousness and faithfulness. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, bless all ministers of the Gospel and the congregations committed to their care, that the comfort of Christ’s sacrifice and the joy of His resurrection may be proclaimed to all who grieve their sin and mourn their dead. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, we know Your deep love for us, for You have called us Your children. Deepen the love of children for their parents, and parents for their children. Strengthen fathers and mothers in their vocations, that they may raise their children in the way that they should go. Hear the prayers of those who long for families. Sustain [_____________ and] all expectant mothers and their little ones. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Father, remember all civil authorities in Your kindness, and give them wisdom, courage and integrity. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of compassion, be near to the sick, the aged and infirm, the dying, the grieving, and all the afflicted [especially _____________]. Grant healing according to Your will, and comfort them with the certain hope of the resurrection. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy Lord, gather us in the blessed Sacrament around the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, whom saints and angels adore around Your eternal throne. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
“I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord henceforth.’ ‘Blessed indeed,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them.’” Let us remember with thanksgiving those who have gone before us with the sign of faith, for they were redeemed by God. He gave them new life through His Son in Holy Baptism. He nourished them in the company of His people at His holy table. In His mercy and wisdom, He summoned them to His nearer presence so that they may rest in His blissful peace forever.
The congregation may observe a commemoration of the faithful departed in that place. See Lutheran Service Book: Agenda, pp.151–153 for prayers and other resources.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — One-Year 2023–2024 (opens in a new tab). Prepared by LCMS Worship for congregational use. Used by permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Prayers of the Church for November 1, 2024 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the poor in spirit, who gather this day to receive God’s grace and steadfast love by which we are made rich in Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all God’s people, washed in the blood of the Lamb, that we may be restored daily through repentance and forgiveness and renewed in holiness, righteousness and faithfulness, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all ministers of the Gospel and the congregations committed to their care, that they may proclaim the comfort of Christ’s sacrifice and the joy of His resurrection to all who grieve their sin and mourn their dead, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For fathers and mothers, that they would be strengthened to raise their children in the faith; for those who long for families, that their prayers would be answered; and for expectant mothers and their little ones, that they would be preserve and protected, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all civil authorities, that our Father would look on them kindly and give them wisdom, courage and integrity, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the sick, the aged and infirm, the dying, the grieving, and all the afflicted, [especially _____________,] that God would grant healing according to His will and comfort them with the certain hope of the resurrection, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all who commune, that in the blessed Sacrament they may gather with joy around the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, whom saints and angels adore around His eternal throne, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
“I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord henceforth.’ ‘Blessed indeed,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them.’” Let us remember with thanksgiving those who have gone before us with the sign of faith, for they were redeemed by God. He gave them new life through His Son in Holy Baptism. He nourished them in the company of His people at His holy table. In His mercy and wisdom, He summoned them to His nearer presence so that they may rest in His blissful peace forever.
The congregation may observe a commemoration of the faithful departed in that place. See Lutheran Service Book: Agenda, pp.151–153 for prayers and other resources.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — One-Year 2023–2024 (opens in a new tab). Prepared by LCMS Worship for congregational use. Used by permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Hymn of the Day
LSB 677 For All the Saints Who from Their Labors Rest
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for All Saints' Day (One-Year and Series A) and All Saints' Day (observed) (One-Year and Series B and C).
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, p. 171 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
For All the Saints Who from Their Labors Rest — Historical TLH Edition
Historical text notice: This is the public-domain text of The Lutheran Hymnal 463, not the Lutheran Service Book 677 text. Wording and stanza form may differ.
1. For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confess,
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
2. Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress, and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well-fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
3. Oh, may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
4. O blest communion, fellowship divine,
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
5. And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
6. But, lo, there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of Glory passes on His way.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
7. From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
8. The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon, to faithful warriors cometh rest.
Sweet is the calm of Paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
by William W. How, 1823-1897
Source: Project Wittenberg; The Lutheran Hymnal, Hymn 463; text as printed in The Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal (1942) (opens in a new tab). Public domain. Project Wittenberg permits distribution, copying and printing.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 677 For All the Saints
- Distribution LSB 639 Wide Open Stand the Gates
- Distribution LSB 633 At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing
- Distribution LSB 672 Jerusalem the Golden
- Closing LSB 676 Behold a Host, Arrayed in White
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn Suggestions — One-Year Lectionary Series 2025–26 (opens in a new tab). Hymn numbers and titles only; hymn texts are not reproduced. Reproduction for individual, church or school use does not require permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.