All Saints' Day

He said also to the one who had invited him, ‘When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’ Luke 14:12-14

Gracious Creator, you sent us many examples

of your love and compassion personified

in the many wondrous saints who lived

for the care and love of their peoples.

We have saints among us to this day

who give their time and talent for others

who feed and clothe the poor and outcasts

and set a table for the hungry and the stranger.

You have taught us all to live like them

yet we fear we are unable to meet the call

you promised with each step outward in love

you will be with us and give us your strength.

Abide with us, loving Savior, so we might serve

all those you send our way today and always

give us your spirit of love and compassion

so we might honor the saints who came before us. Amen.