The first of November is All Saints Day. Since this date is in the middle of the week, Trinity will be observing All Saints on the following Sunday, the sixth of November.
All Saints Day is a lesser festival in the Lutheran tradition. The basic festival is the Lord’s Day, which is the weekly observance of the Lord’s resurrection. Beyond Sunday, the Lutheran calendar has three types of special observances. The church year is organized around a series of principal festivals which commemorate events in the life of Jesus. This includes all the big days including Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. Next are lesser festivals which mark other important day in the life of the Christ or his church. Reformation Day and the days for each apostle are lesser festivals. Finally are commemorations which recognize noteworthy individuals in salvation history. This would include February 18 which remembers Martin Luther. All Saints Day is a lesser festival
We don’t know when All Saints Day was first observed, but we have an All Saints sermon from the middle of the third century. The day for celebrating All Saints fluctuated until the ninth century when it was attached to the first of November. Luther posted his ninety-five thesis on All Saints’ eve so they would be read by the crowds attending church on All Saints Day.
Observing All Saints Day reminds us of our calling to be saints because of our baptism. On this day, we remember Christ’s work of salvation among our brothers and sisters who have already departed this life.
The prayer of the day for All Saints Day was written in 1549 for the Church of England. Below is the version from The Lutheran Hymnal.
O ALMIGHTY God, who hast knit together thine elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of thy Son Jesus 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 the through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.