John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, was very fond of preaching on All Saints’ Day. Wesley’s Journals are filled with references to his sermons on All Saints’ Day as a day of triumphant joy. In one of his many references, this one in 1756, he remarks: “November 1st was a day of triumphant joy, as All Saints’ Day generally is. How superstitious are they who scruple giving God solemn thanks for the lives and deaths of his saints.”

In a real sense, this Holy Day with its Communion and the Great Thanksgiving Prayer, is a festival day of remembrance so that we can render thanks to God for the lives and deaths of those who have labored here with us as colleagues and family in the church on earth — reminding us of our connection with the church triumphant in God’s love. And so on this day, we celebrate, with triumphant joy as we remember and celebrate those “whose rest is won, why by faith before the world confessed” the name of Jesus.”

We remember:

Guy Runyan Jr., Betty Jean Lemley, Gregory France

Orpha Billups

Peter, George, Milica, Biljana, Risto

Rosalia Glorioso, Giuseppe Glorioso,  343 brothers in the fire service(9/11) FDNY, Father Mychal Judge, OFM;  Paul Justin Blake, Glenn Steepleton

Winifred Wolf, John Kuhn, Mary, Leo, Edward Muller

Victor Oris and Hazel Godsey,  Robert and Theresa Stites,  Blessed Bishop John A. Parker Jr., Eugene and Ollie Mae Knight, Tina Waldrop

  EDMUND HYNSON EMORA CASS,  KENNY DRESBACK, DAVID HOLCOMBE

Melbert Taylor, Tammy Olson, Paul Elkington,  Roy Stitt

Sheila McCarter,  John Andrew, Margaret McCarter, John McCarter,  George Sherwood, Raynbird Andrew,  Prescilla (Pat) Andrew,  Margaret Greenwood

Charlene Osborne

Pat and Charlie Brown, William Richard Walker, Gladys Mae Walker, Charles Melvin Brown, Eula May Brown, Freda and Marvin Ash, Shorty Brown, Charlie Flack

Billy Beckett, Charles Beaver, Emma Frances “Snook” Beaver, Vesta Lovejoy Beaver, Veda Martin Beckett, Walter Beckett, Arthur and Emma Martin, Pete Martin, Vola Rose, Opal Rose, Lawrence Beaver, Robert Beaver, Steve Chapman

Marietta Summers, Phyllis Phares

O Almighty God, who have knit together your elect in one Communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those indescribable joys which you have prepared for those who truly love you: through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.  Amen.

Almighty God, who by your Holy Spirit have made us one with Your saints in heaven and on earth: Grant that in our earthly pilgrimage we may always be supported by this fellowship of love and prayer, and know ourselves to be surrounded by their witness to your power and mercy. We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whom all our intercessions are acceptable through the Spirit, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever.  Amen.