All Souls
Our service for All Souls will be held at St Thomas' Church on Wednesday 4th November at 7.30 pm.
If you're not able to attend in person you may wish to join us at the same time from home, and you will find prayers and reflections below.
You are invited to light a candle -which you can do safely on line by clicking on this link - Church of England light a candle
The Gospel reading for this day is -
Here is a reflection on All Souls from Bishop David -
Commendation and Prayers
Today, we remember before God, those we have known and loved who have passed from this earthly kingdom to the light, rest and peace of God's heavenly kingdom.
We remember those who have made this journey this past year and whose funerals have taken place in this Parish, as well as others who have gone ahead of us in the more distant past.
Hear us, O merciful Father, as we remember in love those whom we have placed into your hands.
Acknowledge, we pray, the sheep of your fold, lambs of your own flock, sinners of your own redeeming.
Enfold them in the arms of your mercy, in the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and in the glorious company of the Saints in Light.
Lord in your mercy
Response: Hear our prayer
Jesus said "This is the Will of Him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, and I will raise them up on the Last Day."
Lord God, Creator of all, you have made us creatures of this earth, but have also promised us a share in Life Eternal. According to your promises, may all who have died in the peace of Christ, come with your Saints to the joys of your Kingdom, where there will be neither sorrow nor pain, but life everlasting.
Lord in your mercy
Response: Hear our prayer
Grant to all who mourn a sure confidence in your loving care, that, casting all their sorrows on you they may know the consolation of your love.
Lord in your mercy
Response: Hear our prayer
Help us, we pray, in the midst of things we cannot understand, to believe and trust in the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection to Life Everlasting.
Lord in your mercy
Response: Hear our prayer
May we have strength to meet the days ahead in the joyful expectation of Eternal Life with those we love.
Lord in your mercy
Response: Hear our prayer
Grant to us, Lord God, to trust you not for ourselves alone,
but for those also whom we love and who are hidden from us by the shadow of death;
that, as we believe in your power to have raised our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead,
so may we trust your love to all who believe in Him,
through Jesus Christ Our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with You and The Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen
We bring together all our prayers by saying together the family prayer, which Jesus taught us to pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom,
The power and the glory,
For ever and ever,
Amen
We listen to "The Lord’s my Shepherd"
BLESSING
May God give to you and to all those you love
His comfort and His peace,
His light and His joy,
In this world and the next;
And the Blessing of God Almighty,
The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Be upon you and remain with you always.
Amen
