Saint Andrew the Apostle

The Collect
Almighty God, who gave such grace to your apostle Andrew that he readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ, and brought his brother with him: Give us, who are called by your Holy Word, grace to follow him without delay, and to bring those near to us into his gracious presence; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Psalm
19

The Readings
Deuteronomy 30:11-14    +    Romans 10:8-18    +    Matthew 4:18-22

From a sermon by Mark Frank, for St. Andrew's Day:

O blessed Saint of this day, that we could but leave these nets as thou didst thine; that nothing might any longer entangle us or keep us from our Master's service. Follow we St. Andrew as he did Christ: cheerfully and without delay, and while it is today, begin our course. Cast off but the networks, the catching desires of the flesh and the world, and so you also may be said to have left your nets . . . let Christ be your business, his life your pattern, his commands your law. You may well throw away your nets, having caught him in whom you have caught glory and immortality and eternal life . . .

Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, give us ears to hear your voice, from wherever and to wherever you call us, and a will to rise and follow you in faith and love. Amen.

Commemoration of All Faithful Departed

The Collect
O God, the Maker and Redeemer of all believers: Grant to the faithful departed the unsearchable benefits of the passion of your Son; that on the day of his appearing they may be manifested as your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Psalm
130

The Readings
Wisdom 3:1-9     +     I Corinthians 15:50-58     +     John 5:24-27

When this perishable body puts on immortality, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled:
     "Death has been swallowed up in victory."
~I Corinthians 15:54

From Lesser Feasts and Fasts:

Beginning in the tenth century, it became customary to set aside another day--as a sort of extension of All Saints--on which the Church remembered that vast body of the faithful who, though no less members of the company of the redeemed, are unknown in the wider fellowship of the Church. It was also a day for particular remembrance of family members and friends.

Though the observance of the day was abolished at the Reformation because of abuses connected with Masses offered for the dead, a renewed understanding of its meaning has led to widespread acceptance of this commemoration among Anglicans, and to its inclusion as an optional observance in the calendar of the Episcopal Church. 

Closing Prayer
Remember thy servants, O Lord, according to the favor which thou bearest unto thy people; and grant that, increasing in knowledge and love of thee, they may go from strength to strength in the life of perfect service in thy heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
~ BCP, p. 488

All Saints' Day

The Collect of the Day
Almighty God, you 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 ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

The Psalm
24

The Readings
Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9 or Isaiah 25:6-9    +   Revelation 21:1-6a    +   John 11:32-44

Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, "Take away the stone."

The readings for this All Saints' Day feature death as a common theme. The Gospel reading about the raising of Lazarus from the dead, in particular, paints a scene of rising suspense tinged with ghastly details. It's a narrative that fits quite well with the macabre atmosphere of last night (All Hallows' Eve), but we might wonder about it as the Gospel for today's principal and celebratory feast.

When Jesus had said this, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him and let him go."

The unifying key in all of these readings, and the reason behind their selection, is that their proclamation is clear: death does not win. In Christ all are made alive, for Christ has defeated the power of death to finally divide us. The pain and universality of death is acknowledged--it is the shroud that is cast over all peoples--and its stench fills our nostrils. But the shroud will be removed, and the Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces.

And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new."  

Closing Prayer
O God, thank you for uniting us to your Son, that as we are drawn into union with your Christ we grow in union with all the saints. Help us, this day and every day, to know that nothing, not even death, shall separate us from your love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.