For All the Saints
“For all the saints who from their labors rest, all who by faith before the world confessed, your name of Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!”
November reminds us that the end of the liturgical church year is coming to a close. All Saints and Christ The King Sunday’s announce to the church and to the world that we live and die under the free grace and mercy of God. And after our death we will live again to praise the risen Christ.
All Saints Day allows us to look back with thanksgiving to the saints and witnesses of our lives who have paved the way for us to practice the faith. We acknowledge their work and witness on our behalf. We celebrate their tireless effort to put Jesus first in their lives. Think of all that we have because of the saints of old. Hymns, liturgy, Scripture, Sunday school material, choral music...all of it because people before us answered the call to ministry in Jesus name. This year we remember: Lilie Hanna, Paul Davis, John Williams, and Marilyn McInroy.
All Saints also prompts us to look ahead to our own death. Confident in the sure and certain promises of God we live our lives in worship of God and in service to the world. Let us be ever mindful of those who will follow us. Will they inherit the faith? Will they find a supportive and welcoming community? We have a responsibility to leave a legacy of faith for those who follow us. May we never tire of letting God use us to tell the story, to help others, to work for that blessed better day.
On Christ the King Sunday the Church on earth and the Hosts of Heaven sing: “Crown him the Lord of life, who triumphed over the grave. And rose victorious in the strife, for those he came to save. His glories now we sing, who died and rose on high, who died, eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.” We end the church year as we began, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Don’t miss out on two great worship opportunities to return thanks to God and celebrate with God’s people!
Peace,
Pastor John Albertson