On the first Sunday in November, November 3, we will as a parish celebrate the Feast of All Saints. This is an important day on which we remember those who have died since last All Saints Sunday, pray for the families who are grieving, and look collectively as the church on earth towards the joys we will share in heaven with all the blessed in Christ who have died and gone before us. Their names will be written on our hearts and spoken in worship. We will remember them during the opening hymn "For All the Saints" and invite families to receive a white flower. All this to celebrate and point to the hope of the resurrection we will share eternally with all the saints in glory.
From the Book of Common Prayer we have this prayer to guide us,
"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 hymn "For All the Saints" offers and points to this promise that sustains us in this life and gives us hope in the life to come:
For all the saints who from their labors rest,
who Thee by faith before the world confessed;
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
As we commemorate the Feast of All Saints I am reminded of all those who have gone before us. Sunday school teachers who have pointed me to faith in Christ and the never failing never ending love of God. This year I think of Pastor Harley Schmidtt who baptized and confirmed me at Brooklyn Park Lutheran Church who entered the church triumphant this year. Pastor Harley was also a part of my ordination service at Brooklyn Park Lutheran Church. My Mom whom 4 years ago died and was so active in the life of the church her legacy and love lives on in the lives of my daughters. While we shed tears we have joy in our hearts knowing we will be at peace at last when we close our eyes on this earth and awake to Christ’s glory.
The United Methodist Church offers this prayer for the Feast of All Saints:
We give you thanks, O God, for all the saints who ever worshiped youwhether in brush arbors or cathedrals, weathered wooden churches or crumbling cement meeting houses where your name was lifted and adored. We give you thanks, O God, for hands lifted in praise: Manicured hands and hands stained with grease or soil, strong hands and those gnarled with age holy hands used as wave offerings across the land. We thank you, God, for hardworking saints; whether hard-hatted or steel-booted, head ragged or aproned, blue-collared or three-piece-suited they left their mark on the earth for you, for us, for our children to come. Thank you, God, for the tremendous sacrifices made by those who have gone before us. Bless the memories of your saints, God. May we learn how to walk wisely from their examples of faith, dedication, worship, and love.
We stand together with tears wiped away by the loving embrace of God as we grieve, celebrate, and remember the saints who have now rested from their laborers. Some have only been with us a short time and their absence is noticeable especially as families gather this year around tables and as we the church gather on Sunday mornings. You who grieve are beloved of God, loved by your Pastor, and will be held in prayer always.
With Love, Pastor Kris
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