This Sunday we lift up the saints in our lives. Martin Luther taught that we are simultaneously sinner and saint in this life, which reminds us that we are saints living out our faith in this life. Saints aren’t just those who have gone before us but are all people who are living and those who have gone before us. Luther also reminds us that we are not saints because of anything we have done, but because of what Jesus Christ has done on our behalf.
This year for All Saints, while we do remember our saintliness in this life, we take the time to remember all the saints who have gone before us, helping us along our own journey of faith. We will remember our saints in two special ways this year.
The first way that we will remember the saints in our lives will be something new from our Worship Arts Team. As you come into worship this week, you will be invited to a table where you can write down the names of the saints you wish to remember. On the table will be bells and attached to the bells are tags. Each person is invited to take a single bell and write all the names of their saints on the tag attached to it. After you are done writing, you are then invited to place the bell on the tree that is located at the front of the worship space. After that you may find a seat for worship.
The second way that we will remember our saints is through the lighting of candles. As we come forward for communion, we will receive the bread and cup as usual, then each person is invited to light candles in remembrance of their loved ones.
We pray that each of you finds great meaning and comfort in this remembrance of the saints. While we remember our loved ones often, it is good for us to lift them up as examples of faith, and for the celebration of their eternal life in Heaven.
Blessings,
Pastor Brian
