On this All Saints Sunday we join the whole church in celebrating the witness of those who have gone before us in faith, the continuing witness of those we thank God for, and most of all the promise of Christ to bring healing, forgiveness, peace, and everlasting life to all who trust in God’s salvation. During our worship this week we will light candles in remembrance of each of our members who have passed on to the church triumphant since last year’s All Saints’ Sunday, and also in honor of each of those baptized into the faith in this past year.
Worship This Week with Holy Communion
Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in Chapel
Sunday — 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship
9:30 a.m. Sunday School and Fellowship
10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship
November 3, 2013
All Saints Sunday
Key Verse: Revelation 9:16-17 16They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; 17for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
WHO ARE THE SAINTS?
God declares everyone who has been baptized and believes the promise of the gospel to be justified, holy, and blameless. The communion of saints therefore includes both those still living on earth and those who have died in the faith and are now living in heaven. The traditional date for the observance of All Saints’ Day is November 1. However, many churches choose to celebrate it on the first Sunday in November.
HOW DO LUTHERANS HONOR THE SAINTS?
Lutherans do not pray to the saints in heaven or invoke their help as Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox do. However, we do honor the saints in thanksgiving for their witness to Jesus.
WHY IS ALL SAINTS’ DAY SUCH A SPECIAL EVENT IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH?
All Saints’ Day is a very special festival, one that enriches the worship lives of all who observe it. We recall the faithful men and women of both Testaments of the Bible and praise God for their examples. In addition to the saints of Scripture, the church’s history is full of the stories of faithful Christians, some well known (like Augustine or Luther), but the vast majority known only to God. However, we also remember the saints of the less distant past. We Remember those parishioners who were called to be with the Lord in recent years, particularly in the last year. An All Saints’ Day worship service can therefore be an especially personal celebration as each one of us recalls the loved ones, friends, and mentors now living in heaven whose faith in Christ inspired us and gave us joy. Finally, on this day we glorify God not just for the faithfulness of the saints, but most of all for His faithfulness to the saints
