1 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!
2 Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might;
thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;
thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
3 Oh, may thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold
fight as the saints who nobly fought of old
and win with them the victor's crown of gold.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
4 Oh, blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
yet all are one in thee, for all are thine.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
The first four verses of this even longer hymn capture much of what we commemorate on the first Sunday of November each year. Technically, November 1 is the Feast of All Saints. But most churches celebrate the day on the Sunday on or right after November 1.
There is a two-fold focus on this day. On the one hand, we recall the heroes of the faith discussed in the Bible; Abraham, Samson, Gideon, Moses, Joshua, John the Baptist, Paul, etc. their examples of faithfulness in commending the faith to the next generation inspire and humble us as we take up the mantle and pass on the faith to the generation that comes after us.
On the other, we remember those who have gone on before us. Those saints whom we knew personally that have died. We remember their example of faithfulness and give thanks for how they contributed to our faith life.
This Sunday, you will have the opportunity to write the names of those saints who have preceded us in death, whose example and faithfulness are responsible at least in part, for us coming to know Jesus. Take this time during the service to write their names on the crosses provided and bring them forward during worship as pray and grieve and remember.
May your impact on the lives of others continue on for another generation!
Pastor Mark
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