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Write the Vision, Make it Plain
This week, we mark All Saints Sunday, a celebration of the “great cloud of witnesses”—all those who have gone before us in the faith. In our tradition, we understand God’s “saints” to include all those who have sought to live in faithfulness to Christ and the gospel.
As is practiced in many congregations, All Saints Day here at Cloverdale United Church gives us an opportunity to lift up in remembrance and celebration loved ones from within our own midst who have died, especially those connected with our congregation who have passed away since last All Saints Sunday. In the ritual with which we will open our worship service, we will hear their names spoken in love and see candles shining with the light of Christ in their honour. We will then also have the opportunity for worshippers to make special remembrances of others who have died who they would like to lift up in God’s light and love. For this year’s observance, in-person worshippers are invited to bring along a small photograph or other small memento of remembrance of your loved one(s) that can be added to our altarscape during the rite of remembrance. (You will be able to retrieve these items following the service.)
As we turn to scripture and sermon, we hear the apostle Paul give thanks for the faithfulness of others and the word of the Lord spoken by the prophet Habakkuk calls us to see beyond present circumstances to the reality of life through faithfulness.