All Saints Day 2012

All Saints Day is normally observed on November 1st. However, because our church is very small, we observed it today. Our Pastor, Allen Lunneberg, had an excellent sermon today that he titled And Another Angel. Here's an excerpt...

All Saints Day is not a celebration only of certain Christians who were outstanding in faith and holiness. It is a celebration of the whole Church, both in her Militant state in this world with the beatific vision of her Triumph in the day of resurrection. It is a celebration and a picture that includes you. Yes, for now as Luther reminded us, we are saints and sinners at the same time. But we are saints, the redeemed of the Lord, the beloved of God who He has sealed for eternity. Take great comfort and confidence in this truth. Though we all endure tribulations of various kinds and degrees of severity, as our Lord said, “the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Mt 10:22; 24:13).

Traditionally, the hymn For All the Saints is sung on All Saints Day. We did sing this today and, as usual for the past few years, I teared up thinking about my Dad and our child who we lost through a miscarriage.

Below are the words from the hymn (thanks to Dr. Gene Edward Veith)...

1. For all the saints who from their labors rest, Who Thee by faith before the world confess, 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. O blest communion, fellowship divine, We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine. Alleluia! Alleluia!

5. And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long, Steals on the ear the distant triumph song, And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong. Alleluia! Alleluia!

6. But, lo, there breaks a yet more glorious day; The saints triumphant rise in bright array; The King of Glory passes on His way. Alleluia! Alleluia!

7. From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast, Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host, Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost Alleluia! Alleluia!

8. The golden evening brightens in the west; Soon, soon, to faithful warriors cometh rest. Sweet is the calm of Paradise the blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!