So the you are no longer strangers and aliens but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household. - Ephesians 2:19
Gerry Stoel, husband of Jill Stoel, will be one of 21 Saints remembered this Sunday at a very special worship service.
In addition to being our son Blaine's birthday this year (see this morning’s devotional), the first Sunday of November, regardless of date, always has a tender place in my heart. It is on this Sunday that we remember with glad thanksgiving those members of our church family who have died since this time last year. We have honored them in various ways over the years: our Confirmands (our newest members) placing flowers, families lighting candles, and tolling the bells while reading the names of our saints. This year we are doing something different.
This Sunday we are using the Order of Worship normally used for a funeral or memorial service entitled, "A Service of Death and Resurrection." As I said in my sermon on Oct. 25, I believe it’s important that we have opportunity to grieve together our losses since we have been unable to assemble to remember them due to the pandemic. We need to hear together–even from our house churches–the common and familiar liturgy and songs that we would experience together at each of the funeral or memorial services for our 21 saints.
So this Sunday, we will pay homage, sing, get choked up a little, and turn our eyes to the future. Perhaps we will be a little more healed and a little more hopeful as we also share communion together in our homes, in the Sanctuary, and in the drive-thru under the canopy from 12:1-1 p.m.
For the saints past and the saints yet born, we will reaffirm that we are "fellow citizens" and together part of "God's household." It's a tender Sunday and for me, one of the best of the year.
Peace to you.
Connecting God and grace to Self and Community.
