Happy All Saints Day

[Presbygirl]

Today is All Saints Day. In our church we observe All Saints as the Lutherans do which is to recognize it concurrently with Reformation Sunday. Last week we sang Luther's "A Mighty Fortress is our God" and I noticed that tomorrow in our order of worship we will be singing "For All the Saints".

These two Sundays are two of my favorite on our church calendar. I especially love to think of all the men and women who have gone before us and given so much. Many have given their lives. As Hebrew 12:1-3 says, "Therefore since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perserverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning it's shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

I love the phrase a "great cloud of witnesses" or in other words, the saints who have gone before us.

Who is your favorite witness? Is it someone in the Bible who is well-known? Or, is it an "ordinary" saint who has impacted you the most?

Queen Esther is one of my favorite witnesses. She showed humility and courage and she definitely persevered while here on earth.

[bean]

I'd have to say my grandma. She was the kindest, most patient lady I know. She was tolerant, accepting of others, and I never heard her say a bad word about anyone else. Rest in peace, grandma. Your examples and lessons I am trying to follow!

[Jenni]

This was my first year to celebrate All Saints Day. I appreciated the liturgy this morning and the focus on those who have gone before us.

[paul]

David. Defiinitely David. One seriously messed up dude, but still a "man after God's heart". Makes me think there may be hope for me after all.

[Annie Moose]

Peter. Like with paul's example about David, he proves that you can do wrong, even to the point of denying your Lord completely, and still go on to do great things through God's grace and power.