Worship Preview:
This Sunday we gather under the theme “Blessed.” In the Gospel reading from Matthew 5, Jesus begins His Sermon on the Mount with words that still speak powerfully to us: “Blessed are the poor in spirit… blessed are those who mourn… blessed are the pure in heart.” These are not descriptions of strength or success, but of grace. To be “blessed” in God’s kingdom is to be held in His mercy — to find hope not in what we have done, but in what Christ has done for us All Saints Sunday is a day of both remembrance and rejoicing. We remember those who have gone before us in faith — the saints of Scripture and the saints of Grace who have entered eternal rest this year- they have been blessed. As each name is read and the bell tolls, we give thanks for the ways they reflected Christ’s light among us and rejoice that they now rest from their labors in His presence. Their story is not ended, but fulfilled, for in Christ all who die in faith are made
alive forever.
We will sing “For All the Saints,” a hymn that celebrates the victory of those who rest in Jesus and reminds us that we, too, are part of that great communion of saints. During the offering, “Blest Are They” echoes the Beatitudes, calling us again to rejoice in the blessings that come through faith and trust in God’s promises.
In Word and Sacrament, we are strengthened in that same hope — the hope that proclaims, “I know that my Redeemer lives.” Our service concludes with a blessing of peace and thanksgiving, as we look toward the day when faith will become sight and the saints triumphant will rise in bright array.
This All Saints Sunday, we remember with gratitude, we grieve with hope, and we sing with joy — for we are truly blessed to belong to Christ and to the great communion of His saints, now and forever.