For All the Saints

“For all the saints who from their labors rest, Who Thee by faith before the world confessed, Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!” (LSB, For all the Saints, vs 1). 

This familiar hymn fills the sanctuary on All Saints Sunday and will bring many to tears. As we gather to remember our loved ones who have departed in faith, we humbly come to the foot of the cross. How is it that we can gather and sing with joy in remembrance of our loved ones who are no longer here? It is because of the sure hope we have in our Savior Jesus, “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and people and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” Revelation 7:9-10.

This is not to say the journey is easy and your heart is not heavy. There will be days of great sorrow and difficulty that may come from seemingly nowhere. St. Peter’s offers a Grief Group to help support and care for you in your grief, no matter where you are on your personal path. Grief Group is held on Tuesday’s from 4-5pm in the Conference Room, come anytime or chat with Mrs. Michelle Leahy for more information. This group is there to share, listen and pray for one another in their grief.

As we honor the saints who have departed in faith this year, we give thanks for you. May you be strengthened by the Words of our Lord and the sacrifice of His body and blood, shed for our forgiveness so that even though we die, we may live. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” Revelation 21:3-5. We look forward with great joy to the day we will be reunited in heaven with our loves ones. As for today, we boldly sing, “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!” (LSB, For all the Saints, vs 8).