All Saints Sunday

While I do not have any regrets about retiring, there are some Sundays I would like to once again be the one leading worship and preaching.  Certainly, Easter is one of those Sundays.  There is nothing to compare the joy and excitement, blessing and privilege that it is to proclaim the message of the risen Christ to the people of God.  Pentecost Sunday is another great Sunday for preaching and, of course, Christmas Eve.  This upcoming Sunday is another one of those Sundays when every part of me will want to get out of the pew and take over the pulpit.  

This Sunday is All Saints Sunday.  It is a moment of worship when we remember how thin the veil is between here and there.  Here is only a breath away from there.  Here is where we catch glimpses of what is there and there is where the faithful ones who have run the course among us now dwell midst the glories of eternity.  It is a Sunday for sharing the Holy Meal and thinking of the Heavenly Banquet as a meal we share here and they share there.  It is a Sunday when the Table seems so long it extends from where we gathered to where they are gathered with us.  

On no other Sunday does that great cloud of heavenly witnesses seem to linger among us so closely.  It will be such a blessing to sing my best that great hymn which says, "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!"  Before the music ceases the people gathered will sing those words of great victory, "O blest communion, fellowship divine! We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; yet all are one in thee, for all are thine.  Alleluia, Alleluia!"  I can hardly wait to sing this song.  Maybe I should go ahead and practice now!