For All the Saints

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long, steals on the ear the distant triumph song, and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong. Alleluia, Alleluia! (For All the Saints)

All Saints Sunday, which we celebrate today, is my favorite Sunday of the year. I wait all year to belt out all seven stanzas of “For All the Saints,” my all-time favorite hymn. It tells the story of the saints who surround us in the great cloud of witnesses.

There’s something about verse four of the hymn that makes me tear up every time I sing it. The lyrics acknowledge that here on earth, the strife is fierce and the warfare long. We know that reality all too well, which is why the promise of brave hearts after all that has broken them here on earth and strong arms after all the ways our bodies have failed us brings me so much hope.

Together, let us sing with gusto. Let us sing about glimpses of heaven and proclaim the promise that hope is on the way. Let us be the living saints who draw strength from those who have died and gone before us, trusting in the reunion that is coming. On All Saints Sunday, and every Sunday, let us be people of hope and expectation.

As your pastor, one of the most sacred things I do is read the names of the newly baptized who have joined us as living saints this past year and the names of those who have died, taking their place in the great cloud of witnesses in heaven. It is a holy moment when together we celebrate what it means to be the body of Christ.

It is a good time to be the church, Abiding Together as the people of God in this place. Thank you for the holy privilege of being your pastor - today and all days.