The Festival of All Saints is a painful day for many people as they are reminded that someone who was very dear to them is no longer here with them. So why observe such a day? Why bring up such pain? The truth is that it is precisely because of that pain that the church has set aside a day to remember those who have departed this life as Christians. Grief can take on a life of its own and draw us away from the promises of Christ, in this case, the promise that the faithful departed are not lost to us forever nor are they in some cold, dark middle existence between life and death. Instead, we are reminded that God has graciously seen fit to deliver them from the tribulations of the evil of this world and draw them into the throng of those saints who now rejoice around the throne of the Lamb. Our mourning is shaped by the word of God and His promise that those who fall asleep trusting in Him are carried to Abraham’s bosom to be with their Savior and ours in Paradise. There they enjoy the eternal Sabbath rest which we who still linger here eagerly long for. I look forward to seeing all of you this coming Lord’s Day as we, with the whole company of heaven, gather together around the one throne of the one Lamb, singing His praises as we will for all of eternity.
Pastor Ulmer