As I write this pondering, I have paused my preparations for this coming Sunday’s message. I’ve paused only to consider it further, for this Sunday will be no ordinary Sunday morning. This coming Sunday we celebrate All Saints Sunday, the Sunday in which we remember all those that have gone on before us. And, this year, this particular Sunday is a bit more complex for me. For, as I prepare the All Saints message, I am also preparing a funeral service for a member of our congregation. In fact, we have had two members of our extended church family pass within a week. Two more names to be added to our service of remembrance this coming Sunday. Two more lives that we grieve the loss of.
I’ve mentioned before that I enjoy studying Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, and in this current situation I can’t help but to think of one line of that precious passage of Scripture, a verse in which Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Mtw 5:4, NRSV). In times of grief, of mourning, we rarely think that there is any comfort to be found, do we? Yet, here Jesus plainly says that those who mourn will be comforted. Why do you think this is? Why would Jesus say that comfort can be found in times of mourning?
Well, I don’t want to spoil Sunday morning’s message too much, but here’s a hint – remember, we are Easter people! We are a people of the Resurrection!
Want to know more about what this means for us all? Tune in Sunday morning and prepare to understand how our “Grieving leads to rejoicing.”
Pastor Steve
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3, NRSV)