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November 7, 2010

Sermon for All Saint's Day

 November 7, 2010

 Mr. Peter Doddema, Seminarian

 Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
Psalm 149|
Ephesians 1:11-23
Luke 6:20-31

I.  A day to remember all who passed before us & who handed the Christian tradition on to us (throughout

    2100 years of Church history).

A.  Story of an in-law / personal saint that prayed for Peter and helped him on the road to seminary.

II.  Columbarium:

A.  What is some of the thinking behind having one?

B.  Why is St. Timothy's columbarium located in the sanctuary?

C.  How does this tie into the theme of All Saints?

i.  Stressing that the people who are buried there are not gone, but instead very much

    alive and well.  They are with God, watching us, loving us, and praying for us.

ii.  Stressing the expectation inherent in this.  Our expectation as Episcopalians is that the

     Saints do not disappear upon death & that they do not abandon us upon death.  Rather, they

     take an active interest in us and pray for us much like a friend might if they know that we're

     struggling.

III.  Scripture for the day:

A.  Daniel 7.1-3; 15-18

B.  Ephesians 1.11-23

C.  Luke 6.20-36

D.  A theme of expectation runs through this as well.  Whether it is Daniel looking forward to liberation

     from oppressive political / religious forces or Jesus noting:  "Blessed are you who are hungry now,

     for you will be filled." there is a note of looking forward to a time when Christ's reign means true

     peace on earth.

E.  Also, the expectation that we will be reunited with the saints someday.

i.  Reading from C.S. Lewis' "The Last Battle."

IV.  Challenge / Charge

A.  Set aside time to consider the saints in your life:

i.  Who are the people who have helped me reach the place that I am at in life / be the person

    that I am?

ii.  Give thanks for & to them, trusting that you are heard and loved by them.