YouTube -- All Saints' Day, transferred (November 3, 2024)

Here is the Divine Service from Sunday, November 3, 2024.  It observes All Saints' Day, transferred from November 1.

Prayer for All Saints' Day -- 2024

PRAYER FOR ALL SAINTS’ DAY

M:          Almighty God, today we recall with thanksgiving those saints who were taken from us in the Church Militant and carried by the angels to you and the Church Triumphant.  Especially, we give you praise for our departed family and friends who have gone before us in faith and all those who are in our hearts and minds this day:

Diane DeSantis, mother of Ken DeSantis (December 14, 1937 - November 13, 2023)

Kay LeFevre, mother of Dan LeFevre (December 29, 1938 - November 30, 2023)

Lois Goeminne, mother of Carol Casmer (October 23, 1942 - December 17, 2024)

Nicholas Napolski, brother-in-law of Bob DuBois (May 3, 1954 - February 11, 2024)

Jonathan "Jack" Boyd, member of Lola Park / Good Shepherd (May 30, 1931 - February 14, 2024)

Mary Zuehlke, member of Good Shepherd (September 4, 1929 - March 8, 2024)

Debbie L. Patterson, cousin of David Kirvan (July 7, 1955 - March 19, 2024)

Patricia A. Garber, former mother-in-law of Renea Garber-Cislo and grandmother of Kelsey Garber (November 16, 1936 - August 27, 2024)

John Cahill, close friend and old roommate of Bob DuBois (August 22, 1960 - September 22, 2024)

Melva Christine Skrycki, mother of Ann Mohler and Rob Skrycki (July 10, 1932 - September 24, 2024)

Harold Boehler, father-in-law to be of Caleb Schroeder (October 1, 1965 - September 30, 2024)

Carole Kuschel, resident of Pomeroy Living and served by Pastor Schroeder, (May 26, 1937 - October 3, 2024)

               To these, you have granted eternal rest this past year.  We thank you for giving them new life in Christ while on this earth and for sustaining them in true and saving faith throughout their life.  We praise you for finally giving them the fulfillment of your promises of salvation and eternal life.  Strengthen and sustain us in this saving faith so that we may also join with the angels and archangels and all the company of heaven in joyful praise, peace, and rest forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Cong:    Amen.

Sermon -- All Saints' Day, transferred (November 3, 2024)

REVELATION 20:4-6

THEY LIVE AND REIGN WITH CHRIST.

In the name + of Jesus.

      One of the principles of Bible interpretation is “Scripture interprets Scripture.”  In other words, the clear, simple words of Scripture clarify the words which are more difficult to understand.  God’s word is true.  No teaching of the Bible will contradict another.  If an interpretation or a teaching contradicts what is clearly stated elsewhere, then we know it is wrong.  So, we let Scripture interpret Scripture.  That principle of interpretation will help us with the Revelation of St. John, particularly this part of Revelation from which many false teachings have spawned.

     Revelation is hard to understand because it is filled with figurative language.  For example, St. John recorded, “Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads” (Revelation 14:1).  These 144,000 are all those “who had been redeemed from the earth” (Revelation 14:3).  If we understand that number literally, eternal life is restricted to precious few across the history of the world.  However, the Bible states clearly, “We have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:10).  Jesus has paid the redemptive price for all people.  Those who believe in him are the ones who benefit.  Jesus states, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16).  He does not put a cap on this number.  Therefore, the number 144,000 is symbolic.  12 is the number of the Church (e.g., 12 apostles, 12 tribes of Israel).  12 times 12 (144) is the Old Testament Church times the New Testament Church.  Ten is a number of completeness.  Ten times ten times ten is 1,000—complete, completer, completest.  Therefore, the sum total of those who believe in God’s promises from the Old and New Testament Church is 144 times 1,000, or 144,000.  It is just as Scripture plainly teaches, “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21).  They live and reign with Christ.

     Now, let’s look at the verses from Revelation 20.  The clearer verses of Scripture will help us understand John’s vision.  St. John wrote, “Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed” (Revelation 20:4).  When we hear “thrones,” we think of one who reigns.  We know that Jesus lives and reigns over all things.  But John uses a plural here, “thrones.”  So, this does not refer to Jesus but to the saints who live and reign with Jesus. 

     John also saw “the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands” (Revelation 20:4).  In John’s day, Christianity was illegal, and the Roman government sought to snuff out the word of God and the testimony about Jesus.  To do that, they killed those who made the good confession.  Some were killed by lions.  Some were crucified like the apostles Peter and Andrew.  Some were beheaded like the apostle Paul.  To the world, these people were losers.  The real power seemed to be with the governments who seized and killed God’s people.  But these saints are not losers.  They are not even dead.  St. John saw them, living and reigning with Christ in the glories of heaven.

     St. John also noted why they forfeited their lives on earth.  He said they “had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands” (Revelation 20:4).  Again, some take this literally, expecting that we will be tattooed or receive some physical marking.  This interpretation has fostered some strange ideas and unnecessary fears.  To understand how to interpret this image, let’s consider another part of Scripture.  Scripture interprets Scripture.

     When the Moses called the Israelites to be faithful to the Lord, he commanded them to hold faithfully to his word.  Moses said, “These words that I command you today shall be on your heart. … You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes” (Deuteronomy 6:6,8).  The Pharisees took this quite literally, tying small boxes to their foreheads and around their wrists.  Unfortunately, the words of Jesus did not take root in their hearts.  So, the literal binding of these words to their heads and hands was useless.  Their heads rejected the Christ and their hands were dedicated to killing him.

     To have the mark of the beast on you is to use your head to adopt worldly ideas and to employ your hands to take up sinful endeavors.  God’s people are to flee from these things.  St. Paul wrote, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.  On account of these the wrath of God is coming” (Colossians 3:5-6).  Through baptism, you have been marked as God’s people for purity and decency.  Your head, your heart, and your hands have been set apart for godliness.  Jesus Christ has delivered you from the coming wrath by taking away your sins.  The only way you can be condemned now is if you take your sins back.  This requires continual repentance by us.

     St. John saw the saints who had departed from this world.  They live and reign with Christ.  St. John wrote, “They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.  …This is the first resurrection.  Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection!  Over such the second death has no power” (Revelation 20:4-6).  St. John is not suggesting that there will be multiple resurrections from the grave.  The rest of Scripture speaks of one resurrection at which time all will be raised from the grave for the final judgment.  So, what is this first resurrection?

     Scripture interprets Scripture.  Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live” (John 5:25).  Who are these dead?  St. Paul answers that.  He wrote, “You were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:1-2).  You and I are by nature sinful.  We were dead in sin, unable to change our condition, powerless to reconcile ourselves to God.  Even the best we have to offer to God is corrupted by sin and unclean. 

     Therefore, God had to act.  St. Paul wrote: “God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:4-5).  So, you are no longer dead in sin.  You have been given a living and active faith which trusts God’s word and strives to do God’s will.  This is the first resurrection—those who were dead in sin are now alive with Christ.  Since you are alive in Christ, the second death has no power over you.  The grave cannot keep you.  Hell will not touch you.  Jesus Christ has delivered you from all of this.  And God’s people who have departed from this world still live.  They live and reign with Christ.

     Now we come to St. John’s words which have spawned commonly held false beliefs.  St. John observed the saints in heaven and said, “[The saints] came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.  The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended” (Revelation 20:4-5).  All numbers in Revelation are symbolic, but many conclude that it is no longer symbolism once we get here.  Many teach that Jesus will return to set up an earthly reign that will endure for a literal 1,000 years.  Jesus, however, said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:26).  He will not change his mind for 1,000 years.  Recall that the number 10 is used throughout the whole book to express completeness.  10 times 10 times 10 is 1,000—complete, completer, completest.  So, what is this complete time?  It refers to the time in which Jesus Christ will live and reign over all things.  When will that be?

     Scripture interprets Scripture.  “[The Father] raised [Jesus] from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.  And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church” (Ephesians 1:20-22).  As we pray every week, Jesus Christ lives and reigns over all things.  Not “he will,” but he does!  He is seated at the right hand of God the Father from his glorious ascension until he returns to judge the living and the dead.  That is the entire New Testament era.  That is the 1,000 years. 

     Therefore, right now, God’s saints live and reign with Jesus Christ.  Many live and reign with the Lord Jesus in glory.  They dwell in the Church Triumphant, forever victorious over sin, death, and the devil.  Nothing can harm them any longer, as they await the resurrection of all flesh.  But at the resurrection, not all will rise to have eternal life.  As St. John noted, “The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended” (Revelation 20:5).  Unbelievers remain dead in sin.  The do not come to life in this world.  Unbelievers will be raised from their graves, but it is not to live.  Rather, they will be cast into the second death—forever cut off from the Lord of Life whom they rejected. 

     But you are God’s redeemed.  You are marked with baptism for a glorious future.  And while it does not seem like it, you live and reign with Jesus Christ now.  Although you see and feel your sins, they are all forgiven.  Although your body is frail and failing, you are children of the resurrection.  Although you appear weak and you struggle against temptations, you are the children of God.  Jesus Christ has marked you and continues to assure you of this so that you do not lose hope.  Right now, your life is hidden in Christ, and the glory to come will not be revealed until the Last Day.  Do not be deceived by your weakness.  You are the saints of God.  The goal and prayer of every Christian is to be God’s saints in glory—whether we live a long life or die young.  Either way, life in the kingdom of God does not end.  Together with all the saints and angels, we rejoice in Jesus’ endless reign and boundless love.  For Jesus Christ lives and reigns for us; and all God’s saints live and reign with him.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Minor Festival: All Saints’ Day

             Lutheran worship is liturgical.  While that often refers to an order of worship, it can also refer to the calendar of the Church Year.  The Church Year includes major festivals, such as Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Pentecost, etc...  On Sunday, November 3, we will observe a minor festival, All Saints’ Day, which is being transferred from its actual observance on November 1.

            It is on this day that we recall all those in faith who have gone before us – most notably those who have died in the last year.  But rather than focusing on people, what they did, and how faithful they were, our focus remains on Christ, what he did, and how faithful he was to them.  No matter how much fondness we may have for one of the saints triumphant, they (and we) are only saints through Jesus Christ.

Alll Saints' Day -- Call for Names

CALL FOR NAMES – SAINTS TRIUMPHANT

               Every year, we remember the names of loved ones who have died in the Christian faith, praising God for the mercy he has had upon them and thanking God for preserving them in that saving faith throughout their life.  Normally, the names of these departed souls are recalled in a prayer on All Saints' Day, which is November 1.  Since Good Shepherd does not have a specific All Saints' Day service, we transfer this prayer and these remembrances to the Sunday following All Saints' Day.  This year, that date falls on November 3.

               Members of Good Shepherd who have been called to eternal rest this past year are automatically included.  Members of Good Shepherd, you may also submit the names of your own loved ones who have died in the Christian faith between November 1, 2023 and November 3, 2024.  When submitting these names, please included

                         1. the name of the deceased
                         2. your name
                         3. how he/she was related to you
                         4. the dates of his/her birth and death, if known

               All names submitted before Wednesday, October 30 will be listed in the bulletin.  Names may still be submitted as late as Sunday morning, but will not be printed in the bulletin.

               The prayer which will be spoken is below.

PRAYER FOR ALL SAINTS’ DAY

M:          Almighty God, today we recall with thanksgiving those saints who were taken from us in the Church Militant and carried by the angels to you and the Church Triumphant.  Especially, we give you praise for our departed family and friends who have gone before us in faith and all those who are in our hearts and minds this day:

               (The names of those who are to be remembered are read).

               To these, you have granted eternal rest this past year.  We thank you for giving them new life in Christ while on this earth and for sustaining them in true and saving faith throughout their life.  We praise you for finally giving them the fulfillment of your promises of salvation and eternal life.  Strengthen and sustain us in this saving faith so that we may also join with the angels and archangels and all the company of heaven in joyful praise, peace, and rest forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Cong:    Amen.

YouTube -- All Saints' Day, transferred (November 5, 2023)

Here is the Divine Service from Sunday, November 5, 2023.

Prayer for All Saints' Day -- 2023

 All Saints’ Day

            Lutheran worship is liturgical.  While that often refers to an order of worship, it can also refer to the calendar of the Church Year.  The Church Year includes major festivals, such as Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Pentecost, etc...  Today we observe a minor festival, All Saints’ Day, transferred from November 1.

            It is on this day that we recall all those in faith who have gone before us – most notably those who have died in the last year.  But rather than focusing on people, what they did, and how faithful they were, our focus remains on Christ, what he did, and how faithful he was to them.  No matter how much fondness we may have for one of the saints triumphant, they (and we) are only saints through Jesus Christ.

          Almighty God, today we recall with thanksgiving those saints who were taken from us in the Church Militant and carried by the angels to you and the Church Triumphant.  Especially, we give you praise for our departed family and friends who have gone before us in faith and all those who are in our hearts and minds this day:

          Earl Edwin Schroeder, father of Pastor Schroeder (April 18, 1936 - November 23, 2022)

          David Wanek, friend of Dan Rauchholz (died January 31, 2023)

          Robert LeFevre, father of Dan LeFevre (September 21, 1936 - February 9, 2023

          Joyce Rauchholz, aunt of Jean Nabozny and Dan Rauchholz (March 12, 1934 - March 13, 2023)

          Roland "Rolly" Edward Schneider, father of Dan Schneider (April 18, 1931 - May 17, 2023)

          Alex Bommarito, friend of Dan Rauchholz (died May 23, 2023)

          Arlene Helle, mother of Beverly Onder (April 16, 1937 - August 23, 2023)

          Sylvia Jeanette Campbell (January 18, 1934 – September 10, 2023)

          Ann Riegle, sister of Dan LeFevre (April 8, 1963 - April 3, 2023)

          To these, you have granted eternal rest this past year.  We thank you for giving them new life in Christ while on this earth and for sustaining them in true and saving faith throughout their life.  We praise you for finally giving them the fulfillment of your promises of salvation and eternal life.  Strengthen and sustain us in this saving faith so that we may also join with the angels and archangels and all the company of heaven in joyful praise, peace, and rest forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Cong: Amen.

Sermon -- All Saints' Day, transferred (November 5, 2023)

REVELATION 7:9-17

A GLIMPSE OF GLORY SUSTAINS US IN THE STRIFE.

In the name + of Jesus.

     Whenever I prepare for a family vacation, I usually do quite a bit of homework.  The internet has made it especially helpful to know how to plan a trip—where to go, what to expect when we get there, and what different places will look like.  I find it strange that some places prohibit photographs.  In some cases, I suppose photos would ruin the surprise that awaits.  But photos do not ruin it for me.  They whet my appetite and get me more interested in seeing those places.

     If getting a preview of a scenic location gets you interested in going there, then give your attention to St. John’s Revelation.  St. John was given a glimpse of the glories of heaven.  This glimpse encourages us to remain faithful to our Lord in the midst of any hardships we must endure here.  All the things we long for and pray for are in the heavenly kingdom.  We get to see that all the saints who have been laid to rest are enjoying this peace.  And God’s saints who remain on earth are reminded of the glories that are to come.

     St. John saw a great crowd “from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” (Revelation 7:9).  The elder who was John’s guide through Revelation identified them.  “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation” (Revelation 7:14).  St. John knew all about the great tribulation.  The Roman world did not look favorably on Christianity.  People were forced to endure various levels of persecution.  To this point, all the apostles except John had been killed for the faith.  John himself had been banished to the island of Patmos, a prison colony in the Aegean Sea.  But while he was there, the Lord comforted John by giving him a glimpse of the glory to come.  This would sustain him in the strife.

     We know all about the tribulations of this world.  Many tribulations are common to all mankind.  We know sickness, injury, disease, and disorders.  We turn on the TV to witness strife, terrorism, and warfare.  People with disagreements can no longer be civil with each other.  Those who hold different political views are now branded as evil.  Particular to the Church is that those who confess Jesus Christ and stand firm on what God declares to be good or evil face persecution.  Sometimes it is limited to mockery and insults; other times it is intensified to bloodshed—similar to the violence that St. John knew. 

     But such is life in the Church Militant.  The world has accomplices to impose its definitions of reality and morality upon us.  Hollywood, political action committees, and social media persistently push all kinds of ungodly ideas.  To dissent is to invite scorn, perhaps even punishment.  Jesus warned us that such animosity is to be expected.  Not enjoyed, but expected.  He told his apostles, and in extension to the Church, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.  …I have said all these things to keep you from falling away” (John 15:18,19; 6:1).  The hatred of God, his word, and his people is increasing.  If you have been spared such bitterness, praise God.  If you don’t think such hatred is real, ask to look at the dozens of obscene and vile responses to our Facebook ad for tonight’s seminar on anxiety.  Do not be surprised if the strife becomes more intense.  And do not lose heart.  The Lord does not abandon his Church in the strife.  He knows what this world is like; for he suffered in it, too.  But he has given us a glimpse of the glory to come to sustain us in the strife.

     St. John wrote, “Behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands” (Revelation 7:9).  The palm branches are waved in victory by those who have been brought out of the Church Militant and into the Church Triumphant.  They rejoice before the Lord, forever free from strife and stress, injury and insults, temptations, frustrations, and persecutions.  The Lord has given them peace from every enemy and rest on every side.

     But what qualifies them to stand in God’s presence?  Psalm 24 has us ponder: “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?  And who shall stand in his holy place?  He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.” (Psalm 24:3-4).  Of course, none of us can boast such purity.  And, in fact, none of the saints John saw in heaven could boast of any purity of their own.  The elder who served as John’s tour guide said so.

     John asked, “‘Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?’  …And (the elder) said to me, ‘These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation.  They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb’” (Revelation 7:13-14).  So, while the saints in heaven are dressed in white robes, which is purity, their robes were not inherently white.  They had to be washed.

     “They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14).  The Lamb, of course, is Jesus.  He is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).  Jesus has come to remove from us every stain of sin and in us every smudge of filth on us.  As a Lamb, Jesus was presented for sacrifice.  All our guilt was transferred to him, and Jesus died the cursed death of the guilty.  He poured out his blood to atone for our sins, but his blood was innocent.  Jesus endured an innocent death on behalf of the guilty.  And now that pure, innocent, holy blood has cleansed you.  How?  St. John was told, “They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14).  What other way are we washed except in holy baptism?  This is how the blood of Jesus was applied to us.  Jesus has given us robes of righteousness, the very righteousness and purity we need to be able to stand in God’s holy place.  Therefore, we know that the glimpse of glory John got to see is for us.  And this glimpse of glory sustains us in the strife.

     Now, there are many who have gone before us who bask in this glory, and who live in greater light than we.  They have stood in the fight against the sinful longings of their own flesh, against worldly scorn and pressure, and against the deceptions and seductions of the devil.  Many were belittled for the faith.  Some shed their blood rather than deny their Lord.  But they are all in glory, dressed in white robes, waving palm branches.  They dwell with Jesus who has overcome all our enemies.  We have this glimpse of glory to sustain us in the strife.

     St. John also recorded the relief and the rest that awaits us all, as long as we stand firm in Jesus Christ.  “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat.  For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:16-17).  The Lord Jesus will reverse every curse that fell upon mankind when sin was ushered into the world by Adam.  Among the curses that fell upon mankind, the Lord told Adam, “Cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.  By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread…” (Genesis 3:17-19).  But in the glory to come, we shall be free from the toil and frustrations of this sinful world.  Everything will be restored to perfection—free from hunger and thirst, free from scorching heat and anguish, and, of course, free from death and mourning and crying and pain.  Instead, we will be sheltered by the Lord.  We will be delivered from every evil.  Every enemy will have been reduced to ashes.  This glimpse of the glory sustains us in the strife.

     For all of the glory, the peace, and the joy that will be in our heavenly home, the greatest blessing will be this: we will be with Jesus.  Everything in John’s vision centered on Jesus.  All the saints and angels surrounded the throne where the Lamb sat.  All the host of heaven fell before Jesus and joyfully honored him for his saving work.  Regarding all the saints, “They are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence” (Revelation 7:15).  All the saints rejoice to be with Jesus because of all that Jesus has done to secure our place with him.  He loved us enough to plunge himself into death and hell so that he could destroy them for us.  He loves us enough to prepare a place for us in the mansions of Paradise.  So, he will come back to raise us up from the dead and bring us to live with him there.  We get to be with Jesus and to share in his glory.  The glimpse of that glory sustains us in the strife.

     Since we long to be with Jesus in glory, we are eager to be with Jesus while we are in the strife.  That is why we come to church.  We long to be with Jesus.  We gather together in God’s house to hear his word.  Here, Jesus encourages us to be faithful to his word.  He strengthens us so that we stand firm in our confession, to remain committed to good works, and even to pray for our enemies.  We long to be with Jesus because there is no other source of forgiveness.  No one else delivers a peace that cannot be broken by strife, war, or death.  No one else can guarantee a resurrection to life everlasting or a glory that will never fade. 

     Listen, I tell you a mystery.  St. John saw the saints triumphant dressed in robes of righteousness.  But do you realize that you are already dressed in garments of salvation?  The Lord sees you as his saints already!  It does not look like it yet to us or to anyone else.  But Jesus assures you that you are, indeed, the children of God.  Right now, we live by faith.  We take Jesus at his word.  Then we will live by sight—dressed in white robes, waving palm branches, and seeing our Lord face to face.

     Therefore, we already join with the angels and archangels and all the saints in heaven, proclaiming, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (Revelation 7:10)!  Salvation belongs to Jesus, and it has pleased him to deliver it to us.  Let us endure the strife in the Church Militant, as we keep our focus on the glories of the Church Triumphant.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

All Saints' Day Hymn: For All the Saints

In honor of All Saints' Day, enjoy this hymn.

All Saints' Day Remembrance -- Call for Names

 CALL FOR NAMES -- ALL SAINTS' DAY REMEMBRANCE

               Every year, we remember the names of loved ones who have died in the Christian faith, praising God for the mercy he has had upon them and thanking God for preserving them in that saving faith throughout their life.  Normally, the names of these departed souls are recalled in a prayer on All Saints' Day, which is November 1.  Since Good Shepherd does not have a specific All Saints' Day service, we transfer our observance of All Saints' Day to Sunday, November 5 which will include this prayer and these remembrances.

               Members of Good Shepherd who have been called to eternal rest this past year are automatically included.  Members of Good Shepherd, you may also submit the names of your own loved ones who have died in the Christian faith between November 13, 2022 and November 4, 2023.  When submitting these names, please include:

          1. the name of the deceased
          2. your name
          3. how he/she was related to you
          4. the dates of his/her birth and death, if known

               All names submitted by Wednesday, November 1 will be listed in the bulletin.  Names may still be submitted as late as Sunday morning but will not be printed in the bulletin.

Names can be submitted to: welsnovi@aol.com 

               The prayer is here:

PRAYER FOR ALL SAINTS’ DAY

M:          Almighty God, today we recall with thanksgiving those saints who were taken from us in the Church Militant and carried by the angels to you and the Church Triumphant.  Especially, we give you praise for our departed family and friends who have gone before us in faith and all those who are in our hearts and minds this day:

               (The names of those who are to be remembered are read).

               To these, you have granted eternal rest this past year.  We thank you for giving them new life in Christ while on this earth and for sustaining them in true and saving faith throughout their life.  We praise you for finally giving them the fulfillment of your promises of salvation and eternal life.  Strengthen and sustain us in this saving faith so that we may also join with the angels and archangels and all the company of heaven in joyful praise, peace, and rest forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Cong:    Amen.

Prayer for Saints Triumphant 2022

 

          Every year, we remember the names of loved ones who have died in the Christian faith, praising God for the mercy he has had upon them and thanking God for preserving them in that saving faith throughout their life.  Normally, the names of these departed souls are recalled in a prayer on All Saints' Day, which is November 1.  Since Good Shepherd does not have a specific All Saints' Day service, we transfer this prayer and these remembrances to the 3rd Sunday of End Times which focuses on Saints Triumphant.

          Members of Good Shepherd who have been called to eternal rest this past year are automatically included.  Members of Good Shepherd were also welcomed to submit the names of loved ones who died in the Christian faith between November 14, 2021 and November 13, 2022.  

PRAYER FOR SAINTS TRIUMPHANT

            Almighty God, today we recall with thanksgiving those saints who were taken from us in the Church Militant and carried by the angels to you and the Church Triumphant.  Especially, we give you praise for our departed family and friends who have gone before us in faith and all those who are in our hearts and minds this day:

Carol Kirvan, sister of David Kirvan (December 21, 1956, - December 7, 2021)

Margaretha Lester, member of Good Shepherd (March 4, 1935 – January 11, 2022)

Pam Weaver, wife of David Kirvan’s cousin, (September 28, 1953 – January 20, 2022)

Gentry Yearout, brother-in-law of Mark & Carol Casmer (March 11, 1940 – April 17, 2022)

Mackenzie Schmidt, niece of Pastor & Laura Schroeder (February 27, 1999 – October 23, 2022)

            To these, you have granted eternal rest this past year.  We thank you for giving them new life in Christ while on this earth and for sustaining them in true and saving faith throughout their life.  We praise you for finally giving them the fulfillment of your promises of salvation and eternal life.  Strengthen and sustain us in this saving faith so that we may also join with the angels and archangels and all the company of heaven in joyful praise, peace, and rest forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Cong:  Amen.

All Saints' Day -- For All the Saints Who from their Labors Rest

In honor of today's festival, enjoy this hymn.

Lyrics can be found here: For all the Saints, who from their labor rest | Hymnary.org

Prayer for All Saints -- 2021

          Every year, we remember the names of loved ones who have died in the Christian faith, praising God for the mercy he has had upon them and thanking God for preserving them in that saving faith throughout their life. Normally, the names of these departed souls are recalled in a prayer on All Saints' Day, which is November 1. Since Good Shepherd does not have a specific All Saints' Day service, we transfer this prayer and these remembrances to the 3rd Sunday of End Times which focuses on Saints Triumphant.
          Members of Good Shepherd who have been called to eternal rest this past year are automatically included. The names of loved ones who died in the Christian faith between November 15, 2020 and November 14, 2021. were able to be submitted by members of Good Shepherd. 

          The prayer which was spoken on the Sunday of Saints Triumphant is listed below.

PRAYER FOR ALL SAINTS’ DAY

M: Almighty God, today we recall with thanksgiving those saints who were taken from us in the Church Militant and carried by the angels to you and the Church Triumphant. Especially, we give you praise for our departed family and friends who have gone before us in faith and all those who are in our hearts and minds this day:

          Beverly Reynolds, family friend of Laura Schroeder

To her and to others, you have granted eternal rest this past year. We thank you for giving them new life in Christ while on this earth and for sustaining them in true and saving faith throughout their life. We praise you for finally giving them the fulfillment of your promises of salvation and eternal life. Strengthen and sustain us in this saving faith so that we may also join with the angels and archangels and all the company of heaven in joyful praise, peace, and rest forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Cong: Amen.

Prayer for All Saints' Day -- Call for Names

CALL FOR NAMES – SAINTS TRIUMPHANT

Every year, we remember the names of loved ones who have died in the Christian faith, praising God for the mercy he has had upon them and thanking God for preserving them in that saving faith throughout their life. Normally, the names of these departed souls are recalled in a prayer on All Saints' Day, which is November 1. Since Good Shepherd does not have a specific All Saints' Day service, we transfer this prayer and these remembrances to the 3rd Sunday of End Times which focuses on Saints Triumphant.

In addition to members of Good Shepherd who have been called to eternal rest, you may submit the names of your own loved ones who have died in the Christian faith between November 15, 2020 and November 14, 2021. When submitting these names, please included

          1. the name of the deceased
          2. your name
          3. how he/she was related to you
          4. the dates of his/her birth and death, if known

All names given by to Thursday, November 11 will be submitted in the bulletin. Names may still be submitted as late as Sunday morning, but will not be printed in the bulletin.

Sermon -- All Saints' Day (November 1, 2021)

Note: This sermon was preached for chapel at Huron Valley Lutheran High School in Westland, Michigan. 

MATTHEW 5:1-12

BLESSED ARE THE SAINTS OF GOD.

 In the name + of Jesus.

     This portion of St. Matthew’s Gospel is known as the Beatitudes.  It comes from the Latin word which is repeated here as “Blessed.”  Some have called this portion of Scripture the “BE Attitudes,” suggesting that Jesus is telling you what to be.  “BE Attitudes” is cute, but it is wrong.  These are not commandments.  These are blessings.  “Blessed” is a status that God bestows on all his saints, not a condition that you are supposed to earn by being poor in spirit, meek, or persecuted.

     The first thing we notice is the audience to whom this sermon is directed.  “Jesus … went up on a mountainside and sat down.  His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them” (Matthew 5:1-2).  Jesus is speaking to the saints. 

     Saints means “holy ones.”  Holy means that which has been set apart for God and for his purpose.  For example, Holy Communion is bread and wine that have been set apart and consecrated to be the body and blood of Christ.  Holy Communion is set apart for God’s purpose—for you, for the forgiveness of sins.  The holy things are given to the holy ones.  God has set you apart as his holy ones.  You have been set apart from sin; you are pardoned of all guilt.  You have been set apart from death; your life now rests in Jesus Christ who will raise you from the grave at the resurrection of all flesh.  You have been set apart from damnation; for “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).  Blessed are the saints of God.

     As saints, you have also been set apart for good works.  Since you have been set apart from sin, you do not continue in it.  You have been called to honor God with your life.  You have been set apart for a life that is selfless, honest, pure, and praiseworthy.

     Blessed are the saints of God.  The Beatitudes proclaim both what you are and what you will be.  The first blessing is in the present tense.  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).  If you are poor in spirit, that means you recognize that you have nothing to give to God that he should reward you.  We confess our sins, not our worthiness.  If we would have the riches of heaven, God must give it.  And he does!  Yours is the kingdom of heaven.  Jesus has purchased and won it for you with his holy, precious blood and with his innocent sufferings and death.  He gave you all that he won for you in Holy Baptism.  Through that washing, which is set apart for God’s purpose, he set you apart as his redeemed saint.  Yours are the blessings of forgiveness and peace.  The kingdom is yours.  Blessed are the saints of God. 

     For the most part, the remaining blessings concern what you will be.  You are already children of God through faith in Jesus, but you do not yet look like the children of God or act like the children of God.  I am guessing that you don’t always feel like the children of God either.  Fear not.  That blessing will come to you.

     “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).  Your sins produce your mourning throughout your life.  If you have ever done something that just produces utter shame—the kind of shame that just makes you want to run away and never come back—you are not alone.  That kind of guilt is common.  Satan tries to make it even worse by convincing you that there is no hope for you.  But Satan is a liar.  You have a merciful Savior who consoles you.  No matter what you have done, “the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies you from all sin” (1 John 1:7).  Some regrets never seem to go away.  But listen: You will be comforted.  You are assured now that you are his saints.  Blessed are you—present tense.  But the day will come when Jesus delivers you into the heavenly kingdom where you will never be haunted by shame again.

     Blessed are the saints of God.  “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6).  If you hunger and thirst for righteousness, it is because you don’t have it.  People who are full don’t crave more food.  Those who are famished do.  We continue to come back to our Lord for word and sacraments because we always need his righteousness.  We don’t have it on our own.  Even when we are declared righteous, our lives don’t exemplify it.  Therefore, we flee to Jesus to be filled with his body and blood.  And the day will come when we will be perfected in glory.  We will be satisfied, forever righteous before God—not just in status, but also in our minds and hearts and actions.

     Blessed are the saints of God.  “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8).  Right now, we only know God by his word.  We live by faith, not by sight; for, no one has seen God.  But you will.  Jesus cleanses you of all unrighteousness.  Therefore, you will dwell in the very presence of God and see him in all his glory.  Blessed are the saints of God, for they will all be gathered around the throne of God and praise the Lamb who was slain for them.

     Today is the Festival of All Saints—both the saints on earth and in heaven.  The Beatitudes remind us of what we are now and what we will be.  The saints on earth have not been glorified.  Yours is the kingdom of God, but not yet the glory.  The saints who have been delivered out of this world dwell before the Lord Jesus.  The live forever in uninterrupted peace, purity, and perfection.  But all of Christ’s redeemed—whether in heaven or on earth—are his saints.  Together, all the saints join in praise of God who has loved us and saved us.  Together, all the saints feast at the heavenly banquet—us for the moment at the Lord’s altar, and the saints in heaven continually in glory.  Together, all the saints confess Jesus with our lips and honor Jesus with our lives.  It is what we have been set apart for.
     Blessed are the saints of God.  Many of the blessings will not be seen until we enter heavenly glory, but the status is always in the present tense.  Blessed are you—the poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek, the merciful, the peacemakers, and even those who are persecuted because they live as those who are set apart for salvation.  No matter what anyone says of you, Jesus says you are blessed.  You are blessed because you are his.  Blessed are the saints of God—both now and forever.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Prayer for Saints Triumphant

Every year, we remember the names of loved ones who have died in the Christian faith, praising God for the mercy he has had upon them and thanking God for preserving them in that saving faith throughout their life.  Normally, the names of these departed souls are recalled in a prayer on All Saints' Day, which is November 1.  Good Shepherd will transfer this prayer and these remembrances to the 3rd Sunday of End Times which focuses on Saints Triumphant.  This year that falls on November 15.

  In addition to members of Good Shepherd who have been called to eternal rest, names have been submitted of loved ones who have died in the Christian faith between November 19, 2019 and November 15, 2020. 

PRAYER FOR SAINTS TRIUMPHANT

M: Almighty God, today we recall with thanksgiving those saints who were taken from us in the Church Militant and carried by the angels to you and the Church Triumphant.  Especially, we give you praise for our departed family and friends who have gone before us in faith and all those who are in our hearts and minds this day: 

(The names of those who are to be remembered are read.)

Samir Zayed, uncle of Norma Kirvan (October 17, 1937 – February 1, 2020)

Barbara Ann Sullivan (November 7, 1934 – February 29, 2020)

Paul Eugene Sullivan (January 22, 1938 – April 8, 2020)

Jerome Eugene Spaude, father of Cathy Mowers (September 1, 1928 – April 19, 2020)

Janet Lee Papson (September 13, 1952 – May 15, 2020)

Crystal Reisig, mother of Ken Reisig, (August 30, 1943 – August 8 2020)

Adolfine Janecke (November 11, 1924 – September 10, 2020)

Victor V. Voigt, father of Colleen Fadool (April 20, 1927 – October 3, 2020)

Ken Reisig, father of Ken Reisig, (September 15, 1940 – October 9, 2020)

Irvin Haase, grandfather of Paul Haase (March 2, 1922 – October 26, 2020) 

To these, you have granted eternal rest this past year.  We thank you for giving them new life in Christ while on this earth and for sustaining them in true and saving faith throughout their life.  We praise you for finally giving them the fulfillment of your promises of salvation and eternal life.  Strengthen and sustain us in this saving faith so that we may also join with the angels and archangels and all the company of heaven in joyful praise, peace, and rest forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Cong: Amen.

All Saints' Day -- Call for names for remembrance

Every year, we remember the names of loved ones who have died in the Christian faith, praising God for the mercy he has had upon them and thanking God for preserving them in that saving faith throughout their life.  Normally, the names of these departed souls are recalled in a prayer on All Saints' Day, which is November 1.  Good Shepherd will transfer this prayer and these remembrances to the 3rd Sunday of End Times which focuses on Saints Triumphant.

  In addition to members of Good Shepherd who have been called to eternal rest, you may submit the names of your own loved ones who have died in the Christian faith between November 17, 2019 and November 15, 2020.  When submitting these names, please included

1.  the name of the deceased

2.  your name

3.  how he/she was related to you

4.  the dates of his/her birth and death, if known

All names given by Thursday, November 12 will be submitted in the bulletin.  Names may still be submitted as late as Sunday morning, but will not be printed in the bulletin.

The prayer which will be spoken on the Festival of All Saints is listed below.

PRAYER FOR ALL SAINTS’ DAY

Almighty God, today we recall with thanksgiving those saints who were taken from us in the Church Militant and carried by the angels to you and the Church Triumphant.  Especially, we give you praise for our departed family and friends who have gone before us in faith and all those who are in our hearts and minds this day: 

(The names of those who are to be remembered are read.)

To these, you have granted eternal rest this past year.  We thank you for giving them new life in Christ while on this earth and for sustaining them in true and saving faith throughout their life.  We praise you for finally giving them the fulfillment of your promises of salvation and eternal life.  Strengthen and sustain us in this saving faith so that we may also join with the angels and archangels and all the company of heaven in joyful praise, peace, and rest forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Cong: Amen.

Prayer for All Saints / Saints Triumphant

        Every year, we remember the names of loved ones who have died in the Christian faith, praising God for the mercy he has had upon them and thanking God for preserving them in that saving faith throughout their life.  Normally, the names of these departed souls are recalled in a prayer on All Saints' Day, which is November 1.  Since Good Shepherd does not have a specific All Saints' Day service, we transfer this prayer and these remembrances to the 3rd Sunday of End Times which focuses on Saints Triumphant.  This year, that service was Sunday, November 17.

        Members of Good Shepherd who have been called to eternal rest this past year are automatically included.  Members of Good Shepherd have also submitted the names of loved ones who died in the Christian faith between November 18, 2018 and November 17, 2019. 

        The prayer which was spoken on the Sunday of Saints Triumphant is listed below.

PRAYER FOR SAINTS TRIUMPHANT

Almighty God, today we recall with thanksgiving those saints who were taken from us in the Church Militant and carried by the angels to you and the Church Triumphant.  Especially, we give you praise for our departed family and friends who have gone before us in faith and all those who are in our hearts and minds this day: 

Peggy Black, served by Pastor Schroeder (date – January 11, 2019)
Steve Smith, brother-in-law of David Kirvan, (July 18, 1948 – January 25, 2019)
Michael Himm, brother-in-law of Bob DuBois (December 7, 1953 – February 7, 2019) 
Rosemarie Connell, aunt of David Kirvan, (February 2, 26, 1927 – March 1, 2019)
Daniel Richard Tulkki, brother of David Tulkki (December 16, 1961 – April 14, 2019)

Dale Peterson, father of Jeanette Schneider (February 20, 1940 – May 3, 2019)

Matthew T. Sass, cousin of Kendra Fecho (October 11, 1973 – June 1, 2019)
Hannah Kieta, daughter of Rev. Geoff and Becky Kieta of Peace Lutheran Church, Livonia (December 28, 1994 – August 7, 2019)
Joseph Kalesavich, brother-in-law of Bob DuBois (February 20, 1957 – October 10, 2019) 
Reinhardt Shier, served by Pastor Schroeder (May 29, 1937 – November 1, 2019)

To these, you have granted eternal rest this past year.  We thank you for giving them new life in Christ while on this earth and for sustaining them in true and saving faith throughout their life.  We praise you for finally giving them the fulfillment of your promises of salvation and eternal life.  Strengthen and sustain us in this saving faith so that we may also join with the angels and archangels and all the company of heaven in joyful praise, peace, and rest forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Cong: Amen.

Saints Triumphant -- Call for Names

CALL FOR NAMES -- SAINTS TRIUMPHANT (November 17)

Every year, we remember the names of loved ones who have died in the Christian faith, praising God for the mercy he has had upon them and thanking God for preserving them in that saving faith throughout their life.  Normally, the names of these departed souls are recalled in a prayer on All Saints' Day, which is November 1.  Since Good Shepherd does not have a specific All Saints' Day service, we transfer this prayer and these remembrances to the 3rd Sunday of End Times which focuses on Saints Triumphant.  This year, that service will be Sunday, November 17.

Members of Good Shepherd who have been called to eternal rest this past year are automatically included.  Members of Good Shepherd, you may also submit the names of your own loved ones who have died in the Christian faith between November 18, 2018 and November 17, 2019. When submitting these names, please included
1.  the name of the deceased
2.  your name
3.  how he/she was related to you
4.  the dates of his/her birth and death, if known

All names submitted by Thursday, November 14 will be listed in the bulletin.  Names may still be submitted as late as Sunday morning, but will not be printed in the bulletin.

The prayer which will be spoken on the Sunday of Saints Triumphant is listed below.


PRAYER FOR ALL SAINTS’ DAY

M: Almighty God, today we recall with thanksgiving those saints who were taken from us in the Church Militant and carried by the angels to you and the Church Triumphant.  Especially, we give you praise for our departed family and friends who have gone before us in faith and all those who are in our hearts and minds this day:

(The names of those who are to be remembered are read).

To these, you have granted eternal rest this past year.  We thank you for giving them new life in Christ while on this earth and for sustaining them in true and saving faith throughout their life.  We praise you for finally giving them the fulfillment of your promises of salvation and eternal life.  Strengthen and sustain us in this saving faith so that we may also join with the angels and archangels and all the company of heaven in joyful praise, peace, and rest forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Cong: Amen.

Prayer for All Saints' Day

Every year, we remember the names of loved ones who have died in the Christian faith, praising God for the mercy he has had upon them and thanking God for preserving them in that saving faith throughout their life.  Normally, the names of these departed souls are recalled in a prayer on All Saints' Day, which is November 1.  Since Good Shepherd does not have a specific All Saints' Day service, we transfer this prayer and these remembrances to the 3rd Sunday of End Times which focuses on Saints Triumphant.  This year, we will offer up this prayer on November 18.

Members of Good Shepherd who have been called to eternal rest this past year are automatically included.  Also included in the following prayer are the names of loved ones who have died in the Christian faith between November 19, 2017 and November 18, 2018 which have been submitted by members of Good Shepherd members.


PRAYER FOR ALL SAINTS’ DAY
Almighty God, today we recall with thanksgiving those saints who were taken from us in the Church Militant and carried by the angels to you and the Church Triumphant.  Especially, we give you praise for our departed family and friends who have gone before us in faith and all those who are in our hearts and minds this day:

The names of those who are to be remembered are read.

Ryan Michael Fecho (October 20, 1982 – December 1, 2017), member
Eric James Schuster (March 2, 1951 – December 2, 2017), member
Herbert Helle (March 17, 1939 – December 14, 2017), father of Beverly Onder
Arnold Currey (January 15, 1923 – January 10, 2018), uncle of David Kirvan
David S. Shipe (October 4, 1962 – January 21, 2018), brother of Bob Shipe
Becky Ward (December 4,1953 – March 30, 2018), friend of Dave & Diane Rumics
Pastor Frederick William Casmer (May 15, 1954 – April 19, 2018), brother of Mark Casmer
Larry Leo Luedeman (August 15, 1938 – August 21, 2018), member
Dovie Elizabeth Casmer (November 13, 1923 – September 13, 2018), mother of Mark Casmer
Shirley Ann Belchunas (August 9, 1948 – September 23, 2018), aunt of Vicki Graves
George Jarrett Newton, Jr. (September 8, 1931 – August  26, 2018), uncle of Diane Casanova
Ron Goodline (August 14,1938 – October 21, 2018), brother of Diane Rumics
William Winterstein (March 9, 1928 – November 13, 2018), uncle of Jeanette Schneider

To these, you have granted eternal rest this past year.  We thank you for giving them new life in Christ while on this earth and for sustaining them in true and saving faith throughout their life.  We praise you for finally giving them the fulfillment of your promises of salvation and eternal life.  Strengthen and sustain us in this saving faith so that we may also join with the angels and archangels and all the company of heaven in joyful praise, peace, and rest forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Cong: Amen.