All Saints Day reminds us Christians that we have a really big family! We all are members of a family that includes those who are seen and unseen, the living and the dead.
By the power of Jesus’ resurrection, the entire family of God enjoys eternal life and lives in communion with God forever. At every celebration of Holy Eucharist, we acknowledge our belief that we worship alongside all of the saints who have gone before us.
It is right to give thanks for the saints in light. As our catechism tells us, “we are bound together with all of the saints in one holy communion by sacrament, prayer, and praise”.
All Saints’ Day is a day of celebration that is both particular and universal. We remember the dearly departed members of our larger family who have been saints to us; whose witness in our lives helped to make us the people we are today. We also rejoice and give thanks for all of the saints in light who are being made perfect by the power of the resurrection.
I am looking forward to our All Saints’ Day celebrations this year which will be held on Sunday, November 3rd. We have some special things planned, and there will be something for everyone!
We will begin at 10am on Sunday, November 3rd for a formation and fellowship time for all ages. We invite you to bring a picture of a person who was a saint in your life. We will celebrate Holy Eucharist at 11am, take a parish-wide photo, and finally enjoy a potluck lunch afterward in the parish hall. Please feel free to invite friends or family to this celebration!
Inside this newsletter, you will find a list of the saints of St. Stephen’s who will be honored in a special way on All Saints’ Day. These individuals have gone to glory in recent years and have had a real impact on the life of our community. Your vestry has been hard at work to act as good stewards of the parish memorial fund in working on projects that have enhanced our life together. It will be a wonderful thing to dedicate the projects to the glory of God and in loving memory of these saints.
One final reason we celebrate the saints is for our own encouragement. We, the saints still striving, are inspired to persevere in our own day as we remember the faith and courage of those who’ve gone before us.
Friends, may you be blessed with the continued nourishment you need to follow Christ in our daily lives!
God Bless You,
Giulianna+