Where do I even begin tonight? What a wonderful day we had today. The weather was sort of dreary, but the day was wonderful.
Today was Friend Day at Parkway and we were expecting a larger than usual crowd. We had 135 today which is well above our average. The worship team was on today and did a great job even though we were missing our regular keyboardist — she is on a missions trip to Guatemala. I split my time between guitar and keys this morning.
We were surprised by the congregation this morning — as they presented the pastoral staff with pastor appreciation gifts. Thank you so much for your words of love and encouragement.
A friend of ours came and gave her testimony during the service — wow! God writes some amazing stories. Pastor Barry preached a great message on the greatest friend in the world, Jesus. Several raised their hands during the commitment time and the day wasn’t over yet.
After church we had a dinner and the ladies outdid themselves — I’m going to have to run even more this week to work off dinner. The pork tenderloin was out of this world. By the time we got home it was time to return to church for our Christmas musical rehearsal. Our students are doing a great job learning the musical. And the day still wasn’t over. Tonight was a game night for our Middle and High School students. We had a great time playing Uno.
We have a big week planned this week. I finish my school bus driver training tomorrow and we are getting James’ picture taken on Tuesday. This coming Saturday, I plan on competing in my first 5K race with two men from church — should be exciting.
As with each Sunday night, I’ll sign off by encouraging you to Seize the Day!
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End
This is an interesting day on the liturgical calendar and yet I believe it’s one that we have informal recognized, just not on a special day. In our church tradition, especially here in the south we might call it Homecoming. It is a time when we think about those who have gone on before. They might be from our tradition, they may not be. Here in Revelation, we have John describing the new heaven and new earth – a place where the saints will gather. We often think of saints as super spiritual people, but if we take a look at the Scriptures, we will find that the word saint is used to describe God’s people. Several times Paul gives greetings to the saints in various parts of the known world.
Several years ago, I asked our teens at church if they were a saint. Most of them really didn’t know how to answer that question. The reality is that if we are following Christ with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, then we are a saint. Those who have died and gone on before are saints as well. It is on this day that we remember those who have gone on before. There is a hope. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us and he is coming back again.
For All The Saints
For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
For the Apostles’ glorious company,
Who bearing forth the Cross o’er land and sea,
Shook all the mighty world, we sing to Thee:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
For the Evangelists, by whose blest word,
Like fourfold streams, the garden of the Lord,
Is fair and fruitful, be Thy Name adored.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
For Martyrs, who with rapture kindled eye,
Saw the bright crown descending from the sky,
And seeing, grasped it, Thee we glorify.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
All are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
And singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
