A Month of Saints

Yesterday was All Saints Day, and I've been thinking about the saints in my life.

If I can commit to writing (may be impossible given the time constraints of 2 small children), I may write here every day (or at least do 30 posts) on people I've been grateful for in my life.

For a start here are my notes for All Saints Sunday worship for tomorrow:

Thanksgiving for Baptism
In the Lutheran tradition, saints are not only people who live exemplary lives or are perfect. In the Lutheran understanding, everyone sins, but through baptism, we celebrate that Christ sanctifies us and makes us holy- and thus we become saints. 

In this congregation, we have had several baptisms this year.  At baptism, we give each of the baptized a candle and tell them, “Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Today, we light candles to give thanks for the saints in our lives.  We begin by giving thanks for the gift of each of saints who were baptized this year

Children’s Time:

Can you imagine walking in a new place in the complete dark?  How would you feel? (Scared?) What if you had a flashlight? What if you had a friend holding that flashlight?

That’s what saints are like.  They hold a light in the dark for us- reminding us that Jesus is the light of the world. And they walk into dark places to shine that light.  That’s why we’re lighting candles today.  To remember that Jesus is the light of the world, and that God sends saints into our lives to light our way when we’re in the dark.

Offering:

For the next 4 weeks, at the time of the offering, we will be hearing short stories from 4 different people about the saints in their lives.  Together we give thanks for all the saints who have guided us and who have pointed our way to Christ.