November 5th, 2006 - All Saints Day

The gospel reading was Lazarus, the struggle of death and life. Pastor Mark and Pastor Dayle both preached.

Pastor Mark described the death of his father coming on the day of his daughter Lauren’s first birthday. Rather than despair or anger he found some peace knowing it was a release for his father, who had sick for some time. For Pastor Mark the day was now a celebration of two birthdays, one physical and one spiritual.

There was comfort in everything Pastor Mark said, together with a spiritually sustaining thought. He noted we have our communion rails back up. They are in the semi circle he is used to seeing in Lutheran churches. He let us know this was not by accident but by design. It is actually a circle for the communion of saints and that we do not see the complete circle in the physical world but through faith. This is another layer to we can take to the Lord’s Supper each week.

Pastor Dayle gave her sermon, particularly at the early service, choked with evident emotion. Due to the circumstances of her brother Doug’s death, she did not feel the release that Pastor Mark felt. She preached about anger, not with God but concerning her brother's death.

She also shared memories of his humor, and memories of his presence at Creator. Pastor Dayle's granddaughter, Makenna, was baptized last year on All Saints Sunday, and Doug was at Creator for that occasion. She pointed to an empty spot where he had sat.

Everyone was moved. She talked about how the Creator community had supported her and reminded us that Jesus gave the responsibility to unbind each other from cloth that has the stench of death about it. This was the other side of the comforting thought, the need we have to weep, mourn, lament and also personally care for one another when death touches the community.

Diane gave a “temple talk” at the beginning of each service. Her love for Creator was evident as she spoke about people no longer attending because they were not finding the spiritual sustenance they needed at Creator. She quoted Kennedy’s “Ask not what your country can do for you” and to subsitute church as her answer to this restlessness. She was convinced that this sustenance is not likely fall into people’s lap regardless of the church.

She also gave a children’s sermon that centered around passing traditions down, like caring for the hungry and needy. Afterwards I once again felt a renewed energy for the mission of the Hunger Awareness group and Creator to help.

Also, the work that the Sparkle team did on Saturday to clean up the church was evident and much appreciated by the congregation.

The sending song was When the Saints Go Marching In. Between David’s rolling piano playing, Kelly’s guitar work, Matt’s drumming and the enthusiastic and accomplished singing (thanks for your contribution Janice!) the excitement was palpable.

Looking forward to Youth Sunday next week where they lead the service.