For All the Saints: On the death of my grandmother.

FOR ALL THE SAINTS, WHO FROM THEIR LABORS REST!!!!!!

     This Sunday we will be celebrating All Saints Sunday.  On that day, during our worship service, it is traditional for us to state the names of the saints who have departed in faith in Jesus Christ in the past year (eg. since the first Sunday in November 2010).  After each name is read, we play one bell ring.  This year I will be thinking about my Grandma Ruth as we do this.  Her funeral was a week ago in Steeleville, IL. 
     I knew about my grandmother's faith, just from growing up with her and being around her so much.  She was also my proxy-baptismal sponsor, and taught me a lot about Jesus.  But it was special for me to hear about her faith in Jesus from others who knew her well and had seen/heard her speak of it, or how she lived her life.
     When I do a funeral message for somebody, it is their faith that matters to me.  That is what I am concentrating on when I speak about them.  Sure, I might try to capture their personality in the message, but I always want to come back to their faith in Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank the pastor at Peace Lutheran in Steeleville for doing the same regarding my grandmother's life.
     This Sunday, I would encourage you to think about loved ones that you have lost, and hopefully also about their faith in Jesus Christ.  May God be praised for the love He has shown to us in His Son Christ Jesus!
     Thank you for reading and God bless all of you saints!!!!