Aloha, Church Ohana:
Today, November 1st, 2023, Christians worldwide observe All Saints Day. All Saints Day is a time to remember Christians of every time and place, honoring those who lived faithfully and shared their faith with us.
We will be observing All Saints Day at this Sunday's worship service, and we will read off a litany of the saints in our lives. Please click this button to submit any names you would like to have read during our Litany of Remembrance.
This Sunday is also Communion Sunday. Historically, the Church has confessed a belief in the "communion of the saints," which includes not only all living believers but also all who have gone before us. When we celebrate Holy Communion, we will experience the communion of saints, feasting with believers past, present, and future.
A Prayer Meditation for All Saints Day
(Written by Safiyah Fosua for United Methodist Discipleship Ministries.)
We give you thanks, O God, for all the saints who ever worshiped you,
whether in arbors or cathedrals,
wooden churches or cement meeting houses.
We give you thanks, O God, for hands lifted in praise:
manicured hands and hands stained with grease or soil,
strong hands and hands gnarled with age,
holy hands.
We thank you, God, for hardworking saints,
whether hard-hatted or aproned,
blue-collared or three-piece-suited.
They left their mark for you, for us, for our children to come.
Thank you for the sacrifices made by those who have gone before us.
Bless the memories of your saints.
May we learn how to walk wisely from their examples of faith, dedication, worship, and love.
Aloha Ke Akua,
Pastor John