All Saints
Communing with the Saints By Kyle Olson, AiM, Director of Spiritual Growth Most of us have experienced the loss of a loved one. People of faith, however, have hope that they will see their loved one again. The God who created us, walks with us, and died for us promises us that we will be with him in Paradise (Luke 23:43). It is only logical that we, God s people, will be reunited with one another in the feast that has no end. While this is comforting, it does not provide resolve to the immediate sense of loss. There are ways by which we can honor and connect with our departed. On November 1 we celebrate the Festival of All Saints a day in which we remember everyone who has died in faith. Another way we can honor and connect with our loved ones is through the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Many Swedish churches have this practice built into the architecture of their sanctuaries. Traditional Swedish communion rails form a semicircle around the altar; however, it is believed that the rail creates a full circle with those communing on the other side from heaven. It is here that the faithful gather to communion with us at the banquet feast that has no end. When we commune, our loved ones gather with us from the great beyond to share with us in the grace that knows no bounds. Loss is hard. Hurt is real. But know that you are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses: Mary Madgalene and Peter, Martin Luther and Mother Theresa, and so many more who are with you at the Feast that transcends time and space; binding us to one another and to Christ.
Bonding By Sarah Diamond, Director of Congregational Life Did you know that All Saints Day is also known as the Feast of All Saints, Day of the Dead, and All Souls Day? On All Saints Day, as a community, we honor and remember those who have gone before us. Although, those who are no longer with us are not physically in our presence, we are able to spiritually bond with them. There are many ways we can bond with those who have gone before us. We can do this through the worship service. Other ways include coming together and spending time with our family and friends and sharing stories about our loved ones who are no longer with us. This community and relationship building allows us to reflect on memorable experiences and build a spiritual bond we can reflect on in our everyday lives. Another way we can connect is through spending time outside and enjoying Mother Nature either alone or with loved ones. We don t have to spend one day of the year, on All Saints Day remembering and forming a spiritual bond with those who have gone before us. This can be done every day or when needed. All Saints Day is simply a time when we especially honor these individuals. On October 31, the movie Book of Like comes out in movie theaters. This animated film is a tribute to the Mexican culture and the Day of the Dead, which is what we know of as All Saints Day. According to the Book of Life Review, this PG-rated movie is commended by critics for talking about the death of loved ones; a life factor often eluded in children s movies. Check this movie out!
WHO ARE THESE SAINTS? By Kathryn Focke, Director of Evangelical Outreach On a trip to the Vatican more than a decade ago, I stood in awe of its magnitude in the center of St. Peter s Square. The giant statues of the Saints on the top of the walls surrounding the square particularly caught my attention. Being brought up in the Lutheran faith, I didn t share in the adoration of these super Christians and came away feeling that the way in which they were held above normal Christians was much like the pagan worship of mythical Gods. After returning home I discussed this with my pastor who said that I was probably too protestant to understand sainthood, which led to the question of who are the Saints? If you do a google search of the saints, you find hundreds of names and stories from A-Z. The Council of Trent (1545-1563) identified the saints as those who reign together with Christ and who enjoy eternal happiness in heaven and therefore the only certain Christians in heaven. In the documents of Vatican II (1959-1965), the society of saints continued to be a Sacred Synod, a small group of heavenly believers. In the 12th Century, Alexander II declared that no one could become a saint outside of the Roman Catholic Church and the process of beatification and canonization was established under the law. Beatification is an act by the Pope that permits public veneration after death of a Christian who lived an exemplary life of holiness and had to have performed one confirmed miracle. Only beatified persons are eligible for Sainthood. Canonization (Sainthood) is a long legal process in the church that is eventually brought before the Pope and includes the requirement that there must be a miracle associated with the person s grave or relics, which is said to occur through the intersession of the saint in heaven. Accordingly, the Roman Catholics believe that only a small select group of Christians become saints and, by their own personal holiness. When Martin Luther studied the scriptures he discovered that the Roman Catholic Church had defined the saints in a way that contradicted Scripture. In his published works, Luther emphasizes his belief that according to scripture, all Christians on earth are saints, and holy in God s sight, and a person s sainthood depends completely on God s grace in Jesus, not by personal works. He continues to say that we are still sinners, but saints at the same time and in need of forgiveness. This is not to take away the great acts of service to the poor and helpless by the saints past and present and they should continue to be honored in addition to all Christians. As we celebrate All Saints Day this month, we will be joining other Protestants who regard all true Christians as saints both past and present and we will especially remember those who have gone before us.
All Saints Day By Pastor Bill George, Interim Pastor On November 2, 2014 we will celebrate All Saints Day. In the last several years the celebration of All Saints Day has become more common among Protestant churches. Fortunately we find much value in the observing the lives of those who have gone before us. We realize that our reflection on the lives of the departed, both close and distant, has much to offer us in our journey of faith. Martin Luther encouraged his followers to meditate of the gifts of faith of the departed as examples for us. What is a saint? Does saint define someone who is perfect in every way? Is the title, saint restricted to the great witnesses of the past who paid with their lives for their witness? Is a saint someone who lives in a perfect situation? In the last book of the New Testament, the saints are described as the ones who gather around the throne of the Lamb and sing songs of praise and glory. How do we fit this image into our lives? How could you and I ever join such an assemblage? Luther had his own approach to sainthood. While he did indeed honor the witness of the martyrs, he defined sainthood in much broader terms. God includes all of us as saints. Sainthood is not based on perfection, but God s grace. Our sainthood is a gift that comes from a loving Father. Through the saving work of Jesus we have a new status. We are bona fide saints of God. Our calling is to witness to his love and presence in our lives. He calls us to share the message of the power of his grace to all whom we encounter. You and I need to understand that the root meaning of the word martyr is witness. In this way Luther proposed that our common lives of faith are rooted in the experience of witnessing to the God who is present among all people. We join the heavenly choir as fellow saints of God. May we celebrate the power of his grace in our lives now and forever!
First Lutheran Church 930 Poyntz Avenue Manhattan, KS 66502 Phone:785-537-8532 Fax: 785-539-3507 Email: office@firstlutheranmanhattan.org Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Permit No.531 Manhattan, KS 66502 Return Service Requested We re On The Web! Www.Firstlutheranmanhattan.org Rooted In Christ, we are growing in faith to bear fruit in the world. Pastor Bill George Interim Pastor prbill@firstlutheranmanhattan.org Kyle Olson, AiM Director of Spiritual Growth kyle@firstlutheranmanhattan.org Sarah Diamond Church Admin./Dir. Of Congregational Life sarah@firstlutheranmanhattan.org Kathryn Focke Director of Evangelical Outreach evanoutreach@firstlutheranmanhattan.org Becky Marsh Communication Specialist becky@firstlutheranmanhattan.org Susan Schindler Bookkeeper bookkeeper@firstlutheranmanhattan.org Catherine Carmichael Volunteer and Organization Assistant
Camp Tomah Shinga I would like to personally thank you for your generous gift of $500.00! Your gift will help to further the ministry of this organization and to provide opportunities to youth and adults around the Central States Synod and in our communities. The support of congregations like yours have sustained and continue to allow this place set apart to help adults and youth grown in their faith and in their communities. Thank you again so much for continuing to give so faithfully to ensure the future of this organization! Peace, Bill Fulton, Executive Director of Camp Tomah Shinga Swedish Supper Olsburg Lutheran Church invites you to the 58th Swedish Supper, Saturday, December 6 from 4:30 p.m. 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through Luellen Kasselman at 785-565-1240 or woodyk@twinvalley.net. Manhattan residents may contact Romona Johnston at 587-8184. Tickets are also sold at Union State Bank Olsburg & Randolph, Loberg Grocery Olsburg, or Hoffman s Pharmacy Westmoreland. Classifieds Thank You! Thank you, First Lutheran family, for coming through again for Pumpkin Patch. Many, many brought food to sell and a bunch were workers in the booth and helpers to set up. Our profit of $944.78 will be sent to First Suppers to help sponsor the Thursday community dinners. THANK YOU!! Estimate of Giving Estimates of Giving - We thank all who have submitted their Estimate of Giving for 2015. For those who have not submitted their estimate, forms are located in the Narthex and the entry to the Chapel. The completed Estimate of Giving may be placed in the offering, returned to the First Lutheran Office, or sent electronically to financialrecorder@firstlutheran manhattan.org. Advent...Coming Soon The season of Advent is just around the corner. There a lots of fun, fellowship, services and luncheons planned this Advent season. Please keep a look out for further information in the coming weeks. Offering The designated offering for November will go to the Manhattan Emergency Shelter. Please make sure you clearly designate your offering to go towards this fund if you wish to donate! Angel Tree Coming Be on lookout for the Angel Tree coming the end of November! There will be lots of great angel gift ideas for children in need in the community. Everything donated stays local and some even will be gifted to Lamb of God families!!! Clothing, toys, gift cards, and monetary donations will all be available! Quarter Challenge Thank you to everyone that donated to the 16th Annual Camp Tomah Shinga Quarter Challenge. Totals are still being calculated, but we wanted to get a thank you out for all the donations!!! Additional Altar Guild Additional Altar Guild members are still needed. A couple of amazing people have joined the team, but more are still needed. If you would like more information or have prayerfully considered and feel called to help, please contact Catherine Carmichael in the office at 537-8532.
Caring and Sharing Confirmation We rejoice with Trystin Brown, Nik Grubbs, Josh Grynkiewicz, Harrison Jones and Jonah Kermer who were all confirmed on October 26. Sympathy Sympathy Rejoice We sorrow with Albert Nielson on the death of his brother, Elmer Nielson. We sorrow with family and friends of James Owensby, friend of Stephanie Grynkiewicz, who passed away. We rejoice with Jade and Natalie Barta on the birth of their son Dylan who was born September 14. (Because of privacy concerns, we print the names of those who are ill only when requested to do so by the individual.) Our Work as Mission Partners Our Financial Gifts September Income $ 30,048.60 Income YTD $ 393,696.65 September Expenses $ 39,636.43 Expenses YTD $ 398,700.75 September Budget $ 42,560.00 Budget YTD $ 386,013.00