All Saints / All Souls Celebration

On November 1, 2009, in Morning, Sermons, by Richard

YAHOO.util.Event.onDOMReady(function() { YAHOO.sunshine.setBtn(“20091101_1″); }); Listen to Readings and Sermon The Good News Written Wisdom 3.1-3 (The Inclusive Bible, Priests for Equality) “But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no affliction will ever touch them. To the eyes of fools, they seem to be dead; their departure will be interpreted [...]

Listen to Readings and Sermon

The Good News Written

Wisdom 3.1-3 (The Inclusive Bible, Priests for Equality)

“But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no affliction will ever touch them. To the eyes of fools, they seem to be dead; their departure will be interpreted as a defeat and their going away will be considered a disaster — but they have found peace!”

Irwin Gregg

“Christianity is practical, and life is eternal. There is that in us which the scriptures call the ‘firstborn of every creature… which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.’ Knowing this is a matter of revelation and discovery. The secret lies in letting the Life of the vine work through its branch, or letting the one Presence work in and through each individual center of life — that is, through you and me.”

John 11.33-44 (The Inclusive Bible, Priests for Equality)

“When Jesus saw [Mary] weeping, and the other mourners as well, he was troubled in spirit, moved by the deepest emotions. ‘Where have you laid [Lazarus]?’ Jesus asked.

“‘Come and see,’ [Mary and Martha] said. And Jesus wept.

“The people in the crowd began to remark, ‘See how much he loved him!’ Others said, ‘He made the blind person see; why couldn’t he have done something to prevent Lazarus’ death?’

“Jesus was again deeply moved. They approached the tomb, which was a cave with a stone in front of it. ‘Take away the stone!’ Jesus directed.

“Martha said, ‘Rabbi, it has been four days now. By this time there will be a stench.’ Jesus replied, ‘Didn’t I assure you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?’ So they took the stone away.

“Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said, ‘Abba, thank you for having heard me. I know that you always hear me…’ Then Jesus called out in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ And Lazarus came out of the tomb, still bound hand and foot with linen strips, his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus told the crowd, ‘Untie him and let him go free.’”