Thank God for people of all times
FAITH VALUES
By PASTOR BILL DEHASS Trinity Lutheran Church

"God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all."

Ephesians 1:20-23

Tomorrow (Nov. 1) is All Saint's Day in the Church. It was originally called All Hallows Day and hence October 31, is All Hallows Eve or Hallowe'en. The Church sets this day aside to celebrate all of God's people, living here and living with the Lord.

In the Lutheran church we will read from Ephesians 1 this coming Sunday. I like this passage because it calls us to consider the "big picture." So often in the Christian life we tend to focus on the "small picture" - my faith, my walk with the Lord, Jesus as my personal

savior, etc. etc. We get focused only on this day and time. We forget that God

has a history,

a concern and a creation that is dramatically larger than our imaginations.

I think it is great that we have passages of Scripture such as Ephesians 1 which paints the big picture for us. The book of Ephesians does get to the smaller picture later in the book. However, it begins with this grand picture of all of God's purposes as they are revealed in Jesus Christ. Jesus is "the fullness of him who fills all in all".

It is fitting that on All Saints Day we thank God for his people of all times. We thank God that he has filled all ages with his presence. We thank God that you and I are called to be part of that great company known as "The Saints." We thank God that he gives us the "big picture" in which all of his purposes in Jesus Christ will be fulfilled.

A prayer for All Saints Day…Almighty God, you have knit your people together in one communion in the mystical body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant us grace to follow your blessed saints in lives of faith and commitment, and to know the inexpressible joys you have prepared for those who love you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.