Hymns of the Church (Part IX) – A Light That Continues to Shine

Sermon Title: Hymns of the Church – A Light that Continues to Shine

Good News Statement: God give us people that keep our light shining

Summary: The Saints in our life may be gone, but their story lives on

Preached: Sunday, November 9^th, 2025, at Dogwood Prairie & Seed Chapel UMC

Pastor Daniel G. Skelton, M.Div.

 

Scripture (NRSV): Ephesians 5:8-10 – Today’s Scripture reading comes from the Book of Ephesians, an epistle written by the Apostle Paul for the people of Ephesus. Within this specific epistle, aside from talking about unity and putting on the Armor of God, Paul encourages the people to walk in the light, to be a saint, of Christ Jesus and to live out the fruit of the Spirit in their life (Galatians 5:21-23. Our reading is from the Book of Ephesians, Chapter Five, Verses Eight-Ten. May the hearing, reading, and understanding of the word add a blessing to your life.

 

Walk in Light

⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), ¹⁰ finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.

Psalm 30:5

⁵ For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

 

This is the Word of God for the People of God; And all God’s people said, “Thanks be to God.”

 

 

 

Introduction[1]:

For almost two thousand years, Christians have used music as a way to worship. In the Bible the Apostle Paul writes: “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.” In the Book of Psalm we read these words, “make a joyful noise unto the Lord” (Psalm 98:4 and Psalm 100:1). For the past two thousand years, music has been used across denominational boundaries, beliefs, religious practices, and traditions as a means to embrace and celebrate the lessons of scripture. Needless to say, music has become an essential practice of one’s faith.

Hymns originated in ancient cultures and evolved through Jewish, Greek, and Roman practices, eventually becoming systematic in early Christianity with Latin chants. The roots of hymns can be traced to ancient civilizations like Egypt, Greece, and India. The word “hymn” comes from the Greek word “hymnos” which means “a song of praise”. Originally, hymns were written to honor various gods of varying traditions. The first recorded hymn, found in Exodus 15, is the Song of Moses in the Old Testament, celebrating the Israelites’ crossing of the Red Sea. Later on, in the same chapter, Miriam, Moses’ sister, encourages those around with tambourine in hand to “Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously…” (Exodus 15:21).

Hymnody—the singing or composition of hymns—has evolved and changed since that first hymn in the Old Testament as well as over the centuries and has been affected by new thinking and developing religious beliefs. For example, throughout the history of the church, whenever there has been renewal, a revival or restoration, new songs of worship have appeared. During the Middle Ages hymnody developed in the form of Gregorian chant or ‘plainsong’. It was sung in Latin and most often by monastic choirs. But in the 16th Century, church goers were given much greater access to hymns as a result of the invention of the printing press and the influential German theologian, Martin Luther, who began encouraging people to sing together in congregations. As one resource noted, “Martin Luther in the 16th Century revolutionized Christian hymnody by encouraging congregations to sing hymns in their own languages (vernacular) rather than just Latin, a movement that spread widely with the invention of the printing press.”[2]

In England the non-conformist minister Isaac Watts (1674-1748) began a transformation of congregational singing. Watts believed strongly that hymns should express the religious feelings of the people and he became a prolific writer, creating hundreds of new hymns—such as “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” and “Joy to the World.” Watts has been described as “the liberator of English hymnody” as his hymns moved people away from simply singing Old Testament psalms to inspiring people to sing from the heart with great faith and understanding.

In the same time period, another significant movement affected the hymns of the church: the Methodist movement, led by John Wesley. Wesley and especially his brother Charles used simple rhythms and sing-able melodies to help congregational singing. It has been noted that Charles Wesley wrote over 6,000 hymns during his lifetime from 1707-1788, and most of the hymns that he wrote were written to accompany specific sermons by John Wesley to convey a particular theological message. Some of Charles Wesley’s 6,000 hymns are still sung today in churches around the world: “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today,” and “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus,” and “ Love Divine, All Loves Excelling,” and probably his two most famous hymns are “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” and “Hark! The Harold Angels Sing.”

Then in the late 19th Century a new style of hymnody known as “gospel” emerged. These songs were usually characterized by a strong lead vocal and exciting harmonies, and were a great influence on later contemporary worship worldwide. Then in twentieth and twenty-first centuries we have seen an explosion of new hymn writers and approaches. Old texts have been refreshed by new tunes. African American spirituals, especially those during the slave era, are now found in hymnals and churches around the world, and lots more contemporary hymns have sprung up. In the non-traditional church movement there has been a move away from the previous style of congregational singing to worship led by one singer or a worship band. Instrumentation has become more popular and musical styles have become much freer. The church today is richer than ever in musical resources and continues to bring congregations together through song.

It is clear, that throughout history—from Old Testament times to Gregorian Chants to Luther’s reformation to the thousands of hymns composed by Charles Wesley to spirituals to gospels and finally to contemporary music—hymns have been an essential building block of and for the church. But the question that we will be exploring is not necessarily about the history of hymns but of what hymns has the church found to be foundational all these years: “What hymns have shaped the church of yesterday for today?”

 

Body:

“You live a wonderful life. A life that embraces the nature and beauty of God,” are the opening words to Angela Britt’s article from an October issue of Farm Week. There is truth to her words, isn’t there. You and I, we, live a wonderful life. We live a wonderful life despite what others may say, despite the challenges that stress us out, despite the many disagreements that outweigh the agreements, despite the pain and hurt, despite the tears that fall, and despite the sorrow that lives within us all. We live a wonderful life despite all the negative things that have happened, that are happening, and that will happen in our life. We live a wonderful life because it is a life that has come from God, been blessed by Christ, and empowered and loved by the Holy Spirit. Without God in our life, I don’t think we would have the wonderful life that we have today. As a matter of fact, when was the last time you acknowledged what George Bailey figured out in 1946, that no matter what happens or how things turn out, what we have been given is a “wonderful life”?

I was thinking about the idea of a wonderful life this week, and I realized that God—although is a huge part of this—is not the only one who has guided us to experience such a wonderful life. Just think about your life for a moment: think about the people who are living today that encourage you, inspire you, motivate you, and support you; and think about the people in your life who have gone on to live in the land of glory—those who have left a legacy for you to follow, have a story for you to finish, have never given up you, and who live within your heart today and every day.[3] We live a wonderful life because of God and because of the people—family, loved ones, friends, and neighbors—that God has placed in our life. The Bible identifies these people as “saints.” And today, we take a moment to honor the saints that have passed before us by remembering their eternal and perpetual light that shines in our life, helping us to live a wonderful life.

All Saints Day is annually observed on November 1^st. It is not nearly as well known as the day before, All Hallows’ (Saints) Eve, better known as Halloween, but it is far more important in the life of the church. John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, enjoyed and celebrated All Saints Day. In a journal entry from November 1, 1767, Wesley calls it “a festival I truly love.” On the same day in 1788, he wrote, “I always find this a comfortable day.” I would like to point out that for some it is a comfortable day, but for others it’s an emotionally tough day.

All Saints Day is an opportunity to remember and give thanks for those who have gone before us in the faith, who have granted us with words of wisdom, who have left an impression on our heart, and whose smile and laughter bring light to our life. Among the remembering and giving thanks, All Saints Day is also a time of celebration. In Hebrews 12 the author encourages us to remember that a “great cloud of witnesses” surrounds us, encourages us, and cheers us on as we celebrate their life.[4] We are inspired to live out the legacy and story of the saints in our life by modes of celebration and remembrance. Because of the many saints who have gone before us, we have been given an eternal light that shines brightly through our ability to remember, to have hope, and to rejoice in the teachings of those who have made us into the person we are today. Because of those saints, we have been given the opportunity to live a wonderful life.

Today, we honor and remember the saints in our life by not only lighting a candle but by taking a moment to understand a hymn that brings comfort to the church and people who are heavy laden with a burden of sadness and sorrow. The hymn we look at today is titled “Precious Lord, Take my Hand” by Thomas A Dorsey. When was the last time you allowed God to hold your hand?

 

Movement One: What is a Saint?

As we begin, it’s important to understand what is meant when we call those who have passed a “saint.” For starters, a “Saint” (capital ‘S’) is a person of exceptional holiness, often with special significance in various religions. In Catholicism, Saints are holy souls in heaven, officially recognized through a process called canonization and are considered models of virtue and intercessors for believers: such as Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Theresa, Saint Thomas, Saint Augustine, Saint Joseph, Saint Peter, Saint John, and Saint Mary. In other Christian traditions, the term “saint” (with a lower case ‘s’) can refer more broadly to all believers or anyone who manifests God’s love in their life. These saints are seen as inspirational examples of how to live a faithful life, rather than as intercessors to be prayed to.

In scripture, we often see the more generalized term for saint being used. The Apostle Paul often used the term “saint” to address the believers of his letters. For example, Paul begins his letter to the people of Philippi with this greeting, “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:1-2). In the letter to the Romans, Paul says, after a lengthy introduction, “To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:7). Simply put, when we, Protestants, use the term saint to describe someone, we typically mean someone who has been set apart for God’s special purposes. To illustrate this, let me share a story with you that was shared with me by my adviser from seminary.

“When Bob Homer was a young boy he had a paper route. And back in the days of paper routes, the paper boys or girls would have to collect money from each customer by ringing their doorbell once a week. And so, you got to know the people you delivered the paper too pretty well. In any event, one of Bob’s customers was the pastor of the local Methodist Church. Bob was collecting money from him one day and the pastor asked Bob if he might be able to come to the church on Sunday morning because he didn’t have anyone to hand out bulletins, and he needed Bob’s help. Bob told the pastor that he would first have to ask his parents. Bob’s family didn’t attend a church, so Bob was pretty unfamiliar with the whole thing. To Bob’s surprise, his parents allowed him to go. And that one Sunday turned into every Sunday. Bob came to love the people who were part of that little Methodist Church. It’s where he was introduced to Jesus through His saints. Eventually, Bob felt a call to go into the ministry, and off he went to seminary.”

My adviser ended this story by sharing, “The day before I left for college, the doorbell rang. It was Bob Homer. He had bought me a small leather-bond Bible. Bob passed away a number of years ago, but I feel that he is part of the “great cloud of witnesses” that the writer of Hebrews writes about. Bob is a saint that changed my life and helped me realize how wonderful my life is and can be.”

Did you notice in this story how Bob, my adviser’s saint, was a normal person, who as a young boy didn’t attend church, didn’t know anything about church, probably didn’t really know who Christ was, who wasn’t raised in a Christian family, and who more than likely sinned, made mistakes, got in trouble, had a few choice words for those customers that didn’t offer a good tip, and who didn’t become a follower of Christ until later on in his life? Too often we think “saints” are those who are perfect, who are worthy to do the work of Christ, who are seated around the throne of God (Revelation 4:4), and who are deemed “holy” in the sight of the Lord.

But truth be told, “saints” don’t have to be the “holy of holies” (Hebrews 9:11). Saints are simply believers. Saints have been redeemed. Saints can be young and old. Saints can make mistakes and still be forgiven by Christ—just think about Peter who denied Jesus three times, or Paul who crucified the early Christians and was placed in jail and who was converted and built the early church, or Joseph who was the first person to deny the conception of Jesus, his son. Saints don’t have to be born Christians but can become Christians. Saints can be living or dead. Saints are those people who have helped you become the person you are today. Saints are those people who have helped you create a wonderful life. Saints, like Paul, are those who offer you a greeting. Saints, like Bob from our story, is someone who offers you something that will remind you that you are loved. Saints, like the many described in the Bible, are those who walk by your side no matter what and who live in your heart. Saints are those who love you just as much as you love them, if not even more.

Who are the saints in your life? Whose light do you remember; whose light is shining bright in your life today, and whose legacy and story brings you joy and comfort? Paul invites us to think about the saints in our life who have gone before us: who have given us an eternal light of remembrance, hope, and joy.

 

Movement Two: A Perpetual Light that Shines…

A Wonderful Life comes from the Memory of the Saints:

A wonderful life comes from remembering the saints in our life. All Saints Day is one of the most solemn days of the year, but yet it is a day filled with hope. First, it is a solemn day of mourning. Whether current or years ago, the death of a loved one always seems so recent: tearing apart the fabric of relationships and love, and leaving a gaping hole in your life and in your heart.[5] Second, All Saints Day is a day of sweet hope that stems from cherished and prized memories. My dad’s father passed away when I was six years old, so I don’t have a lot of memories of him but I do have pictures of him attending ball games. But my mom’s father passed away when I was in third grade, so I had a little more time to create memories with him. During the funeral service for my mom’s father, I remember the pastor sharing the story that I shared with him. We were at our family cabin in Wisconsin and my dad locked my grandfather’s keys in the truck. That was the first time that my vocabulary extended beyond school language: there was a beep beep here, and a few more beep beeps over there. During a moment of mourning, hope was experienced through a joyous memory. The laughter that filled the room didn’t mean that we missed my grandfather less. Instead the laughter suggested that though there is an ache because of his passing, there is still time to smile and embrace the hope and joy that comes from remembering our loved ones. Through our pain and our laughter the light of our saints still shines brightly helping us create a wonderful life.

When it comes to light, the saints that have gone before us exhibit the power of Paul’s words to the people of Ephesus and us today. Paul wrote, “For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true” (Ephesians 5:8-9). “For once we were darkness” means that we have sinned, that we have stepped away from God, and that we have allowed the valleys in our life to keep us from climbing the mountains before us. We walk through the valley of the shadow of death with steps of fear instead of courage and hope. We allow our mistakes to be what defines us. We forget about the wonderful life that has been gifted to us.

This darkness has removed our ability to soar on the wings of eagles, to walk and not grow weary, and to run and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31). This darkness has stripped away our light. In moments where darkness prevails, we must remember two things: first, that Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12) and nothing can conquer that light; and second, the saints in our life give us the light we need to see the path before us. This light comes from remembering.

All Saints Day is a time to remember because memories are a gift that heals the raw edges of grief. In our thoughts, the loved one is still alive. In our joy, we can still see their smile and hear their laughter. In our sorrow, we can feel their warm embrace. As we figure out how to live going forward without them physically beside us, we still take them along in our hearts and minds, and somehow those memories begin to dry our tears, bring us comfort, and warm our hearts. So, All Saints Day is a day of remembrance and a celebration of how those memories help us and encourage us and give us the light we need to see in the dark, to help us once again to live a wonderful life. What do you remember most about the saints in your life?

 

A Wonderful Life comes from the hope of the Saints:

A wonderful life comes from the hope of the saints. The Bible talks about hope on a few occasions. The Prophet Jeremiah, when quoting the LORD, says, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). There is hope in the unknown, in the plans that God has created for you. When writing to a hopeless group of people, the Prophet Isaiah notes that by having hope in the LORD, their strength will be renewed and they will soar on wings like eagles; run  and not grow weary, and walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31). Hope is our sense of strength to keep going and to not give up. Lastly, Peter reminds us that hope is not a one-time thing but is a living thing. He notes in 1 Peter 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” For Peter, hope is a living thing in our life by which gives us a fresh start. Hope isn’t wishful thinking: hope is the ability to trust and have faith in the Lord so that you will have the strength and endurance to keep moving forward. We see this hope in the saints of our life. This hope has been found as they walk with us.

Paul writes, “Walk as children of light.” Paul calls us to experience hope through the saints in our life. For all of us who have experienced the loss of a loved one, a friend, or even a neighbor or classmate, we hold onto the promises of God—we hold on to the hope that we will see them again. Jesus saw all people as having the ability to obtain hope. He saw practicing Jews as having hope; he saw those before his time as having hope; he saw the Samaritan woman at the well has having hope; and he even saw hope in the thief being crucified next to him. Jesus even sees that we have hope during a time of mourning and darkness: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh” (Luke 6:20-21). Through the light of Christ, the saints in our life give us hope to become a child of God because they have not given up on us—they see our future plans and know that we have a story to finish and a legacy to live out.

After my Grandmother—my mom’s mom—passed away, I didn’t see the hope in a lot of things. I avoided a lot of things that reminded me of her and that we did together. After 20 plus years of taking care of her lawn, I didn’t care what it looked like: I didn’t care if weeds took over her yard or if her bushes were out of control. I haven’t set foot in her house since she passed away in 2022. I avoided looking down her street every time I went home for a visit. For a stretch of time, I gave up eating peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches—our favorite thing to eat on our lunch dates. I lost hope because I lost my best friend.

But then I remembered the words to a song written by country singer, Collin Raye. He wrote, “If you get there before I do, don’t give up on me. I’ll meet you when my chores are through. I don’t know how long I’ll be, but I’m not gonna let you down; Darling wait and see. And between now and then, till I see you again, I’ll be loving you, Love me.” This specific song is about Collin Raye’s grandfather and grandmother’s love story. From this song, I found hope again because between now and then, I know I will see my grandmother again. All the memories we shared and created, all the adventures we took, and all the peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches that we ate were signs of hope to keep living, to keep going, to believe and have faith, and “to rejoice on that day and leap for joy” (Luke 6:23) knowing we will meet again because we are God’s children walking in the light.[6] This hope is part of the light that they have passed onto us so that we may see what they need us to see, so that we may live out their legacy and story, and so that we may share their light of hope with future generations. We are children of God who have hope and this hope leads to a wonderful life.

 

A Wonderful Life is our reminder to celebrate the Saints:

Lastly, Paul reminds the people of Ephesus, “for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true” (Ephesians 5:9). The fruit that Paul is talking about is the light we need to celebrate the saints in our life today. All Saints Day is a time to look forward with rejoicing. Luke tells us to “rejoice on that day and leap for joy” (Luke 6:23) when we see them again. In the Book of Revelation we read about a scene from heaven. There is a great multitude from every nation standing before the throne and before the Lamb singing the praises of God (Revelation 7:9; 19:1-6).[7] The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 30:5, “Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

The light of the saints in your life resembles the idea of cherishing those moments in life that bring you joy.[8] Joy is found in those moments of life that have made you smile, that have reminded you that there is still light in the darkest of times.[9] We must take time to celebrate and rejoice in the lives of the saints who have gone before us. They have given us a sense of joy to remember them for who they were, are, and forever will be. They are a light of celebration.[10] Through the joys and laughter and cherished memories, the saints in our life have given us a wonderful life. All Saints Day is a day of rejoicing in the light of hope that has been passed down to each of us, that shines within us, that grants us a wonderful life. What about the saints in your life brings you joy?

 

Movement Three: “Take My Hand, Precious Lord…”

Some of you here, who have lost a loved one or friend or family member, may be thinking to yourself, “It doesn’t matter what the Pastor says, I’m never going to be able to have the same joy I once had.” To this, I will say, “I’m not asking you to duplicate that joy but to simply cherish the memories that brought you joy.” I’m never going to know exactly what you were feeling or are feeling after losing someone in your life. We experience grief and sorrow in our own way and at our own rate. I will never be able to remove that from you. Grief is part of our life, part of our story. Although, I may not know exactly what you are going through, I do know of someone who will always be there to hold your hand, even if you want to put the blame on Him. This leads us to another hymn that has shaped the church.[11]

“Precious Lord, Take My hand” was written in Chicago in 1932 following the death of Thomas Dorsey’s wife Nettie and infant son during childbirth. Dorsey provides an account of the circumstances surrounding the composition of this famous hymn:

“Back in 1932, I was 32 years old and a fairly new husband. My wife, Nettie and I were living in a little apartment on Chicago’s Southside. One hot August afternoon I had to go to St. Louis, where I was to be the featured soloist at a large revival meeting. I didn’t want to go. Nettie was in the last month of pregnancy with our first child. But a lot of people were expecting me in St. Louis. . . . In the steaming St. Louis heat, the crowd called on me to sing again and again. When I finally sat down, a messenger boy ran up with a Western Union telegram. I ripped open the envelope. Pasted on the yellow sheet were the words: YOUR WIFE JUST DIED. . . .

“When I got back, I learned that Nettie had given birth to a boy. I swung between grief and joy. Yet that night, the baby died. I buried Nettie and our little boy together, in the same casket. Then I fell apart. For days I closeted myself. I felt that God had done me an injustice. I didn’t want to serve Him anymore or write gospel songs [anymore]…. I was lost in grief. On the following Saturday evening, my friend took me up to Malone’s Poro College, a neighborhood music school. It was quiet; the late evening sun crept through the curtained windows. I sat down at the piano, and my hands began to browse over the keys.”[12] These are the words that Dorsey sang, “Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn; Through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light: Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.”

This hymn is often heard and sung at funerals. It is a hymn that reminds us that the Lord is willing to hold our hand during any moment of grief. It states, “When my way grows drear, Precious Lord, lin­ger near, When my life is al­most gone, Hear my cry, hear my call, Hold my hand lest I fall.” You have experienced dreary days and the Lord has heard your cries, has heard your call, and has been there to catch when you fall. Today, as you remember the saints in your life, let the Lord catch you, let him hear your cries and your calls, and let him hold your hand. The hymn also states, “When the dark­ness ap­pears and the night draws near, And the day is past and gone, At the riv­er I stand, Guide my feet, hold my hand.” As I said earlier, All Saints Day is a solemn day: darkness lingers, you feel alone, joy seems distant, and hope is no more. But remember, that no matter where you or where you stand, the Lord is always willing to hold your hand.

Several weeks ago, I asked the Lord to hold my hand as I stood in the presence of my aunts, uncles, cousins, parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews and gave the eulogy for my grandma, who passed away at the age of 95. As I stood behind a pulpit, trying to remain strong because that is what a pastor is supposed to do for those grieving, I broke down. I realized that I no longer have any living grandparents. My future kids want get to see my grandparents but will only get to hear about them. I no longer have a grandparent to hug but only hugs to remember. I no longer hear “I love you” but only think that I hear those words. I no longer get to hold their hand but only get to see signs that they are still present in my life. I asked for the Lord to take my hand because I thought I had nothing left. Until I remembered that their light still shines within me. Their light is my memory of them. Their light is my hope that we will meet again. Their light is my joy—a sense that because of them I am who I am today.

Thomas Dorsey didn’t just give us a hymn. He gave us a testimony of his own life. He gave us a story of hope in a moment of grief and despair. He gave us words of comfort. He gave us the reminder that Christ linger nears in our pain, in our sorrow, and in our darkness. He gave us a melody that assures peace. And lastly, he gave us a promise that the Lord is always willing to hold your hand. It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to fear. It’s okay to be upset. It’s okay to laugh. It’s okay to experience joy. It’s okay to carry the light of the saint who has passed. It’s okay. Let the Lord hold your hand today.

 

Conclusion:

I end this message by sharing a story. “One day a man was walking through a beautiful church building with his 4-year-old son. As they walked, the young boy looked around. He stopped and was curious about the stained-glass windows that looked so beautiful with their bright colors. As he looked at the windows, he asked: “Who are all the people in the windows, daddy?” “They are saints,” said his father. “What are saints daddy?” the kid asked. The father was stuck. How was he going to explain who saints are to a four-year-old boy? As the boy was still looking up at the windows and his father was still wondering how he would explain who saints are, the young boy shouted: “I know who saints are, they are the people that the light shines through.” They are the people that the light shines through.

Someday we will be the light that shines for others. But until that day comes, we must remember the saints in our life; their words of wisdom, their smiles, their laughter, their weird habits, their stories, their legacies, their messages, their love, their hugs, and their ever present eternal light that perpetuates our very spirit down to our core. Through their memories, we must find ways to live out their legacies, pass on their stories, and embrace their gentle touch and hugs as we let their light shine for years to come. And we must have hope that one day, one day, we will see them again face-to-face, and we must have faith that Christ will give us the light we need to overcome the darkness in our life so that we, too, can become a beacon of light and hope for those in our own life. We must celebrate the saints in our life so that their love shines for eternity.

Because of the many saints who have gone before us, we have been given an eternal light that shines brightly through our ability to remember, to hope, and to rejoice in the teachings of those who have made us into the person we are today. Because of the saints in our life, we have been given the gift to live a wonderful life. Who are the people in your life through whom the light shines? Who are the saints that have touched your life with the transforming love of Christ? How will you carry on the legacy of the saints in your life? Take some time today and this week to remember those who have passed before you; and if you have time, light a candle or do something in remembrance of them as you hold the precious hand of Jesus Christ.

 

Honoring the Saints:

In the 23rd Psalm, we encounter these comforting words: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.” The Psalmist also wrote, “The LORD heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 137:3).

Several chapters later, the Psalmist writes in the 116^th Chapter, “I love the Lord because he has heard my voice and my supplications. Because he inclined his ear to me therefore I will call on him as long as I live. The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of hell laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the Lord, ‘O Lord, I pray, save my life!’ Gracious is the Lord and righteous; our God is merciful. The Lord protects the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. Return, O my soul, to your rest, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling…. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful ones” (Psalm 116:1-8, 15).

As we gather here, reaching for the precious hand of the Lord, we find ourselves broken and wounded and seeking the healing grace of God as we mourn the passing of those gone before us but also celebrate their life. In honor of the saints that have passed, we light a candle for them as a reminder of their perpetual light that shines within us. I invite you know to say their name out loud.

            Let us pray: Dear God, thank you for the saints in our life. Thank you for their love, their sacrifices, their meekness, their righteousness, their mercifulness, their peace and understanding, and their pure in heart. May we walk humbly in their example of faith, dedication, service, and love; and may we live out their legacy and story each day of our life. O God, let their perpetual light shine brightly upon our path as we remember them, honor them, celebrate them, keep them, and love them in our heart. We have hope that one day we will walk hand-in-hand with them once again. Let their light shine within us. To your honor and glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

 

Benediction:

As you go about this week, take some time to remember the saints in your life: share their story with others, cherish the memories, live out their hope, and let their light shine in your life. And let the Lord hold your hand. May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; and May the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26). In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, go forth seeking ways to keep the light shining. And all God’s people said, Amen. Amen. Amen.

 

 

[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4vMxs6kctQgkwkvgQbJTXDk/a-brief-history-of-hymns

[2] https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4vMxs6kctQgkwkvgQbJTXDk/a-brief-history-of-hymns

[3] As Clarence the angel told George Bailey in the movie It’s a Wonderful Life, “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. And when he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he? Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.”

[4] Charles Wesley, the brother of John Wesley, wrote a hymn which sheds light on the importance of the saints in our life. In the first verse of “Come, Let Us Join Our Friends Above” (The United Methodist Hymnal, #709), Charles Wesley penned these words, “Let saints on earth unite to sing, with those to glory gone, for all the servants of our King in earth and heaven, are one.” On All Saints Day we remember all those who are part of the “communion of saints” and we share the stories of those “to glory gone.” Retelling these stories grounds us in our history. These memories teach us how God has provided for us through the generosity and sacrifice of those who have come before us. The stories of the saints in our life encourage us to be all God has created us to be

[5] You may even still be trying to figure out how you are going to knit those raw edges together into a new reality, a reality that you would just as soon never had to deal with. If this is you, please know we are all holding you in our prayers during this time of sorrow, grief, and suffering.

[6] As beloved children of God, we can trust the saints into God’s loving care with hope. God remembers them and loves them. It isn’t our job to figure out what happens to them eternally and it certainly isn’t our job to keep them out of heaven. Our job is to simply live out the hope that they have planted in our hearts.

[7] We are promised that when this happens there will be no more hunger or thirst. There will be no more pain. The Lamb will be their shepherd and he will guide them to springs of the water of life. At this moment the tears will dry up. Why? Because all of those things that cause us physical and emotional pain and tears will be gone. The pain of separation is gone. The fear of want is gone. The limitations of our physical bodies are gone. And so we sing praises and celebrate the joy of being with God: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power to our God” (Revelation 19:1). For our loved ones who have gone before us this is what we believe and hope they are experiencing. For us, this is what we look forward to. For us, we celebrate that the saints in our life are no longer experiencing pain or hunger and thirst or even sadness. For us, we celebrate the saints in our life because they have given us the strength to face tomorrow and the light that will conquer any darkness.

[8] Angela Britt ends her article with these words, “Capture each moment with your young children. Blink and they will be young adults. Keep them active with the farm life, whether it is helping make the meals and take them to the field, teaching them to drive machinery, picking up hay bales on a 100-degree day, tending to the livestock for the 4-H programs or simply riding with dad or mom in the tractor. Embrace the moment of supper in the field on the back of a pickup truck, or a sack lunch on the go. Embrace the moment of hurry, hurry, hurry, and then sit and wait for the next move to another field, part run or the array of any assistance you can provide.”

[9] Gloria and William J. Gaither wrote a song titled “Joy Comes in the Morning”, and the chorus goes like this, “So hold on my child. Joy comes in the morning. Weeping only last for the night. Joy comes in the morning. The darkest hour means dawn is just in sight. Yes, the darkest hour means dawn is just in sight.”

[10] As beloved children of God, we can trust the saints into God’s loving care with hope. God remembers them and loves them. It isn’t our job to figure out what happens to them eternally and it certainly isn’t our job to keep them out of heaven. Our job is to simply live out the hope that they have planted in our hearts.

[11] Many hymns are conceived in the throes of tragedy.

[12] https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-precious-lord-take-my-hand