This Week’s Sermon
~ November 1, 2026 ~ (Contemporary) (Traditional)
“For All the Saints”
Psalm 90:1-12, Hebrews 12:1-2 November 1, 2026, All Saints Day
This is the day we think about that “Great cloud of witnesses” that Saint Paul tells us about here in Hebrews. I think that’s a wonderful passage for “All Saints Day.” It makes me think of the “cloud of witnesses” in my life. It makes me think about all those people in my home Church years ago, who inspired me, and encouraged me in my life of faith. Maybe you can think of those people in your life – way back when!
It also makes me think of the path my life has taken since then. It makes me think of all the “saints” I’ve encountered along the way, who have helped me chart the course of my life. I think of pastors, professors, and colleagues, as well as authors and speakers. I could give you a list.
Maybe you could do that, too. Maybe you could think of your own spiritual beginnings, and who it was who shaped your life. Maybe you can think of this Church and the people you remember who sat in these pews, who sang in the choir and the praise band, and the many lay leaders who read the Bible from this pulpit. This is a good day for all of us to think of our own personal “cloud of witnesses,” all of the “Saints” who have guided us in our journey of faith.
But it’s also a good day to remember that the word “Saint” originally referred to all the believers. When Paul wrote his letters to the churches – letters that make up much of our New Testament, he began by saying, “Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, to the saints in Ephesus, or Philippi, or Colossae.” I particularly like the way he began his letter to the Romans. He wrote, “Paul… To all God’s beloved in Rome who are called to be saints.” That’s even more descriptive, isn’t it? think about it! You are God’s beloved at Eddington Church who are called to be saints!
That’s very consistent throughout the New Testament. The saints are the believers. And yes, that can be a bit confusing, because we often think of “Saints” as those who have gone before us. Sometimes that’s how we refer to those who have died. We might say, “My sainted aunt Maria.”
We sing the old hymn, “For All the Saints Who From Their Labors Rest.” And that’s a hymn about those who have gone before us. But it isn’t saying that “Saints” are only those who “from their labors rest.” We’re all saints! That hymn is simply recognizing those of us – those “saints” – who have gone before us. Does that make sense? It’s not saying those are the only saints. The rest of us are saints, too.
I was thinking this week that there may be a similar thing going on here in Hebrews. When we read that passage for today, when we think of that “Great cloud of witnesses,” we do tend to think of those who have gone before us, those who are cheering us on from the heavenly realm. Don’t we? I know I do! But maybe Paul was referring to all of the believers – all of the saints around us. Maybe he was talking about the great “crowd” of witnesses here on earth that cheer us on in our faith – along with those in the heavenly realm!
That’s so important! That’s why God has put us in congregations! That’s why we’re not Christians all by ourselves. We need that encouragement of others! We need that cheering on! Remember what I used to tell the kids at Kirkwood. “It’s easier to be the people of God when we’re with the people of God.” We need that cloud of witnesses!
Of course, the other way we think of Saints is the very formalized way the church has developed over the centuries. I started out this sermon by referring to Paul as “Saint Paul.” And there have been many other people down through the ages who have had that title, “Saint.” They are those who have been “canonized” by the Church as Saints. That’s the word we use. The word “canonized” means to be added to a sacred list. We refer to the books of the Bible that way, too. They are the writings that have been “canonized” into holy scripture.
And granted we’re mainly talking about the Roman Catholic perspective, here. But remember, there were no denominations years ago. We were all one church. So, much of what we think of as Catholic traditions and history are part of our history, as well – things like “All Saints Day!”
Well, over those years, there became certain criteria that had to be met, in order to be “canonized” as a saint. Certain achievements – and even miracles – had to be attributed to a person. There was a formal examination of the person’s life, their writings, their virtues, and their reputation for holiness. And that’s still true today in the Catholic Church.
There have been several people in recent years who have receive that title. But I suppose the one we all remember the most is Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She was “canonized” by Pope Francis on September 4th, 2016. And we all remember her “virtues” and her “reputation for holiness!”
One of the saints that touched my life personally was Saint John Neumann of Philadelphia. Do you remember him? He was the 4th Bishop of Philadelphia, and he was canonized in 1977 by Pope Paul VI. Years ago, my mother was having some serious back surgery at Holy Redeemer Hospital. And before she went it, the priest there asked her if she would like to have her back rubbed with the bones of John Neumann. She said, “Sure! Why not?!” I don’t know, maybe she had something to do with his sainthood! Later on, my mom became the first non-Catholic president of the Holy Redeemer Women’s Auxiliary!
Again, this is a lot of Roman Catholic history and tradition. But as I said, we’re part of that history and tradition – up until the time we talked about last week, the time Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Wittenburg Cathedral. But I’m fine acknowledging all of that history. I’m fine with referring to the Apostle Paul as “Saint Paul.” I’m good with those traditions! Though I’ve often longed for some changes! As you know, I’m over the whole Easter thing! It’s time to stop moving it all around the calendar – depending on the full moon and the Vernal Equinox!!!
But in all of that, I do want to remind us again of the even older history where Paul referred to all of the believers as the Saints! And I hope you can “wrap your minds around that” today. You are “God’s beloved at Eddington who are called to be saints!”
As you think about that, I hope you do recognize and acknowledge the “great cloud of witnesses that surround you,” not only in the heavenly realm, but also here in this congregation. I hope you think about all of those saints that have surrounded you, and encouraged you, and edified you in your faith. I hope you can look back and think about those who have gone before you, and who have guided you on your journey of faith, and maybe those who you have guided on their journey!
And I hope you can see that the journey goes on and on. This is one particular “All Saints Day” when you’re looking at some big changes ahead of you. And I hope you can see that the “race” is still “set before you.” And that can be a daunting thing. I’ve stood at the starting line of many marathons – with thousands of other people – thinking about the many miles ahead of me, and thinking about the pain I was about to endure! And that’s like your journey here. Looking ahead can seem overwhelming. But you have that “cloud of witnesses,” you have those saints who cheer you on. And as Paul encourages us, you can “run the race with perseverance, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”
That’s the important thing, isn’t it? Because the Church has never depended on any one person, or any one generation. Pastors come and go. Church members come and go. Generations come and go! But the Church goes on, because the Church belongs to Jesus Christ! That’s what I love about Psalm 90. “Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations!” The same God, who was faithful to all the saints who came before us, will be faithful to us today, and to those who will come after us!
So, on this All Saints Day, give thanks for those saints who helped you along the way, and appreciate the saints who are running the race alongside you today. And look for opportunities to encourage others in their journey. Because some day, somebody is going to look back and remember you as one of the saints who helped them along the way!
The race goes on, and Jesus is still leading the way!
Prayer
Eternal God, our dwelling place in all generations, we thank you for the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us, and who surround us today on our journey. We thank you for their love and faithfulness that has shaped our lives of faith. Help us to be the same kind of saints for others. Give us the courage to face the challenges ahead, the perseverance to continue the race set before us, and the faith to trust in you. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on Christ Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, in whose name we pray, Amen.