Claimed, gathered and sent

This is the sermon I preached on All Saints' Sunday, 11/3/19 at St. Timothy Lutheran Church . The text was Ephesians 1:11-23 . On All Saints’ [Sun]day, it is not just the saints of the church that we remember in our prayers, but all the foolish ones and wise ones, the shy ones and overbearing ones, the broken ones and whole ones, the despots and tosspots and crackpots of our lives who, one way or another, have been our particular fathers and mothers and saints, and whom we loved without knowing we loved them and by whom we were helped to whatever little we may have, or ever hope to have, of some kind of seedy sainthood of our own [says Frederick Buechner in The Sacred Journey]. Today’s second reading is telling us that all we need to know to be a saint we find in Christ. The fabulous, flowing language sweeps us away as we hear about all the wonderful things Paul asks God to do for the saints of Ephesus. This letter was meant to be circulated to other churches as well ...

Let's talk. Here are some thoughts on this coming Sunday's second lesson. We're celebrating All Saints Sunday. This was sent out to the people of St. Timothy Lutheran Church . What are your thoughts? Second Reading: Ephesians 1:11-23 11 In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, 12 so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14 this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.   15 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God ...

This is the sermon I preached at St. Timothy Lutheran Churc h, on Sunday, Nov. 6. The scripture reading was Ephesians 1:11-23. All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten is a book of short essays by American minister and author Robert Fulghum. Fulghum explains how the world would be improved if adults adhered to the same basic rules [learned by] children, [such as] sharing, being kind to one another, cleaning up after themselves, and living  "a balanced life" of work, play, and learning. (Wikipedia) Today’s second reading is telling us that all we need to know we learn in Christ. The fabulous, flowing language sweeps us away as we hear about all the wonderful things Paul asks God to do for the saints of Ephesus. This letter was meant to be circulated to other churches as well as the church at Ephesus. This message is meant for us today. The phrase "in Christ" begins this reading and runs throughout it. That relationship o...