See, I am making all things new.
Faith Notes for October 26, 2021
First Presbyterian Church of Big Spring
New News:
This coming Sunday we will remember those who have passed from our communion over the past year. This annual celebration of All Saints holds grief in reverence and lifts individual lives in memory. We honor those we’ve lost by the ringing of a bell and we lift them up in prayer.
This Sunday’s worship will be followed by our first “Fifth Sunday” potluck lunch since the Covid era began. Please bring your vegetable dishes, side dishes, and desserts and we will all gather in the Fellowship Hall. This Sunday is also Noisy Offering so come noisily to church!
This Sunday is October 31st and the readings for All Saints will be: Psalm 24, Isaiah 25:6-9, John 11:32-44, and Revelations 21:1-6.
Psalm 24 is a compact poem of several parts. Everybody’s favorite part is certainly the final three verses which include: “Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors!” These words ring in the triumphant hymn Lift Up your Head, Ye Mighty Gates by Georg Weissel and translated from German by Catherine Winkworth. Weissel only lived forty-five years and was pastor of the newly built Altrossgarten Church in Konigsberg from 1623 to 1635. He wrote about twenty hymns and many were for festivals of the liturgical year.
Through lofty words and brilliant images, our Isaiah reading celebrates the steadfast faithfulness of God. Verses 6-9 declare that the place of God’s redemption of human beings is securely on the earth, on God’s holy mountain. A great feast is offered to God’s people and God will destroy the shroud of death and sadness that haunts us all. Tears and disgrace will be wiped away, removed from existence on the earth. Surely, this is a God worth attending to.
For All Saints Sunday, we leave Mark and go to John to hear again the story of Lazarus of Bethany. Lazarus and his sisters were friends of Jesus and yet Jesus delayed going to Lazarus when he became ill. The sisters are upset because surely Jesus could have healed his friend, but Jesus makes it known that resurrection comes through Him and Jesus is the way to eternal life. Jesus wept over Lazarus and raised him. God’s glory was seen on that day.
"See, I am making all things new." The Revelation reading is often used at funerals since it gives an image of eternal life in the new heaven and new earth. However, the most remarkable thing about this passage is the location of the new Jerusalem. It is not in the clouds. It is on earth. This passage declares that in the new age, God makes God’s home among us. God descends to us. Heaven is right here in God’s creation. We won't go to heaven. Heaven is coming to us.
Meetings and Gatherings Calendar:
Lectionary Bible Study - Wednesday, October 27 at 5:00 p.m. in the church library.
Lunch Bunch - every Thursday at 11:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
Session - Thursday, October 28 at 6:00 p.m. in the church library.
All Saints Worship - Sunday, October 31 at 10:50 a.m. with Noisy Offering followed by pot luck lunch in the Fellowship Hall.
A send-off is being given by women in the church for Patti Horton this Thursday in the parlor. This is a great time to wish her well in her new home in Plano and reminisce about lasting friendships from 2-4 p.m.
The Service Committee food drive is on! There are bags to fill. Please look for blue Walmart bags in the Narthex with lists of items needed. Fill up a bag and fill a need for food!
*Please advise the church secretary or the Pastor of any changes you wish to make to the prayer list.
See you in church!
Allen