All Saints Day is an opportunity to give thanks for all those who have gone before us in the
faith. From the early days of Christianity, there is a sense that the Church consists of not
only all living believers, but also all who have gone before us. For example, in Hebrews 12
the author encourages Christians to remember that a “great cloud of witnesses” surrounds
us encouraging us, cheering us on.
In the hymn “Come, Let Us Join our Friends Above, the first verse, has a wonderful image of
the Church through the ages: “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.”
And so we will celebrate All Saints Sunday on November 4th. We will have a special time in
the service to remember Hillside members who have died this past year and an opportunity
for all of us to name loved ones who have gone before us.