I use a weekly calendar that notes the birthdays and/or dates of death of famous Christians of the past. Sometimes if I have the time, I take a moment to look them up in a Christian encyclopedia that I have or online. One reason I take the time to explore their biographies is because as you can imagine their lives are as varied as our own, but more often than not, have moments of deep sadness or difficulty. Not only do I learn some history particularly about the Christian church, but for me their lives of faith provide an opportunity to see how God’s providence has been and is at work.
Of course, as an evangelical Protestant Christian, I find the practice of “venerating saints” in the belief that Christians of the past are closer to God because of their holiness or more accessible to us than Jesus Christ because of their humanness to be wrong. Nevertheless, to dismiss their lives including their sacrifices to provide for the good news of Jesus Christ to be made known is not appropriate either.
At MCIC on Sunday, November 1st, traditionally “All Saints,” we will be remembering those who have died before us. It is not just an opportunity to remember the “famous” Christians but anyone who has been part of our lives, particularly those who have died in the last year. We do not pray to them, or even about them. Rather, like Paul said in Romans 6: 4 “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” They have been buried as we will be buried with faith in Jesus Christ. From my experience, at this point many ask what about those who were not baptized before they died, what of them? Well, as you can imagine, the Christian church is deeply divided. I am of the view that just as I cannot “give” eternal life to anyone else, only God’s grace can, I simply am to trust in this same grace in Jesus Christ and continue to share while I am alive what God has done. Thankfully I am not the judge 
Join us on Sunday as we remember those who have died. If you will not be with us, take a moment next week and remember those people who have been important to your life, particularly those Christians who have helped you in your faith.
Also on November 1st, we will be having an important general meeting to discuss the future of our English worship group which has depended on Lutheran missionaries in the past. The Japanese Lutheran Church is no longer requesting a Lutheran missionary from the US in Nagoya, so my term as a missionary will end in the summer of 2010. The meeting will begin immediately after worship. Unfortunately, we do not have child care available.
Reminder:
November 29th is our annual Thanksgiving Potluck.
It will begin immediately after worship around 6:03 pm.. All in the community are invited for worship and the potluck or just the potluck. Two cooked turkeys will be provided by MCIC. A sign up sheet is posted for donations of food. This year we will also be requesting donations of uncooked rice. The rice will be donated to a low income senior home called “Fukushimura.” Join us!
