
This past Sunday, October 26th, I preached on a topic which we have rarely discussed. Due to this fact I believe many were left confused, simply because they had never heard of this before. The topic was our worshipping with angels, archangels and all the company of heaven.
Nearly every Sunday, we say that sentence in the Proper Preface at the beginning of the Service of the Sacrament, "...with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven we laud and magnify your glorious name evermore praising you and saying:" Yet, we never truly talk about what this means. I felt that it was time to dive into the topic because it gives such a sense of awe and wonder, opening our faith eyes to the glory that is the Divine Service (worship).
Therefore, I want to state this very simply and matter-of-fact: When we gather together in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, we are joined by God's Angels and by those who have died in the faith. We worship God with them. We blend our voices together in singing praise and thanksgiving to Him. There's a reason I struggled to contain tears as I considered this during my sermon.
Consider now the joy, peace, comfort and awe that this can and should bring about every Sunday! Angels flying in. Loved ones who have gone before us into the glory of heaven sitting with us once more. Guardians surrounding us. And Jesus sitting on the throne before us, taking His rightful place on the altar to give us forgiveness life and salvation, receiving all glory.
Next time we gather together I truly hope you will join us for this momentous occasion! As I said in my sermon, "how could you NOT want to join us?!" May your spiritual eyes witness this glorious event next Sunday which is All Saints Day.
Nearly every Sunday, we say that sentence in the Proper Preface at the beginning of the Service of the Sacrament, "...with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven we laud and magnify your glorious name evermore praising you and saying:" Yet, we never truly talk about what this means. I felt that it was time to dive into the topic because it gives such a sense of awe and wonder, opening our faith eyes to the glory that is the Divine Service (worship).
Therefore, I want to state this very simply and matter-of-fact: When we gather together in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, we are joined by God's Angels and by those who have died in the faith. We worship God with them. We blend our voices together in singing praise and thanksgiving to Him. There's a reason I struggled to contain tears as I considered this during my sermon.
Consider now the joy, peace, comfort and awe that this can and should bring about every Sunday! Angels flying in. Loved ones who have gone before us into the glory of heaven sitting with us once more. Guardians surrounding us. And Jesus sitting on the throne before us, taking His rightful place on the altar to give us forgiveness life and salvation, receiving all glory.
Next time we gather together I truly hope you will join us for this momentous occasion! As I said in my sermon, "how could you NOT want to join us?!" May your spiritual eyes witness this glorious event next Sunday which is All Saints Day.