The Valley Chronicle - Clergy Corner: All Saints Day – a day of remem
Clergy Corner: All Saints Day – a day of remembrance, mourning, and hope
Pastor Erin Armstrong is the senior pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church.[/caption] ■ Erin Armstrong / Contributed Churches that follow the liturgical calendar celebrated All Saints Day on Nov. 5. It’s a day where we remember those who have died and are now resting in power and light. At Trinity Lutheran, this act of remembrance engages a multitude of senses – lighting candles, speaking names, and ringing bells. For many, this day is often a day of mourning. Sometimes the loss of a loved one is too new or too deep to bear. Even surrounded by a community and naming a whole litany of names, one’s grief can be a lonely burden. And yet, we still remember. Even when we are shedding tears and feeling the absence of our loved one, naming them as a beloved saint of God fills the absence, just a little. For others, this day is a reminder of the community of saints we all belong to. In our congregation, we have lost 11 members this year, and naming them in the litany of saints will help us give thanks for the ways in which they enriched our community and our lives. We will also name some celebrities who have passed; most notably for me will be Carrie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds, and Tom Petty—artists whose work shaped my young life and social consciousness. In this way, the festival of All Saints brings us closer together with one another, as we can share our communal grief and stories about those who have shaped us. And naming even those common names in a sacred space acknowledges the Godly belovedness of the whole world. One of the most treasured pieces of Martin Luther’s theology was his insight that we are “simul Justus et peccator”—both saint and sinner. Each person not only holds within their hearts our human capacity for sin, but also God’s capacity for love. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God’s love and grace have now found a permanent dwelling. As Paul writes in Galatians 2:20, “It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.” And because I believe that such promises not only belong to us church-folk, we celebrate and remember all in whom Christ has dwelled. All Saints Sunday is our day to remember that the ways of Christ have moved in and through those we love, and to remember Christ still lives in us. It is not only a day of remembering and mourning, it is a day of hope for the life we live now, and will live in the day of resurrection. When we speak the names on All Saints Sunday, and see the candles and hear the bells, my prayer is that the saints who are already resting in glory will rejoice with us. I pray that such a time will be a time for the whole communion of saints to share in the whole sacred range of emotions that happens when we remember. And I pray that in the process, the Body of Christ might feel more whole and alive in the world today and always.
Pastor Erin Armstrong is the senior pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCA). They are located at 191 S. Columbia St. and worship at 8:30 and 10:00 every Sunday morning. Visit their website, www.trinityhemet.org, for more learning, worship and fellowship opportunities.
English, Valley Chronicle: Thu, Dec 15, 2022
Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians
staffLeprechauns bring lots of green to Soboba Tribal Preschool
English, Valley Chronicle: Thu, Feb 25, 2021
Koi Nation of Northern California and California State Parks
staffKoi Nation of Northern California, USA
English, Valley Chronicle: Thu, Dec 8, 2022
24 Kids Shop with a Cop in Hemet
staff24 Kids Shop with a Cop in Hemet
English, Valley Chronicle: Thu, Dec 8, 2022
MSJC Hosts Temecula Valley Campus Dedication Ceremony
staffMSJC Hosts Temecula Valley Campus Dedication Ceremony
English, Valley Chronicle: Thu, Dec 8, 2022
NFPA urges added caution this holiday season, as Christ
staffNFPA urges added caution this holiday season, as Christmas Day and Christmas Eve are among the leading days of the year for U.S. home fires
English, Valley Chronicle: Thu, Dec 8, 2022
Stick to a “Go Safely” Game Plan: Celebrate the Holiday
staffStick to a “Go Safely” Game Plan: Celebrate the Holiday Season Responsibly National “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Enforcement Campaign Begins Dec. 14
English, Valley Chronicle: Thu, Oct 27, 2022
Padilla Hosts Virtual Federal Student Debt Relief Brief
staffPadilla Hosts Virtual Federal Student Debt Relief Briefing to Encourage Californians to Apply
English, Valley Chronicle: Thu, Jun 9, 2022
Police Seek Help Locating Hit-and-Run Vehicle
staffPolice Seek Help Locating Hit-and-Run Vehicle
English, Valley Chronicle: Thu, Jun 9, 2022
Four CSUSB alumni win top award for radio show
staffFour CSUSB alumni win top award for radio show
English, Valley Chronicle: Thu, Jun 9, 2022
Follow-up: Plane Crashes Near Residential Homes in Heme
staffFollow-up: Plane Crashes Near Residential Homes in Hemet
English, Valley Chronicle: Thu, Jun 9, 2022
CSUSB Nursing Street Medicine Program partners with new
staffCSUSB Nursing Street Medicine Program partners with new mobile medical clinic
English, Valley Chronicle: Thu, Jun 9, 2022
Padilla Joins Farm Workers for a Workday as Part of the
staffPadilla Joins Farm Workers for a Workday as Part of the ‘Take Our Jobs’ Campaign
English, Valley Chronicle: Thu, Mar 24, 2022
CHP plans DUI checkpoint in Hemet Valley
staffCHP plans DUI checkpoint in Hemet Valley
English, Valley Chronicle: Thu, Mar 24, 2022
Don't undermine scientific discovery -- ever, but espec
staffDon't undermine scientific discovery -- ever, but especially now
English, Valley Chronicle: Thu, Mar 24, 2022
C.W. Driver companies breaks ground on new three-story
staffC.W. Driver companies breaks ground on new three-story stem education building
English, Valley Chronicle: Thu, Mar 24, 2022
35.3% Of Unvaccinated California Residents Cite Governm
staff35.3% Of Unvaccinated California Residents Cite Government Distrust
English, Valley Chronicle: Thu, Mar 24, 2022
ICYMI: Padilla Highlights From Judge Jackson’s Supreme
staffICYMI: Padilla Highlights From Judge Jackson’s Supreme Court Confirmation Hearing
English, Valley Chronicle: Thu, Mar 24, 2022
MSJC Celebrates Groundbreaking of New STEM Building and
staffMSJC Celebrates Groundbreaking of New STEM Building and Opening of New Animatronic Makerspace
English, Valley Chronicle: Thu, Mar 3, 2022
MSJC Receives $500,000 Apprenticeship Grant
staffMSJC Receives $500,000 Apprenticeship Grant
Clergy Corner: All Saints Day – a day of remembrance, mourning, and hope
Pastor Erin Armstrong is the senior pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church.[/caption] ■ Erin Armstrong / Contributed Churches that follow the liturgical calendar celebrated All Saints Day on Nov. 5. It’s a day where we remember those who have died and are now resting in power and light. At Trinity Lutheran, this act of remembrance engages a multitude of senses – lighting candles, speaking names, and ringing bells. For many, this day is often a day of mourning. Sometimes the loss of a loved one is too new or too deep to bear. Even surrounded by a community and naming a whole litany of names, one’s grief can be a lonely burden. And yet, we still remember. Even when we are shedding tears and feeling the absence of our loved one, naming them as a beloved saint of God fills the absence, just a little. For others, this day is a reminder of the community of saints we all belong to. In our congregation, we have lost 11 members this year, and naming them in the litany of saints will help us give thanks for the ways in which they enriched our community and our lives. We will also name some celebrities who have passed; most notably for me will be Carrie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds, and Tom Petty—artists whose work shaped my young life and social consciousness. In this way, the festival of All Saints brings us closer together with one another, as we can share our communal grief and stories about those who have shaped us. And naming even those common names in a sacred space acknowledges the Godly belovedness of the whole world. One of the most treasured pieces of Martin Luther’s theology was his insight that we are “simul Justus et peccator”—both saint and sinner. Each person not only holds within their hearts our human capacity for sin, but also God’s capacity for love. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God’s love and grace have now found a permanent dwelling. As Paul writes in Galatians 2:20, “It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.” And because I believe that such promises not only belong to us church-folk, we celebrate and remember all in whom Christ has dwelled. All Saints Sunday is our day to remember that the ways of Christ have moved in and through those we love, and to remember Christ still lives in us. It is not only a day of remembering and mourning, it is a day of hope for the life we live now, and will live in the day of resurrection. When we speak the names on All Saints Sunday, and see the candles and hear the bells, my prayer is that the saints who are already resting in glory will rejoice with us. I pray that such a time will be a time for the whole communion of saints to share in the whole sacred range of emotions that happens when we remember. And I pray that in the process, the Body of Christ might feel more whole and alive in the world today and always.
Pastor Erin Armstrong is the senior pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCA). They are located at 191 S. Columbia St. and worship at 8:30 and 10:00 every Sunday morning. Visit their website, www.trinityhemet.org, for more learning, worship and fellowship opportunities.
The Valley Chronicle - Clergy Corner: All Saints Day – a day of remem
Clergy Corner: All Saints Day – a day of remembrance, mourning, and hope
Koi Nation of Northern California and California State Parks Renew Memorandum of Understanding and Celebrate Renaming of Ridge and Trail
Koi Nation of Northern California, USA
MSJC Hosts Temecula Valley Campus Dedication Ceremony
MSJC Hosts Temecula Valley Campus Dedication Ceremony
Stick to a “Go Safely” Game Plan: Celebrate the Holiday
Stick to a “Go Safely” Game Plan: Celebrate the Holiday Season Responsibly National “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Enforcement Campaign Begins Dec. 14
Police Seek Help Locating Hit-and-Run Vehicle
Police Seek Help Locating Hit-and-Run Vehicle
Follow-up: Plane Crashes Near Residential Homes in Hemet
Follow-up: Plane Crashes Near Residential Homes in Hemet
Padilla Joins Farm Workers for a Workday as Part of the
Padilla Joins Farm Workers for a Workday as Part of the ‘Take Our Jobs’ Campaign
Don't undermine scientific discovery -- ever, but espec
Don't undermine scientific discovery -- ever, but especially now
35.3% Of Unvaccinated California Residents Cite Governm
35.3% Of Unvaccinated California Residents Cite Government Distrust
MSJC Celebrates Groundbreaking of New STEM Building and
MSJC Celebrates Groundbreaking of New STEM Building and Opening of New Animatronic Makerspace
MSJC Receives $500,000 Apprenticeship Grant
MSJC Receives $500,000 Apprenticeship Grant
24 Kids Shop with a Cop in Hemet
24 Kids Shop with a Cop in Hemet
Stick to a “Go Safely” Game Plan: Celebrate the Holiday
Stick to a “Go Safely” Game Plan: Celebrate the Holiday Season Responsibly National “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Enforcement Campaign Begins Dec. 14
Four CSUSB alumni win top award for radio show
Four CSUSB alumni win top award for radio show
Padilla Joins Farm Workers for a Workday as Part of the
Padilla Joins Farm Workers for a Workday as Part of the ‘Take Our Jobs’ Campaign
C.W. Driver companies breaks ground on new three-story
C.W. Driver companies breaks ground on new three-story stem education building
MSJC Celebrates Groundbreaking of New STEM Building and
MSJC Celebrates Groundbreaking of New STEM Building and Opening of New Animatronic Makerspace