"All Things New" - Revelation 21:1-6a

Revelation 21:3-5 - And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "See, the home of God is among mortals.  He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes.  Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.  "And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." 

 The past eighteen months have been a time of profound loss- the massive loss of life, loss of the illusion of political stability, losses of jobs, relationships, and precious time together. In Covid our rituals around death have been disrupted and we have often been left to grieve without the comfort of our community. 

 This Sunday, we gather to remember those saints we have lost and to be reminded that our ultimate hope is found in God who is making all things new, even transforming death.  We will read aloud the names of friends and members and ring a bell in remembrance of them.  Though we have been separated so much this past year, the love of the Church is here for each of us and we hope that you will find comfort in this time.

 Pastor Shannon Smith