First Lesson: Revelation 7: 9-17 Responsive Reading: Psalm 34: 1-10, 22 Second Lesson: 1 John 3: 1-3 Gospel Lesson: Matthew 5: 1-12 Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
This morning I want to tell you the story of perhaps the most remarkable woman who has ever lived in this world. She was born in the year 1412 in Northeast France[1]. She was the daughters of farmers. Her parents were quite devout. So as a young girl, she spent all sorts of time around the church where she would hear stories of heroes of the faith: David, Moses, and Joseph[2]. The young girl seemed to be nothing special; she couldn’t even read or write during her life[3]. She seemed destined to either die at the hands of war or if she got lucky perhaps marry a farmer. While she had a deep faith, she didn’t seem to have much else going for her in life. One night though her life would change forever. She had a vision of saints appear before her. The saint’s message was clear “You (Joan of Arc) will lead the French people to victory over England[4].” Such a message would have seemed utterly foolish at the time. Young Joan was born seventy-five years into warfare between the two countries. When the two countries fought, England always won. Seventy-five years into the war the consequences had been devastating for France. England had been seizing villages whenever they wanted including much of Northern France where Joan lived. Joan’s village had previously been burnt to the ground by England. Joan’s vision would seemingly be the equivalent of a 100 LB kid claiming that he could quarterback the Vikings to win the Super Bowl. Joan at first objected to God’s calling: “I am a poor girl. I do not know how to ride or to fight[5].” Joan's vision would not be extinguished. Joan travels to a nearby town seeks out French troops, asks to see the King with a message from God, they laugh at her. Joan kept trying to see the King for four long years. The King upon meeting Joan was stumped that a young woman such as Joan would be dare be a female soldier in the French army versus mighty England. But being desperate like in the story of David versus Goliath, the king was willing to try anything. Something strange happened once Joan joined the Army. Joan quickly emerged as not only a battle leader but also their spiritual leader. The tide of the war began to turn. One year later though, Joan of Arc is captured and eventually executed. The English seemed to believe that without Joan of Arc the French would quickly be defeated[6]. Although Joan’s death instead served as a rallying point for the French troops, England eventually does fall in the 100 Year War. Mark Twain who was a hardened skeptic of Christianity considered Joan of Arc “To be the most remarkable person the human race has ever produced.[7]” Joan of Arc was made into a Saint in the year 1909. Joan of Arc is a national hero in France. If any woman in the history of the world qualifies for sainthood, it would seemingly be Joan of Arc. She seemingly possessed faith against all the odds like few people who have ever lived. Joan’s story brings us to our lesson for Today from Revelation 7[8] as we gather to consider “Who exactly is a Saint?” on this All-Saints Sunday. Questions of who exactly qualifies as a Saint are not new within the history of the church. A few different things were going on when John wrote the Book of Revelation. The first thing was Christians were debating whether God could actually save “Gentile” Christians just like Jewish Christians. Like Joan of Arc, most of the early Christians had recently come out of great ordeals[9]. Many of these ordeals were directly related to their faith. So John like Joan of Arc was given a vision. John intended for this vision to guide his listeners no matter what lied ahead in their existence. John’s vision cast a scene from straight out of heaven. John wishes to paint a picture of what your world will look like once the ordeals presently before you are over. In our lesson for Today John describes gathered around the heavenly throne: “a multitude that is countless.” The Saints that John describes come from every tribe and tongue throughout the Earth. The scene that John describes shows that on the Day of Resurrection who is going to be there will ultimately surprise us all[10]. John’s scene from Revelation reminds us that Saints are not merely the ‘Greats of history” such as Joan of Arc. Saints instead consist of “ordinary” “anonymous” believers. Saints are the single mother who strives to bring their child to worship. Saints are the poor, elderly widow who is the first to give back to the body of Christ. Saints are the homebound members who continually pray for the Church’s ministry. Saints are the recent Divorcee who longs for forgiveness and hope as they grieve the death of their broken relationship. Saints are the teenager who dares come to worship by themselves. Saints are the choir singer who sings way off-key[11]. You see Sainthood is not something that we ultimately achieve. Sainthood instead is the power of resurrection within our lives. In Sainthood, we are reminded that even within history’s greatest saints such as Joan of Arc they have their faults and limitations, yet God’s spirit remains present, and God promises to eventually deliver “his” saints into “his” heavenly presence. Nearly a century ago, an English Solider was dying on the same battlefields during World War I that Joan of Arc had previously struggled on[12]. The Solider gives one dying wish to his friend “Go find my Sunday School Teacher tell him that what he taught me is now helping me to die with faith in Jesus and with peace in my heart.” The friend upon the conclusion of the war carries out the request[13]. He shows up unaccounted at the Sunday School teacher’s house. An aged man then answers the door. The friend then relays the message how because of his old teacher he was able to face death with faith, courage, and peace. The old man began to sob, “You see, I quit teaching Sunday School several years ago because I became convinced that I wasn’t doing any good. I guess I was wrong[14].” As we hear this story, it convinces us that Saints truly are all around us. It is Saints who often go unnoticed who sustain God’s work and ministry within the world. On this day, we celebrate the Saints of Sychar who have left us within the past year. Lloyd Houle- Lloyd’s legacy extends not only throughout Silver Bay but the whole North Shore. Lloyd’s greatest legacy for this community will be his work with Governor Perpich in striving to bring the Veterans Home to Silver Bay. Over Bay Days, next year the Veterans Home will dedicate a “tree” planted outside their grounds in Lloyd’s honor. Lloyd also advocated as commissioner for Cypress Mining to reopen the mine within Silver Bay which serves as such vital lifeblood of our community. Leonard Kytola- Leonard would come to Wednesday evening Bible studies here at Sychar. The thing about Leonard is he was afraid of standing alone in a discussion even against the Pastor. When I was talking with one of his Northwood’s buddies, he said there were certain topics that you wouldn’t bring up with Leonard or else. When I spoke that line at his funeral, his family burst out laughing. Leonard though for his outspoken, occasionally gruff exterior had a really good heart. Leonard would occasionally need rides to medical appointments down in Duluth in his last few years in Silver Bay with North Shore Area Partners. All the volunteer drivers were blown away with how financially generous that Leonard was to the organization in return for ordinary services. When Leonard spent the last months of his life at Saint Anne’s in Duluth, he would be exceedingly grateful for every visit. Darlene Larson-Darlene served on the Altar Guild at Sychar. Darlene was the mother of Mike who serves at Sychar’s janitor. Darlene was the wife of the Veterans Home long-standing comic Ron. Here’s something that you might not know about Darlene. The most noticeable thing when you walked into her house was her collection of angels. Darlene’s kids had no idea how many lay around the house. It was well into the hundreds[15]. So even as the last years of Darlene’s life grew tougher and tougher after being diagnosed with diabetes, Darlene whose sister was a Methodist minister was convinced in the midst of all her pain that someone was looking down upon her. Mary Kentala-Mary was a Bay Area Original growing up on Betzler farm along with Karen Rautio which now serves as the Silver Bay golf course[16]. Mary met the love of her life in Gene when he was stationed out at Finland Air Force Base and she worked out at Peterson’s store out in Finland. Mary served many years alongside Gene as an Air Force wife. Eugene and Mary saw all parts of this world because of Gene’s time in the service. Mary was above all a quiet, caring person who adored her family and was glad to retire back where she grew up. Don Hedin- Don was a disciplined man and a detail man. Don was a former City Clerk in Silver Bay. Sychar’s financial officers over the years would fear Don’s questions like no one else in the congregation. In my dealings with Don, he did out of the philosophy of wanting the church that he was deeply committed to, better off than how he found it. The last two years of Don’s life forced him to move from this community on account of a stroke. In the last years of his life, a new Don emerged. A light-hearted Don would crack up nurses and aides with his sense of humor. Even Glenda was surprised upon finding out about this side of Don. John Holm-John Holm was a railroad man his whole life. John’s dad Sigurd was a section foreman for the Duluth Mesabi and Iron Range Railway. John and his older brother Dale’s first jobs were changing ties and resurfacing track for their Dad. When John was 19, he was put in charge of a crew of 20-30 men who were building a 49-mile railroad between Babbitt and Silver Bay. The task of building this railroad over forest and swamp was not easy. It was vital to so many people within this community’s livelihood. John would spend the next 50 years of his life working for Reserve, Cyprus, and Cleveland Cliffs. John worked as a foreman, roadmaster, track foreman, general foreman, and assistant superintendent. Ending his career as Railroad Superintendent. Bob McCurdy-Bob was a man of few words. One time, Pastor Dierksen was visiting with Bob and Jean. The subject of the conversation turned to salvation. Pastor Dierksen asked Bob “What are you going to say when you get to the Pearly Gates to stand before Saint Peter?” To which Bob being a man of few words looked at Pastor Dierksen and said: “Whatever I’m supposed to say I know Jean will say it for me.” Bob lived to fix stuff whether in his yard, at the school, or in a rental property. The last year of Bob’s life was tough as due to dialysis he had lost the ability to do these things. The promise which lies ahead for the Saints says to us that while your bodies on this day may be weak, soon they will be made strong and whole once again. One went before us to the grave, as those around him cried at his death, yet soon he would enter the presence of God forever. A day will come when we gather in the presence of our Savior Jesus Christ. And it will be on this day; the Lord shall wipe every tear from our eyes and the eyes of all the saints Forever. Amen [1] “Joan of Arc.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 25.Oct.2017. Web. Oct.30.2017. [2] Stier, Leon. “Joan of Arc.” Email Mediatations. 11.Sept.2017. Web. Nov.3.2017. [3] Stier, Leon. “Joan of Arc.” [4] Stier, Leon. “Joan of Arc.” [5] Stier, Leon. “Joan of Arc.” [6] Stier, Leon. “Joan of Arc.” [7] Stier, Leon. “Joan of Arc.” [8] Revelation 7:9-17. [9] Kiel, Micah. “Revelation 7:9-17 Commentary”. Working Preacher. Luther Seminary. 5.Nov.2017. Web. Oct.30.2017. [10] Mathis, Eric. “Revelation 7:9-17 Commentary”. Working Preacher. Luther Seminary. 2.Nov.2014. Web. Oct.30.2017. [11] Based on a passage from Zingale, Tim. “Past Present Future.” Sermon Central. 2. Nov.2001. Web. Oct.30.2017. [12] Stier, Leon. “Joan of Arc and Me.” Email Mediatations. 12.Sept.2017. Web. Oct. 30.2017. [13] Stier, Leon. “Joan of Arc and Me.” [14] Stier, Leon. “Joan of Arc and Me.” [15] Larson, Judy. “All That I am or ever hope to be.” Darlene Larson Funeral Eulogy. 28.Jan.2017. Web. Nov.4.2017. [16] Information taken from Cavallin Funeral Home Eulogy and sister Karen Rautio. 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