Amidst political maneuvers, power grabs, conditional allegiances, threats, oppression, and terrible advice, a king is crowned and a kingdom divided. And precisely NOone comes out looking like a saint. We too live in violent and divided times, and while Mennonites haven’t traditionally recognized the big “S” Saints of other Christian traditions, following in the Way of Jesus does mean seeking to live as a good ancestor for those who will come after. On this All Hallowed Souls and Saints Sunday, we remember the beloved souls who, having impacted our church community, joined the communion of good SMC ancestors in the last year.

Sermon begins at minute marker 8:04
1 Kings 12.1-17, 25-29

Resources

• BibleWorm podcast: Episode 508 – The Division of the Kingdom, Amy Robertson and Robert Williamson, Jr.
• “Strong, Peaceful Man of Galilee, “ Voices Together 573, text by Harry W. Farrington (1921), music by John B. Dykes (1861), tune name MELITA, often referred to as the “navy hymn”. 
• Image by Megan Ramer, Books about Saints
• Hymn:  VT 672 For All the Saints, text William W. How, 1864 music: Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906. Public Domain. Permission to podcast the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-726929. All rights reserved.