Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

Under the Rose Window inside Chartres Cathedral, is a set of stained glass windows that depict the four gospel writers (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) sitting on the shoulders of gigantic figures of the four major prophets of the Old Testament (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel). It is a beautiful way of depicting the metaphor, “standing on the shoulders of giants”. This metaphor, which dates back to at least the Middle Ages, means that our current progress is partially be attributed to the people who have gone before us paving the way. Major thinkers like Sir Isaac Newton and Blaise Pascal, have often attributed their intellectual success to others who have gone before them. The same is true for the church.

Many of the things we enjoy and appreciate about our church can be attributed to those who have come before us. The hard work they put in to planting and creating a place for worship here in the Lake Cities is something that many of us will never be able to fully comprehend and appreciate, but we will try. That is why we celebrate with All Saints Sunday. On All Saints Sunday, we publicly remember and honor those who have passed away. We ring bells of remembrance and call the names of those lost in the previous year as a way of honoring the impact their lives have had on us. We also take Holy Communion on All Saints Sunday and as a church we confess our belief in the "communion of the saints," which includes not only all living believers, but also all who have gone before us. When we celebrate Holy Communion, we experience the communion of saints, feasting with believers past, present and future.

Join us this All Saints Sunday as we ring bells, speak the names of saints, and share in Holy Communion And like the author of Hebrews 12 reminds us that these saints, a “great cloud of witnesses,” surrounds us and cheers us on. We are truly standing on the shoulders of giants.

In God’s grip,

Pastor Chuck Church