For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed;
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

It seems fitting that I began this week in a cemetery. On Monday, we laid my uncle to rest. After his commital, several of us strode through to find the graves of those loved ones who had gone before. This particular cemetery holds many whom I have to thank for the faith that has been handed down to me: my father, all of my grandparents (one of whom I never knew, but three that I had the blessing of knowing into my adulthood), my great-grandfather who had been pastor of this church long before I came along, and countless other relatives, some of whom I knew and many I never did.

This got me thinking about what Lutheran Heritage Center & Museum is really all about. It is about remembering Christians who have gone before us. Our mission is to preserve, present, and promote the settlement history of the German Lutheran immigration to Perry County, MO, so that visitors come away inspired by the confessional faith of the Saxon Lutheran immigrants, experience pride in their heritage, and inform future generations.

Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well-fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Around here, we pretty much celebrate All Saints Day every day! Warren’s daily blogs chronicle the lives of saints who have gone before and left their legacy of faith for future generations. Our genealogical research room is literally full of names and stories of people who fought the well-fought fight and now rest from their labors. Their faith still speaks to us today through the heritage they left behind preserved in our many artifacts on display.

O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

While I won’t find any of my ancestors chronicled within these walls (I was not raised Lutheran), my husband can and, therefore, so can my children and grandchildren. Even if that weren’t the case, our legacy of faith affects not only our families, but also the communities, workplaces and world around us. We have something to share now and with future generations, all with the ultimate goal of that gloriuos day when Christ comes again!

But then there breaks a still more glorious day:
the saints triumphant rise in bright array;
the King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

To God be the Glory!