Remembering the Saints: Legacy, Love, and God’s Power

Today, we gathered as a community to celebrate All Saints Day—a sacred time to remember and honor those who have gone before us, whose lives have shaped our church and our faith. We reflected on the legacy of saints from our own congregation, people whose love, service, and generosity have become woven into the very DNA of Hickory Flat Church. Their stories remind us that the church is not just a building or a set of programs, but a living, breathing community shaped by the faithfulness of ordinary people who loved deeply, served selflessly, and welcomed all.

We considered how our church’s mission-mindedness, our commitment to children, and our spirit of hospitality are not accidental, but the result of generations of saints who modeled Christ’s love. Their examples challenge us to continue building a legacy that will bless generations to come. We named and remembered specific saints—Jim McNeil, Diane Nitschke, Fran Sutherland, Kathy Vadisey, and many others—whose lives of service, kindness, and faithfulness have left an indelible mark on our community.

Turning to Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3, we explored what it means to be strengthened in our inner being by God’s Spirit, to let Christ truly dwell in our hearts, and to grasp the limitless dimensions of Christ’s love. Just as we must intentionally connect our devices to a power source, so too must we daily connect ourselves to God, drawing strength and purpose from Him. We are invited to open every part of our lives to Christ, allowing Him to dwell fully within us, even in the places we might want to keep hidden.

We also recognized that God’s presence and love are always at work around us, but sometimes we need to be intentional about removing the “light pollution” in our lives—distractions, busyness, or grief—that keep us from seeing Him clearly. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, our eyes can be opened to Christ’s presence in unexpected moments, and our hearts can burn with the awareness of His love.

As we shared in communion, we joined with the great cloud of witnesses—those saints who have gone before us and those who walk beside us now—celebrating the unity we have in Christ. We are called to continue their legacy, to run the race with perseverance, and to be a people rooted and grounded in love, so that future generations will know the fullness of God’s grace.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The legacy of faith is built by ordinary people whose love, service, and generosity shape the character of a church. We are called not only to remember these saints but to actively continue their work, ensuring that our community remains mission-minded, welcoming, and compassionate for generations to come. [49:33]
• 2. Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3 invites us to seek strength in our inner being through the Spirit, reminding us that true spiritual vitality comes from daily connection to God as our power source. Just as our devices need regular charging, our souls require intentional time with God to remain vibrant and effective in our calling. [58:12]
• 3. Allowing Christ to dwell in our hearts means more than a one-time invitation; it is a continual process of surrendering every part of our lives to Him. We are challenged to open even the hidden or cluttered “rooms” of our hearts, trusting that Christ’s presence brings transformation, healing, and purpose. [60:18]
• 4. The love of Christ is described as wide, long, high, and deep—immeasurable and ever-present. Yet, like the night sky obscured by light pollution, we can miss the wonder of God’s love if we are distracted or overwhelmed. We must make space in our lives to see and experience the vastness of God’s love, both in creation and in community. [63:53]
• 5. The saints who have gone before us are not just memories; they are part of the “great cloud of witnesses” that surround and encourage us. Their stories inspire us to run our own race with perseverance, to be people of joyful obedience, and to trust that God’s power at work in us can accomplish more than we can imagine. [77:41]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [11:29] - Community Life and Announcements
• [17:15] - Introduction of District Superintendent
• [18:55] - All Saints Day: A Sacred Remembrance
• [19:31] - Call to Worship and Affirmation of Faith
• [31:33] - Apostles’ Creed and Celebrations
• [37:48] - Stewardship and Service Updates
• [46:10] - Remembering the Saints: Stories and Legacy
• [49:39] - The DNA of Hickory Flat Church
• [54:13] - Building a Legacy Heart
• [54:54] - Paul’s Prayer for the Church (Ephesians 3)
• [58:12] - Staying Connected to God’s Power
• [60:18] - Christ Dwelling in Our Hearts
• [63:53] - Seeing God’s Love: Removing Distractions
• [69:05] - Communion and All Saints Celebration
• [87:24] - Sending Forth and Blessing

Bible Reading

Ephesians 3:14-21 (ESV) — 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Observation Questions

1. According to Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3, what does he ask God to do for the believers in their “inner being”?
2. What are some of the specific qualities or actions that the saints of Hickory Flat Church were remembered for in the sermon? ([49:39])
3. In the sermon, what metaphor was used to describe our need to stay connected to God’s power? ([58:12])
4. How does Paul describe the love of Christ in Ephesians 3:18-19?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul focus on being “strengthened in your inner being” rather than just asking for outward blessings or protection? How might this shape the way we pray for ourselves and others?
2. The sermon mentioned that the church’s mission-mindedness and hospitality are part of its “DNA” because of the saints who came before. What does it mean for a church to have a spiritual DNA, and how is it formed? ([49:39])
3. The pastor compared connecting to God with charging a phone. What are the dangers of “running on low power” spiritually, and how might that affect our ability to serve others? ([58:12])
4. The sermon talked about “light pollution” and distractions that keep us from seeing God’s love. What are some examples of these distractions, and why do they make it hard to experience God’s presence? ([01:03:53])

Application Questions

1. The saints remembered in the sermon were described as ordinary people who loved deeply, served selflessly, and welcomed all. Who is someone in your life (past or present) who has shaped your faith by their example? How can you honor their legacy this week? ([49:39])
2. The pastor challenged us to “open every part of our lives to Christ,” even the hidden or cluttered rooms. Is there an area of your life you tend to keep closed off from God? What would it look like to invite Christ into that space? ([01:00:18])
3. The sermon used the image of “light pollution” to describe distractions, busyness, or grief that keep us from seeing God’s love. What is one specific distraction in your life right now? What step could you take this week to reduce its impact and make space for God? ([01:03:53])
4. Paul prays that we would be “rooted and grounded in love.” What is one practical way you can show Christ’s love to someone in your church or community this week? ([55:32])
5. The saints of Hickory Flat Church left a legacy of mission, hospitality, and care for children. What is one area of church life or service where you feel called to continue their legacy? How might you take a step toward that this month? ([51:45])
6. The sermon mentioned that our souls need “intentional time with God” to stay vibrant. What is one new or renewed spiritual practice you could try this week to connect with God’s power? ([58:12])
7. During communion, the church joined with the “great cloud of witnesses.” How does remembering the saints—both those who have gone before and those who walk beside us—encourage you in your faith journey right now? ([01:17:41])