All Saints Sunday Guest Preacher:
Rev. Shirley Renee Franklin is a retired United Methodist pastor, having served in the Tennessee Conference for just over 27 years. She is an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church and has served in the following appointments: Dixon Memorial (Nashville); the Wesley Foundation at Tennessee State University; Key-Stewart (Gallatin, TN); Neely’s Bend (Madison, TN); and the Cookeville Parish (Burton’s Chapel, Algood; Kynett, Sparta; Wright’s Chapel, Cookeville, TN). She also has been blessed to have worked with the Abingdon Press Vacation Bible School Program as a Production Editor and writer of curriculum for children.
She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Business of Tennessee State University, and earned the Master of Divinity degree from Vanderbilt Divinity School.
Rev. Renée is married to Victor L. Franklin, Sr., a retired Metro Nashville school teacher. They are the parents of four adult children and are especially proud to be the grandparents of six grandchildren.
The passage of scripture which serves as the foundation of her ministry for Christ is Luke 10:27: “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, and with all of your soul, and with all of your strength, and with all of your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”
Psalm 34:11-15, 22 (New Revised Standard Version)
11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.
22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Summary:
Today, we celebrate and reflect upon Christian discipleship and martyrdom in the sense that all who live and/or die for justice, freedom, peace, and parity are saints and should be celebrated. We celebrate the communion of saints as we remember the dead, both of the Church universal and of our local church.
Reflection Questions:
- In the eyes of God, what makes someone a saint?
- Who are the saints who have impacted your life for the better?
- How are you being God’s saint for others?