October is a month of celebration. We enjoy the colors of the changing
leaves. How many of us as kids loved to jump into the piles of raked leaves
in our yards?
For me, I’ll be celebrating the 50th anniversary of my graduation from
Penfield High School, Penfield, NY. That will take us away the weekend of
Sunday, 10/8.
For many of us, our calendars are filled with some of our favorite things. We
know what the children like—Halloween. However, on the very same date,
the Lutheran Church celebrates the Reformation. We commemorate Martin
Luther’s posting of the 95 Theses. It wasn’t until I was a pastor that I learned that other Protestant denominations do not celebrate the Reformation as we do.
We cooperate with so many Protestant churches. This week, I'm part of a
webinar called Kaleidoscope of Stewardship, which is a joint project
between the ELCA and the Presbyterian Church USA. They don’t celebrate
the Reformation as we do.
We cooperate with the Episcopal Church in many ways, including the
sharing of pastors. They don’t celebrate the Reformation like we do.
Why do we? What’s the big deal? We all believe about the same things,
don’t we? On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted his 95 theses, or
reasons why he objected to the Roman Catholic Church's sale of
indulgences. Our salvation is not dependent on anything we do, including
the purchase of indulgences. We are forgiven because of God’s love and
mercy, God’s grace.
Why does Reformation Sunday matter? First, it gives us a chance to tell our
story, and it’s a chance to remember our faith family story. It is not a time to
say we’re better than any other church. All the Protestant churches can
trace their roots back to the Reformation.
Second, on Reformation Sunday, we return to the core elements of our faith:God loved us first, and God continues to shower us with grace and mercy.
Third, Reformation Sunday challenges us to do better. God calls us to be
more loving and grace-filled because of what God has done for us. We are
called to repent of times we have placed barriers that have kept others from
hearing the Good news. All that we are is a gift from God. Our faith is all a
about the grace and merry given to us in Jesus Christ.
So, as the children and grandchildren start getting ready for Halloween, let us get ready, prepare our hearts to celebrate God’s great gifts. Hope to see you on Reformation Sunday!
Happy Reformation Sunday!
Pastor Ivy
Pastor's Message
October 2023
