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Reformation Sunday

by Vicar Lisa

Greetings from Berkeley. This upcoming Sunday is one that we, and many other members of the reformed church, celebrate as Reformation Sunday. During the 16th century, some German Lutheran churches celebrated an annual day of thanksgiving for The Reformation, and in 1667 the festival was set for Oct. 31 or the Sunday prior. This date was selected because that is when, in 1517, Martin Luther posted his Ninety-five Theses on the Wittenberg church door.

Martin Luther was ordained to the priesthood in 1507. He came to reject several teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church; in particular, he disputed the view on the sale of indulgences. Pope Leo X had already drained the treasury to support his grandiose lifestyle. Then, he had the grand plan to reconstruct of the St. Peter's Basilica. So, he decided to solve the problem in a creative fashion. On March 15, 1517, Pope Leo declared that anyone who contributed to the cathedral would be granted an indulgence. Although, in theory, an indulgence was only a remission of penalties meted out in this world by the church, in practice, it was hawked as if it covered the actual guilt of sins and could release souls from Purgatory.

Luther proposed an academic discussion of the practice and efficacy of indulgences in his Ninety-five Theses.  He refused to renounce all his writings as demanded by the pope in 1520 and the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V in 1521 excommunicated him from the church. Luther was condemned as an outlaw and died in 1546 with Pope Leo X's excommunication still in effect.

Luther never intended to have a denomination named after him and would have shuddered at the thought. All he wanted was to reform the Catholic church. Luther’s basic teachings were that salvation, and consequently, eternal life, are not earned by good deeds, rather that they are the gift of God’s grace through each believer’s faith in Jesus Christ.

Another major position of Luther was that of the priesthood of all believers. Luther proposed that priests, popes, monks, nuns, etc., were not called by God on a higher level. Instead, Luther proposed that people in all vocations are part of the priesthood of all believers. Luther put forward the doctrine that all baptized Christians are "priests" and "spiritual" in the sight of God.

In fact, we are all consecrated priests through baptism, as 1 Peter 2:9 says, "You are a royal priesthood and a priestly kingdom," and Revelation 5:10, "Through your blood you have made us into priests and kings."

It is a different way of thinking of oneself, right? So, as we celebrate the reformation on Sunday, let’s think of ourselves as part of that royal priesthood. Don’t think of it as a day of Lutheran self-congratulation. Instead, think of it as a day where we think about the perpetual reformation of all churches, and ourselves.

October 29, 2023—Reformation Sunday

10 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion

Announcements

  • Coat Drive: As we have done in previous years, we will be collecting coats for the local needy population.  Please bring your coats, jackets, sweatshirts, and so on and drop them off in the fellowship hall. We would like to provide them to Pastor Clay this upcoming Sunday, 29.
  • Adult Bible Study: Our next Adult Bible Study on How Lutherans Interpret the Bible will continue 5. The focus will be on Lutheran buzzwords.
  • Night at the Movies: In honor of the Reformation, you are invited for a night at the movies at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 1, in Zion’s Fellowship H We will be viewing the movie Martin Luther -- The Idea that Changed the World.  Feel free to bring snacks and beverages to share.
  • Fifth Sunday Blessing: This Sunday is our 5th Sunday blessing. Offerings designated as 5thSunday blessings will be split between the two organizations as requested by Pastor Andrea -- Lutheran World Relief services and the Sarah Cannon Research Institute.
  • Congregational Meeting: A congregational meeting will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 29, (following worship). The purpose of the meeting is to vote on changes to Zion’s constitution and by-laws. Council President Julie Wersal sent an email with the proposed modifications to our voting members on Sept. 29.  All voting members are requested to review the documents in advance of the meeting. If you have any questions, please contact Julie or any council member.
  • Memorial Service: A celebration of the life of Pastor Andrea, is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 3, at Zion’s Lutheran. Comi Funeral Home in Trinidad is in charge of arrangements. Reception to follow at Space to Create Trinidad.
  • All Saints Sunday: 5 is All Saints Sunday where we celebrate the baptized people of God, living and dead, who are the body of Christ -- as November heralds the dying of the landscape in many northern regions, the readings and liturgy call us to remember all who have died in Christ and whose baptism is complete. There will be a table set up in the front of the sanctuary to bring photos of your saints in remembrance.
  • 30th Annual Community Thanksgiving: Work is underway for this year’s Thanksgiving dinner. This ministry requires support from many people starting now. Monetary donations are helpful and can be given electronically through Zion’s donation website via the Tithely portal. Checks can be written to Zion’s Lutheran with a note in the memo line “Thanksgiving” and mailed to the church or placed in the offering plate. Time and food donations also are needed. Please reach out to Norine Hazen to volunteer time, to make an in-kind donation, or to request someone to pick up of your monetary donation.
  • Thanksgiving: The Thanksgiving Team also is working to identify individuals who may need meals delivered. If you know of someone who needs a Thanksgiving meal, please share that information with Norine Hazen, Peggy Gustafson, or Jo Moss.
  • Flower Sign Up: There still are Sundays in 2023 available for flower dedications. The recommended minimum donation is $35, and the work of our flower guild is lovely. You can keep the flowers or donate them. The flower guild then divides the bouquet for nursing homes and for the homebound.

E-formation – Reformation Sunday – Oct. 29

Over the centuries, Lutherans have kept a special day to thank God for the freedom that the word of God grants to believers and to pray that with the help of God’s Spirit, the church will be continually reformed and renewed. You are invited to worship with us on this Reformation Sunday, in praise and petition to God for the ongoing health of the church.

John 8:31-36

It is not the church, or any one church, that is truth; rather, Jesus Christ is truth. No church can claim ownership of the word; rather, Jesus Christ is the Word. The son is free, that is, free to remain in the house. We gather around that word to receive the truth and experience life in the Father’s house.

Jeremiah 31:31-34

The oracle from Jeremiah is appointed because of its promise that God will continue a covenant of grace. Christians have seen that new covenant, and the forgiveness of sin and knowledge of God it brings, as embodied in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and renewed at the Supper—” the new covenant in my blood.”

Romans 3:19-28

This excerpt from Romans is appointed because it summarizes the biblical gospel so transformative for Martin Luther. It is faith in Christ that saves, not “law,” that is, religious practices stipulated in the Torah, nor by “boasting” in our church either. The church is called perpetually to renew its faith in God’s grace.

Zion's Lutheran Church

zionsluth@gmail.com

719-846-7785