Dear First Pres,
This Sunday, the last Sunday in October, is the day we always remember Reformation Sunday. Do you know why? It’s because on October 31, 1517, the day before All Saints Day, a Roman Catholic priest, named Martin Luther, posted his 95 Theses in Wittenberg, Germany. The writing was a stand against the abuse of indulgences in the Church (click HERE for a definition of indulgences from the New World Encyclopedia). As much as something could go viral in the 16th Century, Luther’s writings did, and they shed light on something that was happening all over Europe - a growing dissatisfaction with the status of the Roman Catholic Church. To put a very complicated 150 years of church history in a simple statement: what we know as the Reformation ensued.
Many good things came out of the Reformation. Things like: a renewed commitment to the theology of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone; a passion to truly understand the Scriptures; a check on human power and control in the life of the Church; and, access to the Bible in common languages. Unfortunately, the Reformation was also the context for tremendous evil done in the name of purity, correction, protection and reform. So, on Reformation Sunday, we don’t celebrate all that evil, but we do remember the courageous stand that many took for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus and we give thanks for the fact that reform did occur.
Our tribe, the Presbyterians, came directly from the Reformation that happened in Scotland. Even though our theology is greatly influenced by John Calvin and others in the Reformed tradition, the way we do church governance (remember the word “Presbyterian” comes from the Greek word that means “elder”) was primarily defined by a Scot named John Knox (1514-1572).
That’s why we invite you to wear a bit of Scottish tartan plaid on Reformation Sunday. It reminds us of where we’re from and where we’ve been. This year, we acknowledge All Saints Day and Reformation Sunday together. So, we’ll take a few moments of our service to remember the members of our congregation who have died over the past year. This is another way of remembering where we’re from and where we’ve been. It’s another way of grounding us in a tradition - a tradition with mistakes and wounds and imperfections, but also a tradition rooted in the Gospel of Jesus and used graciously by His Spirit for the Kingdom of God in Fresno as it is in heaven. Reformation Sunday isn’t about glorifying the past, it’s about remembering what is most important as we continue to live out Christ’s mission in our city.
And, of course, one of the ways we’re living out that mission is with this Sunday’s Trunk or Treat Fall Festival! Don’t miss the fun of this all church event on Sunday. Everyone is invited. We pray that many of our neighbors will join us, as well. Lunch is provided for all attendees. Plus, you won’t want to miss the many decorated car trunks, prizes, and games. We’ll see you there.
Blessings,
Pastor Jeremy
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