Happy Reformation Sunday!

I suppose it happens only once every seven years when Reformation Day (October 31) actually lands on a Sunday. But this year it does.

Offended by the sale of indulgences for the forgiveness of sins, thinly veiled as a fundraiser for St. Peter's Cathedral, Martin Luther nailed on the Wittenberg Chapel Door the 95 Theses. Orginally written in Latin, Luther meant this posting for academic debate. However, his friends quickly translated it into German and scattered throughout Germany with the new invention called the printing press.

Do you know what points Luther made with these 95 Theses? Let me give you a couple.

--The Pope cannot forgive sins except with the pronouncement of God's forgiveness.

--the effect of indulgences are only for the living. They have no impact on those who have died.

--the teaching of purgatory must have occurred when the bishops slept

--erroneous teaching that the soul flies out of purgatory when the pennies jingle in the coffers

--Every true repentant Christian has the forgiveness of sins even without a letter of pardon.

--Christians should be taught that acts of mercy are far more beneficial and faithful than buying letters of pardon.

--The Pope should spend his own money for the forgiveness of people's sins out of divine mercy.

--To think a purchased papal pardon could forgive someone of even violating the Virgin Mary is madness

--Why doesn't the Pope simply empty purgatory out of holy love and not for profit?

--Why doesn't the Pope, one of the richest people, use his own money to build St. Peters instead of the money of the poor?

"Justification by faith apart from works of the law." That was the hallmark of the Reformation that we continue to celebrate and live today.

Join us on October 31 to continue the Reformation!

Pastor Scott

Always Talking about Giving?

This past week I was delighted to receive an e-mail from a middle school member who wanted to know why we always are talking about giving at the church. She would rather hear the Word of God than about giving.

My first thought was how great it was for a middle schooler to be e-mailing the pastor, asking for more focus on God's Word. Bravo.

But then I dissected the e-mail a bit more. "Always." Are we really "always" talking about giving? Right now we are in October with our emphasis on stewardship but we intentionally backed off talking about giving from January into well into the summer. In fact, I received e-mails at that time wondering why we weren't talking more about the Masters Plan!

I can't win, can I?

So we really don't "always" talk about giving but let me add this. When we do, we are still focusing on the Word of God. In fact, there are 2350 verses in scripture dealing with money, possessions and giving. That's more than prayer or faith or grace. Jesus spoke about money and possessions more than any other single subject. Why? Because money has the greatest potential of stealing our heart away from God as our ultimate concern. It can quickly become that idol that we worship and trust.

Talking about giving has less to do with fund raising and more to do with discipleship. It's about living out what is printed on our coins--"In God We Trust." I need to give. It redirects my heart to focus on God. It teaches me obedience to God's word. But most importantly, it reveals a grateful heart for all that God has first given me.

We don't always talk about giving, but this week we certainly will because we are asking you to bring your pledge cards to church and place it on the altar in trust, in obedience and in thanksgiving.

After all, it is the Word of God!

Peace,
Pastor Scott

Remembering Wilma

Last Thursday we had a memorial service for one of the matriarchs of the church--Wilma Hennig. Alert, faithful, gracious and engaging until the last couple of months of her 96 years, Wilma was a favorite of mine.

When it came time to select a biblical text for her funeral, instead of choosing Psalm 23 (The Lord is my Shepherd) or John 14 (I go to prepare a place for you), Wilma selected the confessional Psalm 51.

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to you steadfast love;. . .blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, cleanse me from my sin."

With this text, Wilma reminds each of us that there are no accomplishments or good deeds or memberships or service projects you can point to to earn God's grace. We must only point to the cross. We are all equal before the throne of God--fallen, sinful creature in need of God's forgiveness. At the core of her faith was Jesus who came to die that she would live forever.

The Psalm continues. . ."Create in me a clean heart, O God, and restore a right spirit within me." That he most graciously did for Wilma. . .and for all like her who come to him with a humble heart.

"For all the saints who from their labors rest, all who before the world confess, thy name, O Jesus, be forever blesed. Hallejah! Hallejah!"

A Faith Crisis

Recently, I've been having some conversations with people regarding their giving. These are people who have made appointments with me to talk about having to decrease their giving not because of job loss or disagreement with the direction of the church or added expenses. These are retired folks whose retirement investments have tanked and the just don't have the reserves they once did.

What struck me about these conversations is that they needed to tell me. While most (younger) people would just cut back on their giving to the church in tight times without much of a thought, these families were undergoing a faith crisis. For their entire lives, the church has been central to their family. They have grown up generously giving to the church and supporting its mission. Their giving was not out of guilt or obligation. It was a deep expression of their faith. And now, no longer in a position to give at that same level, they are experiencing a faith crisis.

And so we talk. I thank them for their years of generous commitment. I acknowledge how difficult it is for them not to give at the same level. And to whatever extent I can, I absolve them of any guilt that they are experiencing.

When the meeting ends and they leave, I thought, "Wow. I don't think that the me-centered, younger, entitled generation could wrap their brain around having that kind of conversation with their pastor. Furthermore, I bet that they have no idea the deep sacrifice, long commitment and genuine faith of that older generation that provided this church for them to enjoy."

Do you?