Is there anyone who doesn’t love the month of October? Every year I say it to myself – how I love it so. It is more than the radiant colors, more than the football season going full tilt, more than Halloween costumes. Scripture occasionally refers to the Holy Spirit as the wind. In the month of October, the wind blows, and you sense your world shifting. It is a month of transition and change and harvest. Let’s get moving!
During the month of October, I have suggested we focus on Martin Luther and the Reformation. I envision brief glimpses of Lutheranism during worship, maybe a power point or two, perhaps a “Did you know” type paragraph in a Thursday thought. In reviewing fifty-two years of ministry, I have tons of presentations, lectures, lesson plans, and “what does it mean to be Lutheran” talks. The challenge will be selecting the content. Did you know, age 5, Luther began to study Latin?
Some of you might recall, that the Lutheran Church celebrated the 500th anniversary of the Reformation back in 1917. What I didn’t realize is that the official representatives of the Catholic & Lutheran churches have been holding regular conversations for 50 years. A book entitled “Declaration on the Way” outlines thirty-two (32) agreements the two have arm wrestled to the floor. It also identifies seven (7) remaining differences. Did you know Luther got married at age 42 to Kathrine von Bora, a former nun. She was 26. They had ten children, four adopted and six of their own.
Possible topics for a Sunday focus:
Theology of the Cross
Justification by Grace through Faith
The Means of Grace
Law & Gospel
Bondage of the Will
“Simul Justis et Peccator”
Augsburg Confession – 21 Articles
Marge & Small Catechism
Book of Concord
Next three Sundays/Thursdays will contain a little something about the Reformation. See you Sunday!
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