A faithful, humble man attached his concerns about church practices on the door of his local church. He used the grace of Jesus Christ as the core of his understanding. He listed actions and behaviors of the church that showed the opposite. His intention was to improve the church not cause a ruckus. But he got more than he bargained for. He was branded a heretic and imprisoned.
What Martin Luther did in October 1517 became the landmark of the Protestant Reformation, a tradition we, a
s Presbyterians are descendants of today. Our particular flavor of this movement is the "reformed" tradition. We say we are "always being reformed by the word of God." And that word that reforms us can be summed up by "Grace."
Our program year theme, Grace Spurs Us Forward, is inspired by the Protestant Reformation. We know
Grace is one heck of a force. We see it in the steadfast love and faithfulness of God in the Old Testament. It is embodied in the flesh and life of Jesus Christ. And it doesn't stop there. Through the Holy Spirit people and situations are caught up and transformed by it. And then they are sent to be Grace in a hurting world.
But after 500 years we remember--Grace can get people into trouble. It can be uncomfortable like a spur.
But we know no better way to live life and move forward than aligned, guided and overflowing with the Grace of Jesus Christ.
Our theme so far has inspired art (see Brianna in picture above).
Our theme now enriches our study of the Book of Exodus.
In October we will see slides of Discovery ministry based on this theme.
I wonder how our Grace theme will go on to impact each one of us this year and help us continue to bear witness to an awesome tradition and holy movement that lives on.
Grace (watch out for it!) and Peace,
Pastor Sarah Dickinson
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Presbytery Hospitality
