Today is Reformation Day (also known as Halloween but we will focus on the Reformation part). It seems like 2 years ago, as the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation was approaching there was great excitement and renewed energy to remember the events that happened 500 years ago. Since that time, things seem to have quieted down a bit. We have gotten on with our normal celebrations and life. It is so easy to let the Reformation once again fade back into the background without noticing. As I think about this, I can't help but wonder: why? As I reflect on that simple question, there are three answers that come to my mind that I'd like to explore together.

 

The first idea is that I think we are often blinded by the present and enslaved by the urgent. So many of us live hectic and busy lives. Our to-do list is longer than anyone could accomplish in one 24-hour day and yet we also value sleep, so now we are only dealing with 16-18 waking hours. In the craziness and the hecticness of those 16-18 hours, it is so easy to become overwhelmed by everything that is going on and has to be done that we are unable to think or dream or imagine or remember anything else. To quote the band U2, "you've got stuck in a moment and now you can't get out of it."   This might be ok for laser-like focus on a to-do list, but the danger is forgetting where we came from and the greater story that we are a part of. The reality is the Bible is a great big story from Genesis to Revelation. Through Jesus and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit we are invited into that story. We need to know our part in that story. The reality is that not only are we a part of that story but so was Martin Luther. The Reformation is an important part of God's ongoing story of His work in His church. We are blessed to live at a moment when we can learn from the struggles and lessons of people like Luther and the early reformers. There is something critically important about taking a moment to get unstuck from the moment so that we can see the bigger story that we are a part of and learn from those who have gone before us.

 

Another component to our overlooking the Reformation might be because we have become bored with it. We live in a "been there, done that" culture. We are constantly looking for something new, something innovative, so it is so easy to hear about the Reformation and say "been there, done that, I even bought the t-shirt." I would even suggest that for many of us the idea of grace has gone from being amazing grace to boring grace. As a pastor begins to talk about God's grace, we can yawn and think, "tell me something I don't already know. I've heard about Jesus. I know about the cross and the empty tomb. Woohoo. Now move on." And yet as easy at times as it is for us to let grace become boring grace, the reality is God's grace is still amazing 502 years later. I would argue that maybe what has happened over the years is grace has become an academic or theoretical/theological concept rather than a personal reality. In the process our view of grace narrows so much that we are only seeing a glimpse of a much greater reality. Maybe we need to take a deeper look to see if what has become boring is in fact amazing and deserving of another look.

 

I fear the greatest reason why it's easy to overlook the Reformation is that we've bought into the idea that what happened 502 years ago was great for then but is out of date with the reality of life in the Bay Area in 2019. I will concede with you that much of life has changed in the past half century (after all I am typing this on a computer and you are more than likely reading this on a screen), but I would argue that many of the core questions people were asking then are some of the same ones that we are still asking today. Questions like: what is truth? Is there anything authoritative to speak truth into life? How good is good enough? How are we saved? How religious of a person do I really have to be to get into Heaven? Can I just buy my way in? This list could go on. The answers of the Reformation were not necessarily answering every single question for all times and all places, but they brought front and center three timeless truths. God's Word alone is the sole source of all that we are to believe and teach, serving as the only infallible rule of faith. It is only through the working of God's grace that sinful people can come into the presence of a holy God. This gift of God's grace is something that we could never earn or deserve but is given freely through God's grace which we can only receive through faith.

 

As I think about the Reformation and this day, I can't help but think that there will always be a tendency to be a slave to the present. There will always be a tendency to underestimate the greatness of something that we think we have learned about or disqualify something that happened 500 years ago as being out of date. I would also suggest that on a day like today there is an invitation to step back and remember the story we are part of, to give another look to something that we might have taken for granted, and even learn from some of the answers others have found to the questions that we are asking. And can I offer an aside? (You can call me a heretic for this one later.) I think there is actually a teachable moment even in the tradition of trick-or-treating. A child comes to you with an empty bag and simply says, "trick or treat." What do you do? You give them a piece of candy (don't be that person that gives them a tooth brush (sorry Dr. Gong)). Did they earn that candy? Did they do anything to deserve it? No, you're giving a piece of candy (big or small) is a simple picture of grace to a child.  

 

I hope you have a great Reformation Day (and Halloween)!

This year we are excited to announce the opportunity to help Operation Christmas Child bring joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes. Both the congregation and the school will work together in this hands-on holiday missions project. All ages can help! 

Participating is easy...just pick up an Operation Christmas Child box from the sanctuary this Sunday (or use your own shoe box) , fill the box with toys and gifts, and return to the sanctuary by Sunday, November 17th.*  Click here for detailed instructions on suggested gift ideas and instructions for packing the box.

Questions? Contact Jill in the Church Office at 925.447.1246 or jsantos@oslm.net.

*Last collection day is Friday, November 22nd (bring to Church Office).

Thanksgiving Eve Worship & Pie Social

Join us on Wednesday, November 27 at 7 PM for a time to give thanks and praise to God.  After worship, enjoy some pie with friends! Bring a pie to share and we will provide the whipped cream and drinks.  We can't wait to celebrate with you!

 

Advent Services, 7pm

Wednesday, December 4:   "Readings from Isaiah"

Wednesday, December 11:  "Wise Guys & Starry Skies"

(TK-8th Grade leading)

Wednesday, December 18:  Preschool Advent Program (6pm)

Christmas Services

Christmas Eve Candlelight:  7pm & 10pm, December 24

Christmas Day: 10am, December 25

Also, mark your calendar for the annual Christmas Concert, "Unto Us a Son is Born," Sunday, December 8 at 4pm.  Come celebrate the sounds of the season with Our Savior musicians!

A huge thank you to all who helped with the Lutheran World Relief quilting project.  A total of 67 quilts were shipped to destinations around the world.  A special note of thanks to those who donated to help with the cost of shipping.

Click here to read Minutes from the September Lay Governing Board Meeting. Click the following links to read the attachments to the Minutes.

Pastor's Report

Financials P & L

Financials Balance Sheet

Contact Kim Brandt, Lay Governing Board Secretary, a t kimberlybrandt1@sbcglobal.net with any questions.

Board of Directors:	Elders:
Angela Westphal, Chair 925.337.0727	Jesse Yow, Chair 925.447.2687
Chris Korsak, Vice-Chair 925.960.9925	Norm Back 925.449.1844
Kim Brandt, Secretary 925.454.0160	Randy Brandt 925.454.0160
Linda Futral 925.447.2729	Scott Futral 925.447.2729
Mark Klins 925.984.3608	Ken Gong 925.449.4423
John Honig 925.455.9125	Bob Greenwalt 209.836.2312
Katrina Owens 541.760.8910	Jim Moeller 925.513.7741
	Joe Ryno 925.583.4661