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Hi everyone!  Happy Reformation Day!

I know people celebrate all sorts of strange things on October 31. But as a Protestant Christian, I am most excited to remember the incredibly helpful legacy left to me by Martin Luther and other 16th century reformers who urged the church to return to the biblical truths that my salvation comes through God’s grace and not my merit, and that I have access to God directly through Jesus and not through a chain of priests and popes.

I’m glad that most of the really harsh Protestant/Catholic battles are now in the past, and that it is possible today to worship on friendly terms with people from various Christian traditions that go beyond my own. I’m grateful for Catholic brothers and sisters whom I love in Jesus. I am also profoundly grateful for the campaign that began with Luther on Oct 31, 1517, to challenge some poor teaching and practice that had crept into sectors of the church over a period of centuries. Both Catholic and Protestant churches are better today on account of those courageous calls for renewal.

Since today is also Halloween, I should add that I’m also grateful for the truths captured so well in Luther’s best-known hymn: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. The language is a little old, but the sentiments are timeless, and relevant on a day when too much attention is given to dark things.

A mighty Fortress is our God, A Bulwark never failing.
Our Helper He amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing.

For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe,
His craft and power are great, And armed with cruel and hate
On earth is not his equal

Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing
We're not the right Man on our side—The Man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He!
Lord Sabaoth His Name, From age to age, the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world with devils filled Should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.

The Prince of Darkness, grim—We tremble not for him.

His rage we can endure, For lo, his doom is sure,

One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers, No thanks to them, abideth.
The Spirit and the gifts are ours Through Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also.
The body they may kill—God’s truth abideth still,
His Kingdom is forever!

I know the kids who will wander the streets in various costumes this evening are not personifications of demonic evil. They’re just kids looking for candy. I hope they have a fun and safe time. I also know that there is real evil in the world, which seeks to steal and kill and destroy. I’m glad that we do not need to fear that evil, for our Lord Jesus has won the battle! May His Kingdom come, and His will truly be done today and every day!

On other fronts, if you’re reading ahead in preparation for Sunday’s message, this week we’ll be finishing 1 Corinthians chapter 6, looking at the passage from verses 9 through 20. This marks the end of the first main section of 1 Corinthians, in which Paul confronts and corrects a number of problems. There are some challenging details in the passage, but we won’t have time to pursue them on Sunday. The “big ideas” will give us plenty to think about. For now I encourage you to keep those big ideas in view. If we need to create a space to discuss the details more closely, let me know and we can set something up for that purpose in the near future. J

I look forward to worshipping together. Meanwhile, have a wonderful week!

Pastor Ken