Author: The Admin

On November 1^st we celebrate All Saints Day. It is also sometimes referred to as the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed. “Saints” are all true believers on earth and in heaven, both living and dead. However, in the Lutheran Confessions, the departed ones do not hold a higher “position” in the Church. We do not pray to the departed Saints, as God commanded we are only to worship and pray to the one true God, the Triune God. Some are revered for the role they served in Christ’s Church, but just as all true believers today, each is just another sinner washed in the blood of Christ. A person is given the title of “Saint” when through faith given by the Holy Spirit, they believe Christ is their Lord and Savior, and they are saved solely by His complete atonement for their sins. In our celebration, we remember those who have died in Christ with the hope of salvation and redemption by his grace. We are thankful for the blessings the departed saints we knew brought to our lives. We also remember the Christian faithful from all generations. We are all members of the same family with them, as we confess in the Apostles Creed to our belief in The Holy Christian Church, The Communion of Saints. All Saints Day is a day to glorify Jesus Christ, who by His holy life and death redeemed the lost and made them saints through Holy Baptism and faith in Him.

Scripture Readings for All Saints Day-    Revelation 7:2-17
Epistle- 1 John 3:1-3          Gospel- Matthew 5:1-12

On October 31^st we celebrate The Reformation. On that date in 1517, a Monk named Martin Luther nailed a list of 95 theses to the door of The Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. They were issues he wished to call into debate with the Roman Catholic Church. Luther could no longer stay silent regarding the Church’s false teachings about earning forgiveness through works or salvation by buying indulgences. He knew these teachings were wrong, being contrary to the Word of God and against Christ. The Reformation was a turning point when the Holy Spirit empowered Luther and others to re-affirm and hold fast to the true Word. They even risked their lives as they stood against the Roman Church and the mistruths it was purporting. In John 8:31-32 Jesus said “If you abide in my Word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”. That’s what the Reformation celebrates and is really all about. Luther also translated the Scriptures from Latin into German, so now the people could read and study this restored truth themselves. The only forgiveness for sins comes through the blood of Jesus Christ, and this and all doctrinal truths are found in SCRIPTURE ALONE, and are received by us through FAITH ALONE, as a gift of Divine GRACE ALONE.

Scripture Readings for Reformation Day are: Revelation 14:6-7 Epistle- Romans 3:19-28 Gospel- John 8:31-36 or Matthew 11:12-19

On September 29^th we observe the Festival of St. Michael and all Angels.  The word Angel comes from the greek angelos, which means messenger.  Angels are not divine but created beings.  They act at the Lord’s direction to speak His words, carry out His actions, or bring judgment or salvation.  The phrase from the Nicene Creed confesses the Angels when we say,  “and of all things visible and invisible”.  God frequently used Angels to announce important events in the history of salvation: The news to the Virgin Mary that she would give birth to a Son, the news of Jesus birth, His Resurrection, Ascension, and His second coming.  There are both good and evil angels.  The Holy angels are many in number and powerful.  They serve God, help us, and protect us from harm and danger.  When we die they will take us to be with our Lord forever.  The evil angels are also many in number and powerful.  They rebelled against God and were cast out of Heaven.  They hate God and seek to destroy good, especially faith in Christ.  This festival commemorates the great battle in Heaven where St. Michael and the Angels of the Lord fought Satan and his evil angels. The battle between the Holy Angels and demons will also continue, till the Day of Christ. The Scripture readings for this day describe how the Lord uses the Angels to deliver us from Satan.  May we remember this festival as a grateful thanksgiving to our Lord for using His Holy Angels to bring glory to His name and guarding the precious gift of salvation we have been given, through the merits of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Scripture Readings–  OT: Daniel 10:10-14; 12:1-3  Epistle: Revelation 12:7-12  Holy Gospel: Matthew 18:1-11  Luke 10:1-9; 17-20