Portrait of Martin Luther by Heinrich Aldegrever, 1540, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.  Romans 3:28

Sunday we mark the anniversary of the day in 1517 when Martin Luther tacked his ninety-five theses concerning the sale of indulgences on the front door of a church in Wittenberg, Germany, a formal protest against certain practices of the medieval church of Rome.

Legend says that Luther posted his objections on the eve of All Saints–a festival of wide remembrance–as a way of setting the terms of an academic debate on important matters, but his statements opened floodgates of passion and conviction that filled the world.

The Protestant church is the church of the people. That why, for example, it seemed to fit the American experiment in democratic government. But the people must live up to being the church. That’s a work in progress. Protestantism has not lived up to its potential as dynamic, fluid attention to God’s living word, changing with the times, adapting to stay focused on the gospel. In fact, Protestant churches after Luther became “denominations”, serving narrow constituencies, weighed down by other bureaucracies, bound by other rules.

Nevertheless, nevertheless (one of Luther’s favorite words) Reformation Sunday is a day for us–among the heirs of the Lutheran Reformation–to look for, and trust in, the energy that lies within some of the Reformation principles: letting God be God, trusting in God’s word alone, relying on faith alone, listening for God’s word alone within and apart from human ceremonies, institutions and regulations.

The choir rehearses at 8:45 am.

Our Family Promise host weeks begin Sunday. We’ll take time to recognize our leaders, those who support the program and volunteer their time. We’ll pray for peace and comfort for the families who arrive Sunday evening.

Next Sunday, the Sunday of All Saints, is the day of confirmation here at Peace. Gabrielle, Carter and Leah will affirm the faith that their parents confessed on their behalf when they were baptized. The parents of these students, along with other adults of the congregation, have been helping the students understand adult church membership (committed, present, faithful, attentive, generous, etc.). Try to find some way to welcome each of these students into the life of our congregation.

Bring something for the Wayland Food Pantry and warm clothes, boots, and school supplies for Heather’s collection for the United Native American Center.

The service in memory of Ruth Forinash is next Sunday afternoon at 2 pm at Trinitarian Congregational Church in Concord. A reception follows at the family home.