When you hear the date October 31, what is the first thing you think of? I'm betting Halloween is close to the top of the responses. But if Reformation Day is your first thought, you might be a long time Lutheran. And then there's November 1, All Saints Day. So, what do these three events, in two days, have in common?
Since All Saints Day, also called All Hallows Day, was a holy day of obligation in the church, Martin Luther knew that people would be going to church. This would make it a good time to post his 95 theses, or statements for discussion about what he saw as abuses in the church at that time, on the church door, so that conversation about those things could begin. So, according to tradition they were posted on October 31, All Hallows Eve, the evening before All Saints Day.
So, how does Halloween fit in there? There are all kinds of traditions around Halloween, or All Hallows Eve, the night before All Saints Day. Some say it was the last night the evil spirits could come out, because on All Saints Day they would all be put in their place. So, it can be a time to make fun of or laugh in the face of scary things knowing that they don't have the last word. But mostly today it's a time of goodies and costumes and trick or treating and having fun. That's ok too.
In that light, since Halloween falls on a Wednesday this year, we will be no Wednesday night supper at church. As Pastor Shelly announced yesterday in church, you can stay home and eat candy or hand out candy. J Or, you can come and join the Youth Group Halloween Party, which will begin at 6:30pm. There will be food (sloppy joes among other thing....yummm!), games, costumes and more. All ages are welcome.
Next Wednesday, November 7, our Wednesday dinner (at 6pm) will be a potluck. There’s a sign-up sheet in the narthex in church to let us know what you plan on bringing, but for those of you who can’t bring something to share, come anyway. There’s always enough to go around.
But first, stepping back a little, this past weekend we remembered and celebrated the Reformation in a wonderful, meaningful way with special music, a procession, streamers, and the confirmation of 5 of our young people. It seems the older I get, the more meaningful special celebrations like that are. It was such a good reminder that God continues to be at work re-forming and re-newing the church and His people.
This coming weekend, we celebrate All Saints Day. This is also a very meaningful, touching service, as we remember those members of Our Savior who have died since All Saints Day last year, as well as remembering all those near and dear to us who have gone on before us. There will be a time in the service to come forward and light a candle in memory of those loved ones. This is another one of those services you don’t want to miss, and which you might want to bring a friend to.
Now for a few odds ‘n ends:
This Thursday, Nov.1, it’s the Samaritan Center Annual Soup Bowl, and Our Savior is once again one of the lunch sites. Come between 11:30 and 1:30 for some great soup for a $5.00 donation (or more if you’d like!), donated by local restaurants, for a great cause.
Looking ahead a little farther, the Women of the ELCA will hold their annual Holiday Bazaar on Saturday Nov. 17. Plan now to bring, anytime between 9am and 3pm on Friday Nov. 16, your baked goods for the bake sale part of the bazaar.
You might recall mention of an Eagle Scout project in last week’s OSE-news. I’m happy to say that the cost for both benches have been covered and the project is underway! You folks always amaze me. Many thanks, especially from Wesley Dean who’s Eagle Project this is.
May you all have a safe, inspiring and fun Reformation Day/Halloween/All Saints Day week!
See you in church (and don’t forget to turn your clocks back an hour on Saturday, or we’ll see you in church an hour early!) Pastor Jack Diehl + www.oursaviorelca.com
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