“But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.” Romans 3:21-22a
Dear Redeemer Family:
The verses above come from the Epistle Lesson for Reformation Sunday, the last Sunday in October. Together with other texts of a similar tone, they form the heart of the Lutheran message, best known as, “We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.” This year, for our congregation, these words are special. This is the message which Redeemer has been sharing with our neighbors in the world for 100 years now. That is something special. For a century now, we have been sharing this Gospel with the world. And it is right for us to celebrate!
Yes, we have had little celebrations through the year to that effect. We are assembling a collection of pictures and items of our history. We have had celebratory items made declaring our 100th Anniversary. And we prepare for the culmination event next month with a special 100th Anniversary Worship Service (Nov. 23rd at 10am). And we are planning on placing two celebratory plaques on the outside of the church building declaring this event (well, on one of them). And then, like good Lutherans, we will have a celebratory meal together (there is an RSVP paper in the narthex for people to sign). All of this is wonderful and proper!
But what we really celebrate is the Gospel! For 100 years, the people of Redeemer have joined their voices to the 500 years of the message of the Reformation, which is joined to proclaiming the 2,000-year-old message of the Church, “We are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ!” We are part of Christ’s Church, the Bride of Christ, “members of the one Body.”
As we enjoy and celebrate this great event in our history, let us also strive to continue to live and share in the message of Christ. He binds us together, joins us in baptism into him, and ever sustains us at his Holy Supper. All of which are wonders too great to truly imagine. Enjoy, and rejoice! This is all worth celebrating, now and always.
In Christ,
Pastor Rose