Pastor Elizabeth Rheinfrank
“For joy my heart is ringing; all sorrow disappears; and full of mirth
and singing, it wipes away all tears. The sun that cheers my spirit is
Jesus Christ, my king; the heav’n I shall inherit makes me rejoice
and sing” (“If God My Lord Be for Me,” ELW 788).
Dear Friends in Christ,
A lot is happening at St. John's during the fall! September begins with celebration as we gather at Wall Park in McCandless on Rally Day, Sunday, September 7th, for outdoor worship and our annual church picnic. Our ukulele group will play during worship. Rally Day marks the beginning of our Sunday School year, a time for people of all ages to focus on growing together in faith. Join the fun! All are welcome!
On September 14th, we invite Confirmation students and their parents to an important informational meeting during the Sunday School hour (9 AM) in the Confirmation room in the Education wing. Then, on September 21st, we will offer a special blessing for our Confirmation students during worship. Please keep these students in your prayers as they take this next step in their faith journey.
We begin October with a celebration of God's creation. On Sunday, October 5th, at 1 PM, we will hold our annual Blessing of the Animals in the parking lot across the street. This beloved tradition honors St. Francis of Assisi, who reminds us of the beauty of creation and our calling to care for all living things. Bring your furry, feathered, or scaly friends as we give thanks for the animals who bless our lives!
On Sunday, October 19th, we will observe the Feast of St. Luke, the evangelist and physician. St. Luke is remembered not only for his authorship of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts but also for his emphasis on healing. During worship, we will include an order of healing, inviting all who seek physical, emotional, or spiritual healing to receive prayer and anointing.
As October draws to a close, we turn our hearts toward the Reformation. Reformation Sunday falls on October 26th this year. Each year on the last Sunday in October, we remember that on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his statement of faith—the 95 Theses—to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, setting the Protestant Reformation in motion.
One of Luther’s deepest convictions was the importance of Scripture. He believed Christians should be able to read the Bible in their own language, hear the promises of God for themselves, and grow in faith through the Word. As Luther once wrote: “The Bible is the cradle wherein Christ is laid.” During the Reformation, Martin Luther and other Reformers emphasized the authority of Scripture alone, as opposed to church tradition or hierarchy. They taught that we are saved by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, and that all of this is for the glory of God alone. These guiding truths came to be known as the “Five Solas of the Reformation.” On Reformation Sunday, we will present Bibles to our third graders during worship, highlighting our ongoing commitment to the centrality of God’s Word.
Also on October 26th, we remember three Reformation-era hymnwriters: Philipp Nicolai (d. 1608), Johann Heermann (d. 1647), and Paul Gerhardt (d. 1676). Nicolai wrote “Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying” (ELW 436), a beloved Advent hymn. Heermann, whose writing was influenced by the suffering of the Thirty Years' War, gave us “Ah, Holy Jesus” (ELW 349). Gerhardt, the most prolific of the three, composed over 120 hymns, including “If God My Lord Be for Me” (ELW 788). Gerhardt also experienced the agonies of the Thirty Years' War, facing troubles in his ministry and family tragedies. Their hymns continue to inspire and comfort us today, bearing witness to the power of music to shape and sustain our faith.
As we move from Rally Day to Reformation, may we be encouraged by the saints,
strengthened by God’s Word, and renewed by the Spirit to live out our baptismal calling with
boldness and joy.
With you in Christ,
Pastor Elizabeth Rheinfrank