October Pastor’s Pen—Something Old and Something New

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Many of you know that with our Reformation worship service on October 30th, we will be one year away from the 500th Anniversary of the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. In 2017, First Lutheran will present Bible Studies and other events to deepen our understanding of the Protestant Reformation which began in 1517 when Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses or grievances against the abuses of the Catholic Church on the door of All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg, Germany.

At the same Reformation worship service we will also celebrate the 134th Anniversary of the organizing of the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church, which later became First Evangelical Lutheran Church. It was on October 17, 1882 that Swedish Lutherans, “stirred up” by God’s grace in Jesus Christ, organized to provide Christian worship and education to the many Swedish immigrants who called Tacoma home. But we aren’t done. We celebrate and give thanks for our blessed past and also for our blessed future.

Our Reformation worship service will include the gathering of people who have chosen to call First Lutheran Church their church home. We are pleased to recognize those who have worshipped with us at our three services and either transferred their memberships or will renew a relationship with First Lutheran. This will be a busy day for sure…but we still aren’t done.

As we celebrate all of these events, First Lutheran will also begin something new. I’m calling for each member/or family, associate member, and friend of our congregation to bring a cross and place it on the (6th Avenue side) wall in the Fellowship Hall. As various groups of people use our Fellowship Hall, it will provide for them a message of our faith in Christ. This is a great way to show our love for God, our love for his Church, and our unity in worshipping our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

October 30 will be a busy Sunday and it promises to be a joyful Sunday. Plan to be here and join in all of the activities. During this year, First Lutheran will let Tacoma know that we are open for business. And our business is God’s business. Sharing the love of God in Jesus Christ with all we meet. TBTG!

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Steve