Reformation Sunday, October 29 2017

The big date – 500 years since the Protestant Reformation’s beginning! Here at FLC we’ll have worship at the usual times, 8:30 and 10:30.

At 10:30, there will be a special worship event: the German Mass of Martin Luther. Luther composed this worship service to be in the peoples’ own language, intending to reach lay people with little background in Christian faith. It’s surprisingly brief and musical. We’ll stick pretty closely with Luther’s instructions, using original and (as Luther wished) more recent music. Notes in the margins will give background.

Then, also on the 29th, join us in the afternoon at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco for a synod-wide worship celebration! Details are here – let us know if you’re going in case we can carpool. 2-2:30 Interfaith Justice Event on the steps of the Cathedral; 2:15-2:45 Bach Contata prelude inside; 3pm Festival Eucharist inside. Preaching: Bishop Dr. Victoria Cortez of Nicaragua 4:30 Reception following the service will include a fiesta with kid friendly games and activities. Refreshments include non-alcoholic drinks, wine and beer brewed by Middle Circle. 4:30 Exhibition of photos from Palestinian Youth, downstairs inside the Cathedral

Reformation 500 plans and resources around here

So far at FLC, we held a series of discussions on the Lutheran theology of vocation, featuring FLC members sharing their own experiences in various fields such as medicine, technology, family life and education.  We also held sessions on church and state in Luther’s teaching.  During Lent, we spent Thursday evenings looking again at Luther’s Small Catechism.  The Lutheran composer Bach has featured prominently in our worship and events, such as in Advent and in a performance of the Coffee Cantata.

See Jill Knuth’s posts on Cranach and Katharina von Bora.  On German Night, we learned Reformation calligraphy!

On April 20th, 5pm at Stanford, there was a free lecture being offered on the legacy of the Reformation.

Local Lutherans of the Sierra Pacific Synod are coming up with service projects and an opportunity to read and discuss Luther in the light of today’s challenges (discussions are in Berkeley and will be webcast).  Grace Cathedral in San Francisco has been reserved for worship on the anniversary of the Reformation, 2017.

Reformation 500 plans and resources from around the world

The ELCA hosted “Grace Gathering” in New Orleans  and a number of resources, including an interesting new statement / study guide for Lutheran and Catholic dialogue.

Rick Steves offers a historical video tour: Luther and the Reformation.

Here’s a book review about Luther from the New York Times.

Here are 50 works of art from the Reformation.

Dr. Christine Helmer of Northwestern University is offering a free online course, Luther and the West, in appreciation as well as criticism of his legacy around the bible, freedom, anti-Judaism, church and state and the philosophical tradition.

The Lutheran World Federation’s theme is “Liberated by God’s Grace.” They have produced three studies: “Human beings – Creation – Salvation: Not for Sale,” about how God’s grace challenges human trafficking, environmental exploitation and greed.

Similar concerns are raised by Radicalizing Reformation.  An international network of concerned theologians offer 94 new theses for today.