Sunday, October 27, 2024 11:00 a.m.

Reformation Sunday Profiles in Leadership: Jesus, The Servant Leader - Rev. Edwin Estevez Reformation Sunday is both an acknowledgement of an historic movement where the imagination of God’s Church worldwide was both challenged and broadened, and a recognition that the Church is always called to the act of reforming toward the likeness of Christ. It sadly led to the disunity of the Church—today, there are thousands of denominations and we are separated as Catholics, Protestant, Orthodox, and still further as Episcopal, Presbyterian, Congregational, and more. While we must recognize the violence that tragically accompanied some of the legitimate and impassioned differences of opinion, there is still good news. First, the Reformation led to the diversified expressions of faith that we see today. Some denominations are more ritualistic and contemplative, others much more charismatic; some have beautiful buildings attracting pilgrims, spiritual seekers, and refugees the world over, while others meet in homes, parks, and riversides; some are known for their beautiful liturgy and music, others for their preaching and teaching; still others are known for their mission work in the most difficult of spaces. This has made the Christian faith a “big tent” movement that has reached billions of people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Second, it led to a deeper reflection on the Holy Bible, fueled both by the earnest desire of Reformers to learn the original languages of the Bible and to translate the official language of the Church, the Latin Vulgate, into the varied languages of the people—French, German, English, Spanish, and more—and by the advancement in technology of things like the Gutenberg Press. This allowed for a more robust study, a richer tradition of interpretation, and led to an incredible rise in literacy wherever the Reformation made an impact. In fact, some scholars argue that, without the Reformation, you never get the Scottish Enlightenment, nor Enlightenment at all, without which you do not get the present United States nor world-based systems of governance, with concepts such as a higher law, human rights endowed by the Creator, pluralism allowing for difference, and a government based on checks and balances. Third, the Reformation is not meant to serve as a moment frozen in time, it is to recognize the movement of the Holy Spirit in our midst and that we must always be reforming into the shape of the Body of Christ. What are we to change now, how are we to grow, where does our imagination need to be challenged and broadened so that all might experience God’s transforming love in Christ Jesus? In honor of Reformation Sunday, we will hear from Themis Sirinides, who will share his testimony of faith at our 8:00 a.m. Communion Service in Cedarholm Chapel, and a briefer version during the Faith in Action moment at the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services. He will share how he came to make a dramatic change to move to Greece and support the ministry of Second Evangelical Church in Athens. You will be able to hear more of his story at the Lunch and Learn hosted by the Adult Education Committee following the 11Am Worship Service. Please make sure to thank Jill O’Hara and her committee for making this possible. We had the privilege of meeting Themis during the Kirk’s Pilgrimage to Greece and Turkey, co-led by Ruth Reading and Rev. Dr. Chip Hardwick. Themis is a powerful speaker and will no doubt bless us today with his message that speaks perfectly to the theme of Reformation Sunday—what are we willing to change for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Let us worship God. In Christ, Rev. Edwin Estevez Sr. Pastor | Head of Staff Music Notes: Anita Pinson, Kirk Singers director, James Biery, Marilyn Biery, organists and Chancel Choir directors. The music sung today by the Kirk Singers is a memorial gift from Joan Cheng, in memory of her mother. About the Music: The Prayer for Illumination sung today is based on an Arabic tune found in the Book of Spiritual Hymns for Evangelical Churches, published in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1965. The source of the tune is unknown. Marilyn Biery set the tune to a traditional Prayer for Illumination found in the Book of Common Worship published by the Presbyterian Church USA (1993). Peter Niedmann (b. 1960 in New London, Connecticut) is an American composer of predominantly choral and organ music. Niedmann studied at the University of Hartford's Hartt School of Music and University of Connecticut, and held a conducting fellowship with Sir David Willcocks. He formerly served on the faculty of the Hartt School, University of Hartford. Martin Luther made a significant contribution to church music with his hymns in the language of the people, and the text of today’s anthem, “Verleih uns Frieden” in the original German, comes from his writings. These words have been set to music by various composers over the centuries, and Mendelssohn’s composition is one of the most sublime.