Join us for in person worship on Sunday, October 31, at 10:15 a.m.

WE ARE NOW LIVE STREAMING OUR WORSHIP SERVICES AT 10:15 ON SUNDAY MORNING. You can join us online in real time at  https://vimeo.com/event/1424751. This streaming address will be the same each week.

The video of Sunday’s worship service will be posted on Sunday afternoon at https://vimeo.com/channels/1547852.

You can view and download the bulletin here.

 

Sometime during the Church Council meeting back in September, I wrote at the top of my copy of the agenda: “Giving as Protest.” I’m not sure what in the discussion inspired me to write those words. I do know that that I thought it would not only be a good title for this Reformation Sunday sermon but a fruitful path to explore.

Today we remember our heritage as Protestant Christians, our roots in protest—so we’ll start there.

Protestants have always been willing to question authority—including the authority of the church and of tradition. Our faith makes us skeptics. But Protestantism also has a “Yes.” By the grace of God—and by God’s grace alone—the unrighteous are made righteous, the sinner is justified (and, yes, I’m talking about you and me here). That is our bold affirmation.

Even the word “protest” suggests this “yes,” as its first meaning is “to state positively, to affirm solemnly.” We express this positive side of Protestantism in a liberal Christianity that responds to our world and addresses the joys and sorrows and hopes of human beings.

Our giving is protest in both senses of that word. Our giving has a “No” and a “Yes.”

 

SCRIPTURE LESSONS: Isaiah 55:1-2; II Corinthians 9:6-15

SERMON       “Giving as Protest”

The Rev. Bill Lovin preaching

 

ANTHEM       “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”        arr. Carl F. Mueller

--and a special postlude: “Ketty-Valse” from Dolly Suite      Gabriel Fauré

                        Tim Strang &  Bill Crouch, piano

 

 

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.