Word Alone, Faith Alone, Grace Alone
Posted on Oct 22, 2020 by Heather Lewis
Transition. Adjust. Adapt. Continue. Repeat. That sums up the last 7 months for me, how about you?
Something that keeps me grounded is remembering stories of those who have gone before us, and the things in their lives they have endured. If my grandmother can send her husband off to World War II with a baby on the way, and raise my dad alone for 18 months, I think I can handle learning how to create online worship videos and helping my kids learn remotely. I have my breakdowns, but also my thankful moments for health and extra time with family.
One of the challenges I planned before everything shut down was to teach our confirmands their last classes in the spring. I studied Martin Luther, having not gone through Lutheran confirmation myself, and was inspired by his determination to change the way people lived their faith. They were told only priests could read and interpret scripture; Martin Luther transcribed the Bible from Hebrew and Ancient Greek to German so they could read it in their own language. They were told they had to purchase their way to heaven with good works; Martin Luther assured them that salvation is a free gift to all. They were told a priest had to forgive their sins after they confessed; Martin Luther told them Jesus forgave all sin when he died on the cross, and we are all saved by grace.
We will celebrate Martin Luther’s Reformation this Sunday, wearing red and singing “A Mighty Fortress is our God!” As we continue to transition and adapt, let us be encouraged by God’s Word, and have faith in the One who has given the gift of salvation through grace to us all.
In Christ's love,
Heather Lewis
Director of Music and Worship