I have just gotten caught up with news this evening (Friday, October 24th): deadly shootings in Washington and in California, the Ebola virus in New York, and someone deliberately smashing into the Ten Commandments monument in Oklahoma City, etc…and in the midst of this we will CELEBRATE the Reformation this Sunday.

Could anything be more irrelevant — or, wait a second — could anything be more relevant?

In the face of the terrible things going on in our world, if there was ever a time for the message of the Reformation to be clear, then that time is now. The visible Church had once — at least at the popular level — lost the Gospel of Christ, but you will see red paraments and stole this Sunday to remind us of the Holy Spirit’s powerful movement of restoring the Gospel of Christ to His Church during the Reformation. And He did so by restoring the true preaching of the Gospel and the right administration of the Holy Sacraments.

So what? The answer is that the Gospel restored to Christ’s Church is the ground for hope in the face of madness; light shed upon darkness; and God’s grace in Christ which will not permit death to reign. And as the Holy Spirit moves through Christ’s Reformation Word and Sacraments, you — the people of God — become as salt and light in this world so inundated with fear. That is the celebration of the Reformation is faith facing the world head on knowing that the Lord is in control; giving life even in the face of death. This is a sure and certain hope; and one which the world desperately needs to know.

Part 2: We live out our faith also by helping those in need. Robby Flores is our congregational representative for the Life Ministry at Concordia University Irvine and he is asking that you bring some supplies this Sunday to donate to Mary’s Shelter. Here is the list:

Diapers

Liquid laundry detergent

Dreft liquid detergent (for babies)

Plastic dishes (bowls, cups, plates)

Towels (face, hand and body towels)

Personal hygiene products: shampoo, razors, face wash, deodorant, lotion

Place mats (8 to 10 for each house)

Baby wipes

Non-perishable food for our emergency supply

Children’s Tylenol

Plastic Tupperware with lids

Oven mittens

Diaper rash cream

Cleaning sponges

Bring some of these and place in the box that Robby is bringing to church this Sunday! Thank you!!!

Part 3: Sunday, November 2nd is the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed…please fill out the form available THIS Sunday and submit it back to the designated collectors OR send the information directly to me, Pastor Al at my email address: give me the name or names of loved ones and the date of their entry into glory…we will name your loved one in the service and hear the tolling of a bell to symbolize their eternal life in the Lord Jesus Christ. This is an important tradition for us at Saint Paul’s and we hope you will participate!

May the Lord bless your weekend so that you continue to abide in Christ’s faith, hope, and love, rejoicing that in Him not some, not many, not most, but ALL your sins are forgiven through His life, death, and resurrection. Some people say, “Nothing is free!” There is, however, one thing that is: God’s love and forgiveness in Jesus! This is His free gift to you…it is true of course that it cost HIM dearly…but as for you, this is God’s GIFT to you: life and forgiveness in His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

In His Love,

Pastor Al Espinosa