Yesterday we celebrated Reformation Day, that day in 1517 when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, provoking a debate that led to the Protestant Reformation. Through his study of scripture, Luther came to see that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, and good works result from our faith – they are not added to it as grounds for our right standing in God’s eyes! We celebrated “the church reformed and always reforming, according to the Word of God.”
This Reformation Prayer was a part of our service:
Great and loving God, thank you that on this day so many years ago, Martin Luther posted his 95 theses that launched the reformation which reclaimed the truth of your glorious gospel. Thank you for the gospel of your Son Jesus Christ, revealed through scripture alone, which proclaims that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, to your glory alone.
We thank you for those persons you have poured your Spirit into that then set about reforming your church. We thank you that you are still at work in the life of the church, reforming us, reshaping us, and making us into your image.
We thank you for your gifts to your church through the ages – the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, whom you have given to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the Body of Christ – so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine – so that we may be those growing into the fullness of your Son, Jesus Christ.
We thank you that you are continually reforming us individually, so that though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self, transformed by the renewing of our minds, may grow more and more into the image of Christ, in whose likeness we are made and called to live.
Reforming and ever reforming God, reform us individually so that we may grow more and more into the likeness of Jesus Christ, so that your church may be a beacon of hope, grace, love and light in this world. Amen.
Yesterday we celebrated the church that was, the church that is and the church that will be! Remembering where we have been is helpful in knowing where we need to go!
Elizabeth
Dearest Jackson Springs Church Family,
We eventually come to such moments in life and ministry when something must change, and we’re at such a point in this season of our life together. I need you to know that my last Sunday will be December 31, 2023. My health concerns have been more and more challenging in recent months, obviously!
I moved to the ”ready list” at Scotia Village in August, expecting the time frame to be six months to one year before moving, but someone was moved to Assisted Living unexpectedly and an apartment opened up for me and I’ve decided it best to take it. I’m beginning to feel stronger and hope that continues! October-December is my favorite time of year, so I plan to keep on keeping on all the way!
Let’s spend these months giving thanks for these years together, enjoying the traditions treasured from year to year, and entrusting all that lies ahead for all of us to God’s care and keeping.
Here’s to hayrides and cookouts, to a new class of elders and officer training, to Reformation Sunday and All Saints Sunday, Stewardship Dedication Sunday, PW Thank Offering and Luncheon, 50+ adventures, the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, Christmas Shoeboxes, Hanging of the Greens, Advent Morning Prayer, Children’s Christmas Program and Party with our special visitor, and Christmas Eve Communion……and we’ll give thanks for our time together in ministry as we gather in a circle of candlelight to celebrate Epiphany on December 31st, and step into a new year.
I received a beautiful note from a session member with these words in closing: “As we all go forward in the coming weeks, may you only be drawn closer to God as He watches over you and covers you with his love.”
Those words comforted and blessed me – please hear them as coming from my heart to yours – “As WE all go forward in the coming weeks, may WE only be drawn closer to God as He watches over US and covers US with His love.”
I close with Dag Hammarskjold’s words:
“For all that has been Thanks! For all that is to be, Yes!”
Elizabeth
So much of life is a call to keep on keeping on. As we deal with any number of circumstances, in any number of ways, we keep on keeping on- on the job, in the church, in school, in our families and in our personal lives. As we face the living of these confusing and challenging times, we keep on keeping on.
At Homecoming, we celebrated that Spring Presbyterian Church understands what it means to keep on keeping on! True to its Scottish heritage, Jackson Springs Presbyterian Church has weathered hard times and adversity to continue its mission to serve the Lord and His people. From 1817 to 1917 to 2023, from building to building and pastor to pastor- Jackson Springs Presbyterian keeps on keeping on.
In yesterday’s gospel reading, Jesus tells the parable of the Wedding Feast…..and of the God of covenant faithfulness keeping on keeping on- calling, asking, encouraging, inviting, and when those invited fail to respond for first one reason and then another, others are invited to come find a place at the table.
In yesterday’s epistle reading, the Apostle Paul encourages the struggling Philippian Church to keep on keeping on.
Paul writes from prison to the church at Philippi, longing to be with the beloved community and to encourage them. “Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you,” Paul writes.
Paul’s words in Philippians 4 can encourage contemporary believers discouraged by seemingly endless everyday challenges and complexities.
When faced with life’s difficulties, or wearied by life’s struggles, believers can count on God’s nearness to us in Christ, the source of our joy.
Instead of worrying about anything, the Philippians are to bring everything to God. The “anythings” and “everythings” of life can be sources of endless worry or the subjects of prayer. Prayer being an opportunity to see difficult situations from another angle, and to open to the possibilities that come into view with God’s help.
Paul counsels those engaged in the communal task of following Jesus to worry about nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let their requests be known to God … Whatever is true and honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, and if there is anything worthy of praise. Think about these things. Keep on keeping on - doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, writes Paul, and the God of peace will be with you.
May God give us grace to keep on keeping on!
Elizabeth