October 27
marks the 496th anniversary of
the Protestant Reformation, which
Martin Luther is credited with starting in Germany in 1517.
Luther hoped to bring the Church into closer compliance
with Biblical teachings and practices as he understood
them. John Calvin and John Knox helped spread the reform
movement to Switzerland, Scotland, and later to America.
One Reformation slogan proclaims: “The church reformed,
always to be reformed according to the Word of God.”
Reformation is an ongoing process!
The Reformation that began in Western Europe is
now a racially, ethnically, geographically, culturally and
economically diverse family of reformed churches. In the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), leadership reforms now allow
men and women of heterosexual or LGBT orientations
to serve as Deacons, Elders and Pastors. Reformed worship
styles now include traditional, liturgical, contemplative,
and contemporary praise of God. Presbyterians are
ecumenically active, working for justice, feeding the
hungry, clothing the needy, responding to disasters near
and far. Come celebrate and continue the reformation with
us at SFPC! — David Wadsworth, Pastor