We’ve entered October, and at the end of this month, October 31, we’ll celebrate Halloween (and Reformation Day). At least in my neighborhood, Halloween decorations (no Reformation Day displays) have been popping up for the past few weeks. I realize that some people do not like the whole concept of Halloween and tie it to some rather non-Christian practices; however, “Halloween” comes from “All Hallow’s Eve,” or “All Saint’s Eve,” All Saints’ Day being November 1. I prefer to look at it as an opportunity to celebrate God’s gift of life and Trick-or-Treat as an opportunity to meet and greet others in the neighborhood.

In the past few weeks we have seen senseless acts of violence and murder including the shooting at Annunciation Parish in Minneapolis and the assassination of Charlie Kirk. There have been hateful remarks made through social media and widely reported through other means. So who is going to fix this problem?

On the Church Calendar, September 21 is “St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist.” This weekend we shall take the opportunity to learn a bit more about Matthew, the tax collector turned disciple. The fact is, the Bible doesn’t give us a whole lot of information about him (or really about any of the Twelve.) Perhaps there are a few lessons for us from that fact.

Back in 2001, September 11 became etched in the memory of those alive as no longer “just another day,” but a day that changed how we as Americans live due to terrorist attacks on our soil aimed at causing damage and fear. That evening, we held an impromptu worship service in the sanctuary because people wanted to instinctively come together and seek the Lord’s care and peace in the midst of a tumultuous world that was not making sense.

Have you ever wondered, “Am I making any kind of positive difference in this world?” Perhaps you have  read about or personally know someone who seems to be a true influencer, doing important things that impact a lot of people while you seem stuck in the same old, same old.

Once again, another senseless mass shooting is in the news. This time, however, it may have struck even closer to home in the sense that our school ministry also gathers for worship on Wednesday mornings and our sanctuary is surrounded by windows.

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Christianity is not a religion but a relationship.” Technically speaking, Christianity is a religion (if religion is defined as a belief in God and the service and worship of Him). In other words, religion lays out a certain way of life – “house rules” so to speak. For Christians, the God we worship is a God of love who would teach us and empower us to live a life of love. That’s where the idea of relationship comes in.

As we continue our series, “Lord, Teach Us...” this weekend's focus is on not worrying. We’ll hear Jesus’ familiar words about how the Father provides food for ravens and clothes wildflowers in such beauty so we can be certain that our Father knows how to take care of us. And who by worrying can add even a single hour to his or her life? As Martin Luther once said, “We should not be full of any other care for ourselves than this: not to be full of care for ourselves and thus to rob God of His care for us.” Yet we still worry.

This weekend, we'll continue our series titled, "Lord, Teach Us..." with an emphasis on how not to be obsessed with stuff. The key words are "obsessed" and "stuff." In other words, help us not to be so consumed by our desire for things that do not have eternal significance that we lose sight of the one thing needful: Having Christ and with Him the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation.

Have you ever heard stories of people who are not particularly religious calling out to God in desperation, “God, if You’re there, help!”?

Have you been watching the news reports of the terrible flooding that hit the Hill Country of Texas? As of this writing, the death toll has risen to 120 with 150 still missing. Much attention has been given to the number of young people from Camp Mystic who perished in the flood, as well as accounts of heroic efforts to save those caught in the rapidly rising water.

This weekend’s worship services will include Jesus’ words recorded in Matthew 5 stating that we are the salt of the earth. In his book Daily Walk With God, Rev. Herman Gockel wrote in a devotion for July 4, “How desperately our nation needs the salt of Christian witness and action!”

One of the things we all have in common is our ability to make excuses in an effort either to get out of blame or doing something we really don’t want to do. Artificial intelligence is good at it as well. When one askes Google or Siri or Alexa, advice will be offered as to what constitutes a good believable excuse and what does not.

Have you ever heard the song, “The Impossible Dream” from the musical Man of La Mancha? Even if you have never heard the song or seen the musical, you probably can relate to the idea of having an impossible dream. You thought, “What if this or that would happen?” But then you stepped back and thought, “Nope. That’s impossible.” But then in the Scriptures we keep hearing reminders that with God all things are possible. Indeed they are. But it is also true that dreams are fulfilled when they are God’s dreams for us.

This Sunday on the Church Calendar is the observance of Holy Trinity when we especially contemplate the wonder of the Trinity: three distinct Persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), yet one in essence as eternal God.

This weekend we are celebrating Pentecost. I would invite you to take some time to read through the account in Acts chapter 2 where you will hear that the “Baptism in the Spirit” that day included the sound of a rushing wind and what looked to be divided tongues of fire that rested on Jesus’ followers. What is more, they began speaking in other languages, declaring the good news of Jesus to those who were drawn by the wondrous signs. As you read the account, it is very clear that everyone was in complete control.