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| The window forms a natural reardos at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church |
Reformation is always a special day in the Lutheran Church. We wear red to symbolize the Holy Spirit among us and remember our special forefather, Martin Luther (who wanted to reform the Catholic Church not start a special denomination named for him!). This year was extra special as we marked the 500th anniversary of the nailing of the 95 Thesis on the church door! Dave and I found ourselves in the mountains (our new vacation home named Park's Peak near Bat Cave) and we decided to worship at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church in Fairview, NC. I chose it because it is a member of the Reconciled in Christ Network, and its pastor, Rev. David Eck is a singer, songwriter. I needed some good old and new Lutheran hymns to help me celebrate!
WHAT TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO GO
Abiding Savior Lutheran Church is "just down the mountain" from Park's Peak and Bat Cave and on the east side of Asheville on 74-A at 801 Charlotte Highway. It sits off the road with a lovely creek and garden in front of it, so look for the sign. There is plenty of parking and dress was "mountain casual" with 90% of the congregation in red for Reformation!
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| You can't see it, but I promise, Dave had on a red tie! |
REFLECTIONS ON WORSHIP
MOOD
This is a very small congregation. Less than 50 people were present on Sunday and everyone welcomed us warmly, with the Pastor recognizing us as visitors immediately and coming over to chat before the service started. One thing we found a little different was the congregation only stood for the first hymn (A Might Fortress of course for Reformation!). Dave and I are so used to the "Lutheran exercise" of stand-sit-stand, that we kept starting to stand, and then looked around for the cue that wasn't there. The Prayer of the Day was based on Luther's "Here I Stand" speech from the Diet of Worms and I really wanted to stand up for it! We guessed that the practice was in respect for the predominately older congregation.
MUSIC
The music was provided by a very accomplished pianist, Anne Schwabaland. Her prelude based on A Mighty Fortress was breath taking, and settled the congregation quickly. Pastor Dave played the guitar from the pulpit and had a pre-recorded keyboard for the 2 original hymns. It was a nice blend of traditional and contemporary. We ended with "Lift High the Cross" (again, we wanted to stand!).
MESSAGE
During the children's sermon, Pastor Dave helped the children differentiate between Martin Luther King and Martin Luther. I have read that Dr. King, Sr. added Luther to Martin Jr.'s name when he became ordained and took up the mantle to "reform" our civil rights and racial justice practices.
His sermon was based on the word Reformation and Luther's "Here I Stand" speech. He challenged us to continue to reform the church and to contemplate what are the "non-negotiables" that we adopt as Luther did at the Diet of Worms when he declared "Here I stand!". He suggested we start with Luther's Small Catechism as the basis of our beliefs (Luther's commentary on the Creed, Lord's Prayer, and Sacraments). He also suggested that the church's (and this congregation's) becoming a welcoming congregation by joining the Reconciled in Christ Network to welcome all regardless of gender, ethnicity, or ability was our most recent "reformation" and where this congregation took its stand.
OUTREACH AND OBSERVATIONS
- An outreach by the youth to the homeless population was highlighted during the announcements: they are serving snacks and helping folks choose coats from a Community Coat Drive.
- In celebrating All Saints Sunday next week, folks are asked to bring pictures of loved ones for the Altar of Remembrance. He outlined a unique home tradition for All Saints Day in the newsletter. Read about it by clicking here: October newsletter.
- I thought this was a great idea. They put their prayer list on a book mark so that you could use it that week in your Bible or Devotional materials and think and pray for those in need in the congregation.
- When Dave and I were in high school, we brought an "unchurched" friend to church with us. In those days we stood for all the hymns except the Sermon Hymn and for many parts of the liturgy. After church he said, "Church was ok, but y'all sure do stand and sit a lot! And why did you sit down for "Stand up, Stand up, for Jesus!?" Since then we've laughed about "Lutheran exercise" and thought it should make more sense!
- I'll have to admit I was jealous of my sister and brother in law who were in Wittenburg for the Reformation! We took our kids there in the 90's on a trip to Germany. At that time East Germany only provided very basic maps with no named streets just drawings. David was searching on the "map" for the Castle Church where Luther pinned the 95 Thesis and Emily said, "Look up, Dad. There's one BIG church as you enter the town. I'm guessing that's it!"
- We expected to be anonymous and not know anyone at this church. Instead it became "old home week". The Montepertos tapped us on the shoulder before the service. They are fellow members of Advent who have been "out" for the last 6 years "full-timing" in their RV. The last time we had seen them was when we were in our RV at Mount Rushmore! They are considering retiring (again!) in Asheville. Then as we were chatting in the vestibule after church we connected with the Probsts, the parents of a theatre classmate of our daughter's at Lenoir Rhyne! Lutherans truly are a family!
THERE IS NO END TO COMICS ABOUT THE REFORMATION!!
Katie Luther was a force in her own right!!!
