Reformation Sunday
“Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters in the church of the Thessalonians, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.”
– 2 Thess. 1:2-4
The Reformed Faith we Share is celebrated once a year at the end of October. The Presbyterian Church holds firmly to the idea of the church reformed and always re-forming; “ecclesia reformata semper reformanda”. We must continually be examining the church and re-making, re-forming, re-visioning the church. This past year we engaged the Kaleidoscope Institute to assist with our Mutual Ministry Review. This is part of the reformation of our church. It helps us to see where we have been and where we believe God is calling us into the future.
The church in Thessalonica was going through a difficult time when Paul wrote his second letter to them. They had experienced persecution and trials from both outside and within the church. Paul applauds them for increasing the love they had for one another, their perseverance and faith through it all. When difficulties arise and we face struggles, we often turn on each other. When I am at my highest stress, I have very little patience left for my family. This is an opportunity for us to reform.
God is calling us to a new season in our church. Through the process of reformation are we growing in love, perseverance, and faith? I pray we may endure trials with God’s grace, peace and steadfast love. Always reforming through the work of God’s Holy Spirit.
O God of mercy, we lament that even good actions of reform and renewal often have unintended negative consequences. We bring before you the burdens of the guilt of the past when our forebears did not follow your will that all be one in the truth of the Gospel.
We confess our own ways of thinking and acting that perpetuate division. Forgive us, Lord.
Christ is the way, the truth and the life. He is our peace, who breaks down the walls that divide, who gives us, through the Holy Spirit, ever-new beginnings. In Christ, we receive forgiveness and reconciliation and we are strengthened for a faithful and common witness in our time. Amen.
