October will mark a special season in the life of the church for us here at Goodridge Lutheran Parish. Not only will our focus be on the Lutheran Reformation and what that means for our daily lives as Christians, we will witness young Christians in our congregations affirm the work of God in their lives at baptism as we celebrate Confirmation Sunday on October 27. We have a wonderful group of young women and men who are ready to stand before you and affirm the promises of God and the power of God’s Word in their lives. Well done Bethany, Ekelund, and Faith in placing into their hands the Holy Scriptures and providing them opportunities to grow in faith, love, and obedience to the Word of God.
Since October we focus on the work of the reformers I want to include in that conversation a preacher from Norway Hans Neilson Hauge. Hauge had a huge influence on the Lutheran church both in Norway but also here in North America. There remains evidence of this influence namely in what was once the Hauge Synod mostly in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. These congregations are now mostly in the ELCA. Hans was a lay preacher who would travel around Norway preaching and working with labor rights for the people who often were poor and struggling. His down to earth preaching style attracted many and brought the Gospel to many in Norway and his witness continued well into the Lutheran church here in America. As a reformer like Luther we can gain much from his witness to Christ and how the church is always in a state of reforming. From one of his sermons Hauge offers:
“Let us think about how we shall be so ready so God's Spirit can fall on our hearts. We read at on the Day of Pentecost the disciples were all gathered together. Therefore we must be a fellowship gathered in the Name of Jesus that prays to the Father for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and that prepares its hearts as the disciples did. They believed Jesus' words, loved Him sincerely and followed His call. Therefore they were cleansed and picked out to be His servants according to the Father's promise that they should receive power from on high and not leave Jerusalem until that happened. And God's promises do not fail.” (Hans Neilson Hauge, Sermon)
We are a fellowship of believers gathered in the Name of Jesus praying to the Father for the gifts of the Holy Spirit to prepare the hearts of those who will be confirmed in our congregations on Reformation Sunday. That our confirmation students would believe on the Words of Jesus, love him sincerely, and follow His call where he leads them to go. Part of the confirmation service is an invitation to lay hands on the heads of the candidates and pray for the Holy Spirit to guide, direct, and bless the lives that are affirming the baptismal promises God has poured over them. May we as the people of God remember our baptisms daily and seek after the call of God in our lives to go and make disciples of all nations.
Blessed month to the disciples of Jesus in this parish as we continue to serve Christ and His church,
Pastor Kris Snyder
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