St. John
Lutheran Church

It’s beginning to look and taste a lot like pumpkin!  Such a humble vegetable pumpkin is.  They can be fun to grow since they put on quite a show and are pleasing to the seasoned farmer and the child making their first trip to pick out a pumpkin to carve or otherwise have on display at home.  Some children will select a smaller pumpkin “Because I can carry it.”  Others look to find the biggest, most impressive pumpkin that could easily weigh more than the child.  Just as the air trends toward being cool, as the color of leaves change, there they are – pumpkins.

October is a time of harvest, of preparing for winter, and many traditions.  Perhaps you are planning your final visit to Highmark Stadium, setting out for cider donut eating and apple picking, or taking a drive to see how God’s creation is putting on one last colorful display before trees lose their leaves, more things close for the season, and it’s a good idea to rest a bit before “the holidays” arrive.

As we get closer to the end of October, some may wrestle with how to enjoy Halloween without compromising convictions of faith.  I personally don’t have an issue with Halloween, wearing whatever as a costume, and hoping for another great harvest, this one being candy.  As children and adults buy a costume or put something together, I think “What fun!” and an opportunity to mock Satan and what he tries to do each day.  Halloween isn’t buying into evil, it defies it.

Being Lutheran in October can be somewhat difficult.  I’m sort of joking, unless you ever tried to explain to someone the difference between Martin Luther (the German theologian who lived from 1483-1546), and Martin Luther King, Jr.  Martin the Monk diligently studying the Bible, took a stand against the errors of the Roman Catholic Church, and shared with the Catholic Church The Ninety-Five Theses (95 points of discussion).  Martin Luther had gone straight to the highest authority and the clearest way to evaluate the conflict Martin Luther had with the Catholic Church: the Holy Bible and only the Holy Bible.

Maybe, just maybe, October can be a time we celebrate or regain our connection with Jesus, His love, and His forgiveness that He so richly shares with us in His Word (the Bible) and through Holy Communion.

I have wonderful childhood memories of running around with my friends at the end of October with old pillowcases hoping to get some favorite candies, avoid candy corn like the plague, and do some serious swapping when we were finished.  As an adult, I enjoy the whimsical while being incredibly grateful for God’s pure message of salvation in Jesus Christ.  I pray that October is filled with beautiful fall experiences, good fellowship, and swapping amazing stories of faith with brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Pastor Bill Wrede

Intentional Interim Pastor

Mark Your Calendar

October 26 Reformation Sunday

November 2 All Saint’s Sunday

November 30 First Sunday in Advent (the new church year begins)

December 3, 10, 17 Midweek Advent worship at Saint Peter – time to be announced