For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by
faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Ro 1:17

October is Reformation month. In Lutheran elementary schools that theme appears on
bulletin boards, in lessons on Luther’s life, and by memorizing and singing “A Mighty
Fortress Is Our God.” Art lessons almost certainly will have something to do with
Luther’s Rose. If you attended a Lutheran elementary school, you probably learned the
history behind this ubiquitous Lutheran symbol. But like me, you might not remember it
exactly. Here is a brief review.

In 1530, the seal was designed for Luther at the request of John Frederik of Saxony—a German ruler in sympathy with the protestant movement. Lazarus Spengler received
the task of creating a seal that captured Luther’s ideals. He sent a copy of the seal to Luther to seek his approval. He did indeed ‘hit the mark.’ Luther wrote:

Grace and peace from the Lord. As you desire to know whether my painted seal, which you sent to me,
has hit the mark, I shall answer most amiably and tell you my original thoughts and reason about why my
seal is a symbol of my theology.

The first should be a black cross in a heart, which retains its natural color, so that I myself would be reminded that faith in the Crucified saves us. … Although it is indeed a black cross, which mortifies and which should also cause pain, it leaves the heart in its natural color. It does not corrupt nature, that is, it does not kill but keeps alive. “The just shall live by faith,” (Romans 1:17) but by faith in the Crucified. Such a heart should stand in the middle of a white rose, to show that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace. In other words, it places the believer into a white, joyous rose, for this faith does not give peace and joy like the world gives (John 14:27). That is why the rose should be white and not red, for white is the color of the spirits and the angels (cf. Matthew 28:3; John 20:12). Such a rose should stand in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that such joy in spirit and faith is a beginning of the heavenly future joy, which begins already, but is grasped in hope, not yet revealed. And around this field is a golden ring, symbolizing that such blessedness in Heaven lasts forever and has no end…. May Christ, our beloved Lord, be with your spirit until the life hereafter. Amen.

This month as we celebrate the Reformation, we can focus on the meaning of Luther’s Seal. Our blood-red hearts are clinging to our faith in Christ the crucified. The white rose
reminds us of the joy, comfort, and peace that we receive by that faith. The sky-blue background encircled with gold points us to the future eternal joy we will experience in
heaven.

What a wonderful reminder of the central teaching that sparked the Reformation: The just shall live by faith!

 

 

Lord Jesus Christ, your power make known,
For you are Lord of lords alone;
Defend your Christendom that we
May sing your praise eternally.

CW 203

 

JOIN US FOR THE 2022 FALL RETREAT!

Where? Heidelberg International Youth Hostel. Hostel info.

When? November 4-6, 2022

Cost: €80.00 per adult, €40.00 per person aged 6-16, ages 5 and under free. This includes Friday supper, Saturday breakfast and lunch, and Sunday breakfast. Saturday we will eat at a restaurant at our own expense.

Rooms are available for singles, 2-beds, 3-beds, 4-beds, or 6-beds.

Schedule:

Friday, November 4
Check-in after 16:00
18:00 Dinner followed by devotion and fellowship

Saturday, November 5
Breakfast from 7:30
9:00-10:00 Presentation and Bible study for adults/ Sunday School for children
10:00-10:30 Break
10:30-11:30 Bible study and Sunday School
12:00 Lunch at hostel
Afternoon free
18:00 Dinner at local restaurant followed by fellowship at hostel

Sunday, November 6

Breakfast from 7:30
Check-out from room before 9:30
9:30 worship followed by group picture

Register by October 16. Download this registration form  registration form

and return it to Pastor Hartwig (via e-mail: [email protected]) or hand it in at church.

October Schedule Change

Please note the schedule change for October. Our services will be pushed back one week from our regular schedule.

• Wicker and Ramstein worship on October 16 and 30 (a week later than our usual schedule).
• Munich worship on October 20.
• Vilseck worship on October 22.
• Switzerland worship on October 23.

 

Christmas Eve Worship in Spiesheim

We plan to celebrate the Savior’s birth with a special service on Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24, at 14:00 at the Saengerhalle in Spiesheim. Kaffee and Kuchen will be served after the service. Plan to attend and bring friends!  There will be no worship on Christmas Day at Wicker and Ramstein.

News From Our Worship Groups

Wicker

Welcome to the Hartwigs who moved in August to Wiesbaden where Joe is working for an engineering firm and to Phil Balge. Phil is taking a year out of his semnary studies and working as an au pair in Bad Kreuznach.

Steve and Cherie Schemm were visiting from Goes, Netherlands where Steve is working for his American company.

Ramstein

Welcome (again) to Le and David Andrus. Le and David go way back at Ramstein. In fact, they were married in the chapel here. They are returning after a couple years in the States.

 

Thanks Again

 

Our Offerings

In July €100.00 and CHF150.00 were received in basket offerings. €2,422.44  were received as direct deposits.

In August €250.00 were received in basket offerings. €1,959.00  were received as direct deposits.

In September €170.00 and CHF170.00 were received in basket offerings. €4,782.48  were received as direct deposits.

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion,  for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:7,8

 

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