Area Lutheran Churches are working together in various ways to help celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.  This is when Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the Castle Church Door in Wittenberg, Germany.

This photo shows the door as it is today.  The original door was destroyed long ago in a war.

Here I Stand…

500th Anniversary of the Reformation

The ELCA churches of the Brazos Valley have united to host a celebration of the 500^th Anniversary of the Reformation.

Workshops on the Reformation and Justice                    

Saturday, Oct. 28^th, 9am-12pm       

Come learn more about how the Reformation connects with matters of justice in our world today, and how we as Christians are called to stand for God’s justice. (hosted at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brenham)

See the details of each workshop listed later in this article.

Reformation Worship at the Brenham High School Auditorium                      

Sunday, Oct. 29th, 10:30am

Several ELCA churches in the Brenham area are gathering for one huge, Spirit-filled worship, at the Brenham High School Auditorium.

Lunch to follow at 12pm in the BHS Cafeteria, $10 tickets can be purchased at any participating ELCA church.

MLLC will have its regularly scheduled services this weekend (Saturday at 6:00 p.m. and Sunday at 10:00 a.m.)

Workshops on Justice and the Reformation

In celebration of the 500^th Anniversary of the Reformation

Saturday, October 28^th, 9am-12pm

Hosted at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brenham

This will be a morning of workshops with guest presenters that tie themes from Matthew 25.31-46 with the famous words of Martin Luther: “Here I Stand.” The event is open to anyone interested in learning more about the needs of our local communities and ways to live out God’s justice.

Here I Stand… with the Thirsty: Sam Brannon will speak on “The Future of Water in Texas.” Texas is slated to double its population in 50 years. In a state prone to lengthy droughts, planning for the supply, usage, and conservation of the public water supply is foundational to a healthy future.

Here I Stand… with the Stranger: Join Bishop Michael Rinehart of the ELCA Gulf Coast Synod as he discusses the work of the Lutheran Immigration and Refuge Service (LIRS) and the response of the Christian church to the needs and challenges of immigrants in our world today.  Explore ways in which congregations and individuals can minister to immigrants in different settings and situations.

Here I Stand… with the Naked: Dr. Phebe Simmons, Ed.D, Program Director for Family Promise, Bryan/College Station. Family Promise is an area-wide, volunteer-based, non-profit organization that supports homeless families with children by providing shelter, meals and support services as they work toward self-sufficiency to provide a home for themselves. Dr. Phebe Simmons has been serving as the director of this program since June, 2010.

Here I Stand… with the Sick: “When was it that we saw you sick?” The Rev Carol E. Peterson is an ordained Episcopal Deacon and Faith Community Nurse with many years of experience bridging issues related to health and spirituality. She will first review the historical role of the universal church in ministering to the sick. Participants will then explore the ways faith communities of today provide a wide range of ministries related to health, healing and wholeness.  The group will then identify a variety of practical ways that each one of us can minister to the person in front of us who is dealing with health challenges.

Here I Stand… with the Prisoner: with Daniel Lund, a Synodically Authorized Worship Leader (SAWL) from The Church of the Damascus Road. Daniel Lund will share his experiences in prison ministry as both a lay volunteer in prison ministry, and now as the SAWL & Director of Church of the Damascus Road, a prison ministry in Weatherford, TX. He will also offer ways anyone can become involved in serving in jails and prisons for the Kingdom of God.

Here I Stand… with the Hungry: Mike Bell with Rise Against Hunger will be doing a presentation on issues surrounding hunger and then lead participants in packing send-home meals that will be distributed in local communities. This will be an interactive, service-based workshop.

Sponsored by: the Brenham Mission Society and ELCA churches of the Brazos Valley