God the Lord is Sun and Shield
God the Lord is Sun and Shield
J.S. Bach’s Reformation Cantata BWV 79
Reformation & All Saints Worship
October 26th—9:30 AM
Lutherans today often wonder about the connection between Reformation Day, October 31st and All Saints Day, November 1st. Halloween often sneaks into the conversation as well. In many parts of the world, including the United States, Reformation Sunday is celebrated in churches on the Sunday closest to October 31st, and All Saints Sunday is the following Sunday. Surprisingly, in the Protestant federal states of Germany, October 31st is a state holiday, and All Saints is celebrated on the last Sunday of the church year. In the Roman Catholic territories, All Saints is a federal holiday on November 1st, and Reformation Day is simply dismissed. Throughout Roman Catholic and Protestant states, the American tradition of Halloween has become more popular. Instead of trick or treat, children tap on doors and cry out, “Fröliches Halloween! Süßes oder Saures!” Happy Halloween! Sweet or sour!
There is a connection between the two days which is very important and historical. During the time of Martin Luther, Frederick the Wise, the ruler of Saxony was one of the seven electors who chose the Holy Roman Emperor. He was also a devout Christian. Over the years he had amassed a collection of over 19,000 relics. At that time most Christians venerated and worshiped these items. Relics were said to have special powers of healing as well as penitential merit. In other words, the prevailing notion was that by praying over them, touching them, or even just looking at them one could earn “points” towards salvation. Frederick the Wise was very proud of his collection, which was housed in the Castle Church in Wittenberg, so that every year on All Saints Day he made his relics available for public viewing.
Meanwhile, early in 1517 Johann Tetzel began selling indulgences in a village only twenty miles away from Wittenberg that were said to provide forgiveness of sins or a reduction of the penalty of sin. It was really a fundraising scheme and caused Martin Luther great consternation. He felt compelled to confront this practice and so, he invited an open debate on the topic by writing 95 theses that challenged the sale of indulgences and the prevailing understandings of salvation. He nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg on October 31st, the Eve of All Saints. Martin Luther couldn’t have picked a better occasion time to challenge the prevailing understandings of indulgences and relics for salvation. Instead, Luther believed that men and women were saved by faith alone in Jesus Christ by his grace alone. Luther also taught all Christians who placed their trust in Jesus could rightfully be called saints.
Our musical celebration for Reformation Sunday on October 26th honors those men and women who lived by faith alone and placed their trust in Christ. Johann Sebastian Bach wrote his BWV 79, God the Lord is Sun and Shield in 1725 for Reformation Day worship in the Thomas Church in Leipzig. The cantata begins with a pounding timpani beat replicating the sound of Luther nailing the 95 Theses onto the Castle Door in Wittenberg. The festival service will honor those who have passed away in this past year since last All Saints Day.
Join us on Reformation Day as we celebrate the saints in life.
Peace, Pastor Arden Haug
