Join members of other NED congregations at St. John’s, Westfield, MA, for the Kick-Off Celebration of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. From 2pm to 4pm enjoy activities and games for all ages. Greet and get a selfie with Martin Luther and his wife, Katie Von Bora (who learned English for the occasion).
At 4pm, a banner procession signals the start of a special Rally Worship Service. Following worship, the Lutheran Church Extension Fund will award its mission grants to congregations and their representatives.
Finally, what German celebration would be complete without German food? None! Pork loin, red cabbage, apple sauce, sauerkraut and potato salad will be served from 5:30 to 6:30. Enjoy the food and more fellowship.
The District needs a headcount for food and we need a headcount for rides from FLC to Westfield. Please let the church office know as early in the week as possible if you’ll attend, if you’ll stay for dinner, and if you’ll need a ride. Danke!
INFO
Schedule for the Day’s Festivities
New England District 500th Anniversary of the Reformation Kick-Off Celebration
At St. John’s Lutheran Church, Westfield, Massachusetts – Ample Parking!!!!
2:00 – 4:00 PM Arrival of the Saints !
Activities and Games for all Ages!
Arrival of Martin Luther and his wife Katie Von Bora! (They have BOTH learned to speak English for this special occasion !!!)
Volleyball-Newcomb for kids of all ages
Cornhole Bean Bag Toss
Take your picture with Martin Luther and Katie Von Bora.
Special Music on the grounds of the Church!
4:00 PM The Reformation Rally Worship Celebration with Holy Communion
LCMS Pastors are asked to robe with red stoles at 3:30 PM for special Processional
Banner Procession with representatives of NED congregations!
Robert Potterton III, organ virtuoso, will lead in magnificent hymnody and liturgy!
Special Brass Accompaniment under the leadership of Robert Potterton III.
Special Sermon by District President Rev. Timothy Yeadon
Liturgy written for the occasion led by the Praesidium of the New England District (Vice-Presidents and Secretary of the NED) and host Pastor of St. John’s, the Rev. David Riley!)
Special Offering to serve the Missions of the New England District
At the Conclusion of Worship will occur the Awarding of Mission Grants from the Lutheran Church – Extension Fund to Congregations and their representatives!
5:30 – 6:30 Food and Fellowship ! More Festival Music! More Activities and Games!!
—- The Saints and their Guests are welcome to come by 2:00 and stay to the very end; however, if the best decision is to come for the worship alone or for a part of the day’s festivities all are welcome to come and depart as they best see fit ! —–
St. John’s Lutheran Church, Westfield, Massachusetts
The Reformation Rally Committee is most grateful to the Savior for the Saints of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Westfield, Massachusetts who have opened their doors and their ample parking lot to all of us for the day’s festivities!
St. John’s Lutheran Church is located at 60 Broad Street, a major road in Westfield, Massachusetts. The Church is located near the heart of Westfield and is a short distance from the Massachusetts Turnpike.
The New England District is grateful for the involvement of all the saints at St. John’s who will be present to help guide us through the wonderful facilities of the church as needed – also we thank them for the gift of their Pastor, the Rev. David Riley, who will be participating as celebrant for Holy Communion’s celebration!
For this year’s Reformation Rally the Committee determined that we wished to have the festival at one of our New England District congregations. Thank you, St. John’s for being that place!
Banners for Worship
The Service of Celebration will include a processional of banners from the congregations of the New England District. We encourage and welcome new banners made in honor of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation and we also welcome any appropriate banner as an alternative which the participating congregation wishes to send for the worship celebration
- Please bring a stand to hold the banner at the conclusion of the processional
- The Reformation Rally suggests to congregations that a youth hold the banner and carry it forward in the processional, although all are most welcome as the congregation chooses.
The Organist and Brass Ensemble
Robert Potterton III has played the organ at many New England District Gatherings and we thank him for his ability and leadership. He will also be coordinating and leading the Brass Section of the worship celebration. Mr. Potterton is renowned for his musical gifts and the power of his playing on the organ! We are most grateful for his presence on October 30th!
RSVP – RSVP – RSVP – OH Please RSVP – RSVP
If your congregation will be attending the Reformation Rally Celebration on October 30 please RSVP your numbers to Brenda Bacon at the District Office at 413-783-0131 Extension 10 or by email at bbacon@ned-lcms.org.
This will help greatly in planning for the food for the day’s festivities. We will be serving German food for this special celebration.
PS> If you find yourself saying in a few weeks, “Oh well, I never RSVP’d so I guess we won’t come – NO NO NO NO!” You can still come for worship even if you do not choose to stay for the food!
But an even better idea is to RSVP now and join in for a great culinary celebration of the Day!
RSVP – RSVP – RSVP – OH Please RSVP – RSVP
Here’s the Menu – Now you KNOW why you should RSVP!!!!!!!!!
Pork Loin
Red Cabbage, Apple Sauce,
German Potato Salad and Sauerkraut
Apple Squares
The Offering for the Rally
Our plan is to praise and thank the Savior in our worship and also by gathering a thank offering. With the funds received we shall seek to stimulate actions in ministry in a number of ways. We hope to strengthen our mission congregations and celebrate ministry through various projects in our congregations.
We ask that you please have a door offering in the next few weeks and bring those funds with you to the celebration service or mail directly to the District Office earmarked “Reformation Celebration”
New England District
400 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, Massachusetts 01109
Reformation Mission Grants
- 2016 LCEF Ministry Outreach Grants Recipients to be
announced at this Worship Rally Service on October 30th!
- 2017 Reformation Mission Grants – Applications will
be available at the Rally!!!!
These grants are designed for congregations to reach the unreached for Jesus Christ! Any New England District Congregation may apply for the 2017 grants. Details and applications will also be mailed to all congregations as well. The project should be mission focused, Word and Sacrament Oriented, and should be “outreach” rather than “inreach” in focus.
Reformation Rally Committee
Rev. Timothy Yeadon
Brenda Bacon
Deaaconess Tiffany Manor
Rev. Eric Sahlberg
Reformation Worship Committee:
Pastor John Rasmussen
Pastor David Riley
Assistance from Rev. Jonathan Manor
The New England District Worship Committee, Rev. Joel Cundiff Chairperson
