October is a month that stimulates many thoughts and memories in my mind. School is firmly ensconced in the minds of parents and children alike. The leaves are changing colors signifying the beauty of God’s creation and the reality and seasonality of death. It’s football season! And likely homecoming games and parades will be celebrated across the fruited plain. There is  the smell of carameled apples, the spectre of Halloween, and finally, but not least important for Lutherans it signifies the anniversary of the Reformation of the church.

I still look forward to this month each year, not only for the memories of Octobers past, but for the annual professional worker’s conference for the Rocky Mountain District.  We are refueled with special speakers on pertinent topics to the ministry.  And we are able to reacquaint ourselves with peers and friends from all over the district.

Additionally, I love the color, the brisk air of the fall mornings, and the steady movement of all creation toward the inevitability of death.  That isn’t really meant to bring about angst, it’s meant to give a picture of our human existence too.  For many of us as we mature life becomes much more colorful.  We find joy in many things that we’ve taken for granted through much of our lives. Pay attention to the colors of the seasons, not only the trees and plants but the sunsets, the mountains, and all your surroundings, including the faces of the children and the smiles of grandparents as they watch them exploring the newness of life.

As Christians, we all know that we are in the autumn of creation.  These are the final days, our Savior has promised His return for judgement, resurrection of all flesh and the eternity of the final wedding feast of the Lamb for all of us who know Him and have faith in His salvation.

Therefore, this is a very joyous time.  It’s colorful, filled with memories, but filled with anticipation as well.  God bless us all as we enjoy this great month of October.

When we close the month, actually on the first day of November (All Saint’s Day), the Utah Circuit will celebrate the anniversary of the Reformation of the church with a special service and traditional Oktoberfest meal to be celebrated @ St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ogden, UT. The service will begin @ 4:30 pm and the meal will follow. Y’all come!