1. We are justified by grace through faith alone. Everything we do is called to reflect God’s love for us. Every person is created in the image of God. Every person is a child of God. There is nothing that we have done to earn God’s love. Rather, God shows that incredible love for us through Jesus: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God – not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

On October 31, 500 years ago, a young monk posted a treatise on the local bulletin board in order to start a conversation to reform certain practices within the church. Little did he know that his effort at dialogue and reform would change the landscape of Western Christianity. This year we participate with churches throughout the world in celebrating the 500^th anniversary of the Reformation, the movement that Martin Luther began when he posted the 95 Theses on the chapel door in Wittenburg, Germany.