Camp Hope: In honor of Veterans Day, and to help support local veterans, Heritage PC is conducting a mission drive for the PTSD Foundation of America. This is a local organization—located off Beltway 8 in northwest Houston—that works to bring hope and healing to combat veterans and their families suffering from the effects of combat-related post-traumatic stress. One of PTSDFA’s primary means of helping veterans is through Camp Hope, a residential facility for veterans who suffer from PTSD. Camp Hope’s needs are ongoing and varied—but they can always use gift cards for groceries, facilities maintenance, and household goods. We’ll collect gift cards for Kroger, HEB, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart, and Target to provide to Camp Hope. Any amount is welcome! Please bring your gift cards to worship or to the church office by Sunday, November 7. This simple act of kindness can make a big difference in the lives of our Houston-area veteran who need help, and it will help to set them on the road to healing.
The Protestant Reformation was a major 16th century European movement aimed initially at reforming the beliefs and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. Its religious aspects were supplemented by ambitious political rulers who wanted to extend their power and control at the expense of the Church. The Reformation ended the unity imposed by medieval Christianity and, in the eyes of many historians, signaled the beginning of the modern era.
On October 31, 1517, in one of the signal events of western history, Martin Luther, a German Augustinian monk, posted 95 theses on the church door in the university town of Wittenberg. That act was common academic practice of the day and served as an invitation to debate. Luther himself never sought to do anything other than begin a debate in the church on whether or not the church should address his ideas.  However, Luther’s propositions directly challenged some portions of Roman Catholic doctrine and a number of specific practices.
Luther argued that the Bible, not the pope, was the central means to discern God’s word — a view that raised eyebrows in Rome. Further, Luther maintained that justification (salvation) was granted by faith alone; good works and the sacraments were not necessary to be saved.Luther had been especially appalled by a common church practice of “selling indulgences.†These papal documents were sold to penitents and promised them the remission of their sins. To Luther and other critics, it appeared that salvation was for sale. Rome enthusiastically supported the use of indulgences to raise money for the massive construction of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
There was nothing secret about Luther’s challenges. He sent a copy to his bishop, who in turn forwarded the theses to Rome.
Support for the Protestant Reformation came from sincere religious reformers, while others manipulated the movement to gain control of valuable church property.
Today is the fifth Sunday of the month, and that means it’s “Stump the Choir Sunday.â€Â  For each hymn, the congregation will be asked to name a hymn they would like to sing.  The pastor will announce the first hymn suggestion he hears BY NUMBER.  At the end, the music director and the accompanist will select the final hymn. Be ready to call out a hymn when the time arrives!
A congregational meeting will be held immediately following our worship service today. The purpose of this meeting is to act upon the recommended slate of church officers for the class of 2024:
Resource & Management Elder nominee: Chris Cancila
Fellowship & Hospitality Elder nominee: Mindy Boyd
Deacon nominee: Sally Luker
NOTE:Â Â There will also be a Personnel Committee meeting in the library immediately following the Congregational meeting.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
TODAY: Reformation Sunday and Halloween
Sunday, November 7
Communion Sunday
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS – set clocks BACK!
Camp Hope outreach benefitting veterans with PTSD
“Gold Bag†Sunday benefitting Free the Captives
Monday, November 8
Stated Session meeting, 7:00 PM via Zoom
Friday, November 11 – Veterans’ Day
Monday, November 15, 7:00 PM
Postma “Pie Day†for the staff
Annual budget writing meeting of the Session
Sunday, November 21
Christ the King Sunday
Thursday, November 25
Thanksgiving Holiday
Sunday, November 28
Advent begins!
Sunday, December 5
Advent Pancake Breakfast
Communion Sunday
“Gold Bag†Sunday benefitting Free the Captives
Saturday, December 11, 11:30 AM
Ladies’ Christmas Luncheon @ French Quarter Restaurant