Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

Perhaps celebrate is the wrong word.

The roots of the American holiday of Halloween go back more than 2000 years. European Celts celebrated the end of the harvest and the beginning of a new year in a festival called Samhain. It was also a time of communing with spirits, lighting bonfires in honor of the dead.

Fast forward a few centuries and the observance began to change. Several Christian popes attempted to replace “pagan” holidays like Samhain with events more suited to the Christian faith. By 1000 A.D., All Souls’ Day on November 2 served as a time for the living to pray for the souls of the dead. All Saints’ Day, assigned to November 1, honored saints and also was sometimes called “All Hallows.” That made October 31 All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween.

Despite the new religious focus, the Old England and Irish association of the season with the wandering dead continued. They set out gifts of food to please the spirits, and eventually, people took up dressing in scary costumes to gain treats for themselves — a practice called “mumming,” which is similar to today’s trick-or-treating.

So, should we participate in the American tradition of Halloween, which seems to jumble together old pagan and Christian festivals?

The New Testament tells us that Christians have permission to make decision about pagan or secular practices with which they may come in contact. In 1 Corinthians 8 Paul addresses a debate within the church. Some of the Christians were refusing to eat meat that was used as a sacrifice to foreign gods. Other Christians thought it perfectly acceptable since they were not actually worshiping the gods, but only eating the meat after it had been brought to market. The Apostle Paul gave freedom to Christians individuals to make their own decision regarding this issue, but with a warning: “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.”

Paul’s point was this: we have great freedoms as Christians to determine what is beneficial or harmful when it comes to participating in public life, but we should also be concerned with appearances, and with causing others to stumble. Christians may enjoy a beer at the bar, attend yoga classes, or dress up for Halloween, but in each of these things we should be careful not to let any aspect of a secular or pagan practice detract us from following Christ and bringing him glory in all we do. Drinking too much beer at the bar, embracing the polytheistic, religious components of yoga, or becoming enamored with the idea of spirits, hauntings, or demons could in their own ways each damage our ability to witness to others and distract us from our worship of God alone.

Perhaps then, we do not “celebrate” Halloween, but we may choose to participate in some of the more benign traditions of the day – trick-or-treating, dressing up in costume, or placing jack-o-lanterns on the porch. Of course, other Christians may decide a “harvest party” or “trunk-or-treat” activity is a better choice for their family. Regardless of those decisions, what we do celebrate with joy is the November 1st Festival of All Saints. This day is a chance to remember those who have died in the faith, some of whom may have influenced our lives or shaped our walk with Jesus. We celebrate that those who have gone before us now rest in glory with their Lord, and one day we will be united with them there. This Sunday in our service at Calvary, we will take time to light candles as a way to remember the saints who have gone before us.

Tonight, my family, and perhaps yours, will go trick-or-treating. It is a great opportunity to mingle with neighbors and participate in the life of the community. And as we go we will also reassure our kids if they see anything that scares them, or seems too spooky, that because of our faith in God, we have nothing to fear in the physical, or even the spiritual realm. In Holy Baptism we are sealed as people of God, with the Holy Ghost being the only spiritual force having any power in our lives.

~Pastor Mike Middaugh

Fear

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
― Psalm 27:1

But the world can be a fearsome place.

And not just because of illness, or money worries, or dark alleys, but the fear of our greatest uncertainties. Does my work really matter? What is the future of our country? What will the world be like for my kids?

So much can seem uncertain.

But Jesus says, “the Kingdom of God is near.” In fact, not just near, but all around us. It has come and it is coming. The work we do now, the search for justice in our world, the love of neighbor and creation, is not for the purpose of building bigger barns or storehouses to call our own, but these are all bricks stacked upon each other for the building of his Towers, his Kingdom.

And his Kingdom is eternal, not fleeting, or failing as the world. If we build upon his foundation, our house will never crumble.

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

~Pastor Mike Middaugh

Special Note: This Sunday is Calvary’s Fall Kickoff. See Upcoming Events below for details. Members are asked to bring side dishes or desserts to share for the Fellowship Meal following worship.

A Prayer for This New Season

O God, as summer vacations end, our children return to school, and we look ahead to a new season – the changing of our schedules – we turn to you for guidance, wisdom and discernment. Our time and attention are finite. We are bound to live within our own imperfect human limitations. We ask your help in focusing on those things that are most important while avoiding those of little value. Most especially we ask your help in giving ourselves fully to one another, to our families, our children, to our community, that we might be of service to others and love well.

As children return to school, we ask you would keep them safe as they join with others to learn and grow. As our church resumes its regular fall schedule we ask your blessing upon the music we make, the praises we bring, and the acts of mercy in which we participate. May the gospel good news of your Son Jesus, be at the center of our worship, and indeed, our lives. Bless also the work of our hands, whether that be our occupation, or the other responsibilities that fill our days. May our contribution to society be a blessing to many others.

Finally, Lord, we ask you would make us hopeful people in a sometimes hopeless world. May you grant us a perspective to see the trials and difficulties of these days as signs that our world is broken and in need or redemption, redemption already promised and made possible by your Son, our Savior. We ask you to lift us up, especially when this world lays us low. Give us words of encouragement and compassion to speak to one another in trying or uncertain times. Grant joy to us your people, that we would find comfort in the community you knit together, love within our families, and pleasure in the the great beauty of your creation and the many blessings you have entrusted to us, your people.

All these prayers we bring before our God who loves us, just as we trust in the great, sacrificial saving work of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

~Pastor Mike Middaugh

UPCOMING EVENTS

This Sunday

The readings for this Sunday are: Isaiah 35:4-7a; Psalm 146;  James 2:1-10, 14-17; Mark 7:24-37.

Healthy churches should encourage both of these practices for their people. In the weekly cycle of worship and life we are invited to “come and see” as we gather for worship, sacraments, and fellowship, but are also invited to “go and share” by not checking our identity as Christ-follower at the door on the way out of church. We live every day as God’s people, gathering with the church regularly for worship, and scattering to our individual lives of vocation, family responsibilities and living as a neighbor.

So how do we “come and see” and “go and share” faithfully as God’s people?

As members of a local church we have a responsibility to one another to be invested in our church community. We have seen the fruit of the investment of many, many Calvary members recently with the successful organization and launch of the ALL IN Campaign. It took many of us, and many hours of work to organize this campaign which will result in our ability to care for our facility and pave the way for future ministry goals to be achieved. On the converse, a church community where members are not invested, but rather simply show up from time to time to receive rather than to give, will never be effective at forming vibrant healthy community, or in moving forward ministry initiatives or goals.

As we come and see, we are fed by our church, but we also give of ourselves for the sake of feeding others. We grow alongside one another in community. Sometimes we are in a position to serve others, share words of comfort or care, or helping to meet earthly needs. At other times, we find ourselves needing to be cared for, and the community in turn feeds and nourishes us. But none of this can happen when people are not willing to invest in their church, giving of themselves in these ways.

As people of God we are also called to go and share. We are nourished by our church community and then sent into the world to live as God calls us, loving our neighbor, and using our talents to better the world. We have been filled with hope as God’s people, and shown the great love of God expressed in his Son, Jesus. As we have been loved, we are called to go and love, even to the point of sacrifice for our families, neighbors, and community.

As we go and share what we have seen of God’s love, we also complete the circle by inviting others to come and see along with us. As we go through our lives we look for the opportunities created by the Holy Spirit to share our faith and hope with other people, and when there is an opportunity, to invite them to come and see and worship as part of the church community.

Now here are some questions to ponder: Are there people in your life who might be blessed by being part of a church community? Are there families whose children might love being around other kids here at Calvary where they can grow in faith and enjoy the fellowship of a loving church home? Are there those who may be people of faith who been part of a church community who might be blessed by receiving an invitation? Sometimes all it takes is a simple invitation, a little push.

Come and See! Go and Share! The joyful ebb and flow of disciples.

~Pastor Mike Middaugh

UPCOMING EVENTS

THIS SUNDAY

The readings for this Sunday are: Acts 4:5-12; 1 John 3:16-24; John 10:11-18.

Calvary is thrilled to host the Potomac River Jazz Club’s Spring Fling featuring John Royn and David Sager.

PRJC is bringing New Orleans to Silver Spring once again this year for a major jazz event. In his first PRJC appearance since 2011, all-star Crescent City pianist John Royen will be performing for the club. Royen will be backed by David Sager’s band featuring Anita Thomas, Tommy Cecil, Jon Mathis and Tommy Barrick.

John has been a fixture on the New Orleans jazz scene, both as an A-list on-call pianist and as a core member of most of the well-known jazz groups. He has performed, toured and recorded with many contemporary jazz greats including The Dukes of Dixieland, Tim Laughlin, and the late Pete Fountain. John, a Washington native, performed for over 25 years with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and has performed at the Kennedy Center, the U.S. State Department, the National Press Club, the Smithsonian Institution, the New Orleans Historical Jazz Park, and numerous universities, theaters and performing arts centers around the country, in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Canada. In 2008, John was voted as the All Star Jazz Pianist by New Orleans Magazine, He has lectured for the Louis Armstrong Foundation, University of Colorado, University of Tampa, Eckerd College, University of Louisiana as well as numerous jazz festivals and private associations. John was called on to instruct employees of the National Park Service New Orleans Jazz Park on the history and development of early jazz. Today, John maintains an active performance schedule. He performs regularly at the prestigious Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans as well as several jazz clubs such as Fritzels and the Bombay Club in the French Quarter. His non-musical calling is that of a naturalist when he assumes the role of “Captain John” and gives expert guided tours of bayous and swamps.

David Sager, a Grammy nominee, is a Washington native who spent 12 years in New Orleans, is the curator for the Library of Congress’s National Jukebox.

Admission:
PRJC members ($20), General admission ($25; $22.50 in advance),
Youth & Students with valid student IDs (Free).
Tickets at the door can be purchased with cash or checks only. Exact change is appreciated!

Parking:

Calvary Lutheran Church is located at 9545 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring MD

Parking is available in the front parking lot, on the grassy areas along the drive, and on the street behind the church.