Weekly Update – October 29th, 2026
On October 31st, 1517, a man named Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany. At the time, Martin Luther was only a monk within the Catholic Church. He had a few issues with the way the church ran things, specifically 95 issues, mainly relating to practice called “the selling of indulgences.” Indulgences where grants or tickets that people could buy to release themselves or deceased loved ones from time in purgatory. Either way, what resulted from these 95 grievances was more than just a discussion, which is what Luther was originally hoping for. Instead, what came about was a reformation.
Now you may be wondering why this is so significant. Well, it could be easy to look at this as another history lesson, of which times and dates can be read and then quickly forgotten. But there is something far more valuable in remembering the Protestant Reformation than simply looking at another event in the past. The Protestant Reformation has vast implications for us today. In fact, the Protestant Reformation, led by Martin Luther, and carried on by men such as John Calvin, Huldrych Zwingli and others, is the a key reason why we are who we are and why we believe what we believe today.
It was at this time in history that the Bible had been hidden from the common person, grace was supposedly dispensed by the hands of the Catholic clergy and even the mass was held in obscurity as it was conducted completely in Latin, which no one understood. All Christians were supposed to confess their sins regularly to a priest and according to the church, most people would die without the necessarily requirement of righteousness leaving them to serve many years in purgatory. The pope was the supreme authority and those who had opposed any of the teachings of the Catholic Church were in danger of being burned at the stake. This was the fate of Jan Hus in 1415 for example. Overall, it was a scary time to live as a corrupt church ruled over what was then known as Christianity.
Yet God did not abandon his church. He raised up a man named Martin Luther who began preaching the true gospel, writing hymns and who would translate the Bible into the common language. This caused the truth about Jesus Christ to spread as others began to hear the truth and read the Bible for themselves. Specifically, the teaching that came out of the reformation was called the five solas. The five solas are essentially statements of beliefs that are necessary for us as Christians to hold to. Sola, which means “only”, was placed alongside of the words scripture, faith, grace, Christ and the glory of God. So then the focus of the reformation was on scripture alone, faith alone, grace alone, Christ alone, and the glory of God alone.
The reformation is more than a bunch of facts and dates of the past, but it is our heritage as Christians. Without this time in history, it is possible the gospel could still be obscured. At the same time, the reformation reminds us that God never forgets his people. He knows and loves his church. He sent his son to live and die for his church. All this is evidenced by his preservation of the truth through his church. Therefore, as another year passes and we remember the reformation, let us never forget how important it is that we stand for what we believe. God has and will continue to use ordinary people like me and you to build his church and he promises that the gates of hell will never prevail against us.
Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson
Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson
Fighter Verse for the Week
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. [Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.]"
Proverbs 3:5-7
Announcements:
Fall Festival: On Saturday, October 31st from 5:00-7:00pm, we will host a fall festival at the church. We will have trunk or treat, bounce house, chili, hot dogs, dessert, hot chocolate and a fire pit. Help us fill up our candy barrel before the event, and sign up in the hall to help on that night.
Men’s Retreat: On Friday, November 6th – Saturday, November 7th we will host our 3rd Men’s Retreat at God’s Mountain Camp. Dave Hintz from Flint Hills Bible Church will be our speaker this year. Cost will be $45. Sign up in the hall today! You can pay HERE. Make sure to select “men’s ministry” when you do.
Sunday Evening Service: Our next Sunday evening service will be on Sunday, November 8th at 6:00pm. On this evening we will pray together and hear from Christian Adkins as he preaches from Philippians 2:1-18
Thanksgiving Potluck: On Sunday, November 15th, immediately following our morning service, we will have our annual Thanksgiving Potluck dinner in the Faith Center Gym. The church will provide turkey, mashed potatoes, rolls and drinks. You will bring the sides and desserts. Check the bulletin board in the hallway for more information and sign up to bring something!
Family Discipleship Guides: These guides are designed to help equip parents further engage with what our children and youth are learning. You can find a guide for AWANA HERE, and for our Youth HERE.
Discipleship Training: Join us for our adult study on Wednesday nights. The study is over the topic of Christian Ethics. Join us from 6:45-8:00pm
Ladies’ Bible Study: Our ladies’ study meets on Tuesdays at 9:30am or 6:00pm. They are currently going through a study of Romans by Courtney Doctor. If you are interested in attending, see Sheryl Nelson or Melody Singleton.
Men’s Study: Our Men’s study meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday nights at 8:00-9:15pm. The book for this study will be The Case for Christ. See Matthew Klika for more information.
Building Remodel: If you would like to give to our remodel fund, there are commitment cards available in the welcome center. Feel free to pick up one and return it to one an available basket. If you would like to give a one time or a reoccurring gift, you can do so HERE and select “building remodel.” You can also give through one of the offering boxes at church. Be sure to mark your envelop, “building remodel.” Check out a video highlighting the work done so far.
Food Pantry: The food pantry is currently in need of some food items. For a complete list of food pantry needs, click HERE.
Awana Bible Club
Awana Clubs are held on Wednesdays throughout the school year. Dinner is at 6:00pm with Awana Clubs starting at 6:30pm. Children can be registered HERE.
Equipping Hour
We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “A Survey in Church History” meets in the Sanctuary, a study in Isaiah in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the Old Testament meets in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.
Giving
To Give Online, Go HERE.
You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030
Home Groups
Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.
Prayer
An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE.
Prepare for Sunday
Guide for Worship can be found HERE.
Wednesday Evening Activities
Awana, Youth Group, and Discipleship Training are on Wednesday evenings. We will share a meal in the Faith Center Gym at 6:00pm before heading to classes at 6:30pm.
Worship Service
Worship Service begins at 10:30am on Sunday mornings. Nursery care for children ages 0-4 years is available during the worship hour.
Livestream
Continue to join us at 10:30am on Sunday mornings.
YouTube: HERE.
Join us and invite a friend or family member to watch with you.
Sunday School
Children and Youth Sunday School take place at 9:15am on Sunday mornings.
Ages 0-2 and 3–k meet in the nursery suite.
Grades 1-2nd meet upstairs in U-5.
Grades 3rd-6th meet upstairs in U-6.
Grades 7th-12th meet downstairs in the youth room.