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Sunday, October 25, 2026
Reformation Sunday
Worship 10 a.m.
Parkside Lutheran Church
Rediscovering the radical love of Jesus.
Gathering All. Serving All. Caring for All.
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Christian Life in a Changing World
Reformation Sunday commemorates the date when Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the All Saints Church in Wittenberg, Germany. It was the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.
Rooted in the past and growing into the future, the church must always be reformed in order to live out the love of Christ in an ever-changing world. We celebrate the good news of God’s grace, that Jesus Christ sets us free every day to do this life-transforming work.
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Also, this Sunday, Oct. 25, at 11 a.m., all parents of Sunday School-age children are encouraged to stay after church for a 10-minute meeting. You will hear about new programming updates and our new “Safe Child Policy.”
Adult Bible Study commences right after worship. For the next few weeks we will be looking at what the Book of Revelation has to say. Child care is available.
Visit the Parkside Lutheran Church website for this Sunday's worship bulletin.
Can't make it? Click here for Sunday's livestream of worship at the Parkside YouTube site.
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Message From Pastor
Dear Church,
Worship is not a performance, it is practice. This is what I tell every group of new acolytes, communion assistants and worship assistants. Sometimes I have to remind myself of this! Last Sunday I had the last-minute idea for us to sing “Seasons of Love” from the musical “Rent.” (Read the sermon to find out why!) We have such talented musicians that they jumped at the opportunity, and I quickly edited the worship slides.
Editing is not a spiritual gift of mine.
I moved several of the wrong slides around, and a few parts of worship were out of order. Most guests probably wouldn’t have noticed. But I was pretty frustrated with myself, and thankful for a great team and a church that just rolls with the bumps. Have you ever made a mistake where the person you were most mad at was yourself?
“My mouth is filled with your praise and with your glory all day long.” - Psalm 71:8
The psalmist reminds us that praise and worship are not simply a Sunday morning activity but a way of life. Jesus Christ lived, died and rose to set us free from sin, death and all brokenness, including the brokenness that makes us hardest on ourselves after mistakes. Being set free by God’s love, grace and mercy allows us to take chances and to remember that worship, and even our daily life of worship, is all practice. We are set free to love and to try new ways of sharing and proclaiming the love of God. So I am glad we took a chance and sang a great song, and I hope we all continue to make “mistakes” for the sake of the Gospel.
How did you grow up thinking of worship? Does viewing it as practice change anything for you? Are there any mistakes you are holding onto that need to be let go?
I hope you will join us for Reformation worship this Sunday. (Feel free to wear red!) We have a Baptism, I probably won’t mess with the slides, and, as always, it is a chance for us all to practice together.
May God bless you,
Pastor Jeremiah
P.S. You may have noticed we are back to using the “traditional” version of the Lord’s Prayer. We experimented over the summer, and the Worship Committee elected to return to the traditional. What I value most is that this is another example of practicing: trying new things to see what best resonates with folks and most effectively proclaims the Good News in and through our community, then prayerfully deciding together a way forward.
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Also On the Calendar
Friday evening, Oct. 23, 7 p.m.: Middle School Game Night in the Stowell Lounge.
Saturday, Oct. 24, 9:30 a.m. to noon: Altar Guild Cleaning Day. Many hands make light work as we polish and clean our church home before the holidays. Consider volunteering -- helpers also get donuts!
Saturday, Oct. 24, noon to 1:30 p.m.: Food Pantry volunteer orientation. Interested or want to learn more about helping on Saturdays? Fill out the form at this link and we'll contact you.
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 4:30 p.m. / 6 p.m.: Volunteer for the Buffalo Burrito Project, making burritos at church or delivering them to those in need downtown. Talk to Mike Miller or Alison Smith.
Friday, Oct. 30, 6:30 to 8 p.m.: Halloween Boo Bash. Volunteers are needed to help during the event, which moves indoors this year. If you are a teen (or know a teen) who can help decorate and dress up for the Boo Bash, reach out to Emma Spronk or email Jenna Edwards. (Adults are welcome, too.)
Also, we’re asking for treat donations, including cider, donuts, and candy. There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex.
Looking ahead:
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 5:30 to 8 p.m.: International Thanksgiving Dinner. Volunteer or just come share a meal with our new Buffalo neighbors
Sunday, Dec. 20, 10 a.m.: Christmas Pageant during worship
Saturday, Jan. 2: Holiday Hayride
Sunday, Jan. 31: Annual Congregational Meeting after church
Visit our website for more information about these and other events at Parkside – www.parksidelutheran.org/events
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It Is Pledge Season
The church already has received 18 pledges so far for 2027. That is a good start.
For this year (2026), we had a total of 62 pledges, representing 70 percent of voting member households.
Can we make it to 75 percent this year?
Your pledge helps us plan and budget for 2027, but, just as important, it demonstrates to the congregation the resolve of our members to make Parkside's mission a conscious priority through a financial commitment.
Truly: Every pledge makes a difference, even a pledge of $1 (you can always give more as circumstances allow).
If you need a pledge card, there are extras in the Narthex that you can place right in the collection plate, or you can email the office at parksidelutheran@gmail.com.
Please, if possible, respond with your commitment by Reformation Sunday, Oct. 25.
Thank you to all who support Parkside's mission with their time, talent, and treasure.
"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope." - Jeremiah 29:11
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International Thanksgiving Donations
For the annual Thanksgiving Dinner of the International Institute of Buffalo and Parkside Lutheran Church on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 5:30 p.m., we are collecting donations of nonperishables to give out at the dinner.
There is a collection bin in the Narthex for donations of rice, pasta, bread, pita bread, flour, sugar, cornmeal, vegetable or corn oil, tea, dried or canned beans (black, red, kidney, garbanzo, etc.), dried lentils, canned fruits and vegetables, and tomato paste.
If you would like to help prepare either a traditional American and or international dish for the dinner, or "sponsor" a dish by purchasing catered dishes from local ethnic restaurants, Sign up at this link.
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October Birthdays
Sue Stapell, 10/2; John Volpe, 10/3; Anne Dafchik, 10/8; James Budny, 10/8; Marlene Urban, 10/8; David Macro, 10/9; Krystal Griffa, 10/13; Chelsea Pascucci, 10/14; Michael Miller, 10/16; Kathryn Then, 10/18; Paul Witmer, 10/20; Carolyn Koons, 10/21; Alex Kosmowski, 10/22; Gail Petschke, 10/28; Gianna Gullo, 10/29.
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In Our Prayers
Congregation: Tani Birkman for health and healing; the Gaston family, for strength and healing; Barb Herman; Lori Griffa; health and healing for Jim Budny; Leigh Beenau, for healing; the Shchurowskys; Marilynn Horwood; Lorri Hagner; Janet Knoell; the Fiedler family; Beverly Hirtreiter; Donna Marie; and Cheryl Kinsman.
Friends & Family: For the Cendrowski family for healing and strength; health and healing for Donna H; for Allison Killeen and family; for Parkside painter Joe O'Grady; Maureen Dolata; Ann Klis; David Baker for healing and recovery; Leah V for healing and recovery; Tammy, Tara and the Root family; Anita Wooster; Louisa, Rick; Trish Litter; Clare N.; Diane; Deana; Mitchell Paradowski; Emil Lennert; Bill Ackley; Jennifer Jaap; Harmony; Tony Nigro; Hannah; and Sarah Slusher. We pray for the church, the world and all in need.
If you’d like to add or update a prayer, contact the office: parksidelutheran@gmail.com, 716-836-1361, or leave note in collection plate.
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Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything at all. Leave a voice mail on the number below and Pastor will call you back. Pastoral Emergency Number:
716-939-1909
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We are so grateful to those who have helped sustain our mission through their continued financial offerings via Tithe.ly and by mail! If you want to check out Tithe.ly, now is a great time to give online!
Link: https://tithe.ly/give?c=912288 or click on the link on our website parksidelutheran.org
Update: 3rd Quarter Giving Statements will be emailed by 10.22.26.
Thank you to all who support Parkside financially and through acts of service!
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Church office
(716) 836-1361**
parksidelutheran@gmail.com
Pastor's email:
prjeremiahpsmith@gmail.com
Address:
Parkside Lutheran Church
2 Wallace Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14214
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Parkside Lutheran Church Council: Pastor Jeremiah P. Smith; Tom Smith, president; Carolyn Case, vice president; Sue Stapell, secretary; Onda Simmons, treasurer; and James Jones, Magan Russ and Emma Spronk, members.
Council meets on the 4th Thursday of each month. Meeting minutes are available to Parkside members after they are approved by Council the following month. Contact the council secretary at sstapell@verizon.net to request a copy.
**Church Office Hours: M/ Tu /Th: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Our office staff is Kris Pope and Suzanne Gracie. Music director is Mike Hooker. Jenna Edwards is director of Christian Education, Youth and Family Ministry.
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Parkside Evangelical Lutheran Church Website
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