Musings from the Pastor’s Desk

Reformation Sunday, October 26, 2025

Reminder: Worship will begin at 10:00 AM at Grace Lutheran Church, 10928 Indian Head Highway, Ft. Washington, Maryland 20744

Why Do Lutherans Wear Red on Reformation Sunday?

In 1517, Martin Luther wrote a document criticizing the Catholic Church’s corrupt practice of selling indulgences to forgive sins. He nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle church. In it, he expressed two main beliefs – that the Bible is the ultimate religious authority and that humans can only attain salvation through faith, not deeds. Luther’s document started the Protestant Reformation, changing the world forever. The Lutheran Church celebrates Reformation Sunday in October to honor this historic and spiritual event.

Reformation Sunday is a cherished observance in the Lutheran tradition, celebrated with a sea of red in sanctuaries—from the altar paraments and clergy stoles to the clothing of the congregation. The practice of using liturgical colors to signify church festivals is an ancient Christian tradition that Lutherans adopted and adapted. A unified system of colors developed over time and was eventually formalized in Lutheran liturgical guides.

As Reformation Day and Sunday became official festivals in Lutheran calendars, they were assigned the color red, consistent with other major festivals and commemorations. The choice of red likely evolved by analogy with similar observances in church tradition. Red is the color associated with occasions that invoke the Holy Spirit, linking Pentecost and the Reformation. On Pentecost, the disciples are “all together in one place” when a “sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven” and “tongues of fire…separated and came to rest on each of them. All were filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:1-4). Since Pentecost marks the church’s birth, wearing red on Reformation Sunday reminds us that the Holy Spirit, as it did in Luther’s time, renews the church in every generation.

Red is also the color of blood, which makes it the historic color used to honor martyrs in the Church. On Reformation Sunday, it reminds worshippers of those who suffered and even died for the sake of reforming the church and bearing witness to the Gospel. While Martin Luther himself did not die a martyr, the reform movement highlighted many earlier and later figures who paid with their lives, from Jan Hus before Luther to countless others who faced persecution. The red visuals evoke “the blood of the martyrs who gave their lives for the sake of the Gospel.” It’s a solemn reminder of the cost of discipleship and the courage of convictions.

Red also symbolizes zeal, courage, and the fiery passion of faith. The Reformation was driven by a passionate return to the fundamental truths of Scripture (grace alone, faith alone, Word alone), so red reflects that fervent spirit.

Join us for our joint worship service with Peace Lutheran, Hope, and Grace Lutheran this Sunday at 10:00 AM, or watch live on Facebook at Hopeclinton.

Worship will be at Grace Lutheran, 10928 Indian Head Highway, Ft Washington, Maryland 20744

All are welcome!

Shalom+

Pastor Eric

References:

“Martin Luther and the 95 Thesis” from History.com

Sundays and Seasons. Augsburg Fortress, 2018.