As October rolls around, the store aisles fill with costumes, pumpkin displays, and bags of candy. But along with the fun, October 31st often brings questions, debates, and mixed feelings for Christian families.

How should followers of Jesus view Halloween? Should we participate, adjust how we engage, or abstain entirely?

Because Christians hold a wide range of perspectives on this topic—often shaped by background, personal conscience, or memories of the "Satanic Panic" of decades past—it helps to step back, look at Scripture, and understand the history behind the day.

While popular culture often paints October 31st as purely secular or spooky, its history is deeply intertwined with church tradition.

Historically, the word Halloween comes from "All Hallows' Even" (or Eve), which simply means the night before All Hallows' Day (now known as All Saints' Day on November 1st). In the early and medieval church, November 1st was set aside to remember and celebrate faithful Christians who had gone before us—the "hallows" or holy ones. October 31st was simply the vigil preparing for that celebration.

Over time, folk traditions, harvest festivals, and secular marketing merged with the holiday. While some elements of modern Halloween lean heavily into themes of darkness or the occult, the day itself is not inherently "owned" by evil.

In 1 Corinthians 8 and 10, the Apostle Paul addressed a dynamic that applies closely to how we handle cultural days today: how believers should navigate cultural practices when consciences differ.

Paul’s guidance comes down to two key truths:

1. Things in themselves do not have spiritual power over us. Dressing up in a costume, carving a pumpkin, or sharing candy with neighbors does not mean you are partaking in evil or worshipping Satan. Evil is an issue of the heart, not a piece of chocolate or a funny outfit.
2. Conscience matters. If doing something violates your conscience or causes you spiritual compromise, then for you, it is wrong.

As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:31:

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

If dressing up or participating in neighborhood trick-or-treating causes you distress, or if you feel it honors something contrary to Christ, you should abstain in good conscience. But if you see it as a lighthearted opportunity to meet neighbors, show hospitality, and give out the best candy on the block, you can do so in freedom and faith.

To give our church family and community a fun, uplifting, and safe place to celebrate, LCC is hosting our annual Hallelujah Harvest Festival!

It’s going to be a fantastic time filled with:

• Bounce House fun for the kids
• Games & Activities for all ages
• Lots of Candy to enjoy!

Whether you’re looking for a wholesome alternative to traditional trick-or-treating or just want a safe, friendly environment to bring your kids, we’d love for you to join us. It’s a great way to enjoy the evening together as a community and shine the light of Christ in a fun, welcoming setting.

Rather than approaching the end of October with fear or antagonism, Christians have a unique opportunity to bring light and grace.

Our security is not in avoiding a calendar date, nor is it threatened by costumes and candy. Our security is in Jesus Christ, who has already overcome darkness.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

— 2 Timothy 1:7

Whatever your family decides this month, let us extend grace to one another, guard our hearts, and use every season to shine the light of Christ.

Pastor Ryan

10/10 Jonny & Heather Payne
10/17 Len & Cathy Vlieg
10/28 Eddy & Virginia Rivera

10/1 Elizabeth Villarreal
10/2 Marcus Steenbergen
10/3 Elaina Rounsaville
10/4 Andrew Barton
10/10 Hazel Bell
10/12 Jerry Vyskocil
10/13 Wayne Husom
10/13 Michael Jackson (youth)
10/19 Rosemary Trejo
10/20 Dena Kenworthy
10/20 Erin Laughlin
10/21 Maryssa Johnson
10/22/16 Jassiah Grant
10/22/16 Janiyah Grant
10/23 Leeann Roach
10/24 Michele Baker
10/25 Kale White (youth)
10/28 Kristin Rowe
10/28 Terry (Stoney) Stone
10/30 Liz Gianasmidis

ARE WE THERE YET?: A 5-WEEK SERIES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT ON ISRAEL & THE WILDERNESS
SERIES OVERVIEW:
Can you imagine needing to walk through the desert? You’d be surrounded by cacti, sand, snakes, and more sand. With the heat of the sun, we’d wind up so thirsty and wondering “Are we there yet?” That’s probably how the Israelites felt as they wandered around the desert, waiting to enter the Promised Land. But no matter how tired our feet get, we can focus on what’s happening in our lives right now rather than just on where we’re going. In this five-week series based on stories from Exodus, we’ll explore how we can choose to be thankful, love God and others, turn to God when we’re lost, go to God when we need rest, and remember God’s promises.

A 4-WEEK SERIES ON IDENTITY
SERIES OVERVIEW:
Many of our favorite movies, from Toy Story to Moana, tell the stories of characters who are on a journey to discover who they are and what they were created to do. The stories in Scripture are like this too, but with one big difference: in the Bible, humans aren't the main characters — God is. In this series, we'll explore the stories of people like Cain and Abel, Elijah, Naomi, Ruth, Esther, and some of the earliest Jesus-followers in order to see that who we are can best be understand in the context of who God is. When we discover who our Creator is, we can better understand who we were created to be. Because of who God is, we can trust how God has made us, we can do difficult things, we can embrace the unknown, and we can take risks for others.