Sunday, October 25, 2020

Sunday Worship, October 25, 2020, 10:30 a.m. - Reformation Sunday

 The livestream may be found here.


The order of service is below.


OPENING MUSIC       

Prelude from Suite No. 3 in C Major for Unaccompanied Cello (BWV 1009)

  Johann Sebastian Bach

Michael Frontz, Cello

 

 Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation

Robert J. Powell

 

Please meditate on the text of the hymn as it is played:

 

1              Christ is made the sure foundation,

                Christ, our head and cornerstone,

                chosen of the Lord and precious,

                binding all the church in one;

                holy Zion’s help forever

                and our confidence alone.

 

2              To this temple, where we call you,

                come, O Lord of hosts, and stay;

                come with all your lovingkindness,

                hear your people as they pray;

                and your fullest benediction

                shed within these walls today.

 

3              Grant, we pray, to all your faithful

                all the gifts they ask to gain;

                what they gain from you, forever

                with the blessed to retain;

                and hereafter in your glory

                evermore with you to reign.

 

4             Praise and honor to the Father,

                praise and honor to the Son,

                praise and honor to the Spirit,

                ever three and ever one:

                one in might and one in glory

                while unending ages run!

 

Text: Latin hymn, c. 7th cent.; tr. John M. Neale, 1818-1866, alt.

 

 

 

 

BRIEF ORDER FOR CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

 

Stand

The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

 

In the name of the Father, and of the X Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

  Amen

 

What is the significance of a baptism with water?

  It signifies that daily the old person in us with all our sins and evil

  desires is to be drowned through sorrow for sin and repentance, 

  and that daily a new person is to come forth and rise up to live

  before God in righteousness and purity forever.

 

What is confession?

  Confession consists of two parts: One is that we confess our sins.

  The other is that we receive the absolution, that is, forgiveness,

  from the pastor as from God himself and by no means doubt

  but firmly believe that our sins are thereby forgiven before God in

  heaven.

 

Small Catechism of Martin Luther

Silence for reflection and self-examination.

 

Most merciful God,

  we confess that we are in bondage to sin

  and cannot free ourselves.

  We have sinned against you

  in thought, word, and deed,

  by what we have done

  and by what we have left undone.

  We have not loved you with our whole heart;

  we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

  For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.

  Forgive us, renew us, and lead us,

  so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways,

  to the glory of your holy name. Amen

 

Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for us and, for his

sake, forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the

Church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the

entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the

 XSon, and of the Holy Spirit.

  Amen

THE HOLY COMMUNION

                                     

APOSTOLIC GREETING

 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,

and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

  And also with you.

(2 Corinthians 13:13)

KYRIE ELEISON

 

In peace, let us pray to the Lord.                                 Lord, have mercy.

For the peace from above,

and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.       Lord, have mercy.

For the peace of the whole world,

for the well-being of the Church of God,

and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.    Lord, have mercy.

For this holy house,

and for all who offer here their worship and praise,

let us pray to the Lord.                                                   Lord, have mercy.

Help, save, comfort and defend us, gracious Lord.                       Amen

 

HYMN OF PRAISE

 

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.         

(Luke 2:14)

Lord God, heavenly king, almighty God and Father:

                We worship you, we give you thanks,

we praise you for your glory.

                Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,

Lord God, Lamb of God:

                You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.

                You are seated at the right hand of the Father;

receive our prayer.

                For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,

                you alone are the Most High,

                Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,

in the glory of God the Father. Amen

 

 PRAYER OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you.

  And also with you.

 

Almighty God, gracious Lord,

pour out your Holy Spirit upon your faithful people.

 Keep them steadfast in your Word, protect and comfort them

 against all temptations, defend them against all enemies,

 and bestow on the Church your saving peace;

through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 Amen

 

CALL TO THE WORD

Remember the Sabbath Day, and keep it holy.

  We are to fear and love God, so that we do not despise God’s

   Word or preaching, but instead keep that word holy and gladly

   hear and learn it.                                            

 Small Catechism of Martin Luther

                                               

Sit

First READING                                                                     Jeremiah 31:31-34

 

31The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. 33But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.

 

The Word of the Lord.                                                                                                  

  Thanks be to God.

 

 PSALM 46

The psalm is read responsively between the pastor and the people.

 

1 God is our ref- | uge and strength,*

                a very present | help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the | earth be moved,*

                and though the mountains be toppled

into the depths | of the sea;

3 though its waters | rage and foam,*

                and though the mountains tremble | at its tumult.

4 The Lord of | hosts is with us;*

                the God of Jacob | is our stronghold.

5 There is a river whose streams make glad the cit- | y of God,*

                the holy habitation of | the Most High.

6 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be | overthrown;*

                God shall help her at the | break of day.

7 The nations make much ado, and the king- | doms are shaken;*

                God has spoken, and the earth shall | melt away.

8 The Lord of | hosts is with us;*

                the God of Jacob | is our stronghold.

9 Come now and look upon the works | of the Lord,*

                what awesome things he has | done on earth.

10 It is he who makes war to cease in | all the world;*

                he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear,

and burns the | shields with fire.

11 "Be still, then, and know that | I am God;*

                I will be exalted among the nations;

I will be exalted | in the earth."

12 The Lord of | hosts is with us;*

                the God of Jacob | is our stronghold.

 

 

SECOND READING                                                             Romans 3:19-28

 

19Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20For “no human being will be justified in his sight” by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.

21But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, 22the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; 26it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus.

27Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.

 

The Word of the Lord.                                                  

  Thanks be to God.

 

Stand 

VERSE                 

Alleluia. If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples,

  and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.

  Alleluia.

                                                         John 8:31-32

               

Gospel                                                                                                John 8:31-36

 

The Holy Gospel according to St. John.

  Glory to you, O Lord.

 

31Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” 33They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, ‘You will be made free’?”
34Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. 36So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”

 

The Gospel of the Lord.                                

  Praise to you, O Christ.

Sit

SERMON                                                                  

                                                                       

HYMN OF THE DAY                                                                      Built On a Rock

 

Please meditate on the text of the hymn as it is played.

 

1              Built on a rock the church shall stand,

                even when steeples are falling;

                crumbled have spires in ev’ry land,

                bells still are chiming and calling--

                calling the young and old to rest,

                calling the souls of those distressed,

                longing for life everlasting.

 

2              Not in our temples made with hands

                God, the Almighty, is dwelling;

                high in the heav’ns his temple stands,

                all earthly temples excelling.

                Yet he who dwells in heav’n above

                deigns to abide with us in love,

                making our bodies his temple.

 

3              We are God’s house of living stones,

                built for his own habitation;

                he fills our hearts, his humble thrones,

                granting us life and salvation.

                Were two or three to seek his face,

                he in their midst would show his grace,

                blessings upon them bestowing.

 

4             Yet in this house, an earthly frame,

                Jesus the children is blessing;

                hither we come to praise his name,

                faith in our Savior confessing.

                Jesus to us his Spirit sent,

                making with us his covenant,

                granting his children the kingdom.

 

 5              Through all the passing years, O Lord,

                grant that, when church bells are ringing,

                many may come to hear God’s Word

                where he this promise is bringing:

                I know my own, my own know me;

                you, not the world, my face shall see;

                my peace I leave with you. Amen

 

Text: Nicolai F. S. Grundtvig, 1783-1872; tr. Carl Doving, 1867-1937, adapt.

© 1958 Service Book and Hymnal, admin. Augsburg Fortress

 

Stand

CONFESSION OF FAITH

 

I believe that by my own understanding or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him;

  But instead the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel,

  enlightened me with his gifts, made me holy, and kept me in true

  faith, just as he calls, gathers, enlightens and makes holy the

  whole Christian church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in

  the one common, true faith.

Small Catechism of Martin Luther

 

The pastor and people confess the faith of the Church in the words of the Apostles’ Creed.

 

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

                creator of heaven and earth.

 

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

                He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit

                                and born of the virgin Mary.

                He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

                                was crucified, died, and was buried.

                He descended into hell.

                On the third day he rose again.

                He ascended into heaven,

                                and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

                He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

 

 I believe in the Holy Spirit,

                the holy catholic Church,

                the communion of saints,

                the forgiveness of sins,

                the resurrection of the body,

                and the life everlasting. Amen

 

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

 

Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

 

A brief silence is kept.

                  Almighty and merciful God, by his cross and passion your Son set us free from the bondage to sin and the curse of the Law. Grant that your Church may hold fast to this good news throughout all generations. Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 Grant that all pastors may preach your Law and Gospel, rightly dividing the Word of Truth, holding before your people the cross of Christ by which your righteousness is revealed. Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 Give us, your people, the Spirit of discipleship, to hold your Word in our hearts, to cling to you in times of trouble, and to proclaim your love in word and deed. Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 Grant that the President, the Congress, the Courts, and all who serve in public office may themselves be led in the ways of righteousness and truth, that our nation may live in peace, security, and justice; and that all of us in our various callings may be strengthened to do your will, ordering our lives that we may contribute to the common good. Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 Grant peace to the world; justice to those who are oppressed; food to those who hunger; relief to those who are in any need, healing to those who are sick. Bless those for whom we have been called to pray.

 

The People may offer silent or spoken intercessions and thanksgivings.

 

Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

We give thanks for the life of William Gargiulo, and pray for the comfort of his wife Virginia and his family; and for the life of Bishop Paull Spring, praying for the comfort of his wife Barbara and his family. Bring us to the day of judgment of our great enemies, sin, death, and the devil, when we, with them and all who have believed in your great Name, will rejoice in your salvation. Lord, in your mercy,

  hear our prayer.

 

Into your hands, Father, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your steadfast love, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

  Amen

 

PEACE

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

  And also with you.

 

The people exchange a sign of peace with the simple words, Peace be with you.

 

Sit

The Lord’s Table is prepared.

 

Stand

What is the Sacrament of the Altar?

  It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the

  bread and wine, instituted by Jesus Christ himself for us Christians

  to eat and drink.

 

What is the benefit of such eating and drinking?

  The words ‘given for you,’ and ‘shed for you…for the forgiveness of

  sin, show us that forgiveness of sin, life, and salvation are given in

  the sacrament through these words, because where there is

  forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.

Small Catechism of Martin Luther

 

 

GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Great Thanksgiving begins with the Preface, leading into the Sanctus:

 

The Lord be with you.                                   

  And also with you.                     

Lift up your hearts.                                         

  We lift them to the Lord.                        

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.                                  

  It is right to give him thanks and praise.

 

  It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through your Son, Jesus Christ:

  He is your eternal Son, living and reigning with you forever,  your Truth, your Righteousness, the New Covenant. You put him forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, to set us free from our slavery to sin.

  And so, with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

 

Holy, holy, holy LORD, God of power and might!

Heaven and earth are full of your glory;

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!

Hosanna in the highest!                                                    (Isaiah 6:3, Matthew 21:9)

 

The pastor leads the people in praying the Eucharistic canon:

 

Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father:

Endless is your mercy and eternal your reign.

You have filled all creation with light and life;

                heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Through Abraham you promised to bless all nations.

                You rescued Israel, your chosen people.

Through the prophets you renewed your promise;

                and, at this end of all the ages, you sent your Son,

                who in words and deeds proclaimed your kingdom

                and was obedient to your will, even to giving his life.

 

 In the night in which he was betrayed,

                our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;

                broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:

                Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

 

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,

                and gave it for all to drink, saying:

                This cup is the new covenant in my blood,

shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

 

For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup

                we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

  Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

 

Therefore, gracious Father, with this bread and cup

                we remember the life our Lord offered for us.

And, believing the witness of his resurrection,

we await his coming in power

                to share with us the great and promised feast.

  Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

 

Send now, we pray, your Holy Spirit,

the spirit of our Lord and of his resurrection,

                that we who receive the Lord's body and blood

                may live to the praise of your glory

                and receive our inheritance with all your saints in light.

  Amen. Come, Holy Spirit.

 

Join our prayers with those of your servants

of every time and every place,

and unite them with the ceaseless petitions

of our great high priest until he comes as victorious Lord of all.

 

                Through Him, with Him, in Him,

 in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father,

now and forever. 

                Amen

 

 In the presence of Christ, we pray to his Father using the words he gave us.

 

Christ is in our midst.

                By the power of the Spirit,

                we pray to his Father, saying:

 

 

Our Father, who art in heaven,

                hallowed be thy name,

                thy kingdom come,

                thy will be done,

                                on earth as it is in heaven.

                Give us this day our daily bread;

                and forgive us our trespasses,

                                as we forgive those who trespass against us;

                and lead us not into temptation,

                                but deliver us from evil.

                For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,

                                forever and ever. Amen                               (Matthew 6:9-15)

 

 

We adore Christ with the words of the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God).

 

Who receives the Sacrament of Holy Communion worthily?

  Fasting and bodily preparation are in fact a fine external

  discipline, but a person who has faith in these words,

  ‘given for you,’ and ‘shed for you for the forgiveness of sin,’

  is really worthy and well prepared.                                                                                          

 

  Small Catechism of Martin Luther

 

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;           

   have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

  have mercy on us.        

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

  Grant us peace.

(John 1:29, see also Luke 17:13)

 

 

DISTRIBUTION

Admission to the Sacrament is by invitation of the Lord, presented through the Church to those who are baptized.

 

They may receive the Lord’s Body and Blood who are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, who commune in their home churches, and who believe that Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is truly present in, with, and under the forms of bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.

 

The communicants will be invited forward one family unit at a time. Please do not come forward until the pastor directs you to come forward, do not approach all the way to the table until the pastor has retreated,  and please do not remove your mask until you have reached the table with the elements on it.

 

 When the pastor says ‘The body of Christ, given for you,’ eat the bread. When the pastor says, ‘The blood of Christ, shed for you,’ drink the wine.  Please take the plate and the glass(es) and place them on the table that is indicated. Please put your mask on before returning to your seat.

 

 

Please meditate on the text of the hymn as it is played.

 

Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word

I.                     Flor Peeters

II.                  Gerhard Krapf

III.                Helmut Walcha

 

1      Lord, keep us steadfast in your word;

        curb those who by deceit or sword

        would wrest the kingdom from your Son

        and bring to naught all he has done.

 

2      Lord Jesus Christ, your pow'r make known,

        for you are Lord of lords alone;

        defend your holy church, that we

        may sing your praise eternally.


3      O Comforter of priceless worth,

        send peace and unity on earth;

        support us in our final strife

        and lead us out of death to life.

 

Text: Martin Luther, 1483-1546; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827-1878, alt.

 

When all have received, the congregation stands at the direction of the pastor.

 

The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.    

  Amen

 

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;

your word has been fulfilled.

My own eyes have seen the salvation

which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

A light to reveal you to the nations

and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be forever. Amen                                       Song of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32)

 

 

Almighty Father, you gave your Son

both as a sacrifice for sin and a model of the godly life.

  Enable us to receive him always with thanksgiving,

  and to conform our lives to his;

through the same Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

  Amen

 

What is the meaning of ‘Amen?’

  That I should be certain that such petitions are acceptable to and

  heard by our Father in heaven, for he himself commanded us to pray

  like this. ‘Amen, amen’ means, ‘Yes, yes, it is going to come about

  just like this.’

Small Catechism of Martin Luther

 BENEDICTION

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look upon you with favor and X give you peace.

  Amen                                                                                                  (Numbers 6:24-26)

 

DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Serve the Lord.                                          

  Thanks be to God!

 

Sit

CLOSING MUSIC                                                     A Mighty Fortress is Our God

 

Please maintain social distance and remain masked while exiting the building. Please sanitize your hands before leaving the building.