Reformation SundayOctober 24th and 25th, 2015Holy Communion

INTRODUCTION

On this day we celebrate the heart of our faith: the gospel of Christ—the good news—that makes us free! We pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to unite the church today in its proclamation and witness to the world. In the waters of baptism we are made one body; we pray for the day that all Christians will also be one at the Lord’s table.

CHILDREN are always welcome to our Worship Service. Rainbow bags and a cry room are available. A staffed nursery is also available if needed. An usher will gladly provide you with assistance.

As a worship courtesy, we ask that you please turn off or set to vibrate all cellular telephones and pagers during the worship service.

We ask that all present today please fill out the Attendance and Communion registration card found in your bulletin and place it in the offering plate so that we may record your presence with us.

PRAYER UPON ENTERING THE PEW

A prayer of Martin Luther

Behold, Lord, an empty vessel that needs to be filled. My Lord, fill it. I am weak in the faith; strengthen me. I am cold in love; warm me and make me fervent, that my love may go out to my neighbor. I do not have a strong and firm faith; at times I doubt and am unable to trust you altogether. O Lord, help me. Strengthen my faith and trust in you. In you I have sealed the treasure of all I have. I am poor; you are rich and came to be merciful to the poor. I am a sinner; you are upright. With me, there is an abundance of sin; in you is the fullness of righteousness. Therefore I will remain with you, of whom I can receive, but to whom I may not give. Amen.

THE ORDER OF WORSHIP

PRELUDE Ein Feste Burg           arr. Sherman

WELCOME

INVOCATION

In the name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit.Amen.

GATHERING SONG: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (ELW 504)

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!

KYRIE Now the Feast (ELW 157)

CANTICLE OF PRAISE Now the Feast and Celebration (ELW 167)

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Almighty God, gracious Lord, we thank you that your Holy Spirit renews the church in every age. Pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your word, protect and comfort them in times of trial, defend them against all enemies of the gospel, and bestow on the church your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.Amen.

Please be seated.

A MESSAGE FOR OUR CHILDREN

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

Refrain:

Tone:

1God is our ref- | uge and strength,  a very present | help in trouble.2Therefore we will not fear, though the | earth be moved,  and though the mountains shake in the depths | of the sea;3though its waters | rage and foam,  and though the mountains tremble | with its tumult.4There is a river whose streams make glad the cit- | y of God,  the holy habitation of | the Most High.5God is in the midst of the city; it shall | not be shaken;  God shall help it at the | break of day.6The nations rage, and the | kingdoms shake;  God speaks, and the earth | melts away. R

7The LORD of | hosts is with us;  the God of Jacob | is our stronghold.8Come now, regard the works | of the LORD,  what desolations God has brought up- | on the earth;9behold the one who makes war to cease in | all the world;  who breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, and burns the | shields with fire.10“Be still, then, and know that | I am God;  I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted | in the earth.”11The LORD of | hosts is with us;  the God of Jacob | is our stronghold. R

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.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: God’s Word is Our Great Heritage

GOSPEL John 8:31-36

The holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to 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.

SERMON Reverend Emlyn Ott

HYMN OF THE DAY: Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word (ELW 517)

CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come 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 INTERCESSION

Made alive with God in Christ, we pray for the church, those in need, and all of God’s creation.

Please sit or kneel as you are able.

Each petition ends with:Lord, in your mercy,hear our prayer.

Gather these concerns and all who are in need into your abundant care, O God, remembering your promise of mercy, through Christ our Lord.Amen.

CONFESSION OF SINS and PROCLAMATION OF FORGIVENESS

Sisters and brothers, let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

Gracious God,have mercy on us. We confess that we have turned from you and given ourselves into the power of sin. We are truly sorry and humbly repent. In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things we have done and things we have failed to do. Turn us again to you, and uphold us by your Spirit, so that we may live and serve you in newness of life through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.Amen.

The presiding minister stands to proclaim God’s forgiveness in Christ to the people.

God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. By grace you have been saved, through faith. Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit, that your life may reflect the love of Christ.Amen.

PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you always.And also with you.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MUSIC AT THE OFFERINGO God, O Lord of Heaven and Earth Bender

OFFERTORY HYMN: Create in Me a Clean Heart (ELW 186)

OFFERING PRAYER

Let us pray. O God, ruler of heaven and earth, all that we have and all that we are come through you. We offer back in thanksgiving a portion of what you have given us: our time, our work, and our wealth. With them we dedicate our lives to the care and redemption of all that you have made, through Jesus Christ, who gave himself for the salvation of the world. Amen.

DIALOGUE

PREFACE

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY Holy, Holy, Holy (ELW 190a)

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord, heaven and earth are full of your glory.In great love you sent to us Jesus, your Son, who reached out to heal the sick and suffering, who preached good news to the poor, and who, on the cross, opened his arms to all. 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.

Remembering, therefore, his death, resurrection, and ascension, we await his coming in glory. Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of all who share this heavenly food, the body and blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord; to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and forever.Amen.

LORD'S PRAYER

Risen Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray: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.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

All who desire to leave their old lives behind and live in Christ, come to the table!

COMMUNION

The body of Christ, given for you.The blood of Christ, shed for you.Amen.

All baptized people are welcome to the table to receive Christ’s body and blood. If you have not been baptized, you are also welcome to the table as God’s guest; we are honored by your presence. We recognize the Body of Christ as the community of the baptized, so if you would like to become part of the Body of Christ, we encourage you to seek baptism. If you can’t or don’t wish to receive today, we encourage you to hold your hands over your chest for a blessing as you come forward.

LAMB OF GOD O Christ, Lamb of God (ELW 196)

SONG DURING DISTRIUBUTION:The Church's One Foundation  (ELW 654)

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Almighty God, you gave your Son Jesus Christ both as a sacrifice for sin and a model of godly life. Move us by your Holy Spirit to receive him always with thanksgiving and conform our lives to his; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.

BLESSING

Almighty God, Father, +Son, and Holy Spirit bless you and keep you, now and forever.Amen. SENDING HYMN: We All Are One in Mission (ELW 576) DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Love as God has loved you.Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE Chorale Partita on A Mighty Fortress       Wells

The flowers on the altar are given to the Glory of God and in memory of Robert Telfer, parents Audry and Albert Heckman, uncle Marion Taynor, grandparents Margaret and Marion Taynor, great grandparents Michael and Katherine Frembes and all the members of Trinity Lutheran Church who now belong to the Church Triumphant.

Presented by Anita Telfer

COMMEMORATIONS FOR THE WEEK

P. Nicolai, J. Heermann, P. GerhardtMonday, October 26, 2015These great hymnwriters all worked in seventeenth-century Germany in times of war and plague. Nicolai, a pastor, lost 1,300 parishioners to plague, 170 in one week. He wrote "O Morning Star, how fair and bright" and "Wake, awake, for night is flying." Heermann's hymns, including "Ah, Holy Jesus," often express the emotions of faith. Gerhardt, perhaps the greatest Lutheran hymnwriter, was a pastor in Berlin.

Simon and JudeWednesday, October 28, 2015We know little about these apostles. Simon is listed as "the zealot" or Cananean in New Testament lists. Jude, also called Thaddeus, asked Jesus at the last supper why he had revealed himself to the disciples but not to the world.

Reformation DaySaturday, October 31, 2015By the end of the seventeenth century, many Lutheran churches celebrated a festival commemorating Martin Luther's posting of the Ninety-five Theses, a summary of abuses in the church of his time. At the heart of the reform movement was the gospel, the good news that it is by grace through faith that we are justified and set free.