HOSPITALITY + WORSHIP + SPIRITUAL GROWTH + JUSTICE + COMMUNITY CARE

For concerns, questions, and prayer requests, please reach out to our staff: The Rev. Karen Brau, Senior Pastor | seniorpastor@lutherplace.org Sarah Johnson, Director of Operations | operations@lutherplace.org

Justin Fitch, Director of Music | music@lutherplace.org Jay Salerno, LVC Fellow | fellow@lutherplace.org

Reformation Sunday Celebrating Rev. Brau’s 30 Years of Ordination

October 25, 2020

10:30 AM Service of Communion Luther Place Memorial Church

1226 Vermont Ave, NW Washington, DC 20005 (202) 667-1377 www.lutherplace.org

2

Prelude: EIN FESTE BURG A Mighty Fortress is Our God arr. Lani Smith Justin Fitch, piano & organ

We welcome you to worship today! We are a church that uses social media. You are invited to interact on this live video through the comment section.

We will offer communion today and ask that you prepare bread and wine/juice.

We welcome back the Rev. Dr. Nichele Carter-Peterson. A Black Liberationist, Womanist Theologian and Queer Activist, Nichele has passionately fought to dismantle oppressive church, organizational and societal systems for over 27 years. Through her preaching, teaching, writing and daily living she strives to be a force on behalf of the marginalized. Affectionately named “The Quiet Storm,” Nichele is a lifelong advocate for social justice.

Noticing: What do you see that is red today, and what thoughts do you notice about things that need still to be reformed in the church?

*Confession:

P: Faithful God, C: have mercy on us. We confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We turn from your loving embrace and go our own ways. We pass judgment on one another before examining ourselves. We place our own needs before those of our neighbors. We keep your gift of salvation to ourselves. Make us humble, cast away our transgressions, and turn us again to life in you through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

P: God hears the cries of all who call out in need, and through the death and resurrection, Christ has made us Christ’s own. Hear the truth that God proclaims: Your sins are forgiven in the name of ☩ Jesus Christ. Led by the Holy Spirit, live in freedom and newness to do God’s work in the world. C: Amen.

GATHERING

3

P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of

the Holy Spirit be with you all. C: And also with you.

*Prayer of the Day P: 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. C: Amen.

4

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.

Reader: Holy Wisdom, Holy Word. C: Thanks be to God! Psalm 46

1God is our refuge 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 city 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. 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 upon 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.

WORD

5

Gospel Acclamation: ELW 172

HOLY GOSPEL John 8:31-36

P: The Holy Gospel according to John C: Glory to you, O Lord

31Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in Jesus, “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 Jesus, “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.”

P: The Gospel of the Lord C: Praise to you, O Christ

Sermon: Easy as Sunday Mornin’ Rev. Nichele Carter-Peterson

Love Has Broken Down the Wall Mark Miller Amanda Weber

Blowin’ in the Wind Bob Dylan Eric & Leo Maring

6

In these days that are so difficult, we mine our liturgical tradition to creatively engage practices that build us up. So, for the next weeks, we will say “words of renunciation” together.

Profession of Faith Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God? C: I renounce them. Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God? C: I renounce them. Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from God? C: I renounce them.

Apostles’ 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 power of 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.

7

*Prayers of the People

Please comment with your prayers for each category

As we commemorate the Reformation this year, we do so in a time of pandemic.

With the ecumenical and global family, we bring our prayers for healing. And we

join with our siblings of other communions in joint service to the neighbor, in

restraint and vigilance, and in shared witness. Let us now pray for the world, the

church and all those in need.

God of mercy, throughout history your goodness prevails, open the hearts of all

people to discover the deep bond of community. Show us your goodness and

mercy that endure forever. Hear our prayer.

God of peace, bend that which is inflexible, the identity barriers that divide, the

attachments that thwart reconciliation. Bring peace in this world, (especially in

countries and places named here). Restore wholeness among us and show us your

mercy! Hear our prayer.

God, our healer, come to our aid as COVID-19 continues to spread, heal those

who are sick, protect families and friends from being infected. Support those in

public health and medical services. Strengthen our resolve to eradicate all diseases,

malaria, dengue, HIV & AIDS, and many others. Show us your mercy!

Hear our prayer.

God of justice, hasten justice for those suffering under the power of evil and

every form of oppression and greed. Give new life to all. Show us your mercy!

Hear our prayer.

God, rock and fortress, protect refugees, those without homes or security, all the

abandoned children. Help us always to defend human rights and dignity. Show us

your mercy! Hear our prayer.

God creator, all creation groans in expectation, convert us from exploitation.

Teach us to live in harmony with your creation. Show us your mercy!

Hear our prayer.

8

God of mercy, strengthen and protect those who are persecuted for faith in you

and those of other faiths who suffer persecution. Give us the courage to profess

our faith. Your mercy endures forever. Hear our prayer.

God of life, heal painful memories, transform complacency and indifference,

inspire and sustain our ecumenical journey from conflict to communion, all of us

branches on the one vine, Jesus Christ. Show us your mercy! Hear our prayer.

God our sustenance, bring us together at your eucharistic table. Turn us to you

and one another. Nurture within and among us a communion rooted in your love.

Your mercy endures forever! Hear our prayer.

Into your hands, gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in

your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Amen.

Announcements Please subscribe to our eNews at lutherplace.org/calendar-news or click here to

view our full list of announcements.

Offering You can donate by texting the dollar amount to +12028166673 or clicking this link. We are inviting you to give financially, out of your heart and love for God. Our giving is a spiritual practice as part of our faith and discipleship.

Mission of the Moment: Support for Ward 2 Mutual Aid

Offering Prayer

P: Blessed are you, O God, maker of all things. You have set before us these gifts of your good creation. Prepare us for your heavenly banquet, nourish us with this rich food and drink, and send us forth to set tables in the midst of a suffering world, through the bread of life, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

9

*The Great Thanksgiving

P: The Lord be with you C: And also with you P:Lift up your hearts C: We lift them to the Lord P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God C: It is right to give our thanks and praise P: It is indeed right…

Sanctus: ELW Setting Ten

MEAL

10

Thanksgiving at the Table P: God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, you have brought us this far along the way. In times of bitterness you did not abandon us, but guided us into the path of love and light.

In every age you sent prophets to make known your loving will for all humanity. The cry of the poor has become your own cry; our hunger and thirst for justice is your own desire.

In the fullness of time, you sent your chosen servant to preach good news to the afflicted, to break bread with the outcast and despised, and to ransom those in bondage to prejudice and sin.

In the night in which Christ was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, Jesus 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 all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

Lord’s Prayer

C: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

11

*Agnus Dei: ELW 341 Now Behold the Lamb

Communion: The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you.

*Table Blessing P: Mothering God, Creator, ☩ Christ, and Holy Spirit, bless you and lead you into the way of truth and life. C: Amen. Prayer after Communion J: We give you thanks, gracious God, that you have once again fed us with food beyond compare, the body and blood of Christ. Lead us from this place, nourished and forgiven, into your beloved vineyard to wipe away the tears of all who hunger and thirst, guided by the example of the same Jesus Christ and led by the Holy Spirit, now and forever. C: Amen.

12

Recessional We will exit the sanctuary and process around the perimeter of the church as a witness to those around us.

Dismissal J: Go in peace. Christ is with you. C: Thanks be to God!

SENDING