500Th Anniversary of the Reformation 1517 - 2017
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500th Anniversary of the Reformation 1517 - 2017 As We Gather: The Lutheran Reformation is still all about Jesus; that is, faithfully preaching and teaching the good news of Jesus Christ and standing for the teachings of God’s Word as they have been confessed in all times and all places wherever the Gospel is purely taught according to a pure understanding of it and where the Sacraments are administered according to Christ’s institution. With Martin Luther, we still say, “Here we stand, we cannot do otherwise. God help us. Amen.” It was all about Jesus as the apostle Paul penned, “We hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (Romans 3:28). It was all about Jesus when Martin Luther posted his Ninety- Five Theses on October 31, 1517. It’s still all about Jesus today as we receive the Means of Grace— Word and Sacrament. It will be all about Jesus when He returns in glory on the Last Day. As we observe the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, we celebrate that it always has been, and always will be, all about Jesus! Solus Christus PROCESSION "Allegretto" Organ and Brass (by Corelli arr. By Wolff) "Trumpet Finale" (by Manfredini arr. By Wolff) OPENING HYMN "We Are God's People" (music by Johannes Brahms, arr. By Duane Funderburk words by Jeffery Leech) (Organ, brass, school children's choir, church choir, congregation) We are God's people the chosen of the Lord! Let us live transparently, and walk heart to heart, and hand in hand! (choir) Verse 1 (All) We are God's people, the chosen of the Lord, born of His Spirit, established by His Word; Our cornerstone is Christ alone, and strong in Him we stand; O let us live transparently, and walk heart to heart and hand in hand. Verse 2 (children) We are God's loved ones, the Bride of Christ our Lord, for we have known it, the love of God outpoured; let us learn how to return the gift of love once giv'n, O let us share each joy and care, and live with a zeal that pleases heav'n. Verse 3 (choir) We are the Body of which the Lord is head, called to obey Him, now risen from the dead; He wills us be a family, Diverse, truly one; O let us give our gifts to God, and so shall His work, on earth be done! Verse 4 (All) We are a temple, the Spirit's dwelling place, formed in great weakness, a cup to hold God's grace; we die alone, for on its own each ember loses fire. Yet, joined in one the flame burns on to give warmth and light, and to inspire. Amen (choir) 2 INVOCATION/ OPENING PRAYER Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. People: Amen. Pastor: Let us pray. Almighty and gracious Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and deliver us in times of temptation, defend us against all enemies, and grant to Your Church Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. People: Amen. WORDS OF WELCOME Pastor: Today we are celebrating some of the hymns that came to us through Martin Luther and who lived during the sixteenth century. This group of songs comes from our Lutheran tradition, continually known to this day for its wealth of music for worship. One of the first reforms of Martin Luther was to restore congregational singing. After centuries of silence in church, the people were once more given the opportunity to use their own voices to praise God in song. What a thrill it must have been to hear all the voices in those great cathedral spaces! However, there were no hymnals. So, where did the hymns come from? We know that Luther and other Reformers wrote some original hymns, and some were based on the psalms, like "A Mighty Fortress." Still others were translated from some of the early hymns of the church. We begin with "All Glory Be to God on High.” This hymn has its origins in the song of the angels at Christ's birth, in Luke 2:14. The expanded hymn dates to the fourth century; it was over a thousand years old when Nikolaus Decius translated it into German and adapted a Gregorian chant melody for it. Four hundred years later, we sing it in an English translation by an Episcopalian minister who translated it for the hymnal in 1982. As we sing, let us celebrate that we can join our voices with so many saints who have gone before, and even with the angels who welcomed Christ's birth. Truly, we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1). Let us sing to the glory of God on high. HYMN "All Glory Be to God on High" LSB 947 sts. 1-3 Verse 1 All glory be to God on high And thanks for all His favor; No harm can touch or terrify A child of God forever. God shows His good and gracious will And grants His peace, the world to fill All strife at last has ended. Verse 2 We praise and laud and worship You; We give You thanks forever, O Father, for Your rule is true And just and changes never. With boundless pow'r, Your mighty reign Fulfills whatever You ordain. Lord, grant us ev'ry blessing! 3 Verse 3 O Jesus Christ, the only Son Begotten of the Father, Your saving death has made us one With God and with each other. O Lamb of God, to You on high In our distress we sinners cry, have mercy on us, amen! Sola Scriptura FIRST READING Colossians 3:12-16 (p. 844) (Put On the New Self) HYMN "Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word" LSB 655 Verse 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. Verse 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. Verse 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. Commentary Pastor: Luther wrote this hymn for a prayer service, when the Muslim Turks were threatening Vienna, having already overrun Hungary. Luther was obviously thinking of both spiritual and physical dangers to the church. Conditions in some parts of the world today make this same kind of prayer just as urgent today. SECOND READING Colossians 3:17 (p. 844) (Put On the New Self) GOSPEL READING John 8:31-39 (p. 765) (The Truth Will Set You Free) SONG OF PRAISE “In Christ Alone” Praise Band Verse 1 In Christ alone my hope is found He is my light my strength my song This Cornerstone this solid Ground Firm through the fiercest drought and storm What heights of love what depths of peace When fears are stilled when strivings cease My Comforter my All in All Here in the love of Christ I stand Verse 2 In Christ alone who took on flesh Fullness of God in helpless babe This gift of love and righteousness Scorned by the ones He came to save Till on that cross as Jesus died The wrath of God was satisfied For every sin on Him was laid Here in the death of Christ I live 4 Verse 3 There in the ground His body lay Light of the world by darkness slain Then bursting forth in glorious Day Up from the grave He rose again And as He stands in victory Sin's curse has lost its grip on me For I am His and He is mine Bought with the precious Blood of Christ Verse 4 No guilt in life no fear in death This is the power of Christ in me From life's first cry to final breath Jesus commands my destiny No power of hell no scheme of man Can ever pluck me from His hand Till He returns or calls me home Here in the power of Christ I'll stand Sola Fide MESSAGE Does The Reformation Still Matter? Rev. Dr. Thomas Acton “We hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” (Romans 3:28) APOSTLES’ CREED I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His 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 into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. PRAYERS 5 OFFERING OF THANKS (Gifts for the Mission of Immanuel Church and School are received.) “Whom Shall I Fear-God of Angel Armies” Praise Band and (Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Scott Cash) Immanuel Students Verse1 You hear me when I call, You are my morning song though darkness fills the night, it cannot hide the light Whom shall I fear? You crush the enemy underneath my feet You are my sword and shield, though troubles linger still Whom shall I fear? Chorus 1 I know Who goes before me; I know Who stands behind The God of angel armies is always by my side The One who reigns forever He is a friend of mine The God of angel armies is always by my side Verse 2 My strength is in Your name, for You alone can save You will deliver me, Yours is the victory Whom shall I fear? Whom shall I fear? Chorus 2 I know Who goes before me; I know Who stands behind The God of angel armies is always by my side The One who reigns forever He is a friend of mine The God of angel armies is always by my side Bridge And nothing formed against me shall stand You hold the whole world in Your hands I'm holding on to Your promises You are faithful, You are faithful Nothing formed against me shall stand you hold the whole world in Your hands I'm holding on to Your promises You are faithful, You are faithful You are faithful Chorus 3 I know Who goes before me; I know Who stands behind The God of angel armies is always by my side The One who reigns forever He is a friend of mine The God of angel armies is always by my side Chorus 4 I know Who goes before me; I know Who stands behind The God of angel armies is always by my side The One who reigns forever He is a friend of mine The God of angel armies is always by my side The God of angel armies is always by my side 6 Sola Gratia CONFESSION OF SIN AND PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION Pastor: What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? People: Sin shall not be our master, because we are not under Law, but under grace.