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Home , Gospel, Reformation Day

Day (Years A, B, C)

Reformation Day n Reformation Day the honours and other reformers of the sixteenth century, and reformers of every age. Luther’s teachings focused on the promises of scripture, Focus Scripture Oemphasizing that the Spirit works in our hearts to speak God’s word to us and that we receive :31–36 God’s grace through our faith in . This is the truth that makes us free. Our life in the is shaped by this gift of freedom. Additional Scriptures Jeremiah 31:31–34 Romans 3:19–28 Focus Scripture: John 8:31–36 Most scholars believe that the of John was Through , the Son, we are given a perma- written around 85–90 CE. Jesus’ identity and teach- nent place in the house of God. True freedom comes Gracious God, ings are the priorities in this gospel. John draws us through Jesus the Christ, not any human ancestor. write your law on into the new life and understanding of God’s purpose True freedom comes not from one’s heritage, but as a our hearts and that Jesus makes possible. gift from God. Truth for the Jews involved their iden- let your word of Reflected in the focus reading today is the strug- tity in Abraham; Jesus’ truth involves identity in God. gle within the early church between Jews who ac- The leaders of the Reformation emphasized the grace dwell in us cepted Jesus as and those who did not. This gospel teaching that true freedom is not related to so that no matter division was probably not as sharp in Jesus’ time as ethnic distinctions or social class. Only Jesus the where we are, we the words in John might lead us to believe. When the Christ can free us from slavery to , and does so may know we are refers to “Jews,” it usually is speaking through the truth of . forgiven and free. of Jewish religious leaders. It may be helpful to think Martin Luther felt that the heart of gospel truth Amen. of the dialogue in John between Jesus and the Jews as is summed up in Romans 3:19–28. All people fall a challenging discussion among “family members” short in their relationship with God, but God offers who are experiencing a strained relationship. forgiveness of through Christ. We are justified Verse 30 is a springboard into the focus verses. – put right with God – by the gift of God’s grace, Jesus has been teaching, and verse 30 reports: “As through faith in Christ. he was saying these things, many believed in him.” The Hebrew exiles in Babylon blamed the slavery Jesus’ words to these new believers begin in verse 31. of exile on their ancestors who had disregarded God’s Living in Jesus’ way leads to truth, which in law. In Jeremiah 31:31–34, the prophet envisions a turn leads to freedom. The Jews are puzzled by Jesus’ future time when the ability to know God and God’s teaching and claim that because they are descendants truth will be a gift from God, written on each heart. of Abraham, they are already free. They claim they Psalm 46 is the inspiration behind Luther’s clas- have never been slaves, neglecting to recall the time sic Reformation hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our of slavery in Egypt or the Babylonian exile. God.” The words of the psalmist, and the words of In John, the writer uses the phrase “very truly Luther, call disciples to place their hope in God alone. I tell you” (v. 34) to signal that a new teaching is to • • • • • follow. In verses 34–36, Jesus addresses the group’s Scripture calls us to live with God’s law on our hearts, misunderstanding of freedom with the new teach- to let our faith determine how we act. Jesus invites ing that everyone who sins is not free and is a slave us to open our hearts to receive God’s gifts of grace to sin. Jesus teaches that slavery is not limited to an and salvation – to claim our freedom in Christ. What economic reality, but also is an inward state of being. in the church today needs to be reformed by God’s Even those who claim freedom through Abraham are grace? What might you and your church do differ- not as free as they think. ently through the reforming, restoring power of the ?

1 SeasonsSeasons of of the the Spirit Spirit™tm Congregational Congregational Life Life • Reformation Day (Years A, B, C) For Lutheran, Episcopal, and Anglican congregations Worship Resources for Reformation Day – Yrs A, B, C Prepare NOTE: All of these suggestions are mere starting points; adapt, delete and add according to your local needs. q Recruit volunteers for worship: one to help with q Choose a Seasons of the Spirit poster that suggests gather, a soloist for after the words of assurance, looking forward or contemplating the future. Revised Common one for the John reading, three for the of q Prepare the media presentation for the of (Yr B) the people. confession. Jeremiah 31:31–34 Psalm 46 Gather Romans 3:19–28 Display the Seasons of the Spirit poster you selected. Open our hearts to your teachings, John 8:31–36 Have pieces of paper and markers available on a table. that your ways might become our ways As people gather for worship, invite them to consider in every moment of our lives Liturgical colour: the following question: What is one change you pray and with every beat of our hearts. red the church will make as we move into the future? Write a word or phrase summarizing this vision and Prayer of confession tape it near the of the worship space. Have Take photographs of your community such as a cityscape, Music an instrumentalist play “Spirit of Life” or another farmland, or situations where there is a need. Using a pro- Suggestions gathering song throughout the call to worship. jection program, project these local images one at a time. Prior to the spoken prayer, invite the congregation into a Spirit of Life Call to worship time of silence as these pictures are projected and instru- Carolyn McDade, Grace (inspired by Psalm 46) mental music is played. Lewis-McLaren; Seasons Songbook, vol. 7 Begin with some chaotic sounds – perhaps a recording of storm sounds, or a few crashing cymbals, or dissonant God, when we stand at the edge of brokenness Come and Seek the chords played on one or more keyboards or brass instru- and allow our questions of faith Ways of Wisdom Ruth Duck, Donna ments. Follow this with a moment of complete stillness. to distance ourselves from you and others, Kasbohm; Seasons Song- forgive us and free us. book, vol. 7 Leader one: When the ways we live as the church In the midst of storm and chaos, In Full Flight Leader two: God is with us. limit our ability to offer compassion, Sean Gilbert and Jill Scott; All: Let us rejoice. forgive us and free us. Seasons Songbook, vol. 6 Leader one: In a world of violence and fear, When we try to be “holy” We Come to the Leader two: God shatter spears and brings peace. without changing the way we are with others, Hungry Feast All: Let us rejoice. forgive us and free us. Ray Makeover Leader one: The God of our ancestors will never Be Still and Know abandon us. Assurance of pardon John Bell Leader two: Be still, and know that God is here. Have a soloist sing “Spirit of Life” or a song about God’s Grace Alone All: Let us rejoice. forgiving and merciful love. Scott Wesley Brown and Jeff Leaders one and two: Let us worship God. Nelson The face of God we seek is a face of compassion, A Mighty Fortress Is Opening prayer steadfast in love, and longing to forgive. Our God Still our hearts, O God, Receive the power of God’s compassion Martin Luther and make us aware of your loving presence. so that we might have the capacity for love. Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation Engage Traditional Scripture readings disciples; you will know the truth, and the truth John 8:31–36 will set you free. Invite someone to portray Jesus and read this para- All: We are descendants of Abraham, and we have phrase of the gospel text responsively with the con- never been anybody’s slaves. What do you gregation. mean, then, by saying we will be free? Jesus: telling you the truth; everyone who sins is Jesus: If you obey my teaching, you are really my a slave of sin. A slave does not belong to a family

For Lutheran, Episcopal, and Anglican congregations Seasons of the Spirittm CongregationalSeasons Life of •the Reformation Spirit™ Congregational Day (Years A, Life B, C) 2 Worship Resources for Reformation Day – Yrs A, B, C

permanently, but a son or daughter belongs there own life? How does it enable you to “live out Love’s forever. If the Son sets you free, then you will be passion”? What in the church needs to be reformed truly free. so that all people can know this freedom and grace? What is your heartfelt prayer to the reforming, restor- Opening with children ing power of the Holy Spirit? Always being reformed Gather with the children near the door to the worship Romans 3:19–28 is a central text of the Reformation space. Tell them today is Reformation Day. On this day, tradition and it encouraged the early reformers to we remember a minister named Martin Luther who extend God’s grace in radical ways. How might the lived a long time ago in a country called . Lu- contemporary church extend grace in ways that are ther had a vision for the Christian church and how we radical today? In what ways does your congregation might live together. Luther wrote down his dream on a give love to others freely, like a gift? piece of paper and nailed this paper on the front door of Skit – Why Are We Lutherans? a church. The leaders of the church read Martin Luther’s Characters: two youths. In the script they are simply thoughts and vision and knew the church would have named “One” and “Two” – substitute real names. Encour- to change in order to live out this dream. age the actors to have a bit of fun with this, while still con- Read some of the visions and hopes for the church veying an important message. people wrote down during the gathering time. Con- clude by wondering how the church might need to Props: a backpack containing a lightning bolt cut from card- change, or be reformed, in order to live out these vi- board, a , some coins or play money, and a hammer (if sions and hopes. possible, an old-style wooden one). A table or chair centre stage is helpful. Martin Luther Bring a picture of Martin Luther and his family from an One enters from one side, wearing backpack. Two enters encyclopedia or the Internet. Introduce his wife, Katherine, from other side, scratching head and looking puzzled. and their six children. One: Hey, (name), what’s wrong? You look kind of Martin Luther loved God. Martin Luther loved Jesus. confused. Two: I am. Somebody called me a name. And Martin Luther knew that many people loved God One: What kind of name? and Jesus. Two: They called me a “Lutheran.” But Martin Luther wanted to help the people know One: (laughing) That’s not so bad. God even more. Martin thought that the people did Two: But I don’t know what it means. Just what is a not know all the good things God wanted for them. Lutheran? “I will help the people,” Martin said. One: Well, (name), you’re in luck. I happen to have “I will write some songs about God’s love.” And that’s some answers right here in my backpack. (Takes what he did. Martin wrote many, many songs that off backpack and sets it down on table/chair. Takes out people still sing today. lightning bolt.) Two: Gee, what’s that for? “I will write books about God’s love.” And that’s what One: This is part of our story. Long, long ago, there he did. Martin wrote books to help parents and their was a child named Martin Luther. Back in Martin children learn the story of God’s love. Luther’s time, people believed that God would “I will write the Bible again in a language the people punish them for every mistake they made. Mar- will understand.” And that’s what he did. Martin re- tin, like everyone else, was scared of God. wrote the Bible so the people could read it themselves. Two: You mean, if I didn’t clean my room or didn’t Martin Luther was very busy. Martin Luther loved finish my homework, God would zap me with a God and brought the good news of the Bible to many, lightning bolt? many people. One: That’s the idea. So, one day, there was a big storm. Two: Let me guess – Martin got hit by a real lightning Proclaiming the Word bolt. In John 8:31–36 speaks of a freedom we can know in One: Not quite. But he was scared. And so he made a Christ. How do you experience this freedom in your promise to God, “If you save me from the storm,

3 SeasonsSeasons ofof thethe SpiritSpirit™tm Congregational Congregational Life Life • Reformation Day (Years A, B, C) For Lutheran, Episcopal, and Anglican congregations Worship Resources for Reformation Day – Yrs A, B, C

I’ll become a .” One: (Takes out hammer. Two shows a shocked expression.) Two: Okay. But why are we called Lutherans? Martin Luther wrote a whole bunch of reasons why One: I’m getting to that. As a monk, Martin begged for the it was wrong to sell forgiveness. And why we don’t poor, studied, and worked scrubbing floors. He was have to earn God’s forgiveness – because it’s a free trying to please God. Martin even went to and gift from God. God forgives us because God loves us. climbed stairs on his knees believing it would please We don’t have to earn it. In fact, Martin Luther dis- God. (Takes out Bible.) And, Martin spent lots of time covered, we can’t earn it. So he wrote all these things reading the Bible. More than anything else, Martin down – 95 things, in fact. They were called “theses,” kept wondering, “Will God really forgive me?” and when Martin was finished, he nailed them to the Two: Wow. church door so that people could read them. One: (Takes out money.) Remember how everyone was Two: So, that’s why we’re Lutherans. Because we scared of God? Well, people thought that they learned what Martin Luther learned? could be forgiven if they bought something called One: Kind of, yeah. an . It was a way of paying money and Two: Is that all you have in your bag? being told you were forgiven. One: Just one more thing. (Two picks up bag, looks in it; Two: That seems kind of strange. sees nothing; shakes bag upside down.) One: That’s exactly what Martin Luther thought. “Hey, Two: I don’t see anything in there. wait a minute,” he said (or something like that). One: Oh, you can’t see it. But it’s there. It’s everywhere. “This doesn’t make sense. I’ve been reading the It’s God’s love. It’s all around us. Martin . And the Bible says something very different.” taught us that. Let’s go spread some around. (They Two: So what did Martin Luther do about it? exit together.) Respond Prayers of the people And where we are close-minded, Reforming God, we give you thanks reform us and make us new. for your forgiveness and your blessing. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. We pray for ourselves and your church throughout the world. Offertory prayer Fill us with a spirit of openness to your Spirit, Giver of Life, to hear and receive your promises prosper the work of our hands in faith. and to keep our covenant with you. Prosper the work of our gifts Where we are corrupt, purify us. offered in gratitude. Where we are in error, direct us. Prosper the joy of our life Where we are in need, provide for us. in following the Christ. Where we are divided, reunite us. Bless Invite people to take one of the visions for the church that May the light of God’s law bring us joy in relationships. were posted during the gathering time. May we dance in community, worshipping God. Go forth in presence, in joy, in community. May the warmth of God’s presence go with us all. Special Day Commentary 31 – Reformation Day On the night of , 1517, Martin Luther nailed people would be attending church the next day – All 95 theses to the castle church door in , Ger- Day – and would thus read his statements of many, signalling the beginning of what became known concern about the church. Some Protestant churches as the Protestant Reformation. Accordingly, this date not of the reformed tradition choose October 31 (or the has significance for churches of the reformed tradition. Sunday prior) to honour “Saints of the Reformation Luther chose this night knowing that many Era,” broadening the observance to include others.

For Lutheran, Episcopal, and Anglican congregations Seasons of the Spirittm CongregationalSeasons Life • of Reformation the Spirit™ CongregationalDay (Years A, B, LifeC) 4