Luther’s Rose As was common practice at the time, Luther established a seal to identify himself: a cross on a heart in a rose. In a letter written in 1530, the same year the Augsburg Confession was given, Luther describes his seal in this way: Grace and peace from the Lord. As you desire to know whether my painted seal, which you sent to me, has hit the mark, I shall answer most amiably and tell you my original thoughts and reason about why my seal is a symbol of my theology. The first should be a black cross in a heart, which retains its natural color, so that I myself would be reminded that faith in the Crucified saves us. "For one who believes from the heart will be justified" (Romans 10:10). Although it is indeed a black cross, which mortifies and which should also cause pain, it leaves the heart in its natural color. It does not corrupt nature, that is, it does not kill but keeps alive. "The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17) but by faith in the crucified. Such a heart should stand in the middle of a white rose, to show that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace. In other words, it places the believer into a white, joyous rose, for this faith does not give peace and joy like the world gives (John 14:27). That is why the rose should be white and not red, for white is the color of the spirits and the angels (cf. Matthew 28:3; John 20:12). Such a rose should stand in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that such joy in spirit and faith is a beginning of the heavenly future joy, which begins already, but is grasped in hope, not yet revealed. And around this field is a golden ring, symbolizing that such blessedness in Heaven lasts forever and has no end. Such blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy and goods, just as gold is the most valuable, most precious and best metal. This is my compendium theologiae [summary of theology]. I have wanted to show it to you in good friendship, hoping for your appreciation. May Christ, our beloved Lord, be with your spirit until the life hereafter. Amen. 2 Grace Lutheran Church 736 Cayuga Drive Rev. Benjamin G. Bahr, Pastor Niagara Falls, New York 14304 Office (716) 283-1843 www.gracenf.org Pastor’s mobile (716) 525-0462 Divine Service: Sunday 10:30 AM [email protected] Our Vision: Welcoming people to grow in hope, love, and certainty through God’s Word of grace. ORDER OF WORSHIP FOR OCTOBER 25, 2020 REFORMATION DAY – based on Divine Service 4: LSB 203 – Welcome, Announcements Hymn of Invocation: “Blessed Jesus, At Your Word” LSB 904 Tune and text: Public domain P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen. P Our help is in the name of the Lord, C who made heaven and earth. 3 P If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? C But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared. P Since we are gathered to hear God’s Word and call upon Him in prayer and praise, let us first consider our unworthiness and confess our sin. Together as His people let us take refuge in the infinite mercy of God, our heavenly Father, seeking His grace for the sake of Christ. C Before God and one another, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, and that we cannot free ourselves from our sinful condition, and so we pray: God, be merciful to me, a sinner. Almighty God, merciful Father, have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting life. In Holy Baptism You declared us to be Your children; therefore You daily and richly forgive us our sins and grant us new life through Your Spirit. Be in our midst, enliven our faith, and graciously receive our prayer and praise; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. P Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen. 4 Luther’s Morning Prayer C I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen. First Reading P This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God. Epistle Reading P This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God. Holy Gospel P The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the eighth chapter. C Glory to You, O Lord. P ...This is the Gospel of the Lord. C Praise to You, O Christ. 5 Hymn of the Day: “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” LSB 656 6 Tune and text: Public domain Sermon Creed: “We All Believe in One True God” LSB 953 Text and tune: Public domain Offering Prayer of the Church The Pastor will close each section: P Lord, in Your mercy, Then please respond: C Hear our prayer. P Jesus bids us to pray: “Our Father.” What does this mean? C With these words God tenderly invites us to believe that He is our true Father and that we are His true children, so that with all boldness and confidence we may ask Him as dear children ask their dear father. P Let us then pray as Christ has taught us. C 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. 7 Benediction P Let us bless the Lord. C Thanks be to God. P 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 T give you peace. C Amen. Sending Hymn: “The Lord, My God, Be Praised” LSB 794 Text and tune: Public domain P Go in peace; serve the Lord. C Thanks be to God! 8 THOSE ASSISTING OUR WORSHIP TODAY Organist: Maye Smith Acolyte: Daniel Bahr Head Usher: TBD Tech Crew: Mark Binkley, John Goodnick & John Bahr Altar Care: Erika Tuscher & Virginia Markel THIS WEEK AT GRACE TODAY – 10/25/20 - REFORMATION Statistics for the week of 9:00 am Sunday School/Adult Bible Study 10:30 am Worship October 18, 2020 Worship Service: 62 Attended, 52 Views Adult Bible Class: 11 MONDAY – 10/26/20 Sunday School Students: 17 6:30 pm Survivors’ Group Sunday School Offering: $2.00 Offering: $2,949.07 Special Missions: $45.00 WEDNESDAY – 10/28/20 Memorial: $5,000.00 10:00 am Bible Study (Zoom) SATURDAY – 10/31/20 - HALLOWEEN Happy Halloween 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Trunk or Treat NEXT SUNDAY – 11/1/20 – ALL SAINTS’ DAY 9:00 am Sunday School/Adult Bible Study 10:30 am Worship (HC) 9 ANNOUNCEMENTS Please submit new announcements by Thursday 10AM: [email protected]. Office Hours Sun 8:30-12:30, M/Th/F 10-2 GIVING: Options at www.gracenf.org FROM PASTOR BAHR: My sincere gratitude to all for your card and gift for Pastor Appreciation Month. It was a good surprise and it’s nice to be appreciated! As we prepare for another church year, I pray that once again God will bless you through me, despite my best efforts. Thank you! THE GLEANINGS submission deadline for the next issue is Thursday, November 12th. TRUNK OR TREAT will be held at Grace this Saturday, 10/31 (Halloween), from 1 - 2:30 PM weather permitting. Bring your kids and friends and enjoy trick or treating in our parking lot. If you would like to participate with your car, you can still sign up on the glass case, or you can call the church office and we will add you to the list. If you have volunteered to donate candy or other treats, please leave it on the table in the chapel before Saturday. COVID required distancing will be observed, and masks should be worn when distancing is not possible. OCTOBER SPECIAL MISSION ENVELOPES will support Lutheran education at St. John & Holy Ghost schools. If you are using the convenience envelopes in the pews, please clearly mark your donation as "October special mission". You can also donate online under "special missions". CASES FOR A CAUSE: Tables are available in the narthex and chapel for our annual Harvest Food Collection to help St. Vincent de Paul food pantry on Military Road. They are currently serving 50 local families. They have shared that they are having difficulty purchasing food in bulk amounts due to the pandemic, so we will attempt to fill "Cases for a Cause".