THE LUTHER SEAL The Luther seal or Luther Rose was designed for Martin Luther at the behest of Prince John Frederick of Saxony in 1530. Here is how Martin Luther himself explained the seal’s meaning: First, there is a black cross in a heart that remains its natural color. This is to remind me that it is faith in the Crucified One that saves us. Anyone who believes from the heart will be justified (Romans 10:10). It is a black cross, which mortifies and causes pain, but it leaves the heart its natural color. It doesn’t destroy nature, that is to say, it does not kill us but keeps us alive, for the just shall live by faith in the Crucified One (Romans 1:17). The heart should stand in the middle of a white rose. This is to show that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace—it puts the believer into a white, joyous rose. Faith does not give peace and joy like the world gives (John 14:27). This is why the rose must be white, not red. White is the color of the spirits and angels (cf. Matthew 28:3; John 20:12). This rose should stand in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that a joyful spirit and faith is a beginning of heavenly, future joy, which begins now, but is grasped in hope, not yet fully revealed. Around the field of blue is a golden ring to symbolize that blessedness in heaven lasts forever and has no end. Heavenly blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy and better than any possessions, just as gold is the most valuable and precious metal. (From: Letter from Martin Luther to Lazarus Spengler, July 8, 1530 [WA Br 5:445]; tr. P. T. McCain) At the heart of the Protestant Reformation were debates about the basic questions of faith. For example: How is a person saved? What is the church? Where does religious authority lie? What is the essence of Christian living? In answering these questions reformers developed what would be known as the "Five Solas" (sola is the Latin word for alone.) which reflect the essential doctrines of the reformation movement. 1 - Sola Scriptura, “Scripture Alone.” The Bible alone is the sole authority for all matters of faith and practice. Scripture is the standard by which all teachings and traditions of the church must be measured. 2 - Sola Gratia, “Grace Alone.” Salvation is proof of God’s undeserved favor; God’s blessing in Christ is the sole efficient cause of salvation; no work we can do can earn us salvation. This grace is the work of the Holy Spirit who brings us to Christ by releasing us from our bondage to sin and raising us from spiritual death to spiritual life. 3 - Sola Fide, “Faith Alone.” We are justified by faith in Christ alone, not by the works of the Law. It is by faith in Christ that his righteousness is imputed to us as the only possible satisfaction of God’s perfect standard and intention. 4 - Solus Christus, “Christ Alone.” Salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone; no one and nothing else can save. Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection is sufficient for our justification and reconciliation to God the Father. 5 - Soli Deo Gloria, “For the Glory of God Alone.” Salvation is of God and has been accomplished by God for His glory alone. As Christians we magnify God always, and live our lives in God's presence, under God's authority, and for God's glory. FIRST ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH October 28/29, 2017 Reformation Sunday 5:00/9:00 am Martin Luther’s posting of his 95 theses (propositions for reform within the church) on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany in 1957 sparked the Protestant reformation. The anniversary of Luther’s act calling for reform is the only festival on the church calendar unique to Lutherans. While we give thanks today for the faith and courage of the first Reformers, what we celebrate on this day is the heart of our faith: the gospel of Christ – the good news of God’s love, grace, and forgiveness – that makes us free! And we remember that the reformation is not over. We pray that the Holy Spirit continues to reform the whole Christian church and continues to bring healing to a church that remains divided in many ways – so that we might be united in our proclamation and witness to the world; and one day be all together at the Lord’s table. PRELUDE WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS Blessed be the + holy Trinity, the one who forms us, the one who heals us, the one who reforms us again and again. Amen. Let us confess our sin. Silence for reflection and self-examination. Source of all life, we confess that we have not allowed your grace to set us free. We fear that we are not good enough. We hear your word of love freely given to us, yet we expect others to earn it. Forgive us. Stir us. Reform us to be a church rooted in your love, willing to speak for what is right, act for what is just, and seek the healing of your whole creation. Amen. In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us.. Through God’s love in Christ + your sins are forgiven; and we are raised up as God’s people who will always be made new. Amen. GATHERING HYMN A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD, vv. 1, 2, 4 #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. APOSTLES’ CREED - First Article and explanation from Martin Luther’s Small Catechism We believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. What does this mean? I believe that God has created me and all that exists. God has given me and still preserves my body and soul with all their powers. God provides me with food and clothing, home and family, daily work, and all I need from day to day. God also protects me in time of danger and guards me from every evil. All this God does out of fatherly and divine goodness and mercy, though I do not deserve it. Therefore, I surely ought to thank and praise, serve and obey him. HYMN OF PRAISE THIS IS THE FEAST page 149 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. READING JEREMIAH 31:31-35 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. 35Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar — the LORD of hosts is his name Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God. 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.