Blessings and Peace to you,
Pastor Chris Lee
Order of Worship Service for Sunday, October30, 2022
Meditation
Rooted in the past and growing into the future, the church must always be reformed in order to live out the love of Christ in an ever-changing world. We celebrate the good news of God’s grace, that Jesus Christ sets us free every day to do this life-transforming work. Trusting in the freedom given to us in baptism, we pray for the church, that Christians will unite more fully in worship and mission.
Prelude: Zacchaeus- Traditional, Youth Choir
The congregation is invited to sing the 2nd verse with the youth choir.
Zaccaeus knew that he’d done wrong and sorry for his sins was he.
For to the poor I’ll give one half of all my goods said he.
And if I’ve cheated anyone 4 times will I repay.
And Jesus said: “Salvation has come to you.
I have come to seek and save. I have come to seek and save.”
Confession and Forgiveness
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who is eager to forgive and who loves us beyond our days.
Amen.
Dear friends, together let us acknowledge our failure to love this world as Jesus does.
God of mercy and forgiveness,
we confess that sin still has a hold on us. We have harmed your good creation. We have failed to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you. Turn us in a new direction. Show us the path that leads to life. Be our refuge and strength on the journey, through Jesus Christ, our redeemer and friend.
Amen.
Beloved of God:
your sins are forgiven ☩ and you are made whole. God points the way to new life in Christ, who meets us on the road. Journey now in God’s abiding love through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Opening Hymn: – ELW 645- “Christ is Made the Sure Foundation.”
Kyrie
Hymn of Praise
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.
First Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34
The renewed covenant will not be breakable, but like the old covenant it will expect the people to live upright lives. To know the Lord means that one will defend the cause of the poor and needy (Jer. 22:16). The renewed covenant is possible only because the Lord will forgive iniquity and not remember sin. Our hope lies in a God who forgets.
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.
Psalm: Psalm 46
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. (Ps. 46:7)
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.
Second Reading: Romans 3:19-28
Paul’s words stand at the heart of the preaching of Martin Luther and other Reformation leaders. No human beings make themselves right with God through works of the law. We are brought into a right relationship with God through the divine activity centered in Christ’s death. This act is a gift of grace that liberates us from sin and empowers our faith in Jesus Christ.
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. 28For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.
Gospel: John 8:31-36
Jesus speaks of truth and freedom as spiritual realities known through his word. He reveals the truth that sets people free from sin.
31Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “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 him, “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.”
Sermon: Pastor Chris Lee
Hymn of the Day: ELW 600- “Out of the Depths, I Cry to You”
Nicene Creed
Prayers of Intercession
In gratitude and humility, let us join together in prayer on behalf of all of God’s creation.
God our fortress, we pray for the church. Write your law of love on the hearts of your people, that we remain steadfast in our witness to your grace. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God our liberator, we pray for your earth. Bring new life to overused land and contaminated rivers. Reform and reorient our relationship with the environment, that we faithfully care for all of your creation. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God, our refuge and strength, we pray for the nations. Where they are in an uproar, bring wise leadership and comfort for those in distress. Make wars to cease and peace to enter every land. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God, our very present help in trouble, we pray for those in need. Show mercy to refugees and all fleeing from danger. Shelter any without homes. Calm all who are facing illness, surgery, or a new diagnosis especially Britta Maddox; Brian Castle; Carol Lear; Libby Hofsas; Ray Seaholm; Lane Seaholm; Lucas Roney; Noah Stoutt; Kim Engels; Joyce Anderson; Jeanna LaRue; Karen Bemowski; Nan Hibbs; Julie Peters; Kenneth Bobb; Richard Mowery; Gary Berg; Bruce and Sandy Wright; Julie Prenatt; Sheri Stoutt; Randy McIntyre; Marilyn Hubbard; and all those we name before you now, aloud or in our hearts…
Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God our redeemer, we pray for our congregation. Bless all who are preparing for baptism or affirmation of baptism. Open their hearts to your Holy Spirit, teach them your word, and give them courage to proclaim their faith. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God our stronghold, we give thanks for those who have gone before us in faith, especially Martin Luther and all reformers and Carol Garner. Renew and reform us as we strive to continue in your word. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
With grateful hearts we commend our spoken and silent prayers to you, O God; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Peace
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord’s Prayer (sung)
Communion Hymn:
ELW 513- “Listen, God is Calling”
ELW 654- The Church’s One Foundation.”
Prayer after Communion
God of the abundant table, you have refreshed our hearts in this meal with bread for the journey. Give us your grace on the road that we might serve our neighbors with joy; for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Blessing
God, who gives life to all things and frees us from despair, bless you with truth and peace. And may the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, guide you always in faith, hope, and love.
Amen.
Sending Hymn: – ELW 504- “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”
Dismissal
Go in peace, with Christ beside you.
Thanks be to God.
Postlude: “A Mighty Fortress” – Walcha
Facebook link to Reformation Sunday, October 30, 2022
https://www.facebook.com/First-Lutheran-Church-Rock-Island-IL-190629367619921/videos/656590589539584
Reformation Day
Monday, October 31, 2022
By the end of the seventeenth century, many Lutheran churches celebrated a festival commemorating Martin Luther’s posting of the Ninety-five Theses, a summary of abuses in the church of his time. At the heart of the reform movement was the gospel, the good news that it is by grace through faith that we are justified and set free.
Facebook link to Reformation Sunday worship service:
https://www.facebook.com/190629367619921/videos/656590589539584
Image credits: OIPucg.org.au and First Evangelical Lutheran Church grounds, photo by Therese Guise
Music and other credits:
Assisting Ministers: Amaya & Abbigail Lee
Lector: Abbigail and Amaya Lee
Music Director/ Pianist/ Organist: Pam Edwards
“Zacchaeus” (One License #76712) Contributors: Unknown Traditional. Tune: © 1999, Hal Leonard Corporation. All rights reserved. Permission to podcast/stream and print the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.
“Christ is Made the Sure Foundation.” Text: Latin hymn, c. 7th cent; tr John Mason Neale, 1818 – 1866, alt. Music: Henry Purcell, 1659 – 1695; arr. Ernest Hawkins, 1802 -1868. Public domain.
“Out of the Depths, I Cry to You. ” Text: © 1978, 2006, Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Permission to podcast/stream and print the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.
“Listen, God is Calling.” Tune: Setting © 1993 Augsburg Fortress Text: © 1993 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Permission to podcast/stream and print the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.
“The Church’s One Foundation.” Text: 76 76 D; Samuel J. Stone, 1839-1900, alt. Music: Samuel S. Wesley, 1810-1876. Public domain.
“A Mighty Fortress is our God.” Contributors: Lutheran Book of Worship. Text: © 1978, Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Permission to podcast/stream and print the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.
“A Mighty Fortress” – Walcha. Used with permission.
Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Reprinted/ streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS006904. Duplication in any form is prohibited without permission or valid license from the copyright administrator.