Reformation Sunday 10/31/2021
Reformation+Confirmation 10.31.21PDF
REFORMATION SUNDAY
OCTOBER 31, 2021
ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, FALLS CHURCH, VA
✠ ✠ ✠
PRELUDE Built on the Rock 1. Scott Hyslop 2. Wilber Held
WELCOME
ENTRANCE HYMN (Stand) #645 Built on the Rock
1 Built on the Rock the Church shall stand
Even when steeples are falling.
Crumbled have spires in ev’ry land;
Bells still are chiming and calling,
Calling the young and old to rest,
But above all the souls distressed,
Longing for rest everlasting.
2 Surely in temples made with hands
God, the Most High, is not dwelling;
High above earth His temple stands,
All earthly temples excelling.
Yet He who dwells in heav’n above
Chooses to live with us in love,
Making our bodies His temple.
3 We are God’s house of living stones,
Built for His own habitation.
He through baptismal grace us owns
Heirs of His wondrous salvation.
Were we but two His name to tell,
Yet He would deign with us to dwell
With all His grace and His favor.
4 Here stands the font before our eyes,
Telling how God has received us.
The_altar recalls Christ’s sacrifice
And what His Supper here gives us.
Here sound the Scriptures that proclaim
Christ yesterday, today, the same,
And evermore, our Redeemer.
5 Grant, then, O God, Your will be done,
That, when the church bells are ringing,
Many in saving faith may come
Where Christ His message is bringing:
“I know My own; My own know Me.
You, not the world, My face shall see.
My peace I leave with you. Amen.”
INVOCATION
In the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
EXHORTATION
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(We observe a moment of silence for self-reflection.)
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Let us then confess our sins to God our Father
Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.
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.
Amen.
KYRIE see p. 152 for music
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above and for our salvation let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house and for all who offer their worship and praise let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord. Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE p. 155
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, and honor, blessing, and glory are His.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Sing with all the people of God, and join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing, honor, glory, and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
For the Lamb who was slain has begun His reign. Alleluia.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
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. Amen.
✠ ✠ ✠
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
FIRST LESSON (Be seated) Revelation 14:6-7
Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
ANTHEM Jubilation Choir “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Lord” setting: Carl Schalk
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.
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 trimphantly.
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.
SECOND LESSON Romans 3:19-28
Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
ALLELUIA VERSE (Stand) p. 156
Alleluia.
Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL John 8:31-36
The Holy Gospel according to St. John the 8th chapter
Glory to You, O Lord.
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, O Christ.
SERMON
Grace, mercy and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus. Amen. Dear friends in Christ:
Today at St. Paul’s we are observing Confirmation Sunday. This is always a joyful day, for on it we get to commend our young confirmands for their efforts and encourage them as they confess their faith.
Today is also Reformation Sunday. Reformation Sunday is a day of joy as well, for it reminds us of God’s great care for his church and lifts up many themes of importance for our life together.
And since we are celebrating both occasions on the same day this year, our joy is doubled. God be praised!
One of the things we like about both days is the opportunity to think back and remember. On Confirmation Sunday, I always remember how I got to know the students much better during our classes. Before the classes, I only knew them as kids at the church – their names and maybe a couple of things about them. But now I know much more. I know their personalities, what they are like, what’s important to them and what their faith means to them. What a blessing!
I’m sure that others of you are moved to remembrance on this day also.
The confirmands are hopefully thinking back and recalling how much they learned. Even more, I’m hoping they are thinking back and realizing how much they are loved and valued by the church and by God.
Parents may be hearkening back to their child’s baptism, or the times when they first brought their child to God’s house for worship and Sunday School. They brought their children seeking God’s blessing, and they have received it.
And for all the rest of you, I hope today reminds you of your confirmation day. Or, if you’re not yet confirmed, I hope today will move you to consider that step. God’s Spirit moves powerfully in our lives when learning takes place, when faith is publicly confessed, and when prayers are said on our behalf. We are always blessed when the Spirit moves.
Yes, Confirmation Sunday makes us remember. And so too does Reformation Sunday. Today we remember that 504 years ago – on this very day – a monk and teacher named Martin Luther posted 95 theses regarding a practice in the church that was concerning to him. More than just that, we remember that Luther’s actions on that day led the church to a great debate, and to monumental change.
501 years ago, that same monk and teacher wrote three very influential tracts that outlined his theological positions. Later in today’s sermon we will consider one of these – the one which speaks to the freedom of a Christian, because the message of that tract dovetails well with today’s Gospel reading and is particularly pertinent in recalling the Reformation’s themes.
And because round number anniversaries seem particularly compelling to us, let us also recall what happened with Luther and the Reformation 500 years ago. As the year 1521 commenced, Luther found himself in a tough place. His writings and call to debate had rung true to many and caused great stirrings of excitement. But not to all. Others, especially those in positions of church power, saw his writings as dangerous and misguided. As a result, it was not long before Luther was excommunicated by the church and called to repentance.
In the spring, Luther was granted a hearing at an imperial diet or meeting. And here he was given a chance to take back his teachings. But Luther refused, saying “unless I am persuaded by the word of God and pure reasoning I will not recant. Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise.”
And this great stand of Luther inspired even more people, as it has ever since. But it also put his life in immediate danger. The imperial diet pronounced a ban upon Luther, which meant that he was to be arrested as an enemy of church and state.
To save him, his friends arranged for his kidnapping. Luther was taken and rushed away to a safe place – a quiet castle in the town of Wartburg. There Luther changed his appearance and hid.
And here we might pause to reflect on a parallel between the church of today and the situation of Luther exactly 500 years ago. As with Luther’s teachings, much of what the church teaches today has been condemned. Not by a church authority, but by the culture.
Not all of our teachings are condemned, of course. But many. And even those teachings which have not been condemned seem to be roundly ignored by more and more of the population.
We in the church sometimes feel like we’re relegated to hiding, as Luther was. Or if not hiding, at least laying low. And I suppose there may be times for that. But what do we do in those times?
When Luther was hidden away in the castle, he discovered that he could still be quite productive. He wrote. He translated. He communicated to individuals. And all this despite also fighting off bouts of depression and doubt. The church of today might take a cue from Luther on this.
After about nine months, Luther decided to end his hiding. He went back to his home in Wittenberg because he felt he was needed there. And he was. Thankfully, Luther was welcomed back and protected. And there, for the next 25 years, until his death, he was able to keep preaching, teaching, writing, and guiding the church. Luther’s courage and efforts changed the world. And we are blessed by them.
Looking back at all of this, it’s important for us to remember that when Luther was considering his strong public stand, the one thing that convinced him to stand as he did was his conviction that the Gospel itself was at stake. If the Gospel was being compromised, then he would stand against that compromising. If the Gospel wasn’t being compromised, he could accommodate.
Luther made a distinction between that which was critical and that which wasn’t. He didn’t feel that it was critical for the church to worship in the language of the people, or that the church should operate without a Pope, or that the church needed to have a certain kind of liturgy. He had opinions on these matters and was very much open to debating them. When all these changes were proposed, he embraced them. But they were not critical to Luther in the same way that the Gospel itself was.
Unfortunately, many people today believe that the Reformation was all about these kinds of changes, and, most fundamentally, about freedom from the church’s authority. But that’s not what drove Luther and his fellow confessors. Their concern was whether the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ was being communicated clearly.
And this is where we get to the subject of freedom. Luther felt it was critical for people to understand that Christ had freed them from the eternal consequences of their sin. This was the freedom he lifted up!
Furthermore, Luther felt it was critical for people to understand that this freedom from sin was based on the work of Christ alone, not one’s own good works. Were people’s works to be considered in this, they would never achieve true freedom, for all continue to sin. Christ’s work on the cross alone is sufficient for salvation.
When one understands this, they are not only free from God’s judgment against sin, but also free from the devil’s accusation that they are no good, and from the guilt that would otherwise hang over them and ultimately consume them.
This is what we celebrate on Reformation Day. We celebrate the Gospel and its clear proclamation. We celebrate the good news stated so powerfully and simply by our Lord Jesus himself when he said: “if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed!”
And as I bring that word from today’s Gospel reading to mind, I am reminded of how that is a favorite verse of our children when we recite it during children’s sermons. And I am filled with joy as I think of the many confirmation students who earlier in their life said those words with gusto at those sermons. And I pray today that they still find that same excitement and joy which those words are meant to give.
To help the people of his day understand the joy of this freedom, Luther came up with a strong, clear and simple statement as a thesis for the great work I mentioned earlier. In his tract The Freedom of a Christian, which he addressed to the Pope by the way, Luther began with this thesis: “A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none.”
And in a world where individual freedoms where not the same as in our day, to be called a perfectly free lord made quite an impact. It filled the hearer with confidence. It told of their importance – in the eyes of God and in the eyes of others. It said they were like members of the nobility! The message was clear: Christians were to rejoice in the freedom and status that was theirs as a result of Christ’s victory.
But then, at the same time, Luther added a second and equally important thesis to his statement on Christian freedom. He said: “A Christian is (also) a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all.”
And here, Luther speaks to the calling that we have as a Christian. While our true identity may be that of a completely free person, our calling is to take on the identity of a servant. We do this in response to Christ’s call to discipleship. And we do it to follow Christ’s example.
A few Sundays ago, we read words from Mark’s Gospel which explain this quite clearly. There we heard Jesus say to his disciples: “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-45)
These words of Jesus call us to humble ourselves. And to dedicate ourselves to helping others – at times even putting them first.
Being a servant is not easy. Serving isn’t always so pleasant. But service is greatly needed in this broken world of ours. And our service is one of the chief ways God has chosen to extend his care.
The fact that we are both a free lord and a servant at the same time is paradoxical. And as such, there will be a tension that must be kept between them. But this is the tension which Christ Jesus most certainly wants because it best guides us as we encounter the challenges and opportunities of living in this world. Each day as we face these, we will be reminded of both our identity and our calling. Each day, our confidence and joy will be seen in the context of our need to serve; and our serving will be done with the help of our confidence and joy.
Understanding our identity and calling as God’s people, with the Gospel made clear and its message unbound, is the gift we’ve been given through the great Reformation. It is also the gift we attempt to give through confirmation. God’s Spirit works its wonders when people faithfully come to hear, consider and desire to grow.
May God’s Spirit then be strong in your hearts and minds this day. And may God lead you always to celebrate the true freedom you’ve been given in Christ.
In the holy name of Jesus. Amen.
HYMN OF THE DAY (Stand) #656 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
1 A mighty fortress is our God,
A trusty shield and weapon;
He helps us free from ev’ry need
That hath us now o’ertaken.
The old evil foe
Now means deadly woe;
Deep guile and great might
Are his dread arms in fight;
On earth is not his equal.
2 With might of ours can naught be done,
Soon were our loss effected;
But for us fights the valiant One,
Whom God Himself elected.
Ask ye, Who is this?
Jesus Christ it is,
Of Sabaoth Lord,
And there’s none other God;
He holds the field forever.
3 Though devils all the world should fill,
All eager to devour us,
We tremble not, we fear no ill;
They shall not overpow’r us.
This world’s prince may still
Scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none.
He’s judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him.
4 The Word they still shall let remain
Nor any thanks have for it;
He’s by our side upon the plain
With His good gifts and Spirit.
And take they our life,
Goods, fame, child, and wife,
Though these all be gone,
Our vict’ry has been won;
The Kingdom ours remaineth.
ADDRESS TO CONFIRMANDS
PROFESSION OF FAITH (Both congregation and confirmand)
Do you renounce all the forces of evil, the devil, and all his empty promises?
I do.
Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
I believe 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.
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
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.
RECEPTION INTO CONFIRMED MEMBERSHIP (Congregation may be seated)
Mason A. Kaitlin A.
Andreas B. Victoria F.
OFFERING
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
Gracious heavenly Father, we thank You for the comfort of the Gospel and for restoring its clear message during times of reformation. And we praise You that we have come to the sure knowledge of standing justified before You not by what we have done, but by your grace and through faith in what Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, has done on our behalf. We implore You now to defend Your Church from all enemies of Your saving Word, and to cause Your eternal Gospel to be proclaimed in our time to every nation, tribe, language and people on earth, that your truth might graciously be preserved for all generations to come. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord, make us true disciples by keeping us in Your Word and free from all false teaching. Make our homes and families places of peace, love and joy. Preserve all parents in faith and encourage them in their task of passing it on, that children would be brought up in the fear and instruction of your name. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, be with all who are learning the faith, including those confirmed today. Provide for them ongoing care and support, and especially through Christian friends, teachers and role models. Bless our church, that we might always be a place of refuge and strength for them. And help us all to continue to grow together as your disciples. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, have mercy on our nation. Give us good and faithful rulers who will govern after Your good pleasure and lead us rightly in our life together. Bless Joseph our President, Ralph our Governor, and all who serve in the civil realm. Grant to us in this commonwealth an extra measure of faith and understanding this week as we elect our leaders. And remind us all of Your rule in this world, that we would not be deceived to think that all power resides in our hands. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Father, hear our prayers for the sick, the joyful, the grieving, and for all those in any need. We pray especially for those on our prayer list, and for (_________ and) all we name in our hearts. Preserve them by Your promises, heal them according to your good and gracious will, and bring them safely through this world to everlasting life. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, You have given us the certainty of sins forgiven in Your Son, set forth as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith. Lead us then in the eating and drinking of that body and blood today, that it may be done in repentance and faith, now and always. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank You that You have brought us by Your Word out of the darkness of error and into the light of Your grace. Mercifully help us to walk in that light. And grant that we do not become ungrateful and despise Your Word but receive it with all our heart, conduct our lives according to it, and put our trust in Your grace; through the merits of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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THE LITURGY OF HOLY COMMUNION
PREFACE TO HOLY COMMUNION (Stand) p. 178
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
It is truly good right and salutary…evermore praising You and saying:
SANCTUS
Holy, holy, holy Lord God of pow’r and might:
Heaven and earth are full of Your glory.
Hosanna. Hosanna.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on those whom You created and sent Your only-begotten Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. With repentant joy we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice of His body and His blood on the cross.
Gathered in the name and the remembrance of Jesus, we beg You, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strengthen us with Your Word and Spirit. Grant us faithfully to eat His body and drink His blood as He bids us do in His own testament. Gather us together, we pray, from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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.
THE WORDS OF OUR LORD
PAX DOMINI
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Amen.
AGNUS DEI
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.
DISTRIBUTION (Be seated)
The Communion Assistant will come forward to receive first, then those from the pulpit side – by order of pew, front to back. Communicants will come up the center aisle and return via the side aisle. When all from the pulpit side have communed, the baptismal font side will commune in the same manner. Distancing must be maintained between all communicants. We ask that the wine be consumed away from the tray table. Empty cups should be dropped into the baskets.
COMMUNION MUSIC Our Father, Who from Heaven Above (LSB 766) Setting: Barbara Harbach
NUNC DIMITTIS (Stand) p. 165
Lord, now You let Your servant go in peace; Your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation which You have prepared in the sight of ev’ry people:
A light to reveal You to the nations and the glory of Your people Israel.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
POST-COMMUNION COLLECT
BENEDICTION
SENDING HYMN #644 The Church’s One Foundation
1 The Church’s one foundation
Is Jesus Christ, her Lord;
She is His new creation
By water and the Word.
From heav’n He came and sought her
To be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her,
And for her life He died.
2 Elect from ev’ry nation,
Yet one o’er all the earth;
Her charter of salvation:
One Lord, one faith, one birth.
One holy name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses
With ev’ry grace endued.
3 Though with a scornful wonder
The world sees her oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder,
By heresies distressed,
Yet saints their watch are keeping;
Their cry goes up, “How long?”
And soon the night of weeping
Shall be the morn of song.
4 Through toil and tribulation
And tumult of her war
She waits the consummation
Of peace forevermore
Till with the vision glorious
Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great Church victorious
Shall be the Church at rest.
5 Yet she on earth has union
With God, the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion
With those whose rest is won.
O blessèd heav’nly chorus!
Lord, save us by Your grace
That we, like saints before us,
May see You face to face.
ANNOUNCEMENTS (Be seated)
DISMISSAL
POSTLUDE A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Setting: David Cherwin
ALTAR FLOWERS: “We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone.” ~ Martin Luther
Those serving:
Sunday, October 31, 8:30 a.m.:
Greeter: Rich Kauzlarich
Comm. assist: Dede Dixon
Reader: Melissa Hecht
10:30 a.m.:
Greeter: Steve Janssen
Comm. assist: Jill Hecht
Reader: Lynn Jacquez
Worship Notes
Thank you for worshiping with us at St. Paul’s! In worship Christ is present among His gathered people and the Holy Spirit is poured out through Word and Sacrament.
If you have a need or concern that you would like us to lift up in prayer, you may fill out a yellow Prayer Request Card and give it to the greeter or pastor. Restrooms can be found both downstairs and near the parking lot entrance. Parents can take their children to the Cry Room as needed, but we love to have them with us in worship. Before you leave, we ask that you fill out a Fellowship Card and place it in the offering box at the sanctuary entrance.
In the Lord’s Supper, Jesus gives us his true body and blood. This meal forgives our sins and strengthens our faith. The Supper is for baptized Christians who have been taught the faith, examined themselves and share with us in confession. If you are not communing, you may still come forward for a blessing (bow your head or cross your arms). If you’re not sure whether you should commune, please speak first to one of our pastors.
We pray that God’s love and care be evident to you in our gathering, and that He gladden your heart and give peace to you this day!
Acknowledgements
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2021 Concordia Publishing House.
Built on the Rock Text & Tune: Public domain
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Text & Tune: Public domain
The Church’s One Foundation Text & Tune: Public domain
