Reformation Sunday (observed) 10/29/2023
REFORMATION SUNDAY
(observed)
OCTOBER 29, 2023
ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, FALLS CHURCH, VA
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PRELUDE A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Setting: Dietrich Buxtehude
WELCOME
ENTRANCE HYMN (Stand) A Mighty Fortress Is Our God LSB 656
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.
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS LSB 184
In the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord,
and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
(We kneel and observe a time reflection)
O almighty God, merciful Father,
I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You of Your boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being.
Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
INTROIT (pastor) and GLORIA PATRI LSB 186
I will speak of your statutes before kings, O Lord;
And will not be put to shame. (Ps. 119:46)
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.
KYRIE LSB 186
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
HYMN OF PRAISE Gloria in Excelsis LSB 187
Glory be to God on high:
and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee,
we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee, for Thy great glory.
O Lord God, heav’nly King, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ;
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.
Thou that takest away the sin of the world, receive our prayer.
Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.
For Thou only art holy; Thou only art the Lord.
Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost,
art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
SALUTATION and COLLECT OF THE DAY LSB 189
The Lord be with you.
And with thy spirit.
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.
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THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
FIRST LESSON (Be seated) Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18
And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.
“You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.
“You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
ANTHEM Jubilation Choir God Is Our Refuge and Strength (Psalm 46) John A. Behnke (ASCAP)
Choir: Antiphon
God is our refuge and strength, our only help in trouble.
Choir:
We will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells. Antiphon
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
He lifts His voice, the earth melts.
The Lord Almighty is with us,
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Antiphon
He makes wars cease
He breaks the bow and burns the shields with fire.
Be still, be still, be still and know that I am God.
The Lord Almighty is with us,
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Antiphon
God is our refuge and our strength,
our only help in trouble.
Copyright© 2005 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
SECOND LESSON 1 Thessalonians 2:1-13
For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
(10:30) CHILDREN’S SERMON
GOSPEL VERSE (Stand) Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word LSB 655
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 eternally.
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.
GOSPEL Matthew 22:34-46
The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew the 22nd chapter
Glory to You, O Lord.
When the Pharisees heard that [Jesus] had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” He said to them, “How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
Sit at my right hand,
until I put your enemies under your feet’?
If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?” And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.
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:
New things can be hard for us to accept. So hard, in fact, that we often oppose them. I imagine even the wheel was opposed by some!
When Jesus came into the world, God was doing a new thing. And as we know, Jesus has not been universally accepted.
In today’s Gospel reading, the leaders of Judea expressed their opposition to Jesus’ ministry by lawyering up. They had been opposed to him for some time by this point – trying to trap him in his words and asking him difficult questions. Here they try to test him once again.
The lawyer asked Jesus about the Law. Of course. But interestingly, the question he asked was a fairly easy one: “which is the great commandment in the Law?” Perhaps he and the leaders were hoping that Jesus would trip up over this most basic of questions.
But like all who have studied the scriptures, Jesus knew that the Law is best summarized by that great verse from Deuteronomy known as the Shema: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” And that’s the answer he gave.
But Jesus then added a second great commandment – one found in the scriptures too, but one that perhaps wasn’t as well known. We read it as the concluding verse of today’s Old Testament reading from Leviticus. There it says: “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
In making this a second great commandment, Jesus was not simply pulling a verse out of the air. Rather, he was summarizing the last seven of the Ten Commandments – all of which speak to the subject of loving others. The leaders probably would have understood this, even as they may have wondered about Jesus’ raising of this command to the status of a “great” commandment.
But before they could probe any further, Jesus then asked a question of them. “What do you think about the Christ (meaning the Messiah)? Whose son is he?”
When the leaders gave the commonly accepted answer: “the Son of David,” Jesus then asked a follow up question based on words from Psalm 110. “How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet’”? And then to clarify this question, Jesus asks further: “If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?”
None of the leaders present gave an answer. And perhaps that’s because none of them had considered the question before. Or perhaps they understood the point Jesus was making but just couldn’t accept it.
The question Jesus posed, about David’s son also being David’s Lord, is only answered if the son is somehow greater than the father. And not just greater in an outwardly successful way, but in a way that reflects a superior status – so that even great David would call him “Lord.”
Everyone was waiting for the Messiah – the new Jewish leader who would become a great king like David. But were they open to this leader being a very different kind of king and a very different kind of being?
If the Messiah were to be a king like David, then he would also rule a kingdom like David. And this kingdom would be about goodness and faithfulness, yes, but it would also be about land and borders, armies and security, laws and regulations… the stuff of earthly kingdoms.
Jesus made it clear that his kingdom was different. He showed this as well. He didn’t take up the sword. He didn’t claim any land as his own. He didn’t seek any earthly or political position. His focus was not on “his people” but “all people.” His focus was on loving God and loving neighbors – all of them.
Jesus also made it clear that his kingdom was the kingdom of God. Therefore this kingdom would have a different kind of king. And that king would be God’s promised Messiah.
Jesus was and is that promised king. He is the Christ, he is David’s Lord, and he is Lord over all.
To use the language of the psalm, Jesus was and is the one who truly sits at God’s right hand, and he is the one whose enemies have all been put under his feet.
Jesus has established his heavenly kingdom on earth. He did it by defeating our greatest enemies – sin, death and the power of the devil. He also did it by better teaching us how to love, to forgive and to show mercy.
Through his teachings, and by virtue of his glorious resurrection, Jesus has proven to be the Messiah we really need. Jesus has changed the world by bringing the power of God in a whole new way.
Jesus was and is a different kind of king. And that’s because he was and is a different kind of being. Jesus is God incarnate – God come to the world to show the world the new thing God was doing.
This new thing brought opposition, as we noted. And the opposition led to Jesus’ crucifixion.
But death could not hold him. Jesus is a different kind of king, remember? He rose from the dead and now lives and reigns over the great kingdom he has established among us now. Someday he will come again. And at that time heaven and earth will be completely one.
God’s kingdom may be established today, but it will continue to face opposition. In today’s second scripture reading, Paul tells the Thessalonian Christians about the opposition he faced when sharing the message of Christ’s kingdom.
Paul had good news to share. He called it “the Gospel of God” – meaning it came from God himself. It was thus also called “the word of God,” as Paul notes in the verses we read.
But these were new words, which was why Paul faced opposition. He shared how in Philippi he had “suffered and been shamefully treated.” The workers who were with him – Silvanus and Timothy – suffered as well.
Paul details their treatment that we might recognize it among us. Their hard treatment came from the accusations that were hurled against them – specifically as they were accused of error, of impurity, of greed, and of attempts to deceive. Paul shares that they were also accused of flattery and of the desire to please men.
We recognize these forms of opposition. “The church is just about money and power,” people will say – although increasingly there is little evidence to back that one up. “The church is just a social club,” others will say, “or just a gathering for uptight people.” Yes, that’s what some believe.
Today in our church we are remembering the great Reformation of the 16th century. We remember it in order to celebrate the new things God did at that time. We also remember it in order to bring to mind the church’s need for occasional reform.
As you know, many of Martin Luther’s reforms were not accepted either. Luther faced great opposition from within the church, including excommunication. This caused him great pain. But he persevered through his contact with God’s word and his work with God’s people. These sustained him and guided him as he went forward.
Through these Luther was able to overcome his opponents, including his own great doubt, and bring about extremely important change. Among these are the worshiping of God in the language of the people, the translation of the scriptures into these languages as well, the full and clear participation in the sacraments of the church, the restoration of a more biblically based clergy life, and the greater appreciation of the vocations of all people.
Chief among all his reforms, however, was his restoration of a proper understanding of the relationship between faith and good works. This was done as he and his colleagues thoroughly examined the doctrine of justification. In these examinations, the doctrine was fleshed out and set forth in both the simplest and most complex terms.
In simple terms: we are saved by grace alone, faith alone and Christ alone. In complex terms – well, there are vast explanations in our confessions and in our systematic texts to flesh out all the questions. Trust me. Or you could attend our current Sunday Bible Class taught by our brother Dan. He’s been leading us in a very helpful course.
506 years ago, Martin Luther posted 95 theses on the subject of indulgences calling the church to debate. The theses were opposed by some but received by others. Today, I think it’s safe to say that most of Luther’s reforms have been widely received. Maybe not in all their specifics. But certainly in great measure.
That being said, the message of Jesus is facing lots of new opposition. People still seem mostly respectful about Jesus himself, but the things he said are receiving new scrutiny.
People have always questioned his emphasis on peace – seeing it as a weak and untenable strategy in this rough and tumble world. But now they’re also questioning his emphasis on faith. We live in an age where we think everything can be known. And faith in God is now often characterized as a crutch at best or foolishness at worst.
People are also questioning the power of his kingdom. Do prayers to him really bring healing? Does worship of him really form good people? Does following him as a disciple really make life better?
For some, Jesus’ message seems to infringe too greatly on our freedoms. For others, his message seems to be too lax.
It’s important to remember that these concerns have always been around. Our times aren’t really that different from any other.
But even more important to remember is God’s promise that his kingdom will prevail. Christ will build his church and the gates of hell will not overcome it. Christ’s kingdom – seen and unseen – will continue to grow and expand.
Reformation Sunday is therefore mostly about remembering these promises of God. God’s truth will prevail despite the opposition it faces. As the Psalm says: “Nations will be in uproar and kingdoms will fall. But the Lord Almighty is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress.”
Jesus will always be king. And he will sustain his kingdom and use it to bring blessing to those who trust him.
Faith in him will be rewarded. God sees this faith and extends his blessing.
And this blessing is not an easier life, of course, but a better one. The better life of faith in Christ brings people together, helps them find joy, teaches them to overcome fears, and brings them home to the place of God’s full presence in the new life to come.
Remember, Jesus was opposed but not defeated. Paul was opposed but not defeated. The great Reformation was opposed but not defeated. You and I, as we continue in faith, will experience victory over opposition as well.
May God then keep us in that faith. In the name of Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.
HYMN OF THE DAY (Stand) The Church’s One Foundation LSB 644
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.
NICENE CREED Hymnal, back cover
I believe in one God,
the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth
and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
begotten of His Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light,
very God of very God,
begotten, not made,
being of one substance with the Father,
by whom all things were made;
who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary
and was made man;
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.
He suffered and was buried.
And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures
and ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of the Father.
And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead,
whose kingdom will have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord and giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified,
who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church,
I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,
and I look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life ✠ of the world to come. Amen.
OFFERING
Offerings support the church’s mission work – both here and through our many partners. Offerings may be placed in the box at the sanctuary entrance or sent to the church through our website or the mail. Fellowship Cards help us welcome new people and track participation. Please fill one out and place it in the offering box following the service.
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH (Kneel)
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Mighty Fortress, Rock of refuge, sustain Your Church. Deliver her from error and preserve in her the proclamation of Your Gospel, that it would resound to every nation, tribe, people and language and that all may fear and give You glory. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Mighty Fortress, Rock of refuge, bless all ministers of Your Word. Help them rightly to preach Your Law so that all are held accountable to You without excuse and joyfully proclaim Your Gospel, that all would know Jesus Christ as their Savior. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Mighty Fortress, Rock of refuge, look with compassion on all who are blind to the bondage of their sin. Open their eyes by the words of Jesus and grant them the true freedom of sonship and a permanent place in Your household. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Mighty Fortress, Rock of refuge, make us truly Your disciples. Keep us in Your Word, free us from all errors, and make our homes and families peaceful. Preserve all parents and encourage them in the teaching of their children. And preserve all of us in our life together as we serve, celebrate, and support one another as members of your family. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Mighty Fortress, Rock of refuge, bless all civil authorities, especially our president, Congress, and all who make, administer and judge our laws. Protect them from the temptations that beset their offices, and grant them wisdom and courage to serve with integrity. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Mighty Fortress, Rock of refuge, be near to all who cry to You for healing of body and soul. We especially pray for Geraine, Ann, Sophia, Dolly, Norma, Brooks, Trudy, Mary Ann, June, Peter, Wendy, Ron, James, Russell, Rich, Tawni, Dale, Dennis, and all whom we name in our hearts at this time… Grant them release from their afflictions and sustain their hope in the full and final healing that awaits them at the day of Christ’s appearing. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Mighty Fortress, Rock of refuge, bless all who come to the altar to partake of Christ’s own body and blood this day. Grant them repentant hearts that seek to amend their lives, align them by your Spirit with Your will and purpose, and remind them that in Christ you forgive their sins. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Mighty Fortress, Rock of refuge, we give You thanks for all Your servants who have departed this life in faith. We especially bless You today for the great reformers of Your Church who call us back to the Gospel and to the righteousness we have in Christ alone. Keep us in fellowship with them and bring us at last to our heavenly home to see our Redeemer face to face; through the same 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
OFFERTORY
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and uphold me with Thy free spirit. Amen.
PREFACE TO HOLY COMMUNION LSB 194
The Lord be with you.
And with thy spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up unto the Lord.
Let us give thanks unto the Lord, our God.
It is meet and right so to do.
It is truly good right and salutary…evermore praising You and saying:
SANCTUS
Holy, holy, holy Lord God of Sabaoth;
heav’n and earth are full of Thy glory.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He, blessed is He, blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
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
O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, grant us Thy peace. Amen.
DISTRIBUTION (Be seated)
Those wishing to commune at the foot of the steps should come forward first. Those wishing to commune at the altar rail should come forward after these, front rows first, from both sides of the aisle. After receiving, all should return to their seats. A common dismissal will be given at the end.
COMMUNION HYMN Jesus Christ, Our Blessed Savior LSB 627
1 Jesus Christ, our blessèd Savior,
Turned away God’s wrath forever;
By His bitter grief and woe
He saved us from the evil foe.
2 As His pledge of love undying,
He, this precious food supplying,
Gives His body with the bread,
And with the wine the blood He shed.
3 Jesus here Himself is sharing;
Heed then how you are preparing,
For if you do not believe,
His judgment then you shall receive.
4 Praise the Father, who from heaven
To His own this food has given,
Who, to mend what we have done,
Gave into death His only Son.
5 Firmly hold with faith unshaken
That this food is to be taken
By the sick who are distressed,
By hearts that long for peace and rest.
6 Agony and bitter labor
Were the cost of God’s high favor;
Do not come if you suppose
You need not Him who died and rose.
7 Christ says: “Come, all you that labor,
And receive My grace and favor:
Those who feel no pain or ill
Need no physician’s help or skill.
8 “For what purpose was My dying
If not for your justifying?
And what use this precious food
If you yourself were pure and good?”
9 If your heart this truth professes
And your mouth your sin confesses,
You will be your Savior’s guest,
Be at His banquet truly blest.
10 Let this food your faith so nourish
That its fruit of love may flourish
And your neighbor learn from you
How much God’s wondrous love can do.
O Lord, We Praise Thee LSB 617
1 O Lord, we praise Thee, bless Thee, and adore Thee,
In thanksgiving bow before Thee.
Thou with Thy body and Thy blood didst nourish
Our weak souls that they may flourish:
O Lord, have mercy!
May Thy body, Lord, born of Mary,
That our sins and sorrows did carry,
And Thy blood for us plead
In all trial, fear, and need:
O Lord, have mercy!
2 Thy holy body into death was given,
Life to win for us in heaven.
No greater love than this to Thee could bind us;
May this feast thereof remind us!
O Lord, have mercy!
Lord, Thy kindness did so constrain Thee
That Thy blood should bless and sustain me.
All our debt Thou hast paid;
Peace with God once more is made:
O Lord, have mercy!
3 May God bestow on us His grace and favor
That we follow Christ our Savior
And live together here in love and union
Nor despise this blest Communion!
O Lord, have mercy!
Let not Thy good Spirit forsake us;
Grant that heav’nly-minded He make us;
Give Thy Church, Lord, to see
Days of peace and unity:
O Lord, have mercy!
NUNC DIMITTIS LSB 199
Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy word,
for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people,
a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
POST-COMMUNION COLLECT (Stand)
BENEDICTION
SENDING HYMN Built on the Rock LSB 645
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.”
ANNOUNCEMENTS (Be seated)
DISMISSAL
POSTLUDE Salvation unto Us Has Come Setting: Walter L. Pelz
FELLOWSHIP: Board of Youth
FLOWERS:
FLOWERS: Sola fide, sola scriptura, solus Christus, sola gratia: through Faith alone, by Scripture alone, in Christ alone, by Grace alone! By Jennifer Zambone
Those serving:
Sunday, October 29, 8:00 a.m.:
Greeter: Bob Juenger
Comm. assist: Judy Koucky
Reader: Dede Dixon
10:30 a.m.:
Greeter: Charles Fisher
Comm. assist: Judy Koucky
Reader: Arthur Erbert
Acolyte: Andreas Buuck
AV Assistants: Hannes Buuck, Andreas Buuck
8:00 & 10:30 Trumpet: Amelia Jansen
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 © 2023 Concordia Publishing House.
656 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Text: tr. Composite Text and tune: Martin Luther, 1483–1546 Text and tune: Public domain
655 Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word Text: Martin Luther, 1483–1546; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–78, alt. Tune: Geistliche Lieder auffs new gebessert, 1543, Wittenberg, ed. Joseph Klug Text and tune: Public domain
644 The Church’s One Foundation Text: Samuel J. Stone, 1839–1900, alt. Tune: Samuel S. Wesley, 1810–76 Text and tune: Public domain
627 Jesus Christ, Our Blessed Savior Text: John Hus, c. 1369–1415; German version, Martin Luther, 1483–1546; (sts. 1–2, 4–5, 7, 9): tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt.; (sts. 3, 8): tr. Lutheran Service Book, 2006; (sts. 6, 10): tr. F. Samuel Janzow, 1913–2001, alt. Tune: Geistliche Lieder auffs new gebessert, 1533, Wittenberg, ed. Joseph Klug, alt. Text (sts. 3, 6, 8, 10): © 1980 and 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326
Text (sts. 1–2, 4–5, 7, 9) and tune: Public domain
617 O Lord, We Praise Thee Text: tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt.; (st. 1): German, 14th cent.; (sts. 2–3): Martin Luther, 1483–1546 Tune: Geystliche gesangk Buchleyn, 1524, Wittenberg, ed. Johann Walter Text: © 1941 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326 Tune: Public domain
645 Built on the Rock Text: Nikolai Fredrik Severin Grundtvig, 1783–1872, abr.; tr. Carl Döving, 1867–1937, alt. Tune: Ludvig M. Lindeman, 1812–87 Text and tune: Public domain
