REFORMATION DAY

 

Rev. Michael Mohr - Speaker / Rev. Jess Kueker - Liturgist

 

Today's liturgy is the Divine Service, Setting Three, LSB pages 184ff.

 

Please STAND for the procession.

 

656 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Text: tr. composite
Text and tune: Martin Luther, 1483–1546
Text and tune: Public domain

 

The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

 

Invocation

P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen.

 

Exhortation LSB 184

P 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.

P Our help is in the name of the Lord,

C who made heaven and earth.

P I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord,

C and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

 

 

Confession of Sins LSB 184

P O almighty God, merciful Father,

C 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.

 

Absolution LSB 185

P 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 T Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen.

 

 

Choir - Psalm 46

¹God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
²Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
³though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

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 her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
⁶The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
⁷The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

⁸Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
⁹He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
¹⁰“Be still, 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 fortress.

 

Kyrie LSB 186

 

Gloria in Excelsis LSB 187

 

Salutation and Collect of the Day

P 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.

 

Sit

 

Catechesis - Close of the Commandments

P Today's catechetical reading is the Close of the Commandments.

What does God say about all these commandments?

C  He says:  “I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those that hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.” (Exodus 20:5-6 NIV) (2)

P What does this mean?

C God threatens to punish all who break these commandments. Therefore, we should fear His wrath and not do anything against them.  But He promises grace and every blessing to all who keep these commandments.  Therefore, we should also love and trust in Him and gladly do what He commands. (3)

P What passages of Holy Scripture inform us and convince us of this truth?

C We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. –Isaiah 64:6a (K)

Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. –Ecclesiastes 7:20 (1)

For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. –James 2:10 (4)

Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” –Galatians 3:11 (4)

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. –Galatians 3:13a (5)

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. –Matthew 10:28 (5)

 

 

Choir - Thy Word Is a Lamp

 

 

First Reading Revelation 14:6–7

⁶Then 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. ⁷And 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.”

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

 

 

Epistle 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 stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. ²⁰For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

²¹But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— ²²the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: ²³for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵whom 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. ²⁶It 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.

²⁷Then 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. ²⁸For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

A This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

 

Stand

 

Alleluia and Verse Luke 12:32

 

 

P Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

 

 

Holy Gospel John 8:31–36

P The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the eighth chapter.

³¹So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, ³²and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” ³³They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”

³⁴Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. ³⁵The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. ³⁶So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

 

Nicene Creed

C 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 T of the world to come. Amen.

 

Sit

 

 

865 Lord, Help Us Ever to Retain

Text: Ludwig Helmbold, 1532–98; tr. Matthias Loy, 1828–1915, alt.
Tune: As hymnodus sacer, 1625, Leipzig
Text and tune: Public domain

 

 

Sermon - A Confirmation Collage

 

Psalm 27:1 - The LORD Is My Light and My Salvation Of David. [1] The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

 

1 Corinthians 16:13–14 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

 

 

Stand

 

As the Offertory is sung, the catechumens and their families come forward for the Rite of Confirmation.

 

Offertory LSB 192

 

The congregation may be seated and follow along with the Rite of Confirmation as found on pp. 272ff. in the hymnal.

 

The Rite of Confirmation

 

 

The pastor addresses the catechumens.

 

Confirmation Address LSB 272

P Beloved in the Lord, our Lord Jesus Christ said to His apostles: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” You have been baptized and catechized in the Christian faith according to our Lord’s bidding. Jesus said, “Whoever confesses Me before men, I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” Lift up your hearts, therefore, to the God of all grace and joyfully give answer to what I now ask you in the name of the Lord.

 

Profession of Faith

P Do you this day in the presence of God and of this congregation acknowledge the gifts that God gave you in your Baptism?

R Yes, I do.

P Do you renounce the devil?

R Yes, I renounce him.

P Do you renounce all his works?

R Yes, I renounce them.

P Do you renounce all his ways?

R Yes, I renounce them.

P Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty?

R Yes, I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

P Do you believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord?

R Yes, 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.

P Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?

R Yes, 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.

P Do you hold all the prophetic and apostolic Scriptures to be the inspired Word of God?

R I do.

P Do you confess the doctrine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, drawn from the Scriptures, as you have learned to know it from the Small Catechism, to be faithful and true?

R I do.

P Do you intend to hear the Word of God and receive the Lord’s Supper faithfully?

R I do, by the grace of God.

P Do you intend to live according to the Word of God, and in faith, word, and deed to remain true to God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, even to death?

R I do, by the grace of God.

P Do you intend to continue steadfast in this confession and Church and to suffer all, even death, rather than fall away from it?

R I do, by the grace of God.

P We rejoice with thankful hearts that you have been baptized and have received the teaching of the Lord. You have confessed the faith and been absolved of your sins. As you continue to hear the Lord’s Word and receive His blessed Sacrament, He who has begun a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

C Amen.

 

The catechumens kneel to receive the confirmation blessing. The pastor places his hands on the head of each catechumen and makes the sign of the cross on the forehead while saying:

 

 

Confirmation Blessing LSB 273

P [Name], the almighty God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given you the new birth of water and of the Spirit and has forgiven you all your sins, strengthen you with His grace to life T everlasting.

R Amen.

 

Kaylea

 

Psalm 27:1 - The LORD Is My Light and My Salvation Of David. [1] The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

 

Jackson

 

1 Corinthians 16:13–14 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

 

After all the catechumens have received the blessing, one or both of the following collects are prayed.

 

Stand

 

Collect for confirmation (1)

P Let us pray.

Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank and praise You for Your great goodness in bringing these Your sons and daughters to the knowledge of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, and enabling them both with the heart to believe and with the mouth to confess His saving name. Grant that, bringing forth the fruits of faith, they may continue steadfast and victorious to the day when all who have fought the good fight of faith shall receive the crown of righteousness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

 

Collect for confirmation (2)

P Almighty and most merciful Father, in the waters of Holy Baptism You have united Your children in the suffering and death of Your Son Jesus Christ, cleansing them by His blood. Renew in them the gift of Your Holy Spirit, that they may live in daily contrition and repentance with a faith that ever clings to their Savior. Deliver them from the power of Satan and preserve them from false and dangerous doctrines, that they may remain faithful in hearing Christ’s Word and receiving His body and blood. By the Lord’s Supper strengthen them to believe that no one can make satisfaction for sin but Christ alone. Enable them to find joy and comfort only in Him, learning from this Sacrament to love You and their neighbor and to bear the cross with patience and joy until the day of the resurrection of their bodies to life immortal; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

 

The Peace

P Peace T be with you.

C Amen.

 

Prayer of the Church

P In peace, let us pray to the Lord:

C Lord, have mercy.

P For the renewal of the Church in this and every age; in thanksgiving for Martin Luther and those with him who contended for the Gospel against many and great enemies; and that God would also make us bold to contend for the faith against those who would silence our voices or distract His people from the one true Gospel of the crucified and risen Christ, let us pray to the Lord:

C Lord, have mercy.

P For the Holy Christian Church throughout the world and for all who confess Christ, that God would guard and defend us from the temptations of the devil, the world and our sinful nature, let us pray to the Lord:

C Lord, have mercy.

P For our homes and families, that God would keep us in His Word and so make us truly His disciples, freed from errors and at peace; and especially for all fathers, that God would preserve and encourage them for their godly task to bring up children who fear Him, let us pray to the Lord:

C Lord, have mercy.

P For our nation, that its rulers would be good and faithful, governing after God’s good pleasure; and for its citizens, that having a right understanding of God’s rule in this world, they would not be deceived to think earthly powers will last forever, but have confidence in Him alone, let us pray to the Lord:

C Lord, have mercy.

P For all people in need, [especially ____________,] that they would not fear though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea; and that they would trust in God and be comforted by His promise to be with them, let us pray to the Lord:

C Lord, have mercy.

P For all who approach Christ’s table, that God would give us faithful and repentant hearts by His Spirit to receive worthily Christ’s body and blood and bear fruit in lives of holiness and humble service; and that God would bless His Church through the forgiveness of sins, that having a clear conscience before Him, we may live at peace with one another, let us pray to the Lord:

C Lord, have mercy.

P 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. Guard us from error and false doctrine, and grant that we would 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.

C Amen.

 

The offering is presented..

 

Preface LSB 194

 

 

Proper Preface

P "It is truly meet, right and salutary... evermore praising Thee and saying:"

 

Sanctus LSB 195

 

 

Lord’s Prayer LSB 196

 

The Words of Our Lord LSB 197

 

Pax Domini LSB 197

 

Agnus Dei LSB 198

 

Sit

 

 

Distribution

 

629 What Is This Bread

Text: Frederic W. Baue, 1946
Tune: Jean Neuhauser Baue, 1951
Text and tune: © 1991 Fred and Jean Baue. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110001518

 

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

 

566 By Grace I’m Saved

 

5 By grace to timid hearts that tremble,
    In tribulation’s furnace tried,
By grace, in spite of fear and trouble,
    The Father’s heart is open wide.
Where could I help and strength secure
If grace were not my anchor sure?

 

6 By grace! On this I’ll rest when dying;
    In Jesus’ promise I rejoice;
For though I know my heart’s condition,
    I also know my Savior’s voice.
My heart is glad, all grief has flown
Since I am saved by grace alone.

Text: Christian Ludwig Scheidt, 1709–61; tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, alt.
Tune: Cornelius Heinrich Dretzel, 1697–1775
Text and tune: Public domain

 

702 My Faith Looks Up to Thee

Text: Ray Palmer, 1808–87
Tune: Lowell Mason, 1792–1872
Text and tune: Public domain

 

Stand

 

Nunc Dimittis LSB 199

 

Thanksgiving LSB 200

 

Post-Communion Collect

A Let us pray.

Gracious God, our heavenly Father, You have given us a foretaste of the feast to come in the Holy Supper of Your Son’s body and blood. Keep us firm in the true faith throughout our days of pilgrimage that, on the day of His coming, we may, together with all Your saints, celebrate the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom which has no end; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

 

Salutation 201

 

Benedicamus LSB 202

 

Benediction LSB 202

 

578 Thy Strong Word

 

5 Give us lips to sing Thy glory,
    Tongues Thy mercy to proclaim,
Throats that shout the hope that fills us,
    Mouths to speak Thy holy name.
Alleluia, alleluia!
    May the light which Thou dost send
Fill our songs with alleluias,
    Alleluias without end!

 

D 6 God the Father, light-creator,
    To Thee laud and honor be.
To Thee, Light of Light begotten,
    Praise be sung eternally.
Holy Spirit, light-revealer,
    Glory, glory be to Thee.
Mortals, angels, now and ever
    Praise the holy Trinity!

Text: Martin H. Franzmann, 1907–76
Tune: Thomas J. Williams, 1869–1944
Text: © 1969 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110001518
Tune: Public domain

 

 

Acknowledgments

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 © 2022 Concordia Publishing House.