St. Matthew Lutheran Church

Sunday, October 25, 2020 - recording

Reformation Sunday

Prelude: Meditation on Erhalt Uns Herr” (Martin Luther)

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering Hymn: “A Mighty fortress Is Our God” LBW # 229, vs 1 - 4

Confession & Forgiveness

Greeting & Kyrie

Canticle of Praise: “Glory to God…”

Prayer of the Day

First Reading, Revelation 14:6-7

Psalm # 46

Second Reading, Romans 3:19-28

Holy Gospel, John 8:31-36

Sermon

Hymn of the Day: “Faith of Our Fathers” – LBW # 500, vs 1 - 3

Apostle’s Creed

Prayers of the Church

The Lord’s Prayer

Blessing

Dismissal

Sending Hymn: “Onward Christian Soldiers” - LBW # 509, vs 1 – 4

Postlude: Voluntary on “Ein Fest Burg”

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Service Supplement

(Congregational responses are in bold print)

The community of faith comes together in worship to praise God and be nurtured by His Word and Sacrament. As the prelude begins, prepare to worship, use opportunities during the service to practice silence, to focus upon God, and to offer prayer.

 

Prelude        Meditation on Erhalt Uns Herr” (Martin Luther)

 

Welcome and Announcements

 

Gathering Hymn “A Mighty Fortress…”  LBW # 229, vs 1 - 4

A mighty fortress is our God, a sword and shield victorious; He breaks the cruel oppressor’s rod And wins salvation glorious. The old satanic foe Has sworn to work us woe! With craft and dreadful might He arms himself to fight. On earth he has no equal.

 

No strength of ours can match his might! We would be lost, rejected. But now a champion comes to fight, Whom God himself elected. You ask who this may be? The Lord of hosts is he! Christ Jesus, mighty Lord, God’s only Son, adored. He holds the field victorious.

 

Though hordes of devils fill the land All threat’ning to devour us, We tremble not, unmoved we stand; They cannot overpow’r us. Let this world’s tyrant rage; In battle we’ll engage! His might is doomed to fail; God’s judgment must prevail! One little word subdues him.

 

God’s Word forever shall abide, No thanks to foes, who fear it; For God himself fights by our sides With weapons of the Spirit. Were they to take our house, Goods, honor, child, or spouse, Though life be wrenched away, They cannot win the day. The Kingdom’s ours forever! 

 

Confession & Forgiveness                  (Pastor)      

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 will confess my transgressions unto the Lord, and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

 

Almighty God, our maker and redeemer, we poor sinners confess unto You that we are by nature sinful and unclean and that we have sinned against You by thought, word, and deed. Wherefore we flee for refuge to Your infinite mercy, seeking and imploring Your grace for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

O most merciful God, you who gave your only begotten Son to die for us, have mercy upon us and for his sake grant us remission of all our sins; and by your Holy Spirit increase in us true knowledge of you and of your will and true obedience to your Word, so that by your grace we may come to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, has had mercy upon us and has given His only Son to die for us and for His sake forgives us all our sins. To those who believe in His name He gives power to become the children of God and has promised them His Holy Spirit. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved. Grant this, Lord, unto us all. Amen.

 

Greeting                                            (Pastor)               

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.

 

Kyrie         

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 here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord. Amen.

 

Canticle of Praise  “Glory to God…” (Worship Assistant)        

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

 

Prayer of the Day                               (Pastor)

Let us pray…O Lord God, heavenly Father, pour out your Holy Spirit upon your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your grace and truth, protect and comfort them in all temptation, defend them against all enemies of your Word, and bestow upon the Church your saving peace; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

 

First Reading: Revelation 14:6-7        (Worship Assistant)        

St. John received a vision from God of the Lamb standing on Mount Zion with saints and angels surrounding him. An angel flew over his head with a message of eternity for every tribe and nation. “Fear God and give him glory,” as the time of judgment is upon the people.

 

6I 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.” This is the word of the Lord, thanks be to God.

 

Psalm: Psalm # 46 - read responsively     (Worship Assistant)

God is Israel’s help in times of trouble, fully present, creating a fortress around the house of Jacob. Though kingdoms will rise and fall, nothing will keep the Lord of Hosts away from his beloved people.

 

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, and though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea;

Though its waters rage and foam, and though the mountains tremble at its tumult.

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be overthrown; God shall help her at the break of day.

The nations make much ado, and the kingdoms are shaken; God has spoken, and the earth shall melt away.

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Come now and look upon the works of the Lord, what awesome things he has done on earth.

It is he who makes war to cease in all the world; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, and burns the shields with fire.

“Be still, then, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.”

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

 

Second Reading: (Worship Assistant)   Romans 3:19-28

Paul explains to the Roman Christians that there is no justification that comes through works of the law. It is solely by faith in Christ that all who believe are made right with God. Paul declares that with God there is no distinction, as all have fallen short of His glory. The good news of the Gospel is that his gift of forgiveness comes to all who believe, not through works, but through Christ alone.

 

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. This is the Word of God, word of life, thanks be to God.

 

*Holy Gospel: (Pastor) The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the 8th Chapter. Glory to you, O Lord. John 8:31-36: Jesus urges the Jews who were following him to remain in his word of truth. This truth will set them free from sin and death. In their self-justification, they deny their bondage to sin and their need for help. Jesus insists that he himself, the Son, is the only one with the power to free them.

 

31Jesus said to the Jews who had believed 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 practices 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.” This is the gospel of the Lord, praise to you, O Christ.

 

Sermon                                             Pastor Ray Scheck

 

*Hymn of the Day “Faith of Our Fathers” LBW # 500

Faith of our fathers, living still In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword. Oh, how our hearts beat high with joy Whenever we hear that glorious word.

 

(Refrain): Faith of our fathers, holy faith, We will be true to thee till death.

 

The martyrs, chained in prisons dark, Were still in heart and conscience free; And blest would be their children’s fate If they, like them, should die for thee. (refrain)

 

Faith of our fathers! We will love  Both friend and foe in all our strife; Proclaim thee, too, as love knows how, By saving Word and faithful life. (refrain)

 

Apostle’s Creed

Let us join together in confessing our faith with the saints who have gone before us, in the words of the Apostles’ Creed:

 

I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

 

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

 

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

 

Prayers of the Church                        (Worship Assistant)

(P): Filled by the Spirit, let us join the whole people of God in Jesus Christ in praying for the church, those in need, and all of God’s creation. A brief silence.

(W): Lord Jesus, strengthen, sustain and guide your bride, the Church, to proclaim your love and demonstrate the power of your Holy Spirit. Make her bold and courageous in the face of ridicule and persecution in the world. We give you thanks for the life of Martin Luther, Reformer, teacher, saint and sinner, and all he contributed to the faith of generations that followed him. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(W): Gracious Father, grant that the Holy Spirit would give us a clarity of vision and a firm sense of your mission. And through our faithful participation in God’s mission, the kingdom of heaven may be extended through us and through the gifts we bring. Encourage us to greater generosity for the sake of the world you love. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(W): God of compassion and concern, in your great love you have given us to one another, to live together in families, communities, and congregations. By your grace and power, move us to have concern for one another, and in bearing each other’s burdens we would fulfill the law of Christ. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(W): Heavenly Father, Jesus pointed his disciples to the Truth of his life and identity so that they would be free. We pray for all those who do not know Christ that they would hear and respond to the Truth. We also pray for all who are ill, that they would know your love in the midst of their illness and that the healing strength of your mercy may be theirs. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(P): Into your loving hands, gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your abundant mercy, through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

 

The Lord’s Prayer                   

Let us pray the prayer our Savior taught us…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.

 

Blessing     

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen.

 

Dismissal   

Go in peace. Christ is with you. Thanks be to God.

 

Sending Hymn “Onward Christian Soldier”   LBW # 509, vs 1 – 4

Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus Going on before. Christ, the royal master, Leads against the foe; Forward into battle, See, his banners go!

 

(Refrain): Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus Going on before.

 

Like a mighty army Moves the Church of God; Let us boldly follow Where the saints have trod. We are not divided; All one body we: One in hope and doctrine, One in charity. (Refrain)

 

Crowns and thrones may perish, Kingdoms rise and wane, But the Church of Jesus Constant will remain; Gates of hell can never 'Gainst that Church prevail. We have Christ's own promise, And that cannot fail. (Refrain)

 

Onward, then, you faithful, Join our happy throng; Blend with ours your voices In the triumph song. Glory, laud, and honor Unto Christ the king. We through countless ages With the angels sing. (Refrain)

 

Postlude                                   Voluntary on “Ein Fest Burg”

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