Bulletin
11/03/24
As We Gather
When Martin Luther nailed the 95 These on the church door in 1517, he may as well have struck the enter key on his computer keyboard and posted it on Facebook for all his friends to see. Well, if had internet then, he might have proceeded to do as we envisioned above. But suffice it to say that the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as obscure as it was then, was beginning to see the light of day in the church like a match struck to dry kindle in a forest! That posting turned the religious and political world upside down in many ways. The most important though, was the justification for our sin that is found in the Good News of Jesus suffering, dying and rising from the dead! (1 Cor. 15: 3-4) We are justified freely says Paul unto eternal life! (Rom. 3: 23-24) Let us daily rejoice and celebrate this Good News that continues over 500 years late and wherever Christians have placed their feet in service to our Lord Jesus!
Family Room & Children Activity Bags- Children Activity Bags- We value children in our worship services. If needed, there is a family room available for families with children. The family room has a diaper changing table, a closed-circuit TV to watch the worship service, toys and books for children. The family room is located across from the kitchen in the long hallway, the first door on the right, just past the bathrooms. There are “King’s Kids” bags with activities for children to help them worship. They are near the usher’s station on a small rack. Please return the bag to the rack after the service.
Holy Communion- The Scripture teaches the Lord’s Supper is a precious gift of God in which Christ gives us His true body and blood (in a miraculous way), together with the bread and wine, for the forgiveness of our sins and the strengthening of our faith. Because the Bible teaches that this Sacrament may also be spiritually harmful if misused the LCMS ordinarily communes only those who have been instructed in the teachings of our church and who have confessed their faith in these teachings. Please speak to Pastor Ralph before the service if you have a question about this. For those who prefer a non-alcoholic alternative, there is grape juice at the center of each tray. Those not receiving the Sacrament, including children, are invited to come to the altar, cross their arms over their chest, and receive a special blessing.
Turning to God, Not to Guns “Now how have I brought it about that the more the pope and the emperor raged, the more my Gospel spread? I have never drawn the sword or desired revenge. I have begun no rioting or rebelling; but so far as I have been able, I have helped the worldly rulers. Even those who persecuted the Gospel and me, to defend their authority and honor. But here I have stopped. I committed the affair entirely to God, and at all times I relied boldly on His help. Therefore, He has not only preserved my life despite the pope and all the tyrants (a fact many consider a great miracle; and, I too, must confess that it is), but He has permitted my Gospel to go on spreading even farther.” What Luther Says # 3784
Reformation Sunday
November 3, 2024
Welcome
Opening Hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God LSB 657
Invocation, Confession and Absolution (Psalm 31: 1-7)
P: In the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
P: In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame;
C: deliver me in your righteousness.
P: Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue;
C: be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.
P: Since you are my rock and my fortress,
C: for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
P: Free me from the trap that is set for me,
C: for you are my refuge.
P: Into your hands I commit my spirit;
C: redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth.
P: I hate those who cling to worthless idols;
C: I trust in the Lord.
P: I will be glad and rejoice in your love,
C: for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.
P: God has promised His forgiveness of sins to those who repentantly confess their sins, imploring His grace and mercy for the sake of His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. In the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, as His called and ordained servant, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen.
Hymn of Praise Salvation unto Us Has Com LSB 555 vs 1-2, 5-6, 9
Prayer of the Day
All: 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.
First Reading (Another angel proclaims an eternal Gospel message.) Rev. 14:6–7
Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. 7 He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”
Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. 6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. 8 Come and see the works of the Lord, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields 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.” 11 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Hymn O God, Our Help in Ages Past LSB 733 vs 1-2, 6
Reformation Lesson (God grants full justification through Jesus Christ.) Rom. 3:19–28
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. 21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. 27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.
Gospel Lesson (Jesus speaks of the kingdom advancing.) Matthew 11:12–19
11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 He who has ears, let him hear. 16 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 17 “ ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.” ’ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.”
Message Hymn Thy Strong Word Guitar/Piano LSB 578 vs 1-3
Thy strong Word did cleave the darkness; At Thy speaking it was done.
For created light we thank Thee, While Thine ordered seasons run
Chorus: Alleluia, Alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send!
Alleluia, Alleluia! Without end!
Lo’ on those who dwell in darkness, Dark as night and deep as death.
Broke the light of Thy salvation, Breathed Thine own life breathing breath. Chorus
Thy strong Word bespeaks us righteous; Bright with Thine own holiness.
Glorious now, we press toward glory, And our lives our hopes confess. Chorus
Message The Radical Reformation
- The radical nature of forgiveness and the righteousness that come by faith in Christ alone is very contrary to those who continue to desire to live in darkness.
John 1: 4; 3: 19
- Many people describe Jesus as radical, but not radical enough for them to want Him to
________________________________________________________________________ . John 10: 10; Rom 3
The radical nature of the Gospel is that it sets____________________________ and makes them __________________________________________________________________ ! John 8; Acts 4:13
Message Conclusion Thy Strong Word Guitar/Piano LSB 578 vs 4-5
From the cross Thy wisdom shining Breaketh forth in conquering might;
From the cross forever beameth, All Thy bright redeeming light.
Alleluia, Alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send!
Alleluia, Alleluia! Without end!
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!
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 ✠ of the world to come. Amen
Offering
Offertory Create in Me LSB Pg 192-3
Prayers of the Church
After each petition:
P: Lord, in your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
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 Lord’s Supper
Preface page 160 in the hymnal
P: The Lord be with you.
C: ♪ And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: ♪ We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: ♪ It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
P: It is truly good, right, and salutary …. And ever more praising You and singing:
Sanctus — Holy, Holy, Holy page 161 in the hymnal
C: ♪ 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.
The Words of Institution (Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper)
Pax Domini—The Peace of the Lord page 163 in the hymnal
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.C: ♪ Amen.
Agnus Dei – Lamb of God page 163 in the hymnal
C: ♪ 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 of Communion
Distribution Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness LSB 563 vs 1-4
Give Me A Clean Heart Ascension Choir
Nunc Dimittis page 211 in the hymnal
C: ♪ O Lord, now let Your servant Depart in heav’nly peace, For I have seen the glory Of Your redeeming grace: A light to lead the Gentiles Unto Your holy hill, The glory of Your people, Your chosen Israel. All glory to the Father, All glory to the Son, All glory to the Spirit, Forever Three in One; For as in the beginning, Is now, shall ever be, God’s triune name resounding Through all eternity.
Post Communion Thanksgiving
All: Grant, O Lord, that what we have received with our lips we may keep with pure hearts. May we be empowered by the same forgiveness flowing from Your throne of grace to forgive others. And by Your great mercy, may we as well, show mercy to others. By these, Your great gifts, imparted to us in this present life, we indeed receive life everlasting; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Benediction
P: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and ✠ give you peace.
C: Amen.
Sending Hymn Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus LSB 660
Announcements
Dismissal
P: Go in peace as you serve the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Postlude