Reformation Sunday Service
All hymns taken from Hymns to the Living God.
Revelation: God Making Himself Known to Us
Silent Prayer and Meditation
Prelude: “Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying” (Hymn 97)
Words and Music: Philipp Nicolai, 1599
Christian Greeting
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Scripture Reading: Psalm 46 – Responsive Reading
Leader: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
All: Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
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 moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.
“Be still, 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 fortress.
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Adoration: Exalting Our Glorious God
*Hymn 302: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Words and Music: Martin Luther, 1529
*Prayer of Praise
(Philip Melancthon, 1559)
*Hymn 17: All People That on Earth Do Dwell
Words: Psalm 100, metrical version by William Kethe, 1561
Music: Louis Bourgeois, Genevan Psalter, 1551
Sing Stanzas 1, 4, & 5 in unison; Stanzas 2, 3, & AMEN in parts.
Fanfares precede Stanza 5 & the concluding AMEN.
Confession: Lifting Contrite Hearts up to the Lord
Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:1-10
Hymn 85: Lord Jesus, Think on Me (Tune: 22)
Music: Willam Damon’s Psalms, 1579
Silent Prayers of Repentance
Corporate Prayer of Confession
O Lord, with heartfelt sorrow we repent and deplore our offenses.
We condemn ourselves and our evil ways,
with true penitence,
entreating that your grace may relieve our distress.
Be pleased to have compassion on us,
O most gracious God, Father of all mercies,
for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
And as you remove our guilt and our pollution,
grant us the daily increase of the grace of your Holy Spirit,
that acknowledging from our inmost hearts
our own unrighteousness,
we may be touched with sorrow
that shall work true repentance,
and that, mortifying all sins within us,
your Spirit may produce the fruits of
holiness and righteousness
well-pleasing in your sight;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(John Calvin, 1542)
Propitiation: God Declaring Forgiveness
Declaration of the Good News: Romans 3:21-25a
Leader: In Christ your sins are forgiven you!
People: The Lord be praised!
*Hymn 228: Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness
Words: Nicolaus L. von Zinzendorf, 1739;
Music: William Gardiner’s Sacred Melodies, 1815
Proclamation: God Speaking through His Word
Sermon
Dedication: Responding to the Word of God
*Hymn 87: Out of the Depths I Cry to Thee
Words and Music: Martin Luther, 1524
*Offertory Prayer
(Lancelot Andrewes, 1555-1626)
Offertory: “Thou Hidden Love of God” (Hymn 306)
Words: Gerhard Tersteegen, 1729; Music: Martin Luther, 1539
Supplication: Praying for the Church & the World
Intercessory Prayer: Prayers of the Reformers
Commission: God Sending Us Forth to Serve Him
Pastoral Welcome & Announcements
*Hymn 57: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Words: Joachim Neander, 1680;
Music: Stralsund Gesangbuch, 1665
*Pastoral Charge and Benediction
Postlude: “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” arr. Scheidt