October 25, 2015
Okemos MI 48864-2203
517-349-0620
Pastor Ellen Schoepf
Email
Website
www.faithlutheranokemos.org
Facebook
facebook.com/faithlutheranokemos
Freedom in Christ
Many Lutheran churches today will break out the red paraments, sing “A mighty fortress is our God,” and perhaps have a light history refresher, recalling the day Martin Luther posted his ninety-five theses on the door of the Castle Church of Wittenberg, which began the Protestant Reformation. This is a day to celebrate our Christian freedom.
Freedom can mean many different things. It can be defined in terms of wealth: buying what you want; or in terms of time: doing what you want, when you want; or in terms of relationships: being with people you want to be with. Even Martin Luther breaking away from the Catholic Church could seem like a form of freedom; but this wasn’t at all the purpose of the Reformation. When Luther posted his theses, it was never his intention to leave the Catholic Church or begin a revolt. What he was doing, in fact, was demonstrating the freedom Jesus spoke about to his followers.
When we commit a sin, we are enslaved to sin, and therefore not free. Jesus didn’t mean physical enslavement, but rather being disconnected from God. The intent of Martin Luther and the reformers was to invite Christians into freedom, into the possibility of a genuine relationship with God that wasn’t determined by church officials or doing certain deeds. God’s promise of grace
and forgiveness is not about what we do; it is about what Christ has done for us. Only when we realize that we are completely dependent upon Jesus and what he has done for us will we truly
be set free.
Being dependent upon someone contradicts our world’s definition of freedom. The Reformation wasn’t a one-time event, but still going on today. Let us take a page out of Martin Luther’s book
and help others to experience true freedom; a freedom that only comes with complete dependence upon Christ.
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Reformation Sunday
Holy Communion
Introduction to the day
On this day we celebrate the heart of our faith: the gospel of Christ—the good news—that makes us free! We pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to unite the church today in its proclamation and witness to the world. In the waters of baptism we are made one body; we pray for the day that all Christians will also be one at the Lord’s table.
If hearing assistance is needed, please ask an usher
for a personal PA receiver.
The ushers also have large print copies of today’s
worship folder available.
If it will be difficult for you to stand along with
the congregation during
any part of the worship service, please
feel free to remain seated.
There is a nursery available during the worship
service for those who wish
to use it. It is located at the end of the
hall beyond the coat racks.
WELCOME
We cordially greet all who
have come to worship today.
Please register your attendance
and join us in fellowship after the service.
Prayer Requests
PRELUDE
The pre-service music signals
the beginning of the worship service.
Silence during the
pre-service music enables worshipers to prepare for worship through quiet meditation
“Break Now the Bread of Life” arr. Alice Jordan
GATHERING
The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.
The assembly stands
THANKSGIVING FOR
BAPTISM
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign
marked at baptism,
as the presiding minister begins.
P Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
the fountain of living water,
the rock who gave us birth,
our light and our salvation.
C Amen
P Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism,
we are clothed with God's mercy and forgiveness.
Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.
We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning your
Spirit moved over the waters and by your Word you created
the world, calling forth life in which you took delight.
Through the waters of the flood
you delivered Noah and his family.
Through the sea you led your people
At the river your Son was baptized by
John and anointed with the Holy Spirit.
By water and your Word you claim us as daughters and
sons, making us heirs of your promise and servants of all.
We praise you for the gift of water that sustains life, and above
all we praise you for the gift of new life in Jesus Christ.
Shower us with your Spirit, and renew our
lives with your forgiveness, grace, and love.
To you be given honor and praise through Jesus Christ
our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
C Amen
GATHERING SONG #796
GREETING
A The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C And also with you.
KYRIE
CANTICLE OF PRAISE
PRAYER OF THE DAY
A Let us pray.
Almighty God, gracious Lord, we thank you that your
Holy Spirit renews the church in every age. Pour out
your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep them
steadfast in your word, protect and comfort them in
times of trial, defend them against all enemies of the
gospel, and bestow on the church your saving peace,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and forever.
C Amen
The assembly is seated
WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading,
preaching, and song.
FIRST
A A reading from Jeremiah.
The renewed covenant will not
be breakable, but like the old covenant it will expect the people to live
upright lives. To know the Lord means that one will defend the cause of the
poor and needy (Jer. 22:16). The renewed covenant is possible only because the
Lord will forgive iniquity and not remember sin. Our hope lies in a God who
forgets.
31The
days are surely coming, says the Lord,
when I will make a new covenant with the house of
A The word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
Chancel Choir “Speak, O Lord” arr.
SECOND
A A reading from Romans.
Paul’s words stand at the
heart of the preaching of Martin Luther and the other Reformation leaders. No
human beings make themselves right with God through works of the law. We are
brought into a right relationship with God through the divine activity centered
in Christ’s death. This act is a gift of grace that liberates us from sin and
empowers our faith in Jesus Christ.
19Now
we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law,
so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held
accountable to God. 20For
“no human being will be justified in his sight” by deeds prescribed by the law,
for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
21But now, apart
from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the
law and the prophets, 22the
righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For
there is no distinction, 23since
all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24they are now justified by his
grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25whom God put forward as a
sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to
show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over
the sins previously committed; 26it
was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he
justifies the one who has faith in Jesus.
27Then what
becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28For we hold that a person is
justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.
A The word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
The assembly stands to welcome the gospel
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
GOSPEL: John 8:31-36
P The holy gospel according to John.
C Glory to you, O Lord.
Jesus speaks of truth and
freedom as spiritual realities known through his word. He reveals the truth
that sets people free from sin.
31Jesus
said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are
truly my disciples; 32and
you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” 33They answered him, “We are
descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean
by saying, ‘You will be made free’?”
34Jesus answered
them, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits
sin is a slave to sin. 35The
slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place
there forever. 36So
if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”
P The gospel of the Lord.
C Praise to you, O Christ.
The
assembly is seated
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Sunday School Children “The B-I-B-L-E”
Presentation of
Bibles
P When each of you was baptized, the members of the congregation¾all of us here¾made a commitment to you.
We promised to support each of you, pray for each of you as you live the life God calls you to live, and to provide, teach and share God’s word with you. As part of that promise we made to you, we are doing something very special for you today. We are giving each of you a Bible, the most treasured book in our lives.
Members of the congregation, let us affirm
our promise to each of these children.
C We promise to care for you, love you and
continue to
share God’s word with you as you grow in faith.
We promise
to support you in the mission we share,
always giving thanks and praise to God as together we carry God’s creative and
redeeming word in the world.
SERMON
The assembly stands to proclaim the word of God in song
HYMN OF THE DAY
Text
printed under OneLicense.net license A-708005
APOSTLES’ CREED
C I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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 to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come 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
INTERCESSION
A Made alive with God in Christ, we pray for the
church, those in need, and all of God’s creation.
Prayers
of intercession are prayed.
To
each petition, the assembly responds:
A Lord, in your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
The
presiding minister concludes the
prayers, and the assembly responds:
P Gather these concerns and all who are in need into your abundant care, O God, remembering your promise of mercy, through Christ our Lord.
C Amen
PEACE
P The peace of Christ be with you always.
C And also with you.
The people may greet one
another with a sign of Christ’s peace,
and may say, “Peace be with you,” or similar words.
The assembly is seated
MEAL
God feeds us with the presence of Jesus
Christ
OFFERING
Faith Bells “Spirit
of God, Descend Upon My Heart” arr. Dobrinski
The assembly stands
OFFERING PRAYER
A Let us pray.
Merciful God, as grains of wheat scattered upon the hills
were gathered together to become one bread, so let your
church be gathered together from the ends of the earth
into your kingdom, for yours is the glory through
Jesus Christ, now and forever.
C Amen
GREAT THANKSGIVING
DIALOGUE
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 our thanks and praise.
PREFACE
P It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty
and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ; who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
P In the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
LORD’S PRAYER
P Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit,
let us pray as Jesus taught us.
C Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen
INVITATION TO
COMMUNION
P God gives food to those who hunger.
Come, be fed, be healed.
The assembly is seated
COMMUNION
When giving the bread and
cup, the communion ministers say
The body of Christ, given for you.
The blood of Christ, shed for you.
and each person may respond
Amen
WE WELCOME ALL GUESTS worshiping with us today
and invite all baptized Christians who believe in the real
presence of Jesus Christ in and with the bread and wine to
come to the Lord’s table. Children who have not yet received
First Communion instruction are invited to come forward with their families to receive a blessing. There will be one chalice
(cup) of wine, as well as trays of individual cups. In the center
of each tray, there are a few glasses filled with white grape juice for those who prefer juice rather than wine.
COMMUNION SONG
CONGREGATIONAL SONG #515
CONGREGATIONAL SONG
Text and music: Jerry Sinclair
Text and music
© 1972 Manna Music, Inc.
Text and music printed under
OneLicense.net license A-708005
The assembly stands
P The body and blood of
our Lord Jesus Christ
strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
C Amen
PRAYER AFTER
COMMUNION
A Let us pray.
We give you thanks, O God, that you welcome us to
your table and satisfy our deepest hunger and thirst.
By your gifts of word and holy meal, strengthen us to
take up the cross as we go about our callings in this world, following after Jesus Christ, our servant Lord.
C Amen
SENDING
God blesses us and sends us in mission to
the world
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BLESSING
P Like children in the arms of Jesus, receive 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.
C Amen
SENDING SONG “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
1 A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never
failing;
our helper frees
us from the flood
of mortal ills
prevailing.
For still our
ancient foe,
forsworn to work us
woe,
with guile and
dreadful might
is armed to wage
the fight:
on earth there is
no equal.
2 If we in our own strength confide,
our striving turns
to losing;
the righteous one
fights by our side,
the one of God's
own choosing.
You ask who this
may be:
Christ Jesus, it
is he,
the Lord of hosts
by name.
No other God we
claim!
None else can win
the battle.
3 Though all the world with devils fill
and threaten to
devour us,
we tremble not, we
trust God's will:
they cannot overpow'r us.
Though Satan rant
and rage,
in fiercest war
engage,
this tyrant's
doomed to fail;
God's judgement must prevail!
One little word
shall triumph.
4 God's Word shall stand above the pow'rs,
shall end all
their thanksgiving.
The Spirit and the
gifts are ours,
for God with us is
living.
Let goods and
kindred go,
this mortal life
also;
though all of
these be gone,
they yet have
nothing won.
The kingdom's our
forever!
Text: Martin Luther,
1482-1546; tr. Frederick H Hedge, 1805-1890, alt.
Text © 2006
Augsburg Fortress.
Printed under OneLicense.net
license A-70005
DISMISSAL
A Go in peace. Remember the poor.
C Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
“A Mighty Fortress” arr. John
Innes
Copyright © 2015 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission
under
New Revised Standard Version
Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education
of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the
Used by permission. All rights
reserved.
Clipart
copyright © 2015 by Communication Resources. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
“Behold, I am doing a new thing,” says the Lord through Isaiah (43:19, ESV). “Now it springs forth.” We worship the God of continual newness and renewal, who even brings new life out of death. Welcome!
Sunday
education hour 9:00 a.m.
SUNDAY WORSHIP 10:00 a.m.
Pastor Ellen
Schoepf
Secretary Rita Barry rbarry@faithlutheranokemos.org
Director
of Christian Education
Director
of Music Debra
Borton-McDonough
Organist/Pianist Bruce
Williams
October
18 worship attendance: 123
Serving
Faith Today November 1
Acolytes Emilee
Nussdorfer Alyssa Magyar
Altar care Kay Showers
Rich Weingartner
Communion assistants Jim Crum Walter
Kopf
Susan Heft
Emilee
Nussdorfer Alyssa Magyar
Greeters Rich
Weingartner Marla Holle
Lay assistants Jim Crum Walter Kopf
Readers Susan Heft
Ushers Doug and
Nursery
Maia Guenther Drew Williams