Description
John 8:31-36
The sound of a hammer pounding in 1517 as Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the church doors was just as shocking as Jesus explaining to the Jews that they were slaves to sin. Jesus encouraged his listeners to heed to his teaching, which would result in discipleship, truth, and freedom. The Jews, perplexed by the concept of being set free, pointed out that none of them had ever been slaves. However, Jesus declared his authority as the Son who had the power too free them from their bondage to sin. On this Reformation Sunday, let us remember the graceful Redeemer who freely gives to us His amazing grace, so that we may be free indeed!
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include videos (countdowns, worship music, welcomes), worship music CD, or live music by worship band.]
Time of Praise and Worship
Grace Like Rain
Chris Collins, Edwin O. Excell, John Newton, & Todd Agnew, ©2003 Ardent/Koala Music
I Am Free
Jon Egan, ©2004 Vertical Worship Songs (Admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.)
All Because of Jesus
Steve Fee, ©2007 Worship Together Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Six Steps BMI Designee (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
Thy Strong Word
EH 381; ELW 511; LBW 233; LSB 578; LW 328
Lord Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word
ELW 517; LBW 230; LSB 655; LW 230
Rise, My Soul, To Watch And Pray
LBW 443; LSB 663; LW 302
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor Without Christ, we’d be enslaved to sin.
ALL Thank you, Jesus, for freeing us!
Opening Prayer
Pastor Almighty God, we are reminded of men like Martin Luther who were studious disciples of your Word. You’ve made it clear that following your teachings and abiding in You prove that we are your disciples. We desire a renewing of our minds. Deliver us from complacency and burn within us the passion to carry the torch of your good news to the darkness of this world.
ALL In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor Heavenly Father, You’ve given us the tangible gift of your holy scriptures, and yet we are guilty of leaving our Bibles on the shelf for days, months, even years. Your Word is alive and active and definitely not meant to collect dust. We allow busyness and our own to- do lists take precedence in our daily lives rather than taking the valuable time to delve into your life giving words. Forgive us, Father.
All We confess of prioritizing other tasks before You, Jesus. We have failed at being faithful students of Your Word. We lack in love, grace, and prayer. Forgive us now.
Pastor Father, where we lack strength, endurance, and vision, You are strong, faithful, and full of wonderful plans for us. Instill in our hearts the urgency to study, apply, and spread the Gospel. Thank You for a love so deep that it covered all of our sins. We accept Your forgiveness now. In your gracious name, Jesus. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Jeremiah 31:31-34
The Lord speaks to Jeremiah about the new covenant He is going to make with His people. This covenant allows all people, from the nobody’s to the somebody’s, to know the Lord.
31 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. 33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
