Solus Christus. PROCESSION "Allegretto" Organ and Brass (by Corelli arr. By Wolff) "Trumpet Finale" (by Manfredini arr. By Wolff)

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1 500 th Anniversary of the Reformation

2 As We Gather: The Lutheran Reformation is still all about Jesus; that is, faithfully preaching and teaching the good news of Jesus Christ and standing for the teachings of God s Word as they have been confessed in all times and all places wherever the Gospel is purely taught according to a pure understanding of it and where the Sacraments are administered according to Christ s institution. With Martin Luther, we still say, Here we stand, we cannot do otherwise. God help us. Amen. It was all about Jesus as the apostle Paul penned, We hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law (Romans 3:28). It was all about Jesus when Martin Luther posted his Ninety- Five Theses on October 31, It s still all about Jesus today as we receive the Means of Grace Word and Sacrament. It will be all about Jesus when He returns in glory on the Last Day. As we observe the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, we celebrate that it always has been, and always will be, all about Jesus! Solus Christus PROCESSION "Allegretto" Organ and Brass (by Corelli arr. By Wolff) "Trumpet Finale" (by Manfredini arr. By Wolff) OPENING HYMN "We Are God's People" (music by Johannes Brahms, arr. By Duane Funderburk words by Jeffery Leech) (Organ, brass, school children's choir, church choir, congregation) We are God's people the chosen of the Lord! Let us live transparently, and walk heart to heart, and hand in hand! (choir) Verse 1 (All) We are God's people, the chosen of the Lord, born of His Spirit, established by His Word; Our cornerstone is Christ alone, and strong in Him we stand; O let us live transparently, and walk heart to heart and hand in hand. Verse 2 (children) We are God's loved ones, the Bride of Christ our Lord, for we have known it, the love of God outpoured; let us learn how to return the gift of love once giv'n, O let us share each joy and care, and live with a zeal that pleases heav'n. Verse 3 (choir) We are the Body of which the Lord is head, called to obey Him, now risen from the dead; He wills us be a family, Diverse, truly one; O let us give our gifts to God, and so shall His work, on earth be done! Verse 4 (All) We are a temple, the Spirit's dwelling place, formed in great weakness, a cup to hold God's grace; we die alone, for on its own each ember loses fire. Yet, joined in one the flame burns on to give warmth and light, and to inspire. Amen (choir) 2

3 INVOCATION/ OPENING PRAYER Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. People: Amen. Pastor: Let us pray. 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. People: Amen. WORDS OF WELCOME Pastor: Today we are celebrating some of the hymns that came to us through Martin Luther and who lived during the sixteenth century. This group of songs comes from our Lutheran tradition, continually known to this day for its wealth of music for worship. One of the first reforms of Martin Luther was to restore congregational singing. After centuries of silence in church, the people were once more given the opportunity to use their own voices to praise God in song. What a thrill it must have been to hear all the voices in those great cathedral spaces! However, there were no hymnals. So, where did the hymns come from? We know that Luther and other Reformers wrote some original hymns, and some were based on the psalms, like "A Mighty Fortress." Still others were translated from some of the early hymns of the church. We begin with "All Glory Be to God on High. This hymn has its origins in the song of the angels at Christ's birth, in Luke 2:14. The expanded hymn dates to the fourth century; it was over a thousand years old when Nikolaus Decius translated it into German and adapted a Gregorian chant melody for it. Four hundred years later, we sing it in an English translation by an Episcopalian minister who translated it for the hymnal in As we sing, let us celebrate that we can join our voices with so many saints who have gone before, and even with the angels who welcomed Christ's birth. Truly, we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1). Let us sing to the glory of God on high. HYMN "All Glory Be to God on High" LSB 947 sts. 1-3 Verse 1 All glory be to God on high And thanks for all His favor; No harm can touch or terrify A child of God forever. God shows His good and gracious will And grants His peace, the world to fill All strife at last has ended. Verse 2 We praise and laud and worship You; We give You thanks forever, O Father, for Your rule is true And just and changes never. With boundless pow'r, Your mighty reign Fulfills whatever You ordain. Lord, grant us ev'ry blessing! 3

4 Verse 3 O Jesus Christ, the only Son Begotten of the Father, Your saving death has made us one With God and with each other. O Lamb of God, to You on high In our distress we sinners cry, have mercy on us, amen! Sola Scriptura FIRST READING Colossians 3:12-16 (p. 844) (Put On the New Self) HYMN "Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word" LSB 655 Verse 1 Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word; Curb those who by deceit or sword Would wrest the kingdom from Your Son And bring to naught all He has done. Verse 2 Lord Jesus Christ, Your pow'r make known, For You are Lord of lords alone; Defend Your holy Church that we May sing Your praise eternally. Verse 3 O Comforter of priceless worth, Send peace and unity on earth; Support us in our final strife And lead us out of death to life. Commentary Pastor: Luther wrote this hymn for a prayer service, when the Muslim Turks were threatening Vienna, having already overrun Hungary. Luther was obviously thinking of both spiritual and physical dangers to the church. Conditions in some parts of the world today make this same kind of prayer just as urgent today. SECOND READING Colossians 3:17 (p. 844) (Put On the New Self) GOSPEL READING John 8:31-39 (p. 765) (The Truth Will Set You Free) SONG OF PRAISE In Christ Alone Praise Band Verse 1 In Christ alone my hope is found He is my light my strength my song This Cornerstone this solid Ground Firm through the fiercest drought and storm What heights of love what depths of peace When fears are stilled when strivings cease My Comforter my All in All Here in the love of Christ I stand Verse 2 In Christ alone who took on flesh Fullness of God in helpless babe This gift of love and righteousness Scorned by the ones He came to save Till on that cross as Jesus died The wrath of God was satisfied For every sin on Him was laid Here in the death of Christ I live 4

5 Verse 3 There in the ground His body lay Light of the world by darkness slain Then bursting forth in glorious Day Up from the grave He rose again And as He stands in victory Sin's curse has lost its grip on me For I am His and He is mine Bought with the precious Blood of Christ Verse 4 No guilt in life no fear in death This is the power of Christ in me From life's first cry to final breath Jesus commands my destiny No power of hell no scheme of man Can ever pluck me from His hand Till He returns or calls me home Here in the power of Christ I'll stand Sola Fide MESSAGE Does The Reformation Still Matter? Rev. Dr. Thomas Acton We hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. (Romans 3:28) APOSTLES CREED I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His 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 into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. PRAYERS 5

6 OFFERING OF THANKS (Gifts for the Mission of Immanuel Church and School are received.) Whom Shall I Fear-God of Angel Armies (Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Scott Cash) Praise Band and Immanuel Students Verse1 You hear me when I call, You are my morning song though darkness fills the night, it cannot hide the light Whom shall I fear? You crush the enemy underneath my feet You are my sword and shield, though troubles linger still Whom shall I fear? Chorus 1 I know Who goes before me; I know Who stands behind The One who reigns forever He is a friend of mine Verse 2 My strength is in Your name, for You alone can save You will deliver me, Yours is the victory Whom shall I fear? Whom shall I fear? Chorus 2 I know Who goes before me; I know Who stands behind The One who reigns forever He is a friend of mine Bridge And nothing formed against me shall stand You hold the whole world in Your hands I'm holding on to Your promises You are faithful, You are faithful Nothing formed against me shall stand you hold the whole world in Your hands I'm holding on to Your promises You are faithful, You are faithful You are faithful Chorus 3 I know Who goes before me; I know Who stands behind The One who reigns forever He is a friend of mine Chorus 4 I know Who goes before me; I know Who stands behind The One who reigns forever He is a friend of mine 6

7 Sola Gratia CONFESSION OF SIN AND PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION Pastor: What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? People: Sin shall not be our master, because we are not under Law, but under grace. Pastor: Even though we have been freed from sin and death by the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we still sin much and daily stand in need of God's forgiveness. Let us reflect on the sins we have committed and bring them before the throne of grace. (Silence for private meditation and confession) People: Pastor: People: Pastor: With the tax collector in the temple, with King David, and with countless children of God, we humble ourselves and say: God, be merciful to me, a sinner. God is merciful. His love for us is so great that we have a tough time understanding it. Yet God assures us of His love, and it is my privilege and responsibility as your pastor, at the command and promise of our Lord Jesus Christ, to forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. In the words of Martin Luther, "I admonish you in Christ that you accept the Testament of Christ in true faith and, above all, take to heart the words wherein Christ imparts to us His body and His blood for the remission of our sins. That you remember and give thanks for His boundless love which He proved to us when He redeemed us from God's wrath, sin, death, and hell by His own blood. And that in this faith you externally receive the bread and wine, that is, His body and His blood, as the pledge and guarantee of this. In His name, therefore, and according to the command that He gave, let us use and receive the Testament. Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the night in which He was betrayed, took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, "Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me. HYMN Holy, Holy, Holy Holy! Holy! Holy! Lord God Almighty! Day and night we join to praise Your love and majesty. You alone are holy, worthy and righteous. God in three persons---blessed Trinity! Holy! Holy! Holy! Lord God Almighty! We rejoice to join the hymns Of earth and sky and sea. Generations praise You, with saints and angels Holy and bless'd through all eternity. 7

8 After the same manner also, Jesus took the cup, when He had supped, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you. This cup is the New Testament in My blood, which is shed for you, and for many, for the forgiveness of sins; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." 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 sins as we forgive those who sin 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. HYMN Pastor: People: "O Lamb of God We Pray" (sung to the tune of"my Faith Looks Trustingly") O Lamb of God, we pray: Take all our sins away--- Our faith increase. Have mercy on us all, Strengthen us when we fall, Answer our fervent call And grant us peace. The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. DISTRIBUTION "O Come to the Altar" Praise Band (by Chris Brown) "We Remember You" W&P 152 In broken bread and the cup that we share, we remember you. In broken bread and the cup that we share, we remember you. We remember you, Jesus. We remember your love for us. We remember the blood you shed. We remember you. 8

9 "But For Your Grace" (by Rita Baloche) Soloist: Meg Jump Danielle Floberg; violin BLESSING Grace Alone Pastor: It is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8) People: Without my deserving it at all and out of his infinite mercy God grants and gives it to me. Pastor: Let us thank God for grace. People: We thank you that you do not treat us as our sins deserve, that you do not repay us according to our iniquities. (Psalm 103:10) Faith Alone Pastor: It is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8) People: All I need to do is to accept this gift of God with a believing heart. Pastor: Let us thank God for faith. People: We thank you, God, for the gift of faith. We thank you for faith that embraces Jesus Christ, and no longer looks for anything apart from him. Pastor: May 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. People: Amen. RECESSIONAL HYMN "A Mighty Fortress" LSB 657 Verse 1 (All) 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. Verse 2 (Women/Girls) 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. 9

10 Verse 3 (Men/Boys) Though hordes of devils fill the land All threat'ning to devour us, We tremble not, unmoved we stand; They cannot over pow'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. Verse 4 (All) God's Word forever shall abide, No thanks to foes, who fear it; For God Himself fights by our side 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! POSTLUDE A Mighty Fortress Eileen Baumgarten (by Albrecht) organist Soli Deo Gloria About our cover: This logo takes many elements from Luther s seal, which is the most easily recognized symbol for Lutheranism. It was common in Luther s day for people to create a seal or coat of arms for their families, and that seal told the world what the family cared about or did for a living. It s no surprise, then, that Luther s seal was all about Jesus! At the center of Luther s seal, and at the center of the Reformation 2017 logo, is a red heart in the middle of a white rose. (The heart and rose together are commonly referred to as Luther s rose.) As Luther explained in one of his writings, The heart in the middle of white rose shows that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace. It immediately sets [the believer] into the midst of a white, joyful rose, not like the peace and joy the world offers. That is why the rose should be white, not red. White is the color of the spirits and all angels. At the center of that rose is Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Jesus is the center and Rock of our faith. He has been since He came to Earth in the flesh, and He still is today. The word still bears witness to the ever and ongoing relevance of this one, saving truth for sinners. 10

11 The most enduring symbol of the Lutheran Reformation is the seal that Luther himself designed to represent his theology. By the early 1520s, this seal begins to appear on the title page of Luther s works. Here is how Luther himself explained its meaning: First, there is a black cross in a heart that remains its natural color. This is to remind me that it is faith in the Crucified One that saves us. Anyone who believes from the heart will be justified (Romans 10:10). It is a black cross, which mortifies and causes pain, but it leaves the heart its natural color. It doesn t destroy nature, that is to say, it does not kill us but keeps us alive, for the just shall live by faith in the Crucified One (Romans 1:17). The heart should stand in the middle of a white rose. This is to show that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace it puts the believer into a white, joyous rose. Faith does not give peace and joy like the world gives (John 14:27). This is why the rose must be white, not red. White is the color of the spirits and angels (cf. Matthew 28:3; John 20:12). This rose should stand in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that a joyful spirit and faith is a beginning of heavenly, future joy, which begins now, but is grasped in hope, not yet fully revealed. Around the field of blue is a golden ring to symbolize that blessedness in heaven lasts forever and has no end. Heavenly blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy and better than any possessions, just as gold is the most valuable and precious metal. (From: Letter from Martin Luther to Lazarus Spengler, July 8, 1530 [WA Br 5:445]; tr. P. T. McCain) 11

12 WELCOME TO IMMANUEL (God With Us) A Few FYI'S as You Worship with Us. Attendance/Prayer cards, don t forget to fill them out. Please give to an elder/usher or place in the offering plate so that we may be better equipped to serve you. Busy Bags are available in the Narthex for those with little busy hands. Please help yourself. Large print bulletins and children bulletins are available from the ushers. Assisted Listening Devices are also available at the Welcome Center. UPCOMING SPECIAL SERVICES Celebration of the Second Anniversary of Stronger Together November 18/19 Saturday 5:00 p.m. Bible study Sunday 8:00 a.m. Bible Study Sunday 10:00 a.m. Special Stronger Together Celebration Service Celebration of Thanksgiving November 22/23 Thanksgiving Eve 7:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Day 10:00 a.m. Moving Food Donations to the Food Pantry immediately after the service Wednesday Advent Services December 6 1 st Wednesday in Advent 7:00 p.m. December 13 2 nd Wednesday in Advent 7:00 p.m. December 20 3 rd Wednesday in Advent 7:00 p.m. Service of Remembrance (Blue Christmas) December 17 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve/Day Celebration December 23 Saturday Worship Service 5:00 p.m. December 24 Sunday, Christmas Eve 8:00 a.m., 3:00, 5:00, 11:00 p.m. December 25 Monday, Christmas Day 10:00 a.m. New Year s Eve Celebration December 30 Saturday Worship Service 5:00 p.m. December 31 Sunday, New Year s Eve 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Today s Service will be posted late Sunday evening at ilcpalatine.com Holy Communion is offered to those who have been instructed in what the Scriptures teach about Communion. We believe the Bible teaches: 1) Jesus Christ is our only Lord and Savior from all sin, death, and the power of evil; 2) The Risen Christ is really present in the Sacrament and that with the bread and wine we receive His Body and Blood; and 3) We resolve to dedicate our lives to the service of our Lord in His Body, the Church, through worship, sacrificial giving, and thankful living. The center of the individual cup trays contains non-alcoholic wine for those who prefer this substitute. Gluten-free communion wafers are available All copyrighted material projected and in this bulletin is used by permission. Immanuel Lutheran Church is a member of Christian Copyright License, Inc. License # All Hymns are from the Lutheran Service Book unless otherwise noted. All Scriptures are from the English Standard Version unless otherwise noted. Creative Worship for the Lutheran Parish, Series A, Part 4. Copyright 2017 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Immanuel Lutheran Church 200 N. Plum Grove Rd, Palatine, IL Church: School: immanuelpalatine.org 12