REFORMATION SUNDAY Celebrating the 500 th Anniversary of the Reformation October 29, 2017 9:00 am 1
GATHERING PRE-SERVICE MUSIC Hymn to Joy (Youth Handchimes) WELCOME CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS (All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism) Blessed be the + holy Trinity, the one who fashions us, the one who heals us, the one who reforms us again and again. Amen. Let us confess our sin, calling for God s transforming power. Silence for reflection and self-examination. Source of all life, we confess that we have not allowed your grace to set us free. We fear that we are not good enough. We hear your word of love freely given to us, yet we expect others to earn it. We turn the church inward, rather than moving it outward. Forgive us. Stir us. Reform us to be a church powered by love, willing to speak for what is right, act for what is just, and seek the healing of your whole creation. Amen. God hears our cry and sends the Spirit to change us and to empower our lives in the world. Our sins are forgiven, + God s love is unconditional, and we are raised up as God s people who will always be made new, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 2
PROCESSIONAL HYMN Built on a Rock GREETING The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. 3
HYMN OF PRAISE 1 = women and girls; 2 = men and boys All: refrain All: refrain 4
PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray. Gracious Lord, pour out your Holy Spirit upon your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your Word, protect and comfort them in all temptations, defend them against all their enemies, and bestow on the Church your saving peace; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen SERVICE OF THE WORD FIRST READING Jeremiah 31:31 34 31 The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the LORD. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, "Know the LORD," for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more. PSALM Psalm 46 Leader sings antiphon All sing antiphon 1 God is our ref- uge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea; 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the cit- y of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. Antiphon 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God shall help her when morning dawns. 6 The nations rage, and the kingdoms totter; God speaks, and the earth melts away. Antiphon 5
8 Come now, regard the works of the LORD, what desolations God has brought up- on the earth; 9 behold the one who makes war to cease in all the world; who breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, and burns the shields with fire. 10 Be still, then, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth. Antiphon SECOND READING Romans 3:19-28 19 Now 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. 20 For "no human being will be justified in his sight" by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. 21 But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23 since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24 they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom 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; 26 it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus. 27 Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. CHILDREN S MESSAGE ALLELUIA VERSE 6
HOLY GOSPEL John 8:31-36 The Holy Gospel according to St. John the 8 th chapter. Glory to you, O Lord. 31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." 33 They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. mean by saying, 'You will be made free'?" 34 Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. 36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. SERMON Reformation: MORE and LESS HYMN A Mighty Fortress (choir alone stanza 3; stand for the final stanza) 7
AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM (Reception of New Members) Brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus said to his disciples, Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. I invite you now to confess your Christian faith and recommit yourselves to Christ and to His Church. Do you this day in the presence of God acknowledge the gifts God gave you in Baptism? Yes, I do. Do you renounce the devil and all his works and all his ways? I do renounce them. Do you believe in one God, the Father Almighty, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord, and in the Holy Spirit? Yes, I believe in God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Do you hold the Holy Scriptures to be the inspired Word of God and the doctrine of justification by grace through faith to be faithful and true? Yes, I do. Do you intend to hear the Word of God and receive the Lord s Supper faithfully? I do so intend by the grace of God. Do you intend to live according to the Word of God, and in faith, word, and deed remain true to God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? I do so intend by the grace of God. Will you continue to support the mission and ministry our gracious Lord has given his Church with your prayers and the gifts of time, talent and treasure that God has given you? I will, with the help of God. (to New Members) Do you desire to become a member of this congregation? Yes, I do. Upon this your confession of faith and your intention of commitment, you are received as members of Grace of God Evangelical Lutheran Church in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen Let us pray. Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank and praise you for your great goodness in bringing us as your sons and daughters to faith in Christ and enabling us to confess his holy name. Grant that by your Word and Spirit we may continue steadfast and immovable in the one true faith until the day when all who have fought the good fight of faith shall receive the crown of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen As New Members sign the congregation s constitution and by-laws, all are invited to come forward to mark themselves with water from the font as a sign and remembrance of baptism PRAYERS (Response to each petition) Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. 8
SHARING OF THE PEACE The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. OFFERING Lord, Keep Us Steadfast/Alleluia (Cantate Choir) OFFERTORY PRAYER Let us pray. Holy God, gracious and merciful, you bring forth food from the earth and nourish your whole creation. Turn our hearts toward those who hunger in any way, that all may know your care; and prepare us now to feast on the bread of life, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING Now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. Thanks and praise to you, heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord who has revealed your righteousness and justified us by grace through faith. By his death and resurrection, he has set us free from the slavery of sin and made us alive with him. Therefore, with saints and angels and with the whole Christian church in heaven and on earth, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: SANCTUS ( Holy, holy, holy ) 9
WORDS OF INSTITUTION 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 AGNUS DEI ( Lamb of God ) COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION Scripture says, Whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup we proclaim the Lord s death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26. Martin Luther s Small Catechism says, Holy Communion is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and drink. All baptized Christians who have been instructed in this confession of faith and who share our belief in the real presence of Christ in the sacrament for the forgiveness of sins are invited to the Lord s Table today. Children who have not received their first communion are invited to come to the table and receive a blessing. As you approach the table down the aisles, receive an empty cup from the cart. Proceed to the left or the right and gather around the altar. After each gathered group has communed, they are dismissed in peace. As you return to your seat down the side aisles, place your cup in the racks on the tables to your left or right. Non-alcoholic wine is offered in pre-filled cups for those who cannot drink alcohol. These cups are marked in the rack. Gluten-free (and dairy-free and nut-free) wafers are offered in the small white bowl on the communion cart for those who prefer this option. 10
HYMNS DURING COMMUNION Thy Strong Word 11
My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less SENDING DISMISSAL The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and keep us in his grace. Amen 12
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Holy and compassionate God, in bread and wine you give us gifts that form us to be humble and courageous. May your words come to life in our serving and in our witness, that we might speak a living voice of healing to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our rock and our redeemer. Amen BLESSING 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. Amen Go in peace. Christ lives in you. Thanks be to God. CLOSING HYMN The Church s One Foundation (on next page) SERVING IN WORSHIP TODAY Worship leader and preacher Jon Marxhausen Elder Errol Bartz Piano and Cantate Choir Director Mary Dinesen Youth Handchimes Director Jon Marxhausen Violin Leah Marxhausen Drums Jason Evenson and Noel Smith Lector Roger Prigge Ushers Franklin & Sue Hotzel Acolyte/Crucifer George Zetterwall Greeters Jenny Hanson/Shirley Hanson DON T FORGET YOUR 3-MINUTE MINISTRY Today (and every Sunday!) we need MORE Community! Hospitality! Welcome! Connection to each other! Support of each other! LOVE for one another! Take some time right now to explore what a difference MORE of all of this will make! 13
CLOSING HYMN The Church s One Foundation 14
WELCOME TO GRACE OF GOD Thank you for worshipping with us today. Please fill out a welcome card and place it in the basket on the table in the entryway. Help yourself to a welcome packet that will tell you more about the ministry at Grace of God. You are always welcome at Grace of God. GRACE OF GOD MISSION STATEMENT Grace of God is a Christ-centered community gathered around Word and Sacrament, preaching Christ crucified, serving our neighbor and discovering what it means to live under the grace of God. SMALL CHILDREN ARE WELCOME IN WORSHIP AT GRACE OF GOD Busy bags for young children are available in the classroom adjacent to the worship space near the doors. That room X also has a speaker to hear the worship service. Reformation Sunday Charter Sunday AFTER WORSHIP TODAY... Youth puppets will perform! LUNCH at 11:00 am Our Wittenberg Door Martin Luther nailed 95 Theses on the Castle Church door in Wittenberg defining some of the abuses he believed the church needed LESS of and some important things the church needed a lot MORE of. You are invited to post on our interactive Wittenberg Door things YOU need MORE of and LESS of as part of God s reforming work in YOUR life. Let this be an expression of the affirmation of our Baptism today and the anniversary of our congregation! 15
WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS Phil (Tony) and Cheryl (Cheri) Henneman 10894 Thone Ridge Woodbury, MN 55129 651.436.2422 Tony and Cheri have two children and two grandchildren. They have lived in Woodbury for 5 years and before that in East Bethel for 32 years. Tony is a retired paramedic and fire fighter. Cheri is an office manager for a graphics company. Tony enjoys reading and woodworking while Cheri like repurposing things! The Hennemans were involved in a start-up church and they were involved in just about everything! Sean and Becky Nies 2455 St. Croix Trail South Afton, MN 55001 763.257.4803 slnies@yahoo.com Sean and Becky moved to Afton from Maple Lake, Minnesota in January of this year. Sean is a maintenance electrician and Becky is an education specialist for the state of Minnesota. Becky taught school in Maple Lake elementary school for over ten years. Sean has worked in a trade since he was 13. Sean enjoys wood working, hunting and making beer. Becky likes to read, plays the piano and scrapbooks. Sean and Becky have a 21 year old daughter who lives in Maple Lake. Sean and Becky were members at Holy Cross Lutheran in Maple Lake. Judith (Judy) Redepenning 650 Julep Ave North Lake Elmo, MN 55042 651.734.8370 jdyredepenning@yahoo.com Judy grew up on a farm in western Minnesota and she and her husband raised their two children on a farm near Nassau, Minnesota. Judy taught in a country school and worked as a farm wife. After her husband died, Judy worked for an insurance company in St. Paul as a farm underwriter. She is now retired. Judy has three children and 9 grandchildren. Two of her granddaughters are getting married this next year! Judy lives with her daughter Becky and family. She likes to sew, read, embroider and spend time with family and friends. Judy grew up in the Evangelical United Brethren Church and was a member at Roseville Lutheran Church. She has taught Sunday School, was active in the church women s group and served as a congregational president for a few years! Take time to welcome and visit with our new members during lunch today! 16
SERVING IN WORSHIP DATE ELDER ACOLYTE LECTOR USHERS GREETERS 10/29/17 Errol Bartz George Zetterwall Roger Prigge Franklin & Sue Hotzel Jenny Hanson/Shirley Hanson 11/05/17 Paul Hartleben John Frelix Sue Hotzel Matt Onken / Byron Epland Evelyn Marxhausen 11/12/17 Paul Tom Jake Richter Hartleben Schoenberg Darrel & Noel Smith Roger & Nancy Prigge 11/19/17 Paul Jerry Corson / Tom George Zetterwall Jeff Olofson Hartleben Schoenberg Jim & Jan Roth 11/22/17 Thanksgiving Eve 11/26/17 Paul Hartleben Tom Schoenberg Cherish Frelix Allen Warren Lori Ruppel / Brenda Miller Bob & Lori Koeritzer Ella Fahey Franklin Hotzel Errol Bartz / Kathy Rehbein Barb Fallert October 29 November 5, 2017 Sunday, October 29 9:00 am REFORMATION SUNDAY/Charter Sunday New Member Sunday 10:15 am Puppet Performance LUNCH FOR ALL! Tuesday, October 31 9:30 am Ladies Bible Study 7:30 pm Cantate Choir Wednesday, November 1 6:00 pm Light Supper Bible Blazers, Confirmation, Youth Bible Study 7:00 pm Handchime Practice Friday, November 3 7:00 pm Confirmation Questioning Sunday, November 5 9:00 am ALL SAINTS/ CONFIRMATION SUNDAY 10:15 am Fellowship Sunday School and Adult Bible Study 17
WhatchamacallYOU? The Board of Outreach wants to encourage YOU to wear YOUR name tag every Sunday! If we catch you wearing it, you may get a treat!! If you need a name tag, please sign up on the clipboard in the entryway. Upcoming opportunities to serve others in our community! The Warren Grace Group will be facilitating a Thanksgiving Food Drive. Watch for more details regarding this project in the weeks ahead! During Advent we ll be sponsoring 5 families through Community Thread s Holiday Hope program. Beginning Sunday, November 26 you ll see in the fellowship area, a decorated Christmas tree with the gift options the families we sponsor have requested. Please consider purchasing one or more gifts for the families. The families always appreciate the gifts they receive! The 2018 dates we ll be serving at Hope for the Journey Home Family Shelter have been established. Please consider reserving time on your calendar now to help at the shelter. We ll be serving the weeks of January 14-January 20 and June 17-June 23. Watch for announcements regarding required safe environment training and background checks. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 Fall 2017 Bible Study Series The Great Commissions Six Biblical Calls to Make Known the Gospel (from Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts and Paul) Study led by Pastor Steven King Sunday Mornings: 10:15-11:15 am CONFIRMATION SUNDAY 2017 Four of our young people will be confirmed in their Christian faith Sunday, November 5 at 9:00 am There will be a Questioning on Friday, November 3 at 7:00 pm with a celebration reception following. All are invited to come and support our confirmands! 2017 Confirmands Kira Fallert Ethan Onken Logan Onken Aaron Smith 18
ALL SAINTS REMEMBRANCE Sunday, November 5 As part of our All Saints worship service next Sunday, November 5, we will remember by name those who have died in the past year. This is part of Christian tradition to recall the faith and lives of those who have gone before and who still remain with us as part of the holy, catholic Church. If you have a name of a friend, family member of loved one who has died this past year in the Christian faith, please let Pastor know by calling the church office (651-730-4900) or by sending an email to the church at marxy@usfamily.net Nov. 2 - Nov. 4 Nov. 9 - Nov. 11 Nov. 16 - Nov. 18 CLEANING CREW SCHEDULE TEAM 5 Randy & Janice Henderson/ Bruce & Audrey Gilman/Janice Roth TEAM 6 Paul & Cami Hartleben/ Tom& Karen Schoenberg TEAM 7 Byron and Marilynn Epland/ Onken Family GRACE OF GOD LUTHERAN CHURCH 420 Hayward Avenue North Oakdale, Minnesota 55128 651.730.4900 www.graceofgodlutheran.com Jon Marxhausen, pastor 19