Below are some worship resources which you are welcome to use at no charge. Please just use a copyright acknowledgment "Copyright Lisa Frenz 1999. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission."
Reformation Sunday or Reformation Day
Order of Worship
Pre-service Music
Announcements
Prelude & Lighting of the Candles
Stand
Call to Worship:
Song: "Ubi caritas et amor/Where True Charity and Love Abide" (repeat as desired)
LATIN:
Ubi caritas et amor,
ubi caritas Deus ibi est.
ENGLISH:
Where true charity and love abide,
God is dwelling there; God is dwelling there.
Text: Latin, 8th cent.; tr. With One Voice
TAIZE UBI CARITAS
A: Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.
P: I see God's grace
C: Given for me.
P: Grace to grow,
C: Grace to fail,
P: Grace to persist,
C: Grace to refrain,
P: Grace to change,
C: Grace to tarry,
P: Grace to live,
C: Grace to die,
P: I see God's grace
C: The grace of love and salvation.
A: I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.
Gathering Song "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"
A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing:
for still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and, armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide
our striving would be losing;
were not the right man on our side,
the man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure,
one little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly pow'rs,
no thanks to them, abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still,
his kingdom is forever.
Text: Martin Luther, 1483-1546; tr. Frederick H. Hedge, 1805-1890
EIN FESTE BURG
The Sharing of the Peace
P: Grace is ours through Christ, our Lord.
C: Grace is ours. Amen!
P: Grace is ours to receive with joy.
C: Grace is ours. Amen!
P: Grace and peace to you through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C: And also to you.
(Share the peace of the Lord)
Sit
Kids' Message
Choir Anthem (optional)
Prayer of the Day
First Lesson: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Second Lesson: Romans 3:19-28
Stand
Gospel: John 8:31-36
Sit
Music for Meditation
Message
You might wish to use "A Revolution in Faith" as the message.
Stand
Theme Song "God of Grace and God of Glory"
God of grace and God of glory,
on your people pour your pow'r;
crown your ancient church's story;
bring its bud to glorious flow'r.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
for the facing of this hour,
for the facing of this hour.
Lo! The hosts of evil round us
scorn the Christ, assail his ways!
From the fears that long have bound us
free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
for the living of these days,
for the living of these days,
Cure your children's warring madness;
bend our pride to your control;
shame our wanton, selfish gladness,
rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
lest we miss your kingdom's goal,
let we miss your kingdom's goal.
Save us from weak resignation
to the evils we deplore;
let the gift of your salvation
be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
serving you whom we adore,
serving you whom we adore.
Text: Harry E. Fosdick, 1878-1969
CWM RHONDDA
The Apostles' Creed (or other Statement of Faith)
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 again 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 the Church
Sit
Offering
Stand
P: Accept our gifts to you, O God, our love, our talents, our goods.
C: What we give is only a small part of what you have given us.
P: What incredible blessings are ours from you!
C: What wondrous grace is poured out on us!
P: We praise you, O God,
C: For it is our joy to do so.
P: We sing songs of highest praise!
C: Bless the Lord all you people!
P: Shout praise to the God of all Creation!
C: God's goodness overflows upon us. Amen!
Thanksgiving Song "My hope is built on nothing less"
My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
no merit of my own I claim,
but wholly lean on Jesus' name.
Refrain
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
all other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace;
in ev'ry high and stormy gale
my anchor holds within the veil. Refrain
His oath, his covenant, his blood
sustain me in the raging flood;
when all supports are washed away,
he then is all my hope and stay. Refrain
When he shall come with trumpet sound,
oh, may I then in him be found,
clothed in his righteousness alone,
redeemed to stand before the throne! Refrain
Text: Edward Mote, 1797-1874, alt.
MELITA
Eucharistic Prayer:
P: O God of all creation, hear my call, listen to the pleadings of my heart.
C: The Lord has promised good to me;
P: As you heard the words of your servants Abraham and Sara, Jacob, Naomi, Mary and Joseph,
C: God's Word my hope secures;
P: Respond also to me, speak to me and I shall listen.
C: God will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.
P: Creator God, Mother and Father of all things
C: Come be with us, come join with us now and forever.
P: Living God, God of every blessing, be with us now and forever.
C: When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,
P: Shower us with your love, fill us with your joy for all that you have made.
C: We've no less days to sing God's praise,
P: Bring us into communion, into the warmth of your household, into kinship with all creation.
C: Than when we'd first begun.
P: Spirit of God, Comforter and Inspiration
C: Come be with us, come join with us now and forever.
P: Word of God, live in us, for you are greater than we can comprehend,
C: Through many dangers toils and snares I have already come.
P: More glorious than any sun, more beautiful than any song ever sung.
C: ‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
P: Blessing and honor are yours for you are God and we are your people, yours to command.
C: And grace will lead me home.
P: Jesus Christ, Savior God and Friend,
C: Come be with us, come join with us now and forever.
Blessing of the Bread and Wine
The Lord's Prayer:
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 for ever. Amen.
Post Communion Song "Hallelujah! We Sing Your Praises", With One Voice 722, Augsberg Fortress Press, HALELUYA! PELO TSO RONA, Text: South African (c) 1984 Utryck, admin. Hal Leonard Corp.
A: The grace of God cascades upon us, drawing us to near to God. May this grace, so powerful, bring about change. May it take us from sinner to saint. May it call us strongly to the truth of the Way of Jesus Christ. May it recreate us as reformation people.
C: Amen.
P: May God's grace flourish in you, and bring you faith, hope and trust.
May God's most precious grace give you peace.
May God's real presence guard you always.
C: Amen.
Sending Song "Amazing Grace"
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
In a believer's ear.
It soothes all sorrows, heals all wounds,
And drives away all fears.
Must Jesus bear the cross alone
And all the world go free?
No, there's a cross for ev'ry one
And there's a cross for me.
And when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall posses, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
Text: John Newton, 1725-1807
NEW BRITAIN
A: Go in peace and love to serve the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God!
Postlude