Gathering
Prelude
“Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word”
Tune: Erhalt Uns, Herr by J. Klug, arr. K. Keith
Handbell Choir
Opening Anthem and Hymn
“God Is Our Refuge and Strength” / “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
Addy Kruse, vocalist
1 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
does seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.
2 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.
You 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.
3 And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has 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.
4 That Word above all earthly powers
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!
Confession and Forgiveness
P: In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
P: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
P: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
Silence is kept for reflection.
P: Most merciful God,
C: we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
P: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
Greeting and Prayer of the Day
P: 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.
P: 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 Word
Blessing of the Lector
P: Let us pray. God Almighty, we ask your blessing upon John as he reads to us the scriptures. May the words of his mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our rock and our redeemer.
C: Amen.
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.
The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Psalm: Psalm 46
The lector will read the psalm alone.
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved,
and though the mountains shake in the depths of the sea;
3 though its waters rage and foam,
and though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be shaken;
God shall help it at the break of day.
6 The nations rage, and the kingdoms shake;
God speaks, and the earth melts away.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
8 Come now, regard the works of the Lord,
what desolations God has brought upon 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.”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
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.
The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Gospel: John 8:31-36
P: The holy gospel according to St. John, the 8th chapter.
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
31 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 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.”
P: The gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
Children’s Sermon
Sermon
Silence for meditation
Hymn of the Day #297 (green hymnal)
“Salvation unto Us Has Come” v. 1, 4-5
1 Salvation unto us has come
by God’s free grace and favor;
good works cannot avert our doom,
they help and save us never.
Faith looks to Jesus Christ alone,
who did for all the world atone;
he is our mediator.
4 Faith clings to Jesus’ cross alone
and rests in him unceasing;
and by its fruits true faith is known,
with love and hope increasing.
For faith alone can justify;
works serve our neighbor and supply
the proof that faith is living.
5 All blessing, honor, thanks, and praise
to Father, Son, and Spirit,
the God who saved us by his grace;
all glory to his merit.
O triune God in heav’n above,
you have revealed your saving love;
your blessed name we hallow.
Presentation of Bibles to Confirmation Class
P: Martin Luther was passionate about equipping people to study the Bible, and he translated the Bible into German so that the common people could read Scripture in their own language. On this day when we commemorate the Reformations of the church, just as we acknowledge that the Holy Spirit reforms the Church in every age, we present Bibles to our youth who are entering confirmation so that they may grow in faith with a Bible of their own, hear God’s Word, and Keep it.
The Assisting Minister hands a Bible to each individual.
P: [Alanna, Katie, Matthew,] receive this Bible.
Hear God’s word with us.
Learn and tell its stories.
Discover its mysteries.
Honor its commandments.
Rejoice in its good news.
May God’s life-giving word
inspire you and make you wise.
Let us pray. Almighty God, your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our paths. We praise you for the Scriptures and for our Lord Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, who is the light for all people. Bless these Bibles and the youth who are receiving them. Speak to them and guide them through your Word in order that their paths may be straight and well-lit, in Jesus’ name,
C: Amen.
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven;
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
A: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.
After each petition:
A: Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
After the last petition:
A: Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
Peace
P: The peace of Christ be with you always.
C: And also with you.
The Meal
Temple Talk: Kathy Crosby – “They Were Jesus For Me”
Offertory: Special Music
“Amazing Grace” – Trio
Brass Musicians
Offering Prayer
A: Let us pray.
C: God of all creation, all you have made is good, and your love endures forever. You bring forth bread from the earth and fruit from the vine. Nourish us with these gifts, that we might be for the world signs of your gracious presence in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Great Thanksgiving
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.
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, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:
The 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.
Invitation to Communion
P: Taste and see that the Lord is good.
The Body of Christ, broken for you.
The Blood of Christ, shed for you.
All eat bread and drink wine or juice at their seat.
Communion Hymn #215 (green hymnal)
“O Lord, We Praise You”
1 O Lord, we praise you, bless you, and adore you,
in thanksgiving bow before you.
Here with your body and your blood you nourish
our weak souls that they may flourish.
O Lord, have mercy!
May your body, Lord, born of Mary,
that our sins and sorrows did carry,
and your blood for us plead
in all trial, fear, and need:
O Lord, have mercy!
2 Your holy body into death was given,
life to win for us in heaven.
No greater love than this to you could bind us;
may this feast of that remind us!
O Lord, have mercy!
Lord, your kindness so much did move you
that your blood now moves us to love you.
All our debt you have paid;
peace with God once more is made.
O Lord, have mercy!
3 May God bestow on us his grace and favor
to please him with our behavior
and live together here in love and union,
nor repent this blest communion.
O Lord, have mercy!
Let not your good Spirit forsake us,
but that heav’nly-minded he make us;
give your church, Lord, to see
days of peace and unity.
O Lord, have mercy!
Table Blessing
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. God of abundance, with this bread of life and cup of salvation you have united us with Christ, making us one with all your people. Now send us forth in the power of your Spirit, that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world and continue forever in the risen life of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C: Amen.
Sending
Announcements for God’s Mission in the World
Blessing
P: Almighty God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
C: Amen.
Closing Hymn #233 (green hymnal)
“Thy Strong Word” v. 1, 3, 5-6
1 Thy strong word did cleave the darkness;
at thy speaking it was done.
For created light we thank thee,
while thine ordered seasons run.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise to thee who light dost send!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia without end!
3 Thy strong Word bespeaks us righteous;
bright with thine own holiness,
glorious now, we press toward glory,
and our lives our hopes confess.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise to thee who light dost send!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia without end!
5 Give us lips to sing thy glory,
tongues thy mercy to proclaim,
throats that shout the hope that fills us,
mouths to speak thy holy name.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
May the light which thou dost send
fill our songs with alleluias,
alleluias without end!
6 God the Father, light-creator,
to thee laud and honor be.
To thee, Light of Light begotten,
praise be sung eternally.
Holy Spirit, light-revealer,
glory, glory be to thee.
Mortals, angels, now and ever
praise the holy Trinity!
Dismissal
A: Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Postlude
“Built on the Rock the Church Doth Stand”
Theodore Hoelty-Nickel
Worship Leaders
The Rev. Emily Beckering, Pastor
Kris Keith, Music Director
Kate Wollenburg, Organist
Jonathan Wiseman, Trumpet
Ben Crowder, Trombone
Addy Kruse, Vocalist
Terry McDowell, Assisting Minister
John Cathcart, Reader
Handbell Choir
Susan Bardes
Sherry Bronner
Nick Huitger
Carolyn Koehl
Addy Kruse
Joyce McDowell
Linda Miller
Upcoming Events
Sunday, October 31: Reformation Day
9 am Sunday School / Adult Forum
10:30 am Worship Service (in-person/livestreamed)
2 pm “The Game’s Afoot” rehearsal
Monday, November 1
5:30 pm Confirmation Class
Tuesday, November 2
6:30 pm “The Game’s Afoot” rehearsal
7 pm Bible Study: “Reading the Bible through 6 Lenses” (in-person/Zoom)
Wednesday, November 3
6 pm Worship & Music Committee
7 pm Bell Choir
Thursday, November 4
10:30 am Bible Study: “Reading the Bible through 6 Lenses” (in-person/Zoom)
6:30 pm “The Game’s Afoot” rehearsal
Saturday, November 6
4 pm Blessing of the Animals
Sunday, November 7: All Saints Sunday
9 am Sunday School / Adult Forum
10:30 am Worship Service (in-person/livestreamed)
2 pm “The Game’s Afoot” rehearsal
Tuesday, November 9
6:30 pm “The Game’s Afoot” rehearsal
7 pm Bible Study: “Reading the Bible through 6 Lenses” (in-person/Zoom)
Wednesday, November 10
7 pm Bell Choir
Thursday, November 11
10:30 am Bible Study: “Reading the Bible through 6 Lenses” (in-person/Zoom)
6 pm Scouts BSA meeting
6:30 pm “The Game’s Afoot” rehearsal
Copyright Notices
“God Is Our Refuge and Strength”: Text and music by Lloyd Larson © 2003 Lorenz Publishing Company, a division of The Lorenz Corporation.
“O Lord, We Praise You”: Arr. © 2006 Augsburg Fortress Publishers.
“Thy Strong Word”: Text by Martin H. Franzmann and arr. by Richard Hillert © 1969 Concordia Publishing House.
Hymns/anthems: Music reprinted and streamed by permission under ONE LICENSE #A-726103 and CCLI Licenses #21045423 and #21045416. All rights reserved.
Liturgical texts and service music: From SundaysandSeasons.com. Copyright © 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS010308.