The livestream may be found here.
The order of service is below.
OPENING MUSIC
Prelude from Suite No. 3
in C Major for Unaccompanied Cello (BWV 1009)
Johann Sebastian Bach
Michael Frontz,
Cello
Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation
Robert
J. Powell
Please
meditate on the text of the hymn as it is played:
1 Christ is
made the sure foundation,
Christ,
our head and cornerstone,
chosen
of the Lord and precious,
binding
all the church in one;
holy
Zion’s help forever
and our
confidence alone.
2 To this
temple, where we call you,
come, O
Lord of hosts, and stay;
come
with all your lovingkindness,
hear
your people as they pray;
and your
fullest benediction
shed
within these walls today.
3 Grant, we
pray, to all your faithful
all the
gifts they ask to gain;
what
they gain from you, forever
with the
blessed to retain;
and
hereafter in your glory
evermore
with you to reign.
4 Praise and
honor to the Father,
praise
and honor to the Son,
praise
and honor to the Spirit,
ever
three and ever one:
one in
might and one in glory
while
unending ages run!
Text:
Latin hymn, c. 7th cent.; tr. John M. Neale, 1818-1866, alt.
BRIEF ORDER FOR CONFESSION AND
FORGIVENESS
Stand
The sign of the cross may be made
by all in remembrance of their Baptism.
In the name of the Father, and of
the X Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
What is
the significance of a baptism with water?
It signifies that daily the old
person in us with all our sins and evil
desires is to be drowned through sorrow for
sin and repentance,
and that daily a new person is to come forth
and rise up to live
before God in righteousness and purity
forever.
What is
confession?
Confession consists of two
parts: One is that we confess our sins.
The other is that we receive the absolution,
that is, forgiveness,
from the pastor as from God himself and by no
means doubt
but firmly believe that our sins are thereby
forgiven before God in
heaven.
Small Catechism of Martin Luther
Silence for reflection and
self-examination.
Most merciful God,
we confess that we are in bondage 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
Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for us
and, for his
sake, 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
XSon, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
THE HOLY COMMUNION
APOSTOLIC
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.
(2 Corinthians 13:13)
KYRIE
ELEISON
In peace, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above,
and for our salvation, let us pray to the
Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world,
for the well-being of the Church of God,
and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house,
and for all who offer here their worship and
praise,
let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort and defend us, gracious Lord. Amen
HYMN OF
PRAISE
Glory to God in the highest, and
peace to his people on earth.
(Luke 2:14)
Lord God, heavenly king, almighty
God and Father:
We
worship you, we give you thanks,
we
praise you for your glory.
Lord
Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord
God, Lamb of God:
You
take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
You
are seated at the right hand of the Father;
receive
our prayer.
For
you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,
you
alone are the Most High,
Jesus
Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in
the glory of God the Father. Amen
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
pour out your Holy Spirit upon your faithful people.
Keep them steadfast in your Word, protect and
comfort them
against all temptations, defend them against
all 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
CALL TO
THE WORD
Remember the Sabbath Day, and keep it holy.
We are to fear and love God, so that we do not
despise God’s
Word or preaching, but instead keep that
word holy and gladly
hear and learn it.
Small Catechism of Martin Luther
Sit
First READING Jeremiah 31:31-34
31The days are surely coming,
says the Lord, when I will make a
new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32It
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.
33But 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. 34No 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.
Thanks be to God.
The psalm is read responsively between the pastor and the people.
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,*
and
though the mountains be toppled
into the
depths | of the sea;
3 though its waters | rage and
foam,*
and though the mountains tremble
| at its tumult.
4 The Lord of |
hosts is with us;*
the
God of Jacob | is our stronghold.
5 There is a river whose streams
make glad the cit- | y of God,*
the holy habitation of | the
Most High.
6 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be | overthrown;*
God
shall help her at the | break of day.
7 The nations make much ado, and
the king- | doms are shaken;*
God has spoken, and the earth
shall | melt away.
8 The Lord of |
hosts is with us;*
the
God of Jacob | is our stronghold.
9 Come now and look upon the works
| of the Lord,*
what awesome things he has |
done on earth.
10 It is he who makes war to cease in | all the world;*
he
breaks the bow, and shatters the spear,
and burns
the | shields with fire.
11 "Be still, then, and know
that | I am God;*
I will be exalted among the
nations;
I will be exalted | in the earth."
12 The Lord of |
hosts is with us;*
the
God of Jacob | is our stronghold.
SECOND READING
Romans 3:19-28
19Now 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. 20For “no human being will be justified in his sight” by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
21But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, 22the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25whom 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; 26it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus.
27Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By
that of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28For we hold that a
person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to
God.
Stand
VERSE
Alleluia. If you continue in my word, you
are truly my disciples,
and you will know the truth, and the truth
will make you free.
Alleluia.
John 8:31-32
Gospel John
8:31-36
The
Holy Gospel according to St. John.
Glory to you, O Lord.
31Jesus said to
the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my
disciples; 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will make
you free.” 33They 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’?”
34Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who
commits sin is a slave to sin. 35The slave does not have a permanent
place in the household; the son has a place there forever. 36So if
the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Sit
SERMON
HYMN OF THE DAY Built
On a Rock
Please meditate on the
text of the hymn as it is played.
1 Built on a rock the church shall stand,
even when steeples are falling;
crumbled have spires in ev’ry
land,
bells still are chiming and
calling--
calling the young and old to
rest,
calling the souls of those
distressed,
longing for life everlasting.
2 Not in our temples made with hands
God, the Almighty, is dwelling;
high in the heav’ns his temple
stands,
all earthly temples excelling.
Yet he who dwells in heav’n
above
deigns to abide with us in love,
making our bodies his temple.
3 We are God’s house of living
stones,
built for his own habitation;
he fills our hearts, his humble
thrones,
granting us life and salvation.
Were two or three to seek his
face,
he in their midst would show his
grace,
blessings upon them bestowing.
4 Yet in this house, an earthly
frame,
Jesus the children is blessing;
hither we come to praise his
name,
faith in our Savior confessing.
Jesus to us his Spirit sent,
making with us his covenant,
granting his children the
kingdom.
grant that, when church bells
are ringing,
many may come to hear God’s Word
where he this promise is
bringing:
I know my own, my own know me;
you, not the world, my face
shall see;
my peace I leave with you. Amen
Text: Nicolai F. S.
Grundtvig, 1783-1872; tr. Carl Doving, 1867-1937, adapt.
© 1958 Service
Book and Hymnal, admin. Augsburg Fortress
Stand
CONFESSION
OF FAITH
I believe that by my own understanding or
strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him;
But instead the Holy Spirit has called me
through the Gospel,
enlightened me with his gifts, made me holy,
and kept me in true
faith, just as he calls, gathers, enlightens
and makes holy the
whole
Christian church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in
the one common, true faith.
Small Catechism of Martin Luther
The pastor and people confess the faith of the Church in
the words of the Apostles’ Creed.
I believe in God, the Father
almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ,
his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of
the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
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
Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ
Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.
A brief silence is kept.
Almighty and merciful God, by his cross and passion your Son set us free from the bondage to sin and the curse of the Law. Grant that your Church may hold fast to this good news throughout all generations. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
hear our prayer.
hear our prayer.
hear our prayer.
The People may offer silent or
spoken intercessions and thanksgivings.
Lord,
in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
We give thanks for the life of William Gargiulo, and
pray for the comfort of his wife Virginia and his family; and for the life of
Bishop Paull Spring, praying for the comfort of his wife Barbara and his
family. Bring us to the day of judgment of
our great enemies, sin, death, and the devil, when we, with them and all who
have believed in your great Name, will rejoice in your salvation. Lord, in your
mercy,
hear our
prayer.
Into your hands, Father, we
commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your steadfast love, through Jesus
Christ our Lord.
Amen
PEACE
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
And also
with you.
The people exchange a sign of peace
with the simple words, Peace be with you.
Sit
The Lord’s Table is prepared.
What is the Sacrament of the
Altar?
It is the true
body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the
bread and wine,
instituted by Jesus Christ himself for us Christians
to eat and
drink.
What is the benefit of such eating
and drinking?
The words
‘given for you,’ and ‘shed for you…for the forgiveness of
sin, show us
that forgiveness of sin, life, and salvation are given in
the sacrament
through these words, because where there is
forgiveness of
sins, there is also life and salvation.
Small Catechism of Martin Luther
GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Great Thanksgiving begins with the Preface, leading
into the Sanctus:
The Lord be with you.
And also with
you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to
the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to
give him thanks and praise.
It is
indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer
thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through your Son, Jesus Christ:
He is your eternal Son, living and reigning with you forever, your Truth, your Righteousness, the New Covenant. You put him forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, to set us free from our slavery to sin.
And so,
with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join
their unending hymn:
Holy,
holy, holy LORD, God of power and might!
Heaven
and earth are full of your glory;
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!
Hosanna in the highest! (Isaiah 6:3, Matthew 21:9)
The pastor leads the people in praying the
Eucharistic canon:
Holy
God, mighty Lord, gracious Father:
Endless is your mercy and eternal your reign.
You
have filled all creation with light and life;
heaven and earth are full of
your glory.
Through
Abraham you promised to bless all nations.
You rescued Israel, your chosen
people.
Through
the prophets you renewed your promise;
and, at this end of all the
ages, you sent your Son,
who in words and deeds
proclaimed your kingdom
and was obedient to your will,
even to giving his life.
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.
For
as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup
we proclaim the Lord's death
until he comes.
Christ has died. Christ is
risen. Christ will come again.
Therefore,
gracious Father, with this bread and cup
we remember the life our Lord
offered for us.
And, believing the witness of his resurrection,
we await his coming in power
to share with us the great and
promised feast.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Send
now, we pray, your Holy Spirit,
the spirit of our Lord and of his resurrection,
that we who receive the Lord's
body and blood
may live to the praise of your
glory
and receive our inheritance with
all your saints in light.
Amen. Come, Holy Spirit.
Join
our prayers with those of your servants
of every time and every place,
and unite them with the ceaseless petitions
of our great high priest until he comes as victorious
Lord of all.
Through
Him, with Him, in Him,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all
honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father,
now
and forever.
Amen
Christ is in our midst.
By the power of the
Spirit,
we pray to his
Father, saying:
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 (Matthew 6:9-15)
We adore Christ with the words of
the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God).
Who receives the Sacrament of Holy Communion
worthily?
Fasting and bodily preparation are in fact a fine external
discipline, but a person who has faith in these words,
‘given for you,’ and ‘shed for you for the forgiveness of sin,’
is really worthy and well prepared.
Small Catechism of Martin Luther
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
Grant us peace.
(John 1:29, see also Luke 17:13)
DISTRIBUTION
Admission to the Sacrament is by
invitation of the Lord, presented through the Church to those who are baptized.
They may receive the
Lord’s Body and Blood who are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit, who commune in their home churches, and who believe
that Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is truly present in, with, and under
the forms of bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.
The
communicants will be invited forward one family unit at a time. Please do not
come forward until the pastor directs you to come forward, do not approach all
the way to the table until the pastor has retreated, and please do not remove your mask until you
have reached the table with the elements on it.
When the pastor says ‘The body of Christ,
given for you,’ eat the bread. When the pastor says, ‘The blood of Christ, shed
for you,’ drink the wine. Please take
the plate and the glass(es) and place them on the table that is indicated.
Please put your mask on before returning to your seat.
Please meditate
on the text of the hymn as it is played.
Lord,
Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word
I.
Flor
Peeters
II.
Gerhard
Krapf
III.
Helmut
Walcha
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.
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.
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.
Text: Martin Luther, 1483-1546; tr. Catherine
Winkworth, 1827-1878, alt.
When all have
received, the congregation stands at the direction of the pastor.
The body and
blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
Amen
Lord, now you let your servant
go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the
salvation
which you have prepared in the
sight of every people:
A light to reveal you to the
nations
and the glory of your people
Israel.
Glory to the Father, and to
the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is
now,
and will be forever. Amen Song
of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32)
Almighty Father, you gave your Son
both as a sacrifice for sin and a model of the godly life.
Enable us to
receive him always with thanksgiving,
and to conform our
lives to his;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen
What is the meaning of ‘Amen?’
That I should be certain that such petitions
are acceptable to and
heard
by our Father in heaven, for he himself commanded us to pray
like this. ‘Amen, amen’ means, ‘Yes, yes, it
is going to come about
just like this.’
Small
Catechism of Martin Luther
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 X give you
peace.
Amen (Numbers 6:24-26)
DISMISSAL
Go
in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be
to God!
Sit
CLOSING MUSIC A Mighty
Fortress is Our God
Please maintain social distance and remain
masked while exiting the building. Please sanitize your hands before leaving
the building.
