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Reformation Journeys 3

November 12, 2017

Welcome - Hand of Friendship

Opening Hymn Praise to the Lord, The Almighty LSB 790 vs. 1-3

Invocation, Confession and Assurance of Forgiveness (portions of Psalm 47)

P: We gather in the name and at the invitation of our great and gracious Triune God: C: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

P: Clap your hands, all you nations! C: Shout to God with cries of joy!

P: How awesome is the Lord, Most High, C: the great King over all the earth.

P: Sing praises to God, sing praises! C: Sing praises to our King, sing praises!

P: For God is the King of all the earth; C: Sing to Him a psalm of praise!

P: “Come, follow Me” says Jesus, our Lord. C: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”

P: As many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. C: Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.

P: Let us confess our sins to God, our merciful Father.

C: O God, our heavenly Father, we confess to You that we have sinned against You in

many ways. We have not walked in Your way. We have not followed Your

Commandments. We confess our sins and ask Your forgiveness. Have mercy on us,

and for the sake of Your dear Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, forgive our sins, and help

our infirmities. Amen.

(silence for meditation)

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P: God has promised His merciful forgiveness to those who repent of their sins and turn

to Him for forgiveness. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority,

I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of

the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen. Thank You Father for the grace that comes through Christ our Lord! Amen!

Hymn Praise to the Lord, The Almighty LSB 790 vs. 4-5

Sequence 1: Music

R 1: There is no way to discuss and experience Martin Luther and the Reformation

heritage we celebrate without including a musical component. From his childhood on, Martin Luther’s world always included music. In his day, music was part of a balanced education. It was also a prime part of family entertainment, as singing with family members or even singing with friends and neighbors while out visiting was a common source of enjoyment.

R 2: At one time, after having enjoyed some singing in the home of a friend, Luther

expressed his devotion to music in this way, “Music is an outstanding gift of God and next to theology. I would not want to give up my slight knowledge of music for a great consideration. And youth should be taught this art; for it makes fine, skillful people.” Luther made sure that his family engaged in musical activities on a regular basis. Along with guests, family members were given parts to sing in musical pieces that ranged from Gregorian chants to polyphonic compositions. The beloved Christmas song “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come” was first presented as part of a household Christmas celebration at the Luther home in Wittenberg.

R 1: For Luther, the enjoyment of music was very personal. At a point later in his life he

observed, “Singing is the finest art and practice. He who is singing has no quarrel with the world and is not concerned with contentions in a law court. Singers are neither worried nor sad but shake all care from their souls.” He observed that only humans are given the combination of language and song, which gives them the ability to praise God with both word and music.

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R 2: Luther felt that being accomplished in music was beneficial for all students and especially appropriate for Lutheran clergy. Summing up his feelings, he stated, “I always loved music; whoso has skill in this art, is of a good temperament, fitted for all things. We must teach music in schools; a schoolmaster ought to have skill in music, or I would not regard him; neither should we ordain young men as preachers, unless they have been well exercised in music.” The development of music as something to be shared with all of God’s people is a major part of our Reformation treasury.

N T Lesson (An eternal call to worship) Revelation 14:6–7 6 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. 7 He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

Hymn New Doxology

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow - Praise Him all creatures here below

Praise Him ye heavenly host - Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Let earth and heavenly saints proclaim - The power and might of His great Name

Let us exalt on bended knee - Praise God, the Holy Tri- ni- ty

Chorus

Praise God, praise God, praise God, Who saved my soul

Praise God, praise God, praise God from Whom all blessings flow

Praise to the King, His throne transcends - His crown and Kingdom never end

Now and throughout eternity - I'll praise the One Who died for me

Chorus

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Sequence 2: Worship

R 1: Worship at its best was a continuing objective for Martin Luther, who was actually

a very conservative reformer. In presenting the Formula Missae in 1523, he stated,

“It is not now, nor has it ever been, in our mind to abolish entirely the whole formal

cultus [that is, the worship] of God, but to cleanse that which is in use, which has

been vitiated by most abominable additions, and to point out a pious use.” Luther

was not one who was simply out to destroy what was used in the Church; rather, he

sought to rebuild the worship of God’s people on solid foundations. Gifted as both

a lyricist and a composer, Luther made the publication of basic hymnals, which

included the changes he pioneered, a priority. Our customary Lutheran orders of

service strongly reflect the landmark work done by Luther in the 1520s.

R 2: Luther sought a balance between the traditional expression of the Church, which

used Latin and Greek set to ancient chant forms, and the new use of German, the

common language of the people, in settings that more closely resembled the

popular music and folk treasury known by the worshiping assemblies. His prime

concern was that the music serve the Gospel message. In a writing titled Concerning

the Order of Public Worship, he wrote, “Let everything be done so that the Word [of

God] may have free course.” Luther was called on not only to supply orders of

worship and hymns, but he also was used as a consultant for the creation of worship

spaces that reflected the new Gospel spirit of the Reformation. Luther and those

associated with him at Wittenberg wanted to be sure that God’s people would hear

of God’s grace again and again in word and in song.

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N T Lesson (We are alive in Christ.) Colossians 2:6–10

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. Message Hymn Oh, That the Lord Would Guide My Ways LSB 707

Sermon With Power From On High

Holy Gospel (Christ ascends and His people worship.) Luke 24:36–53

36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to

them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a

ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have

flesh and bones, as you see I have.” 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands

and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked

them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43

and he took it and ate it in their presence. 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you

while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law

of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could

understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer

and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will

be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of

these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city

until you have been clothed with power from on high.” 50 When he had led them out to

the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them.

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51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they

worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually

at the temple, praising God.

The business of the church is:

1. __________________ the Gospel

2. __________________ to the Gospel

3. to be ________________ ____ ______________ from on high resulting in:

a. joy in ___________________ and

b. praise in _________________________ God’s goodness!

Creed Small Catechism Explanation to 3rd Article

C: 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.

P: What does this mean?

C: I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus

Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the

Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true

faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the

whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the

one true faith. In this Christian Church He daily and richly forgives all my

sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me and all

the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is

most certainly true.

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Offering Offertory Make Me a Channel of Your Peace (Choir 10:30)

Prayers of the Church After each petition

P: Lord, have mercy C: hear our prayer.

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.

Sequence 3: Reformation Journeys Destinations

R 1: There are many places in the life of Luther that are associated with music and

worship. Much of his adult life in Wittenberg was saturated with music as it became

a vehicle for sharing the Gospel truths. We are wisely told, however, that the child

is the father of the man and to share in a childhood experience of music by Luther,

it is important to visit the city of Eisenach, where young Martin was a student

beginning in 1498. Because of his childhood experiences there, he was able to call

Eisenach his “dear city.” One of the ways that students literally “earned their bread”

during their years of schooling was to “sing for their supper” in the streets of the

city. Luther was fortunate in finding free lodging at the home of the Cotta family,

which has now been reconstructed, and was able to earn his board from the

merchant Schalbe family in exchange for being a tutor for their son.

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Luther’s early days were taken up in his schoolwork and in attending worship at St.

George’s Church in the center of Eisenach. Later in his life, Luther would return to

Eisenach under very different circumstances. After the Diet of Worms in 1521,

Luther was considered to be an outlaw and could have been apprehended or even

killed on sight. To protect him, Duke Frederick had him waylaid and taken to

Wartburg Castle. While in seclusion there, Luther set himself to the task of

translating the Bible into German, the language of the people. Working tirelessly in

his room, Luther completed the New Testament before returning to Wittenberg.

Today, the Wartburg is one of the most visited Luther sites in Germany.

R 2: Another important site for the understanding of Luther is the city of Torgau on the

Elbe River. During the era in which Luther lived, Torgau was a very important place.

It was a residence of the regional elector, whose importance was reflected in the

imposing Hartenfels Castle. The castle was an imposing structure, with a great

courtyard and grand architectural details. What is most notable about Torgau is that

it was here, on October 5, 1544, that Martin Luther consecrated the newly

remodeled castle chapel. He had helped redesign it so that it reflected the worship

practices of the emerging Lutheran Church. Lutheran visitors today make a point of

visiting the Katharina Haus, where Luther’s wife lived in Torgau, which is now a

museum, and the City Church of St. Mary, where her grave is located. The church

dates back to the year 1119 and will soon celebrate its 900th anniversary. Torgau is

one place where many of the sites that Martin Luther personally saw can be viewed

by those who follow in his footsteps.

R 1: Before ending our Reformation journey to locations closely associated with Martin

Luther and the first Lutherans, there are two more places that deserve mention. The

first of those is the city known as the “Bastion of Protestantism”—the city of

Magdeburg, a port on the Elbe River. For one year, from 1497 to 1498, Luther was

enrolled as a student in the school that was operated by a religious group known as

the Brethren of the Common Life.

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A city of great churches and monasteries, including the Cathedral of St. Mauritius

and St. Catherine, and the Cloister of the Blessed Virgin, the atmosphere there must

have made a great impression on the teenager. Years later, in 1524, the mayor of

the city invited Luther to preach here, which he did at the end of June. His Gospel

message was so well received at St. John’s Church and at other places where he

preached, that the town whole-heartedly embraced the teachings of Luther. The

date of his compelling sermon, June 26, is still marked in the city each year, and his

statue stands in front of the St. John’s Church to this day.

R 2: The spirit of Luther and his associates is found in many places in Luther Country.

Perhaps one of the very best places to catch that spirit of faith and fortitude is in the

town of Schmalkalden in Thuringia. Luther visited this beautifully preserved

medieval city many times. In February 1537, he met with an association of sixteen

Protestant princes sworn to uphold one another in their confession of faith. He

prepared for the meeting in a room in the St. George Church, which now serves as

a museum. The articles he presented to the assembly, known as the Smalcald

Articles, are included in the Book of Concord as part of the Lutheran Confessions.

Luther saw this work as his “last will and testimony,” saying, “I have decided to

publish these articles in plain print in case I should die before there would be a

council.” His preface to the work shows his sense of satisfaction that what he had

hoped for in bringing his reforms to Germany had to some degree become a reality.

He stated, “Our churches are now, through God’s grace, enlightened and equipped

with the pure Word and right use of the Sacraments, with knowledge of the various

callings and right works.” As heirs of Luther, Melanchthon, and so many more

dedicated and determined leaders, we thank God for the blessings we continue to

receive as we make our Reformation journeys in these days.

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The Service of the Sacrament

Preface page 194 in the hymnal

P: The Lord be with you.

C: ♪ And with thy spirit.

P: Lift up your hearts.

C: ♪ We lift them up unto the Lord.

P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C: ♪ It is meet and right so to do.

P: It is truly good, right, and salutary …. And with the host of heaven we sing:

Sanctus — Holy, Holy, Holy page 195 in the hymnal

C: ♪ Ho -ly, ho-ly, ho-ly Lord God of Sa - ba – oth. Heaven and earth are full of

Thy glory. Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He,

blessed is He, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.

The Words of Institution

Pax Domini—The Peace of the Lord page 197 in the hymnal

P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C: ♪ Amen.

Agnus Dei - Lamb of God page 198 in the hymnal

C: ♪ O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world;

have mercy on us.

O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world;

have mercy on us.

O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world;

grant us Thy peace. A - men

Distribution of Communion

Distribution Hymn Love Divine, All Loves Excelling LSB 700

How Beautiful (Choir 10:30)

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Nunc Dimittis page 199 in the hymnal

C: ♪ Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy Word,

for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before

the face of all people. A light to lighten Gentiles and the glory of Thy people

Israel. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it

was in the beginning, is now, and shall ever be, world without end. Amen.

Post Communion Collect

Almighty God, you have provided the true Bread from heaven, your Son,

Jesus Christ, our Lord. You have called Your servants to ventures of which

we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils

unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we

go but only that Your hand is leading us and Your love supporting us; Grant

that we who have received the Sacrament of His body and blood may abide

in Him and He in us, that we may know the blessings of peace and joy, now

and forevermore. Amen.

Benediction P: 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. C: Amen. Hallelujah, Amen! Hymn Now Thank We All Our God LSB 895

Announcements The Sending Postlude