Festival of the Lutheran Reformation
October 31, 2021
Prayer Before Worship – O Lord, although You are rightfully angry with us on account of our sins, You have never deserted the human race. You have always preserved a church for Yourself among men who have looked to You for all blessings & comfort. You have been their dwelling & their refuge. Dear God, keep us & Your little flock, that we may escape the bitter wrath. May You find us among those who honor & serve Christ, gladly waiting for the judgment with the blessed at His right hand Amen. (Martin Luther)
Hymn 202
Invocation
Confession of sins, Hymn 305:1-2
Announcement of forgiveness, Hymn 305:3
Response Hymn 201 verse 1
Prayer: Hymn 203
Old Testament Lesson: Jeremiah 18:1-11
Reformation is God’s activity. It is spurred on by God’s call to repent, is needed because the pot was marred, and is successful when we are brought to faith.
This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” 3 So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. 4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. 5 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 6 “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. 7 If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, 8 and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. 9 And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, 10 and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it. 11 “Now therefore say to the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, ‘This is what the Lord says: Look! I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways, each one of you, and reform your ways and your actions.’
Hymn 201:2
Epistle: Revelation 14:6,7
The Gospel is eternal – we need not fear it will ever be lost. The Gospel is to be proclaimed to everyone. The Gospel is our reason to give God glory & worship Him. It rescues us from Judgment.
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 tribe, nation, 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 201:3
Gospel & Sermon Text: Mark 13:5-11
False teachers, wars, natural disasters & persecutions can all be overcome by us when we focus on Jesus’ promise of gospel proclamation & of the Holy Spirit’s help.
5 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. 9 “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
Sermon Theme: Some things don’t change
False teachers continue to deceive
The world continues to oppose
Hymn 201:4
Creed, Hymn 271(spoken)
Thankoffering. The members of St Paul’s have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this area & around the world. Visitors need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.
Prayer Hymn 205:1,2,4
Lord’s Prayer, Hymn 410(spoken)
Benediction Hymn 205:3
All our guests are welcome to worship Jesus the Savior with us again Graciously receive the greetings & introductions of our church family.