Reformation Sunday - Online Worship - October 25, 2020
“vs. 1
A mighty fortress is our God,
A sword and shield victorious;
He breaks the cruel oppressor’s rod
And wins salvation glorious.
The old satanic foe
Has sworn to work us woe!
With craft and dreadful might
He arms himself to fight.
On earth he has no equal.
vs. 4
God’s Word forever shall abide,
No thanks to foes, who fear it;
For God himself fights by our side
With weapons of the Spirit.
Were they to take our house,
Goods, honor, child, or spouse,
Though life be wrenched away,
They cannot win the day.
The Kingdom’s ours forever!”
Today, we celebrate anew God’s faithfulness, our Mighty Fortress, transforms us, reforms us, changes us, one and all, to be signs of love once again, in God’s saving grace, so we worship in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen. Though the earth changes, the mountains shake, the waters roar, our faith rests in the river whose stream is God! We forever live in Christ alone!
“In Christ alone
My hope is found,
He is my light,
My strength,
My song;
This cornerstone,
This solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest
Drought and storm.
What heights of love,
What depths of peace,
When fears are stilled,
When strivings cease.
My Comforter,
My all in all,
Here in the love of Christ
I stand.”
People of God: The nations are in uproar and the kingdoms totter. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins and those times we have failed to trust the unchanging grace of Christ alone. (silence for reflection) Friends in faith: Sing anew, trust anew, live anew; for your light and life are forever in the grace of God’s Almighty Word!
“God, whose almighty word,
Chaos and darkness heard,
And took their flight:
Hear us, we humbly pray,
And where the Gospel day,
Sheds not its glorious ray,
Let there be light!
”
Friends in Christ: trust anew, The Sign Of Love and God’s grace change everything: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. The Son has made you free; you are free indeed; we will not be shaken. We are transformed: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty!
“vs. 1
Praise to the Lord,
The Almighty,
The King of creation!
O my soul, praise him,
For he is your health
And salvation!
Let all who hear,
Now to his temple
Draw near,
Joining in glad adoration!
”
Friends reformed in grace: God is exalted in all the earth. God has changed what was, into what is. We are signs of love, forever changed. Believe anew in God’s grace alone!
“Ev’ry promise we can make,
Ev’ry prayer and step of faith,
Ev’ry diff’rence we will make
Is only by His grace.
Ev’ry mountain we will climb,
Ev’ry ray of hope we shine,
Ev’ry blessing left behind
Is only by His grace.
refrain:
Grace alone
Which God supplies,
Wtrength unknown
He will provide.
Christ in us,
Our Cornerstone,
We will go forth in grace alone.
”
Almighty and loving God, we praise you, for all good gifts around us, are sent from heaven above. As we celebrate Reformation Sunday, give us faith to trust anew you are The One who entrusts us with your grace, you change Your Church, you change our hearts to be signs of love, you change the path to salvation, you change everything; as we believe anew in the greatest reformation of all: we love because you first loved us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” 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’?” Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”
(New Revised Standard Version)
JEREMIAH 31:31-34; ROMANS 3:19-28; JOHN 8:31-36
Some things change all the time. The time is now for a change. Long ago, the time was now for a change as well; a change in how God’s Church, did Church, was Church. God has never changed. There has never been a change in God’s gift of freedom, in God’s Word as truth, in the hope of mercy and salvation, or in God’s grace. God’s grace changes everything, and yet, God’s grace never changes. How God’s promise and power and presence come to us is done in ever changing ways. Freedom, truth, mercy and salvation, and even God’s treasured grace used to come in The Law. As God witnessed his people struggling, God decided to reform, to change, how he gave his signs of love. Jesus dies, rises again, graces us, saves us, changes us, reforms us, transforms us, completely, eternally. God’s Son, his perfect Sign Of Love, changes us, setting us free, free indeed, in God’s saving grace!
1. God’s grace, his signs of love, change The Church. God’s Church needs God’s grace. God’s Church is called to trust we are entrusted with signs of love, with God’s grace! Romans 3:24,27-28; John 8:36
A. God’s grace, his signs of love, invite us to see God forever reforming God’s Church, God’s ministries, God’s people!
B. God’s grace, his signs of love, call, empower, reform, free, give and equip God’s Church, God’s people, to give, to proclaim, to be bold, to welcome all who long to be free, to be free indeed!
2. God’s grace, his signs of love, change God’s people, God’s Church. God’s grace, his signs of love, change us, reform us, one and all, to change everything in grace!
Jeremiah 31:31-34; Romans 3:27-28; John 8:33-36
A. God’s grace, his signs of love, reform us, restore us, redeem us, renew us, reconcile us. We are Jesus’ neighbors, his brothers and sisters. We love because God first loved us!
B. God’s grace, his signs of love, change us, to be signs of love, to be change, to love The Lord and our neighbor.
i. God’s grace changes us to think anew, to act anew, to believe anew, to trust anew, all God’s grace entrusts to us!
ii. God’s grace is moving in us and through us, with the power of one believer, one encounter, at a time.
C. God’s grace, his signs of love, free us. God in grace is counting on us, to be change, to let our light, The Light, shine before others!
3. Long ago, The Reformation changed how people lived out life in The Church. From eternity, for eternity, God’s grace, his signs of love, continue to reform, reshape, change God’s people and God’s Church. God loving us has changed everything! The Holy Spirit and God’s grace have forever changed us, one and all!
Jeremiah 31:31-34; Romans 3:23-24; John 8:31-36
God’s grace is never changing, yet, Jesus Christ, God’s perfect sign of love, God’s grace, changed bondage into freedom, sin into forgiveness, death into life, weakness into power, helplessness into hope, changing forever the gift of salvation!
God’s grace, his signs of love, have forever changed you! Trust God’s grace,
passion, devotion, and desire for you will never, ever, change!
Offering is available for our indoor services. Find a Lord of Life with a volunteer bucket to deposit offering in person as you leave worship today. If you find yourself wanting to offer your gifts to Lord of Life, you can do so online using the link below. You can also drop offering at anytime in our secure mailbox at Lord of Life located in the parking lot.
“vs. 1
Just as I am,
Without one plea,
But that thy blood
Was shed for me.
And that thou bidd’st me
Come to thee,
O Lamb of God,
I come,
I come.
vs. 2
Just as I am,
And waiting not,
To rid my soul
Of one dark blot,
To thee,
Whose blood can
Cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God,
I come,
I come.
refrain:
I come broken
To be mended;
I come wounded
To be healed.
I come desperate
To be rescued;
I come empty
To be filled.
I come guilty
To be pardoned
By the blood
Of Christ the Lamb,
And I’m welcomed
With open arms,
Praise God,
Just as I am.
”
...as we pray to you, Jesus,
We trust anew, your signs of love and grace change everything.
All these things and whatever else you see we need, grant to us we pray, for into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Holy Communion will take place after the singing of “Better Is One Day.” If you are not worshipping with us in person but would like to receive Communion, we will be offering Drive Through Communion at our building at 16200 Dodd Lane, Lakeville, Minnesota, following our indoor service. Drive Through Communion will be available between 10:15am & 10:30am.
In order to better serve you in this troubling times, the way we receive Communion has changed slightly. You will be offered a self-contained Communion serving. Each capsule has two layers. The first layer is a thin, clear, cellophane layer which reveals the host. Under the second layer you will find the alcohol free juice. Volunteers will be happy to take you waste after you receive Communion.
The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
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.
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, as you trust anew every sign of God’s unchanging love changes everything, each of us, in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. In the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Let us go in the reforming peace of Christ, celebrating the transforming love of God, and as signs of love, serving in new ways, The Lord of life.
Thanks be to God!
“vs. 1
Great is Your
Faithfulness, oh God.
You wrestle
With the sinner’s
Restless heart.
You lead us
By still waters
Into mercy,
And nothing
Can keep us apart.
So remember
Your people,
Remember
Your children,
Remember
Your promise,
Oh God.
refrain 1:
Your grace is enough,
Your grace is enough,
Your grace is enough for me.
Your grace is enough,
Your grace is enough,
Your grace is enough for me.
bridge:
So remember
Your people,
Remember
Your children,
Remember
Your promise,
Oh God.
refrain 2:
Your grace is enough,
Your grace is enough,
Your grace is enough for me.
Your grace is enough,
Heaven reaches out to us.
Your grace is enough for me.
God I see Your grace is enough;
I’m covered in Your love,
Your grace is enough for me, for me.
”
At this time we will transition to offering Holy Communion. As a reminder, to better serve you in this troubling times, the way we receive Communion has changed slightly. You will be offered a self-contained Communion serving. Each capsule has two layers. The first layer is a thin, clear, cellophane layer which reveals the host. Under the second layer you will find the alcohol free juice. Volunteers will be happy to take you waste after you receive Communion.
Upon leaving your seats and receiving Communion, we ask that you please leave the building and return to your vehicles.
For your safety and the safety of our community, we ask that once you leave your seated area and return to your vehicles that you avoid congregating near your vehicles.
We will continue to sing songs during Communion, and you are welcome to leave at any time. Drive Through Communion will begin at 10:15 and run until 10:30.
“We believe in God the Father.
We believe in Jesus Christ.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
And He’s given us new life.
We believe in the crucifixion.
We believe that He conquered death.
We believe in the resurrection,
And He’s coming back again.
Let the lost be found,
And the dead be raised,
In the here and now,
Let love invade.
Let the Church live loud!
Our God will save.
We believe!
We believe!
And the gates of hell
Will not prevail,
For the pow’r of God
Has torn the veil.
Now we know Your love
Will never fail.
We believe!
We believe!
We believe in God the Father.
We believe in Jesus Christ.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
And He’s given us new life.
We believe in the crucifixion.
We believe that He conquered death.
We believe in the resurrection,
And He’s coming back.
He’s coming back again.
He’s coming back again.
We believe! We believe!
”
“vs. 1
Freedom is coming,
Freedom is coming,
Freedom is coming,
Oh, yes, I know.
Freedom is coming,
Freedom is coming,
Freedom is coming,
Oh, yes, I know.
refrain:
Oh, yes, I know,
Oh, yes, I know,
Oh, yes, I know,
Oh, yes, I know.
Oh, yes, I know,
Oh, yes, I know,
Oh, yes, I know,
Oh, yes, I know.
vs. 2
Jesus is coming,
Jesus is coming,
Jesus is coming,
Oh, yes, I know.
Jesus is coming,
Jesus is coming,
Jesus is coming,
Oh, yes, I know.
(refrain)
”
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Join us next Sunday, November 1, as we celebrate All Saints’ Day, “Signs of Love … Set Apart!” We will celebrate with Christians around the world, and share a special time remembering loved ones who have gone before us to join the company of saints in the full glory of heaven. You are invited to submit names of loved ones to be read as part of the day’s morning prayers. A reminder to turn your clocks back one hour next Sunday!
Worship next Sunday to include a Children’s Message, a Sermon from Pastor Jamie
and a special time of prayer remembering all the saints! Worship to be 30 minutes, and to conclude with Holy Communion!
As we share worship in this new way, we are seeking volunteers to assist
with greeting, ushering, serving communion, live streaming, AV ministry, set up, clean up, worship leaders, and more! You can access details and ways to sign up on our website and Facebook page! Thank you!
Friends, today as always, all who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are welcome to God’s table of grace as we share Holy Communion. Communion will be offered to you following the closing song as you exit the sanctuary, as we share pre-packaged single servings of communion, including a wafer and grape juice. Carefully pull back the first tab to expose the host, the body of Christ, given for you; then pull back the second tab to expose the blood of Christ, shed for you! Please ask for assistance or clarification as you are served!
For those sharing their generosity today, we thank you for your faithful giving! Offering is collected in baskets by the ushers as you exit the sanctuary. For those who wish to volunteer to serve on future Sundays, please see the Signup Genius links in the LINK, and on our Facebook page. Thank you for giving in this blessed way!
For those who are not able to join us for worship, you are invited to receive drive-through communion, available Sundays, 10:15-10:30 a.m. at the front curb near the church entrance.
We hope having the service provided for you in this way, will touch you, comfort you,
reassure you, and grace you in some way! If you believe others you know would be blessed to receive this bulletin, the sermon notes, or our live stream links, please forward these to them.
In this time of social distancing, please trust that we are committed to doing everything possible to slow the spread of the coronavirus, and yet, please also trust that we are equally committed to keeping us socially and spiritually connected! On behalf of the Kingdom of God, thank you for the ways you make God and neighbor first!
A most holy and blessed Sunday to each of you and your loved ones! From everyone on every level of leadership and service, please know during these days,
days filled with new opportunities, possibilities, information to process and evaluate, and yet, still so many questions, we continue to pray for you and to give thanks to God for each of you! Please contact Pastor Jamie if he can serve you in any way: jamie.thompson@lordoflifemn.org
We pray The Holy Spirit breathes anew on us to be God’s people and to be God’s Church, as together we make known and we trust anew God’s gifts of hope, peace, justice, clarity, calm, and comfort forever break forth in new ways for you and your loved ones, today, and as we share every sign of God’s love and grace!
Acknowledgments for today’s service include:
Acknowledgments for today’s service include: Litany Trusting God’s Signs of Love – written based on Psalm 46. “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” “God, Whose Almighty Word” “Praise to the Lord” © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) and With One Voice Hymnal Supplement © 1995 Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis & Board of Publication, Lutheran Church In America, Philadelphia; and Evangelical Lutheran Worship © 2006 by Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, MN. Used with permission. “Prayer of The Day,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction,” based on the LBW. “Freedom Is Coming” © 1999 This Far by Faith; An African American Resource for Worship, Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Used with permission. “In Christ Alone” © 2002 Thankyou Music CCLI #3350395 “Grace Alone” © 1998 Maranatha! Music, CCLI #2335524 “Just As I Am” © 2009 CCTB Music CCLI #5635850 “Your Grace Is Enough” © 2003 Thankyou Music CCLI #4477026 “We Believe” © Integrity Worship Music, CCLI #6367165 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.