THE ORDER OF WORSHIP FOR
REFORMATION SUNDAY
NOVEMBER 3, 2024
CHRIST THE KING LUTHERAN CHURCH
PASTOR: Rev. Harry M. Krolus
CHURCH: 410-356-3400 CELL: 410-707-7663
Church email: ctklclcms@yahoo.com
Church Web Site: ctklchurch.org
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WELCOME to everyone who is worshiping with us today. We are glad that you are here! We pray that your worship experience here at Christ The King is spiritually uplifting and rewarding. If you are visiting, please sign our guest book and introduce yourself to Pastor Harry.
(Please turn off all electronic devices before worship begins; or, if you are using a Bible app to enhance your worship experience or to use PayPal, please enable the do not disturb function on your phone.)
WORDS OF GREETING
THE EXCHANGE OF CHRISTIAN PEACE
REFORMATION TRIVIA
OPENING HYMN: 645 “Built On A Rock” (1-3)
THE INVOCATION
P. We begin this day of Reformation celebration in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C. Amen.
THE OPENING SENTENCES
P. Come to him a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
C. For it stands in Scripture: “See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
P. To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe:
C. “The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner,” and, “A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall.”
P. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you might proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
HYMN: 645 “Built On A Rock” (4-5)
THE PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord God, Creator of all, we gather to celebrate your ongoing reformation of us and our spirits. You have given us your Son that we may not die and you have given us your Word for nourishment. Give us the Spirit of freedom in your truth, that we may always stand firm on your Word of truth and always be bold in proclaiming it. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
A PSALMIC RESPONSE (Hymn 575, My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less)
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; No merit of my own I claim, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.
P. No one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is amazing in our eyes.
Where darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace;
In ev’ry high and stormy gale my anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.
P. Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods come, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock.
His oath, his covenant, his blood sustain me in the raging flood; When all supports are washed away, he then is all my hope and stay. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
When he shall come with trumpet sound, oh, may I then in him be found, Clothed in his righteousness alone, redeemed to stand before the throne! On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is
sinking sand.
THE CREED
P. Do you believe in God the Father?
C. Yes, I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
P. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
C. Yes, I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell, the third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
P. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?
C. Yes, I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
THE FIRST LESSON: Revelation 14:6-7
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. 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.”
THE SECOND LESSON: Romans 3:19-28
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished — he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.
HYMN: 657 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” (1-2)
THE GOSPEL LESSON: John 8:31-36
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
THE SERMON HYMN: 657 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” (3-4)
THE SERMON: “Truth Matters” Reflections Of Philip Melanchthon
THE OFFERING
AN OFFERING SONG (783)
Take my life, that I may be consecrated, Lord, to thee;
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use every pow’r as thou shalt choose.
A RESPONSIVE PRAYER
P. Christ has set us free! Rejoice in him!
C. O glorious Lord, our souls soar in joy to greet you.
P. Sing and dance, share the Good News of your faith. Use the liberty the Spirit gives.
C. As members of the family of God our lives are boundless. We proclaim and celebrate our acceptance into God’s house.
P. Christ has set us free. Call on his name in time of need.
C. He is truly our brother. To him we can take everything.
P. Let us bring our worries and doubts, our anger and grief, our sins of action and inaction.
C. We ask of Christ his comfort and grace for all that destroys us.
P. Let us bring our joys and blessings, fresh starts and beginnings, friends and family.
C. We offer thanks and praise and ask Jesus’ grace, so that our lives grow in love.
P. Let us offer up our joys and thankfulness, and tears and sorrows, our illnesses and pain. Especially this day we remember,———. Heavenly Father…
C. We come to Jesus for healing and security in a world of death. His love, grace, and salvation surround us.
P. Let us praise the Lord with up raised hands and voices. For he is God and he is with us, now and evermore!
C. Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise the Lord! Praise his name forever! Amen.
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.
THE THANKSGIVING
P. The Lord be with you.
C. And with you, his servant.
P. Lift up your hearts.
C. We lift them up to the Lord.
P. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C. To do so is both right and proper.
THE LORD’S SUPPER
We invite to the Lord’s Table all who have been baptized, accept the Bible as God’s authoritative Word, and believe that the body and blood of the risen Christ are really present in the bread and wine; given for the forgiveness of our sins. If you prefer the individual cup, please extend one index finger as your hands are folded on the altar railing. This will alert the communion assistants of your preference. Also, if for some medical reason you are not able to consume alcohol, grape juice is available in the individual cups. The grape juice is “red” while the wine is “white”.
THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION
THE WORDS OF INVITATION
P. The gifts of God for the people of God.
C. Amen.
THE DISTRIBUTION
HYMNS: 644 “The Church's One Foundation”
622 “Lord Jesus Christ, You Have Prepared”
728 “How Firm A Foundation”
THE FINAL BLESSING
P. The Light of freedom shines and gleams, a sight incredibly glorious.
C. Spirit and mind awake and sing, flowing with the soundless rush to greet the One who is the Truth, who is the Way to life.
P. Reformation has occurred and is occurring, as souls take flight to seek Christ’s light, and grace and love.
C. Rejoice! Rejoice! Our Savior is here! He is Light, and Life, and Freedom!
P. Praise the Lord; he has delivered his people.
C. Blessed be God!
P. The Lord blesses us and keeps us.
C. He encompasses us, yet releases us.
P. He baptizes us in his grace and peace.
C. He sets us free!
P. Go and serve the Lord with joy. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C. Amen. Thanks be to God!
CLOSING HYMN: 715 “Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me”
