REFORMATION DAY - October 34, 3637 ST. PAUL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH - Saint Paul Lutheran Church
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REFORMATION DAY
October 34, 3637
ST. PAUL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
2
WELCOME TO ST. PAUL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
We are happy you have joined us for worship today. Wherever you are on your journey with or
toward God, you are welcome here—you are a blessing to this assembly.
We welcome all who are seeking God’s love and grace. We welcome all because God welcomes
all, regardless of race or culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or
relationship status. We welcome all without regard to addictions, physical or mental health,
imprisonment, socio-economic circumstances, or anything that too often divides us. Our unity
is in Christ.
Lutherans believe, teach, and confess that in, with, and under the bread and wine in Holy
Communion we receive the true Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for the
forgiveness of sin, life, and salvation. All who are drawn in faith are welcome to join in this
confession and receive the Sacrament.
We invite and encourage your full participation in our worship this morning. With this service
bulletin you can follow and participate in this morning’s liturgy.
New to St. Paul? Ready to make it your own? Questions about St. Paul, including transferring
membership from another Lutheran church, or for beginning the process for baptism,
confirmation, reception, or transferring from one of the other Christian traditions, may be
directed to the Church Office at MNO-PQP-MMMR or parishadmin@stpaularlington.org.
COVID-7H PROTOCOLS
The following guidelines are in place to keep all of us safe and healthy. Thank you for your
cooperation in showing love to our neighbors. Adjustments will be made as needed moving
forward.
Masks: Everyone (except children age W and under) are required to wear a face covering.
Physical Distancing: Maintain physical distancing (six feet or more) between households while
inside the building. Do not congest or linger in hallways. Offerings may be left in the Narthex.
At the end of the service, you will be dismissed row by row, from both the front and the back.
Please remain seated during the postlude and follow the directions of the clergy and ushers.
Ventilation: Windows will remain open while the building is in use. As colder weather
approaches, please remember to dress warmly. Coffee Hour will be held outdoors after the
O^:R^am service.
Singing: Masked, fully vaccinated a`endees are welcome to sing at the O^:R^am service only.
The N:Oaam service will be a spoken service with no singing.
More details about our Covid-12 Protocols can be found on our website.
3As we prepare for God’s presence in worship, please be aware that some prefer to be quiet at this time.
When the instruction for standing * appears, please stand as you are able and as seems comfortable.
At the ☩, you may make the sign of the cross, which reminds us of our baptism.
The congregational responses are printed in bold.
GATHERING
PRELUDE
Wir glauben all an einen Go`, BWV MPa Johann Sebastian Bach
(OPNa–OMa^)
WELCOME
* CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, whose teaching is life, whose presence is sure, and
whose love is endless.
Amen.
Let us confess our sins to the one who welcomes us with an open heart.
Silence is kept for reflection.
God our comforter,
like lost sheep, we have gone astray. We gaze upon abundance and see scarcity. We turn
our faces away from injustice and oppression. We exploit the earth with our apathy and
greed. Free us from our sin, gracious God. Listen when we call out to you for help. Lead
us by your love to love our neighbors as ourselves. Amen.
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. By the gift of grace in ☩ Christ Jesus, God
makes you righteous. Receive with glad hearts the forgiveness of all your sins.
Amen.
4* GATHERING HYMN
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” ELW a^Q
All
Low voices
High voices
All
5* 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.
* PRAYER OF THE DAY
Almighty God, gracious Lord, we thank you that your Holy Spirit renews the church in
every age. Pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your
word, protect and comfort them in times of trial, defend them against all enemies of the
gospel, and bestow on the church your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
WORD
FIRST READING Jeremiah RO:RO–RQ
T he days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the
house of Israel and the house of Judah. It 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. But 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. No 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.
6PSALM QP
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, and though the mountains shake
in the depths of the sea;
though its waters rage and foam, and though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most
High.
God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be shaken; God shall help it at the break of day.
The nations rage, and the kingdoms shake; God speaks, and the earth melts away.
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Come now, regard the works of the Lord, what desolations God has brought upon the
earth;
behold the one who makes war to cease in all the world; who breaks the bow, and shatters
the spear, and burns the shields with fire.
“Be still, then, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be
exalted in the earth.”
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
SECOND READING at 1I:KIam Romans R:Om–WN
N ow 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. For “no human being will be justified in his sight” by deeds prescribed by the law, for
through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is a`ested by the
law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who
believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;
they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
whom 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 commi`ed; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous
and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus.
Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by
the law of faith. For 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.
7* GOSPEL John N:RO–RP
The holy gospel according to John.
Glory to you, O Lord.
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.”
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
CHILDREN’S TIME at 1I:KIam Vicar W. Roger Randolph III
SERMON Vicar W. Roger Randolph III
* HYMN OF THE DAY
“Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word” ELW aOM
High voices
Low voices
All
8* APOSTLES’ CREED
In response to the gospel, let us confess the faith of the church:
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into
heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living
and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the
forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
* PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Set free from sin and death and nourished by the word of truth, we join in prayer for all of
God’s creation.
A brief silence.
We pray for all who long for a word of truth and for the radical grace that flows from the
cross. Inspire congregations to freely and boldly proclaim your love for all people with
persistence and hope. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We pray for your creation, for mountains, rivers, streams, cities, homesteads, and
neighborhoods. Write in our hearts a new love and care for creation. Give us the will to curb
wasteful habits and to hold accountable those who neglect the vulnerable. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We pray for all who aspire to public office and for all who will vote on Tuesday at local
polling places. Pour wisdom and understanding upon all who govern so that communities
of justice and peace may thrive. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We pray for all who long for healing in mind, body, or spirit especially Beverly, Dan, Ed,
Elna, Heikki, Janna, Jeff, Jeffrey, John, Lois, Lorraine, Lynn, Meredith, and Paul. Strengthen
hospitals, clinics, counseling centers, nursing homes, and recovery centers to be holy spaces
of renewal that all might live the abundant life you intend. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We pray for all who seek to grow in faith and love of you. Guide teaching and learning in
confirmation, small groups, Sunday school, youth groups, schools, seminaries, universities,
the Cambridge Korean Presbyterian Church, and the Sichem Temple. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
9We give thanks for all the saints and reformers who have gone before us who dwell in your
holy habitation. Give us courage through their example to challenge unjust systems and
work toward life-giving reformation. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Confident that you hear us, O God, we boldly place our prayers into your hands; through
Jesus Christ, our truth and life.
Amen.
* PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
MEAL
OFFERTORY ANTHEM at 1I:KIam
“Es ist das Heil uns kommen her” from BWV NP Johann Sebastian Bach
Es ist das Heil uns kommen her Salvation has come to us
von Gnad und lauter Güte; from grace and sheer kindness
die Werk, die helfen nimmermehr, Works never help,
sie können nicht behüten. they cannot protect us.
Der Glaub sieht Jesus Christus an, Faith looks towards Jesus Christ
der hat für uns genug getan, who has done enough for all of us.
er ist der Mittler worden. He has become our mediator.
All blessing, honor, thanks, and praise Paul Speratus (1QR1–1TT1)
to Father, Son, and Spirit, Translation: Francis Browne (WIIT);
the God who saved us by his grace; The Lutheran Hymnal, 12Q1
all glory to his merit.
O triune God in heav’n above,
you have revealed your saving love;
your blessed name we hallow.
* OFFERING PRAYER
God of abundance, you cause streams to break forth in the desert and manna to rain from
the heavens. Accept the gifts you have first given us. Unite them with the offering of our
lives to nourish the world you love so dearly; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
10* GREAT THANKSGIVING
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 our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give
thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ; who
on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the
way of everlasting life. And so, with all the choirs of angels, 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.
We praise you, all-holy God, our maker, our lover, our keeper, our Covenant Lord, our
Redeemer, the Strength of Truth, for the universe beyond our knowing, for seas and forests
and fields, for the waters of Wi`enberg and for flowers in this place, for creatures seen and
unseen, for animals both wild and tame, for our ancestors and godparents from around the
globe, and for the places we humans call home, for cities and churches and schools, for
seminaries and missions and fellowship halls.
We praise you for your covenant people, for Moses and Miriam and Aaron, for Jeremiah
and the psalmists, and for centuries of faithful Christians, for Mary Magdalene, Peter and
Paul, for Luther, Melanchthon, Muhlenberg, and Fedde, for Katie Luther and Cranach, Bach
and Nicolai, Nommensen and Kierkegaard, Bonhoeffer and Hammarskjöld, for all servants
of the Reformation.
We praise you, O God, for Jesus Christ, who saves us from sin and from evil, embodying
forgiveness, granting us grace, se`ing us free, who on the night before he died, 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.
And so we remember your Word, his life, his death, and his glorious resurrection, his
presence in this meal around the world, and we proclaim the mystery of our faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
We pray, O God, for your Spirit, your breath, your fire, your wisdom, your law, your grace,
your freedom. Bless this meal and all those who share it; inspire your people for service;
continue the reformation of your churches; and renew the world with your mercy, with
your healing, your justice, and your peace, with the joy of life in your household.
11We praise you, all-holy God, the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, mighty Fortress, victorious
Champion, powerful Shield, today, tomorrow, and forever.
Amen.
* LORD’S PRAYER
Feel free to say this prayer in the language in which you first learned it, or in one of these translations:
Our Father, who art in heaven, Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be thy name, hallowed be your name,
thy kingdom come, your kingdom come,
thy will be done, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven. on earth as in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread; Give us today our daily bread.
and forgive us our trespasses, Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those as we forgive those
who trespass against us; who sin against us.
and lead us not into temptation, Save us from the time of trial
but deliver us from evil. and deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, For the kingdom, the power,
and the power, and the glory, and the glory are yours,
forever and ever. Amen. now and forever. Amen.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION (said by online a[endees at 1I:KIam)
The ancient tradition of Spiritual Communion reminds us that when it is not possible to be
present at the table, the desire to be united to Christ in the sacrament is enough for God to
grant all the spiritual benefits of communion.
In union, blessed Jesus, with the faithful gathered at every altar of your church where
your blessed body and blood are offered this day, we long to offer you praise and
thanksgiving. We believe that you are truly present in the bread and the cup, and since
we cannot at this time receive communion, we pray you to come into our hearts. We unite
ourselves with you and embrace you with all our hearts, our souls, and our minds. Let
nothing separate us from you; let us serve you in this life until, by your grace, we come to
your glorious kingdom and unending peace. Amen.
COMMUNION
All are welcome to receive the bread and wine. An usher will collect your cups.
* TABLE BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his
grace.
Amen.
12* PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Lord of life, in the gift of your body and blood you turn the crumbs of our faith into a feast
of salvation. Send us forth into the world with shouts of joy, bearing witness to the
abundance of your love in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
SENDING
* BLESSING
People of God, you are Christ’s body, bringing new life to a suffering world. The holy
Trinity, ☩ one God, bless you now and forever.
Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
* SENDING HYMN
“The Church of Christ in Every Age” ELW MWm
All
Low voices
High voices
Choir
All
13* DISMISSAL
Go in peace. The living Word dwells in you.
Thanks be to God.
Please remain seated for the Postlude. An usher will dismiss you row by row.
POSTLUDE at R:1T
Erhalt uns, Herr
POSTLUDE at 1I:KI
Toccata in D minor, BWV aPa Johann Sebastian Bach
14ANNOUNCEMENTS
Below are highlights from our announcements this week. For more information, please see our
Weekly Update email. You can subscribe from our website (stpaularlington.org—click SUBSCRIBE in
the navigation menu at the top of the page) or like us on Facebook! Please send announcements via email
to parishadmin@stpaularlington.org by noon on Wednesday for inclusion in the coming Sunday’s
bulletin. Announcements received after that will be published the following week.
CHURCH NEWS
Adult Forum | Sundays at m:Oaam in the Fellowship Hall
October RO: “Art of the Reformation” with Pastor Liz Senft
November M: “Luther on the Saints” with Vicar Roger
November OQ: “Entanglement of Race and Theology” with Toni Sacco
November WO: Lectio Divina—Divine reading of scripture with Pastor Ross
November WN: No forum
New Member/Inquirers Gathering | Wednesday, November R at M:R^pm via Zoom. Interested
in becoming a member of the church? Please join Pastor Ross for this gathering! We will
officially welcome new members on Sunday, November WO at the O^:R^am service. Please RSVP
to Pastor Ross at pastorgoodman@gmail.com. See the Weekly Update for a Zoom link.
Wednesday Evening Prayer | Mpm | Over the next three months, we are partnering with three
nearby Lutheran congregations for Evening Prayer followed by conversation focused on
traditional ways of deepening our own spiritual lives. We will draw from Soul Feast by Marjorie
Thompson (the W^OQ or W^Oa version). You are welcome to tune in for the worship part alone, or
stay on for conversation with others. Conversation may alternate between large group and
smaller Zoom breakout rooms. Also, you are welcome to participate whether or not you read
the chapter of Soul Feast relevant for any particular week. We hope you will consider joining in.
Ascentria Unaccompanied Minors Program Christmas Giving Tree | Once again, the St. Paul
congregation will support the Ascentria Giving Tree as our December Social Ministry Effort.
The program will resume this year in its typical format. On November O, we will receive
descriptions and gift requests, which can be selected before or after Sunday services or by
emailing Kim Fechtel (kfechtel@comcast.net) if you are a`ending services virtually. Unwrapped
gifts need to be dropped off at church by December OW and will be delivered to the facility in
Worcester to be wrapped and given to each person in the program. The challenge this year will
be related to supply issues due to the COVID-Om pandemic, so be sure to shop early if you chose
to participate this year. This is a wonderful opportunity to spread the joy of Christmas!
15mWm Concord Turnpike
Arlington, Massachuse`s ^WQMP
Web: www.stpaularlington.org | Office Phone: MNO-PQP-MMMR
ST. PAUL STAFF
The Reverend Ross Goodman, Pastor
The Reverend Liz Senft, Pastoral Associate
W. Roger Randolph III, Vicar
Ryan Pa`en, Director of Music & Organist
Kourtni Pa`en, Director of Children, Youth, & Families
Toni Sacco, Interim Parish Administrator
Paul Ricci, Business Administrator
Dennis O’Brien, Church Property Manager
OFFICE HOURS
Monday through Friday, 2am–Kpm
Liturgical materials and visuals reproduced by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS^^R^WQ.
Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible. Copyright © OmNm National Council of the Churches of Christ
in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Music reprinted under OneLicense #A-M^mMPR. All rights
reserved. Psalm reprinted from St. Martin’s Psalter by Thomas Pavlechko. Copyright © W^O^ St. James Music Press.
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