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Reformation Sunday

Kurt Christenson

Sunday, October 26, 2025

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Prelude

A Mighty Fortress is Our God Ein' Fest Burg

setting by Eleanor Whitsett

Welcome & Announcements

-Sola Gratia-

*Confession & Forgiveness

Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, our maker, our helper, and our keeper.

Amen.

Trusting in God’s mercy, let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Merciful and loving God,

we are your stiff-necked people. We trample on the needy.

We grumble about your grace to others. We turn away from the poor. Have mercy on us and forgive our sins. Rejoice over us as ones who were lost and have been found. Amen.

Even when we are faithless, God remains faithful.

Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.

You who were lost have been found.

In the name of Jesus, your sins are forgiven!

Amen.

*Gathering Hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

*Prayer of the Day

Gracious Father, we pray for your holy catholic church. Fill it with all truth and peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it; where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in need, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

A Mighty Fortress verses 3-4

3
Though hordes of devils fill the land
all threat'ning to devour us,
we tremble not, unmoved we stand;
they cannot overpow'r us.
Let this world's tyrant rage;
in battle we'll engage!
His might is doomed to fail;
God's judgment must prevail!
One little word subdues him.

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!

-Sola Scriptura-

Old Testament Reading Jeremiah 31:31-34

31 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32 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. 33 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. 34 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.

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God

Psalm 46

repeat refrain after cantor

1 God is our ref- | uge and strength,

a very present | help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the | earth be moved,

and though the mountains shake in the depths | of the sea;

3 though its waters | rage and foam,

and though the mountains tremble | with its tumult.

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the cit- | y of God,

the holy habitation of | the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall | not be shaken;

God shall help it at the | break of day.

6 The nations rage, and the | kingdoms shake;

God speaks, and the earth | melts away. / R

7 The Lord of | hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob | is our stronghold.

8 Come now, regard the works | of the Lord,

what desolations God has brought up- | on the earth;

9 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.

10 “Be still, then, and know that | I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted | in the earth.”

11 The Lord of | hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob | is our stronghold. / R

The Epistle Lesson Romans 3:19-28

19 Now 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. 20 For no human will be justified before him by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.

21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed and is attested by the Law and the Prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23 since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24 they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; 26 it was to demonstrate at the present time his own righteousness, so that he is righteous and he justifies the one who has the faith of Jesus.

27 Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. Through what kind of law? That of works? No, rather through the law of faith. 28 For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

*Gospel Acclamation

congregation repeats alleluia after the cantor’s lead then repeats after the cantor’s verse.

If you continue in my word, you are truly | my disciples,* and you will know the truth, and the truth will | make you free. (John 8:31-32)

*Gospel John 8:31-36 Glory to you O Lord

31 Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” 33 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’?”

34 Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. 36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

-Sola Fide-

Sermon Pastor Kurt Christenson

*Hymn of the Day Rise, Shine, You People

*Exchange of Peace

*Prayers of Intercession

Response to each petition:

God of grace, receive our prayer.

*Apostle’s Creed

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 to the dead. 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.

Offering

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Text “Give” to (866) 870-5222

Offering Music Grace Alone by Scott Wesley Brown

sung by Choir with Jan Neuhaus

Offering Prayer

Lord of the harvest, we return to you a portion of what you have given to us. Turn us to set our hope not on the uncertainty of riches, but on you, who richly provides for us. Multiply what we have gathered to bless all who are suffering and in need, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

-Solus Christus-

*The 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.

*Preface

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:

*Sanctus

*Eucharistic Prayer

On the night our Lord Jesus was betrayed, …

Remembering, then, his death and resurrection, we take this bread and cup, giving you thanks that you have made us worthy to stand before you and to serve you as your priestly people.

Send your Spirit upon these gifts of your church; gather into one all who share this bread and wine; fill us with your Holy Spirit to establish our faith in truth, that we may praise and glorify you through your Son Jesus Christ; through whom all glory and honor are yours, almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy church, both now and forever.

Amen.

*The Lord’s Prayer

Lord, remember us in your Kingdom and teach us to pray:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

Agnus Dei Lamb of God

Communion Distribution

Communion Hymn Amazing Grace

1 Amazing grace! how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like

me. I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.

2 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!

3 Through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come;

'tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.

4 The Lord has promised good to me; his word my hope secures;

he will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.

5 When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we've no less days to sing God's praise than when we'd first begun.

Text: John Newton, 1725-1807, alt., sts. 1-4; anonymous, st. 5

*Communion Blessing and Prayer

O God, through this meal you have strengthened us and appointed us to be your servants. Send us to do good and to share our possessions with all in need. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

*Sending Hymn Soli Deo Gloria