Martin Luther’s
95 Theses (selected)
“In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
* WHEN OUR LORD AND MASTER JESUS CHRIST SAID ‘REPENT’ (Mt 4:17), HE WILLED THAT THE ENTIRE LIFE OF BELIEVERS BE ONE OF REPENTANCE
* Those who believe they can be certain of their salvation because they have indulgence letters will be eternally damned, together with their teachers.
* They preach only human doctrines who say that as soon as the money clinks into the money chest, the soul flies out of purgatory.
* ANY TRULY REPENTANT CHRISTIAN HAS A RIGHT TO FULL REMISSION OF PENALTY AND GUILT, EVEN WITHOUT INDULGENCE LETTERS.
* Any true Christian, whether living or dead, participates in all the blessings of Christ and the Church; and this is granted by God, even without indulgence letters.
* Christians are to be taught that he who sees a needy man and passes him by, yet gives his money for indulgences, does not buy papal indulgences, but God’s wrath.
* THE TRUE TREASURE OF THE CHURCH IS THE MOST HOLY GOSPEL OF THE GLORY AND GRACE OF GOD.
* Away with those prophets who say to the people of Christ, ‘Peace, peace,’ and there is no peace! (Jer 6:14)”Why Should We Still Observe
the Festival of the Lutheran Reformation in 2025?
Because we are Beneficiaries of the Reformation Legacy of
Faith Alone……Grace Alone……Scripture Alone
The year was 1517. The date, October 31. Five hundred eight years ago, a relatively unknown German monk set the religious and political world on its ear (without having intended to create an international furor). But to say that what resulted, namely the Lutheran Reformation (for which we will be thanking God this morning), all started with Martin Luther posting his 95 Theses against indulgences on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, would be a misstatement. In fact, the roots of the Lutheran Reformation are found in Luther’s study of the Holy Scriptures, begun nearly a decade earlier. It was there, literally sitting at the feet of Moses and the Prophets, of the Apostles and Evangelists, and of Christ Himself (just as we do today when we study the Scriptures), that Luther came to the realization that his Church had wandered far away from Gospel, and from many of the other precious truths of God’s Holy Word. What he discovered (or better, recovered) were the simple yet clear doctrines of the early Christian Church, doctrines given to the Church by Jesus Christ through His Apostles. With that thought in mind, this morning we will celebrate not the “birthday” of our Lutheran Church, but the “Restoration” of the Gospel to the Church through the God-given Lutheran Reformation. Ours, then, is not a “new” Church whose origin goes back to 1517; ours is the ancestor of the true Christian Church, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ, Himself, as the Cornerstone.
The portions of God’s Word around which this service of celebration and commemoration is framed, are a series of multiple Scripture Readings which concentrate on the “Triple Sole” of Biblical, Reformation-Lutheran doctrine (“Sole” means “Alone”): namely, 1) That our sins have been forgiven by God’s Grace alone; 2) That our doctrine/ teaching as Lutheran Christians is based on Scripture alone; and, 3) That salvation is received as a gift of God through Holy Spirit-given Faith alone in Jesus Christ as the true God, our Lord and Savior. In connection with the third “sole” of the Lutheran Reformation: that we are saved through faith alone in Christ (and not our works or merits), this Morning’s Sermon is based on Paul’s words from Galatians 5 through which he urges his readers (then and now) to stand solidly on the justifying truth of the Gospel as the foundation for our faith and the certainty of our salvation……and NOT to rely in any way for our security on our feelings, heritage, or efforts. Essentially, then, we’ll be contrasting the true doctrine of salvation by grace alone, through faith in the redemptive work of Christ alone, with the false (but very prevalent) doctrine of legalism. Legalism teaches that our salvation depends on what we do to please God and earn heaven. Legalism ultimately offers a message of hopelessness, given sinful man’s inability to live the absolutely perfect life that a holy God has every right to demand of us. Only through faith in Christ’s sinless life, lived for us, are sinners regarded as righteous in God’s sight. That is our Gospel!
Spread throughout our festival order of service this morning are a number of special “inclusions:” Psalm 46, one of Luther’s favorites, and on which our Closing hymn (also known as “the battle hymn of the Reformation”) is based, “A Mighty Fortress is our God.”
Today’s Confession and Absolution are also of Reformation-era vintage; they were written by Martin Luther himself, and were used originally as a means through which to offer private confession.
Our Hymn “Response to God’s Forgiveness” is also a Reformation era product. What we’ll be singing is a part of one of Lutheranism’s better known hymns, “Salvation Unto Us Has Come;” it was written by Paul Serratus in 1523, and was included in the first Lutheran Hymnal. It has been called “the true confessional hymn of the Reformation.” Its melody, incidentally, like that of “A Mighty Fortress” was first a German folk-tune.
Also, our Opening Hymn, “Lord Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word,” was written by Martin Luther toward the close of his life in 1541. It was originally titled, “A children’s hymn to be sung against the two arch-enemies of Christ and His holy Church: the Pope and the Turk.” It is widely thought that Luther wrote this 1541 hymn for a special service arranged in Wittenberg for prayer against the Turkish (Moslem) army threatening southeastern Europe.
Our final “special” component of this morning’s service is the Litany Prayer for the Church, built around the Lord’s Prayer.
PRE-SERVICE PRAYER In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen. My Heavenly Father, I thank You through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me through the night from all harm and danger. Keep me this day also, from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please you. Into Your hands I commend my body and soul and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.
The portions of God’s Word used in this worship flyer have been taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version Copyright 2019, The Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
Music and lyrics, as needed, are used with permission via OneLicense.net #A712831
Period For Silent Prayer Pre-Service Music
We Praise Our God
Welcome and Invitation to Worship
After which, at the Pastor’s invitation, the Congregation will rise for
The Invocation
We begin this service in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Psalm for Reformation Sunday Psalm 46
P: God is our refuge and strength, a Helper Who can always be found in times of trouble.
C: That is why we will not fear when the earth dissolves + and when the mountains tumble into the heart of the sea. + Its waters roar and foam. + The mountains quake when it rises.
P: There is a river – its streams bring joy to the city of God, to the holy dwelling of the Most High.
C: God is in her. She will not fall; + God will help her at daybreak.
P: Nations are in turmoil. Kingdoms fall. God raises His voice. The earth melts.
C: Come, look at the works of the LORD. + What a wasteland He has made of the earth.
P: He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
C: He shatters the bow. + He cuts up the spear. + He burns the
shields with fire.
P: Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted on the earth.
C: The Lord of Armies is with us; + the God of Jacob is a Fortress to us.
The Opening Hymn Hymn 203 “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word”
1 Lord, keep us steadfast in your Word; Curb those who by deceit or sword
Would seek to overthrow your Son And to destroy what he has done.
2 Lord Jesus Christ, your pow’r make known, For you are Lord of lords alone;
Defend your Christendom that we May sing your praise eternally.
3 O Comforter of priceless worth, Send peace and unity on earth.
Support us in our final strife, And lead us out of death to life.
after which the Congregation will rise as
We Make Confession Of Our Sins To God
Pastor: Beloved in the Lord, let us draw near to the Lord with sincere hearts and confess our sins to God, our Father, pleading that He might, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, grant us the forgiveness of all our sins.
Congregation: Miserable person that I am, I confess and lament to You, O most holy God, that I am a weak and sinful creature, guilty of every sin, of unbelief, and of blasphemy. I also confess that Your Word has not brought forth good fruit in me. I hear it, but do not receive it earnestly. I do not show works of love toward my neighbor. I am full of anger, hate, and envy. I am impatient, greedy, and bent on every evil. Therefore my heart and conscience are heavy. Lord, I ask You, free me from my sins, strengthen my faith, and comfort my weak conscience by Your divine Word, that I may obtain Your promised grace.
The Assurance of God’s Forgiveness
Pastor: Having just heard your sincere confession of sins and plea for pardon may these words of our Savior in Matthew 8:31comfort and encourage you: “It will be done for you as you believe.” And now, in the place of and according to the command of my Lord, Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. God be gracious unto you and strengthen your faith. Go in peace. Amen.
We Respond To God’s Forgiveness ….. by singing verses 1 & 8
Hymn 390 “Salvation Unto Us Has Come”
Salvation unto us has come By God’s free grace and favor
Good works cannot avert our doom, They help and save us never.
Faith looks to Jesus Christ alone, Who did for all the world atone
He is the one Redeemer.
All blessing, honor, thanks, and praise To Father, Son, and Spirit,
The God that saved us by His grace — All glory to His merit!
O Triune God in heaven above, You have revealed Your saving love,
Your blessed name be hallowed. Amen.
The Prayer For This Festival
O Lord God, heavenly Father, we pray that You would pour Your Holy Spirit into our hearts; keep us ever steadfast in Your grace and truth; protect and comfort us in all temptation; defend us against all the enemies of Your Word and Your name; and bestow upon all the Church militant Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, Who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, as the one true God, forever and ever. Amen.
After which the Congregation may be seated for
The Choral/Congregational
Selection for Today “Not Unto Us”
Congregation Not unto us, not unto us be glory, Lord.
Not unto us but to Your name be praise.
Not unto us but to Your name all honor be giv’n
For matchless mercy, forgiveness, and grace.
Choir By grace, by grace alone, alone by grace we stand
Among Your saints a joyful band; By grace, by grace,
O Lord we hymn Your holy name And sing Alleluia! Alleluia!
Congregation Amazing grace that chose us e’er the worlds were made;
Amazing grace that sent Your son to save;
Amazing grace that robed us in Your righteousness
And taught our lips to sing glory and praise.
Choir By grace, by grace alone, alone by grace we stand
Among your saints a chosen band; By grace, by grace
are we Your church, one family, Called by Your name blest sheep of Your own hand.
Congregation A faithful love that shepherded through faithless years;
Forgiving love that led us to Your truth;
Unyielding love that would not let us turn from You
But sent us forth to speak pardon and peace.
Choir By grace, by grace alone, alone by grace we stand
Among Your saints, a herald band; By grace, by grace,
O Lord, we run at Your command To bring Good News to ev’ry land.
We Hear God’s Word
Sola Gratia: By Grace Alone Psalm 103:8-13
8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in mercy. 9 He will not always accuse. He will not keep His anger forever. 10 He does not treat us as our sins deserve. He does not repay us according to our guilty deeds. 11 Yes, as high as the heavens are above the earth, so powerful is His mercy toward those who fear Him. 12 As distant as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our rebellious acts from us. 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
P: Salvation is by God’s grace alone! This was Martin Luther’s continuing refrain throughout his preaching and teaching, his writings and his hymns. Let us join him how in affirming:
C: “Grace consists in this, that God is merciful to us, shows Himself gracious for the sake of the Lord Christ, forgives all sins, and will not charge them against us for eternal death. This is grace: the forgiveness of sins for the sake of the Lord Christ, the covering up of all sins.”
Sola Fide: By Faith Alone Galatians 2:11-20
When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? “We who are Jews by birth and not `Gentile sinners’ know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified. “If, while we seek to be justified in Christ, it becomes evident that we ourselves are sinners, does that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! If I rebuild what I destroyed, I prove that I am a lawbreaker. For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.
P: Salvation becomes our own by faith alone and not by our own works or efforts! Luther compared faith to a hand which receives God’s gift of salvation in Christ:
C: “In what manner, then, do we lay hold of this treasure and gift? It is faith alone. It holds out the hand and opens the bag and is content to receive nothing but benefits. For as God, the Giver, moved by His love, bestows these blessings upon us, so we are the recipients through faith, which does nothing but accept the gift. For salvation is not of our doing and can’t be merited by our work.”
Sola Scriptura: By Scripture Alone John 5:24, 31-32, 37-40
24 Amen, Amen, I tell you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him Who sent Me has eternal life. He is not going to come into judgment but has crossed over from death to life…..31 “If I were to testify about Myself, My testimony would not be valid. 32 There is Another Who testifies about Me, and I know that His testimony about Me is valid……37 The Father Who sent Me—He is the One Who has testified about Me. You have never heard His voice or seen His form. 38 And you do not have His word remaining in you, because you do not believe the One He sent. 39 You search the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them. They testify about Me! 40 And yet you do not want to come to Me in order to have life.
P: Salvation is revealed to us by Scripture alone! Luther pointed out that nobody must stand above any part of Scripture with one’s own ideas:
C: “We should rather allow Scripture to rule and master us, and we ourselves should not be the masters, according to our own crazy heads, setting ourselves above Scripture.”
After which the Congregation will rise for
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. + And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; + Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost; + Born of the Virgin Mary; + Suffered under Pontius Pilate; + Was crucified, dead and buried; + He descended into hell; + The third day He rose again from the dead; + He ascended into heaven + And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; + From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. + I believe in the Holy Ghost; + The Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints; + The forgiveness of sins; + The resurrection of the body; + And the life everlasting. Amen.
after which the Congregation may be seated
The Children’s Lesson Ephesians 6:14
Stand firm, then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.
Do You Have The Right Belt On?
The Sermon Hymn Hymn 393 “If Your Beloved Son, O God”
1 If your beloved Son, O God, Had not to earth descended
And in our mortal flesh and blood Had not sin’s power ended,
Then this poor, wretched soul of mine In hell eternally would pine
Because of my transgression.
2 But now I find sweet peace and rest; Despair no more reigns o’er me.
No more am I by sin oppressed, For Christ has borne sin for me.
Upon the cross for me he died That, reconciled, I might abide
With you, my God, forever.
3 I trust in him with all my heart; Now all my sorrow ceases.
His words abiding peace impart; His blood from guilt releases.
Free grace through him I now obtain; He washes me from ev’ry stain,
And pure I stand before him.
4 All righteousness by works is vain; The law brings condemnation.
True righteousness by faith I gain; Christ’s work is my salvation.
His death, that perfect sacrifice, Has paid the all-sufficient price;
In him my hope is anchored.
5 My guilt, O Father, you have laid On Christ, your Son, my Savior.
Lord Jesus, you my debt have paid And gained for me God’s favor.
O Holy Spirit, Fount of grace, The good in me to you I trace;
In faith and hope preserve me.
The Pre-Sermon Greeting
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.
The Sermon Text based on Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
Stand firm, then, and do not be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
The Lutheran Reformation Is ALL
About Setting Sinners Free
following the Sermon the Congregation will rise for
The Post-Sermon Blessing
And now, to Him Who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom of priests to serve His God and Father — to Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen!
after which the Congregation will be seated as
We Offer Our Gifts and Prayers to the Lord
Our Offerings of Love to our Lord
We will be passing an offering plate through our chapel at this point. For those unable to worship with us in person, if you would like to participate in this offering, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) You can send a check (no cash) in the mail to Grace Lutheran Church (415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)
2) Or, go online to our website (www.gracelutherannwa.com) and use the giving option there.
As the offerings are brought forward, the Congregation rises
Our Prayers for Each Other
Included in our prayers today:
A Prayer of Thanksgiving on behalf of Robert and Brenda Bontke,
who will celebrate their wedding anniversary tomorrow;
and
A Prayer of Thanksgiving on behalf of Rachel and Dale Johannes, who
will celebrate their wedding anniversary this coming Saturday;
Also
A Prayer of Thanksgiving for Rudy and Marcia Ryskey who were united in
Christian marriage yesterday in Illinois;
and
A Prayer of Intercession on behalf of Carol Ruiz who will undergo
knee surgery tomorrow at Willow Creek Women’s Hospital in Fayetteville
Responsive Prayer for this Reformation Sunday
P: Dear Lord of all, we acknowledge our sin and our guilt before You, and our unworthiness to be considered Your very children; yet we call to You:
C: OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN
P: Men all around us have devised fables and lies instead of proclaiming Your truth; they have turned the hearts of many to follow Satan’s deceptions; yet among us, we pray,
C: HALLOWED BE THY NAME
P: Satan’s forces rise in rage against You and plot the overthrow of Your Church; they seek only our eternal loss and the damnation of all men; yet through the faithful preaching of Your Word to us and all men, may
C: THY KINGDOM COME
P: Heavenly Father, please hinder and frustrate all efforts to destroy Your Word and Your Church; with Your power and love turn everything for our good, according to Your holy purpose, so that
C: THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN
P: We come before You as beggars, needing the daily blessings of Your hands, that we may have food and shelter, prosperity and safety, health and comfort, and life itself; we plead with You now to continue our preservation:
C: GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD
P: Because we are all, by nature, sinful men and women, and because our sinful acts and thoughts have often worked against Your good will, give us also, Lord, and abundant portion of Christian love and spiritual maturity, that we may forgive those who sin against us:
C: AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US.
P: We are certainly no better and no more worthy of Your love than other men; but that we do not fall into sin that harms our faith and hinders Your work:
C: AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION
P: From this world free us, O Lord. Bring us safely through the temptations, through the lies of men, and through the efforts of a hostile world intent on destroying Your Church, built on Jesus Christ alone:
C: BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL
P: We come before You confidently, knowing that Your power has sustained the Church throughout the generations, and that You will continue to do so today. On this Reformation Sunday, we place our trust in You, with the full reliance that You will bless and protect and support Your Church, as You have promised, for Jesus’ sake:
C: FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY, FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.
We Leave With The Lord’s Blessing
The Benediction
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
The Lord look with favor upon you, and grant you His peace. Amen.
The Closing Hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott Ein gute Wehr und Waffen
Er hilft uns frei aus aller Not Die uns jetzt hat betroffen
Der alt böse Feind Mit Ernst ers jetzt meint
Groß Macht und viel List Sein grausam Rüstung ist
Auf Erd ist nicht seins gleichen
1 A mighty Fortress is our God, A trusty Shield and Weapon;
He helps us free from ev’ry need That hath us now o’ertaken.
The old evil Foe Now means deadly woe:
Deep guile and great might Are his dread arms in fight;
On earth is not his equal.
2 With might of ours can naught be done, Soon were our loss effected;
But for us fights the Valiant One, Whom God Himself elected.
Ask ye, Who is this?– Jesus Christ it is,
Of Sabaoth, Lord, And there’s none other God,
He holds the field forever.
3 Tho’ devils all the world should fill, All eager to devour us,
We tremble not, we fear no ill, They cannot overpow’r us.
This world’s prince may still Scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none, He’s judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him.
4 The Word they still shall let remain, Nor any thank have for it;,
He’s by our side upon the plain With His good gifts and Spirit.
And take they our life, Goods, fame, child, and wife,
Let these all be gone, They yet have nothing won:
The Kingdom ours remaineth. Amen.