Reformation Sunday

Order of Worship

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Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

Father, help us to fear, love, and trust in you above all things, calling upon your name in every trouble, praying, praising, and giving thanks at all times for all things. May our lives be like those of angels who fly about the globe, proclaiming the eternal gospel of salvation. Give our missionaries and ministry partners success in proclaiming your message of salvation. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Jesus, we are still faced with troubles in the process of reforming the Church. Things that were once considered true because they are the testimony of Scripture, are now cast aside in favor of personal and public opinion. The troubles that once came from outside adversaries now also come from within. We must reform ourselves. Never before has the old adage been truer than it is now in Lutheran churches: semper reformanda. The church must be always reforming. Because you are with us, Lord of Hosts, we know that your will is what will prevail. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Luther said that he saw you, Christ Jesus, in every verse of the Old Testament. The law and the prophets do indeed bear witness to your righteousness, O God. Yet your Spirit has taught us that this righteousness has been demonstrated apart from the law, sola fide, through faith in Jesus Christ alone. The law tells us that everyone has sinned and fallen short of your glory, while your gospel declares that everyone who believes in Christ is vindicated through your grace. So, help us to always believe sola gratia, that this saving faith alone is a free gift from you and does not depend upon works of the law, so that we may not boast in our works but give you the glory even for our faith. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Help us to be true disciples, students who abide in your Word. Like those first disciples who wanted to live with you, following you everywhere so that they could hear your word, make us such disciples too, those people who want to live with you, abiding in your word, following and listening to you all day. Give us ears to hear that clarion call of the Reformation, through your Word only: sola Scriptura! Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy — through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen