Reformation Sunday is an annual observance of the Protestant Reformation, marking when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the door of the All Saints Church in Wittenburg, Germany, on All Hallow’s Eve, October 31, 1517.
We begin and prepare for worship by centering ourselves, remembering the waters of baptism.
In baptism, we are joined to Christ and made members of one body, a people seeking to live faithfully into God’s purpose for us and for all creation.
PRELUDE “How Can I Keep From Singing?”
*CALL TO WORSHIP Lines from Psalm 65
Praise is due to you,
O you who answer prayer!
To you all flesh shall come.
Happy are those whom you choose and bring near.
O God of our salvation,
you are the hope of all the ends of the earth!
Those who live at earth’s farthest bounds are awed by your signs.
You make the gateways of the morning and the evening shout for joy!
*HYMN 32 I Sing the Almighty Power of God
*INVITATION TO CONFESSION
Now the righteousness of God has become manifest in Christ Jesus— for everyone, without distinction. In full assurance of faith, let us make our confession before God.
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Ever-present God, in every generation you call courageous people to bring change and reform to your church. We confess that the church tunes out voices of reform and we resist the call to change. We often choose comfort over challenge. We see the speck in our neighbor’s eye while ignoring the log in our own. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage. Forgive our accommodations to being less than faithful and coming up short on justice. Lead us forward on the path of faith, as loyal and grateful followers of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Silent confession.
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE: HYMN 437 You Are the Lord
Sung once by cantor; congregation joins second time.
*ASSURANCE OF GRACE
Let us remember that kindness isn’t inertia, that resistance, while discouraging, doesn’t equal failure. On the grandest scales, momentum is subtle. But it’s there. It’s in the Christ’s breath pushing us forward and turning this world. Keep working your wonders, my friend. They matter.
Believe the Good News of the Gospel.
In Jesus Christ we are loved and befriended by God.
*PASSING OF THE PEACE
Since we have been reconciled to God, let us also be reconciled to one another.
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
The congregation is invited to exchange signs of peace.
*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE: HYMN 693, verse 3
Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control,
our spirits long to be made whole.
Let inward love guide every deed;
by this we worship, and are freed.
SCRIPTURE READING PSALM 139: 7-12; JOHN 3:1-13
For the word of God in scripture, for the word of God among us, for the word of God within us, thanks be to God.
SERMON “Curious Creativity” Emily Martin
*HYMN 301 All Are Welcome
PRAYERS OF SUPPLICATION AND INTERCESSION
O God, in your lovingkindness,
Hear our prayer.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
OFFERING “When Peace Like a River”
There are three ways to give:
- Through the offering plate.
- Through the “Give-lify” app.
- By clicking the “donate” button on the homepage of our website, woodlandnash.org.
*DOXOLOGY [LAAST UNS ERFREUEN]
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures high and low.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise God, in Jesus fully known:
Creator, Word, and Spirit one.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Compassionate and ever-loving God, we thank you for all the gifts of life. You are our dwelling place, and underneath all our lives are your everlasting arms. Help us to entrust ourselves to your never-failing love, so that we may live in the confidence, faith, and hope of Jesus Christ that you are at work in us and all things, bringing new life where there is brokenness, light where there is darkness, grace where there is despair. Embolden us to follow the way of Jesus as agents of your healing, peace, and love, and strengthen us as his beloved community, to live the prayer he taught us, saying:
THE LORD’S PRAYER as most of us here say it can be found inside the back cover of the hymnal.
*HYMN 694 Great God of Every Blessing
*DISMISSAL
POSTLUDE “Rigaudon”
*Please rise in body or in spirit.
***
The Session of the Church:
Class of 2019: Mark Taylor, Brett Withers
Class of 2020: Alan Stephenson, Tom Eldridge
Class of 2021: Greg Gardner, Rachel Harley
Heidi Hall, Elder Emerita
Melinda Sanders, Moderator
We thank those who served in and prepared for worship today:
| Emily Martin, Preacher Jude Romines, Liturgist Bill Maul, Music Director Jeff Moles, Music Coordinator Ashlan Jackson, Offering Taker Jeremy Bradford, Special Music |