Monday 31 October, 2011- Commemoration of the Reformation

Here are the resources you need for the Commemoration of the Reformation which may be observed on Sunday 30th October, 2011. Please feel free to choose what is suitable for your congregation’s needs. You will notice that the orders of service are available in different formats: choose the “pdf” format if you want something that is ready to print and photocopy, the “doc” or “rtf” format if you wish to change the formatting yourself or the “ppt” format if you use PowerPoint.

VISUAL IDEAS FOR THE DAY

COLOUR AND DISPLAY
The colour for the day is red, the colour of fire and the Spirit.

A very striking effect can be gained if the church is decorated in red on this day. Here are some suggestions:
*    Use red flowers in the sanctuary (or red and white, white depicting the pure word of God)
*    Decorate the church with red streamers
*    Display a red drape with the words SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH, each word on a separate card and displayed appropriately on the drape. A large special Bible and red (or red and white) flowers could be added.
*    Display a pair of doors made of wood or thick cardboard, in an appropriate size to fit the display area, with a scroll representing the 95 theses pinned (or nailed) on. This could be finished with a red drape and red (or red and white) flowers, and a card reading ‘We hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. (Romans 3:28)’.
*    Display a red drape, a card with ‘I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith (Romans 1:16)’, a Bible, red (or red and white) flowers, a candelabra with red candles.
*    Candles in the church are usually white. This is said to be because they symbolise Christ. However, on this occasion the candles on the altar and in the sanctuary could be red, to symbolise the fire of the Spirit.

VISUALS FOR THE READINGS
Pictures or visual symbols could be displayed on banners or the overhead screen during the readings.

ALTAR BIBLES
In the past, Lutherans have often placed a large Bible in the centre of the altar. In many ways this was appropriate, as the sacrament of holy communion was rarely celebrated. However, if the sacrament is celebrated, the vessels for the eucharist should be placed in the centre of the altar. In fact, the proper place for the Bible is on the lectern, where it is to be used. However, for services of the word, and perhaps for days of special focus on the Bible, such as Reformation Day, the Bible may be placed open on the altar to show the special emphasis of the service.

SYMBOLS
Suitable symbols for the day are:

• Luther’s coat of arms (Luther’s rose)
• Symbols of the word
  eg    Symbol for St Paul of the open Bible over a sword pointing downwards
  Symbol of the open Bible and the lamp of knowledge burning on it
  The ark or ship of the church

• Altar colour: Red
• Bible readings:
  FIRST READING Jeremiah 31:31-34 The Lord will write his law on our hearts
  PSALM Psalm 46 *For musical settings of this Psalm, please see the song suggestions below*
  SECOND READING Romans 3:19-28 Justification by faith
  GOSPEL John 8:31-36 “In my word, you will know the truth”
  
• Sermons:
  Lay-readers please note: the linked sermons have not been edited for general use. As part of your preparations, keep in mind that they have been written for specific people in a specific context, and for this reason the issues they address or the examples they use may not be entirely suitable for people in your congregation. If you feel this is the case, you may need to make minor adjustments or find another sermon
  Based on gospel: Pr Simon Cooper ; edited for lay reading sermon – john 8v31-36 – year a – reformation
  Based on Luther’s Rose: Pr Vince Gerhardy
  
• Orders of service:
  Reformation Sunday Word & Prayer ( pdf / doc / ppt )
• Prayer of the Day (Collect): Choose one of the following
  Traditional
  Almighty and eternal God,
  you mercifully give the light of the gospel
  to your church.
  Keep us in sound teaching
  that we may steadfastly believe
  and worthily follow
  your saving word,
  and finally by its holy comfort
  depart in peace and joy;
  through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
  who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
  one God, now and forever.
  Amen.

  OR, modernised traditional
  Almighty and eternal God,
  in mercy you give the light of your gospel
  to your church.
  Keep us in sound teaching,
  so that we may firmly believe
  and faithfully follow
  your saving word,
  and finally, with its holy comfort,
  die in peace and joy.
  We ask this through your Son,
  Jesus Christ our Lord,
  who lives and reigns
  with you and the Holy Spirit,
  one God, now and forever.
  Amen.

  OR, alternative
  Lord God,
  you have given all holy Scriptures for our learning.
  Lead us to hear them,
  read, note, learn, and inwardly digest them.
  Encourage and support us by your holy word,
  so that we may always hold onto
  the joyful hope of eternal life,
  which you have given us
  in our Saviour Jesus Christ.
  For he lives and reigns
  with you and the Holy Spirit,
  one God, now and forever.
  Amen.

• Prayer of the Church/ General Prayer: Prayer of the Church- Reformation
• Visual images for the day: His Word in Pictures
• Song/Hymn suggestions: * =  Modernised version available (please click here for the modernised hymns text file) ;G3, G4 . . . =  Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . .; GS =  Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH
  First reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34
  LHS
  462    God of mercy, God of grace G6
  AT
  184    Love is the law (Spring follows winter)
  TIS
  102    Praise to the living God
  428    Help us, O Lord, to learn
  452    God of mercy, God of grace

  Second reading: Romans 3:19-28
  LHS
  83    Beneath the cross of Jesus
  173    Before the throne of God above
  270    The law of God is good and wise G3
  312    In Thee alone, O Christ, my Lord
  322    Dear Christians, one and all rejoice* G3
  323    Blessed are the sons of God* G4
  324    Salvation unto us has come* G5
  325    Approach, my soul, the mercy-seat
  327    Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness* G3
  330    Rock of ages G6
  331    My hope is built on nothing less*
  332    Thy works, not mine, O Christ*
  411    If God be my defender* G3
  851    Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
  852    God loved the world so that he gave G5
  871    My heart is filled with faith and wonder
  AT
  130    I am covered over
  131    Amazing grace
  329    This kingdom
  345    Nothing but the blood of Jesus
  TIS
  129    Amazing grace
  195    Salvation now to us has come
  196    Dear Christians, one and all rejoice
  213    Father, whose everlasting love
  222    Rock of ages

  Gospel: John 8:31-36
  LHS
  4    Once He came in blessing* G4
  197    Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy Word* G5
  379    Lord of creation, to Thee be all praise G6
  883    There’s a gladness in my heart
  AT
  32    Thou wilt rest him in perfect peace
  50    I will sing
  67    Let your word fill my days
  156    He sets us free
  217    Shine, Jesus, shine
  232    He set me free (There’s a gladness in my heart)
  332    We are sorry
  TIS
  197    God’s Son came to bless us
  261    Lord, you are the light of life to me
  436    Lord, keep us steadfast in your word
  626    Lord of creation, to you be all praise
  675    Lord, the light of your love shining

  OTHER SUITABLE HYMNS AND SONGS
  The following hymns and songs are generally suitable for this day:
  LHS
  185    Sun of righteousness divine* G3
  188    Built on a rock, the Church doth stand* G4
  193    Jesus, with Thy church abide* G9 (alt tune 82, G5)
  195    A mighty fortress is our God* G3
  196    Look down, O Lord, from heaven behold
  198    Let us, O Father, never be confounded G6
  199    Christ, Thou strong guardian* G9
  200    Thou little flock, be not dismayed
  258    O God our Lord, Thy holy Word G9 (alt tune 384, G9)
  260    Lord Jesus Christ, with us abide* G3
  266    God’s Word is our great heritage* G3
  328    Now I have found for my salvation
  329    By grace I’m saved, grace free and boundless
  804    The church of Christ in every age G5
  822    God has spoken by his prophets G6
  823    Your strong word G5
  824    Your word O Lord is gentle dew G7
  AT
  39    My word is like the snow and rain
  67    Let your word fill my days
  207    As we gather here
  246    Thy word is a lamp
  337    The grass withers
  TIS
  103    A mighty fortress is our God
  158    God has spoken by his prophets
  427    Lord, your word abiding
  431    Thanks to God whose word was spoken

  PSALM 46
  TIS 28, God is our strength and refuge, is a paraphrase of the psalm.

  The following songs and hymns have some basis in Psalm 46 – although none of them are actually paraphrases of the psalm itself.
  LHS
  195    A mighty fortress* (* modernised version available) G3
  854    Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side
  AT
  9    Be still and know that I am God  As the reader speaks the verses of Psalm 46, the congregation may respond after every few verses with the singing of the first verse of ‘Be still and know that I am God’ (LHS 885, ATN 9).
  311    Be still and know that I am God  Most appropriate for an opening song.
  339    In you, O Lord, I found refuge
  458    God is our refuge and strength
  TIS
  103    A mighty fortress

  The following paraphrase of Psalm 46, by David Schütz, may be sung to the tune of ‘A mighty fortress’ (LH 195, TIS 103). If reproducing this version, please put ‘Words (c) David Schütz’ at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

  God is our refuge and our strength
  a present help in trouble.
  And so we will not be afraid,
  though all the earth may tremble.
  Though mountains may fall,
  though seas roar and foam,
  though all the earth quakes,
  still we are not afraid.
  The Lord of hosts is with us!

  A flowing river brings great joy
  throughout God’s holy city,
  for God himself is always there,
  and it will not be shaken.
  God’s help comes at dawn,
  the nations will roar,
  the kingdoms will fall,
  his voice will melt the earth.
  The Lord of hosts is with us!

  O come and see the fearsome things
  the Lord has made to happen.
  He makes wars cease; he shatters shields;
  he breaks the spears and arrows.
  ‘Now be still, and know
  that I am your God.
  Throughout all the earth,
  I am exalted high!’
  The Lord of hosts is with us!

  OR, the following paraphrase by David Schütz may be sung to the tune of ‘Be still and know that I am God’ (LHS 885, ATN 9). If reproducing this version, please put ‘Words (c) David Schütz’ at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

  A mighty fortress is our God,
  A mighty fortress is our God,
  A mighty fortress is our God,

  And so we will not be afraid;
  and so we will not be afraid;
  and so we will not be afraid.

  The Lord of hosts is with us now,
  The Lord of hosts is with us now,
  The Lord of hosts is with us now.

  He makes wars cease throughout the earth;
  He makes wars cease throughout the earth;
  He makes wars cease throughout the earth;’

  ‘Be still, and know that I am God!’
  ‘Be still, and know that I am God!’
  ‘Be still, and know that I am God!’

  Music Resources Vol. 3- Psalm settings – sorry, not available