Liturgy and Prayers - Sunday 31 October, 2021 – Reformation Sunday

Liturgy in one document: Reformation Sunday Liturgy in One Document

Opening sentence

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. (Jer 31:33 NRSV)

OR
For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;
they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. (Rom 3:22b-24 NRSV)

OR
Jesus said: ‘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 NRSV)

 

Prayer of the day - (Collect):

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.

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.

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.

New

Alleluia Verse

Alleluia, alleluia.
Sanctify us in the truth, Lord;
your word is truth.
Alleluia.

Prayer after the Gospel

This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the gift of your word.
Keep us faithful to your word,
so that we may know the truth,
and the freedom it brings.
Amen.

Offering Prayer

Heavenly Father,
there is nothing that we could offer to you
as a sacrifice for our sin.
Yet in your great love,
you have offered up your own Son,
so that through him we may be put right with you.
Accept the gifts we offer here today,
as mere tokens of our gratitude
for the great gift of salvation
which you have given to us.
Amen.

Prayer of the Church

Prayer points

  • The Lutheran World Federation has produced intercessory prayers that focus on the Reformation as a global, ecumenical, and on-going event. The LWF also propose a Gospel reading from John 15 – one of the most cited readings in the Lutheran Confessional writings and which was read at the Joint Commemoration of the Reformation in Lund, Sweden. You can access the prayers and reading here.

Additional Prayer Points

LCA International Mission

Services with Holy Communion:

Preface

It is indeed right and good,
Lord God, holy Father,
that we should at all times and in all places
give thanks to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(On this day)*
he overcame death by his resurrection
and opened up for us
the way to eternal life with you.
And so, with angels and archangels,
and with all the company of heaven,
we adore and praise your glorious name:
* The words ‘on this day’ are used only on Sundays.

Communion Invitation

Jesus says: ‘I am the bread of life.
Whoever comes to me will never be hungry,
and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’
(Thanks be to God.)
Come, everything is ready.

OR
Jesus says: ‘My flesh is true food and my blood is true drink.
Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood remain in me, and I in them.’
(Thanks be to God.)
Come, everything is ready.

OR
This cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks
is a communion in the blood of Christ.
This bread that we break
is a communion in the body of Christ.
(Thanks be to God.)
Come, everything is ready.

Prayer after Communion

See the service order for a standard post-communion prayer. Alternatively, use the third prayer of the day (as listed above) at this point. It may be modified as follows:

Lord God,
you constantly renew your church
through the pure preaching of your word
and the right administration of your sacraments.
Renew our hearts,
so that we may be strong in faith towards you
and eager in good works towards all people.
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.

 

Dismissal

Go in peace. The Lord will keep you safe.

OR

Go in peace. Fight the good fight, run the race and keep the faith.
Thanks be to God. 

OR  In the name of Christ. Amen.