20. 25 June - Commemoration of the Augsburg Confession

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20. 25 June - Commemoration of the Augsburg Confession

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VERSION: 29 April 2002

 

COMMEMORATION OF THE AUGSBURG CONFESSION

(25 June)

 

 

THE AUGSBURG CONFESSION

The Augsburg Confession was written largely by Philipp Melanchthon in language of studied moderation and was presented at Augsburg to the Emperor Charles V on 25 June 1530. In 1580, when the Book of Concord was drawn up, the unaltered Augsburg Confession was included as the principal Lutheran confession. In several ways this day, rather than 31 October, is the suitable occasion to remember the Reformation.

(From Contemporary Worship 6: The Church Year, Calendar and Lectionary, 1973)

 

 

LITURGY

 

SENTENCE

See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder for suggestions on using a Sentence.

 

I will also speak of your decrees before kings,

and shall not be put to shame. (Ps 119:46 NRSV)

 

PRAYER OF THE DAY (COLLECT)

Modernised traditional

Almighty God, in your unfailing mercy

keep your church safe and holy.

Rule and guide your people always,

so that they remain in peace.

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.

 

FIRST READING

Isaiah 55:6-11 The word of God will not return empty

 

PSALM

Psalm 46

Antiphon:

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

(Ps 46:7 NRSV)

OR

Psalm 138

Antiphon:

Before the 'gods' I sing your praise. (Ps 138:1b NRSV)

 

SECOND READING

1 Timothy 6:11b-16 Fight the good fight of faith

 

ALLELUIA VERSE (Matt 10:32 NRSV)

Alleluia, alleluia.

(Jesus said:) 'Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others,

I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven.'

Alleluia.

 

GOSPEL

Matthew 10:26-33 What you hear in the dark, speak in the light

 

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Call to prayer

Jesus made his confession before Pontius Pilate. Our forebears made their confession before the world. Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people.

 

Response

Lord in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

 

Suggested intercessions

*

for the church, that it may stand firm in the faith given to the saints

*

for pastors and teachers of the Lutheran Church of Australia, that they may preach and teach according to the confession of the church

*

for our country, that people everywhere may live peaceful lives

*

for all people who are studying; for those studying at Luther Seminary

*

for those who have fallen into error.

 

Concluding prayer

Father, you are the only Ruler. You are the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Give us the courage to stand before the rulers of the world and to speak your word in the name of your beloved Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

 

 

HYMNS AND SONGS

 

PSALM 46

For musical settings of Psalm 46, see Music Packages 2, 3, 6, 9 and 10. 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)

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 Sch¸tz, may be sung to the tune of 'A mighty fortress' (LH 195, TIS 103). If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Sch¸tz' 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 Sch¸tz 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 Sch¸tz' 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!'

 

PSALM 138

For musical settings of Psalm 138, see Music Packages 7, 9 and 10. TIS 86, With my whole heart I will praise you, is also a version of this psalm.

 

Either of the following metrical versions of Psalm 138 by David Sch¸tz may be used. If reproducing these versions, please put 'Words (c) David Sch¸tz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

 

This version is sung to the tune 'The Greatest Commandment' (ATA 175).

 

I give you thanks, Lord, with all my heart,

before the angels I will sing your praise.

I worship you in your holy place

and always praise and thank your holy name.

For by your love and your faithfulness

you set up your name above ev'rything.

And when I called on your holy name,

you gave me your answer and made me strong.

 

All kings and rulers shall praise you, Lord,

when they have heard your words of truth and love;

and they shall sing of the ways of God:

'Tremendous is the glory of the Lord'.

Yet, though exalted, he keeps his watch

with love and compassion upon the poor.

The rich and proud he will still observe,

but like one that watches from far away.

 

And you preserve me throughout my life,

though trouble meets me everywhere I go.

You stretch your mighty right hand to save,

and fight the anger of my enemies.

The Lord fulfils his promise to me;

forever and ever your love endures.

Do not forsake what your hands have made,

remember you made me and I am yours.

 

This version is to the traditional tune Dir, dir, Jehovah, LH 218:

 

With all my heart, I give you thanks, Lord.

Before the angels I will sing your praise.

I worship in your holy temple

and always thank and praise your holy name.

For you have shown your love and faithfulness,

your holy name and word are glorified.

 

And on the day I called upon you,

you gave me answer and you made me strong.

The kings of all the earth shall praise you,

when they have heard your words of truth and love.

They all shall sing about your ways, O Lord,

'Tremendous is the glory of the Lord'.

 

Yet, though the Lord is high in heaven,

he still regards the lowly of the earth.

He does not overlook the haughty,

but watches them like one who's far away.

Though trouble meets me everywhere I go,

your right hand saves me from my enemies.

 

The Lord will keep his promise to me;

your steadfast love, O Lord, will always last.

Stretch out your hand and come to save me!

Do not forsake the work your hands have made.

With all my heart, I give you thanks, O Lord.

Before the angels I will sing your praise.

 

OTHER HYMNS/SONGSS

Other hymns and songs in the Lutheran Hymnal with Supplement under the topics of 'The Word of God', 'The Church', or 'The Church Militant' could be considered, and also those listed in the Together in Song index of subjects under 'Church', pp 1036-7 in the harmony edition.

 

 

VISUAL

 

COLOUR

The colour for the day is red.

 

SYMBOLS

Any symbols of the Word or the Church may also be used for the festival of the Augsburg Confession.