31. 31 Oct - Commemoration of the Reformation

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VERSION: 29 April 2002

COMMEMORATION OF THE REFORMATION

(31 October)

REFORMATION DAY

'This is the anniversary of Luther's posting of his 95 theses concerning the sale of indulgences. In the sixteenth century various dates were suggested in various places for an annual commemoration of the reform of the church. The Thirty Years War disrupted these observances and provoked anti-Roman sentiment. In 1667, Elector John George II of Saxony reestablished the festival and appointed it for October 31. The celebration of the day spread among Lutherans, but the observance is not widely kept by Protestant Christians, nor is it universal among world Lutherans. It is the only day in the calendar peculiar to the Lutheran church.'

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

NOTE ON FIRST READING FOR YEAR C

When Reformation Day is celebrated on the Sunday beforehand rather than on the day itself, it will usually displace Proper 25 in any given year (except where Proper 25 falls on 23 October). This will cause a slight problem in Year C if the continuous series of first readings is followed, as reading 1a for Proper 24 is the same as the first reading for the Festival of the Reformation, that is, Jeremiah 31. This could result in the same first reading being read two Sundays in a row. A solution could be to use the first reading from Proper 25 on the Sunday before Reformation Sunday.

KEEP IN MIND THE JOINT DECLARATION

On Reformation Day 1999, the Lutheran World Federation and the Roman Catholic Church signed a 'Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification', known now as the 'Augsburg Accord' (it was signed in the city of Augsburg). This was the first time since the Reformation that the Roman Catholic Church signed such a document of doctrinal agreement with any other church. In this document, the mutual condemnations of the 16th Century with regard to the doctrine of justification were rescinded (in so far as the doctrine is outlined in this document). The Lutheran Church of Australia, through its Pastors Conferences, assented to this agreement, and also signed a similar document locally between the LCA and the Australian Catholic Church. While many still disagree as to the actual extent of agreement represented in these agreements, it should be taken account of in the celebration of this day. Anyway, Reformation Day should not be an occasion for denominational self-glorification.

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 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)

INVITATION TO CONFESSION

The following words may be used to introduce the confession of sins.

Friends in Christ:

The Apostle Paul says that all of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.

Therefore let us confess our sins to God our Father,

since we have been justified by his grace as a gift,

through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

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.

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.

FIRST READING

Jeremiah 31:31-34  The Lord will write his law on our hearts

PSALM

Psalm 46

Antiphon:

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

(Ps 46:7 NRSV)

SECOND READING

Romans 3:19-28 Justification by faith

ALLELUIA VERSE (cf John 17:17)

Alleluia, alleluia.

Sanctify us in the truth, Lord;

your word is truth.

Alleluia.

GOSPEL

John 8:31-36 'In my word, you will know the truth'

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

Call to prayer

We have been put right with God through faith in Christ Jesus, so let us come to the Father in the name of Jesus to pray for the church, the world, and those in need.

The regular response, OR:

Lord, send out your light and your truth;

lead us, and bring us to your kingdom.

Suggested intercessions

Concluding prayer

Lord God, we trust that by your Spirit you will always lead your church forward in truth. Guide us and lead us, so that your renewing word may give light and truth to the world. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

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:

* Note: The words 'on this day' are used only on Sundays.

COMMUNION INVITATION

For a choice of communion invitations, see the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Communion invitation', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

The following prayer may be used.

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.

HYMNS AND SONGS

FOR THE READINGS

Please note:        * =        Modernised version available

      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

AT

TIS

Second reading: Romans 3:19-28

LHS

AT

TIS

Gospel: John 8:31-36

LHS

AT

TIS

OTHER SUITABLE HYMNS AND SONGS

The following hymns and songs are generally suitable for this day:

LHS

AT

TIS

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

AT

      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).

      Most appropriate for an opening song.

TIS

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!'

NOTES ON THE READINGS

See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Notes on the

readings', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

JEREMIAH 31:31-34: Hundreds of years of failure by God's people faithfully to keep his law resulted in prophecies of dire punishment and their tragic fulfilment. However, this prophecy of Jeremiah offers the promise of full satisfaction both on God's part and for his people. God had himself always remained faithful to his side of the covenant. It had been the people who had created the barrier through their sin. God's salvation in this new covenant would be to remove the  barrier of sin by his forgiveness so that his Law might become an intimate knowledge and experience of his grace. This reading anticipates beautifully the content of our second reading written some six hundred years later.

ROMANS 3:19-28: God's people had lived under God's law since the time of Moses, drawing no closer to God's required standards of righteousness than to remain the judged under the judge. Yet there had been a system always in place by which forgiveness was assured through the priestly atoning sacrifices of animals. St Paul points out how these sacrifices foretold the all-sufficient sacrifice God made in the sacrifice of his Son. Through this all human sin is passed over. Whoever trusts Christ Jesus' purchase price receives God's own righteousness as a free gift. Here is where the previously distraught Martin Luther at last found perfect peace in realising that he was put completely right with God through simply trusting what God offered in Christ's perfect life and payment price to set us free.

JOHN 8:31-36: The truth which Jesus gives is the only means by which anyone can be truly free. That is, free from the slavery which sin unequivocally imposes on the sinner. The Jews thought that they had all the freedom they wanted. They had God's law and were descended from Abraham. The truth by which Jesus makes us free is his word of promise. He is the Saviour whose blood cleanses from all sin. This word of God, our heritage through the Reformation, remains the only means by which we dwell eternally with our Lord.

VISUAL

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:

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

      Symbol of the open Bible and the lamp of knowledge burning on it

      The ark or ship of the church

DRAMA AND LITURGICAL MOVEMENT

ENTRY OF THE WORD

If a procession is held at the beginning of the service, the reader for the day may carry in a large Bible at the head of the procession behind the processional cross. The one who carries it should use both hands to hold it vertically at shoulder height (see the picture on page 207 of Pfatteicher's Manual on the Liturgy). When the procession reaches the sanctuary, the Bible may be placed open on the lectern, or - if holy communion is not celebrated - open on the altar. See the discussion above under 'Altar Bibles'.

'MEGA DRAMA'

See a drama for the day in Mega Drama resources (Openbook Publishers), originally included in these worship resources when they were released on disks.

CHILDREN

'COME AND SEE JESUS'

The Come and See Jesus curriculum published by Openbook Publishers has a wealth of material and ideas that may be adapted for use in worship. Please note that a new edition of this material is now available for the Revised Common Lectionary.

A Reformation Day story, 'Martin Luther', may be found in

Original Edition, Reformation, year C

OR

Revised RCL Edition, Proper 26, year A