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Reformation Sunday

Kurt Christenson

Sunday, October 27, 2024

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REFORMATION SUNDAY

Celebrating All Hallows Eve Day, October 31, 1517

October 27, 2024 10:00 a.m.

Rooted in the past and growing into the future, the church must always be reformed in order to live out the love of Christ in an ever-changing world. We celebrate the good news of God’s grace, that Jesus Christ sets us free every day to do this life-transforming work. Trusting in the freedom given to us in baptism, we pray for the church, that Christians will unite more fully in worship and mission.

PRELUDE Wir glauben all an einem Gott harmonization by J.S. Bach

We believe in one true God, | Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,

Ever-present help in need, | Praised by all the heavenly host;

By whose mighty power alone | All is made and wrought and done.

Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr Orgelwerke

setting by Johann Paul Zehetbauer 1928-1989

All glory be to God on high, | Who hath our race befriended!

To us no harm shall now come nigh, | The strife at last is ended.

God showeth His good will to men, | And peace shall reign on earth again;

O thank Him for His goodness!

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

+ SOLA GRATIA + GRACE ALONE +

GATHERING HYMN A Mighty Fortress

Congregational (not just the choir) Singing is a gift of the Reformation.

CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS

Public Confession & Forgiveness is a gift of the reformation.

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen. Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

Most merciful God,

we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.

In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

A Mighty Fortress

3) Though hordes of devils fill the land

all threat'ning to devour us,

we tremble not, unmoved we stand;

they cannot overpow'r us.

Let this world's tyrant rage;

in battle we'll engage!

His might is doomed to fail;

God's judgment must prevail!

One little word subdues him.

4) God's Word forever shall abide,

no thanks to foes, who fear it;

for God himself fights by our side

with weapons of the Spirit.

Were they to take our house,

goods, honor, child, or spouse,

though life be wrenched away,

they cannot win the day.

The kingdom's ours forever!

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Congregational Participation, not just observation,

is a gift of the Reformation.

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Let us pray: Almighty God, gracious Lord, we thank you that your Holy Spirit renews the church in every age. Pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your word, protect and comfort them in times of trial, defend them against all enemies of the gospel, and bestow on the church your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

SOLA SCRIPTURA + WORD ALONE +

Hearing the Word, in your native language, is a gift of the Reformation

READING FROM THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES: Jeremiah 31:31-34

The renewed covenant will not be breakable, but like the old covenant it will expect the people to live upright lives. To know the Lord means that one will defend the cause of the poor and needy (Jer. 22:16). The renewed covenant is possible only because the Lord will forgive iniquity and not remember sin. Our hope lies in a God who forgets.

31The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. 33But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: 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. 34No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

PSALM: 46 Refrain, please repeat after the Cantor

1God is our ref- | uge and strength,

a very present | help in trouble.

2Therefore we will not fear, though the | earth be moved,

and though the mountains shake in the depths | of the sea;

3though its waters | rage and foam,

and though the mountains tremble | with its tumult.

4There is a river whose streams make glad the cit- | y of God,

the holy habitation of | the Most High.

5God is in the midst of the city; it shall | not be shaken;

God shall help it at the | break of day.

6The nations rage, and the | kingdoms shake;

God speaks, and the earth | melts away. /R

7The Lord of | hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob | is our stronghold.

8Come now, regard the works | of the Lord,

what desolations God has brought up- | on the earth;

9behold the one who makes war to cease in | all the world;

who breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, and burns the | shields with fire.

10“Be still, then, and know that | I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted | in the earth.”

11The Lord of | hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob | is our stronghold. /R

THE EPISTLE LESSON: Romans 3:19-28

Paul’s words stand at the heart of the preaching of Martin Luther and other Reformation leaders. No human beings make themselves right with God through works of the law. We are brought into a right relationship with God through the divine activity centered in Christ’s death. This act is a gift of grace that liberates us from sin and empowers our faith in Jesus Christ.

19Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20For “no human being will be justified in his sight” by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.

21But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, 22the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; 26it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus.

27Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Lord Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word vs.1,2

GOSPEL: John 8:31-36 Glory to you, O Lord

Jesus speaks of truth and freedom as spiritual realities known through his word. He reveals the truth that sets people free from sin.

31Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” 33They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, ‘You will be made free’?”

34Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. 36So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Lord Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word vs. 3

3 O Comforter of priceless worth,

send peace and unity on earth;

support us in our final strife

and lead us out of death to life.

Text: Martin Luther, 1483-1546; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827-1878, alt.

SERMON Pastor Kurt Christenson

HYMN OF THE DAY GOD, WHOSE ALMIGHTY WORD

SOLA FIDE + FAITH ALONE +

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Each prayer petition ends with “God of grace,” the response is

“hear our prayer.”

APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

EXCHANGE OF PEACE

The Peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.

OFFERING & OFFERING PRAYER

Give online using the button at the top.

or Text “Give” to (866) 870-5222

MUSIC Lord Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word

setting by Paul Manz

O Comforter of priceless worth, | send peace and unity on earth;

support us in our final strife | and lead us out of death to life.

Gracious God, in your great love you richly provide for our needs.

Make of these gifts a banquet of blessing, and make us ready to share with all in need; through Jesus Christ, who sets a table for all. Amen.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

PREFACE

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give

thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ;

… And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

SANCTUS

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, …

… Send now, we pray, your Holy Spirit, that we who share in Christ’s body and blood may live to the praise of your glory and receive our inheritance with all your saints in light.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

Lord, remember us in your Kingdom and teach us to pray:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION

Receiving the Eucharist in both kinds, bread and wine,

is a gift of the Reformation

First Lutheran invites all who trust that God is fully present in the bread and wine, however rich in mystery that might be for you, to join us at the Table of Grace and Thanksgiving. To the right and left of Pastor there are chalices of wine into which you may dip your host. Or beyond them are trays with individual chalices. In the center of each tray there is white grape juice for those who prefer. We also have gluten free wafers. If you wish for those please indicate when you reach Pastor.

AGNUS DEI Lamb of God

COMMUNION HYMN For By Grace You Have Been Saved

COMMUNION BLESSING & PRAYER

Now may the body and blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ strengthen and keep you in his grace. Amen.

We thank you, generous God, for the refreshment we have received at your banquet table. Send us now to spread your generosity into all the world, through the one who is our dearest treasure, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

SENDING HYMN Rise Shine You people

We face the cross and the door, ready to go out and share the Good News with all.

BLESSING & SENDING

Aaronic Priestly Blessing from Numbers 6:23-26

We go in peace to love and serve the Lord,

Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE A Mighty Fortress is Our God arranged by Eleanor Whitsett

Inspired from Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Sanctuary Flowers were given by Richard Phillips

“To Christ’s Church always Reforming”

Rev. Kurt Christenson, Pastor

Bill Engel, Music Director and Organist

Earl Vaults, Tenor Saxophone

Trevor Patricia Watkin, Flute

Paul Engel, Cantor

Joe Slevcove, Lector

Beth Slevcove, Assisting Minister

David Pohl, Paul Engel, Jan Neuhaus, Billie Thompson, Joann Masters, and Randy & Joyce Sensmeier, Singers

Brian Jensen, Jaime Quezada Moysen, Genette McGowan, Rebecca Kjonegaard, Melodie Baker, Tech team

Ruth Clayton, Dan Kjonegaard, Melinda Person, Ushers

Paula Gutterud, Greeter

Paula Gutterud, Fellowship Snacks

preface, eucharist, sanctus, agnus dei, nunc dimittis confession & forgiveness,

prayer of the day, offering prayer, and dismissal

from Sundays and Seasons 2021, Year B

reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies annual license #SB137579

closing blessing

by Nathan Nettleton

a gift to the wider Church from the South Yarra Community Baptist Church

Melbourne, Australia

www.laughingbird.net

Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License A-710629.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Keeping it out Front…Our Strategic Ministry At Work

First Lutheran Church Congregational Priorities:

Connecting with each other
Fostering leadership
Attending to our Virtual Community
Incorporating Children, Youth, & Families into the Life of the Congregation.
Justice focus of Anti-Racism, Diversity and Racial Justice

Next Sunday, November 3: All Saints Day Photo/Memento Memorial Garden

Each year on All Saints Sunday, we remember all those who have gone before us in faith to their heavenly home. Our photo memorial garden, a significant part of this remembrance, allows us to honor the saints in our lives collectively. Your contribution of a photo or memento of a dearly departed loved one will help us make this memorial complete. They are easiest to display if they come in a frame, but a frame is optional. Please add your name, or a piece of tape with your name to the back so we can be sure your photo is returned. Tape and pens will be available that Sunday. You may bring a photo or memento to church the Sunday before if you'd like or bring it to the display draped in white on Sunday the 3rd before worship begins. Someone will be at the display to assist you. Small mementos that connect you to your beloved are also welcome if you do not have a photo.

Leftover Carpet

During our carpet installation, we were originally shipped a new sanctuary carpet runner that had some mistakes in it, so the company re-did the carpet for us. If anyone is interested in taking home the “mistake” piece, or just a part of it, it’s in brand new shape and can be cut to fit your space. Currently we have takers for about half of it. Are you interested in the other half? Please let Joann or Erin know if you’re interested.

Upcoming Forums

Nov. 3: Survivors of Torture International: Our guest speaker at worship and the forum is Etleva Beck, Executive Director and Mackoy Turpen, Grants and Development.

Nov. 10: We will be joined by a Community Policing Officer from our Central Division. It is a chance to better understand the challenges and work going on in our neighborhood.

Nov. 17: Volunteer Appreciation Celebration

Nov.24: American Academy of Religion speaker

Dec 1: Fair Trade Fair

Dec. 8: Anti-Racism

Please remember that we welcome anyone to our forums. Maybe you have a neighbor who is interested in one of these topics. You may invite them to worship, or just to the forum. Also, for our Virtual Community we are happy to set up the link on your request.

Saturday, Nov. 9, Trip to the Kumeyaay Museum and and Mission Church

Each week our worship bulletin acknowledges that we worship on the original lands of the indigenous Kumeyaay Peoples. On Saturday, Nov. 9, you are invited to join a trip from First Lutheran to the Barona Museum and Cultural Center in Lakeside that celebrates the Kumeyaay culture and history, with some artifacts going back 10,000 years. It also features a multi-sensory presentation of the Kumeyaay Creation Story (which ties in nicely with our Seasons of Creation emphasis of the last month). We will also visit the nearby church built by tribal elders and designed by architect Irving J. Gill. The event is free, but we will be stopping for lunch at your own expense. Here’s the schedule for the event:

10:00 am, Saturday, Nov. 9, Leave First Lutheran Church in carpools.

11:00 am, Program at the Kumeyaay Museum.

12:30 pm, Visit to the nearby Mission Church

1:15 pm, Lunch at the food court of the Barona Casino (your expense)

2:30 pm, arrive back at First Lutheran

An RSVP is needed to plan for transportation, and needed by Nov. 3. Either sign up on the list in the lounge after worship, or call Erin at the church office.

Interested in Church Leadership?

We are looking for a few good souls. Since the beginning of our history as the Heart of Christ in the Heart of the City, we have been led by faithful, dynamic, and talented leadership. Every year at our December meeting, we elect new members to our Church Council as current members rotate off. This year, we are praying for four new members. Please speak with any council member or Erin if you are interested or would like to nominate someone.

November 4: FLC Service at TACO

Fellow FLC volunteers, November 4th is the first Monday of November and our evening to assist with serving dinner at TACO. Please consider giving 2 hours of your time for this worthwhile and heartwarming experience. If you can give of your time from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday November 4, please let Joann Masters know, either at church or by email: jbmasters56@gmail.com, and she'll take care of signing you up. Come join the fun! Looking forward to seeing you there.

Welcome the Babe Kits

It's that time of year to begin planning for the arrival of baby Jesus and our Welcome the Babe project through Lutheran World Relief. Please consider donating to this very important project. You can donate through Tithely by choosing “Welcome the Babe” from the dropdown menu. See the Heartbeat or Joann Masters for details.

SoCal Lutherans RIC Annual Meeting

The 2024 annual meeting and Anderson Award presentation will take place on November 17 in Long Beach. We are looking for two representatives to accompany Pastor Kurt to the event to represent First. If you are interested, please check the Heartbeat for more details and RSVP.

Fair Trade Fair - Save the Date! Dec. 1

Our Fair Trade Alternative Gift Fair will be making a come-back this year on the first Sunday of Advent, December 1, held in the fellowship hall 10:00AM to 12:30PM. You will have an opportunity to learn about and support a variety of service organizations that are making a difference in the world. Stay tuned for further details, but for now please plan on being part of this festive event!

November Book Group News

In 1921 Tulsa, Oklahoma was one of America’s most affluent all-Black communities. But on June 1 of that year, in what became known as the Tulsa Race Massacre, white mobs set it on fire, destroying homes and businesses and leaving dozens dead. The memoir of the oldest survivor and last living witness of this tragic event, Don’t Let Them Bury My Story, written by 109 year old Viola Ford Fletcher, is our November selection. Her inspiring story is a powerful reminder that some wounds never fully heal, and we must never forget the lessons of history.

All are welcome to join us on Thursday, November 21, 7:00PM in the church library as we honor her story and discuss the wisdom in her words. Sheri Bengsten and Mary Claire will host.

PLEASE NOTE: At this meeting we will be selecting the books we wish to read in 2025. Please send titles and short synopsis of 2 books you wish to recommend to Martha Radatz (m28rz@icloud.com) by November 10.

Lobby Art Update

A second installation of the Season of Creation gallery display are pieces by Nancy Eckert, Pastor Lee Precup, Melodie Baker, and Pastor Kurt. Thank you all for your contributions.

Condolence Card Ministry at FLC

You may have noticed a table in the lobby on Sunday mornings full of greeting cards, lists, and faithful volunteers. This is our gun violence condolence card ministry, where you can write and send a condolence card to the family of a gun violence victim. This is a heartbreaking but important ministry that FLC values. You can help by writing cards, keeping address lists updated, or donating money to fund the cards and stamps.

Sanctuary Flower Sponsorship

The beautiful flowers you see on the altar on Sunday mornings are made possible by the generous donations of our members. Would you like to contribute one Sunday to sponsor flowers? See the Heartbeat for registration links and more information.

Children, Youth, and Family Corner

Grab a bag! Children’s worship bags will be available to grab on your way into the sanctuary, filled with quiet activities to do during worship. Those marked with a heart are for children under 5. Those marked with a star are for older children.

Children’s Church: We invite children up to age 12 to a special time in the library during worship, from the scripture readings until the sharing of the peace.

TACO Bites

On 10/10 TACO distributed 100 sleeping bag coats on the patio. If you don't know, Lucky Duck Foundation distributes these sleeping bag coats to organizations in SD County every year. They are very high quality coats that transform into sleeping bags and cost $150 each. We've distributed more than 12,000 over the last 4 winters and we're doing another 4500 this winter as part of our plan to keep folks safe over the winter as we wait for our region to build out cold-weather shelter options. We also handed out pizza from our cafe Timmy's Place which employs formerly homeless youth and trains them in the culinary arts.

It was a great event, Lorena did an awesome job organizing from TACO's end! And thanks to Candice from the board for coming out to lend a hand too.

TACO got some good coverage from Fox 5 (which was syndicated to MSN!) and Yahoo News.

This week at FLC

Monday	12:00 AA in the lounge 4:00 TACO meal and free clinics
Wednesday	10:00 TACO Starbucks and snacks
Thursday	9:30 Chinese Bible Church Bible Study in the library 12:00 Al Anon in the library
Friday	9:00 TACO meal 12:00 AA in the lobby
Saturday	12:00 TACO First Saturday Giveaway
Sunday	9:00 Bible Study 10:00 Worship 3:00 Chinese Bible Church Worship