Reformation Day Sunday, October 29, 2023
Entrance Hymn: LBW #230 “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word”
Prayer of the day:
Almighty and gracious Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and deliver us in times of temptation, defend us against all enemies, and grant to Your Church Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
First Reading:
Revelation 14:6-7
The Messages of the Three Angels
6 Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. 7 And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”
Psalm 34:1-2, 11, 22; antiphon: Psalm 119:46
L: I will speak of your testimonies before kings, O Lord,
C: and shall not be put to shame.
L: I will bless the Lord at all times;
C: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
L: My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
C: let the humble hear and be glad.
L: Come, O children, listen to me;
C: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
L: The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
C: none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
L: I will speak of your testimonies before kings, O Lord,
C: and shall not be put to shame.
Epistle:
Romans 3:19-28
19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
The Righteousness of God Through Faith
21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
Gospel:
John 8:31-36
The Truth Will Set You Free
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”
34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Message Hymn: LBW #229 “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
Closing Hymn: LBW #299 “Dear Christians, One and All”
Since January of 2022, Bethany Lutheran church has been without a pastor. We have worked through the process to get a new Pastor, and issued several calls. There have admittedly been some disappointments. However, it is time to rejoice.
