Reformation Sunday Worship 10-26-2025

Reformation Sunday
10-26-2025 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)

+ We Rejoice in God’s Spirit +

OPENING SONG: “A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD” Tan #124
THE OPENING RITE:
L May the love of God, the grace of [+] Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit be with each of you, Amen.
Many people on earth seem to have concern only for trivial pursuits of this world’s fading treasures and fleeting
pleasures. They seem to have no use for God at all, and some are always doing what is bad.
C It is easy for us more religious folk try to congratulate ourselves for being such “good” persons –
decent, honest, caring, and moral.
L But St. Paul’s words in Romans 3 convict every one of us:
C “ALL HAVE SINNED AND FALL SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD.”
L Even if we are longtime active members of a congregation, a Church Council member, a deacon, or even the Pastor…
C All have sinned!
L Even if we worship every Sunday…
C All fall short!
L Even if we memorize and quote bunches of Bible passages…
C All have sinned!
L Even if we fast and pray three times a week…
C All fall short!
L Even if we attend every single church event and join every committee and organization…
C All have sinned!
L Even if we tithe of our income, our savings, and any spare change we find on the sidewalk…
C All fall short!
L Even if we do many nice things for needy and even nasty people…
C All have sinned!
L Even if we suffer ridicule, persecution, and death because we are Christian…
C All fall short!

[Silence is kept for reflection. You can’t lie to God… and don’t lie to yourself.]

L The truth is that all of us are guilty, none of us can ever earn or deserve God’s mercy, all have sinned, all fall short, you
and I and each and all. But there is another truth that does not condemn us, a dynamic truth that saves us. And so St.
Paul also writes in Romans 3 about sinners such as us:
C “THEY ARE NOW JUSTIFIED BY GOD’S GRACE AS A GIFT,
THROUGH THE REDEMPTION THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS.”
L Out of his mercy and love, God has passed over your former sins; God forgives your iniquity (deeply rooted sin that you
have not really repented) and remembers your sin no more. Through the blood of [+] Jesus Christ, God has liberated
you… your sins are forgiven… and you are free to truly live and really love. If you continue in the word of Christ, you are
truly his disciples. And if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed! Amen and Alleluia!
C Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty I’m free at last!
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY (together):
Gracious God, we pray for your ONE HOLY CHURCH on earth. Fill it with all truth and peace.
Where it is corrupt, purify it… where it is in error, direct it… where anything is wrong or missing, reform it…
where it is right, strengthen it… where it is in need, provide for it… and where it is divided, reunite it.
We pray that we may stay free and faithful and fervent in the gospel of Christ, today and always,
Amen and Amen!

+ We Rejoice in God’s Saving Word +

FIRST READING: JEREMIAH 31:31-34
[God’s new covenant – abiding love written on the hearts of the people.]
PSALM RESPONSIVE READING: PSALM 46
[God’s strong refuge – blessed assurance in troubled times.]
SECOND LESSON: ROMANS 3:19-28
[God’s salvation – unearned grace to undeserving sinners, received by faith.]
GOSPEL VERSE: “I really love the Lord… I really love the Lord!

You don’t know what He’s done for me, gave me the victory.
I love Him, I love Him… I really love the Lord!” (repeat)
THE HOLY GOSPEL: JOHN 8:31-36
[God’s liberation – freed by Christ, no longer slaves to sin.]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE SERMON: Pastor Clesha Staten, sharing the good news of God’s love!
SONG RESPONSE: “CAN’T NOBODY DO ME LIKE JESUS” Tan #384
AN AFFIRMATION OF OUR FAITH (together):
We believe that God has created this world, has created humanity, and has created each of us.
We believe that God so loved the world, so loved all people, so loved us, that God gave Jesus, the Son,
to save us from sin and death, to save us from the ways of this world and the Devil in it, and to save us
from ourselves.
We believe that Jesus suffered for us in his living, sacrificed for us in his dying, and was raised for us in
resurrection victory.
We believe that the resurrection victory of Jesus is our resurrection victory, our only hope and salvation,
and our invitation to new, abundant, and everlasting life.
We believe that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
THE PRAYERS… We pray for NEW LIFE in the Spirit and the MISSION of the Church to the world!
+ We Rejoice in God’s Nourishing Meal +

OFFERING OF OUR TITHES (10% giving) AND GIFTS
Those in the Sanctuary can put their offering in the offering plate to share their gratitude and
their generosity in response to Christ’s love. Those farther away might: mail a check or money
order to St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2169 74th Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
19138… contribute online through bit.ly/stpetersgiving and set up a one-time donation or a
recurring weekly gift to selected categories… or text Give+ at 833-914-0896 and follow the
instructions to register and record your contribution. Give gratefully. Give generously.
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE OFFERTORY SONG: “More about Jesus would I know, more of his grace to others show, (Tan #565)

More of his saving fullness see, more of his love who died for me.
MORE, MORE ABOUT JESUS… MORE, MORE ABOUT JESUS…
MORE OF HIS SAVING FULLNESS SEE, MORE OF HIS LOVE WHO DIED FOR ME.
More about Jesus let me learn, more of his holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my Teacher be, showing the things of Christ to me.”

OFFERING PRAYER led by the Communion Assistant: [see PHILIPPIANS 3:10-11]
Dear God, I want to know Christ inside and out. I want to experience the power of his resurrection and join him
in his suffering. I want to be like him in his death and be raised like him from death. As I grow in the grace of
Christ, make me strong in my faith, bold in my witness, and fervent in my servant-love. There is no better life
than life in Christ! Amen.

THE PREFACE:
L The Lord be with you. C And also with you.
L Lift up your hearts! C We lift them up in love for God!
L Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C It is right to give God our thanks and praise.
L We are the Body of Christ! C His Spirit is in us! Alleluia!
L [continues the Preface]… we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
C [singing…] “Holy, holy, holy, holy,
holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
and we lift our hearts before you as a token of our love,
holy, holy, holy, holy.
Precious Jesus, precious Jesus,
We’re so glad that you redeemed us, precious Jesus…
Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit,
come and fill our hearts anew, O Holy Spirit…”
THE EUCHARISTIC WORDS by the Celebrant, who recalls and re-enacts Jesus’ Holy Meal.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (spoken)
COMMUNION AND BLESSINGS… All believers in Jesus Christ are welcome at the Lord’s Table! The wine may be received from
the pouring chalice; we also have grape juice on the tray.
COMMUNION SONGS: “MY HOPE IS BUILT On NOTHING LESS” Tan #385
“I’M SO GLAD” Tan #238

THE COMMUNION BLESSING by the Celebrant after all have communed.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER by the Communion Assistant.

+ We Rejoice in God’s Mission +

THE BENEDICTION by the Pastor… We are sent forth to be and become and BODY OF CHRIST for the world!
CLOSING SONG: “REVIVE US AGAIN” Tan #569