Reformation Sunday!
Reformation Sunday
10-25-2026 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 Gracious God, though you have been faithful to us, we have not been faithful to you.
C You offer us your love, but we use and abuse it – treat it like nothing.
You show us your wisdom, but we prefer to go our own way – paying you no mind.
You give us second chances, but we demand a third and a fourth – thinking you are so easy.
You know and we confess that we have sinned against you in our thought, words, and actions.
You know and we confess that we do not love other people, close and far, with the quality you command.
O God, have mercy on us. Forgive us, heal us, and refresh us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
L If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away, everything has become new. I tell you,
My dear brothers and sisters, that in (+) Christ, your sins are taken away, you are forgiven, you are new, and you are set
free to live on purpose with trusting faith and transforming love.
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY (together):
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, that they may experience your peace and your truth.
Keep them steadfast in your word, protect and comfort them in times of trial, and defend them against
enemies of the gospel.
Inspire your church to represent the joy of your grace and to share the power of your love, now and always.,
Amen.
+ We Rejoice in God’s Saving Word +
FIRST READING: JEREMIAH 31:31-34 Today’s Readings
[God’s new covenant – abiding love written on the hearts of the people.]
PSALM RESPONSIVE READING: PSALM 46 Today’s Readings
[God’s strong refuge – blessed assurance in troubled times.]
SECOND LESSON: ROMANS 3:19-28 Today’s Readings
[God’s salvation – unearned grace to undeserving sinners, received by faith.]
GOSPEL VERSE: “Your grace and mercy have brought me through; Tan #270
I’m living this moment because of You.
I want to thank You, and praise You too;
Your grace and mercy brought me through.” (repeat)
THE HOLY GOSPEL: JOHN 8:31-36 Today’s Readings
[God’s liberation – freed by Christ, no longer slaves to sin.]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE SERMON: Pastor Gwen or Pastor Neil
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 +
THE PEACE GREETING… We offer words and signs of GOD’S LOVE alive and real among us!
OFFERING OF TITHES (10%) AND GIFTS… By God’s grace and our response of gratitude and generosity, we are a sharing people. So let us bless others both near and
far away with our gifts of time, talent, and treasure,
In the Sanctuary, place your offering in the offering plate or scan the QR code on the screen.
At home, mail a check or money order to St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2169 74th Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19138 or scan the QR code on the screen. You can also contribute online through bit.ly/stpetersgiving and set up a one-time donation or a recurring weekly gift to the categories you select. Or you can text Give+ at 833-914-0896 and follow the instructions for your contribution. Thank God, praise God, and serve God with your faithful giving.
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 Christ are welcome at the Lord’s Table! You may come up by the center aisle and kneel or stand at the altar. Get an empty glass as you come forward if you want wine from the chalice. We will also have a tray of ore-poured glasses of grape juice at the altar. You may return to your seats by the side aisles. If you cannot physically come to the altar but want to receive Holy Communion, please tell one of our ushers.
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