Wednesday, October 31, 2018 - Reformation Day

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Wednesday, October 31, 2018: Reformation Day

  • 1 This Week's Theme
  • 2 Preparing Our Hearts
  • 3 Praising Our God
  • 4 Listening to His Voice
  • 5 Responding in Faith
  • 6 Departing to Serve
  • 7 For Your Weekly Journey
  • The New Covenant

    Jeremiah 31.31-34

    In one of his prophetic visions, the prophet Jeremiah declared the makings of a new covenant with his people, one which radically differed from the covenant stipulations given on Mount Sinai after they left Egypt. “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD” (Jer. 31.31-32). The new covenant the LORD makes will not merely give them negative and positive commands to obey; rather, the new covenant would involve putting his law within them, writing it on their hearts. His Spirit would be within them, they would be his people, and he would become their God.

    The new covenant will end the need of missionary endeavor, for every person everywhere will know the LORD, from the least to the greatest, for the Lord will forgive them, and remember their sin no more. Jesus of Nazareth has ushered in the New Covenant in his blood, and all who believe in him alone are saved by grace through faith. The Reformation rekindled our understanding of this new covenant, and called the Church to rediscover the power of grace and justification by faith. To all the leaders, movements, and church bodies that called for a reorientation around grace, faith, Christ, the Word, and the Spirit, we salute them and all present-day movements where the reform continues, to this day.

  • Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation

    Almighty and everlasting God, Who hast revealed Thy glory, by Christ, among all nations, preserve the works of Thy mercy; that Thy Church, which is spread throughout the world, may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of Thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    ~ Gelasian Sacramentary (Bright, p. 98)

    Call to Worship  

    Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, Amen.

  • Te Deum Laudamus

    You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

    The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

    You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.

    Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)

    Gloria Patri

    Glory be to the Father, And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, Is now, and ever shall be, World without end. Amen, amen. 

  • Chronological Reading for the Day

    Reformation Day: 2 Cor. 1.1-6.13



    Lectionary Readings for the Day

    Psalm: Ps. 46

    OT: Jer. 31.31-34

    Gospel: John 8.31-36

    NT: Rom. 3.19-28

    (Click here for all readings)

    Reflection: Silence and/or Journaling

  • The Apostles' Creed

    I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick 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.

    *In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).

    Prayers of Confession
    Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.

    Assurance of Pardon
    Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.

    Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord's Prayer
    Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

    --Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)

    Doxology (and/or closing song)
    Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
    Praise Him all creatures here below;
    Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
    Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

  • Benediction  
    Almighty God, we beseech thee to hear the prayers of thy Church in this place and throughout our land, which thou hast made a land of light and a treasure-house of thy mercies. Let thy Word preached prove swift and sure, passing from the ear to the heart, and from the heart to our life and conversation, that as the rain returns not empty, so neither may thy Word, but accomplish that for which it is given; to the glory of thy holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with the Father and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.

    ~ George Herbert (Ferguson, 326)

    Affirmation from the Psalms
    Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! [2] Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. [3] Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! [4] For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. [5] For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens. [6] Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

    ~ Psalm 96.1-6

    Pray without Ceasing - Flash Prayer for the Day
    We celebrate today, Lord Jesus Christ, your great salvation which is by grace through faith alone.

  • Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus

    The One Given Dominion

    Daniel 7.9-14


    Book Reading

    Lutzer, One Minute after You Die