A Worship Service to Celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation

In Every Age O Lord!

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Opening Hymn: A Mighty Fortress (Martin Luther – 1528)

Christian Worship 201

1 A mighty fortress is our God, A trusty shield and weapon;He helps us free from ev’ry need That has us now o’ertaken.The old evil foe Now means deadly woe;Deep guile and great might Are his dread arms in fight;On earth is not his equal.2 With might of ours can naught be done; Soon were our loss effected.But for us fights the valiant one Whom God himself elected.You ask, “Who is this?” Jesus Christ it is,The almighty Lord. And there’s no other God;He holds the field forever.3 Though devils all the world should fill, All eager to devour us,We tremble not, we fear no ill; They shall not overpow’r us.This world’s prince may still Scowl fierce as he will,He can harm us none. He’s judged; the deed is done!One little word can fell him.PLEASE STAND

4 The Word they still shall let remain, Nor any thanks have for it;He’s by our side upon the plain With his good gifts and Spirit.And do what they will-Hate, steal, hurt, or kill-Though all may be gone, Our victory is won;The kingdom’s ours forever!

Gathering Rite for Reformation (Mark Bitter – 2004)

Soloist:It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name;To tell of your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night. Psalm 92:1,2

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REFRAIN

Soloist:For you make me glad by your deeds;I sing for joy at the works of your hands.How great are your works, O LORD, how profound your thoughts. Psalm 92:4,5

REFRAIN

Soloist:The righteous will flourish like a palm tree;They will flourish in the courts of our God;Proclaiming, “The LORD is upright; he is my Rock!” Psalm 92:12,13,15

REFRAIN

M: May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14

We have gathered to worship the Lord, and to proclaim and meditate on his Word.Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? Psalm 24:3C: The one who has clean hands and a pure heart.They will receive blessing from the LORD. Psalm 24:4,5

M: I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty. Isaiah 6:5

C: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.

Psalm 51:1

M: For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Psalm 51:3-5

C: Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:7,10

M: The blood of Jesus, God’s Son, purifies us from all sin. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 1:7; 2:2

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Take heart! Your sins are forgiven. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!

Matthew 9:2, Revelation 19:7

BE SEATED

In Every Age O Lord…We Are Guided by Scripture Alone!

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Isaiah 55:6-136 Seek the LORD while he may be found;

call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake their ways

and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them,

and to our God, for he will freely pardon. 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,

and do not return to it without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,

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and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.

This will be for the LORD’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.”

HYMN: Speak, O Savior; I Am Listening (Anna Sophia of Hesse- Darmstadt- 1658)

Christian Worship 283

1 Speak, O Savior; I am list’ning, As a servant to his lord.Let me show respect and honor To your holy, precious Word,That each day, my whole life through, I may serve and follow you.Let your Word e’er be my pleasure And my heart’s most precious treasure.

2 Oh, what blessing to be near you And to listen to your voice!Let me ever love and fear you; Let your Word still be my choice.Many hardened sinners, Lord, Flee in terror at your Word,But to all who feel sin’s burden You give peace and words of pardon.

3 Lord, your words are waters living Where I quench my thirsty needs.Lord, your words are bread life-giving; On your words my spirit feeds.Lord, your words will be my light Through death’s cold and dreary night;Yes, they are my sword prevailing And my cup of joy unfailing.

4 As I pray, dear Jesus, hear me; Let your words in me take root.May your Spirit e’er be near me That I bear abundant fruit.May I daily sing your praise, From my heart glad anthems raise,Till my highest praise is given In the endless joy of heaven.

In Every Age O Lord…We Have Righteousness through Faith Alone!

EPISTLE LESSON: Romans 4:13-2513 It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the

promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless, 15 because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.

16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.

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18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19

Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21

being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22

This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

HYMN: My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less(Edward Mote – 1834)

Christian Worship 382

1 My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;I dare to make no other claim But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.Refrain:On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.

2 When darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace;In ev’ry high and stormy gale My anchor holds within the veil.Refrain

3 His oath, his covenant and blood Support me in the raging flood;When ev’ry earthly prop gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.Refrain4 When he shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in him be found,Clothed in his righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before his throne.Refrain

In Every Age O Lord…Your Church Is Built on Christ Alone!

GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 16:13-2013 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his

disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still

others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not

revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven;

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whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

CHOIR In Christ Alone (Keith Getty – 2002)

Congregation joins in verse 4:

No guilt in life, no fear in death- this is the power of Christ in me.From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand;Till He returns or calls me home – here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.

In Every Age O Lord…We Need Your Grace Alone

Sermon: It’s All About Grace!Ephesians 3:2-13

Pastor Donald Patterson WELS District President; South Central District

2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. 7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

In Every Age O Lord…We Confess Our Faith in You Alone!

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

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,born of the virgin Mary,

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suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, died, and was buried.He descended into hell.The third day he rose again from the dead.He ascended into heavenand is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

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

In Every Age O Lord…We Support the Work of the Lord

Offering(Your generous gift will be used to support Gospel outreach in Central

Texas.)

Musical Offering We Believe (Contemporary Choir)

Verse 1In this time of desperationWhen all we know is doubt and fearThere is only one foundationWe believe we believeIn this broken generationWhen all is dark You help us seeThere is only one salvationWe believe we believe

ChorusWe believe in God the FatherWe believe in Jesus ChristWe believe in the Holy SpiritAnd He's given us new lifeWe believe in the crucifixionWe believe that He conquered

deathWe believe in the resurrectionAnd He's coming back again(We believe)

Verse 2So let our faith be more than anthemsGreater than the songs we singIn our weakness and temptationsWe believe we believe

BridgeLet the lost be found and the dead be raisedIn the here and now let love invade

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Let the church live loud our God will saveWe believe we believeAnd the gates of hell will not prevailFor the pow'r of God has torn the veilNow we know Your love will never

failWe believe we believe

EndingHe's coming back againHe's coming back againWe believe we believe

In Every Age O Lord…We Pray Together

M: Almighty and eternal God, when the time had fully come, you sent your Son to take our place under the demands of the law and to endure the just punishment for our sins. For our sake you accepted his sacrifice on the cross and raised him from death to glorious splendor.

C: Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.M: When the time had fully come, you bestowed your Spirit on your people

as a testimony that you had called them to proclaim the gospel to every creature. Equipped and encouraged, they carried the Word of salvation into all the world.

C: The Lord reigns. Let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice.

M: When the time had fully come, you raised up your servant Martin Luther to restore the pure and right teaching of the Scriptures to a troubled Church. You renewed your people with the light of your love, and your holy church grew and prospered throughout the world.

C: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.M: When the time had fully come, you made our forefathers bold to take

their stand on the truth of your Word. You have blessed their sons and daughters and have enabled us to preserve and proclaim the saving gospel.

C: Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.

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M: Let this be a time, O Lord, when you renew us again by Word and sacrament, when you reform our hearts and minds, and when you restore to us the joy of fellowship and service. Grant to us in this age and in this place the courage of the apostles, the steadfastness of the reformers, and the dedication of those who have gone before us.

C: May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us.

M: May this be a time, O Lord, for confession and repentance. Forgive us for the apathy that harms our faith and hinders our works. Forgive us for boasting of our past achievements and for blaming others for our present problems. Rid us of indifference to public worship and Bible study. Destroy the distrust that plagues us, and shatter every thought and word that harms the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace.

C: Create in us pure hearts, O God, and renew steadfast spirits within us.

M: Let this be a time, O Lord, when we recommit and reconsecrate ourselves to the ministry of the gospel. Let us find joy in our unity, zeal for our work, and success in our labor.

C: May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us, that his ways may be known on earth, his salvation among all nations. Amen.

Lord’s PrayerC: Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who

trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever

and ever. Amen.

In Every Age O Lord…We Gather at the Table of the Lord(NOTE: As we come to the Lord’s Table, the Lord invites those who are properly prepared to receive the Sacrament. The Scriptures define those who are properly prepared as those who:

- Trust that the true body and blood of Jesus sacrificed on the cross is truly present. (Luke 22:19-20)

- Recognize their sin and with repentant hearts come to Jesus for forgiveness. (1 John 1:8-9)

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- Trust that in receiving Christ’s body and blood we receive forgiveness for our sins. (Matthew 26:28)

- Recognize and understand the significance of Christ’s death and resurrection. (1 Cor. 11:24, 26, 29)

- Are unified in faith with those who join in the Lord’s Supper together. (1 Corinthians 10:17)

If you are visiting from another faith tradition this afternoon and desire to join in the Lord’s Supper at a future date, we kindly ask that you speak to one of the pastors following today’s service.

DISTRIBUTION NOTE:The elements will be distributed by a continuous flow distribution. As you are ushered forward down the center aisle, you may come forward as an individual or as a couple to receive the bread from one pastor and the individual cup from the second pastor. There is a receptacle to deposit your empty cup as you return to your seat via the side aisles.

WORDS OF INSTITUTIONM: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and

when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

DISTRIBUTION HYMN: Take and Eat(Michael Joncas – 1989)

DISMISSAL

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M: May this true body and blood of our Lord Jesus which has been received together with the bread and wine, strengthen and preserve you in the one true faith until life everlasting. Amen.

THANK THE LORD

M: Hear the prayer of your people, O Lord, that the lips which have praised you here may glorify you in the world, that the eyes which have seen the coming of your Son may long for his coming again, and that all who have received in his true body and blood the pledge of your forgiveness may be restored to live a new and holy life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen.M: Brothers and sisters, in the joy and blessing of the Reformation, go with great confidence and joy in your heart that you are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, found in Scripture alone. May your life reflect the salvation you have through Christ alone, living each day to the glory of God!

The Lord bless you and keep you.The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.The Lord look on you with favor and (+) give you peace.

C: Amen. CLOSING HYMN: O God, Our Help in Ages Past

(Christian Worship 441)(Isaac Watts – 1719)

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1 O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come,Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home,

2 Under the shadow of your throne Your saints have dwelt secure;Sufficient is your arm alone, And our defense is sure.

3 Before the hills in order stood Or earth received its frame,From everlasting you are God, To endless years the same.

4 A thousand ages in your sight Are like an evening gone,Short as the watch that ends the night Before the rising sun.

5 Time, like an ever-rolling stream, Soon bears us all away;We fly, forgotten, as a dream Dies at the op’ning day.

6 O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come,Still be our guard while troubles last And our eternal home!

SERVING US IN WORSHIP TODAY:Preacher.......................................Pastor Don Patterson, Holy Word LutheranPresiding Minister.................Pastor Michael Geiger, Cross & Crown LutheranOrganist..............................................Mrs. Chris Gebert, Holy Word LutheranInstrumentalists Mr. David Widiger, Trumpet; Chrisy Wilke & Nadine Schulz, Violin;

Benhur Khamrang, Guitar; Lindsay Madigan, Flute; Beth Gove, Keyboard

Choir Director..................................Mrs. Beth Gove, Cross & Crown LutheranChoir Members........................................Central Texas WELS/ELS Lutherans Contemporary ChoirBenhur Khamrang, Beth Gove, Lindsay Madigan, Nadine Schulz

All are invited to stay and enjoy fellowship and a meal immediately following the worship service. Thank you for being part of this

special celebration!

A PORTRAIT OF MARTIN LUTHER

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STUDENT AND MONK WRITER AND REFORMER

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BOLD WITNESS TRANSLATOR

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