SUGGESTIONS FOR REFORMATION DAY CELEBRATION

October 27, 2002

Theme

Celebrating the witness of the saints of God both past and present. Honoring the covenant written on their hearts, recognizing the cost of their discipleship, and giving thanks for the blessing this brings to our Christian communities.

Scripture Readings

Jeremiah 31:31-34; Matthew 5:1-12

Hymns from The Presbyterian Hymnal

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God    260
For All the Saints   526
I Sing a Song of the Saints of God    364

Call to Worship

from Hebrews 12:1-2, NRSV

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
Let us also lay aside every weight, and the sin that clings so closely
And let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,
Looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Amen

Prayer of Invocation

Gather us together this Reformation Sunday, O God, that we may celebrate the witness of our forefathers and foremothers and the courage that gave birth to the Reformation. Teach us how to honor the saints of God in ages past as well as in our present days. May the conviction of your grace written on their hearts be one that forms our own faith. Inspire us in the continuing reformation of the church and be present to us your in word and sacrament. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen

Litany for All the Saints

We give thanks to God this day for all the saints, lifting up the courage of Luther and Calvin, and of all the Reformers who had the courage to say no to the abuses of the church in their time.

For all the saints, we give thanks.

We thank God for all the early founders of the Reformed Churches in the United States who struggled with life in a new land and still found courage to create a church family grounded on scripture, conscience and the sovereignty of God.

For all the saints, we give thanks.

We thank God for the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, USA, and for the Synods and all the governing bodies of the church who have spent many years in careful deliberation to understand ways the church can be reformed and reforming through its decisions.

For all the saints, we give thanks.

We thank God for the many Presbyteries that have sought to discern the gifts of the Spirit in candidates for ordination regardless of their sexual orientation, and we particularly pray for those Presbyteries that have paid the price of litigation and continuing investigations. Hear us as we name those Presbyteries: ...........

For all the saints, we give thanks.

We thank God for the congregations, their elders, deacons, pastors and seminarians who have struggled to discern God’s Word in their midst and to respect diversity as a central requirement for the peace and unity of the church. We pray for the congregations whom we name out loud or in our hearts: ................................

For all the saints, we give thanks.

We thank God for the women and men who face allegations that they are unfaithful to the church because they have courageously declared that God alone is Lord of the conscience, and have said “No!” to injustice. Hear us as we pray for men and women who face such difficulties: ..............................................................

For all the saints, we give thanks.

We thank God for a church that is built on the principles of continuing reformation by those who seek to worship the God of Jesus Christ. May the church continue to nurture Christ’s gifts of peace with justice, unity with diversity, and purity with self-critical discernment.

For all the saints, we give thanks. Amen

Benediction

from Jeremiah 31: 33-34

God will write a new covenant on our hearts
God will be our God and we will be God’s people
No longer shall we teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord.”
For we shall all know God.
In the name of God the Source of Life, the Word of Truth, and the Spirit of Love.
Amen