SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25TH, 2026​​

REFORMATION SUNDAY

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INTRODUCTION​

Rooted in the past and growing into the future, the church must always be
     reformed in order to live out the love of Christ in an ever-changing world. We
     celebrate the good news of God’s grace, that Jesus Christ sets us free every day
     to do this life-transforming work. Trusting in the freedom given to us in baptism,
     we pray for the church, that Christians will unite more fully in worship and mission.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

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. Keep them
     steadfast in your word, protect and comfort them in times of trial, defend them
     against all enemies of the gospel, and bestow on the church your saving peace,
     through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the
     Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

FIRST READING

JEREMIAH 31:31-34
The renewed covenant will not be breakable, but like the old covenant it will
     expect the people to live upright lives. To know the Lord means that one will
     defend the cause of the poor and needy (Jer. 22:16). The renewed covenant is
     possible only because the Lord will forgive iniquity and not remember sin. Our
     hope lies in a God who forgets.

31 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant
     with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant
     that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out
     of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband,
     says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
     after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on
     their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 No longer
     shall they teach one another or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall
     all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord, for I will forgive
     their iniquity and remember their sin no more.

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PSALM

PSALM 46
(Response) The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. (Ps. 46:7)

1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved,
and though the mountains shake in the depths of the sea;
3 though its waters rage and foam,
and though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be shaken;
God shall help it at the break of day.
6 The nations rage, and the kingdoms shake;
God speaks, and the earth melts away.
(Response) The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. (Ps. 46:7)

7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
8 Come now, regard the works of the Lord,
what desolations God has brought upon the earth;
9 behold the one who makes war to cease in all the world;
who breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, and burns the shields with fire.
10 “Be still, then, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
(Response) The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. (Ps. 46:7)​

SECOND READING

ROMANS 3:19-28
Paul’s words stand at the heart of the preaching of Martin Luther and other
     Reformation leaders. No human beings make themselves right with God through
     works of the law. We are brought into a right relationship with God through the
     divine activity centered in Christ’s death. This act is a gift of grace that liberates
     us from sin and empowers our faith in Jesus Christ.

19 Now we know that, whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under
     the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world may be held
     accountable to God. 20 For no human will be justified before him by deeds
     prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.

     21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed and
     is attested by the Law and the Prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through the
     faith of Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23 since all
     have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24 they are now justified by his
     grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put
     forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did
     this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had
     passed over the sins previously committed; 26 it was to demonstrate at the
     present time his own righteousness, so that he is righteous and he justifies the
     one who has the faith of Jesus.

     27 Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. Through what kind of law?
     That of works? No, rather through the law of faith. 28 For we hold that a person is
     justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.

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​​​​GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will
     know the truth, and the truth will make you free. Alleluia. (John 8:31-32)

GOSPEL READING

JOHN 8:31-36
Jesus speaks of truth and freedom as spiritual realities known through his word.
     He reveals the truth that sets people free from sin.

31 Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word,
     you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make
     you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have
     never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, ‘You will be made free’?”

     34 Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a
     slave to sin. 35 The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the
     son has a place there forever. 36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”​

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Annual License #SB144368. The next Subscription Renewal Date is 2/28/2027.
Our Hymns and Worship Music are used via permission through CCLI One
License #11327166. The next Subscription Renewal Date is 1/31/2027.

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