Sunday Worship Information for October 26th, Reformation Sunday

Time after Pentecost

The Time after Pentecost began the Day after Pentecost and ends the Saturday before the First Sunday in Advent. The Sundays after Pentecost make up the longest portion of the Church Year. We call this half of the year the Time of the Church.

Throughout this season, we focus on the ministry of Christ and how He guides His church to grow in faith toward God and in love toward one another. During this time our will focus will be on the Gospel readings in Luke. These readings pick up the narrative of Jesus’ life in mid-ministry at the height of His teaching, storytelling, and healing. There is a bit of everything in Luke, with some well-known passages to experience again: the sending out of the disciples, the parable of the good Samaritan, Jesus visiting Mary and Martha, and instruction on prayer. These snapshots of Jesus’ ministry highlight various facets of discipleship practice: welcoming, listening, praying, peacemaking, rejoicing, and more.

The color for the season after Pentecost is green which signifies growth and life. We grow in faith and are nourished as we hear and study God’s Word and receive the Sacraments in the resurrection life in Christ.

Pentecost: Summer Theme

Faithfully Following
our Refuge and Strength

Theme Write-up

written by Matthew Reece, Director of Music Ministries

As we come to the close of the Pentecost season, we are reminded that our journey of faith is rooted in the steadfast love and power of God, our refuge and strength. In every season of life—whether marked by joy or challenge—God remains our sure foundation, guiding us by the Spirit and upholding us in grace. Like the psalmist who proclaims, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,” we are called to trust fully in the One who never leaves us nor forsakes us. This trust shapes how we live, encouraging us to follow Christ with courage, humility, and compassion, knowing that God’s presence surrounds us and equips us for each step along the way.

Faithfully following our refuge and strength means walking in the footsteps of Jesus, even when the path is uncertain or costly. It means listening for the Spirit’s call, loving our neighbors, seeking justice, and bearing witness to the hope we have in Christ. As we prepare to enter the new church year, we do so with hearts strengthened by God’s promises and with lives oriented toward God’s kingdom. In the face of change, challenge, and opportunity, we find our confidence not in our own abilities but in the unfailing grace of God, who leads us forward. Together as the body of Christ, we are sent into the world to reflect God’s light, trusting that the One who is our refuge and strength will sustain us in every time and place.

Altarscpape

Thank you, Julie, for the beautiful altarscape you created for the season.

Ardor (Worship Musicians)

The musicians rehearse from 9:00 – 9:45 am every Sunday morning. You are invited to join us in leading music during the worship service. The musicians for worship can find the service orders and music in the crate on the back pew in the sanctuary for each week. Contact the office if you plan to help lead worship.

Worship Information

Join us in-person for the weekly Worship Service at 10 am in-person or via Facebook Live if you are unable to attend in person (https://www.facebook.com/allsaintsdavenport/). The service will later be uploaded to YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@allsaintslutheranchurchdav1987) for your viewing.

Worship at All Saints might look and feel a little different. We carefully and prayerfully select a worship theme each season, and we choose songs and liturgical elements that help communicate that theme and bring us closer to God and to one another.

All Saints Lutheran Church is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and participates in the Synod Authorized Ministry (SAM) program offered by the Southeastern Iowa Synod. Bishop Amy Current has authorized Wanda Barber, Matthew Reece, and Julie Schoville to be Synod Authorized Ministers able to preside over all worship services and offer pastoral care. The Synod provides training and instruction throughout the year and fully supports this program.

If you would like the spoken words for the worship services, contact the office (office@allsaintsdavenport.org) to request the information.

Reformation Sunday

Reformation Sunday, By the end of the seventeenth century, many Lutheran churches celebrated a festival commemorating Martin Luther’s posting of the Ninety-five Theses, a summary of abuses in the church of his time. At the heart of the reform movement was the gospel, the good news that it is by grace through faith that we are justified and set free.

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.

Scripture

Jeremiah 31:31-34 I will write my law in their hearts, says the Lord

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.

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

Romans 3:19-28 Justified by God’s grace as a gift

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.

John 8:31-36 Jesus says, Continue in my word and you will know the truth

Jesus speaks of truth and freedom as spiritual realities known through his word. He reveals the truth that sets people free from sin.

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.

Fellowship Time

After worship there is a time for refreshments and fellowship time in the gathering space.