Commemoration of Martin Luther
February 18, 2017
Observed: February 19, 2017

Confession and Absolution

Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty	 LSB 901

Stand

The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

P	In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C	Amen.

P	If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
C	But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Kneel/Stand

Silence for reflection on God's Word and for self-examination.

P	Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.
C	Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

P	Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C	Amen.

Stand

Service of the Word

Introit	Psalm 119:46; Psalm 46:1–3, 7a
I will also speak of Your testimonies be- | fore kings*
   and shall not be | put to shame.
God is our ref- | uge and strength,*
   a very present help in | trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though the | earth gives way,*
   though the mountains be moved into the heart | of the sea,
though its waters | roar and foam,*
   though the mountains tremble at its | swelling.

Glory be to the Father and | to the Son*
   and to the Holy | Spirit;
as it was in the be- | ginning,*
   is now, and will be forever. | Amen.

The Lord of hosts is | with us;*
   the God of Jacob is our | fortress. 
I will also speak of Your testimonies be- | fore kings*
   and shall not be | put to shame.

Kyrie	 LSB 152
P	In peace let us pray to the Lord.
C	Lord, have mercy.
P	For the peace from above and for our salvation let us pray to the Lord.
C	Lord, have mercy.
P	For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all let us pray to the Lord.
C	Lord, have mercy.
P	For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise let us pray to the Lord.
C	Lord, have mercy.
P	Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
C	Amen.

Hymn of Praise

Gloria in Excelsis	 LSB 154
A	Glory to God in the highest, and peace to His people on earth.
C	Lord God, heavenly king, almighty God and Father:
We worship You, we give You thanks, we praise You for Your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God:
You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
You are seated at the right hand of the Father; receive our prayer.
For You alone are the Holy One, You alone are the Lord,
You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.  Amen.

Salutation and Collect of the Day	
P	The Lord be with you.
C	And also with you.

P	Let us pray.

O God, our refuge and our strength, You raised up Your servant Martin Luther to reform and renew Your Church in the light of Your living Word, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Defend and purify the Church in our own day, and grant that we may boldly proclaim Christ’s faithfulness unto death and His vindicating resurrection, which You made known to Your servant Martin through Jesus Christ, our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C	Amen.

Sit

Old Testament Reading	 Isaiah 55:6–11
6“Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near;
7let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
9For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
10“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
 
A	This is the Word of the Lord.
C	Thanks be to God.

Psalm	 Psalm 25:1–14 [See service downloads for festival setting.]
1To you, | O Lord,* I lift | up my soul.
2O my God, in you I trust;
let me not be | put to shame;*
let not my enemies exult | over me.
3Indeed, none who wait for you shall be | put to shame;*
they shall be ashamed who are wantonly | treacherous.
4Make me to know your ways, | O Lord;*
teach me | your paths.
5Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my sal- | vation;*
for you I wait all the | day long.
6Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your | steadfast love,*
for they have been | from of old.
7Remember not the sins of my youth or my trans- | gressions;*
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for the sake of your goodness, | O Lord!
8Good and upright | is the Lord;*
therefore he instructs sinners | in the way.
9He leads the humble in | what is right,*
and teaches the humble | his way.
10All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and | faithfulness,*
for those who keep his covenant and his testi- | monies.
11For your name’s sake, | O Lord,*
pardon my guilt, for | it is great.
12Who is the man who | fears the Lord?
Him will he instruct in the way that | he should choose.
13His soul shall abide in well- |being,*
and his offspring shall inher- | it the land.
14The friendship of the Lord is for those who | fear him,*
and he makes known to them his | covenant.

Epistle	 Romans 10:5–17
5For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 6But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7or “‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
 
A	This is the Word of the Lord.
C	Thanks be to God.

Stand

Alleluia and Verse	[See service downloads for festival setting.]

Verse of the Day	Psalm 84:12
Alleluia. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in You! Alleluia.

Holy Gospel	 John 15:1–11
P	The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the fifteenth chapter.
C	Glory to You, O Lord.
 
1[Jesus said:] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 
2Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
 
P	This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C	Praise to You, O Christ.

Sit

Children’s Message	[See service downloads for message resources.]

Christ, the Word of God Incarnate	 LSB 540, see service downloads for hymn resources

Sermon	[See service downloads for sermon resources.]

Stand

Nicene Creed	
C	I believe in one God,
     the Father Almighty,
     maker of heaven and earth
          and of all things visible and invisible.
 
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
     the only-begotten Son of God,
     begotten of His Father before all worlds,
     God of God, Light of Light,
     very God of very God,
     begotten, not made,
     being of one substance with the Father,
     by whom all things were made;
     who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven
     and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary
     and was made man;
     and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.
     He suffered and was buried.
     And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures
          and ascended into heaven
     and sits at the right hand of the Father.
     And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead,
     whose kingdom will have no end.
 
And I believe in the Holy Spirit,
     the Lord and giver of life,
     who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
     who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified,
     who spoke by the prophets.
     And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church,
     I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,
     and I look for the resurrection of the dead
     and the life T of the world to come. Amen.

Prayer of the Church	
P	Having heard the Word of the Lord, let us pray with confidence in the name of Christ, for ourselves, for all the people of God, and for all people according to their needs.

Lord of all life, we pray for Your Church and all who come to know You through her work and witness. Keep us all from the assaults of the devil, from the weakness of our own mortal flesh, and from the temptation of the world, that we may serve You in holiness and righteousness all our days. Into Your hands, O Lord,
C	we commit ourselves, for You have redeemed us, O Lord, faithful God.

P	Lord of love, we pray in thanksgiving for Martin Luther and for all those whom You have raised up to recall Your Church to the truth of Your Word. Bless all pastors, missionaries, church workers, and those preparing for church work, and prosper Your kingdom through their faithfulness. Into Your hands, O Lord,
C	we commit ourselves, for You have redeemed us, O Lord, faithful God.

P	Lord of power, all the nations of the world are accountable to You. Give to Your people everywhere, but especially in this land, the blessing of good leaders who love justice, who act mercifully, and who uphold the sanctity of life from beginning to end. Grant peace to the nations, protection to those who defend us in the armed forces, and blessing to all police, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. Into Your hands, O Lord,
C	we commit ourselves, for You have redeemed us, O Lord, faithful God.

P	Lord of hope, Your people turn to You in their hour of need. Give to all victims of disaster the comfort of Your presence and the preservation of Your grace in all circumstances of need. Bless those who work on our behalf here and throughout the world to show forth Your mercy and care for the needy. Into Your hands, O Lord,
C	we commit ourselves, for You have redeemed us, O Lord, faithful God.

P	Lord of mercy, send Your kindness upon all who suffer, upon the sick and those recovering, and upon the grieving and the dying. According to Your gracious will, sustain them in their afflictions, and grant them patience until they are delivered from the weakness of this mortal life, [especially . . .], and those whom we name before You in our hearts. [Pause for silent prayer.] Visit them with Your grace sufficient for all their needs. Into Your hands, O Lord,
C	we commit ourselves, for You have redeemed us, O Lord, faithful God.

P	Lord of life, in whom all live who have died in Christ and now rest from their labors, grant to us who know You by faith and not yet by sight the presence of Your Spirit, that we may serve You faithfully without fear and rest securely in Your arms when this life is over. Receive our thanks for blessed Luther and all the faithful who have gone before us and now await with us the completion of all You began. Into Your hands, O Lord,
C	we commit ourselves, for You have redeemed us, O Lord, faithful God.

P	These and all things that You know we need, grant to us according to Your fatherly wisdom and mercy. Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend ourselves and all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C	Amen.

Following the prayers, the people may greet one another in the name of the Lord, saying, “Peace be with you,” as a sign of reconciliation and of the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Matt. 5:22–24; Eph. 4:1–3).

Sit

Offering

Stand

Offertory	 LSB 159
C	What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits to me?
I will offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call on the name of the Lord.
I will take the cup of salvation and will call on the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people,
in the courts of the Lord's house, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.

Service of the Sacrament

Preface	 LSB 160
P	The Lord be with you.
C	And also with you.
P	Lift up your hearts.
C	We lift them to the Lord.
P	Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C	It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

P	It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord; for what had been hidden from before the foundation of the world You have made known to the nations in Your Son.  In Him, being found in the substance of our mortal nature, You have manifested the fullness of Your glory.  Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:

Sanctus	 LSB 161
C	Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow'r and might:
Heaven and earth are full of Your glory.
Hosanna.  Hosanna.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Prayer of Thanksgiving	 LSB 161
P	Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on those whom You created and sent Your only-begotten Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. With repentant joy we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice of His body and His blood on the cross.  
 
Gathered in the name and the remembrance of Jesus, we beg You, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strengthen us with Your Word and Spirit. Grant us faithfully to eat His body and drink His blood as He bids us do in His own testament.  Gather us together, we pray, from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end.  Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C	Amen.

The Words of Our Lord	 LSB 162
P	Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My T body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”

In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My T blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

P	As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
C	Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
 
P	O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, in giving us Your body and blood to eat and to drink, You lead us to remember and confess Your holy cross and passion, Your blessed death, Your rest in the tomb, Your resurrection from the dead, Your ascension into heaven, and Your coming for the final judgment. So remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:

Lord's Prayer	 LSB 162
C	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.

Pax Domini	 LSB 163
P	The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C	Amen.

Agnus Dei	 LSB 163
C	Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.

Sit

Distribution

The pastor and those who assist him receive the body and blood of Christ first and then distribute them to those who come to receive, saying:

Take, eat; this is the true body of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, given into death for your sins.
Amen.
 
Take, drink; this is the true blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, shed for the forgiveness of your sins.
Amen.

In dismissing the communicants, the following is said:

P	The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and preserve you in body and soul to life everlasting. Depart T in peace.
C	Amen.

O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright	 LSB 395

The Gifts Christ Freely Gives	 LSB 602

Evening and Morning	 LSB 726

Stand

Post-Communion Canticle

Thank the Lord	 LSB 164
C	Thank the Lord and sing His praise; tell ev'ryone what He has done.
Let all who seek the Lord rejoice and proudly bear His name.
He recalls His promises and leads His people forth in joy
with shouts of thanksgiving.  Alleluia, alleluia.

Post-Communion Collect	
A	Let us pray.
We give thanks to You, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through this salutary gift, and we implore You that of Your mercy You would strengthen us through the same in faith toward You and in fervent love toward one another; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C	Amen.

Benediction	 LSB 166
P	The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine on you
     and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and T give you peace.
C	Amen.

To You, O Christ, Be Thanks and Praise	[See service downloads for music.]
1	To You, O Christ, be thanks and praise
For saints and teachers of the Word
Who spoke Your truth in former days
And caused the Gospel to be heard.

2	We bless You, Lord, for those who searched
The Scriptures to discern Your grace
And by that pow’r renewed the Church
To shine Your light in ev’ry place.

3	Renew us still; our hearts incline
To hear Your Word and so remain
Engrafted to the living Vine,
Where we abundant life obtain.

4	Then give us courage to confess,
Like saints of old, Your holy name
And trust that You will ever bless,
Nor let Your own be put to shame.

5	May we, like sowers of the seed,
Propel the Word of life abroad
To reach a hungry world in need
With good news of a gracious God.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Published by Concordia Publishing House
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1-800-325-3040 • www.cph.org
Copyright © 2016 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Other than downloading this resource for personal, Bible study, classroom, or congregational use, other usage is prohibited. No part of this material may be transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
“To You, O Christ, Be Thanks and Praise” copyright © 2016 Concordia Publishing House.
Some liturgical material taken from Lutheran Service Book, Divine Service: Setting One, copyright © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Service author 	 Larry Peters
“To You, O Christ, Be Thanks and Praise” (text) 	 David W. Rogner
“To You, O Christ, Be Thanks and Praise” (music) 	 Amanda Husberg
Psalm, Verse, and Hymn of the Day settings 	 Jonathan Kohrs