1855 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA

On the campus of Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary
© 2024 91ÁÔĆć
Martin Luther posted his ninety-five theses on the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church on October 31, 1517. This worship resource guide will help your community plan services of grace and truth as you commemorate the five hundredth anniversary of the Protestant Reformation or plan worship for a Reformation Sunday.
Roman Catholic, Protestant, and ecumenical groups around the world are using the year 2017 to think through the gifts and sorrows of what became known as the Protestant Reformation. You can use this worship resource guide to become more attentive to how the Holy Spirit renews Christ’s worldwide body in and among different Christian traditions. The guide has six parts:
CommemorateWhen Martin Luther posted his ninety-five theses, he hoped to spark discussion and renewal within his beloved church. He wanted people to discover the wideness of God’s grace in Christ. He longed for them to see themselves as above all else baptized into Christ. The resulting movements led by Luther, John Calvin, Huldrych Zwingli, and other Reformers helped renew focus on Scripture, faith, grace, Christ, and God’s glory. It also led to persecution, death, conflict, and perpetual fragmentation among Christ’s body.
That’s why scholars and pastors suggest exploring the Reformation’s complexity rather than celebrating stereotypes in worship. Stereotyping for Roman Catholics might mean talking about those “godless Protestants” who should “come home to Rome.” For Protestants it might mean making Reformation Sunday all about Martin Luther or those five solas “that Catholics don’t understand.”
“Long before the five hundredth anniversary of the Reformation is ever commemorated in a public worship service, it should be contemplated in the prayer-soaked conversations of pastoral care teams, discipleship groups, and conversations among pastors and elders,” John D. Witvliet writes in Reformed 91ÁÔĆć.
In this essay, John D. Witvliet explains how to use the 2017 commemoration as an invitation to learning, growth, and mutual discipleship.
Fr. Dwight Longenecker writes that the Reformation both splintered western Christendom and led the Roman Catholic church to renewal and missionary work.
Shaping a Reformation Commemoration Prayer or 91ÁÔĆć Service In this 59-minute recording, six pastors from several countries discuss the Reformers’ insights and limitations. Scholars and pastors also recognize that that “the Protestant Reformation” was in fact many reformations with diverse streams in different cultures.
Our 95 Theses: Hispanic Perspectives on the Protestant Reformation This story highlights a new book by Latino and Latina Protestants, Roman Catholics, and Pentecostals about how the Protestant Reformation surged among marginalized and exiled people.
This is the best website for five-hundredth-anniversary materials in Spanish.
include a reminder that Presbyterians celebrated the five hundredth birthday of John Knox on October 26, 2014, and that the United Methodist Church has used Reformation Sunday to observe the three hundredth anniversaries of the births of John and Charles Wesley. Many Reformed denominations will observe 2018 as the five hundredth anniversary of the . This suggests how to pastorally capture the doctrinal nuances.
Gifts in CommonVatican II led to changes that help Roman Catholics and Protestants remember what we share as part of the church universal. Paul Neeley’s Global Christian 91ÁÔĆć blog gathers visual art about our common gifts of , , and . Reformed 91ÁÔĆć archives liturgies, dramas, and more for . Reading and observing help congregations find their identities within the whole story of Scripture.
If your church neglects any of these common gifts—baptism, the Lord’s Supper, the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, public Bible reading, the Christian year—then 2017 would be a good time to focus on them.
The apostle Paul reminds us that the Spirit gives different gifts to different parts of the body so that the whole church grows and builds itself up in love. You can use that perspective to glean from other denominations’ suggested worship resources.
Besides worship helps, these five hundredth anniversary resources include key education aids, events, and publications.
(ELCA) Check out these . The has made creation one of its main anniversary themes.
This RCA list includes litanies, sermon ideas, and service plans.
The UMC has gathered many Reformation Sunday resources.
This group recommends during the five hundredth anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.
Humility and LamentFor all the progress and dialogue between Roman Catholics and Protestants, much remains to lament. Northern Ireland and Mexico are the best-known examples of Catholic-Protestant conflict. Families all over the world deal with grief, anger, and isolation when Roman Catholic loved ones become Protestant or vice versa. We’re all probably guilty of talking about shortfalls in other Christian traditions while neglecting to ask God what we can learn from them or praying for God to bless them.
The Reformation led many Christians to rediscover the psalms as a guide to prayer and congregational singing. Here are examples of how the psalms are helping Christians lament what divides them and hope in God’s healing.
This conversation with two musically gifted Presbyterian pastors reveals how singing Celtic psalms helps bridge communities in troubled places.
In this fifty-three-minute video, Irish Catholics and Presbyterians lead a psalm-based vespers service.
This liturgy developed by Roman Catholics and Lutherans to commemorate the Reformation anniversary includes a prayer of repentance and chanting Psalm 130. The liturgy is .
This blog for worship planners offers a , , and of Psalm 13, one of the best-known lament psalms. It may provide ideas for lamenting religious divisions in your context.
Recent ecumenical services designed to commemorate the Reformation use strong visuals to help people move from lament to healing.
This group convened an ecumenical committee to develop a for the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. It includes suggestions for how to physically build and tear down a wall during worship.
Healing of Memories, St. Michael’s Church, Hildesheim, Germany This service took place in a cathedral shared by a Roman Catholic and a Protestant congregation since 1542. A wall divided their worship spaces until 2006. As the Healing of Memories service began, the presiders stood in front of a three-dimensional cross lying on its side, . Later, a group of and set it upright. Then everyone sang a Taizé song in German (“”). This service included participation by Orthodox clergy, which is significant considering the that led to separate Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions.
plans and leads worship at Austin Vineyard Church in Texas. She offers litanies keyed to the lectionary and to relevant topics such as lamenting false accusations found in .
MusicAll the hymns, songs, and short songs listed here reflect Reformation themes: the five solas (Scripture alone, faith alone, grace alone, Christ alone, and God’s glory alone), lament and prayers for unity,, and the priesthood of all believers.
91ÁÔĆć half are widely sung by Roman Catholics and Protestants in many cultures. The rest may introduce you to the heart language of Christians from another era or culture. All are listed on Hymnary.org. Check out and to get the most out of this amazing resource.
“,” Martin Luther. Protestants who think of this as the quintessential Reformation hymn are surprised to learn that many Roman Catholic congregations sing it too. It’s based on Psalm 46.
“,” Tanzanian traditional hymn. Sing this call-and-response song before reading the Bible in worship. It has a lively refrain: “Listen, God is calling, through the Word inviting, offering forgiveness, comfort, and joy.”
“,” Carl P. Daw Jr. This thoughtful hymn about faith is based on James 1:17 and John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion, III.2.7. It’s set to the tune (LUX PRIMA) that many hymnals use for “Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies.”
“,” Doris Akers. This African American gospel song is a faithful plea for God’s grace and presence in daily life.
“,” Matt Maher. This CCLI favorite is a contemporary expression of depending on God’s promise to be gracious.
“.” There are that begin “Out of the depths I cry.” Several are sung to a tune Martin Luther composed: TIEFER NOT.
“” St. Ambrose. Martin Luther translated this fourth-century hymn from Latin to German. Luther cared deeply for the poor and others marginalized by the church. This hymn of incarnation marvels that “Christ laid down his majesty, passed through dark Gethsemane.”
“,” Marty Haugen. Roman Catholics and Protestants sing this folk hymn based on the Romans 8 promise that nothing can separate us from Christ, who redeems all of creation.
“,” Kristyn Getty. This contemporary hymn, often sung at Advent, expresses wonder that Christ is a King who “hears the voice of the hungry, . . . sees the tears of the suffering,” and calls us “to his side, just like a father and child.”
“,” Marty Haugen. The final verse of this folk hymn about God’s glory has these phrases: “A billion voices in one great song . . . in every culture and style and key . . . with Christ we praise you eternally.”
“,” David Haas. This song based on the Beatitudes in many Roman Catholic and Protestant hymnals. It expresses both lament and joy. Singing it may help you avoid the that has sometimes marred Reformation commemorations in other centuries.
“,” Hasidic traditional. The Bible traces salvation history to show how God used a chosen people to bless the whole world. Martin Luther valued Scripture yet . Singing this Israeli tune with lyrics about Scripture might help you lament that Reformation legacy.
“,” Norman Agatep. Sometimes we experience unity in Christ’s body. Other times we’re all too aware of schisms and conflicts among Christians. This song, well known among Filipino Catholics, invites us to bring our broken hearts to God, confident that God will heal.
“,” . The refrain for this Korean song is: “Come, O Lord Jesus; reconcile all people.”
“,” John Oxenham. If you’re used to singing this classic hymn of unity to the tune ST. PETER (Reinagle), then check out an alternate tune, MCKEE, which has Irish and African American roots.
“,” Denis Wortman. This classic hymn reflects the Reformation theme of the priesthood of all believers. Newer versions change the word sons to heirs.
"," Abe & Liza Philip. This modern hymn celebrates the gift of scripture and points us to Jesus, the Word made flesh.
“”, The Iona Community. Sing this before you read Scripture in worship.
“,” Kiowa song. This is good to sing before Scripture reading or after the sermon.
“,” Albert A. Goodson. This African American gospel song works well after the sermon or for the sending.
“,” Miguel Cassina. about this Mexican corito about God’s faithfulness.
“,” Taizé Community. Roman Catholics and Protestants often sing this song during communion.
“,” Puerto Rican folk hymn. The repeated phrase “Glory be to Jesus” fits the Solus Christus and Soli Deo gloria themes.
“,” anonymous. This Latin American corito is based on the Ephesians 4:4–6 call to continue in the unity of Scripture, discipleship, and the Holy Spirit’s care.
“,” Zulu traditional song. This is a good song to end worship so congregrants go out into the world trusting in God’s promises.
Choose .
and offer Reformation Day and All Saints’ Day song suggestions.
Find on Paul Neeley’s Global Christian 91ÁÔĆć blog.
Lutherans around the world are using the five hundredth anniversary to remember that God through Christ is redeeming the whole creation, not just individual souls. The group offers a by Norman Habel, a Lutheran pastor in Australia. These new words to familiar tunes help worshipers sense God’s presence with us here on earth, our common home.
: Check out new releases of five-hundredth-anniversary hymns, children’s songs, and choral music from the Brehm Center at Fuller Theological Seminary.
 color.jpg)
Sermon PlanningHere are three ways to plan sermons that commemorate the Reformation:
Use ideas from the Center for Excellence in Preaching. Read a story about .
Watch John Witvliet’s talk “.” His details how Luther and Calvin used music and prayers to reinforce sermons on the Ten Commandments, Lord’s Prayer, Lord’s Supper, and baptism.
. Use this readers’ theater in place of the sermon to explore the glory and pain of Reformation traditions.
John Calvin called the book of Psalms “an anatomy of the human soul” because it covers the range of human emotions. Even laments about God’s promises not yet coming true are based on confidence in what God has already done.
Rejoicing in Lament: Four pastors and scholars discuss wrestling with incurable cancer, cancerous racism, and life in Christ. They offer insights into how congregations can follow the lead of the psalms by practicing candid lament as an essential part of deeply joyful worship.
This , ends with sermon notes. Read “,” a sermon by Dirk G. Lange based on Psalm 46.
Psalm 34 appears in the Year A Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) for All Saints’ Day and the Year B lectionary for Reformation Sunday. Eric Mathis, who ministers to Baptist students, offers sermon notes on
Psalm 65 appears in the Year C RCL for Reformation Sunday. Sermons and commentaries from and preachers note God’s roles as creator, redeemer, and sustainer in the temple, world, and earth.
“”: This post from the Working Preacher blog reminds preachers not to make the sermon all about Martin Luther.
Working Preacher, a Lutheran website, offers dozens of related to Reformation Sunday as well as .
Service and Series PlanningIn keeping with the Sermon Planning section above, these service and series planning resources are grouped by history, the psalms, and contemporary suggestions.
Craft a service that uses the .
Karin Maag’s book has quotes from Calvin’s sermons and commentaries, prayers, pages from the Genevan Psalter, and eyewitness accounts from worshipers.
Read this conversation with Karin Maag on “.”
This gathers key insights and suggests print, music, and online resources for using biblical psalms in worship.
See Chapter 9 of Greg Scheer’s Essential 91ÁÔĆć: a Handbook for Leaders for a great overview on responsorial psalms, metrical psalms, paraphrased psalms, and sung psalms from many cultures.
This focuses on Reformed themes: by grace alone, through faith alone, and in Christ alone.
Here’s a guided by the Holy Spirit.
has compiled visual art, Reformation timelines, prayers, videos, and more. This comprehensive resource includes Anabaptist, Anglican, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Reformed strains of the Protestant Reformation.
is a complete service plan for Reformation Sunday or All Saints’ Day.
can be adapted for other contexts.
This four-week series describes worship services from .
This four-week series for October focuses on of God’s sovereignty, the authority of Scripture, salvation through faith, and God’s grace and glory.
