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REFORMATION 500

CELEBRATING 500 YEARS (1517-2017)

HYMN FESTIVAL

Sunday, October 15, 2017

4:00 PM

ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH

ORWIGSBURG, PA

570-366-2316

WWW.STPAULS-ORWIGSBURG.ORG

Sola Scriptura

Soli Deo Gloria

Solus Christus

Sola Gratia

Sola Fide

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INTRODUCTION

Today we gather to commemorate the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant

Reformation, which began in 1517 when Martin Luther posted his 95 theses (a list

of topics for debate) on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany.

Our Hymn Festival features the Luther Rose, the Seal of Martin Luther which is

printed on the front page, and the Five Soli of the Reformation, short phrases

intended to summarize the Reformation’s basic theological principles. As Justin

and Sue were working on the hymns, anthems, and general format of this program,

he commented that the Luther Rose has five petals, and we have five “alones”

(Latin Soli). This coincidence inspired us to divide the music for the Festival into

five groups, one for each of the five Soli.

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PRELUDE

“Prelude and Fugue in C Major” Cody Kelly, Organ

J. S. Bach (1685-1750)

*“Joyous Proclamation” St Paul’s Handbell Choir

R. Mallory

WELCOME Doug Travor

HYMN *A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD Text and Music: Martin Luther arr. J. Paige/B. Nix

Introduction: Handbells, Brass, & Choir

“All blessing, and honor, and power, all wisdom, and riches, and glory! Alleluia!”

Please stand.

Verse 1 - Harmony

Verse 2 - Harmony

Verse 3 - Choir Alone

Verse 4 - Unison

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INVOCATION Rev. Lee A. Diefenderfer

“Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord” Text: Martin Luther

Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord, with all your graces now outpoured

on each believer's mind and heart; your fervent love to them impart.

Lord, by the brightness of your light in holy faith your church unite;

from ev'ry land and ev'ry tongue, this to your praise, O Lord, our God, be sung:

Alleluia!

Alleluia! Amen.

Please be seated.

BRASS CHOIR “Two German Chorales” arr. A. Cole

THE FIVE SOLI OF THE REFORMATION

SOLA SCRIPTURA BY SCRIPTURE ALONE

INTRODUCTORY REFLECTION Sue Schenck

ORGAN PRELUDE “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word”

Music: J. Pachelbel (1653-1706)

REFLECTION Barbara Lafko

HYMN LORD, KEEP US STEADFAST IN YOUR WORD

Text: M. Luther Music: J. Klug, Geistliche Lieder, 1543

Please remain seated.

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LORD, KEEP US STEADFAST IN YOUR WORD

Verse 1 - Harmony Verse 2 - Unison Verse 3 - Harmony

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SOLA FIDE BY FAITH ALONE

INTRODUCTORY REFLECTION

ORGAN PRELUDE “If You But Trust in God to Guide You” Music: J. S. Bach (1685-1750)

REFLECTION Constance Teter

HYMN IF YOU BUT TRUST IN GOD TO GUIDE YOU

Text and Music: G. Neumark

IF YOU BUT TRUST IN GOD TO GUIDE YOU

Verse 1 - Men of the Choir

Verse 2 - Harmony

Verse 3 - Harmony

Verse 4 - Unison

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SOLA GRATIA BY GRACE ALONE

INTRODUCTORY REFLECTION

ORGAN PRELUDE “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”

Music: H. Willan (1880-1968)

REFLECTION Christine Long

HYMN O GOD, OUR HELP IN AGES PAST

Text: I. Watts Music: W. Croft

arr. C. Schalk Please stand.

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O GOD, OUR HELP IN AGES PAST

Verse 1 - Unison Verse 4 - Harmony

Verse 2 - Women only Verse 5 - Harmony

Verse 3 - Men only Verse 6 - Unison

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Please be seated, and remain seated until the closing prayer.

OFFERING

*“The Heavens are Telling” St. Paul’s Handbell Choir Music: F. Haydn (1732-1809) arr. M. Thompson

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SOLUS CHRISTUS CHRIST ALONE

INTRODUCTORY REFLECTION

ORGAN PRELUDE “Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands” Music: J. S. Bach

REFLECTION Stephen Couch

HYMN CHRIST JESUS LAY IN DEATH’S STRONG BANDS Text: M. Luther Music: J. Walther, Geistliche Gesangbüchlein, 1524

Harm. J. S. Bach

Verse 1 - Choir alone

Verse 2 - All

Verse 3 - Choir alone

Verse 4 - All

CHRIST JESUS LAY IN DEATH’S STRONG BANDS

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SOLI DEO GLORIA GLORY TO GOD ALONE

INTRODUCTORY REFLECTION

ORGAN PRELUDE “All Glory Be to God on High” Music: J. G. Walther (1684-1748)

REFLECTION Gregory Sklar

HYMN ALL GLORY BE TO GOD ON HIGH Text and music: Nikolaus Decius

Verse 1 - Women of the Choir

Verses 2, 3, 4 - Harmony

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ALL GLORY BE TO GOD ON HIGH

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Please stand for the prayers and benediction.

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CLOSING PRAYER Rev. Lee A. Diefenderfer

LORD’S PRAYER

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 forever. Amen.

BENEDICTION Rev. Lee A. Diefenderfer

“Luther’s Prayer for Peace” Text: Martin Luther

Grant peace, we pray, in mercy, Lord; peace in our time, oh, send us! For there is

none on earth but you, none other to defend us. You only, Lord, can fight for us.

Amen.

HYMN NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD Text: Martin Rinkhart Music: Johann Crüger

Verse 1 - Harmony

Verse 2 - Harmony

Verse 3 – Unison

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NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD

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POSTLUDE “Toccata” G. Bélier (1863-1938)

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*Joyous Proclamation was presented in honor of the Handbell Ringers by the Lafko

family. (2016)

*Fanfare and Concertato on “A Mighty Fortress” is presented in memory of

Aubrey Glover and in honor of Gwen Glover Wehr by the Jenkins & Schenck

families. (2017)

* The Heavens Are Telling was presented by Mr. & Mrs. Allen Mickalonis and

family in loving memory of their son, Jeffrey.

St. Paul’s Reformation 500 Committee would like to thank the people without

whom our Festival would not have been possible!

St. Paul’s Chancel Choir

St. Paul’s Bell Choir

Reflections: Barbara Lafko, Constance Teter, Christine Long, Gregory Sklar, and

Stephen Couch Organist/Choir Director: Justin McClure

Music Librarian, Reflections on The Soli: Sue Schenck

Brass Choir Director: Cody Kelly Trumpets: Joseph Dalton, Brandon Joseph, Jake Hepler, Zach Piampi

Horn: Emily Beil

Trombones: Eden Frantz, James Swartz Tuba: Emily Osilka

Tina Butler Dana Jenkins

Ron “Buck” Reibie

Stu Richards Pastor Diefenderfer

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Community Thanksgiving Eve Service

Wednesday, November 22nd at 7:00 PM at St. John’s UCC

Annual Christmas Concert

Sunday, December 17th at 4:00 PM

Presented by the choirs and instrumentalists of St. Paul’s.

Christmas Eve at St Paul’s

5:00 PM (Family Service) – 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Chancel Choir)

Candle lighting and the Sacrament of Holy Communion are offered at each service.