At 10:30 worship this Reformation Sunday, October 31, the 99 members of the Tyrone Presbyterian Church will recall a musical setting of the Apostle’s Creed, reflect on the spiritual benefits of the Protestant reformation of 1517 and render thanks for the life of German Priest Martin Luther.
First and foremost, before Presbyterian Pastor Robert Dunkelberger delivers his morning message, singers in the Westminster Choir will recall this 1991 Welsh setting of the Apostle’s Creed as a confession of the reformed faith.
1. I believe in God Almighty, Father of all things that be, maker of the earth and heavens, keeper of the sky and sea. I believe in God’s son Jesus, now for us both Lord and Christ, of the spirit of Mary, born to bring abundant life.
2. I believe that Jesus suffered, scourged and scorned and crucified, taken from the cross, was buried, true life there had truly died. I believe that on the third day Christ was raised up from the grave, then ascended to God’s right hand, He will come to judge and save.
3. I believe in God’s own Spirit, bonding all the saints within, one church, catholic and holy, where forgiveness frees from sin, in the body’s resurrection, for the breaking of death’s chain, give the life that’s everlasting, this the faith that I have claimed.
Also on this 487th anniversary of the Protestant reformation, Presbyterian worshippers will reflect on these three positive effects derived from the birth of the Protestant Church. First, it canceled many church laws and made the Bible supreme. Second, it clarified that the path to salvation came through faith, not works. Finally, it concentrated on congregational singing rather than priestly chanting.
Lastly, like countless other Protestants, Presbyterians will render thanks for the life of German reformer Martin Luther. They will remember the courage of Martin Luther when he nailed his 95 complaints about the mediaeval church to the door of Germany’s Wittenberg Cathedral, 487 years ago on October 31, 1517. Alert Protestants will express an attitude of gratitude that Martin Luther chose to end his association with the mediaeval church and thereby begin the Protestant reformation – a revolution that would change the church and the world.
After they have recalled the Apostle’s Creed, reflected on the Protestant reformation and rendered thanks for Martin Luther, Presbyterians will close their worship by singing Luther’s paraphrase of Psalm 46, A Mighty Fortress. This German chorale became the battle hymn for the reformation:
“A mighty Fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing, Our helper He amid the flood, of mortal ails prevailing. Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also, the body they may kill, God’s truth abideth still. His kingdom is forever.”
Pastor Bob Dunkelberger, the Westminster Choir singers and church session members extend a cordial welcome to all citizens of the community to join them for a worship service that may well reform their spiritual lives, forever.
