Liturgical Color: Green

Gospel: John 8:31-36

Theme: The Protestant Reformation.

Pastoral Invitation to the Celebration
Suggestion: Provide some pictures of the Protestant Reformers. Ask someone, ahead of time, to give a brief statement about three on four of the reformers. At the conclusion of each presentation, invite the congregation to respond with "Here I stand; Lord, use me," or a similar statement. Make certain that the people begin to appreciate their heritage, not so much as a reaction against the Pope, but as an affirmation of the grace of God.

Act of Recognizing our Humanness and Receiving New Life
Consider this: Begin by asking, "What do you have to confess?" Often, people confess "the bad things they do," rather than to recognize their alienation, I-centeredness, brokenness…