A Guide to Our Lutheran Liturgy

Why do we sing hymns? What is the Introit? Why do we always include a confession of sins in our worship?

In order to help us derive more meaning and benefit from our Sunday worship today and every Sunday, we shall use the time ordinarily set apart for the sermon to comment on the various parts of the service. A short paragraph will proceed each part of the service to explain the significance of what follows, and how this encourages us and guides us in our worship of Almighty God.

In the worship service we share in the experience of Christians throughout the centuries. Our new Lutheran Service Book has five orders of worship. In addition, we often use variations of these services in our gathering together on the Lord’s Day. While the Scripture texts used or the wording may be different, there are many things that each of these orders has in common. The service is not just a haphazard arrangement of devotional materials. It represents a careful gathering of the best worship expressions of the Christian Church throughout the ages. Most of our liturgy comes from the bible, and thus is well qualified to guide our worship. (Note how Lutheran Service Book outlines those Scripture texts!) By reverent and intelligent use of this service we prepare our hearts to meet our Lord as we draw near to Him with our prayer and praise, and we receive from Him the blessings of forgiveness and life, as well as the spiritual food and wonderful fellowship that enriches our lives as His people.

There are two elements to our regular worship. One is the Ordinary or the parts of the service which are normally the same each Sunday, (Confession, the Kyrie, and the Gloria Patri). These parts of our worship express the changeless, timeless needs of the Christian people. The second element changes from Sunday to Sunday and from season to season. It is known as the Propers. These are the Introit, the Collect, and the Scripture Lessons. The Propers set the theme for each Sunday. That theme also helps determine the type of music, the hymns, and the sermon.

The pastor changes position frequently during the service, and there is meaning in his actions. When he faces the congregation, he is God's representative to us, speaking to us in God's stead. When he joins the congregation in facing the altar, he is our representative to God, speaking for us, and with us, to God.

The colours of the altar paraments also help set the mood and theme for the day. Blue, a relatively recent addition, is the colour of hope and of royalty, and is used in Advent as a symbol of the hope we have in the coming Saviour and King. White cloths symbolize purity and are used to mark the highlights of Christ's life for us at Christmas, Easter, Transfiguration and Ascension. Red is the colour of love, and is used on Pentecost, Reformation, and on Saint's days. Green is the colour of life and growth and is used during the season of Pentecost as we hear the word of life and grow in grace. Purple cloths are used in Lent (and also in Advent), for it is the colour of repentance which is the focus of those seasons. The symbols on the cloths themselves each have special meaning and reflect the message of the season.

We believe that the Lord is present with us in every worship service, just as He promised, For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20 - ESV) That makes the church much more than a meeting place. It is the house of God, where God meets His people. This is why we conduct ourselves with reverence in this place. We must prepare ourselves to worship Him. Time spent waiting for the service to begin is best used in quiet meditation, reading through the lessons, hymns, and prayers, and asking God's blessing upon your worship.

CALL TO WORSHIP: Take this time of silence to pray and prepare your hearts.

THE PAX DOMINI - THE PEACE OF THE LORD The sharing of peace takes place in different ways throughout the service. Here at Faith we begin by sharing that peace that is ours in Christ, remembering what Jesus said to His disciples after His resurrection: “Peace be with you” (John 20:19) This isn’t really at time to say good morning to our neighbour; it is time to greet one another with the peace that we have in Christ, that brings us together as brothers and sisters in Christ.

P: The peace of the Lord be with you
C: And also with you

We share that peace with one another

THE OPENING HYMN: We frequently begin our worship with a hymn. This hymn may reflect the theme for the day or it may be a hymn that gives praise to God for the opportunity to gather together to worship Him. The opening hymn may also call upon the Holy Spirit to bless us and be with us and to open our hearts and minds to the Word of God that our faith may be strengthened and our lives blessed through this time of worship.

HYMN:

THE INVOCATION: St. Paul instructs us: whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
(Colossians 3:17 - ESV) That is what we do when, after the hymn is sung, the Pastor goes to the centre of the chancel for the Invocation. In this short formula, we confess our faith in the Triune God. By tracing the sign of the cross from our forehead to heart, shoulder to shoulder, we also remember and testify to our identity as children of God, using the words that were spoken at our Baptism.

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

THE CONFESSION OF SINS AND ABSOLUTION: The psalmist asks: Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. (Psalm 24:3-4 - ESV) We know that we have turned from God to follow our own desires; therefore, we come with repentant hearts, confessing our unworthiness and sinfulness, and ask God for His forgiveness. And God has heard our prayer as we hear the message of forgiveness proclaimed in the absolution by the Lord's called servant.

P:    Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.
P:    Our help is in the name of the Lord,
C:     who made heaven and earth.
P:     I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord,
C:     and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

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

P:     O almighty God, merciful Father,
C:     I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You of Your boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being.
P:     Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the \ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C:      Amen.

THE INTROIT: The parts of the service before the Introit are sometimes called the Preparatory, for they help us prepare our hearts and minds as we come before God in worship. The service actually begins with the Introit. The word introit means entrance or beginning. It is normally composed of different psalm texts that reflect and set the theme for the day. During the Introit, the pastor “enters” into the altar area, symbolic of our entrance into God's presence now that we have prepared ourselves.
After the Introit we sing the Gloria Patri, a confession of faith in the Triune God and especially in the divinity of Christ. We also confess that the God of the Old Testament is also the God who has revealed Himself in the New Testament, and is still our God today.
As a psalm text, the Introit is designed to be chanted, and that is why the inserts include a tone or melody to be used with each Introit. When the Gloria Patri is used in the Introit, we do not repeat it.

INTROIT: Psalm 118:25-28; Antiphon: Zech. 9:9b
P:   Behold, your king is com- | ing to you;*
            righteous and having sal- | vation.
C:   Save us, we pray, | O LORD!*
            O LORD, we pray, give | us success!
P:   Blessèd is he who comes in the name | of the LORD!*
            We bless you from the house | of the LORD.
C:  The LORD is God, and he has made his light to shine up- | on us.*
            Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the | altar!
P:   You are my God, and I will give | thanks to you;*
            you are my God; I will ex- | tol you.
C:   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.

P: Behold, your king is com- | ing to you;*
righteous and having sal- | vation.

THE KYRIE: Kyrie is short for Kyrie eleison, which means, “Lord, have mercy!” In contrast to the bright tones of the Gloria Patri, this sombre interlude expresses our humility and appreciation of our own weakness and need. We place ourselves into the hands of God, confessing that our salvation is in Him alone.

THE GLORIA IN EXCELSIS: We move from the humble to the glorious, as we burst out in praise and joy before the triune God. The opening words, "Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will toward men" is the song of the angels at the birth of Christ. This whole piece is a joyous anthem of redemption, reminding us of the great things God has done for us by sending His Son into this world to save us. We come and ask for mercy - and we know with confidence that God has been merciful to us.
The Gloria in Excelsis is normally omitted during the Advent and Lenten seasons, for at these times, known as the penitential seasons, we concentrate on our sin and unworthiness. During Advent, the hymn, “Oh, Come, Oh, Come Emmanuel” may be sung.

HYMN:

THE SALUTATION AND COLLECT: As brothers and sisters in Christ, we greet each other in the name of the Lord. But more than that, we ask the Lord, on behalf of one another, to be with us and to bless us. This ancient greeting is found throughout both the Old and New Testaments. This chant should also be sung as it would be spoken, not in a slow, dragged out way, but in a simple, conversational tempo.
The Collect which follows is a prayer appointed for that day and which asks God to prepare our minds for the liturgical lessons. All collects follow the same format–an invocation, a basis for the petition, the petition, the purpose or benefit desired, and the ending. Normally the Amen is spoken by the congregation following the collect. If the collect were chanted, the amen would also be chanted.

P: Let us pray: Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come, that by Your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by Your mighty deliverance; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.

THE SCRIPTURE LESSONS: We now come to one of the high points in our service, as we pause and listen as God speaks to us in His word. We follow a system of lessons known as a pericope, which is used to guide us in the Word. This keeps us from becoming narrow in our study of the Word, and brings to our remembrance the triumphant deeds of our Lord, as well as proclaiming His holy will for us as we live in this world and reassuring us of His promises to us as His children. Since All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16 - ESV) we choose lessons from both the Old and New Testaments, as well as focussing on our Lord Jesus Christ, and His word to us in the gospel lesson.
The Gradual which is spoken or chanted between the epistle lesson and the gospel lesson moves us from the inspired words of the Lord's servants to the words of Jesus Himself. It is usually composed of psalm texts. In place of the Gradual, the psalm for the day may be red or chanted. The congregation responds with the Alleluia, or "praise the Lord", an appropriate response when we hear the Word of God.

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON:

P: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

CHOIR ANTHEM: Traditionally, the choir is the helper and supporter of the congregation in its worship of God. The choir also can play an important role in teaching both liturgy and hymns to the congregation. Parts of the liturgy that were designated to be sung by the choir, especially those portions that were specific to the various parts of the church year. Most of the early music was very simple, like the plainsong we sing today. The choir does not perform or entertain, but in all its music and anthems helps communicate the message of the season, and gives glory to God, who blesses us with His grace and peace.

THE ANTHEM:

EPISTLE LESSON:

P: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

THE HOLY GOSPEL: After the pastor announces the gospel lesson for the day, the congregation responds: “Glory to You, O Lord” This is an appropriate response, since the gospel reminds us of the work our Saviour has done in order to save us from sin, death, and the devil. And to Him alone belongs all the glory. After the reading of the gospel, we thank and praise Him for His glorious work. Both the response before the gospel and that following its reading serve to remind us that Christ truly is present among us, feeding us with His word of life.

P: The Holy Gospel, according to .....

The reading of ...

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

THE CREED: Having heard the word of God, we publicly declare our acceptance of that word of truth and confess our faith in words used by the Christian church here on earth. We say, “I believe”, for faith is an individual matter, and no one can believe for us. We stand as we confess our faith, showing our readiness to profess and to live according to our faith.

C: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

THE HYMN: This hymn is the chief hymn of the service, and may either summarize or enhance both the theme of the day and the message that will be delivered in the sermon. As with all hymns used in our service, we should see what the words say to us and sing them together in both prayer and praise to our great God.

HYMN:

THE SERMON:
The sermon is not just a number of off-the-cuff remarks in the middle of the service. It is a carefully and prayerfully prepared exposition of the word of God. The sermon is instruction in God's word to us; it is testimony to what God has done for us; and it is a message of encouragement and exhortation for us to live as the redeemed people of God.
The pastor is responsible for preaching the word, but it takes two to make a sermon. We all should give careful heed to the teaching and instruction given in the sermon, for although it is spoken by man, it is the Word of God. Jesus says: “Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it”. We listen to His word, meditate upon it and let it take root in our hearts, and then keep and observe it in our lives. As the sermon ends, the pastor pronounces, the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 - ESV) This benediction speaks of the promised blessing of peace upon all who stand fast in the Word of the Lord and worship Him.

THE OFFERTORY AND OFFERING God has been giving us His blessings as He comes to us in His Word. Now we respond to His goodness. The offertory, “Create in me, a clean heart, O God”, can be seen as a response to the word just proclaimed, but it also looks forward as we ask God to lead us in our lives.
The offering is our response to the many blessing that God has first given to us. It is a mark of our stewardship, of our dedication and of our trust in Him. With our gifts, we also offer ourselves.

OFFERING:

THE PRAYER OF THE CHURCH: St. Paul says, First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. (1 Timothy 2:1-2 - ESV) Therefore we pray for all the needs of all people, asking God to hear and bless our church family, our community, and our country, by His grace. On non-communion Sundays, we sum up all our petitions as we pray together The Lord's Prayer. Following this, the pastor leads in either The Collect for the Word or the Collect for the Church. The first asks God to bless us that His Word may take root in us and lead us to eternal life. In the second, we ask that together, as His children, we may serve Him in His church and share His saving message of Christ crucified throughout the world. The congregation's response of amen shows that this is the prayer of each member as well.

THE PRAYER OF THE CHURCH:

THE LORD’S PRAYER:

THE COLLECT FOR THE WORD:

P: Blessed Lord, who has caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of Your holy Word we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which You have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end.
C: Amen.

THE BENEDICTION: God told Aaron, the high priest to bless the people with the words of this benediction. In God's name we are given the positive assurance of His grace and peace. The sign of the cross reminds us that we have peace with God through the death and resurrection of Christ. Traditionally the service ended with the benediction, so that the last thing the people heard before they left the church was this blessing of peace.
We may close our service with a final hymn of thanksgiving to God, and ask for His blessing that we may live according to His will, as He guides and strengthens us by His abiding presence within us. And refreshed by Him, we go out into the world, to live as His faithful children.

HYMN:

* * * * * * * * * * *

Some Extra Thoughts on the Communion Liturgy

It is proper for us to celebrate the Sacrament of the Altar every week, but since this Sacrament is not part of our worship today, it is good to note several other elements of worship that are part of our Communion celebration.

The Preface introduces the Communion liturgy, as we greet one another and encourage one another to lift up our hearts in thanksgiving to God. We then get a glimpse of heaven in the Sanctus, as we join in the eternal song of the angels who hover over the throne of God in the vision of heaven that was given to Isaiah (Is. 6:1-4). We rejoice as we look forward to our Lord coming to us in Holy Communion. We remember the words that the people cried on Palm Sunday, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”

The Words of Institution are the words that Jesus spoke when He established the Sacrament of Holy Communion. These words set apart bread and wine for a sacred use, but they also do what they say. By a miracle of grace, we receive the very body and blood of Christ in, with and under the bread and wine.

We share the Peace of the Lord with one another, as Christians have done since Jesus used this greeting on the day of His resurrection, and then sing the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) remembering Christ’s sacrificial death for us.

Following the distribution, we join in a hymn of thanksgiving, such as the Nunc Dimittis, the song that Simeon sang as he held the infant Christ in his arms. We have seen and tasted that the Lord is good. How blessed we are!