WORSHIP WANDERINGS    

 

As I write this article, we are in the process of introducing a new setting for the liturgy- one that will further unite us when we worship together on Sundays. Our church has a long liturgical tradition dating back to Jewish worship in the synagogues during Jesus’ time. While the language and music of the liturgy is different from that of ancient times, the shape of worship is not.

According to How We Worship,

For Lutherans, worship matters. In fact, worship lies at the heart of how we understand ourselves together. While some of the approaches to worship may differ from one congregation to another, we hold certain things in common.
There is a basic pattern for worship among Lutherans. We gather. We encounter God’s Word. We share a meal at the Lord’s Table. And we are sent into the world. But we do not think about worship so much in terms of what we do. Worship is fundamentally about what God is doing and our response to God’s action. Worship is an encounter with God, who saves us through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Within the three parts of the pattern, we find the choices for liturgy and pattern for worship commonly found in Lutheran churches.

Kyrie: We cry out to our Lord for help, strength, peace and salvation for ourselves and the world. The people join in the response, "Lord, have mercy’’.

Hymn of Praise: We offer praise to our Lord for the many blessings his salvation bestows. "Glory to God in the highest'' is an ancient song which echoes the song of the angels in Luke 2:14. “This Is The Feast” uses phrases from Revelation.

Prayer of the Day: We offer a prayer focusing on a central theme for a particular Sunday or holy day.

Scripture Reading: We proclaim the Word of God. The first lesson is a selection from the Old Testament. The Second lesson is usually a part of the New Testament letters. The Gospel, either Matthew, mark, Luke or John is preceded by an acclamation of praise-The Alleluia.

Sermon: We hear the Word of God explained and apply it to our lives.

Creed: We proclaim the Church's ancient and universal confession of faith in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Prayers: We offer prayers of thanksgiving and intercession for the needs of the Church, of society, and the people. The people enter into the petitions through the response: "Hear our prayer," or "Lord, have mercy."

Peace: We share the peace which helps us to live in unity and forgiveness and comes only from Christ.

The Offering and Offertory: We bring our gifts in love and gratitude for God’s gifts to us, commit ourselves to God and ask for continued blessings. Along with these gifts, bread and wine for Holy Communion are presented.

The Great Thanksgiving: We offer thanks, just as Jesus at table with his disciples offered thanks in accordance with Jewish practice. We conclude by singing The Sanctus which expresses our adoration of our Savior.

The Communion: We partake of the body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The Sending: We pray that we may carry out in our lives the ideals of Holy Communion. A blessing is pronounced and the words of dismissal are spoken, "Go in peace. Serve the Lord." We respond with a shout: "Thanks be to God."

Because of our use of liturgy, we observe practices and choices that have endured for centuries. We can travel from Lutheran Church to Lutheran Church and feel at home. We can use traditional or more contemporary music to accompany the liturgy. The next time you worship, ponder on the history and gift of the liturgy.
Sharon

Resources
How We Worship
http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Welcome-to-the-ELCA/How-We-Worship.aspx
http://www.goodshepherd.nb.ca/liturgy/
http://www.oldtrinity.com/howworship.htm 

Our Music Program participants: