Introduction to Lutheran Liturgy

Introduction to Lutheran Liturgy

Preface

The Lutheran liturgy has a rich and fascinating history that spans over five centuries. It is a cornerstone of Lutheran worship and has played a significant role in shaping the spiritual life of millions of Christians around the world. This booklet aims to explore the history, meaning, and source of the Lutheran liturgy, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of this important aspect of Lutheran faith.

The Lutheran liturgy has its roots in the early Christian church and has evolved over time to become the liturgical expression of Lutheran theology. Martin Luther, the namesake of the Lutheran Church, sought to reform the church by returning to the original teachings of the Bible. This included a renewed focus on the liturgy, which was seen as a way to connect worshipers to the Word of God.

The Lutheran liturgy draws heavily from the Roman Catholic Mass, but with significant modifications to reflect Lutheran beliefs. The structure of the liturgy is centered on the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, which Lutherans view as a means of receiving God's grace. The liturgy is characterized by its reverence, beauty, and simplicity, and is designed to help worshipers focus on the central message of the Gospel.

 Understanding The Lutheran Liturgy And Its Origins

1 . Entrance

Prelude

Processional Hymn

2. Service of Confession and Forgiveness*

Confession of Sin

Absolution

3. Service of the Word

Hymn of the Day or Kyrie**

Invocation

Opening Sentences

Kyrie

Hymn of Praise (Gloria in excelsis)

Collect of the Day

Old Testament Reading

Psalm (or an alternate hymn or canticle)

New Testament Reading Epistle or Second reading

Alleluia or Lenten Acclamation

Gospel Reading

Nicene Creed (or the Apostles' Creed)

Hymn of the Day

Sermon

4. Offering and Prayer

Offering

Prayers of Intercession

Prayer of the Church (or General Prayer)

Lord's Prayer (If the Eucharist is included this is omitted. If no Eucharist it is said here and then to the “Closing” 

5: Service of the Sacrament

Preface

Sanctus

Words of Institution

Lord's Prayer

Agnus Dei

Distribution of the Elements

Nunc Dimittis or Thanksgiving

6: Closing

Benediction

Hymn or Canticle

Postlude

*The Service of Confession and Forgiveness is typically part of the Service of the Word, though it can proceed the office of the Word as Confession and Forgiveness become preparatory, to worship and hearing God’s Word.. The Confession of Sin may include a general confession or a specific confession of sins based on a particular theme or season. The Absolution is a pronouncement of forgiveness spoken by the pastor or other liturgical leader.

**The Hymn of the Day or Kyrie may also be included in this section as a response to the confession of sin and the assurance of forgiveness.

General Overview of the Liturgy

Entrance: 

This part of the liturgy sets the tone for the worship service and prepares the congregation for worship. The Prelude is a musical introduction that sets the mood, while the Processional Hymn invites the congregation to enter into worship. The Invocation is a call for God's presence and blessing, while the Opening Sentences remind the congregation of God's grace and mercy. The Kyrie is a prayer for mercy and forgiveness, and the Hymn of Praise (Gloria in excelsis) expresses gratitude and adoration for God.

Historical origin: The entrance is a relatively recent addition to Lutheran worship. It was not included in the original liturgies of the Reformation, but was added later in response to the influence of the High Church movement and its emphasis on liturgical ceremony and ritual. The entrance is now considered an important part of Lutheran worship, as it sets the tone for the service and prepares the congregation for worship.

Service of Confession and Reconciliation: 

This part of the liturgy focuses on the confession of sin and the assurance of forgiveness. The Confession of Sin may include a general confession or a specific confession of sins based on a particular theme or season. The Absolution is a pronouncement of forgiveness spoken by the pastor or other liturgical leader. The Hymn of the Day or Kyrie may also be included in this section as a response to the confession of sin and the assurance of forgiveness.

Historical origin: The Service of Confession and Forgiveness has its roots in the early church's practice of public penance, where those who had committed serious sins were publicly called to repentance and confession. This practice fell out of favor in the medieval church, but was revived by the Protestant Reformers as a means of emphasizing the importance of personal repentance and confession. The Lutheran liturgy includes the Service of Confession and Forgiveness as a way of providing assurance of God's forgiveness and grace.

Service of the Word: 

This part of the liturgy focuses on the proclamation of the Word of God. It typically includes readings from the Old and New Testaments, a Psalm or other hymn, a sermon, and the Nicene Creed (or the Apostles' Creed). The readings and the sermon are meant to provide guidance and inspiration for the Christian life, while the Creed expresses the congregation's shared belief in the core doctrines of the Christian faith.

Historical origin: The Service of the Word has its roots in the worship practices of the early Christian church, which included readings from the Hebrew Scriptures and the letters of the apostles. The emphasis on preaching and teaching the Word of God was central to the Protestant Reformation, which sought to return to the original teachings of the Bible. The inclusion of the Nicene Creed in the liturgy is a reflection of the importance of creedal statements in the early church, and their continued significance in Lutheran theology.

Offering and Prayer: 

This part of the liturgy focuses on the offering of gifts and the offering of prayers. The Offering may include monetary gifts or other offerings, and is a symbol of the congregation's gratitude and dedication to God. The Prayers of Intercession are prayers offered on behalf of the congregation and the world, and express the congregation's concern for others. The Prayer of the Church (or General Prayer) is a more formal prayer that includes petitions for specific needs and concerns. The Lord's Prayer is a communal prayer that unites the congregation in a shared expression of faith.

Historical origin: The offering of gifts and the offering of prayers have their roots in the practices of the early church, which included the sharing of goods and resources among the community, as well as prayer for one another. The importance of these practices continued through the medieval period, with the development of the tithe (the giving of a tenth of one's income to the church) and the use of intercessory prayer for the needs of the community. The Protestant Reformation emphasized the priesthood of all believers, and the offering and prayer sections of the Lutheran liturgy reflect this by inviting the congregation to participate in the worship service and to express their gratitude and concerns to God.

Service of the Sacrament: 

This part of the liturgy focuses on the celebration of the sacrament of Holy Communion. It typically includes a Preface, Sanctus, Words of Institution, Lord's Prayer, Agnus Dei, Distribution of the Elements, and a Nunc Dimittis or Thanksgiving. The Preface is a prayer that introduces the sacrament and provides a context for its celebration. The Sanctus is a hymn of praise that is sung in anticipation of the sacrament. The Words of Institution are the words spoken by Jesus at the Last Supper, and they serve as the basis for the celebration of Holy Communion. The Lord's Prayer is recited as a communal prayer, while the Agnus Dei is a hymn that acknowledges Christ as the Lamb of God. The Distribution of the Elements involves the sharing of bread and wine among the congregation, while the Nunc Dimittis or Thanksgiving is a prayer of thanksgiving and praise.

Historical origin: The celebration of Holy Communion has its roots in the Last Supper, where Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples and instructed them to do this in remembrance of him. The early Christian church celebrated the sacrament as part of its worship, and it continued to be an important part of Christian worship throughout the medieval period. The Protestant Reformation emphasized the importance of the sacraments as a means of receiving God's grace, and the Lutheran liturgy includes the Service of the Sacrament as a way of celebrating a central sacrament of the Christian faith.

Closing: 

This part of the liturgy brings the worship service to a close and sends the congregation out into the world. It typically includes a Benediction, a Hymn or Canticle, and a Postlude. The Benediction is a blessing pronounced by the pastor or other liturgical leader, and it sends the congregation out with God's grace and peace. The Hymn or Canticle is a final expression of praise and thanksgiving, while the Postlude is a musical piece that signals the end of the worship service.

Historical origin: The closing section of the liturgy is a relatively recent addition to Lutheran worship, and it reflects the importance of bringing the worship service to a close in a meaningful way. The Benediction has its roots in the biblical tradition of blessings, where patriarchs and prophets would bless their people before sending them out on their journeys. The inclusion of a final hymn or canticle and a postlude serves as a way of expressing gratitude and sending the congregation out with a sense of purpose and mission.

Section Explanation and History

Entrance

Prelude: The Prelude is a musical introduction to the worship service, and it has its roots in the early Christian church, where music was used to set the mood and tone for worship.

Processional Hymn:  The use of hymns in Christian worship has its roots in the early Christian church, where psalms and hymns were sung as part of the worship service.

Invocation: The Invocation is a call for God's presence and blessing, and it has its roots in the biblical tradition of invoking God's name during times of worship and prayer.

Opening Sentences: The Opening Sentences are a reminder of God's grace and mercy, and they have their roots in the biblical tradition of acknowledging God's goodness and faithfulness.

Kyrie: The Kyrie is a prayer for mercy and forgiveness, and it has its roots in the biblical tradition of crying out to God for help and salvation.

Hymn of Praise (Gloria in excelsis): The Hymn of Praise is a hymn that expresses gratitude and adoration for God, and it has its roots in the biblical tradition of praising God for his goodness and greatness.

Service of the Word:

Service of Confession and Forgiveness:

Confession of Sin: The practice of confessing one's sins has its roots in the biblical tradition of acknowledging one's wrongdoing before God and seeking forgiveness.

Absolution: The Absolution is a pronouncement of forgiveness spoken by the pastor or other liturgical leader, and it has its roots in the early Christian practice of public penance

Hymn of the Day or Kyrie: The Hymn of the Day or Kyrie may also be included in this section as a response to the confession of sin and the assurance of forgiveness.

Collect of the Day: The Collect of the Day is a prayer that collects together the themes of the Scripture readings for the day, and it has its roots in the early Christian church, where prayers were offered during the worship service that related to the particular feast day or season.

Old Testament Reading/First Reading: The reading from the Old Testament has its roots in the synagogue worship of the Jewish people, where the Torah (the first five books of the Bible) were read aloud on a regular basis.

Psalm (or an alternate hymn or canticle): The use of the Psalms in Christian worship has its roots in the early Christian church, where the Psalms were sung or recited as part of the worship service. The use of alternate hymns or canticles is also a part of this section of the liturgy, and it reflects the importance of using a variety of musical expressions to praise God.

New Testament Reading: The reading from the New Testament has its roots in the practice of reading the letters of the apostles during Christian worship.

Alleluia or Lenten Acclamation: The Alleluia is a joyful acclamation that is traditionally sung before the Gospel reading. The Lenten Acclamation is a similar acclamation that is used during the season of Lent.

Gospel Reading: The reading from the Gospel has its roots in the early Christian church, where the stories of Jesus' life and teachings were passed down orally and eventually written down in the four Gospels.

Sermon: The sermon is a reflection on the Scripture readings of the day, and it has its roots in the early Christian church, where bishops and other leaders would offer teachings and reflections on the Scriptures during the worship service.

Hymn of the Day: The Hymn of the Day is a hymn that is chosen to reflect the themes of the Scripture readings for the day.

Nicene Creed (or the Apostles' Creed): The use of creeds in Christian worship has its roots in the early Christian church, where creeds were used as a way of expressing the essential doctrines of the faith.

Offering and Prayer: 

Offering: The practice of offering gifts and resources to God has its roots in the biblical tradition of giving to support the work of the temple or the church.

Prayers of Intercession: The practice of intercessory prayer has its roots in the biblical tradition of praying on behalf of others, particularly those who are in need.

Prayer of the Church (or General Prayer): The Prayer of the Church is a more formal prayer that includes petitions for specific needs and concerns, and it has its roots in the early Christian church, where prayers were offered for the needs of the community.

Lord's Prayer: The Lord's Prayer is a communal prayer that unites the congregation in a shared expression of faith.

Service of the Sacrament:

Preface: The Preface is a prayer that introduces the sacrament and provides a context for its celebration.

Sanctus: The Sanctus is a hymn of praise that is sung in anticipation of the sacrament.

Words of Institution: The Words of Institution are the words spoken by Jesus at the Last Supper, and they serve as the basis for the celebration of Holy Communion.

Lord's Prayer: The recitation of the Lord's Prayer is a communal prayer that acknowledges the importance of prayer and communal worship.

Agnus Dei: The Agnus Dei is a hymn that acknowledges Christ as the Lamb of God.

Distribution of the Elements: The sharing of bread and wine among the congregation has its roots in the Last Supper, where Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples and instructed them to do this in remembrance of him.

Nunc Dimittis or Thanksgiving: The Nunc Dimittis or Thanksgiving is a prayer of thanksgiving and praise that concludes the celebration of Holy Communion.

Closing:

Benediction: The Benediction is a blessing pronounced by the pastor or other liturgical leader, and it has its roots in the biblical tradition of blessings, where patriarchs and prophets would bless their people before sending them out on their journeys.

Hymn or Canticle: The final hymn or canticle is a final expression of praise and thanksgiving that sends the congregation out with a sense of purpose and mission.

Postlude: The Postlude is a musical piece that signals the end of the worship service, and it has its roots in the early Christian church, where music was used to mark the beginning and end of the worship service.

Liturgical Colors Use and Meanings

Color / Meaning / History

Black / Mourning and death / Symbolizes sorrow and mourning for the dead. Historically used during Holy Week and for funerals.

Blue / Hope and anticipation / Symbolizes hope and anticipation for the coming of Christ. Used by some churches during Advent as an alternative to purple

Green / Growth and life /Symbolizes the growth of faith and the life of Christ. Used during Ordinary Time, which is the longest season in the liturgical year.

Purple /Violet / Penitence and preparation / Symbolizes repentance and the "royal" color of Christ the King. Used during the seasons of Advent and Lent.

Red / Martyrdom, sacrifice, and the Holy Spirit / Symbolizes the blood of Christ and the fire of the Holy Spirit. Used on Pentecost and for commemorations of martyrs and apostles.

Rose/Pink / Joy and anticipation / Symbolizes the joyful anticipation of Christ's coming. Used on the third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) and the fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday).

White/Gold / Purity and joy / Symbolizes holiness, purity, and the resurrection of Christ. Used during Christmas and Easter seasons, as well as on major feast days.

Some Common Latin Terms Used in the Liturgy and Their Meanings:

Agnus Dei -  "Lamb of God." This is a prayer or hymn that refers to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. It is often used in the liturgy as a preparation for Holy Communion.

Credo -  "I believe." This is the Latin term for the Nicene Creed, a statement of faith that is recited or sung during the Mass or other liturgical services.

Gloria in excelsis Deo -  "Glory to God in the highest." This is a hymn of praise and adoration to God that is traditionally sung or said during the Mass or other liturgical services.

Kyrie eleison - "Lord, have mercy." This is a prayer of petition or supplication that is often used in the liturgy to ask for God's mercy and forgiveness.

Pater Noster -  "Our Father." This is the Latin term for the Lord's Prayer, a prayer that Jesus taught his disciples that is still widely used in Christian worship today.

Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus -  "Holy, holy, holy." This is a hymn of praise and adoration to God that is traditionally sung or said during the Mass or other liturgical services.

Veni Sancte Spiritus -  "Come Holy Spirit." This is a prayer or hymn that invokes the Holy Spirit to come and dwell within us, guiding and empowering us in our spiritual lives.

These are just a few examples of the Latin terms used in the liturgy, but there are many others that are used in various contexts and for various purposes.