Liturgy
Elements of Worship Explanation
| Ringing the Bells
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All Gods people “enter the Lord’s gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise” Ps. 100:4 |
| The Prelude
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Reflective music drawing us into prayer and praise. |
| Confession and Forgiveness
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Christ said to his disciples, “If you forgive anyone their sins, they are forgiven”. John 20:23 With the congregation, the Pastor shares God’s announcement of forgiveness. I John 1:8-10, Rom. 7:14-8:4 |
| Gathering Hymn
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We are a singing church “with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.” (Colossians 3:16). The hymn may be praise, prayer, penance or seasonal worship. “Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing.” Ps. 100:2 |
| Apostolic Greeting
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We worship our Triune God, remembering Baptism in God’s name. Matt. 18:20, 28:19; Eph. 2:18 |
| The Kyrie
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Kyrie in Greek means “O Lord,” for help and strength. With the Kyrie we greet our Lord Jesus Christ in the worship service. Matt. 9:27; 15:22; 20:30-31; Luke 17:13 |
| Hymn of Praise
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“Glory to God in the highest” Luke 2:14 and “This is the feast of victory,” Rev. 5:12ff |
| Prayer of the Day
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“The lord be with you” Ruth 2:4; Luke 1:28; II Thess. 3:16; II Tim. 4:22. Amen= “So be it; truly!” |
| The 1st Lesson
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The first reading is from the O.T. and during the Easter season it is from the Book of Acts. I Tim.4:13 |
| The 2nd Lesson
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The second reading is from one of the epistles (letters) in the New Testament—Acts-Revelation. |
| Kids Sermon
~ Psalm ~ |
This interactive message celebrates inter-generational worship.
Responsive praise. |
| Acclamation ~
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A verse sung in preparation for the reading of the Gospel. John 6:68; Joel 2:13 (through lent). |
| Holy Gospel
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Christ is with us in the Gospel Word. |
| Sermon
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God’s Word proclaimed with emphasis and application. Acts 7 |
| Hymn of the Day
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Musically incorporates themes from Biblical texts and sermon. |
| The Creed
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The Apostle’s Creed or the Nicene Creed. I Cor. 15:1ff; I Pet. 3:18ff; I Tim. 3:16 |
| The Prayers
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“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.” 1 Timothy 2 |
| Sharing the Peace
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In preparation for Holy Communion and in mutual consolation. John 14:27; John 20:19-21. |
| The Offering | The gifts of God’s people “Now concerning the collection for the saints: you should follow the directions I gave to the churches of Galatia. 2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put aside and save whatever extra you earn…” (1 Corinthians 16:1-2a) |
| The Offertory
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As the offerings are brought to the Lord’s table, the worshipers sing the offertory. ”What shall I return to the Lord, for all his bounty to me.” Ps. 116 “Create in me a clean heart” Ps. 51 |
| The Preface
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“The Lord be with you” lifting our hearts and giving thanks for the meals to come. Lam. 3:41; Ps. 86.4 |
| Great Thanksgiving
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Seasonal with the church year. * Ps. 69:30; 95:2; 100:4; 107:22; 116:17; 147:7. |
| The Sanctus
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Sanctus is Latin meaning “Holy.” Isaiah’s vision of God “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;the whole earth is full of his glory.” (Isaiah 6:3) Also from Palm Sunday when Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem. Matthew 21:9 Ps. 118:26ff |
| The Lord’s Prayer
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God’s family prayer, especially appropriate at mealtime. Matt. 6:9ff; Luke 11:2ff |
| The Words of Institution ~ |
Remembering God’s means of grace before the meal. 1 Cor. 11:17ff; Matt. 26:26-28; Mk. 14:22-24; Luke 22:14-23. |
| The Agnus Dei
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John the Baptist spoke these words as he pointed to Jesus coming toward him in John 1:29. As Christ comes to us in the Holy Supper, we recognize him as the Agnus Dei- Lamb of God. Is. 53:7. |
| The Administration of the Supper
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“The body of Christ given/broken for you” and “The blood of Christ shed for you” We remember and experience, “The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthening us and keeping us in grace.” While the meal is being distributed, the congregation and/or the choir may sing one or more hymns. |
| Post-Communion
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“Thank the Lord,” “Lord, now let Your servant go in peace.” Luke 2:29f |
| Prayer of Thanks
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Appreciation to our gracious God for giving us this Holy Meal. Ps. 107:1; 118:1. |
| Blessing
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The Aaronic blessing the Lord first gave to Aaron and the other priests to speak to the people Israel. Numbers 6:23ff |
| Sending Hymn
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This hymn follows the theme of the readings and often is celebrative. |
| Dismissal
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Go in peace! Thanks be to God that we might serve! Hallelujah! means Praise God Rev. 19.1ff |
