Liturgy: Parts
Preparation
Invocation
We begin the service “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”, the name into which we have been baptized. This is a reminder that we can enter into the presence of the holy God only because we are his baptized children.
Confession of Sins
Rather than trying to ignore or downplay the reality of sin in our lives, we openly and honestly confess that we are sinners at the beginning of each service.
Absolution
In one of the high points of each service, the pastor, serving as a representative of Jesus Christ himself, announces the good news that all of our sins are forgiven (absolved).
Hymn of Praise
We respond to the good news of forgiveness by singing a joyous hymn of praise to God. Usually we use a song called the Gloria Excelsis, based on the song that the angels sang on the first Christmas (Luke 2:14).
Service of the Word
Prayer of the Day
This marks the beginning of the first main part of the service, the Service of the Word. Before we hear God’s Word, we pray to him and ask for his blessing.
First Lesson
The first lesson we hear from God’s Word is usually taken from the Old Testament.
Psalm of the Day
Just like David in the tabernacle and Jesus in the synagogue, we sing from the Book of Psalms.
Second Lesson
The second lesson we hear from God’s Word is usually taken from the New Testament epistles (letters).
Verse of the Day
We sing a verse to focus our minds and prepare our hearts to hear the Gospel.
Gospel
We read from one of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) about the life and work of Jesus Christ. This is another high point of the service. The theme of the entire service is based on the Gospel for the day.
Hymn of the Day
We sing a hymn specially chosen to match the theme of the service.
Sermon
The pastor explains one of the lessons and applies it to our lives.
Confession of Faith
We proclaim what we as Christians believe using one of the historic creeds of the Christian Church.
Offering
In response to the Word, we joyfully give our best to support the work of the congregation.
Prayer of the Church
We pray specifically for the specific needs of our members.
Lord’s Prayer
We pray the prayer that Jesus Christ taught us.
Service of the Sacrament
Preface to Holy Communion
This marks the beginning of the Service of Holy Communion. The responses that we speak or sing are among the most ancient portions of the liturgy.
Holy, Holy, Holy
As we prepare for the real presence of Christ’s body and blood in our midst, we sing this song, based on the song sung by the angels who dwell in the presence of God (Isaiah 6:3) and the song sung by the crowds as Jesus rode into their midst on Palm Sunday (John 12:13).
Words of Institution
The pastor repeats the words that Jesus spoke when he instituted the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Through the miraculous power attached to these words, Christ’s body and blood are truly present among us.
Lamb of God
In this song, we proclaim the good news that in Holy Communion, Jesus, the Lamb of God, takes away our sins and gives us peace.
Distribution
Christ’s body and blood are distributed to the congregation For an explanation of our Communion practices, click here.
Song of Simeon
Like Simeon (Luke 2:25-32), we thank God that we too, in Holy Communion, have been able to hold salvation in our hands.
Prayer of Thanks
We say a prayer to God thanking him for giving us the gift of forgiveness through Holy Communion.
Blessing
The pastor speaks the blessing of God over the people. This is the same blessing used by Aaron 3500 years ago. (Numbers 6:22-27)
Invocation
We begin the service “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”, the name into which we have been baptized. This is a reminder that we can enter into the presence of the holy God only because we are his baptized children.
Confession of Sins
Rather than trying to ignore or downplay the reality of sin in our lives, we openly and honestly confess that we are sinners at the beginning of each service.
Absolution
In one of the high points of each service, the pastor, serving as a representative of Jesus Christ himself, announces the good news that all of our sins are forgiven (absolved).
Hymn of Praise
We respond to the good news of forgiveness by singing a joyous hymn of praise to God. Usually we use a song called the Gloria Excelsis, based on the song that the angels sang on the first Christmas (Luke 2:14).
Service of the Word
Prayer of the Day
This marks the beginning of the first main part of the service, the Service of the Word. Before we hear God’s Word, we pray to him and ask for his blessing.
First Lesson
The first lesson we hear from God’s Word is usually taken from the Old Testament.
Psalm of the Day
Just like David in the tabernacle and Jesus in the synagogue, we sing from the Book of Psalms.
Second Lesson
The second lesson we hear from God’s Word is usually taken from the New Testament epistles (letters).
Verse of the Day
We sing a verse to focus our minds and prepare our hearts to hear the Gospel.
Gospel
We read from one of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) about the life and work of Jesus Christ. This is another high point of the service. The theme of the entire service is based on the Gospel for the day.
Hymn of the Day
We sing a hymn specially chosen to match the theme of the service.
Sermon
The pastor explains one of the lessons and applies it to our lives.
Confession of Faith
We proclaim what we as Christians believe using one of the historic creeds of the Christian Church.
Offering
In response to the Word, we joyfully give our best to support the work of the congregation.
Prayer of the Church
We pray specifically for the specific needs of our members.
Lord’s Prayer
We pray the prayer that Jesus Christ taught us.
Service of the Sacrament
Preface to Holy Communion
This marks the beginning of the Service of Holy Communion. The responses that we speak or sing are among the most ancient portions of the liturgy.
Holy, Holy, Holy
As we prepare for the real presence of Christ’s body and blood in our midst, we sing this song, based on the song sung by the angels who dwell in the presence of God (Isaiah 6:3) and the song sung by the crowds as Jesus rode into their midst on Palm Sunday (John 12:13).
Words of Institution
The pastor repeats the words that Jesus spoke when he instituted the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Through the miraculous power attached to these words, Christ’s body and blood are truly present among us.
Lamb of God
In this song, we proclaim the good news that in Holy Communion, Jesus, the Lamb of God, takes away our sins and gives us peace.
Distribution
Christ’s body and blood are distributed to the congregation For an explanation of our Communion practices, click here.
Song of Simeon
Like Simeon (Luke 2:25-32), we thank God that we too, in Holy Communion, have been able to hold salvation in our hands.
Prayer of Thanks
We say a prayer to God thanking him for giving us the gift of forgiveness through Holy Communion.
Blessing
The pastor speaks the blessing of God over the people. This is the same blessing used by Aaron 3500 years ago. (Numbers 6:22-27)
