Liturgy: What and Why
In our services, we use the historic order of service known as the liturgy. Below is a brief explanation of the liturgy.
What is the liturgy?
The liturgy is a specific order of service that has been used in the Christian Church for nearly two millennia. It has two basic parts: the Service of the Word (during which Scripture is read and the sermon is preached) and the Service of the Sacrament (during which the Lord’s Supper is celebrated).
Where did the liturgy come from?
The liturgy has its roots in the earliest days of the Christian Church. The Service of the Word is based on the order of service used by Jewish believers in the synagogue for hundreds of years. Jesus Christ himself used this order of service during his ministry (Luke 4:16-17). To the Service of the Word, the early believers added the Service of the Sacrament, offering the Lord’s Supper every Sunday.
Why do we use the liturgy?
We use the liturgy for several reasons.
First and foremost, we use the liturgy because it is thoroughly saturated with the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. It ensures that we receive exactly what we need on a weekly basis.
Second, we use the liturgy because it provides stability. Once you learn the basic pattern, you don’t have to worry about what’s going to happen next. You can focus instead on Christ.
Third, we use the liturgy because it provides variety. The basic structure of the liturgy stays the same from week to week, but the theme of the lessons and hymns changes every week.
Fourth, we use the liturgy because it connects us with the believers who have gone before us. We speak the same blessing spoken by Aaron 3500 years ago. We sing or read the same psalms chanted by David 3000 years ago. We sing the same hymns sung by Luther 500 years ago.
Fifth, we use the liturgy because it connects us with other believers today. Each week, we hear the same lessons and focus on the same themes that millions of other believers around the world are hearing and focusing on.
Sixth, we use the liturgy because it makes the whole service a prayer. The question often is asked whether in prayer, only we talk to God, or whether God also talks to us. The answer is, YES! The pattern of the liturgy is, God talks to us, and we respond. God gives us a gift, and we thank and praise him. The liturgy makes the service a Divine Service. God serves us. Since God serves us, we can serve Him.
What is the liturgy?
The liturgy is a specific order of service that has been used in the Christian Church for nearly two millennia. It has two basic parts: the Service of the Word (during which Scripture is read and the sermon is preached) and the Service of the Sacrament (during which the Lord’s Supper is celebrated).
Where did the liturgy come from?
The liturgy has its roots in the earliest days of the Christian Church. The Service of the Word is based on the order of service used by Jewish believers in the synagogue for hundreds of years. Jesus Christ himself used this order of service during his ministry (Luke 4:16-17). To the Service of the Word, the early believers added the Service of the Sacrament, offering the Lord’s Supper every Sunday.
Why do we use the liturgy?
We use the liturgy for several reasons.
First and foremost, we use the liturgy because it is thoroughly saturated with the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. It ensures that we receive exactly what we need on a weekly basis.
Second, we use the liturgy because it provides stability. Once you learn the basic pattern, you don’t have to worry about what’s going to happen next. You can focus instead on Christ.
Third, we use the liturgy because it provides variety. The basic structure of the liturgy stays the same from week to week, but the theme of the lessons and hymns changes every week.
Fourth, we use the liturgy because it connects us with the believers who have gone before us. We speak the same blessing spoken by Aaron 3500 years ago. We sing or read the same psalms chanted by David 3000 years ago. We sing the same hymns sung by Luther 500 years ago.
Fifth, we use the liturgy because it connects us with other believers today. Each week, we hear the same lessons and focus on the same themes that millions of other believers around the world are hearing and focusing on.
Sixth, we use the liturgy because it makes the whole service a prayer. The question often is asked whether in prayer, only we talk to God, or whether God also talks to us. The answer is, YES! The pattern of the liturgy is, God talks to us, and we respond. God gives us a gift, and we thank and praise him. The liturgy makes the service a Divine Service. God serves us. Since God serves us, we can serve Him.
