Intoduction to Liturgy : Part 1

Introduction toThe Lutheran Liturgy

Every week we come together to worship God. Is there a pattern or formula to be followed in worship? Why do we worship the way we do? Psalm 150

We have been exploring the various parts of our worship service in an effort to answer these questions. For some this will be new, for others, it will be a refresher. Our hope is that it will help us to grow in our understanding of the shape of worship and its foundation in scripture.
The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.

The first part of the service is called The Gathering Rite, which contains the following components: the Confession and Forgiveness; the Entrance Hymn; the Greeting; the Kyrie and Hymn of Praise, and the Prayer of the Day.

We begin with the Confession and Forgiveness, preparing for our time of worship by an act of cleansing. We gather for worship, just as we are, from a position of honesty, not hiding or pretending. We are sinners in need of God’s forgiveness. (1 John 1:8)

Together we admit out loud our need for God’s forgiveness. Silently we may fill in the specifics. Washed in Christ once in baptism, we are still in need of daily cleansing.
The words of absolution and forgiveness are proclaimed with joy: Almighty God, rich in mercy, abundant in love, forgives your sins and grants you newness of life in Jesus Christ. How can we help but respond: Thanks be to God!

Why do we sing hymns? Psalm 149. Hymns can speak for us. The words of a hymn, joined to its tune, can express feelings and emotions we may not otherwise express. Hymns can give expression to our longing and our joy, our grief and our hopes.

Hymns can instruct us. They abound in biblical references and allusions, giving another dimension to Scripture. Hymns teach us in a pleasant and memorable way. As we sing, the words seep into our hearts and stay with us throughout our days and week.
Hymns unite us. The distinction between the hymn writer and the singer of the hymn collapses. Individuals are united with others around them. And when the congregation sings vigorously, it is a thrilling experience.

This unity is a sign of the promised unity of the entire broken and scattered family of God, who will all one day sing with one heart and mind and voice to the God of all creation, the source in whom all things hold together.
We are greeted by these words of the apostle Paul. (I Cor. 13:14) Surrounded by the love and grace of God, we turn our attention to the Lord (Kyrie), asking for mercy (Eleison).

The Kyrie is a kind of centering prayer, starting beyond the galaxies and ending here: “For the peace from above,” For the unity of all people across the globe…For the unity of the church wherever it is gathering at this moment, and finally, for us now, in this very place.

With the lepers in Luke 17:13 we cry: “Lord, have mercy!” “Lord, see us!” “Lord, hear us!” “Lord, heal us!” “Lord, forgive us!” “Lord, have compassion on your people!”

In asking for mercy, we come before God and recognize our need. We ask for what this earth so desperately lacks: unity, an end to violence, and peace beyond what the world can give. Our ending words – “Help, save, comfort and defend us” – remind us that our refuge is in our merciful God, and not in money, weapons or other trappings of power.

Having had the opportunity to voice the depth of our need, we now express our joy as God’s people in the Hymn of Praise.
The words to the Gloria are familiar; we know them from Luke 2:14. These are the words sung by the angels to the shepherds as they watched over their flocks. God’s exaltation in heaven is linked with reconciliation on earth.

Sometimes we sing This is the Feast, with its rich images from Revelation, chapter 5.
The rhythm of the church year determines the use of the Hymn of Praise. We use the Gloria and This is the Feast for festive seasons: Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. During Advent and Lent – times of repentant preparation – we hold back.

Next, we greet one another with these beautiful words as we enter into the community’s prayer.

“The Lord be with you.” Ruth 2:4; Luke 1:28

The Prayer of the Day is the point to which the gathering part of the service leads. We are the gathered community. We lose our individuality to find our common identity. We become aware of God in whose presence we stand, and of those with whom we stand.
This prayer prepares us to hear the Word of God by giving us a sense of the occasion, a sense of expectancy, and a sense of what to listen for in the readings. This prayer forms us as a praying community.

These are the components of the Gathering Rite, the first of three parts to the Sunday liturgy. In the months ahead we will examine the other three parts: Word, Meal and Sending.

We began this article stating that it is the Holy Spirit that gathers us together. It is God who takes the initiative to call us to worship. Therefore, in worship we respond to God. Whether praise or thanksgiving, supplication or repentance, Holy Communion or Holy Baptism, prayer or the celebration of the Church’s year, in worship, we respond to the saving work of God throughout history.

Pastor Ann

pastorann@trinitylutheran-cda.org