Redeemer Lutheran Church joyfully uses a form of liturgical worship during our church services. The word liturgy means “public service”. This refers to the public proclamation of the Word and administration of the Sacraments as God’s service to His people. We respond to God’s gracious gifts of Word and Sacrament through prayer, praise, and thanksgiving.
Our liturgy is founded on God’s Word and the rich hymnody inherited from the Church triumphant. Redeemer Lutheran Church most often uses the order of service called Divine Service III, beginning on page 184 of the Lutheran Service Book. Below is an outline and brief explanation of the parts of the liturgy. Relevant Scripture passages are referenced.
- I. Confession and Absolution (John 20:19–23; 1 John 1:8-9)
- Hymn of Invocation
- A hymn may be sung. This hymn usually connects to the Scripture passages being read for that Sunday or to the broader Church season.
- Invocation (Matthew 28:19)
- We begin by invoking, or speaking, God’s Triune name that we received in Baptism: The name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The sign of the cross may be made at this time in remembrance of our Baptism. In Baptism we are united to Christ’s death and resurrection and have put on Christ. (Romans 6:3-11, Galatians 3:27)
- Confession and Absolution
- Psalm 32:5 says, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord, and You forgave the iniquity of my sin”. We confess our sins before God and the pastor proclaims the forgiveness of our sins won for us by our Lord Jesus Christ. This forgiveness is also called “absolution”. To be absolved means to be declared not guilty. Our guilt has been taken away and our sin has been forgiven by the blood of Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:18-21, Colossians 1:13-14, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 John 1:8-9)
- Hymn of Invocation
- II. Service of the Word
- Introit, Psalm, or Entrance Hymn
- Traditionally, the Introit was “traveling music” to be sung while the pastor and others assisting in the service moved from the church’s entrance towards the altar. Now, most pastors begin the service already positioned near the altar. Still, the Introit has been kept in the service. The Introit may be a doxology, a Psalm, or a hymn. At Redeemer we usually sing a Psalm as the Introit music, with the Pastor singing one verse and the congregation singing the next. The Introit Psalm for the week is printed in Redeemer’s bulletin.
- Kyrie (Mark 10:47)
- Kyrie is taken from the Latin phrase “Kyrie Eleison”, which means, “Lord, have mercy”. In song, we cry out to our Lord for His mercy, knowing that He graciously hears our prayer.
- Hymn of Praise: Gloria in Excelsis (Luke 2:14; John 1:29; Revelation 5:12-13; 19:5-9)
- “Gloria in Excelsis” is Latin for “Glory in the Highest”. This hymn is based on the song of the angels who appeared to the shepherds to proclaim Jesus’ birth, as well as John the Baptist’s confession of Jesus, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
- Salutation and Collect of the Day (2 Timothy 4:22)
- During the Salutation the pastor greets the congregation by blessing them in the name of the Lord. The Collect of the Day is a prayer appointed for the Sunday. This prayer usually connects to the themes of the appointed Scripture readings for that Sunday.
- Old Testament or First Reading
- We hear the Word of God read. Three separate texts from Holy Scripture are selected for each Sunday. These three texts usually share a theme. As the name suggests, the first text is usually a passage of Old Testament. Occasionally this first reading is from a New Testament book, like the book of Acts.
- Psalm or Gradual
- At Redeemer a portion of a Psalm is selected to be sung, the first verse by the pastor and the next verse by the congregation. This Psalm is printed in Redeemer’s bulletin.
- Epistle or Second Reading
- The second section of Scripture that is read is usually a portion of a New Testament Epistle. Occasionally, this second reading is from the book of Acts.
- Alleluia and Verse (John 6:68; Joel 2:13)
- In thanksgiving and celebration of Jesus Christ, the congregation stands and sings “Alleluia”, which means “Praise the Lord”!
- Holy Gospel
- The congregation remains standing out of honor for the reading of the Holy Gospel, which is selected from the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. These books record the first-person accounts of the life, death, and resurrection of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. As John says, “These things are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31)
- Hymn of the Day
- A hymn is sung. This hymn is usually connected to the main points of the Gospel reading, and consequently, the sermon. This hymn almost serves as a mini sermon. Listen closely for the connections between the Scripture text, the hymns, and the sermon.
- Sermon
- The pastor preaches at this time. The pastor usually selects a Scripture text to focus on and expound upon. At Redeemer, the main text of the sermon is the Holy Gospel. Listen to hear how the pastor also incorporates other parts of Scripture throughout his sermon.
- Creed
- A creed is a statement of belief. Historically, the Church has universally recognized three creeds as faithful reflections of the Christian faith. Those creeds are the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. These are also called the Ecumenical Creeds. At this time in the service, we confess our faith together. “Confess” in this context means “to say the same thing”. In summary, each of these creeds is a confession of our faith in God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
- Offertory (Psalm 116:12-13, 17-19)
- The Offertory is sung on preparation for the Offering. In Divine Service III, the Offertory comes from Psalm 51:10-12, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, and uphold me with Thy free spirit.”
- Offering
- At this time, the members of the congregation may give an offering, which will go to support the work and needs of the congregation. The elders of the congregation pass an offering plate in which an offering may be placed.
- Prayer of the Church (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
- The pastor leads the congregation in prayer to God. The pastor will present different petitions in prayer, while the congregation will pray in response, “Hear our prayer.”
- If there is no Communion, the service concludes with the Lord’s Prayer, a concluding collect, and the Benediction.
- Introit, Psalm, or Entrance Hymn
- III. Service of the Sacrament
- Preface (2 Timothy 4:22; Colossians 3:1; Psalm 136)
- This text is a dialogue between the pastor and the congregation in preparation for celebration the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, or Communion. The pastor continues by reciting the Proper Preface, which changes with the church season.
- Sanctus (Isaiah 6:3; Matthew 21:9)
- United together “with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven”, the congregation sings praise to God. “Sanctus” is Latin for “Holy”. We sing to God, confessing that He is Holy. The text of this song is based on the prophet Isaiah’s vision of God’s throne, as well as Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem before His crucifixion. We sing these texts because we are recognizing God’s Holy presence and Jesus’ coming to us in His Supper, where He answers our cry of “Hosanna! Save us!” by giving us His Holy body and blood.
- Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)
- The congregation prays together the prayer that our Lord has taught us:
- “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
- The congregation prays together the prayer that our Lord has taught us:
- The Words of Our Lord (Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
- The pastor recites Jesus’ words that He said when He instituted His Supper on the night He was betrayed. We believe His words, “Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me” and “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
- Pax Domini (John 20:19)
- “Pax Domini” is Latin for “the Peace of the Lord”. The pastor declares that we have the peace of the Lord because of our crucified and risen Redeemer, Jesus Christ. The congregation responds with “Amen”, affirming that we believe we have the Lord’s peace. This reflects our faith in Jesus and what He has done for us.
- Agnus Dei (John 1:29)
- “Agnus Dei” is Latin for “Lamb of God”. Here we sing John the Baptist’s confession that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
- Distribution (Mark 14:23)
- The congregation approaches the altar to receive the bread, which is the Lord’s body and the wine, which is the Lord’s blood.
- Redeemer continues the historic practice of the Church: Closed Communion. Any visitors are asked to speak to the pastor before the service regarding participating in the Lord’s Supper, or Communion. To learn more about the Lord’s Supper, click here or contact us with any questions.
- At Redeemer, members who may be unable to climb the steps to the altar may gather first at the first row of pews, where the Lord’s Supper will be brought to them. Other members may approach the altar as dismissed by the elders, climb the steps of the altar, kneel at the communion rail to receive the Lord’s Supper. Redeemer uses individual cups as well as a common cup. After the Lord’s body is received, the individual cups are presented to the members first, and the common cup is presented second. The pastor dismisses each group of communicants, at which time the members return to their seats and the next group of communicants approach the altar.
- Anyone who wishes to receive a blessing from the pastor may approach the altar during the distribution. You may show that you desire a blessing by folding your arms across your chest.
- Distribution hymns are sung by the congregation during this time. Listen and see if you can notice how the themes of the Service of the Word and the Service of the Sacrament are expressed in the hymns.
- Post-Communion Canticle: Nunc Dimittis (Luke 2:29-32)
- “Nunc Dimittis” is Latin for “Now Depart”. This is the Song of Simeon. Simeon met the infant Jesus in the temple and declared, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen the salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for the revelation to the Gentiles, and for the glory of your people Israel.” We sing this song in celebration for having met our Lord in His Supper and for having received His salvation in His body and blood. Because of Jesus’ salvation, we are ready to depart this life in peace, our guilt taken away by our Lord’s body and blood.
- Post-Communion Collect
- The pastor leads the congregation in a prayer of thanksgiving for the reception of the Lord’s body and blood.
- Benediction (Numbers 6:24-26)
- Benediction means “blessing”. The pastor blesses the congregation with the three-fold blessing from the book of Numbers: “The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”
- Closing Hymn
- The congregation sings a final hymn to close the service. Listen and see if you can notice how this hymn summarizes the themes of the Sunday service.
- Preface (2 Timothy 4:22; Colossians 3:1; Psalm 136)
For more information and resources about liturgy, click here.