The Service:
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In the principal service of Christian worship, the Holy Spirit gathers people around the means of grace -- the saving Word of God and the sacraments. From the table of communion where Jesus Christ comes with forgiveness, life, and salvation, God sends us out to share the good news and to care for those in need.
The basic pattern and structure of Lutheran worship can be traced back some 1,500 years. It is composed in four parts. |
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Gathering
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The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God
We confess our sin and receive assurance of forgiveness. A gathering hymn is followed by the presiding minister greeting and leading the assembly in prayer.
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Word
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God speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching, and song
Usually there are three Scripture readings, one each from the Old Testament, from the New Testament letters and from the Gospels. Preaching brings God's word of law and gospel into our time and place to awaken and to nourish us.
Song, confession of our common faith, followed by intercessory prayer and the receiving and giving of peace concludes this portion of worship.
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Meal
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God feeds us with the presence of Christ
An offering of gifts is followed by a thanksgiving prayer for all we have; this leads to Jesus' own words of command and promise at the table of communion. God nourishes us with the Body and Blood of Jesus in communion.
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Sending
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God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world
We're sent to continue our participation in God's mission of peace and service to the world.
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The Church Year:
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As with many Christian Churches, Lutherans follow a church year starting with Advent, a four week preparation for Christmas. On the twelfth day after Christmas we celebrate the feast of Epiphany (which means to show or reveal), the day the three kings come to worship the infant Jesus. The Epiphany season lasts until Ash Wednesday, which is the beginning of Lent. Lent is the forty day period in preparation for Easter. Easter is the central feast of the Church year, celebrating the suffering, death and resurrection of the Lord. Fifty days after Easter is the feast of Pentecost, the remembrance of the coming of the Holy Spirit. This is often seen as the birthday of the Church.
This first part of the Church year, about six months is structured around the life of Christ. The second six months has more focus around the teachings and parables of Jesus.
The Scriptures that are chosen are in a three year rotation, during which much of the New Testament and a major portion of the Old Testament is read and preached.
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Music:
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Top 10 hymns selected by our congregation: |
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- Amazing Grace
- How Great Thou Art
- A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
- Great Is Thy Faithfulness
- My Faith Looks Up To Thee
- What A Friend We Have In Jesus
- Holy, Holy, Holy
- Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me
- Beautiful Savior
- Break Now the Bread of Life
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Service & Music
