Worship Thoughts

Thoughts on Worship

Word

During this part of the Liturgy, the Congregation listens to God's
Word as it is proclaimed in the story and scriptures of the Torah
( the Jewish Bible, and for us the "Old" Testament), the Psalms
(the ancient Jewish Hymns), the Epistles (the Letters of the New Testament), the Gospels (the four books of Jesus' life and ministry), and the Pastor's Sermon.

In God's Word, Lutherans expect to hear both the Law and the Gospel. The Law exposes our sin and calls us to account before God and one another. The Gospel proclaims God's loving purpose for us and all creation, revealed in the death and resurrection of Jesus.

In the hearing of the Word, week by week, we are both cast down
and raised up to new life, challenged, condemned, forgiven, renewed,
and called forth to serve. Pay attention! God is speaking to us!

Worshiping with the Body

When Lutherans come to worship, we come to participate. We do not expect to sit still and be entertained! We know that "liturgy"-- the word that describes our worship -- is a word that means "the peoples' work." Worship involves our bodies and our senses, and by extension, the furniture, symbols, musical instruments and architecture that surround us. At the same time, most (but not all) Lutherans in this part of the world (unlike, say, in Africa) may be reluctant to let our bodies get TOO involved! :) But don't be afraid. In the world that God made for us to praise Him, there are many different ways our bodies help us to speak to God and one another, in two general categories. One is to express individual feelings. The other is to express our common faith. The two are not always completely separate, but if we divide things this way, it is fair to say that Lutherans tend to emphasize a more corporate use of the body.

For instance, we stand, sit and kneel together as we are able. With these common postures we sing better, listen better, pray better. We join our voices in responses, in prayers, in hymns and psalms. We eat and drink, obeying Jesus' commands together.

Making the sign of the cross is one way that Christians have worshiped and prayed since ancient times. It is a remembrance of the time the cross is first traced upon us at Baptism. It can be one of those things we do in worship that slips back and forth between individual and corporate body language. Some traditional times to make the sign of the cross (by touching your head, heart, left and right shoulder with your right hand) are:
* Any time there is a Trinitarian invocation "In the name of the Father, and of the Son..."
* In the creed, at the words "the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting"
* As we join "the church on earth and the hosts of heaven" to sing the Sanctus, at the words "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord."
* Immediately before and/or after receiving communion.
* At the Benediction "The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace."

The Advent Season

In Advent, we prepare. The color is blue; the theme is hope and expectation. We do not rush into Christmas, any more than we leap over Lent to Easter. This year, the prophet Isaiah proclaims the coming fulfillment. John the Baptist, Joseph, and the Blessed Virgin Mary each live out the prophets' promises and inspire us to make our own hearts and lives ready for Jesus.

Advent hymns replace some familiar parts of our liturgy. At communion we "pray with the saints" using an ancient prayer from the ministry of Hippolytus, Bishop of Rome in the late second century. This prayer - written before the use of a seasonal preface or the singing of 'Holy, Holy, Holy' - the Sanctus - is a treasure of the early church that reflects many Advent themes. We keep silence after the Lord's prayer. It is the beginning of a new year in the church, in which we will read mostly from the gospel of Matthew.

	Grace Lutheran Church *Worshipping with the Saints -- Seeing Christ in others* Lancaster, Pennsylvania
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