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| Liturgy
> Order of Communion Service |
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 God’s bountiful blessings as you attend our communion services. In our services we follow a specific liturgy. A liturgy is a prescribed order of events occurring within the worship. Martin Luther spoke very highly of this order and believed that it was useful for thanking, praising and serving God. We believe that our traditional Lutheran worship will be an experience for you that will communicate God's enduring Love and Grace.
During service you will switch periodically between the Hymnal and the Bulletin you received from the Ushers at the door. Hymn numbers are shown in both the bulletin and on the hymn boards to the left and right of the altar.
Summary of Worship Service:
- Opening Hymn - Hymnal
- Invocation- Hymnal
- Introit - Bulletin
- Kyrie - Hymnal
- Hymn of Praise - Hymnal
- Collect of the Day - Hymnal
- Scripture Readings - Bulletin
- Hymn of the Day - Hymnal
- Sermon
- Prayers - Hymnal
- Offering
- Offertory - Hymnal
- Songs of Praise - Hymnal
- Words of Institution and Communion - Hymnal
- Benediction
- Closing Hymn - Hymnal
The order of service will be shown at the top of the bulletin and will direct you to the specific liturgical service for the day and provide a page number.
- The service will usually commence with the lighting of the altar candles by an Acolyte. Upon entrance of the pastor, the service will begin with the first Hymn. Following the hymn the Pastor will also direct you to the order of service and begin.
- The service will start with the Invocation and a responsive chant or reading. The invocation is a prayer asking God's help and blessing as part of the service
- The Introit or “entrance” will come next and can be found on the bulletin insert or second page. The words of the Introit, usually from a Psalm, are then spoken, expressing some key ideas of the day's worship. The Introit is a responsive reading. The congregation will recite the half verse as indicated by an asterisk. The Introit will be found on the bulletin insert or second page.
- The Kyrie or "O Lord" follows the Introit and is located in the Hymnal. The Kyrie asks the Lord for His mercy and peace for fellow worshippers and us. The Kyrie is usually a responsive reading or chant.
- The Hymn of Praise is next. This hymn will be the second hymn listed in the bulletin and on the hymn number board to the left and right of the altar.
- This hymn is followed by the Collect of the Day which a simple prayer that “collects” more of the main idea of the day's worship. In all this, we pray to and praise the Triune God, once again. A responsive reading or chant may initiate the Collect of the Day.
- The Scripture or Bible readings follow and are in three parts and may be found in the bulletin insert or third page.
- The Old Testament Reading - the Gradual follows the Old Testament reading. The Gradual can be found on the bulletin insert or second page of the bulletin. The Gradual is a responsive reading with the congregation reciting the half verse.
- The Epistle Reading – after the Epistle reading the congregation stands for an appointed verse.
- The New Testament or Holy Gospel reading (*The congregation stands for the gospel)
There may be a responsive chant to the reading of the Gospel after the pastor announces, "This is the Gospel of the Lord".
- The Hymn of the day or third hymn in the bulletin or on the hymn number board will then be sung.
- The sermon follows. The Sermon is usually based upon one of these Scripture readings—helping us to understand what God would teach us through His Word. We hear the Law, which shows us our sins, and the Gospel, which shows us our Savior. This is part of the life-long learning process we are in, growing in Christ and His Word. The congregational reciting of one of the Creeds may follow the sermon the Nicene Creed or Apostles Creed.
- The Prayers follow the sermon. The Prayers are a response to God's Word. Because God has been so good to us, we want to talk with Him in praise and thanks and to bring Him our needs. We do not pray selfishly, though. We pray for others and any prayer requests received. On conclusion of the prayers by the Pastor the congregation concludes them with a spoken "Amen".
- The Offering is then received. The Offerings are a response to God's love in Christ. He has blessed us. We do so freely and with gratitude that He first loved us so richly. As the offerings are collected the Pastor will be preparing the Lord’s Table.
- Upon conclusion of the offering and prayer and Offertory is sung. An offertory is the presentation, reception, and offering of the gifts to God.
- This is followed by the Preface, or Songs of Praise, and is usually a responsive chant as indicated by the hymnal. The pastor will continue with prayers and included will be The Lord’s Prayer that will be recited by the entire congregation.
- The Pastor will recite the words of institution of the Lord’s Supper. Concluding with "the Peace of the Lord be with you always". The common congregational response is, "And also with you." The congregation sings Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) as communicant members begin to take communion. On conclusion of the communion a Post-Communion canticle is sung and a prayer is said. * please see the Communion card in front of you (back of the pew) if you wish to take communion or read our close communion practice by clicking here.
- The Pastor will conclude the services with his benediction or blessing. The benediction is usually taken from Numbers 6:25-26
- The final hymn is sung.
We hope you receive the heart and joy in Christ’s name of what happens at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church.
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