Part of a series on Lutheranism
Luther's Seal
Beginnings
Christianity Protestant Reformation Roman Catholicism Lutheranism is a movement within Christianity that began with the theological insights of Martin Luther in the 16th century. ... lutheran seal File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... The Luther seal The Luther seal is the symbol of the Lutheran church. ... // Christianity is a monotheistic[1] religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament. ... “Reformation” redirects here. ... The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church (see terminology below) is the Christian Church in full communion with the Bishop of Rome, currently Pope Benedict XVI. It traces its origins to the original Christian community founded by Jesus Christ and led by the Twelve Apostles, in particular Saint Peter. ...
People
Martin Luther Philipp Melanchthon Frederick the Wise Martin Chemnitz Johann Sebastian Bach Henry Melchior Muhlenberg C. F. W. Walther Martin Luther (November 10, 1483 – February 18, 1546) was a German monk,[1] priest, professor, theologian, and church reformer. ... Portrait of Philipp Melanchthon, by Lucas Cranach the Elder. ... Frederick in an engraved portrait by Albrecht Dürer, 1524 Frederick III (January 17, 1463 – May 5, 1525), also known as Frederick the Wise, was Elector of Saxony (from the House of Wettin) from 1486 to his death. ... Martin Chemnitz (1522-1586) was an eminent Lutheran theologian, churchman, and confessor, born in Treuenbrietzen, Brandenburg on November 9, 1522, the day before Martin Luther had been born in 1483. ... Places in which Bach resided throughout his life Johann Sebastian Bach (pronounced ) (21 March 1685 O.S. – 28 July 1750 N.S.) was a prolific German composer and organist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought... Henry Melchior Muhlenberg (September 6, 1711, Einbeck, Germany – October 7, 1787, Trappe, Pennsylvania), originally Heinrich Melchior Mühlenberg, was a Lutheran clergyman who is viewed as the founder of the Lutheran Church in the United States. ... Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm (C.F.W.) Walther (October 25, 1811 - May 17, 1887), was the first President of the Lutheran Church _ Missouri Synod. ...
Book of Concord
Augsburg Confession Apology of the Augsburg Confession Smalcald Articles Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope Luther's Large Catechism Luther's Small Catechism Formula of Concord 95 Theses The Book of Concord or Concordia is a compilation of the major theological documents of early Lutheranism. ... Wikisource has original text related to this article: Augsburg Confession The Augsburg Confession, also known as the Augustana from its Latin name, Confessio Augustana, is the primary confession of faith of the Lutheran Church and one of the most important documents of the Lutheran reformation. ... The Apology of the Augsburg Confession was formulated by Philip Melanchthon as the response to the Roman Confutation against the Augsburg Confession. ... The Smalcald Articles are a summary of Lutheran doctrines, written by Martin Luther, which declared the positions on which Lutherans could not concede. ... The Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope is a treatise written by Philip Melanchthon that denotes the Lutheran position regarding the Papal abuses of authority. ... Luthers Large Catechism was written by Martin Luther and published in April of 1529. ... Luthers Small Catechism was written by Martin Luther and published in 1529 for the training of children. ... (1577). ... The 95 Theses. ...
Theology and Sacraments
Sacramental Union Law and Gospel Sola scriptura Sola gratia Sola fide The Eucharist Holy Baptism Sacramental Union (Latin, unio sacramentalis; German, sacramentlich Einigkeit) is the Lutheran theological view of the Real Presence of the body and blood of Christ in the Christian Eucharist. ... The relationship between Gods Law and the Gospel is a major topic in Lutheran and Reformed theology. ... Sola scriptura (Latin ablative, by scripture alone) is the assertion that the Bible as Gods written word is self-authenticating, clear (perspicuous) to the rational reader, its own interpreter (Scripture interprets Scripture), and sufficient of itself to be the only source of Christian doctrine. ... Sola gratia, one of the five solas propounded to summarise the Reformers basic beliefs during the Protestant Reformation, it is a Latin term meaning grace alone. ... Sola fide (by faith alone), also historically known as the justification of faith, is a doctrine that distinguishes Protestant denominations from Catholicism, Eastern Christianity, and Restorationism in Christianity. ... For other uses, see Eucharist (disambiguation). ... Baptism in early Christian art. ...
Liturgy and Worship
Divine Service Lutheran Calendar of Saints Lutheran Book of Worship Evangelical Lutheran Worship Lutheran Service Book The Lutheran Calendar of Saints is a listing which details the primary annual festivals and events that are celebrated liturgically by the Lutheran Church. ... Lutheran Book of Worship is a hymnal and prayer book used by several Lutheran denominations in North America. ... Evangelical Lutheran Worship is the service book and hymnal for use in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...
Organizations
Lutheran World Federation Lutheran World Relief International Lutheran Council Confessional Evangelical Conference List of Lutheran Denominations LWF logo The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is a global association of national and regional Lutheran churches headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. ... Lutheran World Relief is an Lutheran organization for charity and disaster response. ... The International Lutheran Council is a worldwide association of confessional Lutheran denominations. ... The Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC) is the successor to the Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference of North America except that it is international in scope rather than restricted to North America. ... This is a list of Lutheran denominations grouped by affiliation with international Lutheran bodies. ... This box: view • talk • edit

The Divine Service (German: Gottesdienst) is the liturgy of the Lutheran Church which is used during the celebration of the Eucharist. It has its roots in the medieval Latin mass as revised by Martin Luther in his Formula missae ("Form of the Mass") of 1523 and his Deutsche Messe ("German Mass") of 1526. It was further developed through the Kirchenordnungen ("church orders") of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries that followed in Luther's tradition. The word leitourgia is derived from the two Greek words, leos and ergon. Leos, meaning the people of God and Ergon meaning the work. ... Lutheranism is a movement within Christianity that began with the theological insights of Martin Luther in the 16th century. ... For other uses, see Eucharist (disambiguation). ... Martin Luther (November 10, 1483 – February 18, 1546) was a German monk,[1] priest, professor, theologian, and church reformer. ... Events April - Battle of Villalar - Forces loyal to Emperor Charles V defeat the Comuneros, a league of urban bourgeois rebelling against Charles in Spain. ... January 14 - Treaty of Madrid. ...

Divine Service

The Divine Service has equal participation from the congregation as well as from the pastor, so there are hymns to be sung by all. A congregation is the group of members who make up a local Christian church or Jewish synagogue (or those who are present at a service thereat), as opposed to the building itself. ... A pastor is a minister or priest of a Christian church. ... A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a god or other religiously significant figure. ...

Confession and Absolution

First a hymn of invocation may be sung. It is up to the pastor and congregation if a hymn of invocation is sung before the Divine Service. Next is the Invocation where the pastor stands in front of the congregation and says the Trinitarian Formula (In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit) and makes the sign of the cross. "The Invocation is addressed to God. It is by these same words that we were called to faith and life in Holy Baptism so we are reminded here of our baptism. In these words, we affirm our faith in the Triune God, formally expressing our awareness of the Presence of God, placing ourselves in that Presence and invoking the Divine blessing on the Service." (How Lutherans Worship)1. An invocation (from the Latin verb invocare to call on, invoke) is: A supplication. ... The adjective trinitarian is used in several senses: Ideas or things pertaining to the Holy Trinity A person or group adhering to the doctrine of Trinitarianism, which holds God to subsist in the form of the Holy Trinity The Trinitarian Order is a Catholic monastic order founded in 1198 by... In many religions, the supreme God is given the title and attributions of Father. ... This article is about Jesus of Nazareth. ... In various religions, most notably Trinitarian Christianity, the Holy Spirit (in Hebrew רוח הקודש Ruah haqodesh; also called the Holy Ghost) is the third consubstantial Person of the Holy Trinity. ... The Sign of the Cross is performed mainly within Latin and Eastern Rite Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglicanism, and Lutheranism. ... Baptism in early Christian art. ... For other uses, see Trinity (disambiguation). ... Presence of God is a term used in Catholic theology and devotion In theology, it refers to the belief that God is present by His Essence everywhere and in all things by reason of His Immensity. ...

After the Invocation is the Confession of Sins. This consists of a pastoral Exhortation, a Versicle and Response, followed by the Confession of the congregation. In the Common Service Book of 1917, the pastor recites the Exhortation as follows: Confession of sins is an integral part of the Christian faith and practice. ... Sin is a term used mainly in a religious context to describe an act that violates a moral rule or the state of having committed such a violation. ...

"Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart, and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching Him, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to grant us forgiveness."

The Versicle begins with the pastor or assisting minister chanting:

Our help is in the Name of the Lord.

The congregation responds,

Who made heaven and earth.

The pastor or assisting minister continues,

I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord.

The congregation responds,

And Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.

The pastor then recites the first half of the confession:

Almighty God, our Maker and Redeemer, we poor sinners confess unto Thee, that we are by nature sinful and unclean, and that we have sinned against Thee by thought, word, and deed. Wherefore we flee for refuge to Thine infinite mercy, seeking and imploring Thy grace, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The congregation then says, with the pastor:

O Most Merciful God, Who has given Thine Only-begotten Son to die for us, have mercy upon us, and for His sake grant us remission of all our sins: and by Thy Holy Spirit increase in us true knowledge of Thee, and of Thy will, and true obedience to Thy Word, to the end that by Thy grace we may come to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then the pastor pronounces the Declaration of Grace:

Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, hath had mercy upon us, and hath given His Only Son to die for us, and for His sake forgiveth us all our sins. To them that believe on His Name, He giveth power to become the sons of God, and bestoweth upon them His Holy Spirit. He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved. Grant this, O Lord, unto us all.

In more modern hymnals, the Declaration of Grace is said only when there is no celebration of Holy Communion. When Holy Communion is celebrated, the Pastor recites the absolution, one form of which is as follows:

Upon this your confession, I, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God to all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the † Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Lutheran Worship, Divine Service I) Lutheran Worship is one of the official hymnals of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. ...

The Declaration of Grace is not an absolution. In the historic liturgy, the corporate rite of confession and absolution was its own separate service, and private confession was expected before partaking of the Holy Supper. The corporate rite of confession and absolution is still contained in modern Lutheran hymnals. "Before beginning the Service of the Day, it is fitting that we seek a purification of spirit, that we turn from ourselves to God and that in penitence and prayer we receive God's assurance of mercy and grace. The Exhortation calls us to do so. In the Confession (Lat. "Confiteor"), we kneel humbly before our God, acknowledging our sin and seeking purification of our Spirit. In the Declaration of Grace that follows, we receive from God Himself the assurance of God's mercy and grace that enables us to focus on our loving God." (HLW) Penance (from the Latin Poenitentia, the same root as penitence, which is English means repentence, the desire to be forgiven, see contrition; in many languages only one single word is derived) is the actual name of the Catholic Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation (formerly called Confession). ... Mary Magdalene in prayer. ... Pierre Montallier: The Works of Mercy, c. ... Look up Grace in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Latin is an ancient Indo-European language originally spoken in Latium, the region immediately surrounding Rome. ...

The Service of the Word

Next the Introit for the day is sung, chanted, or spoken. This can be together or half verse by half verse. "The Introit (Lat. "entrance") marks the actual beginning of the Service of the Day. It strikes the keynote theme of the entire Service, recognizing the glory of God and announcing God's grace using pertinent verses, usually from the Psalms. The Introit consists of an Antiphon, followed by a Psalm verse, followed by the Gloria Patri (below). The Antiphon is then repeated for emphasis." (HLW). The introit (Latin: introitus, entrance) is part of the opening of the celebration of the Mass. ... Psalms (from the Greek: Psalmoi (songs sung to a harp, originally from psallein play on a stringed instrument), Ψαλμοί; Hebrew: Tehilim, תהילים) is a book of the Hebrew Bible, Tanakh or Old Testament. ... This article is about the musical term. ... A doxology is a short hymn of praise to God the Trinity in various Christian liturgies, often added to the end of canticles, psalms, and hymns. ...

After the Introit the Kyrie is sung. "In the Kyrie Eleison (Gr. "O Lord, have mercy"), we pray to God for grace and help in time of need. It expresses our humility and appreciation of our own weakness and need in a sinful world." (HLW). Kyrie is the vocative case of the Greek word κύριος (kyrios - lord) and means O Lord; it is the common name of an important prayer of Christian liturgy, also called Kyrie eleison. ... Greek (, IPA: — Hellenic) has a documented history of 3,500 years, the longest of any single language within the Indo-European family. ...

Then the Gloria in Excelsis is sung. During Advent and Lent the Gloria in Excelsis is omitted. In its place in Advent, Veni, Emmanuel may be sung. And in Lent, Vexilla regis is sung in its place. "The Gloria in Excelsis (Lat. "Glory to God in the highest") is the angelic hymn announcing the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ to the shepherds. In it, we join in the hymn of the angels in celebration of the Father's gift of His Son." (HLW). Gloria in Excelsis Deo (Latin for Glory to God on High) is the title and beginning of the great doxology (song of praise) used in the Roman Catholic Mass and, in translation, in the services of many other Christian churches. ... Advent (from the Latin Adventus, implicitly coupled with Redemptoris, the coming of the Saviour) is a holy season of the Christian church, the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Christ, also known as the season of Christmas. ... In Western Christianity, Lent is the forty-day period (or season) preceding Easter lasting from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday (Easter Even). ... Adoration of the Shepherds (1535-40), by Florentine Mannerist painter Agnolo Bronzino Nativity windows at Trinity Church, Boston, designed by Edward Burne-Jones and executed by William Morris, 1882 The Nativity of Jesus, or simply the Nativity, is a story of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. ...

After the Collect of the Day is chanted or said. "The Collect sums up, or "collects", all the prayers of the church into one short prayer and suggests the theme of the day or season." (HLW). In Christian liturgy, a collect is both a liturgical action and a short, general prayer. ...

The Salutation and Response follow next. "The Salutation/Response are a reciprocal prayer of the Pastor for his people and of the congregation for its Pastor before we together offer our petitions to God. They reflect the special relationship of love between the Pastor and congregation." It goes as follows, Pastor: The Lord be with you. Congregation: And with your spirit. Pastor: Let us pray.

Next is the Old Testament reading, it nearly always directly relates to the Gospel lesson for the day. During Easter and its season a passage from the book of Acts is read. After the reading the pastor chants or says "This is the Word of the Lord." To which the congregation replies "Thanks be to God." Note: Judaism commonly uses the term Tanakh. ... Easter, also known as Pascha (Greek Πάσχα: Passover), the Feast of the Resurrection, the Sunday of the Resurrection, or Resurrection Day, is the most important religious feast of the Christian liturgical year, observed between late March and late April (early April to early May in Eastern Christianity). ... The Acts of the Apostles (Greek Praxeis Apostolon) is a book of the Bible, which now stands fifth in the New Testament. ...

The Gradual for the season is sung or said next. "The Gradual, so-named because it was originally sung from a step (Lat. "gradus") of the altar, provides a musical echo to the passage just read and a transition to the next lesson." (HLW). The Gradual (Latin: graduale, sometimes called the Grail) is a chant in the Roman Catholic Mass, sung after the reading or singing of the Epistle and before the Alleluia, or, during penitential seasons, before the Tract. ...

The Epistle is announced, and read. After the pastor says again "This is the Word of the Lord." "The Epistle (Gr. "letter") is usually taken from the letters of the Apostles. Frequently, this lesson does not relate directly to the Gospel. Usually, it bears practical and serious thoughts for daily living." (HLW). An epistle (Greek επιστολη, epistolē, letter) is a writing directed or sent to a person or group of persons, usually a letter and a very formal, often didactic and elegant one. ...

The Alleluia verse is then sung. During Lent the Alleluia is omitted. "The Alleluia (Heb. "Praise ye the Lord") is a song of joy at the hearing of the Word of God. The accompanying verse usually reflects the mood of the day." (HLW). All rise at the singing of the Alleluia and remain standing until the after the creed is said. Hallelujah, Halleluyah, or Alleluia, is a transliteration of the Hebrew word הַלְלוּיָהּ meaning [Let us] praise (הַלְלוּ) God (יָהּ) (or Praise (הַלְלוּ) [the] Lord (&#1497...

The Holy Gospel is then announced, followed by the Gloria Tibi. "At the announcement of the Gospel, we sing the Gloria Tibi (Lat. "Glory to you"), joyfully affirming our recognition of the real presence of Christ." (HLW). Then after the Gospel lesson the pastor says "This is the Gospel of the Lord" the congregation responds with the Laus Tibi. "After hearing our Savior's Good News, we respond with words of praise in the Laus Tibi (Lat. "Praise to you")." (HLW). For other uses, see Gospel (disambiguation). ...

On Sundays with Holy Communion and other major festivals the Nicene Creed is said, on other occasions the Apostles' Creed is said. "The Creed (Lat. "I believe") is our individual, public confession of faith, spoken with the "one, holy, Christian and apostolic Church". It is a statement of Christianity's most basic and fundamental beliefs, witnessing to the unity and universality of the Church." (HLW). Icon depicting the Holy Fathers of the First Council of Nicaea holding the Nicene Creed. ... The Apostles Creed (Latin: Symbolum Apostolorum), sometimes titled Symbol of the Apostles, is an early statement of Christian belief, a creed or symbol. ... The phrase One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church appears in the Nicene Creed () and, in part, in the Apostles Creed (the holy catholic church, sanctam ecclesiam catholicam). ...

After is the Hymn of the Day, this hymn outlines the theme of the day and is the chief hymn of the Divine Service, so it is chosen very carefully.

Next is the Sermon. "In the Sermon, the preacher "rightly divides (or interprets) the Word of truth". 2 Tim. 2:15. The Sermon contains elements of the two great doctrines of the Bible: the Law, which tells us how we are to live, and the Gospel, which proclaims forgiveness of our sins, by grace, through faith, for Christ's sake. The Gospel predominates in the Sermon. The Sermon usually relates to the lessons of the day." (HLW). After the sermon the pastor says the Votum. A sermon is an oration by a prophet or member of the clergy. ... This page includes English translations of several Latin phrases and abbreviations such as . ...

After the sermon is the Offering is collected. After it has been collected it is given to the pastor, who presents it at the altar. "We joyfully offer to God a portion of His gifts to us, as an outward response of our faith in Him." (HLW). After that the Offertory is sung, the text for the Offertory is Psalm 51:12. "In the words of David, we ask God to cleanse our hearts, to keep us in the one true faith and to grant us the full joy of salvation." (HLW). Sacrifice (from a Middle English verb meaning to make sacred, from Old French, from Latin sacrificium : sacer, sacred; sacred + facere, to make) is commonly known as the practice of offering food, or the lives of animals or people to the gods, as an act of propitiation or worship. ... Look up Altar in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Offertory (from the ecclesiastical Latin offertorium, French offertoire, a place to which offerings were brought), the alms of a congregation collected in church, or at any religious service. ... David and Goliath by Caravaggio, c. ...

Then is the Prayer for The Church (or Prayer for the Faithful). "In the Prayer of the Faithful, the Church performs its priestly role (which is communal and not individual) by representing the people of the world before God in prayer. The Prayer of the Church is therefore not the prayer of individuals for themselves nor the congregation for itself but is indeed the prayer of the Church for the world, the work of the Church, and the Church itself." (HLW).

Service of the Sacrament

Next is the Preface, which may be chanted or spoken. "The Preface begins the Office of Holy Communion. It begins with a simple but powerful dialogue between the pastor and the congregation, which unites the whole body of believers in reverence, adoration, joy and thanksgiving in anticipation of the Sacrament. This is followed by the Common Preface, which begins "It is truly meet, right and salutary" and ends with "Therefore with angels and archangels," thus uniting the Church with angelic host. In between is the Proper Preface, which is variable." (HLW). A preface (Med. ...

After the Preface, the Sanctus is sung. "In the Sanctus (Lat. "Holy"), we join with the "Angels, Archangels and all the company of heaven" in proclaiming the glory of the Father (first sentence), praising Christ our Savior (second sentence) and singing the song of the children of Jerusalem as they welcomed the Messiah on the first Palm Sunday (third sentence). Hosanna means "save now."" (HLW). The Sanctus is an ancient part of the liturgy. Jesus would have sung an ancient version of the Sanctus. Sanctus is the Latin word for holy, and is the name of an important hymn of Christian liturgy. ... Palm Sunday is a moveable feast in the Christian calendar which falls on the Sunday before Easter. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ...

The Eucharist Prayer is said by the pastor after the Sanctus is sung. Following that is the Lord's Prayer. "As children, we address our God as "Our Father," praying as our Lord Jesus Christ himself taught us to pray." (HLW). Representation of the Sermon on the Mount For other uses, see Lords Prayer (disambiguation). ...

Lutheran pastor presenting the host after concencration.

Then the Words of Institution are chanted or said. At the appropriate time in the Words of Institution the elevation may take place, but this is not required. "The reverent, unadorned use of the Words of Institution (Lat. "Verba") focuses all our thoughts on the acts and words or Christ and expresses the Real Presence of Christ's body and blood in, with and under the bread and wine. Here, God is dealing with us in a loving manner, reminding us that Christ died for our sins." (HLW). Image File history File links Elevation1. ... Image File history File links Elevation1. ... The words of institution are the words of Jesus Christ as recorded in the New Testament used in some forms of Christian liturgy to consecrate the Eucharist. ... The Real Presence is the term various Christian traditions use to express their belief that, in the Eucharist, Jesus the Christ is really (and not merely symbolically, figuratively or by his power) present in what was previously just bread and wine. ...

Next is the Pax Domini, or Peace of the Lord. "The Pax Domini (Lat. "Peace of the Lord") is the same greeting spoken by the risen Christ on Easter morning. It is the final blessing before we approach the altar to receive the gift of Christ's body and blood." (HLW).

The Agnus Dei follows the Pax Domini, the Agnus Dei is sung by all. "The Agnus Dei (Lat. "Lamb of God") is our hymn of adoration to our Savior Jesus Christ who is truly present for us in the Sacrament. The Agnus Dei recalls the testimony of John the Baptist when he pointed to Jesus and proclaimed: "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." (HLW). Agnus Dei is a Latin term meaning Lamb of God, and was originally used to refer to Jesus Christ in his role of the perfect sacrificial offering that atones for the sins of man in Christian theology, harkening back to ancient Jewish Temple sacrifices. ...

The Distribution is next, first the pastor receives communion and then "those who will be assisting him" (Lutheran Worship, Divine Service I). "By Christ's own words, "Given and shed for you for the remission of sins," in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper God offers, gives, and seals for us forgiveness of sins, life and salvation." (HLW). Self examination before communion is appropriate as those communing will be receiving the Body and Blood of Christ. If there is a kneeling rail at the altar, the communicants wait for the pastor to tell them when to kneel with a bow of his head. When there is no kneeling rail, the communicants wait for the pastor to bow his head, and the communicants then bow. When the host distributed to each communicant the pastor says "Take eat; this is the true body of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, given into death for your sins." or "Take, eat; this is the very body of Christ, given for you." At the distribution of the chalice the pastor says "Take, drink; this is the true blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, shed for the forgiveness of your sins." or "Take, drink; this is the very blood of Christ, shed for you." It is appropriate for the communicants to make the sign of the cross after communing.

At the Dismissal the pastor says, "The body and blood of our Lord strengthen and preserve you steadfast in the true faith to life everlasting." The communicants may say "Amen". The communicants bow their heads when dismissed from the kneeling rail, and if there is none, bow when being dismissed. Silent prayer is appropriate after being dismissed. "The Dismissal reassures communicants of the efficacy of the Lord's Supper in creating life-saving faith in Christ." (HLW).

After is the Post Communion Cantile or Nunc Dimittis. "In singing the Nunc Dimittis (Lat. "Now depart"), we stand with Simeon as he looked upon the baby Jesus, in awe of the profound mystery that the Father would give His only Son in the flesh for the salvation of our souls. Having just received the Lord's Supper, we have truly seen "Thy Salvation, which [God] prepared before the face of all people."" (HLW). Nunc Dimittis is the Latin name of the passage in the second chapter of Luke that is commonly called the Canticle of Simeon. ...

Then is the Thanksgiving, a collect written by Martin Luther. "The Versicle calls us to give thanks and introduces the Thanksgiving Collect. In the Collect, we thank God for His life-saving Sacrament and pray that His gift of faith offered therein causes us to change our life and enables us to love God and love others." (HLW). Martin Luther (November 10, 1483 – February 18, 1546) was a German monk,[1] priest, professor, theologian, and church reformer. ...

Next is the Benediction, from Numbers 6:24. "More than a prayer for blessing, the Benediction imparts a blessing in God's name, giving positive assurance of the grace and peace of God to all who receive it in faith. The words of the Benediction are those that the God gave to Moses (the Aaronic Blessing) and those used by Christ at the Ascension. The final word that falls on our ears from our gracious God is "peace," affirming our reconciliation to God through the blood of Jesus Christ." (HLW). The Divine Service ends with the Amen. "We conclude the Divine Service with a triple Amen, that is, "Yea, yea, it shall be so", which expresses our firm faith in the forgiveness of sins by God's grace through Jesus Christ as heard and experienced in the Word and Sacrament of the Divine Service just ended." (HLW). Silent prayer follows, with a closing hymn after. A benediction is a short invocation for divine help, blessing and guidance, usually at the end of church worship service. ... The Book of Numbers is the fourth of the books of the Pentateuch, called in the Hebrew ba-midbar במדבר, i. ... Moses with the Tablets, 1659, by Rembrandt This article is about the Biblical figure. ... Aaron (אַהֲרֹן, a word meaning bearer of martyrs in Hebrew [perhaps also, or instead, related to the Egyptian Aha Ra, Warrior Lion], Standard Hebrew (w/o vowels) AHRvN, Tiberian Hebrew (), was one of two brothers who play a unique part in the history of the Hebrew people. ... This article is about the Ascension of Jesus Christ. ...

Definition and Origins

The term "Divine Service" is somewhat unique to Lutheranism, and it reflects the theology of justification held by Lutherans. The term comes from the German word Gottesdienst (God service), and is significant because it reflects the Lutheran belief that the main actor in the Divine Service is God himself and not man. The connotation of the term is that the Word and Sacrament (the two parts of the Divine Service) are gifts that God gives to his people, and therefore Lutherans emphasize God's work rather than that of man. The term "Mass" was used by early Lutherans [1] but such use has dwindled since then. Also, Lutherans have historically used the term to distinguish the Divine Service with Protestant Worship, where often the focus is on the worshipper bringing praise and thanksgiving to God. [2] Lutheranism is a movement within Christianity that began with the theological insights of Martin Luther in the 16th century. ... For the more specialised meaning of Connotation in semiotics, see connotation (semiotics). ... Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ... Worship usually refers to specific acts of religious praise, honour, or devotion, typically directed to a supernatural being such as a god or goddess. ...

See also

• Divine Liturgy
• Eucharist
• Eucharistic theologies contrasted
• Lutheran Book of Worship
• Lutheran Service Book
• Lutheran Worship
• Lutheranism
• Mass
• The Lutheran Hymnal

The Divine Liturgy is the common term for the Eucharistic service of the Byzantine tradition of Christian liturgy. ... For other uses, see Eucharist (disambiguation). ... Ecclesial communities contrasted in relation to Eucharistic theology: // Orthodox Christianity the Eucharistic mystery bears an objective, Real Presence, par excellence. ... Lutheran Book of Worship is a hymnal and prayer book used by several Lutheran denominations in North America. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Lutheran Worship is one of the official hymnals of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. ... Lutheranism is a movement within Christianity that began with the theological insights of Martin Luther in the 16th century. ... A Medieval Low Mass by a bishop. ... The Lutheran Hymnal (TLH) is one of the official hymnals of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. ...

External links

• How Lutherans Worship
• Taking Divine Service into the Week
• The German Mass and Order of Divine Service