With this post I proceed with The Service proper, by posting from the Explanation regarding the first of the two main divisions of The Service: The Office of the Word. (This is a long post...)
Some additional thoughts worth pondering as you read through this Explanation:
- In the INTRODUCTION to this Explanation of the Common Service, posted in Part 2, the authors draw out the intentions of Zwingli and Calvin as they modified their worship according to the Reformed regulative principle, forbidding all practices that were not commanded in Scripture. They state that, "[Calvin] appeared to think that the spiritual and churchly development of fifteen centuries could be swept away by simply ignoring it."
As you read this Explanation, notice the dependence our liturgical Lutheran Worship has on Scripture teaching, the way that it thoroughly represents sound doctrine, precisely balances sacramental and sacrificial, and centers on Christ and His Gospel while maintaining a robust catholic continuity with believers of all time. What loss we suffer for not knowing what our worship means! What greater loss we suffer when modern innovators carelessly sweep away twenty centuries of spiritual and churchly practice by simply ignoring it, only to replace it with the bubble-gum of pop-culture!
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An Explanation of the Common Service (1908)
Board of Publication of the General Council of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in North America
To the
Young Lutheran who asks
The Meaning of the
Beautiful Liturgy of
His church
Board of Publication of the General Council of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in North America
To the
Young Lutheran who asks
The Meaning of the
Beautiful Liturgy of
His church
...
ORDER OF The Service OR The Communion: The Service Proper
42. What are the general divisions of the Service?
- I. The Office of the Word
II. The Holy Supper
The Office of the Word
43. Of what is the Office of the Word composed?
Of three parts, viz:
- I. The Psalmody: Introit to Gloria in Excelsis
II. The Word: Salutation to Votum
III. The Offerings: Offertory to The Hymn
Part 1 – The Psalmody
44. With what does the Office of the Word begin?
With the Introit.
The Introit (Christmas)
“Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder. And His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God: the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”
Ps. “O sing unto the Lord a new song: for He hath done marvelous things.”
Glory be to the Father, etc.
45. What is the origin of the Introit?
INTROIT comes from the Latin introitus, meaning beginning or entrance. Its is so called, either because originally it was chanted as the Minister entered the church, or because it is the beginning or entrance of the Service.
It takes its rise from the use of the Psalms with which the Service in the Synagogue began, and in all probability the Service of the Apostolic church also. Read Psalm 100.
46. Of what does the Introit consist?
In consists of the Psalm-verse with its Antiphon and the Gloria Patri.
47. What is the meaning of the word Antiphon?
Antiphon means “voice answering voice,” and refers to the responsive singing of verses, as was common in the ancient Church.
48. What is the office of the Antiphon?
The Antiphon announces, in a brief passage of Scripture, the leading thought of the Day, and brings the Psalm into proper relation with the Day's Service. For example, in the Introit for Christmas, the Antiphon announces the birth of Christ.
The thought of the Day is emphasized by the repetition of the Antiphon after the Gloria Patri, when the Introit is sung.
49. Explain the use of the Psalm-verse in the Introit.
It is a single verse which has survived the ancient custom of singing and entire psalm at the beginning of the Service. In it the Church appropriates and celebrates, in psalmody, the Gospel fact which is proclaimed for that day in the Antiphon.
50. Why does the Introit include the Gloria Patri?
Because most of the Introits are from the Psalms, and the addition of the Gloria Patri fundamentally distinguishes the use of the Psalter in the New Testament Church from its use in the Synagogue. The Messianic reference in the Psalms Jesus declares to have been written concerning Himself (Luke 24:44); and in the confession of the truth, the Christian Church has always concluded the Psalms with this ascription of praise to the Holy Trinity.
Thus the Church perpetuates the confession of the co-eternal Godhead of our Lord and the Holy Ghost, with the Father, which was denied in the controversies of the fourth century.
The Kyrie
“Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.”
51. What is the meaning of the word Kyrie?
It is a Greek word and means, O Lord.
Note: Such titles as Gloria Patri and Gloria in Excelsis from the Latin, and Kyrie from the Greek, are the first words in those languages of the parts of the Service which they name. Psalms and even books, in ancient times, were named by the first word or words.
52. What is the office of the Kyrie?
The congregation, realizing its infirmity from indwelling sin, calls upon God for that grace which has been announced and offered in the Introit.
53. Why is the prayer thrice uttered?
Because the grace for which it asks is from God the Father, through the Son, by the Holy Spirit.
54. By what is this cry for mercy succeeded?
By the Gloria in Excelsis.
This part of the Service strikingly reproduces the order of events related in Luke 18:35-43.
- - There the blind man in his misery cried for mercy. So do we in the Kyrie.
- He cried persistently. We utter the same prayer three times.
- His prayer was answered. Our petitions are likewise granted.
- Then he and “all the people with him” glorified and gave praise unto God. So our Kyrie is followed by Gloria in Excelsis.
The Gloria in Excelsis
“Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will toward men. We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
“O Lord, the Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sin of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.
“For Thou only art holy; Thou only art the Lord; Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen”
55. What is the Gloria in Excelsis?
It is one of the oldest morning hymns of the Christian Church – a hymn of adoration, celebrating God's glory as manifested in the merciful gift of His Son. It is so called from the first words of the Latin version, meaning literally, “Glory in the Highest.”
56. By whom and when were the opening words sung?
By the Angels at the birth of Christ (Luke 2:14).
57. What does Luther say of this part of the Gloria?
“It did not grow; nor was it made on earth; it came down from heaven.”
58. How may the contents of this hymn be outlined?
- I. Adoration of God the Father,
- (a) In the words of the Angels,
(b) In a rich outburst of praise and thanksgiving in the words of the Church.
- By acknowledging Him as the Lord, the Only-begotten Son, the Christ, God, the Lamb of God.
- (a) As the One Who procures mercy, by taking away the sin of the world;
(b) As the One Who dispenses mercy, sitting at the right hand of God, the Father.
- In a three-fold ascription of equal holiness, power, and glory with the Father and the Holy Ghost, as the reason for our prayer and praise.
Part II – The Word
59. What is the nature of Part II?
In this part we have, through the administration of the Divine Word, the actual bestowal of the grace which, in the first part, has been announced in the Introit, invoked in the Kyrie, and celebrated in the Gloria in Excelsis.
The Salutation and Response
“The Lord be with you. And with thy spirit.”
60. What is the significance of the Salutation at the opening of this part of the Service?
It marks the transition to the second part, and introduces the Collect of the Day. Pastor and people pray for each other, invoking the presence of the Lord Who comes to men through His Word. In the Church of the Middle Ages the Salutation and Response introduced every main part of the Service.
The Collect (Christmas Day)
“Grant, we beseech The, Almighty God, that the new birth of Thine Only-begotten Son in the flesh may set us free who are held in the old bondage under the yoke of sin; through the same, Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.”
61. What is the Collect of the Day?
It is a brief prayer which varies with the festivals and seasons of the Church Year.
62. Why is the Collect so called?
Probably because it is the united or collected prayer of the entire congregation, or because it collects and concentrates the thought of Gospel and Epistle. The term is derived from the Latin Collecta and Collectio.
63. What is the structure of the Collect?
In its full form it has five parts: (a) The invocation. (b) The antecedent reason. (c) The petition. (d) The benefit desired. (e) the doxology. The antecedent reason and the benefit desired are often wanting.
64. Cite examples.
| ... | Ash Wednesday | VIII Trinity | VII Trinity | Sunday After Ascension |
| Invocation | Almighty and Everlasting God, | Lord, | O God, | Almighty, everlasting God: |
| Antecedent Reason | Who hatest nothing that thou hast made and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: | Whose never-failing Providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth: | ||
| Petition | Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, | Grant to us, we beseech Thee, the Spirit to think and do always such things as are right; | We humbly beseech Thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which be profitable for us; | Make us to have always a devout will towards Thee, and to serve Thy Majesty with a pure heart; |
| Benefit Desired | that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; | that we, who cannot do anything that is good without Thee, may by Thee be enabled to live according to Thy will; | | |
| Doxology | through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. | through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord, etc. | through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord, etc. | through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord, etc. |
65. By whom should the Collect be said?
The rubric directs the minister to read it; but since it is the prayer of all, the congregation should join the Minister either silently or in a subdued voice. This is indicated by the summons, “Let us pray,” and by the Amen, which the congregation is directed to sing or say at the end of the Collect.
66. What is the office of the Collect of the Day?
It serves to prepare the congregation for the reception of the special Word of the Day, now about the be read. In it pastor and people pray for the particular grace which that Word offers and conveys.
67. When was the entire series of Introits, Collects, Epistles, and Gospels, as retained in the Lutheran Service, completed?
In the reign of Charlemagne (800 A.D.)
68. How long have our Collects been in use?
There are few, if any, that have not been in use for more than twelve hundred years.
69. What is to be said of the wide use of these Collects?
Most of them are now in use in the Lutheran Churches of Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the United States and throughout the world; in the Church of England throughout the British Empire; in the Protestant Episcopal Church in America; and (in the Latin language) in the Roman Catholic Church.
The Epistle (Christmas)
Titus 2:11-14
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
70. Where do we find the petition of the Collect answered?
In the Epistle and the Gospel of the Day, which, with the Sermon, constitute the chief part of the Office of the Word.
71. May other Scripture lessons be read?
Yes. But they should be in harmony with the Gospel of the Day, and, as the rubric directs, they should be read before the Epistle. The Epistle and Gospel should always be read.
72. What is the meaning of the word Epistle?
An epistle is a letter. The first Scripture of the Day is called The Epistle, because it is usually taken from the Letters of the New Testament.
73. What is The Epistle?
The Epistle is the Words which the Holy Spirit addresses to believers through the Apostle, and in which are set forth the faith and life which should characterize them. In the Epistle for Christmas, Paul tells us what the birth of Christ means to us, and describes the manner of life which should follow from our knowledge of this great fact.
The Hallelujah
74. Why is Hallelujah sung in response to the Epistle?
Hallelujah is a Hebrew word meaning “Praise the Lord.” It is the expression of joy with which the people of God have always received from His Word.
Note: Hallelujah occurs frequently in the Book of Psalms from Psalm 104 onwards, and four times in Revelation 19. It was in frequent and general use among early Christians. Plowmen shouted it while at work. Sailors used it as a word of encouragement while plying the oar. Soldiers used it as a battle-cry. When Christians met on Easter morning, “Alleluia, the Lord is risen!” was their salutation. It passed early into frequent liturgical use in all parts of the church, especially in connection with psalms and hymns.
75. What may be used in addition to the Hallelujah at this point of the Service?
As suggested by the rubric, the proper Sentence may be sung with the Hallelujah, or after it a hymn may be sung by the Congregation. Or, after the Hallelujah Sentence, special choir music may be sung; but it must be in harmony with the thought of the Day. Such music, at this place, serves the purpose of a gradual, which anciently was a Psalm sung from the steps (gradus) of the pulpit, or of the altar, as a response to the Epistle. Special music at any other place in the Service should be discountenanced.
76. It the Hallelujah ever omitted?
As the rubric states, the Hallelujah is to be omitted in the Passion Season (Septuagesima to Good Friday).
The Gospel (Christmas)
Luke 2:1-14
“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
77. What point of the Service do we now approach?
The summit of the Office of the Word, namely the Gospel of the Day.
78. How is this prominence of the Gospel emphasized?
By the Sentences with which the reading of the Gospel is accompanied, and by the rising of the congregation to hear it.
79. Why does the congregation sing “Glory be to Thee, O Lord” after the Gospel is announced?
In order to express its joy over the prospect of hearing the blessed Word of Christ Himself.
80. What is the Gospel of the Day?
It is the Good Tidings proclaimed by the Holy Spirit through the Evangelist, in which the saving word and work of Christ, commemorated that day, are set forth. As Christmas commemorates the birth of Christ, the Gospel of that day is the account, from St. Luke, of the Nativity.
81. How does the congregation receive the Gospel?
By singing “Praise be to Thee, O Christ” it glorifies and praises Him for the blessed news.
The Creed
THE NICENE CREED
“I Believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And of all things visible and invisible.“And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only begotten Son of God, Begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of very God, Begotten, not made, Being of one substance with the Father, By whom all things were made; Who, for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered death and was buried; And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father; And He shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.
“And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one holy Christian and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins; And I look for the Resurrection of the dead; And the life of the world to come. Amen.”
THE APOSTLES' CREED
“I Believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.“And in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into Hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
“I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the Life everlasting. Amen.”
82. What is a Creed?
A statement of what one believes. The word is derived from the Latin Credo, which means, I Believe.
83. Why have we a Creed in the Service?
Because it is necessary to state publicly our acceptance of the truths of God's Word. The most appropriate place for such a confession of faith is in the principal Service. Matt. 10:32; 16:15-18; Rom. 10:9.
84. Why is a Creed recited at this point in the Service?
In it the congregation owns it acceptance of the Word of God just read, and recalls and confesses in a brief summary the whole faith of the Gospel, a part of which is brought to its attention on that day.
85. How does the congregation confess its faith?
By the use of the Nicene or Apostles' Creed – the most ancient creeds of the Christian Church. The Nicene Creed is preferred because it is a fuller statement of the faith, especially respecting the Person of Christ. For this reason it is required when the Communion is administered.
86. What is the Nicene Creed?
It is that confession of faith or summary of Gospel teaching which was developed in the Eastern Church from the baptismal commission – Matt. 28:19.
Note: The first and second articles of the Nicene Creed were adopted A.D. 325 by and assembly of 318 bishops, at Nicea in Bithynia, Asia. The third article was adopted by the Council of Constantinople in 381 A.D. The second article was formulated for the express purpose of defining the true doctrine concerning the divinity of Christ, over against the teaching of Arius that Jesus was not the eternal Son of God, co-equal with the Father.
87. What is the Apostles' Creed?
It is that confession of faith or summary of Gospel teaching which was developed more especially in the Western Church.
Note: It took its name from an old tradition that it was composed by the Twelve Apostles, each contributing a sentence. This theory is rejected by all but Roman Catholics. Like other early creeds, the Apostles' Creed grew into its present form from the baptismal commission (Matt. 28:19), until about the year 750 A.D., after which no more changes were made. It has been commonly accepted from the most ancient times. It is call the Baptismal Creed, because it is universally used in the Baptismal Service.
The Sermon
88. Why may a hymn precede the Sermon?
To prepare the hearts of the people for the preaching of the Word.
89. What should be the character of this hymn?
It should be appropriate to the Day, and accord with the Sermon.
90. What is the Sermon?
It is the explanation and application of the Word which has been read.
91. Why should the Sermon harmonize with the Lessons?
The unity of the Service demands it. To introduce any other topic that one suggested by the thought of the Day throws the whole Service into confusion.
The Votum
“The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep you hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
92. Where in the Scripture is the Votum found?
In St. Paul's Epistle to the Philippians, chapter 4, verse 7.
93. What is the Votum.
It is the benediction after the Sermon, assuring the believing worshipers that the peace of God, in Christ Jesus, offered and bestowed in the preached Word, will keep their hearts and minds in true faith unto everlasting life.
The Votum appropriately concludes and sums up Part II of the Office of the Word.
Part III – The Offerings
94. Of what does the third part of the Office of the Word consist?
Of our offerings to God.
95. Why should the Offerings form a part of The Service?
Our faith must show itself in works. The reception of God's richest gift constrains us to give Him what we can.
96. What can we give Him?
Nothing that will atone for our sins. But if we have received through faith the great Atonement which Christ has made by offering Himself for us, we shall have grace to offer ourselves, our substance, and our sacrifices of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving. With such offerings God is well pleased.
The Offertory
- I. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise. Do good in Thy good pleasure unto Zion: Build Thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt Thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness: with burnt-offering and whole burnt-offering.”
II. “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 unto me the joy of Thy salvation: and uphold me with Thy free Spirit.”
From the 51st Psalm.
98. What is the purpose of the Offertory?
It is an evidence that the Word, just heard, has been appropriated by us and has become effective in us. In the Offertory we offer ourselves to God that He may cleanse our hearts from sin, deepen our faith, and prepare us for the reception of the Visible Word in the Holy Sacrament.
Offering of Gifts
99. What act of worship follows the singing of the Offertory?
The offering of the fruit of our labors in the money which we give for the support of the Church and her Ministry, for the Poor, for Home and Foreign Missions, for Education, for Orphanages and other forms of Christian benevolence.
General Prayer
"ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: We give Thee thanks for all Thy goodness and tender mercies, especially for the gift of Thy dear Son, and for the revelation of Thy will and grace; and we beseech Thee so to implant Thy Word in us, that, in good and honest hearts, we may keep it, and bring forth fruit by patient continuance in well doing.
"Most heartily we beseech Thee so to rule and govern Thy Church universal, with all its pastors and ministers, that it may be preserved in the pure doctrine of Thy saving word, whereby faith toward Thee may be strengthened, and charity increased in us toward all mankind.
"Grant also health and prosperity to all that are in authority, especially to the President [and Congress] of the United States, the Governor [and Legislature] of this Commonwealth, and to all our Judges and Magistrates; and endue them with grace to rule after Thy good pleasure, to the maintenance of righteousness, and to the hinderance and punishment of wickedness, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty.
"May it please Thee also to turn the hearts of our enemies and adversaries, that they may cease their enmity, and be inclined to walk with us in meekness and in peace.
"All who are in trouble, want, sickness, anguish of labor, peril of death, or any other adversity, especially those who are in suffering for Thy Name and for Thy truth's sake, comfort, O God, with Thy Holy Spirit, that they may receive and acknowledge their afflictions as the manifestation of Thy fatherly will.
"And although we have deserved Thy righteous wrath and manifold punishments, yet, we entreat Thee, O most merciful Father, remember not the sins of our youth, nor our many transgressions; but out of Thine unspeakable goodness, grace and mercy, defend us from all harm and danger of body and soul. Preserve us from false and pernicious doctrine, from war and bloodshed, from plague and pestilence, from all calamity by fire and water, from hail and tempest, from failure of harvest and from famine, from anguish of heart and despair of Thy mercy, and from an evil death. And in every time of trouble, show Thyself a very present Help, the Saviour of all men, and especially of them that believe.
"Cause also the needful fruits of the earth to prosper, that we may enjoy them in due season. Give success to the Christian training of the young, to all lawful occupations on land and sea, and to all pure arts and useful knowledge; and crown them with Thy blessing."
Here special Supplications, Intercessions, and Prayers may be made.
"These, and whatsoever other things Thou wouldest have us ask of Thee, O God, vouchsafe unto us for the sake of the bitter sufferings and death of Jesus Christ, Thine only Son, our Lord and Saviour, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end."
Then shall the Minister, and the Congregation with him, say
The Lord's Prayer.
100. What announcement may be made before the General Prayer?
The Minister shall make mention of any special petitions, intercessions or thanksgivings which may have been requested. He may also make mention of the death of any member of the congregation. (Rubric.)
101. What is offered in the General Prayer?
The fruit of our lips in thanksgiving and petition.
102. Why is it called the General Prayer?
Because in it we pray for all possible blessings to be bestowed not only upon us, but upon all sorts and conditions of men.
103. How long has this prayer been in use?
It was used in almost its present form in 1553. Its origin may be found in the Apostolic injunction that supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men. I Tim. 2:1-2.
104. Outline the contents of the General Prayer.
- - The Address, to God, as our Father in Christ.
- A General Thanksgiving for all blessings.
- A Special Thanksgiving for the gift of Christ and of theWord.
- A Petition that the Word may be fruitful in us.
- For the Church.
- -- Pastors and People.
-- Purity of Doctrine.
-- Strengthening of Faith.
-- Increase of Love.
- -- Rulers, Legislators and Judges.
-- Good Government and Social Order.
- -- Reconciliation.
- -- All Sufferers.
-- Especially those who suffer for Righteousness' sake.
-- That all may recognize God's Providence in their Afflictions.
- For
- -- The Products of Nature.
-- Christian Education.
-- Every proper Occupation.
-- Pure Arts, and useful Sciences.
- Conclusion.
- -- All the Thanksgivings, Intercessions and Petitions of this Prayer are offered through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
If there be no Communion, the Litany, or a selection from the Collects and Prayers may be used (Rubric).
In the Liturgy prepared in 1748, by Muhlenberg and his co-laborers, this rubric appears: "The sermon being concluded, nothing else shall be read than the appointed Church-prayer here following, or the Litany instead of it by way of change; and nothing but necessity shall occasion its omission." This same rubric appears in the printed Liturgy of 1786.
106. Are the prayers of the Common Service preferable to free prayers?
Yes. Because they are not the prayers of the Minister, but of the Church; not of a single congregation, but of the whole Church; and because each person may readily take part in them.
The needs of God's people are ever the same, and the beautiful forms, which the Church has developed in her experience through the ages, give full expression to the believer's wants at all times.
107. Why is the Lord's Prayer used in addition to the General Prayer?
Because no act or service of prayer is complete without it. Christ's direction to His disciples was, "When ye pray, say, Our Father," etc. (Luke 11:2). Luther says, "It is a prayer of prayers, wherein our Lord has comprised all spiritual and bodily need."
108. In the making of announcements, which is allowable at this point, what care should be exercised?
The Minister should avoid making announcements which would suggest thoughts out of harmony with the worship.
The Hymn
109. What is offered next?
The fruit of our lips in a hymn of praise, which properly concludes the Office of the Word.
110. What should be the character of this hymn when the Holy Supper is administered?
It should serve to prepare the hearts of the people for the Service of the Holy Supper, which is now at hand.
111. Should the Holy Supper be omitted?
The Holy Supper should not be omitted. The entire Service is a unit. The omission of the second renders the first part incomplete, since the Holy Supper is the personal application and seal of all that is offered and given in the Office of the Word. The Service without the Holy Supper is like an elaborate feast, during the course of which the guests leave the table before the richest favors are distributed. Very properly is the Service as a whole entitled The Communion.
112. With what should the Service close when the Holy Supper is omitted?
With the Doxology and the Benediction.
113. What is the Doxology?
The term is derived from two Greek words, doxa: glory, and logos: a saying. Every ascription of praise to the Triune God is a doxology. The Gloria in Excelsis and the Gloria Patri are known respectively as the Greater and the Lesser Doxology. Following the ancient practice of concluding the Psalms with the Lesser Doxology, we sing at the end of the closing hymn an ascription of praise to the Trinity in a form of words corresponding with the metre of the hymn.
114. What should be the last act of the worshiper before he leaves the Sanctuary?
He should offer a silent prayer, thanking God for the gift of His grace in this Service, and asking to be kept steadfast in the faith, and to be made fruitful in good works.
A FORM OF SILENT PRAYER
O God, I thank Thee for Thy gifts of grace; strengthen me, through the same, in faith and in all good works; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.
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