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The Lutheran Liturgy

© John L. Hoh, Jr.

The lessons follow, generally Old Testament (or Historical from Acts), the Psalm (read responsively, chanted, or sung as a hymn setting), the Epistle, and the Gospel. These readings generally have a unifying theme for the day, and follow a pattern throughout the Church year. In the Lutheran church, congregations generally follow the Historic Pericope, or order of readings, or the order devised by the Inter Lutheran Commission on Worship (known as the ILCW series). The Historic series is a two year rotation; the ILCW a one year or three year rotation (depending on which the pastor uses). Traditionally, out of respect for the words of Christ, the congregants stand for the Gospel.

The Creed follows, in which the gathered confess their unity in the Christian faith.

The Hymn of the Day is a hymn that expresses the theme for that day or the sermon, which will follow. The sermon that follows is a study usually of one of that day's texts. Some churches use homilies, which generally tend to be a message that reflects the overall theme of the day's readings.

After the sermon, Lutherans usually ask God to "create a clean heart within me" as David did when his sin was pointed out and, after repentance, his sin was forgiven. Prayers for the church, individual requests, private petitions, and the Lord's Prayer are then offered to God. The custom used to be that the pastor would pray the General Prayer, asking for blessings upon government, the suffering, the traveler, etc. Fortunately this is making a comeback, usually as a responsive prayer.

The offering is gathered and offered to the Lord. The offering is each Christian's way of responding to God's love, within the parameters of God's blessings. Obviously, our gifts can take the form of our time and talents outside the worship service.

After another hymn, a final hymn is sung to again reflect upon the theme for the day. The pastor then announces God's blessing upon us with either the Aaronic blessing or the Apostolic blessing. Then the service may conclude with a departing hymn and/or prayer.