How Lutherans Worship

Does worship happen only in church?

Every waking moment is an opportunity to worship God. Whether it’s working, studying, relaxing, playing sport, helping a neighbour or a stranger, all of a Christian’s life is about worshipping God. To worship God means to honour him in everything we say and do. This is expressed in the various ways we show love to our neighbour, whoever that person might be.

Why worship as a congregation?

But there’s also a particular sense in which Lutherans use the word ‘worship.’ Worship is what happens when people gather together in congregations, usually on a Sunday. We do this in response to the Third Commandment: ‘Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.’ But we do it not just in obedience to God’s command but also because of the blessings God gives. In worship we meet Christ and receive his gifts of forgiveness, hope and life. We meet others who need God’s gracious help. That’s why worship is central to living as a Christian. Without God’s grace and constant presence, Christians can’t even begin to love one another and serve the world in need.

What happens in a Lutheran worship service?

Sunday worship, which we also call ‘public worship’ because it is open to all people, is all about God serving us. Lutheran worship has a distinctive shape which points to the God who comes down to our level and serves us. God comes to us in a way that we can hear, see and taste. God forgives the sins of those who’ve gathered in confession. God speaks through the reading of the Scriptures. Each week Lutherans hear from the Old Testament, the letters of the New Testament, and the Gospels. They also hear a sermon based on the word of God. God also listens as we pray for the ‘church, the world and each other.’ God feeds his gathered people, through a holy meal of bread and wine, the body and blood of his Son, Jesus. God leaves his presence with his people by blessing them, and sending them on their way to be ‘lights for the world.’

Is Lutheran worship different from that in other Christian denominations?

The framework of worship Lutherans use is shared by Christian churches down through the ages. It dates back to the earliest Christians. Lutherans share this heritage of worship with other Christians, as a symbol of unity with them through baptism. This form of worship (liturgy) is heavily reliant on the word of God and points us back to God’s Son, Jesus, who is the source of our life. Lutherans love singing hymns and songs as a way of praising God and encouraging one another. They treasure what Christians have sung for many years, as well as new hymns that point to the God who is still working to bring peace to his creation. Through these hymns we proclaim God’s word and his good deeds with our own lips. Lutherans use a wide variety of musical instruments to praise God, from pipe organs to drums, from electric guitars to violins.

What does God do in worship?

Lutherans believe that worship isn’t so much about what we do, but about what God does for us. We simply respond in prayer and praise to the God who comes down to our level. The focus in Lutheran worship is not on how we feel but on how God comes to us. We believe that worship is a treasure because it is as close as we get to heaven on earth, because God is there, forgiving, speaking, listening and feeding us. Getting us ready to worship him in the world, with the gift of our lives.

The language of worship

Traditional Lutheran worship has been passed down through the centuries. Lutherans use many special worship words, eg invocation, confession and absolution, kyrie, gloria, collect, lessons, creed, sermon, and offertory. Other terms used in a Holy Communion service include sanctus, words of institution, agnus dei, nunc dimittis, and blessing. Check the Jargon Buster to find out more about these words.

Symbols provided courtesy of Walter E Gast.