The Divine Service

From Higher Things

I realized I have discussed different church services, what the divine service is, why tradition and liturgy are important, and information on each of the parts of the services in previous posts, but have never gone over the order of service and why the parts of service are the way they are. 

• Pre-Service
• As we walk into the church with reverence, what pastor wears, the architecture, the decorations, art, and the symbols we see are there to direct or our hearts and minds to Christ as the center of our faith and worship. Traditionally, we walk past the baptismal font on the way in (or at least up front to see it), to remind us of our baptism (Psalm 46:10, Habakkuk 2:20)
• As we sit down an opening prayer is said verbally or silently as a time to prepare ourselves to come into the presence of God. (reference)
• Passing of the Peace can be in multiple places (upper room)
• An Opening Hymn/Hymn of Invocation - calls upon Triune God, theme of the church season. The Candles are usually lit at this point (Collossians 3:16)
• To mark preparation for worship Pastor leads outside of chancel/communion rail, not yet entered presence.
• Invocation - In the Name of the Triune God. God put his name on us in baptism, we gather in his name. This is the beginning of the worship service (reference)
• Confession and Absolution - the first thing we do when entering God's presence is  repent and be forgiven (Hebrews 10:19)
• Second Part of Service, focuses on the spoken word of God. The Pastor enters the Chancel area
• Introit/Psalm of the Day (Psalms, Collossians 3:16)
• Kyrie Lord have mercy, greet the Lord in Confident prayer, welcoming the king, trust in the ruler to provide for our need, recognizing that he is showing us mercy (lepers, Bartamaeus)
• Hymn of Praise that we are forgiven, this is the feast, looking forward to heaven (angels at Christmas, Rev 5,15,19)
• Salutation - Lord be with you (Boaz)
• Collect - Prayer that collects all petitions/themes (reference)
• Readings Lectionary-Old testament, Epistle, Gospel (Luke 4:17, Ephesians 4:11, hear from the four elements)
• Sermon Hymn (Collossians 3:16)
• Sermon (Children's sermon) (Ephesians 4:11, hear from the four elements)
• Confession of Faith (Creed) - all Christians everywhere every-when (reference)
• Offering and Offertory - Give back (at each lords day set aside as God blesses you paul)
• Prayers
• Prayers of the people (prayers intercessions)
• The Lord's prayer (reference)
• Third part, sacrament, Pastor enters the Sanctuary
• Preface - Salutation (need blessing before going into the presence of God, reference)
• Sanctus hymn of sacrament, heaven on earth, praise (Isaiah, holy angel coal to lips, Psalm 118, Hebrews 12:22-)
• Distribution (reference)
• Prayer of THanksgiving (O give thanks mercy endures forever)
• Post Service
• Closing Hymn The candles are usually extinguished here (Collossians 3:16)
• Benediction - sending out, in God's Name, baptism, a promise of divine blessing and peace (Number 6:24-26)

Our worship here accords with the heavenly worship described in Isaiah 6:1-7 and Revelation 5. Our worship service is also adapted from and flows out of worship of the old testament, so it is really not even new to the Post-Jesus, Early Christian church. This is how the church has been worshiping forever. Lastly, the service is important for catechesis as shown below:

Catechesis in the Liturgy