Liturgy
Pentecost service.Some think that liturgy refers to the elaboration and/or antiquity of the worship, but this narrow definition creates division rather than unity. But liturgy is worship. The term can refer to the form and order of a worship service and there is a basic pattern for worship among Lutherans. We gather. We encounter God’s Word. We share a meal at the Lord’s table. And we are sent into the world. But we do not think about worship so much in terms of what we do. Worship is fundamentally about what God is doing and our response to God’s action. Worship is an encounter with God, who saves us through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
“Liturgy” comes from the Greek leitourgias which means “the people’s work.” The entire gathered community celebrates the Lord's Supper in our Sunday liturgies, while many parishioners take active roles within the service. On a typical Sunday, nearly 15 parishioners are part of our liturgical service, including everything from welcoming worshipers to preparing our sacred space to leading the congregation in word and music.
Liturgical Assistants
- Acolyte: Lights candles, carries processional cross, assists during communion. Acolytes can be children 9 and up.
- Altar Guild: Prepares communion, sets up altar area, prepares areas for special worship events (e.g. baptisms).
- Assisting Minister: Helps the pastor lead the community in worship.
- Bread Provider: Brings bread for communion. Bread may be homemade or purchased.
- Choir Member: Leads the community in song.
- Coffee Hour Host: Provides a snack for after worship and makes sure area is clean afterwards.
- Communion Assistant: Offers trays of small glasses at the communion rail.
- Counters: Count the weekly offering after Sunday worship.
- Flowers: Creates a floral arrangement for the church.
- Lector: Reads the lessons in front of the congregation on Sunday mornings.
- Usher: Assists the worshipers by handing out bulletins prior to the service, directing visitors, dismissing worshippers to communion, and installing communion rail (when needed).