Gathering
“God still shows up, not just in worship but especially in worship, in the body that is Christ...We come, mingled and broken; we come with bruises and burdens, and we also come with joys … [and] the incarnation is continuing to happen in our midst.”
- Kevin Strickland, Bishop of Southeastern Synod
On the day of Christ's resurrection, and at other times, God gathers us in Christian assembly. We confess our sin and hear God's word of forgiveness. We give thanks for God's mercy in the gift of baptism. Singing at the gathering may include hymns old and new; a prayer for God's mercy to fill the church and the world; a canticle of praise to God's glory revealed in Jesus Christ. During the gathering, the presiding minister and the assembly greet each other in the name of the triune God. The presiding minister gathers the assembly into prayer.
- Kevin Strickland, Bishop of Southeastern Synod
On the day of Christ's resurrection, and at other times, God gathers us in Christian assembly. We confess our sin and hear God's word of forgiveness. We give thanks for God's mercy in the gift of baptism. Singing at the gathering may include hymns old and new; a prayer for God's mercy to fill the church and the world; a canticle of praise to God's glory revealed in Jesus Christ. During the gathering, the presiding minister and the assembly greet each other in the name of the triune God. The presiding minister gathers the assembly into prayer.
Word
“We hear sacred stories, not just for the sake of history but for the sake of giving us a place in these sacred stories today,”
- Kevin Strickland, Bishop of Southeastern Synod
The word of God is proclaimed within and by the gathered assembly. The first Bible reading, usually from the Old Testament, is followed by a psalm sung in response. The second reading, usually from the New Testament letters, bears the witness of the early church. We acclaim the living Word, Jesus Christ, present in the gospel reading. Preaching brings God's word of law and gospel into our time and place to awaken and nourish faith. God's word is further proclaimed as we sing and as we confess our faith with the whole church. After praying for the whole world, we receive and extend to one another the gift of Christ's peace.
- Kevin Strickland, Bishop of Southeastern Synod
The word of God is proclaimed within and by the gathered assembly. The first Bible reading, usually from the Old Testament, is followed by a psalm sung in response. The second reading, usually from the New Testament letters, bears the witness of the early church. We acclaim the living Word, Jesus Christ, present in the gospel reading. Preaching brings God's word of law and gospel into our time and place to awaken and nourish faith. God's word is further proclaimed as we sing and as we confess our faith with the whole church. After praying for the whole world, we receive and extend to one another the gift of Christ's peace.
Meal
"The stuff of the earth, Jesus’ command to 'do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19) and the community eating and drinking together—this is communion, the meal of worship. Yet the simple recipe has countless variations (wafers or loaves, wine or juice, a common cup or individual glasses, kneeling at the rail or walking to stations) and the diversity of the people who preside at the table or serve and receive the meal."
- Meghan Johnston Aelabouni
A collection of material goods for the church's mission, including the care of those in need, is a sign of the giving of our whole selves in grateful response for all God's gifts. The table is set with bread and wine. Before the Lord's supper is shared, the presiding minister leads us into thanksgiving. With the whole creation, we join the angels' song. The grace of God's gift is always proclaimed in Jesus' own words of command and promise at the table. A full thanksgiving also includes praise to God for creation and salvation; remembrance of the crucified and risen Christ; and prayer for the Holy Spirit in this meal. The thanksgiving concludes with the prayer our Lord Jesus taught us. In Christ's body and blood given to us, God forgives us and nourishes us for mission. We sing as the bread is broken and as the meal is shared. We ask God to send us in witness to the world.
- Meghan Johnston Aelabouni
A collection of material goods for the church's mission, including the care of those in need, is a sign of the giving of our whole selves in grateful response for all God's gifts. The table is set with bread and wine. Before the Lord's supper is shared, the presiding minister leads us into thanksgiving. With the whole creation, we join the angels' song. The grace of God's gift is always proclaimed in Jesus' own words of command and promise at the table. A full thanksgiving also includes praise to God for creation and salvation; remembrance of the crucified and risen Christ; and prayer for the Holy Spirit in this meal. The thanksgiving concludes with the prayer our Lord Jesus taught us. In Christ's body and blood given to us, God forgives us and nourishes us for mission. We sing as the bread is broken and as the meal is shared. We ask God to send us in witness to the world.
Sending
"...we’re called in so that we can be the called-out ones...We are gathered to praise and to lament, to be incredibly vulnerable and then to be fed, to be filled, so that we can literally be for our neighbor’s need.”
- Kevin Strickland, Bishop of Southeastern Synod
God's mission includes the gifts of grace that we share in worship and take also to the absent; now, we are sent to continue our participation in God's mission. With the blessing of God, we go out to live as Christ's body in the world.
- Kevin Strickland, Bishop of Southeastern Synod
God's mission includes the gifts of grace that we share in worship and take also to the absent; now, we are sent to continue our participation in God's mission. With the blessing of God, we go out to live as Christ's body in the world.