One of my favorite comments that I occasionally hear is when someone says they appreciate our worship services or that worshiping with us was an enriching experience for them. It is refreshing and encouraging to know that our offering is recognized as giving support to the worship of God’s people in our Sunday services.
Trinity’s regular worship preserves the traditional liturgical heritage of the Lutheran Church. Our form follows to a large degree from Martin Luther who reformed the Mass to ensure biblically sound teaching at the foundation of our faith. Luther, however, didn’t just have one “liturgy” but developed variations suitable to the season and to the contemporary needs of the church. Putting worship into the language of the people was one of his major contributions. Yet Luther was conservative in his approach, wanting to keep that which was beneficial for the heart, mind and soul, rather than making radical changes. Worship was to retain the dynamic sense of God’s presence and to raise people up to the appreciation of his holiness and grace. Participation of the laity was encouraged and hymn singing became as important as liturgical expression.
Central to Lutheran worship are the Scriptures. The opening prayers and absolution follow the Scriptures in form and content. The Introit which welcomes our Lord to our worship is derived from the Psalms. The Kyrie is our cry for the Lord’s help in all the needs of our earthly life, again biblical. The Hymn of Praise (Gloria in Excelsis) reflects the heavenly praise of God’s angels and saints gathered in his holy presence as we will one day experience before the eternal throne of Christ. We are transported to the mountain top and there we listen to God’s Word in the Scriptures and the Sermon of the Day. The Sacrament of the Altar invites our participation in holy communion with the saints of heaven and earth as we receive the Body and Blood of our Lord according to biblical and historical practice. Our worship is completed with prayers, anthems, hymns and spiritual songs as we make melody with our hearts to the Lord.
There is ample room within the form for refreshing variation in style and content, that our worship not become stale or only a rote offering of the flesh. Special services during Lent, Thanksgiving and Christmas also give us opportunities to experience different forms. Our choir and special music add substantially to every form and service, giving us joyful worship experiences to strengthen our daily walk with the Lord.
Some churches have given over completely to other styles of worship (usually called “contemporary”). Others have offered alternatives. Some of these have merit in attempting to reach the unchurched. Sometimes the rich heritage of Lutheran liturgical worship is discarded by the wayside. Our approach doesn’t satisfy everyone, but attempts to retain what is good yet with freedom to enjoy a variety of worship expression. We seek to enrich your worship experience without getting in the way of your meeting the Lord in the process. Sometimes we may succeed. Where we are lacking we pray for God’s guidance and direction. Above all, it is Him we seek to please and to serve. Yet it is for your sake’s that it is important we try. Please feel free to speak to your pastor with your thoughts on our worship practice and above all do not forsake coming as often as possible to worship our Lord together with us.
May we always continue to grow up into Him who is our Head, Jesus our Savior and Lord of all.