Worship

Lutheran Worship

Article Seven of the Augsburg Confession states that the Church "happens" whenever there is an "...assembly of believers among whom the Gospel is preached in its purity and the holy Sacraments are administered according to the Gospel." Article Seven's intent is to define the Church, but in doing so it also defines worship. Where else do Lutherans gather around such things?

So worship, then, is the giving away of the Gospel an evangelistic event, if you will, that announces the Good News of Jesus to all within earshot. This, then, is our bottom line. Worship that is truly Lutheran worship announces to us in Word and Sacrament what Jesus has done for us in his dying and rising. True Lutheran worship declares in its preaching, music and liturgy that in Christ captives are set free and sinners are forgiven. The stakes are high. Article Seven insists that if our worship services are characterized by anything else other than this proclamation then whatever we are doing is not Lutheran worship; it is not even Christian worship.

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E-Newsletter
WorshipNews is a monthly e-newsletter from the Worship and Liturgical Resources staff of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. WorshipNews is a way for us to share important and timely information with you on what’s happening in worship around the ELCA, including new resources, conferences, helpful topics, and more. Read past issues and subscribe >

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