"THE ORDER OF MORNING SERVICE, OR THE COMMUNION"

Text from: Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book

St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1912), p. 1-18

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THE ORDER OF MORNING SERVICE,

OR THE COMMUNION

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A Hymn of Invocation of the Holy Ghost may be sung.

The Congregation shall rise, and the Minister, standing at the Altar, shall say:

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

The Congregation shall sing or say:

Amen.

Then shall be said the Confession of Sins, as here followeth

The Confession of Sins.

Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart, and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching Him, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to grant us forgiveness.

Then, all kneeling or standing, shall be sung or said:

Minister. Our help is in the Name of the Lord.

Congregation. Who made heaven and earth.

Minister. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord.

Congregation. And Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.

Then shall the Minister say:

ALMIGHTY God, our Maker and Redeemer, we poor sinners confess unto Thee, that we are by nature sinful and unclean, and that we have sinned against Thee, by thought, word, and deed.


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Wherefore we flee for refuge to Thine infinite mercy, seeking and imploring Thy grace, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Congregation shall say with the Minister:

O most merciful God, who hast given Thine Only-begotten Son to die for us, have mercy upon us, and for His sake grant us remission of all our sins: and by thy Holy Spirit increase in us true knowledge of Thee, and of Thy will, and true obedience to Thy Word, to the end that by Thy grace we may come to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then the Minister, standing, shall say:

Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, hath had mercy upon us, and hath given His Only Son to die for us, and for His sake forgiveth us all our sins. To them that believe on His Name, He giveth power to become the sons of God, and hath promised them His Holy Spirit. He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved. Grant this, Lord, unto us all.

Then shall the Congregation sing or say: 

 Amen.

Then, all standing to the close of the Collect, shall be sung or said the Introit for the day.

The Introit.

The Introit with the Gloria Patri may be sung by the Choir; or the Introit may be said by the Minister, and the Gloria Patri sung or said by the Congregation. Instead of the Introit a Psalm or a Hymn may be used.


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Gloria Patri.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Then shall follow the

Kyrie.

The Kyrie may be sung or said by the Minister and the Congregation, or each petition may be said by the Minister and sung or said by the Congregation in response.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Christ, have mercy upon us.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Then shall be sung the Gloria in Excelsis as here followeth. Instead of the Gloria in Excelsis, another Canticle or Hymn of Praise may be sung, except on Festival days, and when there is a Communion.

Gloria in Excelsis.

The Minister shall say:

Glory be to God on high!

The Congregation shall sing:

Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will towards men. We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly Kind, God the Father Almighty.

O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sin of the


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world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.

For thou only art holy; Thou only art the Lord; Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Then shall the Minister say:

The Lord be with you.

The Congregation shall sing or say:

And with thy spirit.

The Minister shall say:

Let us pray.

Then shall the Minister say the Collect for the Day.

The Collect.

The Collect ended, the Congregation shall sing or say:

Amen.

Then shall the Minister read the Epistle for the Day. Other Scripture Lessons may be read before the Epistle, but the Epistle and Gospel for the Day shall always be read. The Minister shall announce the Epistle, saying:

The Epistle for (here he shall name the Day) is written in the — Chapter of —, beginning at the — Verse.

The Epistle for the Day.

The Epistle ended, the Minister shall say:

Here endeth the Epistle.

Then shall the Hallelujah be sung or said, except in the Passion season.


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The Hallelujah.

Hallelujah!

Instead of the simple Hallelujah, a sentence for the Season of the Church-year may be sung with it; or a Psalm or Hymn may be sung after the Hallelujah.

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The Hallelujah and Sentence

For Advent.

Hallelujah! Remember, O Lord, Thy tender mercies: for they have been ever of old. Hallelujah.

For the Epiphany Season.

Hallelujah! O praise the Lord, all ye nations; and laud Him, all ye people. For His merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth forever. Hallelujah!

For the Passion Season.

Christ hath humbled Himself, and become obedient unto death: even the death of the Cross.

For the Easter Season.

Hallelujah! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Hallelujah!

For Whitsuntide.

Hallelujah! Thou sendest forth Thy Spirit, they are created: and Thou renewest the face of the earth. Hallelujah!

From Trinity to Advent.

Hallelujah! O Lord, deal with Thy servant according unto Thy mercy: and teach me Thy statutes. I am Thy servant, give me understanding: that I may know thy testimonies. Hallelujah!


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Or this:

Hallelujah! Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers: praise Him, and highly exalt Him forever. Hallelujah!

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Then shall the Minister announce the Gospel of the Day saying:

The Holy Gospel is written in the — Chapter of St. — beginning at the — Verse.

The Congregation may sing or say:

Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

Then shall the Minister read

The Gospel for the Day.

The Gospel ended, the Minister shall say: Here endeth the Gospel, and the Congregation shall stand up, unless they have stood at the reading of the Gospel, and shall sing or say:

Praise be to Thee, O Christ.

Then shall be said or sung the Nicene Creed, or the Apostles' Creed; but if there be a Communion, the Nicene Creed shall be used.

The Nicene Creed.

I Believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, Begotten, not made, Being of one substance with the Father, By whom all things were made; Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary. And was


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made man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scripture; and ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spake by the Prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the Resurrection of the dead; and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Apostles' Creed.

I Believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the Life everlasting. Amen.

Then may a Hymn be sung and the Minister shall go into the pulpit. After the Hymn shall follow


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The Sermon.

The Sermon ended, the Congregation standing up, the Minister shall say:

The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The Offertory shall then be sung, at the close of which the Congregation shall be seated.

One of the Offertories here following, or any other suitable Offertory, may be used.

The Offertory.

I.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.

Do good in Thy good pleasure unto Zion: Build Thou the walls of Jerusalem.

Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness; with the burnt-offering and whole burnt-offering.

II.

Create in me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from Thy presence: and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation: and uphold me with Thy free Spirit.

The Offerings shall be gathered and brought to the Minister, who shall place them on the Altar.

Then shall the Minister make mention of any special petition, intercessions, or thanksgivings which may have been requested. He may also make mention of the death of any member of the Congregation.


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Then shall follow the General Prayer. The Prayer here following may be used; or, if there be no Communion, the Litany, or a selection from the Collects and Prayers, or any other suitable prayer.

The General Prayer.

Almighty and most merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: We give Thee thanks for all Thy goodness and tender mercies, especially for the gift of Thy dear Son, and for the revelation of Thy will and grace: and we beseech Thee so to implant Thy Word in us, that in good and honest hearts we may keep it, and bring forth fruit by patiend continuance in well doing.

Most heartily we beseech thee so to rule and govern Thy Church universal, with all its pastors and ministers, that it may be preserved in the pure doctrine of Thy saving Word, whereby faith toward Thee may be strengthened, and charity increased in us toward all mankind.

Grant also health and prosperity to all that are in authority, especially to the President [and Congress] of the United States, the Governor [and Legislature] of this Commonwealth, and to all our Judges and Magistrates; and endue them with grace to rule after Thy good pleasure, to the maintenance of righteousness, and to the hinderance and punishment of wickedness, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty.

May it please Thee also to turn the hearts of our enemies and adversaries, that they may cease their enmity, and be inclined to walk with us in meekness and in peace.

All who are in trouble, want, sickness, anguish of labor, peril of death, or any other adversity, especially those who are in suffering for Thy


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Name and for Thy truth's sake, comfort, O God, with Thy Holy Spirit, that they may receive and acknowledge their afflictions as the manifestation of Thy fatherly will.

And although we have deserved Thy righteous wrath and manifold punishments, yet, we entreat Thee, O most merciful Father, remember not the sins of our youth, nor our many transgressions; but out of Thineun speakable goodness, grace and mercy, defend us from all harm and danger of body and soul. Preserve us from false and pernicious doctrine, from war and bloodshed, from plague and pestilence, from all calamity by fire and water, from hail and tempest, from failure of harvest and from famine, from anguish of heart and despair of Thy mercy, and from an evil death. And in every time of trouble, show Thyself a very present Help, the Savior of all men, and especially of them that believe.

Cause also the needful fruits of the earth to prosper, that we may enjoy them in due season. Give success to the Christian training of the young, to all lawful occupations on land and sea, and to all pure arts and useful knowledge; and crown them with Thy blessing.

Here special Supplications, Intercessions, and Prayers may be made.

These, and whatsoever other things Thou wouldest have us ask of Thee, O God, vouchsafe unto us for the sake of the bitter sufferings and death of Jesus Christ, Thine only Son, our Lord and Savior, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.

Then shall the Minister, and the Congregation with Him, say the Lord's Prayer.


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The Lord's Prayer.

Our Father, who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Then shall be sung a Hymn.

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If there be no Communion, a Doxology may be sung, and the Minister, standing at the Altar, shall pronounce the Benediction, after which the Congregation shall offer silent prayer.

The Benediction.

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee.

The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee.

The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

The Congregation shall sing or say:

Amen.

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Whilst the Hymn is sung, the Minister shall go to the Altar, make ready the Communion vessels and prepare for the administration of the Holy Communion.

The Hymn ended, the Congregation shall rise, and stand to the end of the Agnus Dei.

The Preface.

The Minister shall say:

The Lord be with you.

The Congregation shall sing or say:

And with thy spirit.


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Minister. Lift up your hearts.

Congregation. We lift them up unto the Lord.

Minister. Let us give thanks unto the Lord our God.

Congregation. It is meet and right to do so.

Minister. It is truly meet, right and salutary, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty Everlasting God:

Here shall follow the Proper Preface, according to the time, if there be any specially appointed, or else immediately shall follow, Therefore with angels, etc.

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Proper Prefaces.

For Christmas.

For in the mystery of the Word made flesh, Thou hast given us a new revelation of Thy glory: that seeing Thee in the person of Thy Son, we may be drawn to the love of those things which are not seen. Therefore with Angels, etc.

For the Passion Season.

Who on the tree of the Cross didst give salvation unto mankind; that whence death arose, thence Life also might rise again: and that he who by a tree once overcame, might likewise by a tree be overcome, through Christ our Lord; through whom with Angels, etc.

For the Easter Season.

But chiefly are we bound to praise Thee for the glorious Resurrection of Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord: for He is the very Paschal Lamb, which was offered for us, and hath taken


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away the sin of the world; Who by His death hath destroyed death, and by His rising to life again, hath restored to us everlasting life. Therefore with Angels, etc.

For Ascension Day.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who after His Resurrection appeared openly to all His disciples, and in their sight was taken up into Heaven that He might make us partakers of His Divine Nature. Therefore with Angels, etc.

For Whitsuntide.

Through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, our Lord and Savior; Who ascended above the heavens, and sitting at Thy right hand, poured out on this day the Holy Spirit, as He had promised, upon the chosen disciples; whereat the whole earth rejoices with exceeding joy. Therefore with Angels, etc.

For the Festival of the Trinity.

Who with Thine Only-begotten Son, and the Holy Ghost, art one God, one Lord. And in the confession of the only true God, we worship the Trinity in Person, and the Unity in Substance, of Majesty co-equal. Therefore with Angels, etc.

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After the Preface shall follow immediately:

Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify Thy glorious name; evermore praising Thee and saying:

Then shall be said or sung the

Sanctus.

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth; Heaven and earth are full of Thy Glory; Hosanna in the highest.


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Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

Then may the Minister give this Exhortation.

The Exhortation.

Dearly Beloved! Forasmuch as we purpose to come to the Holy Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ, it becometh us diligently to examine ourselves, as St. Paul exhorteth us. For this Holy Sacrament hath been instituted for the special comfort and strengthening of those who humbly confess their sins, and who hunger and thirst after righteousness.

But if we thus examine ourselves, we shall find nothing in us but only sin and death, from which we can in no wise set ourselves free. Therefore our Lord Jesus Christ hath had mercy upon us, and hath taken upon Himself our nature, that so He might fulfil for us the whole will and law of God, and for us and for our deliverance suffer death and all that we by our sins have deserved. And to the end that we should the more confidently believe this, and be strengthened by our faith in a cheerful obedience to His holy will, He hath instituted the Holy Sacrament of His supper, in which He feedeth us with His Body, and giveth us to drink of His Blood.

Therefore whoso eateth of this bread, and drinketh of this cup, firmly believing the words of Christ, dwelleth in Christ, and Christ in him, and hath eternal life.

We should also do this in remembrance of Him, showing His death, that He was delivered for our offences, and raised again for our justification, and rendering unto Him most hearty thanks for the same, take up our cross and follow Him, and,


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according to His commandment, love one another even as He hath loved us. For we are all one bread and one body, even as we are all partakers of this one bread, and drink of this one cup.

Then the Minister, turning to the Altar, shall say:

Let us pray.

Our Father, who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Then shall the Congregation sing or say:

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Then shall the Minister say:

Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the night in which He was betrayed, took bread; (a) and when He had given thanks He brake it and gave it to His disciples, saying: Take, eat; this is my body, which is given for you; this do in remembrance of Me.

(a) Here he shall take the Plate with the Bread in his hand.

After the same manner, also, He took the cup, (b) when He had supped, and when He had given thanks,He gave it to them, saying: Drink ye all of it; this cup is the New Testament in my Blood, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins; this do, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me.

(b) Here he shall take the Cup in his hand.

Then shall the Minister say:

The peace of the Lord be with you alway.


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Then shall be sung or said the Agnus Dei, and the distribution shall begin.

Agnus Dei.

O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us!

O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us!

O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, grant us Thy peace. Amen.

When the Minister giveth the Bread he shall say:

Take and eat, this is the true Body of Christ given for thee.

When he giveth the Cup he shall say:

Take and drink, this is the true Blood of the New Testament, shed for thy sins.

In dismissing the Communicants, the Minister may say:

The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ and His precious Blood strengthen and preserve you in the true faith unto everlasting life.

If the consecrated Bread or Wine be spent before all have communed, the Minister shall consecrate more, saying aloud, so much of the words of institution as pertaineth to the element to be consecrated.

When all have communed, the Minister shall reverently cover what remaineth of the Bread and Wine.

Then all standing, may be sung or said the

Nunc Dimittis.

Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace: according to Thy Word;


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For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation: which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

A light to lighten the Gentiles: and the glory of Thy people Israel.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

Then shall be said:

The Thanksgiving.

Minister.

O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good.

The Congregation shall sing or say:

And His mercy endureth forever.

Minister.

We give thanks to Thee, Almighty God, that Thou hast refreshed us through this salutary gift; and we beseech Thee, that of Thy mercy Thou wouldest strengthen us through the same in faith toward Thee and in fervent love toward one another, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.

The Congregation shall sing or say:

Amen.

Then may be sung or said the

Benedicamus.

Minister. The Lord be with you.

Congregation. And with thy spirit.

Minister. Bless we the Lord.

Congregation. Thanks be to God.


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Then shall the Minister say the Benediction as here followeth, or he may say the words 2 Cor. xiii. 14.

After the Benediction, the Congregation should offer silent prayer.

The Benediction.

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee.

The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee.

The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

The Congregation shall sing or say:

Amen.


This text was converted to text format for Project Wittenberg by Christopher M. Fincher and is in the public domain. You may freely distribute, copy or print this text. Please direct any comments or suggestions to:

Rev. Robert E. Smith, Concordia Theological Seminary

E-mail: [email protected]

Surface Mail: 6600 N. Clinton St., Ft. Wayne, IN 46825 USA

Phone: (260) 452-3149 Fax: (260) 452-2126