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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¶ AHymn of Invocation of the Holy Ghost may be sung.
¶The Congregation shall rise, and the Minister, standing at theAltar, shall say:
In theName 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 herefolloweth:
The Confession of Sins.
Belovedin the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart, and confess oursins unto God our Father, beseeching Him, in the Name of our LordJesus 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:
ALMIGHTYGod, our Maker and Redeemer, we poor sinners confess unto Thee, thatwe are by nature sinful and unclean, and that we have sinned againstThee, by thought, word, and deed.
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Whereforewe flee for refuge to Thine infinite mercy, seeking and imploringThy grace, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.
¶The Congregation shall say with the Minister:
O mostmerciful 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 oursins: 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 byThy grace we may come to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ ourLord. Amen.
¶Then the Minister, standing, shall say:
AlmightyGod, our Heavenly Father, hath had mercy upon us, and hath given HisOnly 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 sonsof 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 besung or said the Introit for the day.
The Introit.
¶The Introit with the Gloria Patri may be sung bythe Choir; or the Introit may be said by the Minister, andthe Gloria Patri sung or said by the Congregation. Instead ofthe Introit a Psalm or a Hymn may be used.
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Gloria Patri.
Glory beto the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost: as it was inthe beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
¶Then shall follow the
Kyrie.
TheKyrie 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 theCongregation 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 herefolloweth. Instead of the Gloria in Excelsis, anotherCanticle or Hymn of Praise may be sung, except on Festival days, andwhen there is a Communion.
Gloria in Excelsis.
¶The Minister shall say:
Glorybe to God on high!
¶The Congregation shall sing:
Glory beto God on high, and on earth peace, good will towards men. We praiseThee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee, we givethanks to Thee for Thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly Kind, Godthe Father Almighty.
O Lord,the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son ofthe Father, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy uponus. 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 theFather, have mercy upon us.
For thouonly art holy; Thou only art the Lord; Thou only, O Christ, with theHoly Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
¶Then shall the Minister say:
TheLord be with you.
¶The Congregation shall sing or say:
Andwith thy spirit.
¶The Minister shall say:
Letus 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. OtherScripture Lessons may be read before the Epistle, butthe Epistle and Gospel for the Day shall always beread. The Minister shall announce the Epistle, saying:
TheEpistle 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 thePassion season.
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The Hallelujah.
Hallelujah!
¶Instead of the simple Hallelujah, a sentence for theSeason of the Church-year may be sung with it; or a Psalm or Hymnmay 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 ofold. Hallelujah.
For the Epiphany Season.
Hallelujah!O praise the Lord, all ye nations; and laud Him, all ye people. ForHis merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lordendureth forever. Hallelujah!
For the Passion Season.
Christhath humbled Himself, and become obedient unto death: even the deathof 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 renewestthe face of the earth. Hallelujah!
From Trinity to Advent.
Hallelujah!O Lord, deal with Thy servant according unto Thy mercy: and teach meThy statutes. I am Thy servant, give me understanding: that I mayknow thy testimonies. Hallelujah!
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Orthis:
Hallelujah!Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers: praise Him, and highly exaltHim forever. Hallelujah!
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¶Then shall the Minister announce the Gospel of the Daysaying:
The HolyGospel is written in the Chapter of St. beginning atthe Verse.
¶The Congregation may sing or say:
Glorybe to Thee, O Lord.
¶Then shall the Minister read
The Gospel for the Day.
¶The Gospel ended, the Minister shall say: Here endeththe Gospel, and the Congregation shall stand up, unless they havestood at the reading of the Gospel, and shall sing or say:
Praisebe to Thee, O Christ.
¶Then shall be said or sung the Nicene Creed, or theApostles' Creed; but if there be a Communion, the NiceneCreed 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 ofGod, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light ofLight, Very God of Very God, Begotten, not made, Being of onesubstance with the Father, By whom all things were made; Who for usmen, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, And was incarnateby the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary. And was
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mademan; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He sufferedand was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to theScripture; and ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right handof the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge both thequick and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.
And Ibelieve in the Holy Ghost, The Lord and Giver of Life, Whoproceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and theSon together is worshipped and glorified, who spake by the Prophets.And I believe in one holy Christian and Apostolic Church. Iacknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins; and I look forthe Resurrection of the dead; and the life of the world to come.Amen.
The Apostles' Creed.
IBelieve in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth.
And inJesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the HolyGhost, Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Wascrucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell; The third day Herose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven and sitteth on theright hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come tojudge the quick and the dead.
Ibelieve in the Holy Ghost; The holy Christian Church, the Communionof 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 thepulpit. After the Hymn shall follow
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The Sermon.
¶The Sermon ended, the Congregation standing up, the Ministershall say:
Thepeace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts andminds through Christ Jesus.
¶The Offertory shall then be sung, at the close of whichthe Congregation shall be seated.
¶One of the Offertories here following, or any othersuitable Offertory, may be used.
The Offertory.
I.
Thesacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contriteheart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.
Do goodin Thy good pleasure unto Zion: Build Thou the walls of Jerusalem.
Thenshalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness; with theburnt-offering and whole burnt-offering.
II.
Createin me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast menot away from Thy presence: and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restoreunto me the joy of Thy salvation: and uphold me with Thy freeSpirit.
¶The Offerings shall be gathered and brought to the Minister, whoshall place them on the Altar.
¶Then shall the Minister make mention of any special petition,intercessions, or thanksgivings which may have been requested. Hemay also make mention of the death of any member of the Congregation.
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¶Then shall follow the General Prayer. The Prayer herefollowing may be used; or, if there be no Communion, the Litany,or a selection from the Collects and Prayers, or any othersuitable prayer.
The General Prayer.
Almightyand most merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: We giveThee thanks for all Thy goodness and tender mercies, especially forthe gift of Thy dear Son, and for the revelation of Thy will andgrace: and we beseech Thee so to implant Thy Word in us, that ingood and honest hearts we may keep it, and bring forth fruit bypatiend continuance in well doing.
Mostheartily we beseech thee so to rule and govern Thy Church universal,with all its pastors and ministers, that it may be preserved in thepure doctrine of Thy saving Word, whereby faith toward Thee may bestrengthened, and charity increased in us toward all mankind.
Grantalso health and prosperity to all that are in authority, especiallyto the President [and Congress] of the United States, the Governor[and Legislature] of this Commonwealth, and to all our Judges andMagistrates; and endue them with grace to rule after Thy goodpleasure, to the maintenance of righteousness, and to the hinderanceand punishment of wickedness, that we may lead a quiet and peaceablelife, in all godliness and honesty.
May itplease Thee also to turn the hearts of our enemies and adversaries,that they may cease their enmity, and be inclined to walk with us inmeekness and in peace.
All whoare in trouble, want, sickness, anguish of labor, peril of death, orany other adversity, especially those who are in suffering for Thy
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Name andfor Thy truth's sake, comfort, O God, with Thy Holy Spirit, thatthey may receive and acknowledge their afflictions as themanifestation of Thy fatherly will.
Andalthough we have deserved Thy righteous wrath and manifoldpunishments, yet, we entreat Thee, O most merciful Father, remembernot the sins of our youth, nor our many transgressions; but out ofThineun speakable goodness, grace and mercy, defend us from all harmand danger of body and soul. Preserve us from false and perniciousdoctrine, from war and bloodshed, from plague and pestilence, fromall calamity by fire and water, from hail and tempest, from failureof harvest and from famine, from anguish of heart and despair of Thymercy, and from an evil death. And in every time of trouble, showThyself a very present Help, the Savior of all men, and especiallyof them that believe.
Causealso the needful fruits of the earth to prosper, that we may enjoythem in due season. Give success to the Christian training of theyoung, to all lawful occupations on land and sea, and to all purearts and useful knowledge; and crown them with Thy blessing.
¶Here special Supplications, Intercessions, and Prayers may bemade.
These,and whatsoever other things Thou wouldest have us ask of Thee, OGod, vouchsafe unto us for the sake of the bitter sufferings anddeath of Jesus Christ, Thine only Son, our Lord and Savior, wholiveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God,world without end.
¶Then shall the Minister, and the Congregation with Him, say theLord's Prayer.
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The Lord's Prayer.
OurFather, 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 ourdaily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those whotrespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; but deliver usfrom 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 theMinister, standing at the Altar, shall pronounce the Benediction,after which the Congregation shall offer silent prayer.
The Benediction.
The Lordbless thee, and keep thee.
The Lordmake His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee.
The Lordlift 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, makeready the Communion vessels and prepare for the administration ofthe Holy Communion.
¶The Hymn ended, the Congregation shall rise, and stand to the endof the Agnus Dei.
The Preface.
¶The Minister shall say:
TheLord be with you.
¶The Congregation shall sing or say:
Andwith 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 alltimes, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, HolyFather, Almighty Everlasting God:
¶Here shall follow the Proper Preface, according to thetime, if there be any specially appointed, or else immediately shallfollow, Therefore with angels, etc.
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Proper Prefaces.
For Christmas.
For inthe mystery of the Word made flesh, Thou hast given us a newrevelation 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 onthe tree of the Cross didst give salvation unto mankind; that whencedeath arose, thence Life also might rise again: and that he who by atree once overcame, might likewise by a tree be overcome, throughChrist our Lord; through whom with Angels, etc.
For the Easter Season.
Butchiefly are we bound to praise Thee for the glorious Resurrection ofThy 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 thesin of the world; Who by His death hath destroyed death, and by Hisrising to life again, hath restored to us everlasting life.Therefore with Angels, etc.
For Ascension Day.
ThroughJesus Christ our Lord, Who after His Resurrection appeared openly toall His disciples, and in their sight was taken up into Heaven thatHe might make us partakers of His Divine Nature. Therefore withAngels, etc.
For Whitsuntide.
ThroughJesus Christ, Thy dear Son, our Lord and Savior; Who ascended abovethe heavens, and sitting at Thy right hand, poured out on this daythe Holy Spirit, as He had promised, upon the chosen disciples;whereat the whole earth rejoices with exceeding joy. Therefore withAngels, 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 Trinityin Person, and the Unity in Substance, of Majesty co-equal.Therefore with Angels, etc.
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¶After the Preface shall follow immediately:
Thereforewith Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, welaud and magnify Thy glorious name; evermore praising Thee andsaying:
¶Then shall be said or sung the
Sanctus.
Holy,holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth; Heaven and earth are full of ThyGlory; Hosanna in the highest.
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Blessedis He that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosannain the highest.
¶Then may the Minister give this Exhortation.
The Exhortation.
DearlyBeloved! Forasmuch as we purpose to come to the Holy Supper of ourLord Jesus Christ, it becometh us diligently to examine ourselves, asSt. Paul exhorteth us. For this Holy Sacrament hath been institutedfor the special comfort and strengthening of those who humbly confesstheir sins, and who hunger and thirst after righteousness.
But ifwe thus examine ourselves, we shall find nothing in us but only sinand death, from which we can in no wise set ourselves free.Therefore our Lord Jesus Christ hath had mercy upon us, and hathtaken upon Himself our nature, that so He might fulfil for us thewhole will and law of God, and for us and for our deliverance sufferdeath and all that we by our sins have deserved. And to the end thatwe should the more confidently believe this, and be strengthened byour faith in a cheerful obedience to His holy will, He hathinstituted the Holy Sacrament of His supper, in which He feedeth uswith His Body, and giveth us to drink of His Blood.
Thereforewhoso eateth of this bread, and drinketh of this cup, firmlybelieving the words of Christ, dwelleth in Christ, and Christ in him,and hath eternal life.
Weshould also do this in remembrance of Him, showing His death, that Hewas delivered for our offences, and raised again for ourjustification, and rendering unto Him most hearty thanks for thesame, take up our cross and follow Him, and,
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accordingto His commandment, love one another even as He hath loved us. Forwe are all one bread and one body, even as we are all partakers ofthis one bread, and drink of this one cup.
¶Then the Minister, turning to the Altar, shall say:
Letus pray.
OurFather, 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 ourdaily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those whotrespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, but deliver usfrom evil.
Thenshall the Congregation sing or say:
ForThine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever andever. 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 hadsupped, 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:
Thepeace of the Lord be with you alway.
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¶Then shall be sung or said the Agnus Dei, and thedistribution shall begin.
Agnus Dei.
OChrist, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world,have mercy upon us!
OChrist, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world,have mercy upon us!
OChrist, 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:
Takeand eat, this is the true Body of Christ given for thee.
¶When he giveth the Cup he shall say:
Takeand drink, this is the true Blood of the New Testament, shed for thysins.
¶In dismissing the Communicants, the Minister may say:
TheBody of our Lord Jesus Christ and His precious Blood strengthen andpreserve you in the true faith unto everlasting life.
¶If the consecrated Bread or Wine be spent before all havecommuned, the Minister shall consecrate more, saying aloud, so muchof the words of institution as pertaineth to the element to beconsecrated.
¶When all have communed, the Minister shall reverently cover whatremaineth 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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Formine eyes have seen Thy salvation: which Thou hast prepared beforethe face of all people;
A lightto lighten the Gentiles: and the glory of Thy people Israel.
Glorybe to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
As itwas in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end.Amen.
¶Then shall be said:
The Thanksgiving.
Minister.
Ogive thanks unto the Lord, for He is good.
¶The Congregation shall sing or say:
AndHis mercy endureth forever.
Minister.
We givethanks to Thee, Almighty God, that Thou hast refreshed us throughthis salutary gift; and we beseech Thee, that of Thy mercy Thouwouldest strengthen us through the same in faith toward Thee and infervent 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 herefolloweth, or he may say the words 2 Cor. xiii. 14.
¶After the Benediction, the Congregation should offer silentprayer.
The Benediction.
The Lord bless thee, and keep thee.
TheLord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee.
TheLord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
¶The Congregation shall sing or say:
Amen.
Thistext was converted to text format for Project Wittenberg byChristopher M. Fincher and is in the public domain. You may freelydistribute, copy or print this text. Please direct any comments orsuggestions to:
Rev. Robert E. Smith, Concordia Theological Seminary
E-mail: [emailprotected]
Surface Mail: 6600 N. Clinton St., Ft. Wayne, IN 46825 USA
Phone: (260) 452-3149 Fax: (260) 452-2126
