The Lutheral Liturgy, Part 5: The Communion

For newcomers, I’ve been writing a series of posts on the Lutheran Liturgy as found in the 1958 Service Book & Hymnal, filling it in with other liturgical-related posts.  I’m learning much in the process, and will probably continue to explore the origins, progression and meaning of liturgical worship.  I will probably even dig out a rather large book called The Lutheran Liturgy that was given to me many years ago, and which has looked good on my shelf ever since.

In keeping with the earliest known liturgies (which date back to the Apostles themselves, according to tradition), the Lutheran liturgy is in 2 parts: The Liturgy of the Word, which I’ve covered in the first 4 posts, and the Liturgy of The Communion, which begins with The Thanksgiving, which is generally sung:

The Lord by with you
And with thy spirit.
Lift up your hears.
We life them up unto the Lord.
Let us give thanks unto the Lord our God.
It is meet and right so to do.

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:

Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee, and saying:

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabbaoth;
Heaven and earth are full of they glory;
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord;
Hosanna in the highest.

Then, the Pastor recites the Words of Institution (1 Cor. 11:22-25).  It is interesting that this, indeed, appears to be a part of the liturgy in use in the 1st Century.  This is followed by the Lord’s Prayer, concluding with:

The peace of the Lord be with you alway.
And with thy spirit.

Then the Angus Dei is sung:

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

Hymns are sung during communion, then the Nunc Dimittis is sung:

Lord, now lettest they servant depart in peace:
according to thy word;
For min eyes have seen thy salvation:
which thou hast prepared vefore the face of all people;
A light to lighten the Gentiles:
and the glory of they people Israel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost:
As it was in the the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end, Amen.

“Then shall be said the prayer.”

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

And his mercy endures forever.

We give thanks to thee, Almighty God, that thou hast refreshed us with this thy salutary gift; and we beseech thee, of they mercy , to strengthen us through the same gift, 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, one God, world without end.

Amen.

The Lord be with you.
And with thy spirit.
Bless we the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Then the pastor says or sings the Benediction:

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee.
The Lord make his face shine upon thee
and  gracious unto thee.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee,
and give thee peace.

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

Amen, Amen, Amen.

A recessional hymn is sung, and we go home, or to Grandma’s for lunch.

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