The Language (Vocabulary) of Christian Worship

Font

The place for baptism, sometimes designed with eight sides signifying the Octave of Easter and, therefore, the connection between Easter and baptism.

Baptism shell

An actual shell or one made of precious metal for pouring the water.

Baptism ewer

A small pitcher used to pour water into the font bowl.

Paten

A small plate used for the distribution of the Host.

Host

Bread (wafer) used in Holy Communion.

Host Box

A small box, usually made of precious metal, for storing the hosts on the altar.

Pyx

The same as the Host Box.

Ciborium

In the same shape as the chalice but with a cover, it has the same function as the Host box.

Chalice

The cup used for the distribution of wine in Holy Communion.

Cruet

A glass decanter used to store the wine on the altar.

Flagon

A larger pitcher made of a precious metal used to store the wine on the altar.

Corporal

A linen cloth, often 12" by 18", on which the communion vessels are placed on the altar.

Veil

A large linen cloth that covers the communion vessels on the altar.

Purificator

A small linen napkin used to clean the chalice during the distribution.

Alb

A plain white garment considered to be the historic vestment for Christian worship.

Cincture

A cloth rope that may be worn at the waist with an alb.

Stole

Matching the liturgical color of the day, this yoke-like garment is the symbol of ordination and the pastoral office.

Chasuble

A poncho-like garment worn by the presiding minister at a service with Holy Communion.

Cassock

A form-fitting black garment often worn under a surplice which may also be worn without the surplice on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Surplice

A stylized version of an alb worn over a cassock.

Pulpit robe

A typical black robe, also known as a black Geneva, which in some places of WELS is still the standard vestment.

Geneva robe

A black robe so named because the practice in Calvin's Geneva was to wear standard street clothes and not the historic vestments at worship.

Academic robe

A pulpit robe adorned with academic paraphernalia.

Pectoral Cross

A cross worn by a minister over his vestment at about chest level.

Nave

The place for the people in a church building (navis - ship).

Chancel

The place in which the altar and ambo (and sometimes the font) are positioned.

Sanctuary

Often used to describe the church as opposed to the narthex or educational wing; also used to speak of the chancel.

Sacristy

A room near the chancel where the ministers prepare for worship.

Working sacristy

A room near the chancel where worship materials are prepared and stored.

Vestry

Some use this word to describe either of the above.

Narthex

A foyer that divides the church entrance from the nave.

Gathering Space

A larger space that divides the entrance from the nave but also functions as a congregation's 'living room.'

Transept

In a cross-shaped church, the 'arms' of the nave.

Choir

A place in or near the chancel in which the choir sings, usually in pew sections facing each other perpendicular to the altar.

Altar

Symbolizing the presence of God, the Sacrifice of Christ, and the Communion Table, the altar is the focal point of the chancel and is made of wood or stone.

Mensa

The top of the altar.

Reredos

The back of the altar, rising above the altar and accentuating its central position.

Missal stand

The rack on which the altar books rests (RCC altar book is the Missal or Mass Book).

Ambo

Raised 'above' worshipers for ease in seeing and hearing, the ambo is the historic and now restored place for the reading and preaching of the Word.

Pulpit

The traditional word for the place for preaching.

Lectern

The traditional word for the place to read.

Reading desk

The same as a lectern.

Prie dieu

A kneeling bench for clergy (pray dough).

Crucifix

A cross with a corpus.

Corpus

The body of Jesus in wood or precious metals.

Eternal light

Oil burning light that hangs above the chancel symbolizing the presence of Christ.

Paschal Candle

A large candle placed on a large base lit during the Easter Season and for Holy Baptism and Christian Funeral.

Credence Table

A shelf in the chancel on which communion vessels or offering plates may be placed when not in use.

Paraments

Richly designed fabrics that hang from the altar and ambo (and the stole) displaying the liturgical colors and Christian symbols.

Fair linen

A large linen placed on top of the mensa (i.e., the top of the altar).

Piscina

A sink that drains to a bed of gravel in which the chalice wine leftover from Holy Communion is poured.

Acolyte

A person, often a young boy or girl, who lights the altar candles and may carry a torch in the Service of Light (Evening Prayer).

Lector

A man who reads the Scripture Lessons who is not the presiding minister.

Processional cross

A cross with a long staff carried in processions.

Processional torch

A large candle with a long staff carried in processions.

Crucifer

The person who carries the processional cross.

Torchbearer

The person who carries a processional torch.

Incense

Purchased at liturgical supply stores, incense is used by some Lutherans in Evening Prayer and Compline as a symbol for prayer.

Censer

The small pot in which the charcoal and incense are placed and burn.

Thurible

A censor on a chain for carrying.

Thurifer

The person who carries and uses the thurible.

Funeral pall

A large linen cloth that covers a casket in a Christian Funeral.

Gospel Book

An ornately decorated book in which a copy of the four Gospels is kept.

Gospel Procession

A procession in which the Gospel Book is carried to the midst of the congregation and read among the people (cf. Matthew 18:20).

Lectionary

A book containing (or a list of) the lessons appointed for the Sundays and festivals of the Christian year.

Agenda

A book containing the usual rites of a church body (Occasional Services).

Daily Office

A set of daily services with its roots in the monastery.

Matins

The main morning service of the Daily Office (Morning Praise).

Vespers

The main evening service of the Daily Office (Evening Prayer).

Compline

The last service of the Daily Office (Prayer at the Close of Day).

Minor festival

Days commemorating less important events in Jesus' early life, the lives of the apostles, and notable events in the history of the Church.

Ordinary

A set of five song texts that form the skeleton of the liturgy: Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei.

Proper

A set of readings, psalms, prayers, and hymns that match the focus of the day's Gospel and change according to the church year.

Rubric

Instructions for conducting and participating in worship.

Sunday of the Passion

The Sunday before Easter on which the Scriptures of the Lord's Passion were first read in Christian churches, replaced in WELS with Palm Sunday.

Tenebrae

A service of darkness on Good Friday.

Triduum

The time between 6:00 p.m. on Maundy Thursday until 6:00 p.m. on Easter Sunday encompassing the events in the Savior's life from the Institution of the Meal on Thursday to his appearance to the Emmaus disciples on Easter Sunday.

Easter Vigil

The culmination of the ancient Catechumenate, this service offered baptism to new Christians and focused on the connection between baptism and Easter.