Christian Worship Vocabulary

Font

The place for baptism, often with eight sides signifying the Octave of Easter and the connection between Easter and baptism

Baptism shell

An actual or precious metal shell used for pouring water during baptism

Baptism ewer

A small pitcher used to pour water into the font bowl during baptism

Paten

A small plate used for distributing the Host during Holy Communion

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

A container used for carrying the consecrated Host

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 distributing the wine in Holy Communion

Cruet

A glass decanter used to store the wine on the altar

Flagon

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

Corporal

A linen cloth (often 12"x18") on which the communion vessels are placed on the altar

Veil

A large linen cloth covering 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 worn at the waist with an alb

Stole

A yoke-like garment matching the liturgical color of the day, symbolizing 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, also 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, still the standard vestment in some places of WELS

Geneva robe

A black robe named after Calvin's Geneva, where standard street clothes were worn 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, symbolized as the ship

Chancel

The place in which the altar, ambo, and sometimes the font are positioned

Sanctuary

Describes the church as opposed to 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

Narthex

A foyer dividing the church entrance from the nave

Gathering Space

A larger space dividing the entrance from the nave, functioning 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 Ark of the Covenant and the Communion Table, the focal point of the chancel made of wood or stone

Mensa

The top of the altar

Reredos

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

Missal stand

The rack on which the altar books rest, such as the Missal or Mass Book

Ambo

The historic and restored place for the reading and preaching of the Word, raised "above" worshipers for ease in seeing and hearing

Pulpit

The traditional place for preaching

Lectern

The traditional place for reading, also known as the reading desk

Prie dieu

A kneeling bench for clergy

Crucifix

A cross with a corpus

Eternal light

Oil burning lights above the chancel symbolizing the presence of Christ

Paschal Candle

A large candle placed on a base, lighted 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 hanging from the altar and ambo, displaying 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 draining 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, 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

Torch bearer

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 Christian Funeral

Gospel Book

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

Gospel Procession

A procession in which the Gospel Book is carried to the midst of the congregation and read among the people

Lectionary

A book containing 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 festivals

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 forming 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 Catechuminate, offering baptism to new Christians and focusing on the connection between baptism and Easter

Vestry

Sacristy or working sacristy

Corpus

The body of Jesus in wood or precious metals