lit exam

Ad orientem

“Toward the east” the orientation of the pastor facing the altar. the altar against the wall.

Alleluia

Hebrew and greek for praise the lord. a word of joy and gladness. not said from transfiguration through easter to denote penitence, it may be acompianed by the verse or the proper that precedes the gospel reading.

Amen

true certain , in response to preaching or confession of faith. most certainly true by Luther, it shall be

Doxology

word of praise, an expression of praise to God

Catholic

the universal church, word used to describe the entirety of the Christian faith

Liturgy

greek word for Public service, duties performed for the common good. in christian terms the whole service. in lutheran terms the proclamation of the gospel and sacraments are God’s service to his people.

Orans

the posture of prayer, standing with hands outstretched, lifting up receiving

Ordinary

portions of the service that remain constant week from week. the five canticles

Ordo

the latin word for order. the order of service separated by parts of succession. the printed guide or bulletin

Propers

latin for special or particular. portions of the service that change from week to week. in the divine service this includes the introit, collect, gradual and readings or lections. The Lutheran Church also changes the hymn of the day.

Rite

latin for usage or ceremony. any liturgical service. term used for special services such as the rite of holy baptism,

Rubric

latin red earth, written in red. directions for conduct or ceremonies of the service, so named as they are often printed in red to distinguish them from the word rite.

Sign of the Cross

ceremony marking of the cross encouraged by Luther in the small catechism. remembrance of baptism.

Trisagion

Trinitarian doxology from Isaiah 6 holy in succession

Versus populum

toward the people, the spatial orientation of the pastor facing liturgical west toward the altar and the congergation. free standing altars in between.

Cantor/Kantor

singer, one who leads singing in the congregation of the church. title for Lutheran Church musician.

Crucifer

cross bearer the person who carries the cross in a procession

Lector

reader, the one who reads the scriptures. formerly a rank of clergy. The Who who reads the OT and epistle sometimes he isn't ordained.

Officiant

the one who leads the liturgical rite. at a wedding or funeral daily office.

Advent

From Latin: adventus, "approach, coming." First season of the Church Year, beginning on Sunday closest to the festival of St. Andrew November 30) and concluding on December 24. Comprehends three comings of Christ: His first in the flesh, His final in glory, and His ongoing in Word and Sacrament.

All Saints’ Day

a Christian festival celebrated on November 1st in Western churches to honor all known and unknown saints

Annunciation

From Latin: annuntiatio, "to announce." Biblical event of the angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary concerning Christ's conception (Luke 1:26-38) and the feast commemorating it on March 25. The dating of Christmas (nine months later) may derive from this feast.

Ascension

Biblical event of Christ's ascension into heaven (Acts 1:1-11) and the feast commemorating it. In the Church Year, Ascension, like the event, falls forty days after Easter (always a Thursday).

Ash Wednesday

The day marking the beginning of Lent, forty days before Easter (not counting Sundays. Themes of penitence and mortality are prominent, often visually depicted by the placing of ashes on the forehead while speaking the words drawn from Genesis 3:19: "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

Church Year

Also "liturgical year" or "calendar." Division of the year marked by Sundays, seasons, and feasts observed annually by the Church. Developed over centuries, its general structure was already evident from the end of the fourth century. The first half (Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Ascension, and the Day of Pentecost) rehearses the events in the life of Christ. The second half of the year (Sundays after Pentecost/Trinity) treats the ministry of Christ, concluding with an emphasis on the end times. Functions independently of the sanctoral calendar, though significant intersections occur between the two.

Epiphany

"manifestation." The feast observed on January 6 commemorating Christ's manifestation to the Gentiles in the visit of the Magi (Matthew 2). Originally, the primary emphasis of Epiphany was on Jesus' Baptism, and it is considered a greater festival than the birth of Christ in Eastern Orthodox churches.

Easter Vigil

First service of Easter, held on Saturday night in anticipation. Dates to second century, developed further in fourth century, where it served as one of the primary occasions for Baptisms. Use revived among Lutherans in the second half of the twentieth century. The service consists of six parts: Light, Readings, Baptism, Prayer, Word, and Sacrament.

Holy Innocents

Feast on December 28 commemorating the baby boys of Bethlehem (collectively, "the holy innocents") executed by King Herod (Matthew 2).

Lectionary

Latin: lectio, "reading." A scheme of pericopes appointed for reading, giving rise to the Church Year. Also the book containing these lections.

Lent

"forty days." From German and Old English: "length-ening of days," as in spring (in the northern hemisphere). The penitential period of preparation before the celebration of Jesus' resurrection. Its forty-day duration (not counting the Sundays in Lent) begins on Ash Wednesday. Originally developed as a time of intense instruction for those making final preparations for Baptism at the Easter Vigil.

Maundy Thursday

English term: "Maundy," via Old French, from Latin: mandatum, "command." Thursday of Holy Week and, by extension, the first service of the Triduum held on the evening of that night. The term "Maundy" references Jesus' words in the Holy Gospel appointed for the day from John 13:34: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another" In Latin: known as de coena Domini, "of the Lord's Supper"; in German: Gründonnerstag,"green Thursday."

“O” Antiphons

appointed for the Magnificat at Vespers on the days leading up to Christmas (December 17-23). Developed in the eighth century, each is addressed to Christ using an Old Testament image: O Wisdom, O Adonai, O Root of Jesse, O Key of David, O Dayspring, O King of the nations, O Emmanuel. The antiphons are also reflected in the hymn "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" (LSB 357).

Octave

The day one week from any Sunday or feast. Also the liturgical week (eight days) that falls between them. The propers appointed for an octave often bear a relation to their primary feast or Sunday. In other cases, octaves have become or been displaced by their own feast (e.g., Holy Trinity displacing the octave of Pentecost). In the Roman Church, octaves have been largely suppressed since the revision of Pius XII in 1955.

Passion Sunday

Historically and in the one-year lectionary, Judica (Fifth Sunday in Lent). The beginning of Passiontide, in which the propers shift from the Lenten focus on spiritual warfare toward the suffering and trials of Christ.

Traditionally marked by setting aside the Gloria Patri in the Introit (Divine Service) and the responsories (Daily Office) and veiling crucifixes and images.

See Sunday of the Passion.

Pentecost

"fifty." Also Whitsunday. In the Christian Church, the feast commemorating the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples (Acts 2), which coincided with the Jewish feast of the same name, a harvest celebration fifty days after Passover. The Day of Pentecost is the culmination of the Great Fifty Days of Easter.

Pericope

"a cutting around." A liturgical selection from Holy Scripture to be read in a service. Since the eighth century, these have been gathered together in lectionaries containing the pericopes appointed for each Sunday or feast.

Reproaches

Liturgical questions spoken in persona Christi at the Chief Service of Good Friday. Drawn from Micah 6 and the history of the Old Testament. The Reproaches pose the rhetorical question from Christ "What have I done to you?" speaking in light of the Old Testament, together with the Church's response in the Trisagion, imploring mercy. In Lutheran usage, the hymn "Lamb of God, Pure and Holy" (LSB 434) has also been interpolated as a congregational response to provide an evangelical perspective. The Reproaches conclude with the Latin hymn Crux fidelis, "faithful cross" (LSB 454).

Revised Common Lectionary

From Latin: lectio, "reading." A scheme of pericopes appointed for reading, giving rise to the Church Year. Also the book containing these lections.

is a lectionary of readings or pericopes from the Bible for use in Christian worship, making provision for the liturgical year with its pattern of observances of festivals and seasons. It was preceded by the Common Lectionary, assembled in 1983,

Tenebrae

of darkness. Historically designates the Matins services of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday featuring the Lamentations of Jeremiah and responsories. Now used generally to refer to a Good Friday evening service of the Word at which candles are extinguished until the church is in near total darkness.

Triduum

"three days." The services spanning Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday that are counted liturgically as one service in three parts. With a nod to Hebrew reckoning, the Three Days began at sundown on Maundy Thursday and culminated with the Easter Vigil on the evening of Saturday, which historically ran into Sunday morning, thus encompassing Sunday.

Absolution

Latin: absolvere,"to loosen, set free," i.e., "forgive." The pastor pronounces God's forgiveness either in a direct form ("I absolve/forgive you") or in a declarative form ("God forgives you all your sins"). Pronounced generally in the Divine Service, individually in private (LSB 292-293).

Antiphon

"something sounding in response." A refrain-like verse that begins and concludes a psalm or canticle Sometimes also interspersed within a psalm.

Apostles’ Creed

Shortest of the three Ecumenical Creeds. Named for medieval (legend-ary belief that each apostle wrote a phrase, it nevertheless faithfully summarizes the apostolic teaching of Holy Scripture. Origins date to second-century statements of faith confessed with Baptism, remains in use at baptism, sometimes in the Divine Service, and especially in private devotion.

Athanasian Creed

Longest of the three Ecumenical (i.e., universally accepted) Creeds. See LSB 319-320. Probably originated around AD 500 and is therefore honorific to the teaching of St. Athanasius, the staunch, fourth-century opponent of Arianism. In two sections, concerning the Trinity and the incarnation.

Collect of the Day

The collect specifically appointed for each Sunday, feast, or other observance. In the Divine Service, used before the readings. In the Daily Office, the Collect of the Day is said first in the prayers, followed by others.

Divine Service

Gottesdienst, lit., "service of God." The general term for Christian worship and its services in the Lutheran Church. Now used specifically to refer to a service with Holy Communion (formerly Hauptgottesdienst, "Chief Divine Service") as distinguished from the services of the Daily Office. In English, the term is preferred over the term "worship" service because it describes both God's service to us in the Gospel and Sacraments and our sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise in response.

Doxology

"word of praise." Generally, any expression of praise to God, especially a trinitarian formulation. Specifically, the Gloria Patri ("Glory be to the Father and to the Son..."), used to conclude psalms and canticles. By extension, a concluding "doxological" stanza in hymns that acts as a metered gloria part

Epistle

"letter" Liturgically, the reading that precedes the Gospel, usually taken from the twenty-two Epistles in the New Testament. Formerly applied indiscriminately to the first (of two readings at the Divine Service regardless of its source. With the inclusion of an Old Testament reading, the Epistle is second and always from the Epistles.

Gradual

gradus, "step." Proper of the Divine Service, a selection of psalm or other verses historically sung between the Epistle and Gospel. Also the musical book containing the Graduals and other propers for the choir. Named for the step of the lectern from which the Gradual was traditionally sung. Where an Old Testament lection is used, the Gradual is often said before the Epistle, separate from the Alleluia Verse or Tract.

Gloria in excelsis

"glory in the highest." Ordinary in the Divine Service, the canticle sung following the Kyrie. Originated as a morning hymn in the Eastern Church in the fourth century. Entered the Western Church much later. Omitted in penitential seasons and often on regular weekday Divine Services.

Gloria Patri

"glory to the Father." Ascription of praise, often appended to psalms and other liturgical texts. Entered into use during the fourth century as a confession against trinitarian heresies. Common tradition is to bow through the word "Spirit."

Introit

"entering." Proper of the Divine Service consisting of antiphon, psalm, Gloria Patri, and repeated antiphon. Historically, the beginning of the Divine Service proper. In the Early Church, a whole psalm was sung; the Gregorian reforms shortened it to a single verse.

Invocation

"inviting." The versicle and response (or "respond" that serves as an antiphon for the Venite. Proper invitatories are given according to the season. The response "O come, let us worship Him" is invariable.

Holy Gospel

Liturgically, the reading in the Divine Service from one of the four evangelists. The words of Christ are read last, the place of prominence. It is customary to stand for the Holy Gospel in the Divine Service (in contrast to the offices, where no distinction among readings is made). A Gospel procession may be used, especially on high festivals.

Homily

"discourse." A sermon on a biblical text. There is no significant

distinction between a homily and a sermon.

Kyrie eleison

"Lord, have mercy." The foundational Christian prayer drawn from the Gospels (e.g., the ten lepers in Luke 17, blind Bartimaeus in Mark 10, etc.). Liturgically, functions as an expansive prayer for mercy and secondarily as a confession of sin. In the Divine Service, an Ordinary following the Introit. In the Daily Office, the beginning of the prayers. A litany can be seen as an extended trope on the Kyrie.

Nicene Creed

Issued in AD 325 at a council of bishops (pastors) in Nicaea as a defense against the false teaching known as Arianism, which taught that Jesus was not true God. Expanded at the Council of Constantinople in AD 381 to include a more complete confession concerning the Spirit's divinity, it reached its final form at the Council of Chalcedon in AD 451. Said in the Divine Service on Sundays and feasts in the West since the eleventh century.

Salutation

"greeting." Liturgical versicle by which the pastor blesses the people:

"The Lord be with you." The traditional response, "And with your spirit," acknowledges that this blessing is spoken by the Lord's servant. The Salutation occurs before the Collect of the Day and at the beginning of the Preface (and also near the end of the service in Setting Three. Also said when an ordained minister conducts the Daily Office.

Tract

The proper that precedes the Holy Gospel in Pre-Lent and Lent, displacing the Verse. Usually comprised of multiple psalm verses and always without alleluias. In the three-year lectionary, a Verse without alleluias is used.

Verse

Generally, a line of poetry in a psalm or hymn. Liturgically, a biblical text sung prior to and in anticipation of the Holy Gospel. Except during Lent, the Verse is preceded and followed by the singing of alleluias. Individual proper Verses are appointed for each Sunday and festival; a general Verse is provided for use throughout the year in Settings One, Two, and Four.

Aaronic Benediction

"The Lord bless you and keep you," etc. "Aaronic" because God commanded Moses to give this blessing to his brother, Aaron, to speak to the people. In Lutheran usage, pronounced at the conclusion of the Divine Service.

Agnus Dei

"Lamb of God." Ordinary in the Divine Service, the canticle sung after the consecration as the distribution begins. Drawn from the words of John the Baptist (John 1:29). In the context of the Communion rite, a prayer to Christ present in His body and blood to have mercy and grant peace.

Credence

A small table located inside the chancel. Holds vessels needed for the Lord's Supper, additional bread and wine, and sometimes offering plates

Eucharist

"thanksgiving." One of the many terms for the Lord's Supper, it arises from the Lord's own giving thanks (Luke 22:19) and the thanksgiving surrounding it in the Service of the Sacrament. The term "eucharistic" indicates "of or pertaining to the Lord's Supper" or its service.

Hosanna

"save now." A plea to God our king to have mercy on us and save us from our lost condition. An acclamation on Palm Sunday and repeated as part of the Sanctus.

Mass

"go, [the congregation] is dismissed." One of the names for the service of Word and Sacrament. The term is found in Luther and the Lutheran Confessions (German: Messe) but is less common in English-speaking Lutheranism.

Nunc Dimittis

"now dismiss" Canticle of Simeon, sung as he held the forty-day-old Jesus at His presentation (Luke 2:22-35). Historically appointed at Compline, sometimes drawn into a single service of Evening Prayer (see Evensong). Its placement in the Divine Service following the distribution is unique to the Lutheran Church.

Pax Domini

"peace of the Lord." Blessing before the distribution with the words "The peace of the Lord be with you always. Often accompanied by an elevation. In LSB, the response "Amen" comprehends the Pax Domini not as a variant Salutation but a blessing commending Christ's body and blood to the congregation.

Preface

"introduction, preamble." Also sursum corda; Latin: lit., up, hearts." The dialogue that begins the Service of the Sacrament. Begins with the Salutation followed by two other pairs of versicles. Dates to the early third century, making it one of the oldest portions of the Western rite.

Sanctus

"holy." Ordinary in the Divine Service, the canticle sung in the Service of the Sacrament. Drawn from the song of the angels in Isaiah 6:3. See Benedictus qui venit; Trisagion.

Verba

"words." Also v. Domini, "Words of Our Lord"; v. tes- tamenti, "Words of the New Testament". › V. Christi, "Words of Christ": v. institutionis, "Words of Institution." Short for any of the above, "the Verba" is a technical term referring to the Words of Christ's institution of the Lord's Supper used in the consecration.

Versicle

"little verse." Usually a single couplet from a psalm, said responsively by half verse. Versicles appear at the beginning of a service (e.g., Matins and Vespers, special rites of dedication, etc.) or before collects (e.g., after the Litany. See preces; invitatory.

Alb

"white." Liturgical vestment worn by a pastor with cincture, stole, and often chasuble. Traditionally donned over the head, modern styles feature an overlapping front, fastened at the shoulder. In recent LMS practice, the standard vestment, especially for the Divine Service.

Amice

"scarf." A square or rectangular piece of cloth laid over the shoulders in the shape of a collar. Worn underneath alb, stole, and chasuble to protect costly garments from perspiration from the minster's neck.

Cassock

"coat." A full-length, black garment worn under other vest-ments. Formerly a form of clerical street dress, thus, not worn alone in the conduct of a service. The cassock with the surplice (and often stole) is usually worn for conducting services without Holy Communion. Acolytes and choir members are commonly vested in a cassock together with surplice or cotta.

Chasuble

"little house." A loose-fitting, poncho-like vestment in the color of the day worn by the celebrant at the celebration of the Lord's Supper.

Cope

A hooded (often stylized) cape worn over other vestments (alb or cassock and surplice), properly in processions, especially out of doors. Sometimes in the color of the season, held together by a large clasp beneath the neck.

Stole

"clothing, garment." A scarf-like fabric usually crafted in the color of the day or season, often bearing symbols appropriate to the day or season. It is worn over the shoulders of those ordained to the pastoral office. A deacon's stole is designed to be worn over the left shoulder. Worn under a chasuble at the Divine Service. Recently worn over cassock and surplice at the Daily Office.

Surplice

A loose-fitting, white vestment worn over a cassock (a fitted vestment usually in black). It developed from the alb in order to fit over bulky wool coats in northern Europe. Frequently worn at services of the Daily Office (Matins, Vespers, etc.), recently with a stole. Other assistants (e.g., acolytes) and choir members are often vested in cassock and surplice.

Tippet

In the Anglican tradition, this stole-like vestment is worn by an ordained minister who is preaching in a non-eucharistic service. The tippet is always black.

Vestments

"garment." Clothing worn by a minister with his assistants. Vestments indicate office in and service to the Church. Vestments were prescribed in the Old Testament, used in Christian freedom in the New Testament. Though many traditional vestments have their origin in street or court clothing, their purpose has become that of a uniform, drawing attention away from the individual's person and fashion and toward their service for the benefit of the congregation.

Alternatim praxis

"alternation practice." An outgrowth of antiphonal chant, the practice of dividing a hymn or other liturgical piece between contrasting musical forces. In the late Middle Ages, can describe the alternation between Latin sequences and vernacular hymns. In the Renaissance, hymns and canticles were often divided (by stanza or verse, respectively) between combinations of unison congregation, choir, and organ settings.

Chanting

"to sing." In musical performance, a method of singing unmetered text. Distinguished from hymns and other music in that the natural rhythm of speech determines the rhythm of the music. Lections, collects, and other parts of the rite may be chanted on a single note or using musical formulas. Psalms are chanted to set tones

Concertato

From the so-called "concerted style" in Renaissance music, in modern usage, a hymn-based composition that brings together contrasting musical forces of congregation, choir, and instruments.

Meter

"measure" In poetry, patterns of syllabic accent; in hymnody, refers to the number of syllables in each line of a stanza. Standard meters: Short Meter-SM (66 86), Common Meter-CM (86 86), and Long Meter-LM (88 88). Other frequent meters include 76 76 D, 87 87 D, and especially during the Reformation) 87 87 887. The letter "D" following a meter indicates that the hymn meters is found at LSB 1007-1012.) meter is "doubled," meaning that the same meter occurs twice.

Isorhythmic

Describes the change in Lutheran chorales that occurred after the sixteenth century in which the original, polyrhythmic versions of the melodies were evened out with all of the note values more or less the same. Based on the efforts of Fridrich Layriz and others, C. F. W. Walther led the way in the Missouri Synod for a return to the rhythmic versions.

Stanza

A grouped set of lines within a poem, often metered. In hymnody,

the proper designation for the major divisions of a hymn.

Verse

Generally, a line of poetry in a psalm or hymn. Liturgically, a biblical text sung prior to and in anticipation of the Holy Gospel. Except during Lent, the Verse is preceded and followed by the singing of alleluias. Individual proper Verses are appointed for each Sunday and festival; a general Verse is provided for use throughout the year in Settings One, Two, and Four. See Alleluia.

Altar

Raised structure for sacrifice found in many ancient religions. In the Old Testament, place for burning offerings. In Christian usage. the altar is itself a symbol of Christ (it is "vested" with paraments and typically is marked with Christian symbols including five crosses for the wounds of Christ. Place of consecration and distribution of the Lord's Supper in the Divine Service. By extension, the focal point of the congregation and pastor for offering prayers in all services, though the offices may be conducted without any reference to the altar.

Ambo

A raised platform with reading desk. Used for both reading and preaching, thus providing a unified place for the proclamation of the Word.

Chancel

"bars of latticework." The section of a church building beyond the nave. In the Middle Ages, separated from the nave by a screen. Sometimes used synonymously with sanctuary.

Lectern

"to read"; Late Latin: lectrum. Reading stand from which the Word of God is read. In some churches, highly ornamented, though usually less so than the pulpit.

Narthex

"cane, scourge." An entryway or gathering room that leads into a church. Name may derive from its origin as the court of the penitents.

Nave

"ship." In church architecture, the main section of a church where the congregation gathers. Term arose from the ship-like appearance of early naves and possibly the understanding of the Church as the ark of salvation (1 Peter 3:20-21). In medieval design, the nave was quite far removed from the altar at the east apse.

Predella

"platform." The raised area in the chancel upon which the altar rests. Usually raised a step or more.

Sanctuary

"holy place." Properly, the area surrounding the altar, often enclosed by a rail. Often used interchangeably with chancel, both being distinct from the nave. Sometimes used to refer to an entire church worship space to distinguish it from the remaining campus used for other purposes

Sedilia

"seat." The chairs in the chancel for the officiants and others who are serving. In the Daily Office, the officiant may conduct the entire service from this location.

Baptismal Garment

"christening gown." White garment placed on the newly baptized. Symbolic of the righteousness of Christ with which the baptized have been clothed (Galatians 3:27). In ancient practice, a full robe to cover those immersed (without clothes); in recent tradition, often ornate and handed down across multiple generations. See funeral pall.

Chalice

"cup." A cup often made of precious metals for the distribution of Christ's blood in the Sacrament of the Altar.

Ciborium

"vessel containing food." Vessel to hold Communion hosts. Distinguished from chalice by its lid. Hosts are usually transferred to a paten for distribution. See pyx.