Worship
History
The first creation story in Genesis tells how God made the world and filled it with creatures. The mark that distinguishes human creatures from the other creatures is that God created us for conversation with him. In his ministry, Jesus taught his followers–including us–to pray, addressing God as Father in the prayer that begins, “Our Father in heaven….”
Weekly for two millennia, since the first Easter, Christians have gathered for a great conversation called worship: to welcome new Christians through baptismal washing; to hear God’s Word; to share in the Meal of bread and wine; and to respond with prayer, praise and thanksgiving. The basics are just that–simple, but not at all simplistic.
Lutheran Christians are heirs to this two-thousand-year history of Christian worship, which itself is rooted in another thousand years of living tradition within the history of Israel, God’s chosen people.
Innovation
In addition, Lutherans have largely kept a mind open and a heart willing to embrace new expressions of faithful worship, including innovations in language, music and other artistic expressions. The basic Lutheran criterion for deciding to graft an innovation onto the great tree of tradition–to add it to the conversation–has been to ask, “Does this new expression proclaim Jesus Christ?” If the answer is “Yes!” then Lutherans have embraced the change.
Resources
- Worship in the ELCA: Web
- Ask for Prayer: Prayer Request.