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The Value of the Liturgy: A Convert’s View

July 10th, 2008
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Matins

Here is a well written summary of how the Lutheran liturgy is a blessing to those coming in to our congregations from churches that either are non-liturgical or who have moved away from it. This is written by Mr. James Blasius. He is happy to grant permission to reproduce this for anyone who finds it helpful.

I grew up in a fine Presbyterian church – a good church, excepting for the Sunday school unit on higher criticism that traumatized me. But one thing of which the Presbyterians never had much, and now have
less is the liturgy. And liturgy is something I desperately wanted. I
didn’t know it’s what I wanted, but I loved the few times we’d do
responsive readings from the Psalms, the doxologies, and so on.

As
a nouveau Lutheran (vs. an Old Lutheran, who would have the catechism memorized, would know the colors of the church year, and would know the
difference between Matins and, um, not-Matins), I may yet have some
insights on the liturgy that those who have lived with it don’t: A poor
man might have a greater appreciation for the marvel that is clean tap
water than a rich man.

  1. The liturgy is memorable. I love confession and absolution, and
    miss it terribly when the service doesn’t have it. Because I can
    remember so much of the liturgy, the confession rolls off my lips any
    time I am reminded of my sinfulness (although I don’t typically absolve
    myself). The words are concise, essential, complete, scriptural. And
    there are the songs, praise, thanksgiving, doctrine. These appear on
    the tip of my tongue at appropriate or inappropriate moments. It gives
    me a wider repertoire than I had as a child, where our regular service
    component was limited to a doxology and a benediction.
  2. It’s Biblical. The Lutheran Service Book has nice scriptural references next to each
    part of the liturgy, and Christians love to hear the words of
    scripture. They dig it. Scripture makes ‘em want to dance in their
    underwear (well, an ephod) as the ark did for David. In a world where a
    standard church reading is one verse, being surrounded by scripture
    throughout the service is A Good Thing.
  3. It’s participatory. Try going to a service where your only participation is to sing a hymn, or worse, just sit there and listen to a person with a microphone on a stage.
    It’s better to be able to have a role and speak the words of scripture
    as part of the body of Christ. Our society is oriented towards the
    individual, but the church is a body with each part doing working
    together. Somehow liturgy makes that real.
  4. It unites us with Christians of all times and places. Liturgy unifies us only with the Christians next to us, but
    with the larger church in “all times and places.” The liturgy is
    similar to what was done 1000 years ago and 1900 years ago, and the
    singing of psalms goes back to David’s day. Another way to look at it:
    In New Testament days, there were no pastors driving up the aisles on
    Harleys and there were no swaying dancers in church, but there was most
    certainly the singing of the scriptures, there were doxologies and Scripturally meaningful songs of praise.
  5. It’s musical. Music means something to us that’s
    different from prose. The Psalms have been sung since they were first
    written: David, in addition to dancing before the ark, was singing and
    making music with Israel when the ark was being brought to Jerusalem,
    and Paul writes in Ephesians 5 about “addressing one another in  psalms
    and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord
    with your heart.” And music is beautiful. There is value in it, and
    liturgical services are brimming with it.
  6. It’s a wonderful vehicle for the Sacraments. I think of it like wrapping on a gift. It beautifies the Lord’s gifts coming to us through Word and Sacraments and underscores and highlights what we believe, teach and confess about the means of grace: God acting among us and for us. Reverent, holy, sacred, a place and  time set-apart—that’s why the liturgy is a great delivery-system for the Sacraments.

One can have a good church without a good liturgy, but good liturgy
is an excellent tool for worship and the Christian life. I’d put it as
second in importance only to sound doctrine, in my opinion, for it supports and enhances the teaching of God’s Word.

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Categories: Convert's Stories
  1. July 11th, 2008 at 05:15 | #1

    Amen! I love the liturgy so much!

  2. July 11th, 2008 at 08:31 | #2

    a nouveau Lutheran (vs. an Old Lutheran, who would have the catechism memorized, would know the colors of the church year, and would know the difference between Matins and, um, not-Matins
    There are plenty of us Old Lutheran (aka “Lifers”) who are learning to appreciate the treasures of the historic liturgy right along with the “nouveau Lutherans.” I grew up with some of the items in Mr. Blasius’ list, but not all.
    To his list I would add: The liturgy is of unmeasurable worth when teaching the faith to small children, singing the Word right into their little hearts (and mine, too.)
    -Jenny Jordan

  3. George A. Marquart
    July 11th, 2008 at 11:28 | #3

    May I suggest that there is something missing from Mr. Blasius’ list? Even we Lutherans sometimes don’t think about it: the Liturgy is pure Gospel! That is why the heart rejoices when the first words are spoken. Without the Gospel, liturgy becomes empty ritual.
    [[McCain: I understand what you wish to be saying here, but your assertion is not correct. The liturgy contains very strong words of Law by which we are led to be reminded of our sin. So it is not correct to say it is "pure Gospel." I think we can definitely agree that it is pure "Word of God" though, made our words, which we speak back to God.]]

  4. July 11th, 2008 at 23:53 | #4

    Pr. Paul,
    The liturgy contains very strong words of Law by which we are led to be reminded of our sin. So it is not correct to say it is “pure Gospel.”
    This is when you are at your best. I so appreciate your insights here. Very useful, very good.
    Cheers,
    LPC

  5. Rev. Allen Bergstrazer
    July 15th, 2008 at 10:38 | #5

    “The liturgy is of unmeasurable worth when teaching the faith to children..” Yes indeed. How many children who are brought to happy clappy services will remember when they are old and gray and on a resperator in the hospital that which was created the on the word processors of their youth and disgarded for the next trend?
    The same people (my generation) who complained of the mindless repetition and sheer boredom of page 5 and 15 many years ago still have the blessed liturgy in their heads and hearts. Out of selfishness we chose to deny our children and grandchildren the same gift, the same deep memory of God serving us.

  6. Anonymous
    July 17th, 2008 at 13:15 | #6

    Dear Pr. McCain,
    Is the last paragraph your words or his?
    C. Hoff

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