History of Church Worship

1st Century Worship (probable)

  1. Reading of Scripture
  2. Preaching/Teaching
  3. Psalms/Hymns
  4. Prayer of Blessing (consecration)  Congregation: Amen
  5. Eucharistic meal
  6. Psalms/Hymns

2nd Century (150 A.D.)  Justin Martyr  "First Aplogy"

Every Sunday

Easter

Scripture - Old Testament/Apostolic Baptism
Sermon on Lessons  
Intercessory Prayer Intercessory Prayer
Kiss of Peace Kiss of Peace
Offertory Offertory
Eucharistic Prayer (extemporaneous)
C: Amen
Eucharistic Prayer 
C: Amen
Distribution of the Sacrament Distribution of the Sacrament
departure* departure*
*Elements left over were taken to the absent.  As people left, they contributed what they could for widows, orphans and needy.

3rd Century (215 A.D.)  Hippolytus  "Apostolic Tradition"

Easter

  1. Baptism
  2. Confirmation
  3. Intercessory Prayer
  4. Kiss of Peace
  5. Offertory
  6. Eucharistic Prayer  C: Amen
  7. Breaking of Bread (Fraction)
  8. Distribution (standing)

Roman Rite  (ca 900 A.D.)  (austere)

  1. Introit Psalm - procession
  2. Kyrie Elesion
  3. Gloria in Excelsis (int. prayer)
  4. Scripture lessons - Epistle
  5. Gradual
  6. Scripture Lessons - Gospel
  7. Sermon (no creed until 1014 A.D.)
  8. Offertory¹...elements arrived
  9. Salutation
  10. Sursum Corda (Lift up your hearts)
  11. Preface
  12. Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy)
  13. Benedictus qui Veni (Blessed is he)
  14. Eucharistic Prayer¹
  15. Lord's Prayer
  16. Breaking of Bread
  17. Kiss of peace
  18. Agnus Dei
  19. Distribution
  20. Collect
  21. Dismissal "Go - you are dismissed"

¹Luther changed drastically


The Lutheran Hymnal - 1941  P. 15

  1. Hymn
  2. Confession of Sins
  3. Absolution
  4. Introit
  5. Gloria Patri
  6. Kyrie
  7. Gloria in Excelsis
  8. Salutation
  9. Collect
  10. Lessons - Epistle
  11. Gradual
  12. Lessons - Gospel
  13. The Nicene Creed
  14. The Sermon
  15. The Offertory
  16. The Prayers
  17. The Preface
  18. The Sanctus
  19. The Lord's Prayer
  20. Words of Institution
  21. Pax Domini
  22. The Agnus Dei
  23. The Distribution
  24. The Nunc Dimittis
  25. The Thanksgiving
  26. The Benediction

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Revised: 09 Jan 2005 04:16:59 -0000 .