Worship Matters

Hey Pastor, why do some Lutheran churches eliminate parts of the liturgy?

I’m so glad you asked!  The liturgy is the worship of God’s gathered people, and the Lutheran tradition (which is really the Christian tradition) goes back to the earliest record of Christian worship.  Although it has always followed the same order and contained the same elements, Lutheran liturgy is flexible so that it can be modified to meet the needs of the season or setting or situation.  For example, during Lent it is inappropriate to sing the Hymn of Praise (the longer liturgical hymn near the beginning of the service) and we do our best to avoid singing “alleluia” until Palm Sunday.  Changes like this and the colors of the paraments cause us to notice that something is different when the seasons change. 
Other changes might include:

• the elimination of the confession during the most festive seasons of the year, Christmas and Easter
• the elimination of the Kyrie (the first shorter liturgical hymn at the beginning of the service)
• the substitution of any liturgical part of the service for another appropriate piece of music
• switching between the Apostle’s Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds or the elimination of the Creed altogether for a period of time

All this may be confusing to the untrained worshiper but Joan and I know what we are doing and we will never lead you astray.  The only thing that really matters is that our worship has integrity.  Jesus said, “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23)  This is really what is at the heart of worship.  Only you can bring this.
During the summer we return to what our latest hymnal calls, Setting 10, an easier to sing, hymn based liturgy that dispenses with the Kyrie.  Relax, enjoy, worship the Lord your God.