Two Services Honoring a Father of the Church: John Calvin and Martin Luther
Worship
AT ALL TIMES AND IN ALL PLACES
FIFTEEN READY-TO-USE SPECIAL OCCASION WORSHIP SERVICES FROM CHRISTIAN HISTORY AND TRADITION
Background to John Calvin's Liturgical Emphasis
John Calvin was one of the major Protestant reformers. Unlike Luther, Calvin had never been a priest and was quick to denounce the Mass because he felt it consisted of "magical mumblings" and too great an emphasis on human ways and traditions. Calvin sought to model worship on the simplicity of the early church, at least the church before the rise of Papacy. He felt the Scriptures provided that foundation.
Calvin's approach to worship was to move away from the so-called "magical" actions and words of the priest offered while the people watched passively, toward active participation of the people through congregational singing and liturgical action. The people were not to look for Christ in the signs or elements in some magical way, but were to be transformed above earthly things to communion with Christ. Communion was the joining of members of the elect to Christ and to one another. For Calvin, this emphasis upon fellowship and love in communion was for the elect of God. Therefore, a major emphasis for Calvin was the fitness of people to participate in communion. He carefully and precisely called people to examine their lives, and not to partake unworthily of the Lord's body.
John Calvin believed that without the Word the Lord's Supper has no power. The Word and sacrament go together. Calvin believed Communion should be celebrated once a week. The basic service
would include the minister reciting the Scriptural words of the institution of the Lord's Supper, pointing out the meaning of the sacrament through the Lord's promises and calling people to examine themselves to see if they were worthy. This was carefully maintained. The service ended with praise and a reminder of the necessity of sincere faith and holiness of life.
John Calvin was influenced by Martin Bucer, whose service also appears in this book. Bucer influenced the Protestants in Cambridge, Hesse and Cologne. The service that follows is that used by the English congregation at Geneva in 1556 and reflects some of this heritage.
Worship Planning and Preparation
There is little special preparation required for the use of this service. The traditional clergy robe may be used. Hymns that call to mind the Reformation or the celebration of Holy Communion are recommended.
A congregation might benefit from a study of Calvin and other early Protestant reformers. A study of the reasons for a closed or an open communion table might be another helpful discussion leading to this service.
The Form of Prayers and Administration
of the Sacraments Used in the English Congregation
at Geneva and Approved by the Famous
and Godly Learned Man, John Calvin
Geneva 1556
(adapted)
Every week the congregation assembled to hear the Scriptures orderly expounded. At which time, it was lawful for every man to speak or enquire of as God moved his heart and the text the minister read, so it would be without pertinancy or disdain, as one that rather seeketh to profit than to contend. If any contention arose, the such as are appointed moderators would either satisfy the party or else, if he seemed to call ill, exhort him to keep silence, referring the judgment to the ministers, and elders, to be determined in their assembly or consistory.
Hymn
Congregation
Confession
Minister and People
O, Eternal God and most merciful father, we confess and acknowledge, here before thy divine majesty, that we are miserable sinners, conceived and born in sin and iniquity, so that in us there is no goodness. For the flesh evermore rebels against the spirit, whereby we continually transgress thy holy precepts and commandments and so purchase to ourselves through thy just judgment, death and damnation. Notwithstanding, O heavenly Father, fore as much as we are displeased with ourselves for the sins that we have committed against thee, and do unfeignedly repent of the same, we most humbly beseech thee, for Jesus Christ's sake, to show thy mercy upon us, to forgive us all our sins and to increase thy Holy Spirit in us, that we, acknowledging from the bottom of our hearts our own unrighteousness, may from henceforth not only mortify our sinful lusts and affections, but also bring forth such fruits as may be agreeable to thy most blessed will, not for the worthiness thereof, but for the merits of thy dearly beloved son Jesus Christ our only Savior, whom thou hast already certainly persuaded, that thou will deny us nothing, that we shall ask in his name, according to thy will. For thy Spirit doth assure our consciences, that thou art our merciful Father, and so love us thy children through him that nothing is able to remove thy heavenly grace and favor from us. To thee, therefore, O Father, with the Son and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end. So be it.
Hymn
Congregation
Prayer for the Whole Church
Minister
Almighty God and most merciful Father, we humbly submit ourselves and fall down before thy majesty, asking thee from the bottom of our hearts that this seed of thy Word now sown amongst us may take such deep root that neither the burning heat of persecution cause it to wither, neither the thorny cares of this life do choke it, but, that as seed sown in good ground, it may bring forth thirty, sixty and a hundred fold, as thy heavenly wisdom hath appointed. And because we have need continually to crave many things at thy hands, we humbly beseech thee to grant us thy holy spirit, to direct our petitions that they may proceed from such a fervent mind as may be agreeable to thy most blessed will. And seeing that our infirmity is able to do nothing without thy help, and that thou are not ignorant with how many and great temptations we poor wretches are on every side included and compassed, let thy strength, O Lord, sustain our weakness, that we, being defended with the force of thy grace, may be preserved against all assaults of Satan, who goes about continually like a roaring lion seeking to devour us.
Increase our faith, that we do not swerve at any time from thy heavenly Word, but augment in us hope and love with a careful keeping of all thy commandments, that no hardness of heart, no hypocrisy, no concupiscence of eyes, nor enticements of the world do draw us away from thy obedience. And, seeing we live now in these most perilous times, let thy fatherly providence defend us against the violence of all our enemies which do everywhere pursue us; but chiefly against the wicked rage and furious uproars of the Antichrist. Forasmuch as by thy holy apostle we be taught to make our prayers and supplications for all men, we pray not only for ourselves here present, but also to reduce all such as be yet ignorant from their blindness and error to the pure understandings and knowledge of thy heavenly truth, that we all, with one consent and unity of minds, may worship thee, our only God and Savior. And that all pastors, shepherds, and ministers, to whom thou hast committed the dispensation of thy holy word and charge of thy chosen people, may both in their life and doctrine, be found faithful; setting only before their eyes thy glory, and that by them all poor sheep which wonder and go astray may be gathered and brought home to thy fold.
We ask thee to direct and govern the hearts of all secular rulers to whom thou has committed the sword, especially those of our town, state and country. Let thy fatherly favor so preserve them and thy Holy spirit so govern their hearts that they may in such execute their office that thy religion may be purely maintained, manners reformed, and sin punished according to the precise rule of thy holy Word. And for that we be all members of the mystical body of Jesus Christ, we make our requests unto thee for all such as are afflicted with any kind of cross or tribulation, as war, plague, famine, sickness, poverty, imprisonment, persecution, banishment or any other kind of thy rods: whether it be calamity of body or vexation of mind, that it would please thee, to give them patience and consistancy till thou shall send them full deliverance of all their troubles.
We most humbly ask thee to show thy pity upon our country, which once through thy mercy was called to liberty and now for their and our sins is brought into most vile slavery and Babylonian bondage. Root out all raveneous wolves which to fill their bellies destroy thy flock. And show thy great mercies upon those our brethren which are persecuted, cast in prison and daily condemned to death for the testimony of thy truth. And though they be utterly destitute of all man's aid, yet let thy sweet comfort never depart from them, but so inflame their hearts with thy Holy Spirit, as thy godly wisdom shall appoint. So that at length, as well by their deaths as by their lives, the kingdom of thy Son Jesus Christ may increase and shine through all the world. In whose name we make our humble petitions unto thee as he hath taught us.
The Lord's Prayer
The Sermon
The Prayer
Minister
Almighty and ever-living God, vouchsafe we ask thee to grant us perfect continuance in thy lively faith, augmenting the same in us daily till we grow to the full measure of our perfection in Christ, wherefore we make our confession.
The Apostles Creed
Minister and People
Hymn
The Offering
The Manner of the Lord's Supper
Minister
Let us mark dear brethren and consider how Jesus Christ did ordain unto us his holy supper according as Saint Paul maketh rehearsal in the eleventh chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians. I have, he said, received of the Lord that which I have delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus the same night he was betrayed took bread and when he had given thanks, he broke it saying, "Take ye, eat ye, this is my body which is broken for you, do you this in remembrance of me." Likewise after supper, he took the cup saying, "This cup is the new testament or covenant in my blood, do ye this as often as ye shall drink thereof, in remembrance of me." For so often as you shall eat this bread and drink this cup, ye shall declare the Lord's death until his coming. Therefore, whosoever shall eat this bread and drink the cup of the Lord unworthily, he shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. Then see that everyone prove and try himself and so let him eat of this bread and drink of this cup, for whosoever eateth or drinketh unworthily, he eateth and drinketh his own damnation, for not having due regard and consideration of the Lord's body.
The Exhortation
The Minister
Dearly beloved in the Lord, forasmuch as we by now assembled to celebrate the holy communion of the body and blood of our savior Christ, let us consider these words of Saint Paul, how he exhorted all persons diligently to try and examine themselves before they presume to eat of that bread and drink of that cup. For as the benefits are great, if with a truly penitent heart and lively faith, we receive that holy sacrament, for then we spiritually eat the flesh of Christ and drink his blood, then we dwell in Christ and Christ in us, we be one with Christ, and Christ with us, so is the danger great, if we receive the same unworthily, for then we be guilty of the body and blood of Christ our Savior, we eat and drink our own damnation, not considering the Lord's body. We kindle God's wrath against us and provoke him to plague us with diverse diseases and sundry kinds of death. Therefore, if any of you be a blasphemer of God, an hinderer or slanderer of his Word, an adulterer or be in malice or envy or in any other grevious crime, bewail your sins and come not to this holy table, lest taking this holy sacrament the devil enter unto you to destruction, both of body and soul. Judge, therefore, yourselves brethren, that ye be not judged of the Lord, repent your past sins and have a lively and steadfast faith in Christ our savior, seeking only your salvation in the merits of his death and passion from henceforth refusing and forgetting all malice and debate, with full purpose to live in brotherly love and godly conversation all the days of your life.
Although we feel our weakness in ourselves, realizing our faith has not always been constant, ready at times to distrust God's goodness, God has dealt mercifully with us and has printed his Gospel in our hearts. He has indued us with a will and desire to renounce and withstand our affections with a longing toward righteousness.
Our purpose in coming here is not to protest that we are upright or just in our lives; but contrariwise, we come to seek our life and perfection in Jesus Christ. Let us consider this sacrament a singular medicine for all poor, sick creatures, a comfort to help weak souls and that our Lord requirith no other worthiness on our part but that we acknowledge our naughtiness and imperfection. Therefore, let us not suffer our minds to wander about the consideration of these earthly corruptible things which we see present to our eyes and feel in our hands to seek Christ bodily present in them as if he were enclosed in the bread and wine or as if these elements were turned and changed into the substance of flesh and blood. For the only way to dispose our souls to receive nourishment, relief and quickening of his substance is to lift up our minds by faith above all things worldly and sensible and thereby to enter into heaven that we may find and receive Christ where he dwelleth undoubtly Very God and Very man in the incomprehensible glory of his father, to whom be all praise, honor and glory, now and ever. Amen
The Prayer
Minister
O Father of mercy and God of all consolation, seeing all creatures do acknowledge and confess thee as governor and lord, it becometh us the workmanship of thine own hands at all times to reverence and magnify thy godly majesty, first for thou hast created us to thine own image and similitude, but chiefly thou hast delivered us from that everlasting death and damnation into which Satan drew mankind by the means of sin from bondage thou, O Lord, rich in mercy and infinite in goodness, hast provided our redemption to stand in thy only and well beloved Son: whom of very love thou didst give to be made man like unto us in all things, sin excepted, that in his body he might receive the punishment of our transgressions, by his death make satisfaction to thy justice and by his resurrection to destroy him that was author of death and so to reduce and bring again life to the world from which the whole offspring of Adam most justly was exiled. O Lord, we acknowledge that no creature is able to comprehend the length and breadth, the deep and height of that thy most excellent love which moved thee to show mercy where none was deserved, to promise and give life, where death had gotten victory, to receive us into thy grace when we could do nothing but rebel against thy justice. O Lord, the blind dullness of our corrupt nature will not suffer us sufficiently to weigh these thy most ample benefits, yet, at the commandment of Jesus Christ our lord, we present ourselves at this his table left to us to be used in remembrance of his death until his coming again to declare and witness before the world that by him alone we have received liberty and life; that by him alone thou dost acknowledge us thy children and heirs, that by him alone we have entrance to thy throne of grace, that by him alone we are possessed in our spiritual kingdom, to eat and drink at his table, with whom we have our conversation presently in heaven, and by whom our bodies shall be raised up again from the dust and shall be placed with him in that endless joy which thou hast prepared for thine elect before the foundation of the world was laid. And these most inestimable benefits we acknowledge and confess to have received of thy free mercy and grace, by thy only beloved son Jesus Christ for the which we thy congregation moved by thy Holy Spirit render thee all thanks, praise and glory for ever and ever. Amen
Reception of the Elements
Thanksgiving
The Minister
Most merciful Father, we render to thee all praise, thanks and glory for that thou hast vouchsafed to grant unto us miserable sin ners so excellent a gift as to receive us into the fellowship and company of thy dear son Jesus Christ our Lord, whom thou delivered to death for us and hast given him unto us as a necessary good and nourishment unto everlasting life. And now we ask, O Lord, to grant us this request that thou never suffer us to become so unkind as to forget so worthy benefits, but rather imprint and fasten them sure in our hearts, that we may grow and increase daily more and more in true faith which continually is exercised in all manner of good works and so much the rather, O Lord, confirm us in these perilous days and rages of Satan that we may constantly stand and continue in the confession of the same to the advancement of thy Glory, which art God over all things blessed forever. Amen
Hymn
Benediction
Background to Martin Luther's German Mass (1526)
There were five main schools of worship in the Protestant Reformation: Luther, in Germany; Zwingli at Zurich; Bucer, at Strassbourg; Calvin, at Strassbourg and Geneva; and Cranmer, in England. Martin Luther was the most conservative of the Reformers in worship. He believed the Lord's Supper was the central service of the Church. In 1520 he felt it should be celebrated every day, but by 1523 he felt it should be held just every Sunday.
It is a Protestant misunderstanding that Luther and the majority of Reformers sought to put "preaching services" in the place of the Lord's Supper. In 1523 Luther published his Formula Missae, which was only slightly different from the old Roman rite. He maintained Latin, lights, incense and vestments. Our service today is based on his German Mass, published in the autumn of 1526. This was after he had used it for a year in Wittenberg. This service was in the language of the people (German) and included German hymns, a major change. The priest kept his vestments but faced the people in the service (the altar was moved from the wall).
Our service will include only just the Liturgy of the Word. Normally, the Liturgy of the Upper Room (Communion) would also be celebrated. The following is the outline of this liturgy in Luther's German Mass:
Paraphrase of the Lord's Supper
Exhortation
Words of Institution of the Lord's Supper
Fraction (Breaking of Bread)
Delivery (Serving of the bread and wine)
Communion hymns were sung during the fraction and delivery
Collect (a form of prayer)
Aaronic Blessing
The style of dress for Protestant ministers in the sixteenth century, a style borrowed from the University, consisted of the academic robe and hood.
Planning and Worship Suggestions
It is helpful to have the choir practice the "Kyrie Eleison" if it is not a familiar part of your worship tradition. If possible, the choir might try to sing the creed as it was done in Luther's time, but this is not necessary.
The minister may choose to wear the academic preaching gown commonly used in our day, or the surplice and vestments.
If communion is to be observed, the communion steward(s) will need to prepare the elements.
It is an appropriate time for the sermon to reflect emphasis of the Protestant Reformation, such as the importance of Scripture, salvation by grace through faith or Luther's famous saying, "Faith is a daring confidence in the Grace of God."
Luther's German Mass
"Although the exercise of such freedom is a matter for everyone's conscience and no one should seek to forbid or limit it, yet we must see to it that freedom is and shall ever be the servant of love and of the neighbor."
(From Martin Luther's preface to the German mass and order of service, 1526)
Hymn "A Mighty Fortress is Our God"
Written by Martin Luther 1483-1546
"Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison"
Choir
Collect
Almighty God, who art the protector of all who trust in thee, without whose grace nothing is strong, nothing is holy, increase and multiply upon us thy mercy, that by thy holy inspiration we may think the things that are right and by thy power may perform the same, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
The Epistle "Thus writeth the holy Apostle Paul to the Romans: ..." Romans 7:19-20
Hymn "O Worship the King"
The Gospel "Thus writeth St. John in his Gospel: ..." John 3:1-17
The Apostles Creed (The Creed was sung in Luther's German language)
The Sermon
Minister
The Admonition and Lord's Prayer
Minister
Dear friends of Christ, since we are here assembled in the name o the Lord to receive his holy testament, I admonish you first of all to lift up your hearts to God to pray with me the Lord's Prayer, as Christ our Lord has taught us and has given comfortable promise that it shall be heard.
That God, Our Father in heaven, may look with mercy on us, his needy children on earth and grant us grace so that his holy name be hallowed by us and all the world through the pure and righteous teaching of his word and the fervent love of our lives, that he would graciously turn from us all false doctrine and evil living, whereby his precious name is blasphemed and profaned.
That his Kingdom may come and be enlarged; that all transgressors, the sin-darkened, and those in the bonds of satan's kingdom, be brought to a knowledge of the true faith in Jesus Christ, his Son, and the number of Christians be increased.
That we may be strengthened by his Spirit to do his will and suffer it to be done, both in life and in death, in good things and in evil, ever breaking, offering, slaying our own wills.
That he would also give us our daily bread, preserve us from avarice and gluttony, relying upon him to grant us a sufficiency of all good things.
That he would forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors, so that our heart may have a calm and joyful conscience before him, and no sin may frighten us nor make us afraid.
That he would not lead us into temptation, but help us by his spirit to subdue the flesh, despise the world and its ways and overcome the devil with all his wiles.
And finally, that he would deliver us from all evil, bodily and spiritually, in time and in eternity.
(Here would follow Holy Communion in Luther's Deutsche messe: Consecration, German Sanctus, Collect, Benediction.)
The Offering
The Anthem
Gloria Patri
Hymn "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty"
Joachim Neander 1650-1680
Aaronic Benediction
The Lord bless thee and keep thee.
The Lord make his Face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace.
John Calvin was one of the major Protestant reformers. Unlike Luther, Calvin had never been a priest and was quick to denounce the Mass because he felt it consisted of "magical mumblings" and too great an emphasis on human ways and traditions. Calvin sought to model worship on the simplicity of the early church, at least the church before the rise of Papacy. He felt the Scriptures provided that foundation.
Calvin's approach to worship was to move away from the so-called "magical" actions and words of the priest offered while the people watched passively, toward active participation of the people through congregational singing and liturgical action. The people were not to look for Christ in the signs or elements in some magical way, but were to be transformed above earthly things to communion with Christ. Communion was the joining of members of the elect to Christ and to one another. For Calvin, this emphasis upon fellowship and love in communion was for the elect of God. Therefore, a major emphasis for Calvin was the fitness of people to participate in communion. He carefully and precisely called people to examine their lives, and not to partake unworthily of the Lord's body.
John Calvin believed that without the Word the Lord's Supper has no power. The Word and sacrament go together. Calvin believed Communion should be celebrated once a week. The basic service
would include the minister reciting the Scriptural words of the institution of the Lord's Supper, pointing out the meaning of the sacrament through the Lord's promises and calling people to examine themselves to see if they were worthy. This was carefully maintained. The service ended with praise and a reminder of the necessity of sincere faith and holiness of life.
John Calvin was influenced by Martin Bucer, whose service also appears in this book. Bucer influenced the Protestants in Cambridge, Hesse and Cologne. The service that follows is that used by the English congregation at Geneva in 1556 and reflects some of this heritage.
Worship Planning and Preparation
There is little special preparation required for the use of this service. The traditional clergy robe may be used. Hymns that call to mind the Reformation or the celebration of Holy Communion are recommended.
A congregation might benefit from a study of Calvin and other early Protestant reformers. A study of the reasons for a closed or an open communion table might be another helpful discussion leading to this service.
The Form of Prayers and Administration
of the Sacraments Used in the English Congregation
at Geneva and Approved by the Famous
and Godly Learned Man, John Calvin
Geneva 1556
(adapted)
Every week the congregation assembled to hear the Scriptures orderly expounded. At which time, it was lawful for every man to speak or enquire of as God moved his heart and the text the minister read, so it would be without pertinancy or disdain, as one that rather seeketh to profit than to contend. If any contention arose, the such as are appointed moderators would either satisfy the party or else, if he seemed to call ill, exhort him to keep silence, referring the judgment to the ministers, and elders, to be determined in their assembly or consistory.
Hymn
Congregation
Confession
Minister and People
O, Eternal God and most merciful father, we confess and acknowledge, here before thy divine majesty, that we are miserable sinners, conceived and born in sin and iniquity, so that in us there is no goodness. For the flesh evermore rebels against the spirit, whereby we continually transgress thy holy precepts and commandments and so purchase to ourselves through thy just judgment, death and damnation. Notwithstanding, O heavenly Father, fore as much as we are displeased with ourselves for the sins that we have committed against thee, and do unfeignedly repent of the same, we most humbly beseech thee, for Jesus Christ's sake, to show thy mercy upon us, to forgive us all our sins and to increase thy Holy Spirit in us, that we, acknowledging from the bottom of our hearts our own unrighteousness, may from henceforth not only mortify our sinful lusts and affections, but also bring forth such fruits as may be agreeable to thy most blessed will, not for the worthiness thereof, but for the merits of thy dearly beloved son Jesus Christ our only Savior, whom thou hast already certainly persuaded, that thou will deny us nothing, that we shall ask in his name, according to thy will. For thy Spirit doth assure our consciences, that thou art our merciful Father, and so love us thy children through him that nothing is able to remove thy heavenly grace and favor from us. To thee, therefore, O Father, with the Son and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end. So be it.
Hymn
Congregation
Prayer for the Whole Church
Minister
Almighty God and most merciful Father, we humbly submit ourselves and fall down before thy majesty, asking thee from the bottom of our hearts that this seed of thy Word now sown amongst us may take such deep root that neither the burning heat of persecution cause it to wither, neither the thorny cares of this life do choke it, but, that as seed sown in good ground, it may bring forth thirty, sixty and a hundred fold, as thy heavenly wisdom hath appointed. And because we have need continually to crave many things at thy hands, we humbly beseech thee to grant us thy holy spirit, to direct our petitions that they may proceed from such a fervent mind as may be agreeable to thy most blessed will. And seeing that our infirmity is able to do nothing without thy help, and that thou are not ignorant with how many and great temptations we poor wretches are on every side included and compassed, let thy strength, O Lord, sustain our weakness, that we, being defended with the force of thy grace, may be preserved against all assaults of Satan, who goes about continually like a roaring lion seeking to devour us.
Increase our faith, that we do not swerve at any time from thy heavenly Word, but augment in us hope and love with a careful keeping of all thy commandments, that no hardness of heart, no hypocrisy, no concupiscence of eyes, nor enticements of the world do draw us away from thy obedience. And, seeing we live now in these most perilous times, let thy fatherly providence defend us against the violence of all our enemies which do everywhere pursue us; but chiefly against the wicked rage and furious uproars of the Antichrist. Forasmuch as by thy holy apostle we be taught to make our prayers and supplications for all men, we pray not only for ourselves here present, but also to reduce all such as be yet ignorant from their blindness and error to the pure understandings and knowledge of thy heavenly truth, that we all, with one consent and unity of minds, may worship thee, our only God and Savior. And that all pastors, shepherds, and ministers, to whom thou hast committed the dispensation of thy holy word and charge of thy chosen people, may both in their life and doctrine, be found faithful; setting only before their eyes thy glory, and that by them all poor sheep which wonder and go astray may be gathered and brought home to thy fold.
We ask thee to direct and govern the hearts of all secular rulers to whom thou has committed the sword, especially those of our town, state and country. Let thy fatherly favor so preserve them and thy Holy spirit so govern their hearts that they may in such execute their office that thy religion may be purely maintained, manners reformed, and sin punished according to the precise rule of thy holy Word. And for that we be all members of the mystical body of Jesus Christ, we make our requests unto thee for all such as are afflicted with any kind of cross or tribulation, as war, plague, famine, sickness, poverty, imprisonment, persecution, banishment or any other kind of thy rods: whether it be calamity of body or vexation of mind, that it would please thee, to give them patience and consistancy till thou shall send them full deliverance of all their troubles.
We most humbly ask thee to show thy pity upon our country, which once through thy mercy was called to liberty and now for their and our sins is brought into most vile slavery and Babylonian bondage. Root out all raveneous wolves which to fill their bellies destroy thy flock. And show thy great mercies upon those our brethren which are persecuted, cast in prison and daily condemned to death for the testimony of thy truth. And though they be utterly destitute of all man's aid, yet let thy sweet comfort never depart from them, but so inflame their hearts with thy Holy Spirit, as thy godly wisdom shall appoint. So that at length, as well by their deaths as by their lives, the kingdom of thy Son Jesus Christ may increase and shine through all the world. In whose name we make our humble petitions unto thee as he hath taught us.
The Lord's Prayer
The Sermon
The Prayer
Minister
Almighty and ever-living God, vouchsafe we ask thee to grant us perfect continuance in thy lively faith, augmenting the same in us daily till we grow to the full measure of our perfection in Christ, wherefore we make our confession.
The Apostles Creed
Minister and People
Hymn
The Offering
The Manner of the Lord's Supper
Minister
Let us mark dear brethren and consider how Jesus Christ did ordain unto us his holy supper according as Saint Paul maketh rehearsal in the eleventh chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians. I have, he said, received of the Lord that which I have delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus the same night he was betrayed took bread and when he had given thanks, he broke it saying, "Take ye, eat ye, this is my body which is broken for you, do you this in remembrance of me." Likewise after supper, he took the cup saying, "This cup is the new testament or covenant in my blood, do ye this as often as ye shall drink thereof, in remembrance of me." For so often as you shall eat this bread and drink this cup, ye shall declare the Lord's death until his coming. Therefore, whosoever shall eat this bread and drink the cup of the Lord unworthily, he shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. Then see that everyone prove and try himself and so let him eat of this bread and drink of this cup, for whosoever eateth or drinketh unworthily, he eateth and drinketh his own damnation, for not having due regard and consideration of the Lord's body.
The Exhortation
The Minister
Dearly beloved in the Lord, forasmuch as we by now assembled to celebrate the holy communion of the body and blood of our savior Christ, let us consider these words of Saint Paul, how he exhorted all persons diligently to try and examine themselves before they presume to eat of that bread and drink of that cup. For as the benefits are great, if with a truly penitent heart and lively faith, we receive that holy sacrament, for then we spiritually eat the flesh of Christ and drink his blood, then we dwell in Christ and Christ in us, we be one with Christ, and Christ with us, so is the danger great, if we receive the same unworthily, for then we be guilty of the body and blood of Christ our Savior, we eat and drink our own damnation, not considering the Lord's body. We kindle God's wrath against us and provoke him to plague us with diverse diseases and sundry kinds of death. Therefore, if any of you be a blasphemer of God, an hinderer or slanderer of his Word, an adulterer or be in malice or envy or in any other grevious crime, bewail your sins and come not to this holy table, lest taking this holy sacrament the devil enter unto you to destruction, both of body and soul. Judge, therefore, yourselves brethren, that ye be not judged of the Lord, repent your past sins and have a lively and steadfast faith in Christ our savior, seeking only your salvation in the merits of his death and passion from henceforth refusing and forgetting all malice and debate, with full purpose to live in brotherly love and godly conversation all the days of your life.
Although we feel our weakness in ourselves, realizing our faith has not always been constant, ready at times to distrust God's goodness, God has dealt mercifully with us and has printed his Gospel in our hearts. He has indued us with a will and desire to renounce and withstand our affections with a longing toward righteousness.
Our purpose in coming here is not to protest that we are upright or just in our lives; but contrariwise, we come to seek our life and perfection in Jesus Christ. Let us consider this sacrament a singular medicine for all poor, sick creatures, a comfort to help weak souls and that our Lord requirith no other worthiness on our part but that we acknowledge our naughtiness and imperfection. Therefore, let us not suffer our minds to wander about the consideration of these earthly corruptible things which we see present to our eyes and feel in our hands to seek Christ bodily present in them as if he were enclosed in the bread and wine or as if these elements were turned and changed into the substance of flesh and blood. For the only way to dispose our souls to receive nourishment, relief and quickening of his substance is to lift up our minds by faith above all things worldly and sensible and thereby to enter into heaven that we may find and receive Christ where he dwelleth undoubtly Very God and Very man in the incomprehensible glory of his father, to whom be all praise, honor and glory, now and ever. Amen
The Prayer
Minister
O Father of mercy and God of all consolation, seeing all creatures do acknowledge and confess thee as governor and lord, it becometh us the workmanship of thine own hands at all times to reverence and magnify thy godly majesty, first for thou hast created us to thine own image and similitude, but chiefly thou hast delivered us from that everlasting death and damnation into which Satan drew mankind by the means of sin from bondage thou, O Lord, rich in mercy and infinite in goodness, hast provided our redemption to stand in thy only and well beloved Son: whom of very love thou didst give to be made man like unto us in all things, sin excepted, that in his body he might receive the punishment of our transgressions, by his death make satisfaction to thy justice and by his resurrection to destroy him that was author of death and so to reduce and bring again life to the world from which the whole offspring of Adam most justly was exiled. O Lord, we acknowledge that no creature is able to comprehend the length and breadth, the deep and height of that thy most excellent love which moved thee to show mercy where none was deserved, to promise and give life, where death had gotten victory, to receive us into thy grace when we could do nothing but rebel against thy justice. O Lord, the blind dullness of our corrupt nature will not suffer us sufficiently to weigh these thy most ample benefits, yet, at the commandment of Jesus Christ our lord, we present ourselves at this his table left to us to be used in remembrance of his death until his coming again to declare and witness before the world that by him alone we have received liberty and life; that by him alone thou dost acknowledge us thy children and heirs, that by him alone we have entrance to thy throne of grace, that by him alone we are possessed in our spiritual kingdom, to eat and drink at his table, with whom we have our conversation presently in heaven, and by whom our bodies shall be raised up again from the dust and shall be placed with him in that endless joy which thou hast prepared for thine elect before the foundation of the world was laid. And these most inestimable benefits we acknowledge and confess to have received of thy free mercy and grace, by thy only beloved son Jesus Christ for the which we thy congregation moved by thy Holy Spirit render thee all thanks, praise and glory for ever and ever. Amen
Reception of the Elements
Thanksgiving
The Minister
Most merciful Father, we render to thee all praise, thanks and glory for that thou hast vouchsafed to grant unto us miserable sin ners so excellent a gift as to receive us into the fellowship and company of thy dear son Jesus Christ our Lord, whom thou delivered to death for us and hast given him unto us as a necessary good and nourishment unto everlasting life. And now we ask, O Lord, to grant us this request that thou never suffer us to become so unkind as to forget so worthy benefits, but rather imprint and fasten them sure in our hearts, that we may grow and increase daily more and more in true faith which continually is exercised in all manner of good works and so much the rather, O Lord, confirm us in these perilous days and rages of Satan that we may constantly stand and continue in the confession of the same to the advancement of thy Glory, which art God over all things blessed forever. Amen
Hymn
Benediction
Background to Martin Luther's German Mass (1526)
There were five main schools of worship in the Protestant Reformation: Luther, in Germany; Zwingli at Zurich; Bucer, at Strassbourg; Calvin, at Strassbourg and Geneva; and Cranmer, in England. Martin Luther was the most conservative of the Reformers in worship. He believed the Lord's Supper was the central service of the Church. In 1520 he felt it should be celebrated every day, but by 1523 he felt it should be held just every Sunday.
It is a Protestant misunderstanding that Luther and the majority of Reformers sought to put "preaching services" in the place of the Lord's Supper. In 1523 Luther published his Formula Missae, which was only slightly different from the old Roman rite. He maintained Latin, lights, incense and vestments. Our service today is based on his German Mass, published in the autumn of 1526. This was after he had used it for a year in Wittenberg. This service was in the language of the people (German) and included German hymns, a major change. The priest kept his vestments but faced the people in the service (the altar was moved from the wall).
Our service will include only just the Liturgy of the Word. Normally, the Liturgy of the Upper Room (Communion) would also be celebrated. The following is the outline of this liturgy in Luther's German Mass:
Paraphrase of the Lord's Supper
Exhortation
Words of Institution of the Lord's Supper
Fraction (Breaking of Bread)
Delivery (Serving of the bread and wine)
Communion hymns were sung during the fraction and delivery
Collect (a form of prayer)
Aaronic Blessing
The style of dress for Protestant ministers in the sixteenth century, a style borrowed from the University, consisted of the academic robe and hood.
Planning and Worship Suggestions
It is helpful to have the choir practice the "Kyrie Eleison" if it is not a familiar part of your worship tradition. If possible, the choir might try to sing the creed as it was done in Luther's time, but this is not necessary.
The minister may choose to wear the academic preaching gown commonly used in our day, or the surplice and vestments.
If communion is to be observed, the communion steward(s) will need to prepare the elements.
It is an appropriate time for the sermon to reflect emphasis of the Protestant Reformation, such as the importance of Scripture, salvation by grace through faith or Luther's famous saying, "Faith is a daring confidence in the Grace of God."
Luther's German Mass
"Although the exercise of such freedom is a matter for everyone's conscience and no one should seek to forbid or limit it, yet we must see to it that freedom is and shall ever be the servant of love and of the neighbor."
(From Martin Luther's preface to the German mass and order of service, 1526)
Hymn "A Mighty Fortress is Our God"
Written by Martin Luther 1483-1546
"Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison"
Choir
Collect
Almighty God, who art the protector of all who trust in thee, without whose grace nothing is strong, nothing is holy, increase and multiply upon us thy mercy, that by thy holy inspiration we may think the things that are right and by thy power may perform the same, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
The Epistle "Thus writeth the holy Apostle Paul to the Romans: ..." Romans 7:19-20
Hymn "O Worship the King"
The Gospel "Thus writeth St. John in his Gospel: ..." John 3:1-17
The Apostles Creed (The Creed was sung in Luther's German language)
The Sermon
Minister
The Admonition and Lord's Prayer
Minister
Dear friends of Christ, since we are here assembled in the name o the Lord to receive his holy testament, I admonish you first of all to lift up your hearts to God to pray with me the Lord's Prayer, as Christ our Lord has taught us and has given comfortable promise that it shall be heard.
That God, Our Father in heaven, may look with mercy on us, his needy children on earth and grant us grace so that his holy name be hallowed by us and all the world through the pure and righteous teaching of his word and the fervent love of our lives, that he would graciously turn from us all false doctrine and evil living, whereby his precious name is blasphemed and profaned.
That his Kingdom may come and be enlarged; that all transgressors, the sin-darkened, and those in the bonds of satan's kingdom, be brought to a knowledge of the true faith in Jesus Christ, his Son, and the number of Christians be increased.
That we may be strengthened by his Spirit to do his will and suffer it to be done, both in life and in death, in good things and in evil, ever breaking, offering, slaying our own wills.
That he would also give us our daily bread, preserve us from avarice and gluttony, relying upon him to grant us a sufficiency of all good things.
That he would forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors, so that our heart may have a calm and joyful conscience before him, and no sin may frighten us nor make us afraid.
That he would not lead us into temptation, but help us by his spirit to subdue the flesh, despise the world and its ways and overcome the devil with all his wiles.
And finally, that he would deliver us from all evil, bodily and spiritually, in time and in eternity.
(Here would follow Holy Communion in Luther's Deutsche messe: Consecration, German Sanctus, Collect, Benediction.)
The Offering
The Anthem
Gloria Patri
Hymn "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty"
Joachim Neander 1650-1680
Aaronic Benediction
The Lord bless thee and keep thee.
The Lord make his Face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace.
