Adjustments to the Order of Worship Coming

What to expect in Worship…

When a new pastor enters the life of a congregation, there is an expectation that some elements of the worship service will change. Some of these are personal preferences while others are matters of theological interpretation. After a time of observation and prayer, Pastor Wollner proposed some minor changes to the structure of our worship services. After consultation with both Cantor Olsen and Worship Chair Don Armitage, these recommendations were shared with, and accepted by, the Worship and Music Ministry Team at their October meeting.

These changes will take place the first Sunday of Advent.

Moving of the announcements

We are called to begin our worship by giving Glory to God and by acknowledging our need for God’s grace through the gift of Confession and Absolution. The announcements would be moved to after the Prayer of the Day in order for our worship to begin with the focus on God.

Position of the Liturgist

At the end of each petition in the Kyrie, the liturgist sings to the congregation “let us pray to the Lord.” Our response of “Lord have Mercy” is our prayer to God. The liturgist will now stand near the lectern so that they may offer the invitation to prayer most clearly to the congregation.

Children’s Sermon Placement

The children of Augsburg are bright and long to answer questions during Children’s Sermons. Moving the Children’s Sermon to after the reading of the Gospel will allow the children to know the Word of God proclaimed that week before they hear the proclamation of the Word in their sermon.

Prayers of Intercession

The Prayers of Intercession will begin and end with the familiar prefaces found in the ELW Liturgy. In addition, there will also be a time during the prayers for the congregation to be encouraged to lift up individuals “on our lips and in our hearts.”

Proper Preface and Words of Institution

The presiding pastor is called to share the gift of the Eucharist with the congregation. In order to fully engage the congregation in this gift, the pastor will now face the congregation for the entirety of the Proper Preface and Words of Institution. The Assisting Minister will face the pastor and hold these passages in a liturgical book that will allow the presiding pastor to face the congregation.

Communion for the Presiding Minister

As the host of the holy meal, the pastor and the assisting minister will now commune last after all of the congregation has communed. This is rooted in a theological understanding that the host is the last to receive the gift of God they first share with others.

Sending Text

In an effort to remind the congregation that “Go in peace,…..” is truly a call to go out into the world bearing Christ’s love, the words of the sending will change throughout the year to reflect God’s call in the seasons of the church and in the life of the people of Augsburg.
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