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Glossary of Terms
Absolution
A declaration, traditionally reserved for ordained ministers, of the forgiveness - wiping away - of sins. It is an announcement of God's gift of forgiveness to the individual who acknowledges his or her short comings in his or her relationship with God and with one another.
Acolyte
(From the Greek, "one who follows"): Originally one of the minor orders of the ministry. Later the term was used to denote one who carried a torch or candle in a liturgical procession, and then was applied to any layperson who serves by preparing the altar and assisting the ministers at the services of the church.
Advent
Is from Latin word meaning "to come". It is the first season of the church year, comprising the four weeks prior to Christmas.
Agnus Dei
Is the canticle "Lamb of God" used in the liturgy of Holy Communion. The text is based on the biblical account of Jesus' Baptism in which John the Baptist refers to Jesus as "the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world" (John 1: 29b) the origin of the Christian reference to Jesus as the Lamb of God. Since the medieval times the Agnus Dei has been sung as a reference to Christ's crucifixion for the world's salvation.
Alb
(From the Latin, "white"): A white or off-white ankle-length vestment with sleeves, often gathered at the waist with a cincture, worn by all ranks of ministers, ordained and un-ordained. The classical tunic became a specifically church vestment about the fifth century.
Ambo
An ambo is an elevated desk or pulpit from which the Gospel and Epistle are chanted or read, and the sermon is preached.
Blessing or Benediction
Is the blessing of the congregation announced by the presiding minister at the close of a liturgy. The Sign of the Cross, a longstanding tradition at the benediction, is a reminder of ones Baptism.
Brief Order of Confession and Forgiveness
A confessional order (led by an ordained pastor) and may be used prior to the Holy Communion liturgy. This brief rite is in preparation for the Eucharistic liturgy, but not a part of it.
Burse
A flat stiff envelope covered with fabric in the color of the season in which the corporal and purificators are carried to and from the altar.
Canticle
A brief song of praise which may be from the Bible (usually from other than the Book of Psalms). Canticles are at the heart of the Church's daily prayer services and generally take their name from the opening words of the text.
Chalice
(From the Latin, "cup"): The cup used in the Holy Communion to contain the wine. It was traditionally made of precious metal. Now it is often made of any material. The mouth of the chalice should be wide enough that the minister can see the rim during the administration of Communion. The knob on the stem of the chalice to facilitate handling is called a knop
Chasuble
The principle vestment worn over the alb by the presiding minister at the celebration of the Holy Communion. It is usually in the color of the season and made of a basically oval shape with a hole in the center for the head.
Christmas
Proclaims the advent of Messianic salvation. It is Incarnation - Word becoming flesh, full of grace and truth and dwelling among us.
Church Year
Is the organization of the seasons, festivals and commemorations in which the Church proclaims and participates in the mystery of Christ's life, death and resurrection. The church year is divided into three sections, (a) the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany cycle, (b) the Lent, Holy Week, and Easter cycle which includes the Day of Pentecost, and (c) the time of the Church, the Sundays after Pentecost, a time of spiritual growth and learning. During the church year, there are days in which the lives of saints or events are commemorated.
Ciborium
(1) a chalice-shaped vessel with a lid used to hold the bread in the form of hosts or wafers for the Holly communion. (2) a wood, stone, or metal canopy over the altar.
Cincture
A rope or band of fabric or leather worn around the waist of an alb or cassock.
Closing Hymn
A closing hymn of praise is sung as the choir, clergy and assisting ministers leave the worship space. This is followed with "Go in peace. Serve the Lord" to which the people respond, "Thanks be to God".
Corporal
A square of linen on which the sacramental vessels are placed from the Offering through the Communion. It sometimes has a cross embroidered at the front edge.
Creed
From the Latin for "I believe", the creed is a statement of the beliefs of the church. The three ecumenical creeds are: (1) The Apostles' Creed, which grew from a simple confession at baptism into its present form by about 750 AD. It is a summary of the teaching of the apostles and continues to serve primarily as the baptismal confession of faith.(2) The Nicene Creed, adopted at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, and expanded by the Council of Constantinople in 381 AD. The Nicene Creed was first used in the Eucharistic liturgies in the Eastern Church in the fifth century. By the eleventh century it had spread throughout Europe and had become a standard part of the communion liturgies of the western church and, (3) The Athanasian Creed was named for Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, who died in 373. However, this creed was probably written by others at a much later period. This creed is characterized by its stress on the doctrines of the Trinity and of the Incarnation. Normally, we confess our faith by saying the Nicene creed at the appointed time in the liturgy.
Crucifer
One who carries the processional cross.
Cruet
A small pitcher made of glass to hold the wine for the Holy Communion or the water for cleansing the chalice.
Deacon
From the Greek 'diakonos', meaning servant. In the Lutheran liturgy, the deacon (normally a lay person) in the principal assisting minister during the Mass.
Easter
Is the celebration of the resurrection of Christ. The Easter season, a period of celebrating the joy of the resurrection, consists of the fifty days from Easter until Pentecost.
Entrance Hymn
A part of the opening actions of the Eucharist is sung by the congregation as the choir, clergy and assisting ministers take their places for the liturgy. The congregation stands as the hymn is introduced by the organist and faces the baptismal font where the procession to the altar begins. We turn with the movement of the processional cross, and as the cross passes us we often bow our heads in reverence for the principal icon of our faith.
Epiphany
From the Greek "manifestation" or "appearance" is the festival on January 6 celebrating the manifestation of Christ to the world and recalling the visit of the magi. The season of Epiphany follows until the Transfiguration of our Lord (the Sunday before Ash Wednesday). This season bridges the Christmas cycle of Christ's incarnation with the Lent cycle of his passion.
Eucharist
This part of the Mass begins by sharing God's peace with one another and bringing our gifts of money, bread and wine to the altar. We lift our hearts in praise for the gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation and we hear the words of Jesus as we remember his death and resurrection. We ask the Holy Spirit to unite the gathered community in the Lord's bread and cup, the Body and Blood, so that we might proclaim God's salvation to the world. We pray the Lord's Prayer, and share the Body and Blood of Christ. The "Meal" concludes with a canticle song of praise and a brief prayer.
Eucharistic Prayer
The great prayer of thanksgiving in the Liturgy of Holy Communion, also known as the anaphora. The form of the Eucharist prayer is one of giving thanks and praise to God for life and creation, followed by the Words of Institution and the concluding Doxology.
Fair Linen
(From the Anglo-Saxon, "clean," "spotless"): A cloth of fine linen which covers the top of the altar on top of the frontal and which hangs down at either end a short distance or to the floor. It is usually embroidered with five crosses (at each corner and in the center) to represent the five wounds of Jesus, since the cloth represents the winding sheet in which the body of Jesus was wrapped when it was taken from the cross.
Flagon
A pitcher usually of silver in which the wine is kept before being poured into the chalice at the Holy Communion. See Cruet.
Gathering
This is the first section of the Mass, God calls and gathers us through the Holy Spirit, and in response we acclaim the graciousness of God in song and prayer. The gathering of the people may include an entrance hymn. The "Gathering" continues with the Prayer of the Day as we prepare to hear the word of God.
Gospel
From the Greek for "good news, it is the major reading of the day and is always from one of the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. At Saint Peter's the Holy Gospel is normally read from the midst of the people by the deacon (the principal assisting minister) of the day's liturgy.
Great Thanksgiving
The portion of the Mass including the Preface Dialog, Proper Preface, Sanctus and the Eucharistic Prayer, and the Lord's Prayer. The Great Thanksgiving derives from the Jewish meal rituals in use at the time of Christ when God was blessed for creation and redemption.
Greeting
An opening invocation by pastor and people, in which the pastor says "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all" and the people respond "And also with you".
Holy Week
The week before Easter, beginning with the Sunday of the Passion (Palm Sunday) and ending with the Triduum (Maundy Thursday through Easter vigil).
Hymn of Praise
A canticle, sung prior to the Prayer of the Day, in the entrance rite of the Holy Communion liturgy. The Lutheran Book of Worship and Renewing Worship provides two texts for the Hymn of Praise. The traditional Gloria in Excelsis dates from as early as the fourth century and has been used in the mass since the twelfth century. The other text, "Worthy is Christ" was written especially for contemporary Lutheran worship.
Hymn of The Day
The principal hymn of the liturgy, sung immediately following the sermon. It is carefully chosen from the church's rich treasury of music and poetry and is selected to reflect the principal theme for the day.
Intinction
The practice of dipping the host into the wine and administering both elements at once. It is sometimes a useful method for communing the sick.
Kyrie
A litany of intercession at the beginning of the Holy Communion liturgy which was introduced in the church in Jerusalem as early as the fourth century. By the fifth century, this "Deacon's Litany" had spread throughout the church, and it continued to be in litany form until the eighth century, when the litany form disappeared and only the responses, "Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison" survived. In the Lutheran Book of Worship it is a series of petitions, for the church, the world and ourselves, offered by the deacon, to which the congregation responds: "Lord, have mercy".
Lectionary
(1) a course of readings. There are three such in the Lutheran Book of Worship: the three-year cycle of readings for the Eucharist, the one-year cycle of readings for the Eucharist, the Daily Lectionary for public and private use in Daily Prayer. (2) The book in which these readings are written out for the convenience of those who read the lessons.
Lent
The forty day season of penitence and preparation for the Triduum of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Lent is the first part in the Easter cycle of the Church Year.
Litany
An organized form of prayer and intercession, inherited from Judaism, widely used in Christianity from its early centuries. It includes a congregation response to each group of petitions. It may be used in procession during the seasons of Advent and Lent.
Liturgy
Comes from the Greek, meaning "the work of the people". It is the collection rites and ceremonies of the Church offered for the adoration of God and the sanctification of God's people. This word is connected to the order of service (also called the Mass) used in the Holy Communion.
Lutheran Book of Worship
Is the official hymnal and book of worship materials for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It was first published by the three predecessor bodies of the ELCA in 1978 and is a refinement of some of the remarkable liturgical achievements of past centuries. It is a faithful representation of the structures and outlines of the service of the Western Church.
Mass
A term used since the fourth century for a prescribed order of worship. At Reformation, the entire congregation is involved in taking part in the words and actions of the Mass - also called the Eucharist, Holy Communion, the Service, or the liturgy. This form of celebration of the Lord's Supper has been in continuous use since the earliest days of the Church.
Maundy
From the Latin "command". Maundy Thursday in Holy Week is the first day of the Paschal Triduum. This liturgy commemorates the institution of the Lord's Supper, the rite of foot washing, and the betrayal of Jesus. Maundy Thursday signals the end of the Lenten season by providing the Absolution that was promised during the Ash Wednesday liturgy. Because this liturgy is the first part of a unified liturgy extending through the vigil of Easter, the benediction is not given on either Maundy Thursday or Good Friday, but is delayed until the Easter Vigil.
Offering
The gifts of the people of God given in response to the love of God. It is a gathering and presentation, not only of money, but of the bread and wine which will be used in the celebration of the Holy Communion. As Jesus gave his life for all the people of the world, we thank God and offer to him all that we have, our lives, our time, and our possessions. During the gathering of the gifts, the ministers prepare the table for the meal.
Pall
(1) A stiffened piece of cloth used to cover the chalice during the Holy Communion, except during the Berba and the distribution, to keep foreign objects from falling into it. (2) A large cloth now usually of white to suggest Easter and the resurrection used to cover the coffin in the church to symbolize the baptismal garment.
Paraments
A general name for the cloths in the liturgical colors used on the altar, pulpit and lectern.
Paschal Candle
A massive candle, 2 or 3 inches in diameter and 3 or 4 feet in length, used during Easter to show the presence of the risen Christ among his people and therefore also used at baptisms and funerals as a sign of dying and rising with Christ, of our death and his life.
Paten
A plate made usually of gold or silver lined with gold used to hold the bread of the Holy Communion when the bread is in the form of hosts (wafers).
Pentecost
The season of the Church Year between the Day of Pentecost and the First Sunday in Advent. This season is about six months long and is a season for growth, renewal, and learning. The length of the Pentecost season is determined by the date set for Easter.
Pericope
(From The Greek, "A Section") Portions of the Bible that are appointed to be read in the services of the church.
Post-Communion Canticle
A song of thanksgiving for the Eucharist, sung by the congregation following the Holy Communion, as the altar is being cleared. The post-communion canticle first appeared in the German liturgy in 1525 and is a tradition unique to the Lutheran Church. We normally sing the Song of Simeon (Luke 2: 29-32), "Lord now you let your servant go in peace" or one composed for the Lutheran Book of Worship or Renewing Worship.
Prayer of The Day
A brief prayer, traditionally known as the collect, offered by the presiding minister at the conclusion of the entrance rite in the liturgy. It prepares the way for the scripture readings prescribed for the day.
Prayers of The Church
Are intercessions offered to God on behalf of the church, the world and all people who might be in need. At Reformation, this prayer, is read by the person who serves as assisting minister and concludes the portion of the Mass known as the liturgy of the word.
Preface Dialog
The introductory portion of the Great Thanksgiving, based on the ancient Jewish meal ritual which is a salutation by the people and the presiding minister with the words: "Lift up your hearts", "Let us give thanks to the Lord our God" (from Lamentations 3: 41) and the response "It is right to give him thanks and praise".
Prelude
From the Latin, meaning "to play before" is a musical work which precedes the liturgy. At Reformation, it is usually played on the organ and it is a time when the people of the church gather and prepare their hearts and minds for the worship of God.
Proper Preface
Follows the Preface Dialog and expresses reason for giving thanks and for praising God. These words vary from season to season within the Church Year. The proper preface concludes by acknowledging that the worshipping assembly is joined to that of the whole Church in heaven and on earth.
Psalm
A psalm or portion of a psalm appointed for use immediately after the first lesson is read. Following the practice from the early temple and synagogue, Christians make regular use of the psalms in their homes, at Eucharistic celebrations and at prayer. At Reformation, the psalm is sung or said between the cantor or lector and the congregation.
Purificator
A linen napkin used to wipe the rim of the chalice during the administration of Holy Communion.
Renewing Worship
New worship materials to replace the Lutheran Book of Worship.
Sanctus and Benedictus
Is the song of the seraphim from Isaiah 6: 3 and Matthew 21: 9, "Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might". It probably dates from the second century liturgy and recalls both the heavenly vision of the prophet Isaiah and the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
Scripture Readings
Are the portions of the Bible appointed to be read aloud as part of the liturgy for the day. The collection of these readings is known as the lectionary. There are normally three readings: the first from the Hebrew scriptures, (except during the Easter season), the second from the Christian scriptures the letters sometimes called espistles the Greek word for letters, (normally read by the lector, or in festival worship service, by a sub-deacon) and the third usually from the Holy Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke or John (normally read by the deacon ).
Sending
The mass ends simply. We receive the blessing of God and are invited to leave in peace, sent out to serve in the world, to speak the good news we have heard, to care for those in need, and to share what we have received with the poor and hungry.
Sermon
A talk by an ordained minister (or occasionally a seminary student). At Reformation, the sermon is based on the readings for the day, is a proclamation relating the living word of God to modern life. The preacher is God's spokesperson to us, explaining the word and applying it to our own lives, time and conditions.
Sign of The Cross
Is an action which recalls and proclaims Christ's death on the cross and our union with him through our Baptism. It is normally done by moving the fingers of the right hand from forehead to chest, then from left to right shoulder, and then to the center of the chest. It is often made (a) as the Trinitarian invocation is spoken, at the beginning of the Brief Order for Confession and Forgiveness and when it is repeated during the Absolution, (b) at the announcement of the Holy Gospel, (c) at the Creed when reference is made to eternal life, (c) during the Sanctus as "Blessed is he" is sung, (d) before and after receiving the Holy Communion, and (e) as the presiding minister concludes the closing Benediction.
Stole
A scarf of fabric in the liturgical color worn over the shoulders by ordained ministers.
Sub-Deacon
In Lutheran usage, a sub-deacon, (usually a lay member of the congregation) is the second assisting minister (along with the deacon ) at the celebration of the Holy Communion. The sub-deacon normally reads the second lesson for the day.
The Peace
A profound action which is a sign of mutual acceptance, reconciliation, love and baptismal unity in which the people of God share the peace of God with each other. The sharing of God's peace is a response to the good news of Jesus Christ which has been proclaimed, and at the same time an act in preparation for the Communion which follows.
Thurible
The container in which incense is burned.
Triduum
The three holy days from Maundy Thursday through the vigil of Easter which focus on Christ's passage from death to life. Although changed through the centuries, the Triduum has been observed liturgically since the fourth century. In current practice, the Triduum begins with the evening liturgy of Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday, includes the services of Good Friday and ends with the celebration of the Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. The Triduum is a single unified observance of Christ's Passion and Resurrection.
Trinitarian Formula
The words "in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" are the words spoken by the presiding minister during the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. The basis for this formula is the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19.
Vestments
The garments worn by those who minister in the services of the church. The presiding minister normally wears a white alb, stole and a chasuble, while assisting ministers wear white albs (and stoles if they are ordained). The word "vestments" is also often used for the fabric coverings of the altar.
Word
This part of the Mass comes from the rich treasure of Scripture. This encounter with the living God includes the readings, the Sermon proclaiming the Word of God, the Hymn of the Day responding to the word, and the Prayers of the People in which we pray for the Church, the people of the world, and those who suffer or are in need.
Words of Institution
That portion of the Eucharistic Prayer (spoken only by the presiding minister) which recalls and proclaims the actions and words of Jesus during the institution of the Holy Communion in the Upper Room. The Words of Institution - "Take and eat...", and "Take and Drink.....", are a harmony of the four New Testament accounts of the institution of the Lords' Supper. These words have been a part of the Holy Communion liturgy since the days of the apostles.
We acknowledge Bob Busch, St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Manhattan, New York for developing the Glossary.
Last Updated: Monday, May 5, 2008 5:52 PM