Notes on the Service

Notes on the Service
¹ An extensive prelude will consist of choral, organ, and instrumental music by various Episcopal and Lutheran musicians. During this music there will be several processions of diocesan and synodical representatives, ecumenical guests, and other dignitaries. The representatives were chosen by their dioceses and synods representing all the baptized, including lay persons, associates in ministry, diaconal ministers, deaconesses, pastors, priests, deacons, and bishops. Near the end of the prelude will be a procession of cross and candles, followed by worship leaders, including the two presiding bishops. After the greeting, the procession will move to the baptismal font. Local architecture will determine how this works in other celebrations. See also note #3.

² Lutheran Presiding Bishop H. George Anderson will preside at the eucharist and Episcopal Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold will preach and lead the Renewal of the Baptismal Covenant. The greeting will be led by both bishops.

³ Baptism is the common point of entry into the Christian faith and the foundation of full communion between our churches. For this reason, a baptismal font may appropriately be placed at the entrance to the place of worship or in full view of the congregation. Whether a procession is used or not, the presiding minister may lead the Renewal of the Baptismal Covenant from the font.

⁴ This rite, adapted for the occasion, is from The Book of Common Prayer. See page xxx of these Guidelines for other models of shared worship. The liturgy will use Episcopal rites and texts (with slight modification) with Lutheran headings and descriptors (such as Prayer of the Day rather than The Collect of the Day) and Lutheran liturgical music. The principal hymns are familiar to both churches. Unless indicated otherwise, all liturgical texts are from The Book of Common Prayer.

⁵ Keeping the ministry of all the baptized at the heart of a celebration of "Called to Common Mission" is important. The invitation to renewal will be led by a lay person. The presider will then continue with the questions. The Apostles' and Nicene Creeds are affirmations of faith held in common by our churches.

⁶ During the baptismal sprinkling, a new musical composition will be sung. Numerous refrains with baptismal or water imagery are available in the books of both churches, or the sprinkling may take place during the hymn of praise. "This is the Feast," from the Lutheran Holy Communion rite, but familiar to both churches, will be used. Other appropriate canticles, especially "Glory to God," may be sung. The sprinkling will be done by representatives of all the baptized.

⁷ The Prayer (Collect) of the Day for Epiphany from Lutheran Book of Worship will be used. Celebrations that are the principal Sunday liturgy should use the prayer appointed for the day from Lutheran Book of Worship or The Book of Common Prayer.

⁸ The readings to be used are those appointed for Epiphany, the day of the liturgy. When designing the principal Sunday liturgy or other festival days, worship planners should use the readings appointed in the lectionary. For services at other times, readings from Scripture appropriate to the time and place of the service should be selected.

⁹ The psalm should be sung. Resources for singing the psalms are abundant in the books of both churches.

¹⁰ A musical acclamation announcing the Gospel should be sung. Alleluias flanking a verse of Scripture, an appropriate hymn, or choral anthem are possible. At this liturgy, the Gospel will be proclaimed from the midst of the assembly by a deacon. In the absence of a deacon, it may be read by the preacher. A Gospel procession is not necessary.

¹¹ Standing along with the Scripture readings and preaching, the Hymn of the Day proclaims the Gospel through song. It is a uniquely Lutheran addition to the historic western rite.

¹² The prayers were crafted by Lutheran pastor Susan Briehl. The lay assisting minister will read the bid and conclusion to each petition. The prayers themselves will be led by lay persons in several languages representing the diversity of the Church. They may be adapted for use in other celebrations of full communion.

¹³ Offering prayers for each other's church leaders is a powerful symbol of full communion and deepens the relationship between the churches. This petition may be adapted for local celebrations by adding the names of local church leaders. Care should be taken to use the names of the current presiding bishops.

¹⁴ Local worship planners should determine the recipient of the offering, giving particular consideration to shared mission possibilities. The offering may include money and other gifts such as food for a local pantry or blankets for a shelter. In preparation for communion, the bread and wine may be presented as part of the offering. A musical offering (instrumental, choral, vocal and/or congregational) may be included as gifts are received and/or presented.

¹⁵ This eucharistic prayer is from the Episcopal Enriching Our Worship 1. At this liturgy, the preface dialog will be spoken. If a sung version is used, note the similarity yet slight variations between some of the Lutheran and Episcopal settings. Be prepared with adequate rehearsal and vocal leadership.

¹⁶ Many settings of the Sanctus are available in the worship books of our churches. Strive for a balance of music that is familiar and comfortable with that which is new and challenging.

¹⁷ Use of the ecumenical translation of the Lord's Prayer is encouraged.

¹⁸ Many settings of the Agnus Dei are available in the books of our churches. The use of music from diverse cultures and languages in all celebrations of full communion is encouraged throughout the liturgy as a sign of the catholicity of the Church.

¹⁹ Music (congregational, choral, and instrumental) during the communion is encouraged. The method of communion distribution should be determined by local tradition and the architecture of the worship space.

²⁰ This prayer is from Enriching Our Worship 1. Others are available in the books of our churches.

²¹ The sending of all the baptized into the world for mission through the solemn blessing for Epiphany will be led from the font. The text of the solemn blessing is from the Episcopal Book of Occasional Services 1994.

²² A final hymn need not be sung. If one is sung, however, the dismissal may follow the final hymn.