Note: Thank you very much to Rev. Mike Grieve of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Golden, IL for this excellent review of a true classic. Anyone wanting to know more about our worship service in the Lutheran Church truly ought to pick this book up. It can be purchased from Emmanuel Press. It was originally compiled and published by the General Council to teach people about the beauty and truth of the Common Service. What a blessing that it is still in print!
“An Explanation of the Common Service”: Fifth Edition Revised and Enlarged; United
Lutheran Publication House, Philadelphia, 1908; Reprinted in 2006 by Emmanuel
Press, 1916 Ridgewood Ave., SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49506
The answer, “that’s the way we’ve always done it,” to the
question of, “why do we do what we do in worship?” is not only unhelpful, but
it’s also false. We do know “why we do what we do in worship.” Sometimes we just don’t know where to find
the answer to the question. An
Explanation of the Common Service helps give concrete answers to questions
that would otherwise be left in abstract thought and speculation. What would seem to be a daunting number of
questions and answers (250) is eased by the reality that the book is just 120
pages in length, which includes a history of Christian hymnody; liturgical
colors and their significance; and index and glossary.
The back cover of the book gives an apt description of itself: An Explanation of the Common Service explains the liturgy in such simple terms that it is perfect for teaching new members, catechumens, and youth…First printed a century ago, this Lutheran liturgical handbook uses questions and answers to explain the meaning of three services: the Communion service, Matins, and Vespers…In addition, hymnody, liturgical theology, and history are addressed succinctly. The glossary of liturgical terms is helpful, extensive, and reliable. To say that there is something for new members, catechumens, youth, and pastors, is not an overstatement.
As part of its introduction, the book answers the
question of distinguishing between the true and the false worship of God, in
this way: True worship of God is only
such as conforms in spirit and expression with God’s revelation of
Himself. Read John 4:24. All worship is false which seeks communion
with God in ways other than those which He has appointed. False worship is either a) The paying of
divine honors to false gods, such as idolatry (Hindus), nature-worship (the
Greeks), ancestor-worship (the Chinese), or b) The false worship of the true
God. Such is the worship of the
hypocrite. Read Matt. 15:7-9; Matt.
7:21-23. Such has become all Jewish
worship which was abrogated by the Advent of our Lord.[i]
So, what is Christian worship? The book answers: It is the outward expression, by the power of the Holy Ghost, of the
communion of man with God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.[ii] It then explains the two elements of
Christian worship…1) the sacramental…in which God speaks to us, exhibiting, offering,
and conveying His grace…2) the sacrificial…in which we speak to God, offering
to God the service which is due Him. The
chief sacramental acts are then listed as: The
Declaration of Grace; Lessons; Sermon; Distribution of the Holy Supper;
Benedictions. The sacrificial acts
are: The
Confession; Prayers; Hymns and Canticles; Creed; Offerings.[iii]
In using this book in youth catechesis, bringing concrete
meaning to what is happening on Sunday morning in the Divine Service was a
great way of teaching the meaning of God’s Word in the worship service. It helped make the connection as to what
God’s Word means for the worshiping community, and therefore, also for us as
Christians. It put meat on the bones, so
to speak. For example, in the Kyrie, we
cry out to God to have mercy upon us…three times. The book offers this helpful question and
answer: What is the office of the
Kyrie? The congregation,
realizing its infirmity from indwelling sin, calls upon God for that grace
which has been announced and offered in the Introit.[iv]
One would do well to remember that when reference is made
to the “Common Service,” this is what is found in our Lutheran hymnals (TLH p.
15; LW p. 136; LSB p. 184). The book, in
response to the question what is the Common Service? says: It is the
typical Lutheran Service of the Sixteenth Century, adapted for the use of
English-speaking Churches.[v] The “Common Service,” therefore, is not
an innovation. It is, in reality, to use
a phrase from the book, the common worship of the pure Christian Church of
all ages.[vi] Free from the muddied waters ushered in
by the liturgical innovations of the Vatican II Council of the Roman Catholic
Church (1962-1965), An Explanation of the Common Service embodies The
Common Consent of the Pure Lutheran Liturgies of the Sixteenth Century.[vii]
If one wishes to know how the Christian Church has
worshiped throughout her history, and still does in many places, this book is a
great teaching tool. Anyone serious
about the liturgy being the Word of God in action in worship should read and
seriously meditate upon the content on these pages. For those inclined to think that how we
worship is about personal preference, the book is a must read. As our Lord makes clear regarding true
worship of Him from the earlier reference of John 4:24: God is Spirit, and
those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. May God grant repentance where it is
needed in our worship practices, and keep steadfast those who have retained the
liturgy of the Christian Church.
Need to Get Level: I really think this is a 10/10 for pastors. Pastors should know why we retain the common service. I think it is a 7-8/10 for laymen. Having solidly-educated laymen is important, and this book is a great help in that regard.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Rev. Mike Grieve
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