Basic Worship Texts
The liturgical texts below come directly or are adapted from the International Consultation on English Texts (ICET) and the Book of Common Prayer (BCP), based on quotations from Holy Scripture. Similar wording is found in the hymnals of many church bodies, including the "Lutheran Book of Worship" (LBW) and "Lutheran Worship" (LW). They are provided here as text-only, for easy cut and paste.
Order for Confession and Forgiveness
P: In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
P: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
P: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9)
P: Most merciful God,
C: we confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
P: Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for us and, for his sake, forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
OR:
P: In the mercy of Almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for you, and for his sake, God forgives you all your sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ he gives the power to become the children of God, and bestows on them the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen
Apostolic Greeting
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)
C: And also with you.
Kyrie ("Lord, have mercy") - traditional version
A: Lord, have mercy. C: Lord, have mercy.
A: Christ, have mercy. C: Christ, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy. C: Lord, have mercy.
Gloria (Hymn of Praise)
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly king, almighty God and Father: we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God: You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. You are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Salutation and Prayer of the Day
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us pray…
C: Amen.
Gospel Acclamation
C: Alleluia, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia. (John 6:68)
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. ___________ in the ________________ chapter.
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
(reading)
P: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen
The Great Thanksgiving: Dialog and Preface
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
P: It is indeed right and salutary… we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Sanctus ("Holy, Holy, Holy")
Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of pow’r and might: Heav’n and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Words of Institution
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Agnus Dei ("Lamb of God")
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us peace, grant us peace.
Nunc Dimmitus ("Lord, let your servant depart")
Lord, now let your servant go in peace;your word has been fulfilled. My own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all people; A light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel. (Luke 2:32)
Gloria Patri ("Glory to the Father")
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.
Aaronic Blessing
The LORD bless you and keep you.
The LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you
The LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)