Lutheran Worship
Adult Bible Class
May 24, 2026
Opening Prayer
An Introduction
Corinthian Struggles - A Need for Order
1 Corinthians 14:26-33a, 39-40 - What then, brothers?
When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a
revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be
done for building up. 27 If any speak in a
tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let
someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to
interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to
God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let
the others weigh what is said. 30 If a
revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be
silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so
that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32 and
the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For
God is not a God of confusion but of peace. … 39 So, my
brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in
tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently
and in order.”[1]
What do we learn about worship from this passage?
An Assertion – There Should Be Order
Two Levels of Organization
1.
Times and Seasons – Genesis 1:14-15 – Purpose in
the stars
2.
Liturgy –The public worship service’s structure
– More on this next week, but we find descriptions of liturgical patterns going
back to Justin Martyr’s First Apology from 155 A.D.
Three Approaches to Organizing the Year
1.
The Synagogue Model – Lectio Continua[2] – Luke 4:16-21,
reading Isaiah 61:1-2
a.
Strengths?
b.
Weaknesses?
2.
Topical / Doctrinal
a.
Strengths?
b.
Weaknesses?
3.
Lectionary[3] –
pericopes[4]
a.
History – Remembering Holy Days / Holidays.
i. Early
evidence to focus on the major celebrations go back to the Council of Nicea.
ii. The
first full lists of readings come from around 500 A.D.
iii. From
the 500’s to the 1970’s, the Church mostly followed a one-year lectionary
iv. In
1970, the three-year lectionary was introduced, coming out of Vatican II.
v. Lutherans
began using the three-year lectionary in 1973, and it was adopted as the main lectionary
for the LCMS in 1978.
vi. In
1992, the Revised Common Lectionary was published, adapting the three-year
lectionary for more Protestant denominations.
b.
Strengths?
c.
Weaknesses?
Which of these is the right way to organize the church year?
How important is it to be connected to other churches as we
listen to God’s Word?
A Diagram of the Church Year
Advent
-
Themes: promise, preparation, anticipation
-
Length: the
four Sundays before Christmas Day
-
Color & Symbolism: Blue (since 70’s) or
Purple – royalty, coming of a king, repentance, dawn
Christmas
-
Themes: celebration, The Incarnation
-
Length: 12 Days, usually includes 2 Sundays
-
Color & Symbolism: White/Gold – light, glory,
holiness
Epiphany
-
Themes: revelation, the ministry Ministry of
Jesus, evangelism
-
Length: The Day of Epiphany to Ash Wednesday; 4
to 9 weeks
-
Color & Symbolism: Green – growth and life
Lent
-
Themes: penitence, sacrifice, crucifying the
flesh
-
Length: Ash Wednesday to Easter, 40 Days (not
counting Sundays)
-
Color & Symbolism: Purple – royalty, sorrow,
repentance
Easter
-
Themes: celebration, The Resurrection, The
Ascension, Preparing for the Coming of the Holy Spirit
-
Length: Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday, 50
Days
-
Color & Symbolism: White – holiness, glory,
light
Pentecost / Trinity
-
Themes: sanctification, inspiration, life of
faith
-
Length: From Pentecost to the End of the Church
Year, as many as 29 Sundays
-
Color & Symbolism: Green – growth, life
Scattered Holy Days by Liturgical Color, then Time of Year
-
White: Circumcision and Naming of Jesus,
Epiphany, Baptism of our Lord, Ascension Day, Trinity Sunday, All Saints’ Day
-
Red: Saints’ Days, Pentecost, Commemorations,
Reformation Day
o
Red reminds us of the tongues of flame at
Pentecost, and is the color associated with the work of the Holy Spirit.
[1] Unless otherwise noted,
all Scripture citations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English
Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway,
a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
[2] Latin - Continuous Reading
[3] From the Latin, “to read,”
– a reading plan.
[4] From the Greek, “to cut around” – Think “Cut and Paste.”
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