Joy Kids Our Church Service Joy Lutheran Church 9940 S. Yale Ave. Tulsa, OK 74137 (918) 299-3292
Page 2 Liturgical Colors Black The liturgical color for Ash Wednesday symbolizing ashes, mourning and death. Blue The liturgical color for Advent, symbolizing Christian hope. Green The liturgical color for the seasons after Epiphany and Pentecost symbolizing growth. Purple The liturgical color for Lent, symbolizing Jesus royalty and our repentance. Red The liturgical color used on the day of Pentecost, Reformation, many saints and martyrs days, ordination, and church dedications and anniversaries. It symbolizes the fire of the Holy Spirit and the blood of the martyrs (people who have died for their belief in Jesus). Scarlet A deep red liturgical color used from the Sunday of the Passion (also called Palm Sunday) through Maundy Thursday; symbolizes the blood of Jesus. White The liturgical color used on Festivals of Christ (including Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple and The Annunciation of his birth to Mary) and on Holy Trinity and All Saints Sundays. It symbolizes the purity, light, and joy of Christ.
People, Places, and Things in the Church Alb The alb is a white robe that symbolized the holiness that comes when we are baptized. The alb may be worn by clergy and laity (assisting ministers, acolytes, and others assisting in worship). You can see a picture of an alb on page 7. Chasuble The chasuble is the poncho-like robe the pastor wears during Holy Communion. The chasuble is a reminder that the abundance of God s grace given to us during Holy Communion is intended for all of God s baptized family. Stole A stole is a long, narrow vestment that originated as a sort of kerchief. People used them as a general work cloth. Over time, they grew in length and signified the yoke of service to Christ (Matthew 11:29a). Stoles are usually only worn by the pastor. You can see a picture of a stole on the next page (page 7). Season A period in the church year, such as Advent and Lent. Advent The four-week season of preparation for Christmas. Lent The 40-day (excluding Sundays) season of penitence before Easter. It is symbolic of Christ s 40 days in the wilderness. Acolyte A person who lights candles, and assists with the collection of offering and communion cups in worship. Cantor A person who leads the singing and some spoken responses in worship. Crucifer A person who carries the processional cross into worship ahead of the Acolyte. Lector The person who reads the first and second readings from the Bible in worship. The person preaching usually reads the passage from one of the four Gospels. Chasuble Acolyte Stole Alb Ushers The people who help pass out bulletins, direct others to their seats and help collect the offering are Ushers. There are usually two Ushers at each service. Lector Page 3
Page 4 People, Places, and Things in the Church Altar The table on which the bread and wine are placed is called the Altar because it reminds us that Jesus sacrificed his body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins. Chancel The chancel is the front part of the church where the pastor stands. At Joy it is raised up one step from the floor. Nave The place the congregation gathers for worship, as opposed to the front part of the church, from which the pastor leads the service. Sanctuary Some churches use sanctuary to mean the chancel and nave together. We use this term because it is a place for quiet, reflection, and protection from the world around us. Pulpit (also called a Lectern or Ambo) The pulpit is the place from which the Bible readings for the day are shared, and where the pastor preaches the sermon. Pew Originally, Christians stood for worship, and that is still the case in many Eastern Orthodox churches (where services can last up to three hours.) Pews were first used in the middle ages and because of their practicality, have now spread to some Orthodox churches too. Baptismal Font The place where baptisms are celebrated. Every baptismal font has a bowl/basin that catches the water poured during the sacrament. We use water during baptism as a sign of cleansing and rebirth as God's Children. Paschal Candle Sometimes called the Easter candle, the Paschal candle is the largest candle in the sanctuary that symbolizes Jesus triumph at Easter over the darkness of death and sin. The Paschal candle is usually positioned by the Baptismal font, but during the Easter season, it can be moved to a central place in the chancel as a reminder of Christ s victory over death. Altar Chancel Narthex The Narthex is the space outside the doors to the sanctuary where people can gather to talk before and after worship. The word Narthex comes from the Greek language for "vestibule" or "portico" and reminds us that some of the words we use in and to describe the Church go back thousands of years to the time of Jesus. Paschal Candle Pew Pulpit Nave Baptismal Font
The Order of Service Page 5
W e l c o m e a n d A n n o u n c e m e n t s Our service begins with everybody coming together and being welcomed into God s house. Page 6
G a t h e r i n g H y m n The Gathering Hymn helps set the tone for the entire service. We sing about God s love and the great things God has done for us. Page 7
K y r i e a n d H y m n o f P r a i s e Kyrie means Lord. Many years ago, people said this to greet the king when he came. Today, we sing, Lord, have mercy as a greeting for our Lord Jesus. Page 8
P r a y e r o f t h e D a y Early Christians would greet each other by saying, The Lord be with you, to which the other Christian would reply, And also with you. We continue the Prayer of the Day with a prayer related to our readings for the day. Page 9
R e a d i n g s First Lesson The First Lesson is usually from the Old Testament, where we learn what God did for His people. Through this reading, we learn what God did and what God continues to do. Psalm The Book of Psalms is the song book in the Bible. Here, we learn about God through prayer and praise. Page 10 Second Lesson The Second Lesson usually comes from one of the New Testament letters, which helps teach us how to live out the Gospel and share in the hope and joy of Christ s return.
C h i l d r e n s S e r m o n The Children s Sermon allows all kids time to come to the front of the church and learn about how much God loves them. Usually, the Children s Sermon relates to one of the lessons or Gospel for the day. Page 11
G o s p e l a n d S e r m o n Gospel means good news, which is what we hear when we read about Jesus. Coming from Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John, we learn about the great things Jesus did while on earth and how He loves us. During the sermon, we learn how the Bible can be applied to us today. We learn about God s love and how we can show that love to others. Page 12
H y m n o f t h e D a y The Hymn of the Day is the time during the service where we respond to the readings and sermon that we heard through song. Page 13
A p o s t l e s C r e e d Creed means I believe. We use this time to recite as a congregation the things in our faith that we believe and hold true as Christians. Page 14 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 to the dead. 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.
N i c e n e C r e e d Some times during the church year we say the Nicene Creed instead of the Apostles' Creed. The Nicene Creed is very old, dating back to the first time Christian leaders from around the Roman Empire gathered together in 325 A.D. That's almost 1700 years ago! 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, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. 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, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who 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. Page 15
P r a y e r s o f t h e P e o p l e / I n t e r c e s s i o n During the Prayers of the People, we take time to pray for those in our church, our community, our country, and our world. Page 16
P e a c e Thousands of years ago, Christians greeted each other with a similar greeting. Today, we use the Peace of the Lord as a way to connect with each other as part of God s family. Page 17
O f f e r i n g Page 18 During the offering, we bring forward the gifts that we have to offer God to use for His church. The bread and wine are also brought out during this time as we look forward to the greatest gift of all: Jesus. We sing the offertory in preparation to receive that gift.
P r e f a c e a n d S a n c t u s As we prepare for Communion, we thank God for the many blessings given to us. Page 19
E u c h a r i s t i c P r a y e r Here we remember the words of Jesus from his Last Supper with his disciples and are reminded about the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for each of us. Page 20
T h e L o r d s P r a y e r The Lord s Prayer is the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples; today we say this prayer before sharing Communion. 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. Page 21
C o m m u n i o n Communion is the time during the service where we come to the Lord s Table and receive Jesus through the bread and wine. For those that have not had their First Communion, the Pastor will give a blessing. Page 22
B l e s s i n g a n d S e n d i n g H y m n Our service always ends with the Pastor giving a blessing to all those in attendance, followed by a song to praise God, and a reminder to serve other people as we go out into the world. Page 23
References: Aune, M. B. (1978). Holy communion narrative for children: Lutheran book of worship. Augsburg Publishing House. Merriam-Webster, Inc. (2010). Merriam-Webster dictionary: An encyclopedia Britannica company. Springfield, MA: Author. Retrieved, December 13, 2010 from: http:// www.merriam-webster.com/ Special Thanks: Kylie McMains, Alicia Stephens, Rev. Nathan and Laura Allen 2011 Joy Lutheran Church Tulsa, Oklahoma