Lutheran Worship Prospectus

Fall 2000
Prof. John T. Pless
Office: Jerome Hall, Ext. 2271
Email: plessjt@mail.ctsfw.edu

I. Course Description

An introduction to the strengths of uniquely Lutheran Real-Presence worship-its genesis under Luther, its confessional Law-Gospel theological orientation, and its practice (including ceremony and music), as a craft and non-verbal language of communication.

II. Course Credit

Required course, three hours

III. Class Level

Required Seminary I course

IV. Prerequisites

None

V. Course Objectives

  1. In the area of Knowledge and Understanding
    1. Specific knowledge of Lutheran worship services and practices,
      1. Lutheran Worship Matins and Vespers rubrics.
      2. Lutheran Worship Divine Service I & II rubrics.
      3. Occasional services: i.e. wedding, funeral, and other rites.
    2. Specific knowledge of the history and theology of Lutheran worship.
      1. The Lutheran theology of Gottesdienst.
      2. Biblical analysis of Lutheran liturgies and Lutheran liturgical theology.
      3. Luther's liturgical contributions (e.g. Formula Missae, Deutsche Messe)
      4. Luther's hymnody as a guide for judging later contributions.
      5. Worship and the Lutheran Confessions.
      6. Organ and choral repertory that reinforces Lutheran theology.
  2. In the area of Skills
    1. To be able to publicly read Scripture and liturgy with appropriate enunciation, projection, and inflection.
    2. To be able to chant psalms, collects, and versicles of the liturgies.
    3. To be able to design worship bulletins that encourage strong participation.
    4. To be able to assess the value of appropriate hymnody.
    5. To be able to comfortably conduct a variety of minor offices from LW in morning and evening chapel, and the Divine Service for a TV filming in the auditorium.
    6. To be able to comfortably participate in Lutheran liturgies.
  3. In the area of Attitudes
    1. Recognize corporate worship as the central activity of the grace-oriented Christian, providing him with the complete resources of Word and Sacraments, through which one's entire life is sustained, strengthened, and guided.
    2. Recognizing corporate worship with Word and Sacraments as the essential (not auxiliary) activity of the grace-oriented parish, from which is given power and direction for the total program of pastoral care, catechesis, evangelism, stewardship, and mission.
    3. Appreciating the necessity for a disciplined Word-prayer routine.
    4. Appreciating the truth, that as Lutherans have characteristic beliefs that distinguish them from other churches, so too, Lutherans have maintained a unique music, that is more representative of their own mood, character, and emotional atmosphere than any other denomination.
    5. Appreciating quality standards in worship as a valid thank offering to God in recognition of the priceless gift of salvation.

VI. Texts

A. Required
Evanson, Charles. Evangelicalism and the Liturgical Movement and Their Effects on Lutheran Worship (Association of Lutheran Church Musicians) Lutheran Worship-Pew Edition (CPH)
Pelikan, Jaroslav (editor). Luther's Works: Liturgy and Hymns -Vol. 53 AE (Fortress)
Precht, Fred (editor). Lutheran Worship: History and Practice (CPH)
Spinks, Bryan. Luther's Liturgical Criteria and His Reform of the Canon of Mass (printshop)
White, James. A Brief History of Christian Worship (Abingdon)

B. Suggested Books
McCain Paul (editor). Mysteria Dei: Essays in Honor of Kurt Marquart (Concordia Theological Seminary Press)
Senn, Frank. Christian Liturgy: Catholic and Evangelical (Fortress)
Veith, Gene Edward. The Spirituality of the Cross (CPH)

VII. Methodology for Teaching and Learning

A. The methodology will vary greatly from unit to unit-some require a lecture-discussion
B. demonstration by the instructor and students, and some periods and portions of periods for laboratory time to practice skills.
C. Students will officiate at chapel services (Kramer Chapel); preceded by individual preparation (by appointment) with instructor or student assistant.
D. Every student officiates at a Divine Service for TV taping with one other person who serves as congregation. This tape is later viewed with the student for critiquing.
E. Two written examinations will be given (mid-quarter and end of quarter)
F. Each student will construct a worship bulletin for a Divine Service.
G. Since chapel services demonstrate the conduct, content, and participation in Lutheran worship , they are means for laboratory instruction. Thus, students are required to attend the daily 10:00 am chapel liturgy and they are encouraged to attend other daily prayer offices.
H. Each student will submit two essays (two pages each)

VII. Class Schedule and Units of Instruction

September 12 Introduction to the Course

September 14 Theology of Worship

Assigned Readings:
Introduction to Lutheran Worship, 6
A. Just, "Liturgical Renewal in the Parish" LWHP, 21-43
R. Pittelko, "Worship and the Community of Faith" LWHP, 44-57
K. Marquart, "Liturgy and Evangelism" LWHP, 58-76
N. Nagel, "Whose Liturgy Is It?" (hand out)
T. Quill, "Divine Service and Forgiveness of Sins" (hand out)

September 19 Presiding at the Liturgy and Public Reading

Assigned Reading: J.Pless, "The Language of the Liturgy" LWHP, 229-234

September 21 Early Christian Worship (Jewish Precedents)

Assigned Reading: J. White, A Brief History of Christian Worship, 13-39
Two-page essay due on the Lutheran theology of worship

September 26th Early Christian Worship

Assigned Reading: White, 40-74

September 28th Medieval Liturgy

Assigned Reading: White, 75-103

October 3rd Luther's Reform of the Mass

Assigned Readings:
"Treatise on the New Testament, that is the Holy Mass" Luther's Work's AE 36:11-57
"The Babylonian Captivity" Luther's Works AE 36:11-57
"The German Mass and Order of Service" Luther's Works AE 53: 53:19-90
B.Spinks, Luther's Liturgical Criteria and His Reform of the Canon of the Mass

October 5th Luther's Reform of the Mass-cont.

October 10th LCMS Liturgical History, Frontier Tradition, and Contemporary Worship

Assigned Readings:
Precht, "Worship Resources in the Missouri Synod's History" LWHP, 77-116
Sauer, "Lutheran Worship" LWHP, 117-145
Evanson, Charles. Evangelicalism and the Liturgical Movement And Their Effects on Lutheran Worship White, 142-177

October 12th The Divine Service: The Preparation and the Service of the Word

Assigned Readings: Evanson, "The Divine Service" LWHP, 401-419

October 17th The Divine Service: The Service of Holy Communion

Assigned Readings:
Evanson, "The Divine Service" LWHP, 419-435
Nagel, "The Holy Communion" LWHP, 290-321
Volk, "Evangelical Insights in the Understanding of Holy Communion" (hand out)

October 19th EXAM I

October 24th Liturgical Time and the Christian Church Year

Assigned Reading: Bauer, J. "The Church Year" LWHP, 146-174

October 26th Liturgical Space, Vestments, and Vessels

Assigned Reading: Schmidt, "The Pace of Worship" LWHP, 175-219 Pless, "Vestments for Ministers" LWHP, 219-224

October 31 Lutheran Hymnody

Assigned Reading:
R.Resch "Hymnody as Teacher of the Faith" CTQ July 1993, 161- 176
C. Schalk, "Music and the Liturgy: The Lutheran Tradition" LWHP, 243-261

November 2 The Daily Office
Assigned Reading: Pless, "Daily Prayer" LWHP, 440-470

November 7 No Class. Students attend Good Shepherd Institute

November 9 Holy Baptism

Two page essay due on some element of the Divine Service (Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Agnus Dei etc.)

Assigned Readings:
Luther's Works AE 53:95-109
Nagel, "Holy Baptism" LWHP, 262-289

November 14 Liturgy as Pastoral Care

Assigned Readings: John Kleinig, "Witting or Unwitting Ritualists" (hand out)

November 16 EXAM II