Introduction to Christian Liturgy

by Senn, Frank C.

• ISBN13: 9780800698850
• ISBN10: 0800698851
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-07-01
• Publisher: Fortress Pr

Summary

Designed as a general introduction to Christian liturgy, this book explores the meaning, history, and practice of worship in Eastern and Western, Catholic and Protestant traditions. Its chapters cover the theology of worship, the historical development of Eucharist and the Prayer Offices, the lectionary and customs of the church year, other sacramental rites, and the use of music and the arts. As such, it is a perfect textbook for students seeking to understand the basics of liturgical worship, as well as a reliable guide for worship leaders.

Author Biography

Frank C. Senn is pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Evanston, Illinois, and has served as president of both the Liturgical Conference and the North American Academy of Liturgy. His many Fortress Press books include Christian Liturgy: Catholic and Evangelical (1997), New Creation: Elements of a Liturgical Worldview (2000), and The Peoples Work A Social History of the Liturgy (2006).

Table of Contents

Introduction: What Is Pastoral Liturgies?	p. 1
Liturgy-A Practical Science	p. 3
Why do we worship?	p. 3
What is liturgy?	p. 5
What does it mean to do liturgy "decently and in order"?	p. 6
How do we discern meaning in liturgy?	p. 10
How is the people's work the work of God?	p. 13
History and Culture	p. 17
What are the main periods of liturgical history?	p. 17
What characterizes liturgy in each of these periods?	p. 24
How does liturgy relate to culture in each of these periods?	p. 31
What are the strategies of relating liturgy to culture?	p. 38
How does inculturation work?	p. 40
The Principal Order of Service	p. 43
What are the names of the principal order of service?	p. 43
How did this order develop throughout history?	p. 44
What is the lectionary and how does it work?	p. 64
What are the parts of a eucharistic prayer?	p. 67
What is the difference between a "High Mass" and a "Low Mass"?	p. 71
The Liturgy of Time	p. 75
What does it mean to sanctify time?	p. 75
Where did the liturgy of the hours come from?	p. 76
What's the difference between cathedral and monastic prayer offices?	p. 78
How did the liturgy of the hours develop throughout history?	p. 81
How might daily prayer offices become daily once again?	p. 94
The Church-Year Calendar	p. 97
What is the fixed day of Christian worship?	p. 97
What are the principal festivals and seasons?	p. 99
What are the lesser festivals, days of devotion, and commemorations?	p. 102
What do we do the rest of the time?	p. 104
What is the difference between a feast and a fast?	p. 104
The Church Year: Advent through Lent	p. 107
Advent: Why do we begin at the end?	p. 107
Christmas: What are the options for celebration?	p. 113
The Epiphany: What are the riches of the observance?	p. 119
Time after the Epiphany: Is there an Epiphany season?	p. 122
Ash Wednesday and Lent: How do we practice penitence and catechesis?	p. 123
The Church Year: Holy Week	p. 127
How did the rites of Holy Week develop?	p. 127
Palm/Passion Sunday: What is the relationship between palms and the passion?	p. 130
Maundy Thursday: What is the relationship between foot washing and the Lord's Supper?	p. 131
Good Friday: What is the difference between liturgy and paraliturgical devotions?	p. 133
Holy Saturday: How might the Great Vigil be structured?	p. 136
The Church Year: Easter and Beyond	p. 141
Easter: How can a fifty-day celebration be maintained?	p. 141
Pentecost: What happens on "the last and great day" of the feast?	p. 144
Time after Pentecost: Should lesser festivals replace Sundays?	p. 145
The Sanctoral Cycle: How do we commemorate the faithful departed?	p. 148
Christ the King: How does the church year end?	p. 154
Life Passages	p. 157
How does the church make new Christians?	p. 157
How do Christians affirm and live out their baptism?	p. 164
How does the church make ministers?	p. 167
How does the church solemnize marriages?	p. 169
How does the church militant transfer members to the church triumphant?	p. 172
The Liturgical Arts	p. 177
What are "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs"?	p. 177
How are hymns and other music selected for worship?	p. 182
What is the role of bells?	p. 183
How is the liturgical space arranged?	p. 184
What do ministers wear for the liturgy?	p. 186
Participation in Worship	p. 189
How is the body used in worship?	p. 189
What are some standard ceremonies in the Western liturgical tradition?	p. 195
How do processions facilitate popular participation?	p. 200
What should the people have to support their participation?	p. 204
How are children formed into the liturgy?	p. 206
Afterword: In Lieu of a Bibliography of Current Denominational Worship Books	p. 211
Chronology of Events and Documents	p. 213
Glossary of Liturgical Terms	p. 223
Notes	p. 231
Index	p. 241
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