Into Liturgy, part 3

In this third installment of our look into the liturgy of the church, we explore two of the initial liturgical movements.
Kyrie
The Kyrie is a prayer for God’s mercy. Observing the Triune formula Lord [Father] have mercy, Christ [Son] have mercy, Lord [Holy Spirit] have mercy. As we gather in the presence of the One True God, we cry out for that which we do not deserve. God comes to us in divine service, bestowing his gifts of his mercy, help, and provision in our every need. As sinners in need of God’s grace, we are equipped and emboldened through the waters of Holy Baptism to approach God as beggars for forgiveness and renewal. In a plea for mercy, we cry “Help, save, and defend us gracious Lord.” The Kyrie concludes with “Amen” that is “yes, yes, it shall be so.”

Hymn of Praise The Hymn of Praise, also known as the “Jubilant Anthem of Redemption” is the first of two songs of the angels sung in divine service. The “Gloria” sings of God’s glory in the highest heaven and his peace to his people on earth. The Gloria is an elaboration of the song of the angels sung over Bethlehem at the birth of the Christ child. Singing praises once again in the Triune pattern, the three stanzas of the Gloria form a series of acclamations, ascribing all glory to God. The Gloria is most commonly sung when Holy Communion is celebrated during the ordinary times of the church year.
Another song used as Hymn of Praise is “Worthy is Christ” often referred to as “This Is the Feast.” This hymn of praise is a modern composition introduced by the Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW). It draws from the hymns sung by the company of heaven in the book of Revelation. This hymn of praise enjoins the ongoing celebrations of Passover and Easter, carrying with it the theme of God’s redemption through Christ’s victory over sin and the grave. This hymn of praise is sung during the festivals of the liturgical year in which special focus is placed upon the resurrection of Christ.
The leadership of Kyrie and Hymn of Praise falls upon the assisting minister for the day, or upon the cantor. The assisting minister or cantor sings antiphonally from a location away from the altar, but in full view of the congregation.