Evangelical and Catholic:
the Sunday Liturgy
of the
Lutheran Church
(PDF File)
What About
Kneeling? 		The Sign
of the Cross 		"catholic"
Worship
The Real Presence
of Christ in
the Sacrament 		Bowing What is, and Why use,
the Historic Liturgy
On Turning Together
Toward the Lord 		The Most Holy
Trinity 		Reverence and
Preparation
On Turning Together Toward the Lord

At Saint Luke's at this time, you will notice a more traditional altar and chancel arrangement. On the one hand, we celebrate "The Great Tradition" in Christian history and liturgy, and this is one way that we draw on the evangelical and catholic patterns that have been passed on to us. On the other hand, we are exploring the liturgical arrangement which is best described as "Pastor and People Turning Together Toward the Lord". In this arrangement:

  • The altar will be placed at the back of the chancel,
  • The presiding minister will preside at the Lord's Supper facing the altar and cross, standing "with" the congregation.

Throughout this season, several points to consider with regard to the altar placed against the back wall:

  • The point is not that the pastor has his back turned to the congregation, but that the pastor and congregation are worshiping God together, turned toward the Lord;
  • The pastor is not the focus of worship, nor is the congregation; God is the focus of pastor and people;
  • The pastor and congregation do not "complete the circle"--they face the altar, which represents God, who completes the circle.
  • In many ways, this arrangement heightens the mystery of the Sacrament of the Altar, and stimulates reverence and the sense of awe.

We pray that you will find worship at Saint Luke's to be "in Spirit and in Truth", dynamic while traditional, full of the majesty and mystery of our Triune God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!