Introduction to Christian Liturgy

by Frank C. Senn

Overview

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.

Written in the form of a handbook and designed with questions and answers for easy reference, Introduction to Christian Liturgy will help both novice and experienced worship leaders make informed decisions in their liturgical choices and practices.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780800698850
Publisher:	Augsburg Fortress, Publishers
Publication date:	07/01/2012
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Frank C. Senn is a retired Lutheran pastor and visiting professor. He is a past president the North American Academy of Liturgy. His previous books from Fortress Press include Christian Liturgy: Catholic and Evangelical (1997), New Creation: A Liturgical Worldview (2000), The People's Work: A Social History of the Liturgy (2010), and Introduction to Christian Liturgy (2012).

Table of Contents

Introduction: What Is Pastoral Liturgies? 1

Chapter 1 Liturgy-A Practical Science 3

1 Why do we worship? 3

2 What is liturgy? 5

3 What does it mean to do liturgy "decently and in order"? 6

4 How do we discern meaning in liturgy? 10

5 How is the people's work the work of God? 13

Chapter 2 History and Culture 17

1 What are the main periods of liturgical history? 17

2 What characterizes liturgy in each of these periods? 24

3 How does liturgy relate to culture in each of these periods? 31

4 What are the strategies of relating liturgy to culture? 38

5 How does inculturation work? 40

Chapter 3 The Principal Order of Service 43

1 What are the names of the principal order of service? 43

2 How did this order develop throughout history? 44

3 What is the lectionary and how does it work? 64

4 What are the parts of a eucharistic prayer? 67

5 What is the difference between a "High Mass" and a "Low Mass"? 71

Chapter 4 The Liturgy of Time 75

1 What does it mean to sanctify time? 75

2 Where did the liturgy of the hours come from? 76

3 What's the difference between cathedral and monastic prayer offices? 78

4 How did the liturgy of the hours develop throughout history? 81

5 How might daily prayer offices become daily once again? 94

Chapter 5 The Church-Year Calendar 97

1 What is the fixed day of Christian worship? 97

2 What are the principal festivals and seasons? 99

3 What are the lesser festivals, days of devotion, and commemorations? 102

4 What do we do the rest of the time? 104

5 What is the difference between a feast and a fast? 104

Chapter 6 The Church Year: Advent through Lent 107

1 Advent: Why do we begin at the end? 107

2 Christmas: What are the options for celebration? 113

3 The Epiphany: What are the riches of the observance? 119

4 Time after the Epiphany: Is there an Epiphany season? 122

5 Ash Wednesday and Lent: How do we practice penitence and catechesis? 123

Chapter 7 The Church Year: Holy Week 127

1 How did the rites of Holy Week develop? 127

2 Palm/Passion Sunday: What is the relationship between palms and the passion? 130

3 Maundy Thursday: What is the relationship between foot washing and the Lord's Supper? 131

4 Good Friday: What is the difference between liturgy and paraliturgical devotions? 133

5 Holy Saturday: How might the Great Vigil be structured? 136

Chapter 8 The Church Year: Easter and Beyond 141

1 Easter: How can a fifty-day celebration be maintained? 141

2 Pentecost: What happens on "the last and great day" of the feast? 144

3 Time after Pentecost: Should lesser festivals replace Sundays? 145

4 The Sanctoral Cycle: How do we commemorate the faithful departed? 148

5 Christ the King: How does the church year end? 154

Chapter 9 Life Passages 157

1 How does the church make new Christians? 157

2 How do Christians affirm and live out their baptism? 164

3 How does the church make ministers? 167

4 How does the church solemnize marriages? 169

5 How does the church militant transfer members to the church triumphant? 172

Chapter 10 The Liturgical Arts 177

1 What are "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs"? 177

2 How are hymns and other music selected for worship? 182

3 What is the role of bells? 183

4 How is the liturgical space arranged? 184

5 What do ministers wear for the liturgy? 186

Chapter 11 Participation in Worship 189

1 How is the body used in worship? 189

2 What are some standard ceremonies in the Western liturgical tradition? 195

3 How do processions facilitate popular participation? 200

4 What should the people have to support their participation? 204

5 How are children formed into the liturgy? 206

Afterword: In Lieu of a Bibliography of Current Denominational Worship Books 211

Chronology of Events and Documents 213

Glossary of Liturgical Terms 223

Notes 231

Index 241