The Gathering

Invocation

We begin our worship in silent prayer during the Prelude, then by calling upon the Triune God with the same words that were said at our Baptisms, "in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." We mark the sign of the cross upon ourselves to remind us of what God did for us, and the entire world, through Jesus' death on the cross.

Confession & Forgiveness

We understand the cleansing of Baptism as something that we each need to return to daily, by sorrow for sin and repentance. And so we kneel in repentance and together confess our sins, asking to be healed and cleansed, and hearing again the promise of the forgiveness of sins - a promise which is ours only by God's grace, through faith in Jesus Christ.

Entrance Hymn

Having heard the "Good News" of God's grace, we joyfully "enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise". (Psalm 100:4).

Apostolic Greeting

The pastor greets us as one would greet members of a family, using the same words used by the Apostle Paul (2Corinthians 13:14).

Kyrie

The word, "Kyrie" is short for the ancient Greek phrase, "Kyrie eleison", which means, "Lord, have mercy". The Kyrie is the unceasing cry for God's mercy to a world filled with suffering and affliction.

Hymn of Praise

God's answer to the Kyrie is the gift of His Son, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. We therefore sing a hymn of praise announcing "Glory to God in the highest", or "Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain".

Prayer of the Day

This prayer closes the Gathering portion of the service, and prepares us for the lessons, which follow. The prayer often reflects the theme of the lessons for the day.