The information provided here is adapted from Christian Worship: Foundations, available here.
Part One:
The Service of Preparation
Opening Hymn
The service opens with a hymn. The hymn's purpose is to help worshipers unite their hearts, minds, and voices and to focus our collective attention on God, who comes to serve us in his Word and Sacrament.
Invocation
As the service begins, the words used in baptism are spoken: "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." The sign of the cross marks the baptized as those who have been redeemed by Christ and are now able to stand in his presence.
Confession of Sins
Standing in God's presence, we first confess our sins to him, remembering two inmportant truths about God. First, he is holy, utterly set apart from sin. Second, he is merciful, having sent his Son to pay for our sins.
Absolution
The pastor proclaims the Lord's comforting absolution. (Absolution means forgiveness.) The pastor speaks in the first person ("I forgive you...") as one called and authorized by Jesus to forgive those who are sorry for their sins.
Lord, Have Mercy
Having received the gift of forgiveness, we now make our requests to him on the basis of his mercy, not our merit. We pray for ourselves, our fellow worshipers, the Christian Church, and the whole world.
Glory to God in the Highest
After praying humbly but confidently for the Lord's merciful blessings, the congregation sings a joyful song of praise to the triune God for his great gifts to us, especially the gift of salvation.
Part Two:
The Service the Word
Salutation
"The Lord be with you" is an ancient greeting among God's people. More than just a greeting, though, we know that the Lord really does come to be with us in this part of the service as we listen to his holy Word.
Prayer of the Day
This prayer is connected to the appointed Scripture readings for the day. Most of these prayers have been prayed in the Christian Church for more than 1,000 years.
First Reading
The First Reading usually comes from the Old Testament. It is chosen because of its connection to the Gospel Reading.
Psalm of the Day
The Psalms have been sung by believers for at least 3,000 years. The Psalm appointed for each day complements the theme of the Readings.
Second Reading
The Second Reading usually comes from one the Epistles (letters written by Jesus' apostles). It too is chosen because of its connection to the Gospel Reading.
Gospel Acclamation
Before we hear the words and works of Jesus in the Gospel Reading, we stand and sing "Alleluia", which means "Praise the Lord!"
Gospel Reading
The Gospel Reading comes from one of the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. This is the high point of the Service of the Word; the theme of the service, with its readings, hymns, and prayers, it based on the Gospel Reading appointed for the day.
Hymn of the Day
The Hymn of the Day is a hymn chosen for its close connection to the Gospel Reading. Most of the Hymns of the Day have been sung for centuries because of their substantial, edifying, and thoroughly scriptural content.
Sermon
The pastor preaches on one of the readings for that day, explaining it and applying it to the lives of those listening. Preaching is one of the main ways that pastors feed, equuip, guide, and lead their flock.
Creed
Responding to the living and active Word they have just heard, the congregation stands to confess the Nicene or Apostles' Creed. These creeds serve as a summary of the Christian faith and connect us to the entire Christian Church, which has confessed these creeds for over 1600 years.
Prayer of the Church
The Prayer of the Church unites the hearts of believers in prayer on behalf of many different people. We pray with many needs, both physical and spiritual, in mind. The congregational responses allow all the people to add their voices to these prayers.
Offering
The offering is included in the service because it has spiritual significance. In a tangible way, believers are expressing their thanks to God, acknowledging that they give to God only what he has first given to them. They support his gospel ministry locally and globally.
Part Three:
The Service of the Sacrament
Preface
This responsive dialogue has ancient roots; they have been spoken or sung by the Christian Church for at least 1800 years. The first part of the preface mirrors the Salutation. Just as the Lord truly is with us in his Word, he also comes to be with us in a special way in the Sacrament.
Holy, Holy, Holy
This song combines the words of the angels around God's throne ("Holy, holy, holy"), with the words of the crowds on Palm Sunday ("Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"). In this song we proclaim the wondrous fact that in the Sacrament, we are in the presence of the holy God who comes to save us.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
In this prayer, believers give the Lord their thanks and praise. They also remember in a formal way what God has done to create and redeem them, focusing espeically on the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.
Lord's Prayer
As believers pray the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples, they are lifting their hearts to God and asking for those things Jesus taught his people to ask for.
Words of Institution
The words of Jesus make Holy Communion what it is: his body and blood, given and poured out for the forgiveness of sins. These special words set apart the bread and wine for the Lord's use while also proclaiming the grace of Jesus who willingly gave up his life to win forgiveness for sinners.
Peace of the Lord
"The peace of the Lord be with you always" is not just a fond wish from the pastor to the people. In the Sacrament, believers truly receive the peace that comes from the forgiveness of sins.
Lamb of God
Jesus is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world through the sacrifice of his body on the cross and the shedding of his precious blood. These are the very gifts that he gives in the Sacrament.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
Following the distribution of the Sacrament, the congregation gives thanks to the Lord for the great blessings given in Holy Communion, and pray for those blessings to continue in our daily lives.
Blessing
The pastor lifts his hands in blessing over the people and speaks the words first given by God himself to the first high priest of Israel over 3500 years ago. Again, the words of this blessing are more than a wish; this is the Lord's own promise of grace and peace.
Closing Hymn
The service concludes, as it began, with the voices of the entire congregation praising God by proclaiming the great things he has done.