Altar, cross and candles
A simple altar with a cross or crucifix and candles, and a prominent pulpit nearby.
Pulpit and altar stand together because word and sacrament are held to do the same thing — deliver forgiveness.
Seen in · Sunday worship
All traditionsExplore 
Lutheran
Grace first and grace last, a liturgy kept rather than discarded, and hymns doing much of the teaching.
Born from Martin Luther's insistence that we are put right with God by grace received in faith, not by anything we manage. Luther kept whatever in worship didn't contradict that — which turned out to be most of it.
Read the storyA service
How a service usually runs
Confession and absolution
The service often opens with sin named plainly and forgiveness announced plainly.
The Word
Readings, psalm, Gospel, and a sermon that usually turns on the difference between law and gospel.
The Sacrament
The Words of Institution, the Lord's Prayer, and communion — held to be truly Christ's body and blood.
Sending
The Aaronic blessing and a closing hymn.
The room
What you'd see there
Alb and stole
Alb and coloured stole, sometimes a chasuble; in some churches a plain black preaching gown instead.
Vestments are kept but kept simple — useful, not essential. Luther's word for such things was 'free'.
Seen in · Most congregations
The hymnal
A congregational hymn book, sung strongly, usually with organ.
Luther wrote hymns so that ordinary people would carry doctrine home in their mouths. It worked.
Seen in · Every service
Words
Prayers from this tradition
Luther's morning prayer
I thank you, my heavenly Father, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger. Keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please you. Into your hands I commend myself. Amen.
The Aaronic blessing
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favour and give you peace.
A prayer of confidence
Lord, I cannot make myself good enough for you, and you have never asked me to. Let me rest today on what you have already done. Amen.
Language
Words you'll hear
Law and gospel
The two things preaching does: name the need, then announce the rescue.
Absolution
Forgiveness spoken out loud after confession.
The Divine Service
The Sunday liturgy — named for God serving us, not the reverse.
Catechism
Luther's short question-and-answer summary, still learned by heart.
Real presence
Christ genuinely given in the bread and wine.
Vocation
Ordinary work and family as the place holiness actually happens.
The year
How the year is kept
Keeps the church year and its colours, with a strong Advent and Lent, midweek services in those seasons, and Reformation Day at the end of October.
Vestments & the altar
The colours, the clothing and the furnishings in more detail.
Illustrations are artist's impressions, drawn to show the usual pattern. Every church varies.