Lutheran Worship

Imagine a welcoming narthex that opens onto the room of assembly where there is a great baptismal pool, full of clear and flowing water and situated just at the place where the narthex opens onto a nave. The assembly room itself is furnished with a central reading desk, a gracious and significant table, visible chairs for a few leaders, and worthy chairs for all the people who gather. Here are visible invitations to baptism, the Word, the meal, and the leadership, as well as a good space for the participating community. As people arrive, doorkeepers hand out the liturgy books. Candles flicker at each of the central places, marking especially the reading desk and the table. A great white linen cloth covers the table, and both reading desk and table may also be marked with cloth in the color of the season or the day. Near the entrance, at a place that can be seen, stands a table holding the loaf of bread that someone has brought, and a glass flagon of amber or white wine. Music, light …