The Place of Scripture In the Service of the Word

The reading and preaching of God's Word in worship is the central act of divine action. Centrality of Scripture. Scripture holds the place of centrality in worship. Thus in the Entrance the people come into the presence of God and prepare to hear the Word of God. At the Table the people respond to the Word in what the early church called the great thanksgiving (Eucharist). Thus the Word is to be seen as the central act of proclamation and the Eucharist is the great response of thanksgiving for the Word. Consequently the celebration of the Eucharist is never a diminishing of the Word, but the most appropriate response of thanks the congregation can give to the Word. When this relationship between Word and Table is properly understood, both Word and Table are most likely to receive their true place in worship. The reading and hearing of Scripture in Christian worship is not optional; it is one of the defining "marks" that distinguishes Christian worship. Scripture as Worship. The Bib…