Worship, from beginning to end, is where God serves us with his gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation. That means that Lutheran Christian worship is not primarily about our work for God, but his work for us. In worship we receive God’s gifts and respond with thanks, praise, and love for our neighbor. This is the pattern of worship found in the Scriptures, church history, and here at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church.

This rhythm of Christian worship – from God to us – shapes our beliefs and practices of worship. Prosper of Aquitaine, a 5^thcentury pastor beautifully summarized this in his famous phrase Lex Orandi Lex Credendi, meaning “The law of praying is, or establishes, the law of believing.” In other words, the way Christians worship will inform and shape what they believe, just as what we believe, teach, and confess about Jesus’ saving work in the Scriptures will shape how we worship. There is a deep connection between doctrine (what we believe) and practice (what we do) in the day-to-day, and weekly life of the Christian congregation.

The topic headings below will provide further instruction and explanation of how what we believe informs how we worship.

• Lutheran Worship: God Serves Us
• Holy Baptism
• Confession and Absolution
• Holy Communion
• The Church Calendar: Holy Seasons and Holy Days
• Church Ceremonies and Chanting
• Sitting, Standing, and Bowing: Postures of Prayer and Praise
• Making the Sign of the Cross
• The Rite of Confirmation
• The Use of Incense
• Vestments