Frequently Asked Questions

The worship staff receives a number of similar inquires on worship-related topics from across the church.

The responses you find here should not be considered the final word on the topic, but rather as useful guides to be considered with sensitivity to the local context. Many of the responses link to other Frequently Asked Questions that may be useful as you dig deeper into a particular response.

A resource section appears at the end of each response providing a bibliography of resources consulted in answering the question and which may be helpful to the reader in their own further research as well. Links are provided as locations to find these works, but are not meant as an endorsement of any vendors.

Any of these responses may be reproduced for local use as long as the appropriate acknowledgement, including the Web address, is cited on each copy.

If you would like additional information or do not find the question that you are seeking an answer to, we invite you to contact the worship staff at worship@elca.org.

‍Frequently Asked Question Topics‍

‍Church Year/Observances

Do we celebrate Youth Sunday?‍

‍How can we celebrate congregational anniversaries within worship?‍

‍How do congregations recognize secular occasions and holidays in the liturgy?‍

‍What are Rogation Days?‍

‍What is a Commemoration and how to we celebrate them?

‍‍What is a lesser festival?

When and how do we celebrate them?‍

‍Why and how do we use ashes on Ash Wednesday?

Ecumenical and Inter-Religious

Do Christians hold Seder meals?‍

‍Do Lutherans re-baptize former Mormons who are joining a congregation?‍

‍How do we bless Roman Catholic or other ecumenical guests who feel they cannot come to communion?‍

‍How do we worship and pray with other Christians and non-Christians?‍

‍What does Full Communion mean for Lutheran worship?

‍‍What is the relationship between the ELCA and the Roman Catholic Church?

Holy Communion

At what age do congregation members receive communion?‍

‍How can we provide for communion of the ill, homebound and imprisoned?‍

‍How do we distribute Holy Communion?

‍‍What kinds of bread are used in Holy Communion?‍

‍What kinds of wine are used for Holy Communion?‍

‍Where do we keep sacramental elements?‍

‍Why and how do we move to weekly communion?

Life Passages

Can a civil marriage be blessed in church?‍How can the centrality of baptism be renewed?‍

‍How do Lutherans regard organ donation and cremation?‍

‍How do rites of social and fraternal societies relate to Lutheran funeral practice?‍

‍What are baptismal festivals?‍

‍What are columbaria and memorial gardens?‍

‍What are the marks of a Christian funeral?‍

‍What are the practices for remembering and affirming baptism?

Liturgy

How are worship resources prepared and approved by the ELCA?‍

‍How do we make worship contextual?‍

‍How is lament included in worship?‍

‍How is language used in worship?‍

‍How is oil used in worship?

‍‍How is worship traditional?

How is worship contemporary?‍

‍Is applause appropriate in worship?‍

‍What are the biblical roots of worship?‍

‍What are vestments and paraments and why are they used?‍

‍What is a sacrament for Lutherans?‍

‍What is meant by inclusive and expansive language in worship?‍

‍What is "postmodern" or "emerging" worship?‍

‍What is the Exchange of Peace?‍

‍What is the pattern of worship?‍

‍What is the role of silence in worship?‍

‍Why and how do we use incense in worship?‍

‍Why do Lutherans make the sign of the cross?‍

‍Why don’t we use alleluias during Lent?‍

‍Why worship on Sunday?

Music

Can technology help lead congregational singing?

‍‍Can we alter the language of hymns and songs?‍

‍Did Martin Luther really use tavern tunes in church?‍

‍How can a worship band be used in Lutheran worship?

‍‍How can I create simple liturgical music for free?‍

‍How do we choose a new organ?‍

‍How do we expand our congregation’s hymn repertoire?‍

‍How do we introduce new music to our congregation?‍

‍How do we select hymns and songs for all seasons?‍

‍What can we do if we don’t have an organist?‍

‍What components are needed for a sound system?‍

‍What is an appropriate hymn tempo?‍

‍What is Church Music Sunday?‍

‍What is Taizé worship and how can it be used?‍

‍What is the role of music in the Lutheran liturgy?‍

‍What is the role of the choir in worship?‍

‍What music is appropriate for Lutheran weddings?‍

‍Why and how do we sing the Psalms?

Participation/Leadership

How can lay people participate in worship leadership?‍

‍How do we craft the Prayers of Intercession?‍

‍How do we involve children and youth in worship?‍

‍How do we lead liturgy with grace and confidence?‍

‍How do we use the body in worship?‍

‍How does worship involve all our senses?‍

‍Who is a presiding minister?

Worship Planning

How and when might congregations conduct surveys about worship styles and practices?‍

‍How do we evaluate worship?‍

‍Should we offer more than one worship service?‍

‍What is a Worship Committee?‍When do we make announcements in worship?‍

‍Where does the list of readings for our Sunday worship come from?

Worship Space

Are flags appropriate in church?‍

‍Are Unity Candles appropriate for weddings in a Lutheran church?‍

‍How can our worship services be more welcoming to people with disabilities?‍

‍How can video projection be used in worship?

‍‍How can we make our worship space accessible?‍

‍How do we make decisions about art and materials used in worship?‍

‍How do we use a Paschal Candle?‍

‍What are some considerations on art and environment for worship?‍

‍What components are needed for a video projection system?‍

‍What is a sanctuary lamp?‍

‍What is the Advent Wreath and how is it used in worship?‍

‍What is the meaning and use of liturgical colors?

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