Lutheran Lingo

Have you have you ever wondered if Garrison Keillor’s fond musings about Lutherans are true?  Then come, join us and find out. 

Don’t be troubled if you think at first that we Lutherans speak a foreign language.  In fact when you visit Peace, you may hear people speaking Amharic, German, Finnish, Ga or Akan. Of course, mostly you’ll hear English, but do you know Lutheran lingo?  We want you to feel welcome in our community and have developed this little dictionary as a way of building understanding.  Here are a few words and phrases that may be helpful.

Advent – Happy New Year!  Advent is the beginning of the church year.  Among Lutherans, and some other denominations, it is a period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.  Advent also reminds us of the hoped for second coming of Christ.  Department stores prefer to jump from Thanksgiving (or even Halloween) directly to Christmas, but we celebrate Advent.

Coffee – Yes, it is that hot dark beverage that so many people love to drink.  When you hear the word, coffee, in a Lutheran fellowship hall, the appropriate thing for you to say is, yes, please.   The only exception to this rule is that when you hear the word, coffee, in the sentence, the coffee is all gone, you say, Oh, no!  The coffee is good; it is fair trade coffee purchased by our congregation through Lutheran World Relief.  It is also available for sale by the pound.

Grace – MUCH more than a girl’s name, grace is the foundation of our belief.  Martin Luther’s insight into God’s love is that we are forgiven and saved by God’s action, not by our own merit or actions.

Lent – Lent is the 40 day period before Easter.  It is a time for reflection, meditation, and service.

Mass – Roman Catholics celebrate mass, a worship service that follows a pattern begun over 1,000 years ago.  Many are surprised that the Lutheran service is also a mass that roughly follows the same pattern, asking for forgiveness, receiving absolution, listening and learning and taking communion.

Narthex – in a home, we would call this the entry hall.  If you are looking for a coat rack, more pamphlets than you can possibly read, or an usher, try the narthex.

Pastor – Many Protestant denominations call their spiritual leader a minister.  Roman Catholics and Episcopalians say priest, but most Lutherans say pastor.  The word pastor derives from a Latin word meaning feeder; the shepherd feeds and cares for the flock by keeping them in green pastures.  We look to our pastors to feed and care for our spiritual needs.

Responses – If you are in a crowded room and want to gain everyone’s attention, simply say, The Lord be with you.  You will find that everyone in room looks at you and says, And also with you.  Of course at that point you must offer a prayer, afterwards, make your announcement.

Synod – Every organization has some sort of structure.  For us, the congregation is where we gather for worship, service and fellowship.  We vote to call our pastors.  A group of congregations in a geographical area is assigned to a synod, and delegates from those congregations meet in assembly to elect our bishop who is pastor to all the pastors of the congregations in the synod. Delegates from the synod meet in a national assembly to elect the presiding bishop of our whole church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and to set policy and conduct the business of the church.

      God be with you.