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Guide for Ministers
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- 4.1 General notes concerning the divine service
- 4.2 General regulations
- 4.2.1 General regulations: Preparing the divine service space
- 4.2.2 General regulations : Scheduling for divine services
- 4.2.3 General regulations: Greeting and farewell
- 4.2.4 General regulations: Transmission of divine services
- 4.3 Spiritual preparation
- 4.4 Length of divine services
- 4.5 Liturgy
- 4.5.1 The liturgy of the divine service (short version)
- 4.5.2 Explanations on the liturgy
- 4.5.3 Additional liturgical regulations
- 4.5.4 Requirements of the sermon
- 4.6 Special types of divine services
- 4.6.1 Word service
- 4.6.2 Word service in which Holy Communion can be taken
- 4.6.3 Divine service for the departed
- 4.6.4 Dedication service
- 4.6.5 Decommissioning service
- 4.6.6 Wedding service
- 4.6.7 Funeral service
- 4.7 Dispensation of sacraments and acts of blessing outside of the divine service
4.6.1 Word service
The word service focuses on the preaching of the word. No sacraments are dispensed in a word service.
Word services are intended to serve or provide pastoral care to certain circles or for special occasions.
If a priestly minister is unavailable for regular divine services, Deacons can conduct word services within the scope of their authority to conduct word services (including the dispensation of the Trinitarian benediction). Prior consultation with the Apostle is required.
In the event that the priestly minister who has been scheduled to conduct the divine service fails to arrive, a Deacon should conduct a word service.
Apostles and priestly ministers can perform acts of blessing in a word service. Although a Deacon can dispense the benediction, he or she does not perform any further acts of blessing such as a wedding, for example.
In a word service there are no communion chalices on the altar. The officiant assumes his or her position behind the altar during the opening hymn.
A word service has the following sequence:
- Opening hymn
- Trinitarian formula
- opening prayer
- reading of the Bible text
- musical contribution
- sermon based on the Divine Service Guide
- musical contribution when calling ministers to assist
- assisting ministers (optional)
- musical contribution following the sermon part (optional)
- introductory words prior to the Lord’s Prayer
- collectively spoken Lord’s Prayer
- closing prayer
- Trinitarian benediction
- threefold Amen sung by congregation
- final musical contribution (optional)
A word service should not last longer than 45 minutes.