This is part of the worship series,
"God of All Ages”
Series Introduction
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4
WEEK TWO
FOURTH CENTURY
Introduction
Last week we learned that for the first-century church, worship was a communal activity, with everyone praying, singing, and reading Scripture. In some respects, the early church's worship more closely resembled a home Bible study group than what we experience as worship today.
So, when did worship begin to move away from that pattern to having clergy at the front of the sanctuary? In the fourth century, Christianity went from being an underground movement to becoming the official religion of the Roman Empire under Emperor Constantine. As a Christian, Constantine saw it as his duty to bring the church and state into a relationship characterized by the closest possible ties. He introduced a system of priests, bishops, and cardinals, with special status for the Bishop of Jerusalem, reflecting the hierarchical government of Rome. Constantine also changed the language of the service from the traditional Greek to Latin, the more widely understood language of the empire.
With its new legal status, the church increasingly put worship into the hands of professional clergy. Service leaders wore religious vestments; choirs were introduced and took over the responsibility of singing.
The order of worship the church adopted in the fourth century would remain largely unchanged for 1,200 years.
Introit
"Of The Father's Love Begotten" Prudentius
Although the commonly known melody for this hymn was not written until the twelfth century, the words were written in the fourth century. The choir, wearing robes, sang while processing from the rear of the sanctuary.
Prayer of Confession
Kyrie Eleison
The choir sang the Kyrie Eleison (many settings are available), preparing the congregation to pray, asking God for mercy.
Assurance of Pardon
Sung Response
Choir: Gloria Our choir sang a setting of the Gloria; the hymn "All Glory Be to God on High" Decius is a hymn version of the fourth-century prayer, an expansion of the text from Luke 2:14.
Congregation: "Threefold Amen"
Pax Vobis
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Scripture
Philippians 2:1–11
Sung response
"Glory Be to the Father" Meineke
Scripture
John 1:1–18
Sung response
"Glory Be to the Father" Meineke
Sermon: The Person of Christ
Text: Philippians 2:5–11
Notes: Speaking of God doesn't offend anyone. But speaking of Jesus is different. Jesus is offensive because he is exclusive. "No one comes to the Father but by me. The one who has me has the Father. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father."
You can attend church, love the church, and be a generous financial giver. You can be a theological professor, an elder, or a Sunday school teacher. You can be a good person, live a decent life, and do your best to help others. You can appreciate the beauty of nature and be aware of God's presence. You can be a tolerant person, a respecter of other's ideas and faith. But in the end, "Salvation is found in no one else [but Jesus]."
The confession of the early church was "Jesus is Lord." The council of Nicea in 381 wanted to make it crystal clear:
Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God,
God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God,
begotten not made,
being of one substance with the Father.
Jesus, the one we worship, is Lord and Savior.
Dominus Vobiscum
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
We lift up our hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Credo
The Nicene Creed
Oremus (Let us pray)
The Lord's Supper
During Communion, the choir song settings of the Sanctus ("Holy, Holy, Holy"), Agnus Dei ("Lamb of God"), and Pater Noster ("Our Father").
Collect (A prayer of supplication and intercession)
Dismissal
Ite missa est. (You are dismissed.)
Deo gratias. (Thanks be to God)
Recessional
"Of The Father's Love Begotten" Prudentius
Revised Common Lectionary
Year A: Season after Pentecost—Proper 21 (26)
