The "Singing Church"
Lutherans are noted for their rich musical heritage and often have been referred to as “The Singing Church.” Luther himself loved music and was responsible for writing many hymns which are still being sung today. His most famous hymn is “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” for which he wrote both text and music.
Lutherans are probably responsible for bringing four part harmony to Georgia in the form of hymns that were sung in parts. Many hymns were created from familiar folk tunes, to which spiritual text was added. Luther firmly believed that the people should participate in worship and this was accomplished through singing of hymns and liturgy.
Famous
early Lutheran musicians include, left to right: Johann S. Bach, George F.
Handel, and Felix Mendelssohn.
Worship
The Lutheran church defines itself as “the assembly of believers among which the Gospel is preached and the Holy Sacraments are administered according to the Gospel” (Augsburg Confession, VII). From the beginning, therefore, the Bible was central to Lutheran worship, and the sacraments were reduced from the traditional seven to Baptism and the Lord's Supper. According to the Lutheran reading of the Scriptures, only these two were instituted by Christ. Worship was conducted in the language of the people (not in Latin as had been the Roman Catholic tradition), and preaching was stressed. Lutheranism did not radically change the structure of the medieval mass, but its use of vernacular language enhanced the importance of the sermons, which were based on the daily Scriptures, and encouraged congregational participation in worship, especially through the singing of the liturgy and of hymns.
Though many Lutheran churches today offer contemporary worship services,
there is still always the thread of liturgy that runs through their
structure. This is the heritage treasured by Lutherans.
In the Lutheran celebration of the Eucharist, the elements of bread and wine
are given to all communicants, whereas Roman Catholics had allowed the wine
only to priests. In contrast to other Protestants, Lutherans affirm the real
bodily presence of Christ “in, with, and under” the elements of bread and
wine at the Lord's Supper. Christ is sacramentally present for the
communicant in the bread and the wine because of the promise he gave at the
institution of Holy Communion, when he said, “This is my body” and “This is
my blood” (Matthew 26:26-28).