Gottesdienst
Any German speakers? What does this word mean? Gottesdienst translates as God's Service. It's a word I've only learned recently, but it has a long history. The more I am learning about it, the more appealing it is becoming. It brings to mind the concept of AWE vs WOW. (http://maryellynatthecross.blogspot.com/2007/11/awe.html)
The term "Divine Service" is somewhat unique to Lutheranism, and it reflects the theology of justification held by Lutherans. The term comes from the German word Gottesdienst (God service), and is significant because it reflects the Lutheran belief that the main actor in the Divine Service is God himself and not man. The connotation of the term is that the Word and Sacrament (the two parts of the Divine Service) are gifts that God gives to his people, and therefore Lutherans emphasize God's work rather than that of man. The term Mass was used by early Lutherans but such use has dwindled since then. Also, Lutherans have historically used the term to distinguish the Divine Service with Protestant Worship, where often the focus is on the worshipper bringing praise and thanksgiving to God.
This is a great website from a church that teaches about liturgy and the Small Catechism.
