Religious Jargon

A glossary of terms

Acolyte — Acolytes directly participate in the worship service, lighting and carrying candles, carrying the crucifix, bringing the offering up to the altar, and performing other tasks. The role of Acolyte is one that allows the youth of the congregation to participate.

The word Acolyte comes from the Greek word akolouthos, meaning a follower, or an attendant. The first mention of an acolyte in a church was in a letter written in AD 251 by Pope Cornelius, which states that in Rome there existed 42 acolytes.

Alb — A white linen vestment with sleeves. It reaches nearly to the ground, and is secured around the waist by a cincture.

The definite origin of the alb is not known, but most modern authorities believe it was derived from the white linen tunic that Romans and Greeks ordinarily wore in the Roman Empire.

Altar — A table placed in the sanctuary upon which the Eucharist is celebrated.

Amen — Means "Truly," or "So be it."

Amen is one of only a few Hebrew words which have made it into the liturgy of the church unchanged. The word amen is a derivative of the Hebrew verb aman, meaning "to confirm," or "to strengthen."

Anthem — A response sung or played during the worship service.

The word anthem is derived from the word antiphon, which in Greek literally means "opposite sound."

Apse — The part of the church building where the altar is located.

Apse comes from the Latin word apsis, which means "an arch."

Assisting Minister — a member of the congregation who assists the pastor during the liturgy.

The Liturgy is the work of the people, so it important that the Pastor is not the only person actively participating.

Baptism — Water comprehended in God's command and connected with God's word. Baptism gives forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.

The word Baptism is derives from the Greek word baptizo, which means to wash or immerse. The sacrament of Baptism is one of two sacraments in the Lutheran Church.

Baptismal Font — A vase or basin which the baptismal water is poured into. The candidate for baptism is washed over or immersed in this basin, in the baptism ceremony.

Bible — A collection of writings which the Church has recognized as inspired by God.

The word bible comes from the Greek word biblia, which originally meant "the books." In the middle ages, biblia switched from a neuter, plural word to a feminine, singular noun in Latin. Bible means "The Book," stressing prominence.

The Bible is split into two testaments, the Old Testament and the New Testament, and has a total of 66 books.

Blessing — Help from God or another deity, or a ceremony in which an ordained person invokes or bestows divine help.

Bread — Bread is used as in accident in the celebration of the Eucharist. Lutherans believe in consubstantiation, which means that the sanctified bread is both common bread, and the body of Christ, at the same time.

Bread is a common food made from meal or flour, mixed with other ingredients, usually combined with a leavening agent, kneaded, shaped, and baked.

Bulletin — A printed program that lists the order of worship.

Celebrant — A person who participates in a religious ceremony or rite.

Chalice — A cup for the consecrated wine of the Eucharist

Chancel — The area of the church near the altar.

This area was originally railed off by cancelli, meaning lattice work, which is where the name comes from.

Christ Candle —

Common Cup — A cup used to allow members of the congregation to drink the blood of Christ during the celebration of the Eucharist.

Communion — The true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, for us Christians to eat and to drink, instituted by Christ Himself. Through this sacrament, together with belief, we receive forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.

When Jesus first offered his body and blood at the last supper, he was doing no subtle thing. The meal began as a traditional Jewish Passover meal, but then Jesus changed things. He offered his flesh, which in later years would lead to misunderstandings concerning Christianity and cannibalism . He then offered his disciples his blood, while the disciples knew that Kosher laws expressly forbade the consumption of any type of blood. However, the disciples all received both the body and the blood of Christ.

Only a few years later, the events that transpired at the last supper were remembered at weekly Agape Feasts, or Feasts of Love. On Saturdays, those that decided that they loved Jesus and his teachings would get together at these feasts, eat, and drink a great deal of wine. This early Christian church was communist in nature; at a feast, everyone was an equal, no matter what their station in life. This included an equality between men and women as well; all were brothers and sisters in Christ.

The celebration of the Eucharist was transformed into something that would be more familiar to us today after the Edict of Milan, issued by the Roman Empire in AD 313. The Edict declared that the Roman Empire would be neutral in regard to religious worship, essentially legalizing Christianity. Christianity was further transformed, however, because the Roman Emperor Constantine supported the religion, and imperialized it. It was then that the Christian celebration switched to Sunday.

The celebration of the Eucharist, or the Sacrament of the Altar, is one of two sacraments in the Lutheran Church.

Communion Rail — A railing separating the sanctuary from the rest of the church. Congregation members kneel at it when receiving Communion.

Confirmation — A rite a person goes through to confirm his/her faith in God, and in what he/she believes about God. In our church, kids usually have confirmation class for two years, where they learn what the Christian faith is. After this, if they so choose, they are confirmed as early as the beginning of 9th grade. Anyone, no matter what their age, is welcome to confirm their faith.

Crucifer — One who bears the cross during the worship service.

Crucifix — A cross viewed as a symbol of Jesus' crucifixion.

ELCA — Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This is the church that St Michael's belongs to.

The ELCA website is located here. Check it out for more information.

Fellowship — The condition of sharing similar interests, ideals, or experiences, as by reason of profession, religion, or nationality.

Check out our Fellowship hall after each service for food, drink, socializing, and coffee.

Gospel — Good News. The first four books of the New Testament, which tell the story of Jesus' life, words, and works, and ultimately of his sacrifice.

Holy — Sacred.

Also, Holy is a song by Shawn Smith.

Hymn — A piece of worship music.

Hymnal — A book of worship music.

Intinction — Someone can receive the wine of the Eucharist by intinction, which is dipping the host into the wine, and then eating it.

Kneeler — Something to kneel on.

Minister — One who is authorized to perform religious functions in a Christian church.

Narthex — An entrance hall leading to the nave of a church.

In old Christian churches, the Narthex was originally separated from the nave by a screen or railing.

New Testament — The second half of the Bible, starting with the gospel, which tells the story of Jesus, and containing Acts, a bunch of letters, and ending with Revelation. There are 27 books in the New Testament.

Offering — The section of worship when we offer gifts to God, and to the church. This is important, because it allows such things as money budgeted to the Youth Group.

Offering Plate — The plate that the offering is collected in.

Old Testament — The first half of the Bible, beginning with stories of creation, and following the history of the Jewish people. There are 39 books in the Old Testament.

Parable — A story with a lesson.

Jesus used parables many times to make a point.

Pastor — An ordained Christian minister having spiritual charge over a congregation.

Our Pastor here at St Michael's is Pastor Krentz-Wee.

Pews — Seats which the members of the congregation sit upon.

Postlude — A piece of music performed after the service has concluded.

Prayer — Conversation with God.

Prelude — A piece of music performed before the service has begun.

Psalm — A hymn.

The Book of Psalms, in the Bible, contains 150 psalms, divided into four books. There are four doxologies, and most of the psalms have titles.

Pulpit — An elevated platform, lectern, or stand used in preaching.

The word pulpit comes from the Latin word pulpitum, meaning a stage or scaffold.

Robe— A long, loose flowing outer garment.

Here at St Michael's, our robes come in the color eggshell.

Sacrament — A Christian rite that mediates divine grace.

Thomas Aquinas, who lived during the 13th century, was the first one to really describe his view on sacraments. He used the Latin word sacramentum to describe these ceremonies. Sacramentum was the Imperial Legion's oath to the Roman Emperor. Aquinas wanted to explain our connection to God by using this important oath, which signified an extremely strong bond.

Originally , there were 7 sacraments: the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, the Holy Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. Luther decided that there were only two true sacraments; only two were supported by the Word of God. These two were Baptism and the Eucharist.

Sacred — Holy.

Sacred Music — Music that is holy. A hymn.

Sacristy — A room in a church housing the sacred vessels and vestments; a vestry.

Sanctuary — The space in the church for the altar.

Sermon — A religious discourse delivered as part of a church service.

Social Ministry — Ministry concerning people.

Stewardship —

Torch Bearers — Acolytes who carry the torches during the service.

Trinity — We worship one God, who is three persons.

The Trinity is hard to discuss, because all human languages are actually inadequate. God is like one substantia in three personas. Substantia is the inner quality which makes something be what it is. Persona literally means "mask," or person.

God is like an apple. The father, son, and spirit are like the peel, meat, and core of the apple. Every part is it's own thing, right? Yet, they are all the same apple. You can't split the apple up.

We worship not three gods, but one God. God is not 33% the Father, 33% the Son, and 33% the Holy Spirit; rather, He is 100% the Father, 100% the Son, and 100% the Holy Spirit. God is all three, all the time.

The Trinity is complex, and has led to countless misunderstandings in history. The old Catholic church was forever guarding against countless heresies that would crop up.

Wine — Wine is used as in accident in the celebration of the Eucharist. Lutherans believe in consubstantiation, which means that the sanctified wine is both common wine, and the blood of Christ, at the same time.

A beverage made of the fermented juice of any of various kinds of grapes, usually containing from 10 to 15 percent alcohol by volume.