Ceremony and Celebration
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Paul H. D. Lang
Made available by Redeemer Press
Preface
When the eminent German Lutheran historian, Paul Graff, wrote his two-volume history of the Lutheran liturgy, he gave it the title: Geschichte der Auflösung der alten gottesdienstlichen Formen in der evangelischen Kirche Deutschlands, that is, The History of the Dissolution (Decay) of the Old (Original) Worship Forms in the Evangelical (Lutheran) Church of Germany. He said that the history of the Lutheran liturgy is the history of it dissolution or degeneration.
This degeneration of the Lutheran liturgy began already in the 17th century. The Lutheran Church allowed herself to be influenced in succession by Zwinglianism, Calvinism, Pietism, and Rationalism. The story of the devastating influence which these forces exerted on the Lutheran liturgy is one of the saddest chapters in the history of the Lutheran Church. Even today, the Lutheran liturgy is still suffering the consequences of this history.
Fortunately the tide began to turn in about the middle of the 19th century. Men like Theodore Kliefoth and Wilhelm Loehe started a liturgical revival in the Lutheran Church. This revival gained momentum in later years through the efforts of Georg Rietschel, Emil Sehling, Julius Smend, Paul Drews, Leonhard Fendt, Hans Asmussen, Joachim Beckmann, Peter Brunner, Friederich Buchholtz, Friedrich Heiler, Theodor Knolle, Walter Lotz, Christhard Mahrenholtz, Karl Bernhard Ritter, Wilhelm Stählin, and others in Europe; and Conrad Bergendoff, Edward Horn, Henry Jacobs, Friedrich Lochner, Luther D. Reed, Paul Z. Strodach, and others in the United States.
Men like this have done a great deal to reclaim much of our Lutheran liturgical heritage. They have written valuable books and monographs on the history, theology, rites, and music of the Lutheran liturgy. To our knowledge, however, little has been written on the ceremonial of the Lutheran liturgy.
It is our hope and prayer, therefore, that this book may contribute something to that phase of the Lutheran liturgy which is concerned about its ceremonies. May it help to promote the welfare of the church and the worship of God in and by the church, especially the Lutheran Church.
We thank Ann Hesselmeyer, who donated her time and skill to type and read the manuscript, and Roland Seboldt, who made valuable suggestions for its improvement.
St. Bartholomew the Apostle's Day
A.D. 1963
Paul H. D. Lang
Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church,
Palo Alto, California
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." 1 Thessalonians 5:21
"Falsely are our (Lutheran) churches accused of abolishing the Mass (The Holy Communion Service); for the Mass is retained among us, and celebrated with the highest reverence. Nearly all the usual ceremonies are also preserved."
Augsburg Confession, Article XXIV
Preface to the 2004 Reprint
Paul H. D. Lang wrote in his 1963 preface: "To our knowledge . . . little has been written on the ceremonial of the Lutheran liturgy. It is our hope and prayer, therefore, that this book may contribute something to that phase of the Lutheran liturgy which is concerned about its ceremonies."
Forty years later and to our knowledge there is still little that has been written on the ceremonies of the Lutheran liturgy. Of what has been written, this book is perhaps still the best. It has long been out of print. An entire generation of pastors does not even know the name Paul H. D. Lang, or, even worse, the principles and reverence that he advocated. It is our hope, then, that the reappearance of this little book would do again what it was designed to do in 1963 and 1965: “[C]ontribute something to that phase of the Lutheran liturgy which is concerned about its ceremonies.
However, we actually expect it to do far more, because it has done far more for us. In upholding and demonstrating how the Lutheran pastor and layman respond and behave in the presence of God´s grace found in Word, water, bread, and wine, Ceremony and Celebration comforts those who are struggling to this very day in parishes that have lost, or nearly lost, their Lutheran identity and tradition. It is comforting to know that we are not alone, nor are we the first. We desire nothing more than what godly men have always desired. Before us went the saintly Paul H. D. Lang: pastor, confessor, and teacher of the Church. This book is his response from the past to our current need and desire. We expect that God will bless all those who read it.
We would like to thank Bonnie Greupink and Audrey Borkenhagen for their dedication, typing and proof-reading this reprinted edition. Also, we would like to thank Ed Riojas for the image on the cover and Higher Things, Inc. for granting us permission to use it. That image, and others like it, are available from Higher Things more information can be found at their website <a href="http://www.higherthings.org">HigherThings.org</a>.
Finally, the availability of this current edition is due to the generosity of Pastor Lang´s daughter, Mrs. Robert Temple. She alone holds the copyright. This small run was reproduced by her permission in order to honor the memory of her father by again making his teachings available to the Church he loved. It may not be further reproduced without her permission.
The Feast of the Resurrection
Anno + Domini 2004
David H. Petersen
Pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church
Ft. Wayne, Indiana
Michael N. Frese
Pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Adell, Wisconsin
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things" Philippians 4:8