Using the Scriptures in the Church

Abstract

Wayne L. Bartelt’s essay explores the central role of Scripture in Christian worship, emphasizing that the Word of God is not merely a component of the service but its foundation and purpose. He argues that worship is primarily a reception of God’s grace through His Word, rather than an offering from man. Bartelt outlines how Scripture shapes each element of the liturgy—from the introit and lessons to the sermon and hymns—centering on the theme of God's grace in Christ. He critiques traditional propers for obscuring this theme and advocates for worship services that clearly proclaim the Gospel. Practical suggestions include printing service bulletins with thematic clarity and using Scripture-based introits. Bartelt concludes that Scripture-centered worship strengthens faith, comforts the soul, and equips believers for daily life, fulfilling the church’s mission to transmit God’s truth across generations. — Abstract generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)