What is the origin of the liturgy?
A. From the earliest days of the Church, Christian worship has been marked by a pattern of gathering, word, meal, and sending. These basic elements — revealed in the New Testament, the writings of the early Church, the Lutheran confessions, and ecumenical documents — constitute the center of the Church’s worship. The first Christians continued to participate in the Jewish synagogue service of scripture readings, psalms, and prayers, and the earliest Christian liturgies included these elements along with the celebration of Holy Communion. The various liturgical texts and responses developed over time, and have remained part of the catholic heritage we share with Christians of all times and places. During the past several decades there has been increased scholarship and cooperation between denominations, and the recent worship books of most Christian bodies include remarkable similarity in the texts and structure of the liturgy.
