Foundations III
Theology of Lutheran Worship
Gottesdienst is the German word translated as Divine Service. It lies at the heart of what it means to worship as a Lutheran. The term Gottesdienst can be understood in two ways. The first is God's service to us. The second is our service to God.
This term Gottesdienst describes what Lutherans believe about worship. God comes to us first with His gifts of Word and Sacrament. In response to His service to us, we thank Him in praise, thanksgiving, and offering.
For a Lutheran, the motivation to attend worship isn't about giving to God but receiving from Him. The focus isn't on me or my doings. It's on God and His doings. "This is how God wants to become known and worshiped, namely, that we receive blessings from him, and indeed, that we receive them on account of his mercy and not on account of our merits" (Apology of the Augsburg Confession. Article IV. Par. 59-60; Kolb/Wengert).