29 September 2009

Blessing of a Cross

This is the order we'll be using at the start of the Divine Service on Saturday night to bless St. Paul's new crucifix (Lutheran Service Book Agenda, p. 304, 305):

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Beloved in the Lord, St. Paul speaks of the importance of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, saying: "When I came to you, brothers, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." By His death on the cross our Lord won salvation for us.

It is fitting that this cross be sanctified by the Word of God and prayer for our devotion and as a proclamation of His atoning work for us.

Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Who made heaven and earth.

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Let us pray. Merciful and everlasting God, You did not spare Your only Son but delivered Him up for us all that He might our bear our sins on the cross. Grant that our eyes may ever behold our Savior and His cross, that we may not fear the power of any adversaries but rather rejoice in His victory for us; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

The Lord Almighty, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit bless this cross.
Amen.

6 comments:

Sam said...

Lutheran Worship or Lutheran Service Book?

William Weedon said...

Oops!

Paul said...

what about "and with your spirit"???

William Weedon said...

Just putting what's in the book...

Anonymous said...

Lutheran Service Book is already almost obsolete.

The new Roman missal has as the response to "The Lord be with you" as "And with your spirit".

http://www.usccb.org/romanmissal/examples.shtml

When Rome sneezes...

Rev. Paul T. McCain said...

Silliness abounds.

The whole "and with thy spirit" stuff.

A more perfect example of ex post facto pious speculating on some deep theological meaning, I can not think of.

Lord be with you.
Also with you.

Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.

SAME THING.