During the Great Thanksgiving, after the preface is spoken by the pastor and congregation and preceding communion, the pastor speaks what is called the “proper preface.” This part of the liturgy changes according to the current season of the church year, or day of the calendar. The words of each preface are of similar structure, but have a different emphasis. The text speaks of some part of our Christian redemptive history.
This text is really a song of praise. The beginning reminds us of our joy and benefit of giving thanks and praise to God, at all times and in all places. There is no time or circumstance when we should not praise our God!
The middle part contains some aspect of what our Savior Jesus Christ has done for us for our salvation and everlasting life.
The preface concludes with joining the church on earth with the saints in heaven, and we praise the Triune God as one body. This reminds us that worship includes the union of heaven and earth as we gather together—we do not worship alone, but with all the heavenly host. Worship breaks down barriers between heaven and earth. Think about the worship scenes in the Book of Revelation, chapters 4 and 5. Chapter 4 focuses on God the creator:
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:”9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.”
Chapter 5 focuses on Christ the Redeemer:
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits[c] of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign[d] on the earth.”
11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
What beautiful imagery are we given, as we are united with the saints who have gone before us! To be able to give our Triune God praise, honor and glory as a united body of believers!
After the conclusion of the proper preface, we are invited to sing the Sanctus, which is a hymn of praise from Isaiah 6:3. Isaiah was caught up into the presence of God, into His heavenly throne room. Isaiah describes two seraphim before God’s throne who speak these words:
3 And they were calling to one another:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
The threefold repetition of “Holy, holy, holy” emphasizes both the importance of the word, and the reference to the Trinitarian nature of our worship – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These words are also present in the Book of Revelation, chapter 4, vs. 8:
8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:
“‘Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,’[a]
who was, and is, and is to come.”
I can’t imagine what glorious worship is happening in heaven – day and night, the praise never ends for our great and glorious Lord!
The words we sing in our congregation for the Sanctus are as follows:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory, full of your glory,
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
May you be filled with the Holy Spirit as you sing praises to the Lord during your communion service, and experience the glory of worshiping as one with the saints in heaven! May grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love. Amen.
Lutheran Liturgy 