Multisensory rituals that have been passed down through the ages are plentiful at congregations that hold an Easter Vigil, including the lighting of a new fire and singing the Easter proclamation around the new paschal candle.


connection to the broader traditions of the church that we hold in common with other Christian bodies. Some may even call Lutheran worship “Catholic light,” not because it lacks substance but because of the freedom, welcome and breathing space they sense in the ELCA.


Christian rituals Tradition goes hand in hand with ritual, another word that had negative connotations several decades ago but is now used with a new sense of fondness. Tough Lutherans have honored and emphasized the


word in our theology and liturgies, today many people find meaning in multisensory rituals. Tough some of these may have been considered too Roman Catholic a century ago, many Lutheran congregations are discov- ering richness in these ancient practices that involve our bodies and the five senses. Such as: • Making the sign of the cross. • Bowing.


SHUTTERSTOCK 18 www.thelutheran.org


• Kneeling. • Praying with out- stretched arms (orans position). • Processions (includ- ing gospel and offertory processions). • Greeting of peace. • Eucharist with bread


instead of wafers. • Generous use of water at baptisms. • Imposition of ashes—Ash Wednesday. • Blessing of palms/procession—Sunday of the Passion/ Palm Sunday. • Foot washing—Maundy Thursday. • Veneration of the Cross—Good Friday. • New fire—Easter Vigil. • Sprinkling with baptismal water. • Anointing with oil (baptism, healing). • Laying on of hands—absolution. • Use of incense in processions or Evening Prayer. Some of our Lutheran forebears would turn over in


their graves if they skimmed the above list. Yet the ecu- menical and liturgical movements of the past decades have enriched our Lutheran worship with traditions held in common with the majority of faithful Christians through the ages and throughout the world. With creative implantation, education and spiritual


formation, these practices have the potential to renew our worship, con- nect with daily lives and form the people of God for service in the world. 


Author bio: Mueller is a pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chicago. His recent doctor of ministry thesis is titled “Any Body There? Embodied


Worship, Virtuality, and Human Authenticity.”


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