Church Vocabulary

Sometimes we use some pretty "churchy" words which not everyone knows.  Here's a glossary of some you might hear around Our Savior's.  How many do you know?

These definitions are written by our Pastor unless otherwise noted.  Better definitions may be found elsewhere, but these are offered as a starting place for terms as we use them around Our Savior's.  

 
 
95 Thesis
 
Absolution
A setting free from guilt, sin, or penalty; forgiveness.  In particular, the formal act of a clergyman in which, by virtue of his office and in the name and stead of Christ, he pronounces forgiveness of sins upon those who have confessed their sins, affirm their faith in Christ, and promise to amend their lives. (Lutheran Cyclopedia)
Advent
 
Alb
a white linen ankle-length garment with girdle and tight sleeves
Altar and Pulpit Fellowship
 
Altar Candle
 
Angels
 
Anthem
 
Apocrypha
 
Apology
 
Apostle
 
Apostles’ Creed
 
Apostolic
 
Aramaic
 
Ark (Noah)
 
Ark of the Covenant
 
Ascend
 
Ash Wednesday
 
Athenasian Creed
 
Atonement
 
Augsberg Confession
 
Awakening
 
Babylonian Captivity
 
Baptism
 
Baptismal Font
 
Beget/Begotten
 
Benediction
 
Bishop
 
Blasphemy
 
Blessedness
 
Book of Concord
 
Book of Life
 
Breaking of Bread
 
Canon
 
Cassock & Surplus
 
Ceremonial Law
 
Chancel
 
Chapel
 
Charismatic
 
Children’s Sermon
 
Christ
 
Church (universal)
 
Church Councils
 
Church Fellowship
 
Cincture
 
Circuit
 
Circuit Counselor
 
Civil Law
 
Collect Prayer
 
Commendation
 
Common Cup (cup)
 
Communion
 
Communion of Saints
 
Communion Rail
 
Communion Registration
 
Confession of Faith
 
Confession of Sins
 
Confirmation
 
Corporal
 
Corporate Prayer
 
Crucifix
 
Crucifixion
 
Cult
 
Daily Bread
 
Damnation
 
Deacon
 
Demonic
 
Demons
 
Denomination
 
Depravity
 
Descend
 
Devil
 
Diet of Worms
 
Director of Christian Education
 
Disciple
 
Dismissal
 
District (District President)
 
Divine Service
 
Doxology
 
Epistle
 
ESV (English Standard Version)
 
Eternal Light
 
Eternal/Everlasting
 
Eucharist
 
Ex Nihilo
 
Exodus
 
Father
 
Fellowship
 
Flagon
 
Gabriel
 
Giver of Life
 
Glory
 
Gnostic/Gnosticism
 
Good Friday
 
Gospel
 
Greek
 
Hallowed
 
Heaven
 
Hebrew
 
Hell
 
Heterodox
 
Holy
 
Holy Communion
 
Holy Spirit
 
Holy Week
 
Host
 
Hymn of Praise
 
Incarnation/Incarnate
 
Inerrancy
 
Infallibility
 
Iniquity
 
Innocence
 
Inspiration
 
Introit
 
Invocation
 
Israel
 
Judge
 
Judgment
 
Justification
 
Kingdom of Glory
 
Kingdom of Grace
 
Kingdom of Power
 
KJV (King James Version)
 
Lamb of God
 
Large Catechism
 
Last Days
 
Latin
 
Law
 
LCMS
 
Lectern
 
Lent
 
Life
 
Lord
 
Lord’s Supper
 
Lord’s Table
 
Lucifer
 
Lutheran Confessions
 
Lutheran Laymen’s League (LLL))
 
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML)
 
Martin Luther
 
Maundy Thursday
 
Men/Man/Mankind
 
Mercy Seat
 
Messiah
 
Michael
 
Miracle
 
Missouri Synod
 
Moral Law
 
Narthex
 
Nave
 
New Testament
 
Nicene Creed
 
NIV (New International Version)
 
Nunc Dimittis
 
Offertory
 
Old Testament
 
Orthodox
 
Palm Sunday
 
Parable
 
Pascal
 
Passion Sunday
 
Passover
 
Passover
 
Pastor
 
Patten
 
Pentecost
 
Pentecost
 
Pentecostal
 
Pentetuech
 
Period of the Judges
 
Pharaoh
 
Plagues
 
Pontius Pilate
 
Prayer of the Church
 
Priest
 
Processional
 
Proclamation of Grace
 
Prophecy
 
Prophet
 
Psalm
 
Pulpit
 
Purificator
 
Rebellion
 
Recessional
 
Remission of Sins
 
Repent/Repentance
 
Resurrection
 
Right Hand of God
 
Righteousness
 
RSV (Revised Standard Version)
 
Sacrament
 
Sacramental
 
Sacrifice
 
Sacrificial
 
Sacristy
 
Saints
 
Salvation
 
Sanctification
 
Sanctuary
 
Satan
 
Satisfaction
 
Second Coming
 
Septuagint
 
Sepulcher
 
Sermon
 
Sheol: The Pit
 
Sin
 
Small Catechism
 
Son of God
 
Soul
 
Spirit
 
Spiritual Gifts
 
Stole
 
Substance
 
Substitutional Atonement
 
Synod
 
Synod
 
Tabernacle
 
Talents
 
Tongues
 
Torah
 
Transfiguration
 
Trespass
 
Tribulation
 
Trinity
 
Trumpets
 
Veil
 
Vestment
 
Vicarious Atonement
 
Virgin Mary
 
Wafer
 
Walther
 
Wisdom Literature
 
Words of Institution
 
Worship