Inserting a Rite into a Service

Lutheran Service Builder 2.0 and the new, online version of Lutheran Service Builder have both made it easy to place a rite within a worship setting. Now, for users of the online Lutheran Service Builder, this task has gotten even easier!

Rites are special ceremonies that happen infrequently and sometimes bend the “rules,” so to speak. For example, the rites of Holy Matrimony, Holy Baptism, and confirmation can take place as part of a Divine Service or as stand-alone services. Nor does rhyme or reason exist on where in the setting a rite takes place. When used within a service setting, Holy Baptism happens at the beginning and confirmation before the Prayer of the Church. Many rites have other little quirks. Holy Baptism, for instance, contains a confession of faith (based on the Apostles’ Creed) and the Lord’s Prayer. But while the Creed may be omitted later in the service, the Lord’s Prayer is retained during the celebration of the Lord’s Supper when used within a Divine Service, yet it can be removed if used within a Daily Office. The Litany exemplifies these variances even more:

“The Litany may replace the prayers in the Daily Office (Matins, Vespers, Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer) or the General Prayer in the Divine Service. It may also serve as an entrance rite in the Divine Service, replacing the Introit, Kyrie, and Hymn of Praise. . . . The Litany may be used as a separate service, either alone or supplemented by Psalms and Scripture readings.” (Lutheran Service Book: Altar Book, pg. 410)

Adjustments like this have caused pastors, secretaries, and office managers everywhere to try to locate the nearest copy of Lutheran Service Book: Agenda or Lutheran Service Book: Altar Book in a near panic as bulletin-printing deadlines approach. All this is to say that while inserting rites might have been easy, figuring out what the rite replaces or even where it goes has not always been so easy until today. Concordia Publishing House has been hard at work with Lutheran Service Builder to eliminate this very issue.

Now, when adding a rite in the Service Plan stage, that rite automatically shows up where it should go during the service. Lutheran Service Builder also shows which parts of the service the rite replaces. Clicking on the rite automatically inserts it and removes the parts of the service that should be taken out.

Finally, when in doubt, follow your church’s local custom or your own best judgment.

How to Insert a Rite

1. In the Service Plan view for the appropriate service, under the Additional Rites heading, click Add rite.
2. Select the rite from the side menu.
3. In the top right, click Prepare Bulletin or Prepare Presentation.
4. Click Insert in the top navigation, and select Rite.
5. Click on the appropriate spot in the bulletin or presentation to add the “Rite” heading.
6. To display the contents of the rite, click the Contents button in the top navigation.

If you have any trouble with this process, please contact our software support team at support@cts.cph.org or (800) 346-6120.