Understanding the Liturgical Worship Service: Afterthoughts

I've finally finished my thoughts on the liturgy! Why was this so important? It's kind of a long post, so I've highlighted my summarizing points.

1) The main reason, in my opinion, that folks think the liturgy "just doesn't speak to them" is that they don't understand the significance of what they are saying every week. So I've tried to spell out some of the meaning behind these ancient words, hoping that whomever reads this would be edified, as well as more pro-liturgy, as it were.

2) A generation ago, many folks thought that "traditional" worship would eventually die out, while many others thought that "contemporary" worship was just a phase. So virtually no one dialogued or debated their position and instead smugly ignored- or spewed vague, damning comments about- the other.
Today, the so-called "worship wars" have died down, but an entire church body is un-united on one of the most important parts of the faith. Thankfully, there are those who are beginning to wit (see, understand) that neither side is backing down and that the debate needs to be more than a subjective one. My hope is that these posts, yea this blog, would at the very least add "food for thought," if not start other discussions.

3) One cannot talk about variations on a theme if one does not know what the theme is. Furthermore, I am wholly opposed to trying to Lutheranize "contemporary" worship, but instead favor the exact opposite.

4) I knew that even if no one read my posts, I'd at least get practice spelling some of the meaning behind the liturgy, since this will not be the last time I talk about these things (Lord willing).

Posts to come will include thoughts on other reasons why folks have left liturgical worship and finding some appropriate, historical, and Confessional answers (if there are any) to them.

Understanding the Liturgical Worship Service: Acts of Exit

Benediction

Historically: Like the Nunc Dimittis, this was not originally in the Mass, but added by Martin Luther, replacing the Ite Missa est (basically meaning, "y'all can go, now, the mass is over")

Explanation: This is the Aaronic blessing, the one which YHWH commanded Moses to give to the people, to put "My Name on them". Just as we began the Divine Service in His Name, so we end in His Name.

Sacramental: God puts His Name on us.

Scripture: Numbers 6:24-26

Alternatives: How 'bout this one?

Hymns: May the Grace of Christ Our Savior

Postlude

Explanation: While the prelude was about music for meditation, the postlude is more about getting folks excited about the Gospel they have just heard. Unfortunately, this also gives rise to that when you go into church, you hear sad music, but when you leave, it's happy music. Some organists combat this by playing fiery renditions of hymns sung during the service.
Alternatives: For Good Friday (and some congregations add Maundy Thursday), there is no postlude, but instead everyone leaves in silence.

UPDATE: Understanding the Liturgical Worship Service: Service of the Sacrament Part V

Since posting this, I found an hymn by Emanuel Cronenwett that would serve as an alternative hymn for the Nunc Dimittis.

Distribution

Explanation: Jesus physically comes to us in, with, and under the forms of bread and wine, thereby forgiving our sins and strengthening our faith.
Sacramental: Hence the name.
Scripture: Matt 26:26-28, Luke 22:19-20, I Cor 11:23-25.

Nunc Dimittis

Historically: This was not originally a part of the Mass, but instead from the Order of Compline, or Nightsong, sung at the close of the day. I believe it was Martin Luther who put it into the Divine Service.
Explanation: The Nunc Dimittis, or "Lord, Now Let Your Servant Go in Peace," is the song Simeon sang after seeing the fulfillment of God's promise in the baby Jesus in the temple. We too can sing these words of praise and thanks, since we too have seen the Lord's salvation in Jesus Christ. What can give Heathen/Gentiles like us truer peace than this?
Sacrificial: We sing God's Word back to Him.
Scripture: Luke 2:29-32
Alternatives: I'm not aware of any contemporary settings, but see below for alternative texts.
Hymns: LSB 937-938. Also the following, by Emanuel Cronenwett, written in 1876 and published in his "Hymns and Poems" of 1926, and updated just enough so no one notices. Since the meter is LM (88 88), I think PUER NOBIS NASCITUR (LSB 344) would be fine.

Now lettest Thou Thy servant, Lord,

Depart, according to Thy Word,

In peace; for lo! mine eyes have seen

Thy rich salvation from all sin.

By grace divine my soul is fed

With living drink and living bread;

Fed like a branch of Thee, the Vine,

Thy life is mine, and I am Thine.

I live, for Jesus lives in me;

I die, O death, to sin and thee!

Thus living, dying, Jesus saith

My soul shall never taste of death.

Lord, I am weak, be Thou my Stay!

Guide my frail feet along the way;

O help me live the life of faith,

So that I die Thy people's death.

When Thou shalt in Thy glory come

To gather all Thine Israel home,

Then shall my body rise again,

And clothe my soul in light. Amen!

OR

Thank the Lord

Explanation: This is an alternative text to the Nunc Dimittis. Certainly receiving Christ's body and blood is something to thank, praise, and glorify God for, and certainly He recalls His promises, as He did to Simeon, but the rich imagery of the Nunc Dimittis is just not to be found in this text, however joyful the musical setting might be.
Sacrificial: We sing our thanks to God.
Scripture: Any psalm of praise.
Alternatives: Nunc Dimittis
Hymns: May God Bestow on Us His Grace (LSB 823-4), O Jesus, Blessed Lord, to Thee (LSB 632), Sent Forth by God's Blessing (642), O Lord, We Praise Thee (LSB 617)

Thanksgiving/Post Communion Collect

Explanation: Just as with every other Christian meal, a prayer is said, thanking God for His gifts of food, drink, life, salvation, and Christ- in this case received all at once!