The Divine Service – Hymnary, p. 67:10-19
The Service of the Word
The Lesson, chosen according to one of the lectionaries described earlier, is usually taken from the Old Testament. It is followed by The Gradual, a verse usually selected from Psalms, which may convey the theme of the season of the church year or may connect the Lesson with the Epistle and especially the Gospel.
The Epistle is selected from the New Testament Epistles. The Epistles are letters written by the Apostles Paul, John, Peter and by others under their direction to the early church. In the Common Lectionary and the ILCW Lectionary the Epistle reads through the greater part of certain epistles. In the Historic lectionary the Epistle may relate more to the theme of the day.
After the Epistle preparation begins for The Gospel. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are largely an account of the words and acts of Jesus to save us from our sins. The word “gospel” means “good news.” Because these books record the good news of what Christ did to save us from our sins, they have been given this name. Because these are the very words and acts of our Savior, God Incarnate, it is customary to rise for the Gospel lesson.
The Alleluia is the first preparation for the Gospel. It may be replaced by a hymn verse, an anthem, or a verse connecting the thought of the Gospel with that of the Epistle. The versicle, “Glory be to You, O Lord,” precedes the Gospel and it is followed by “Praise be to You, O Christ,” in respect to the fact that these are the words of Christ.