This project will be completed over time. You can participate by revising, refining, or correcting these entries using the page comment function. if you think I have left something out, please, suggest it.

Each page contains all the entries for a single letter of the alphabet. Use the page controls at the bottom of each page to navigate: 1=A, 2=B, 3=C, 4=D, etc.

O

Offering. The gathered gifts that God’s people present in gratitude to the Lord during the Divine Service.

Offertory. Biblical text usually sung as the offering is received at the altar.

Office of the Keys The Office of the Keys refers to the special power which Christ has entrusted to the Church to bestow or withhold the forgiveness of sins. It’s not up to the pastor or the church to decide whether to grant forgiveness. Sinners who repent are granted forgiveness. Sinners who do not repent are not forgiven. John 20:22–23 is a commonly referenced passage from the Bible as a basis for this teaching. The idea of keys locking and unlocking the gates of heaven comes from the words of Jesus: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 16:19).”

ordained Placed or installed into the Office of the Holy Ministry through this rite; a man becomes a pastor.

Ordinary. Parts of the service that remain the same each week, for example, the Kyrie and the Sanctus; see propers.