The Southern Diocese rites curriculum names this sequence as Raising of Morning Incense, Offering of the Lamb, Liturgy of the Word, and Liturgy of the Believers. Many parishes also describe the Eucharistic prayer portion as the Liturgy of the Faithful. These names describe how the Church approaches the Eucharist.
Why preparation comes first
The Eucharist is approached with prayer, repentance, Scripture, thanksgiving, and intercession. Matins and the Raising of Incense help the Church stand before God before the gifts are offered. The people pray for the peace of the Church, the fathers, the assemblies, the sick, travelers, the departed, the offerings, and the needs of the world.
Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
How the movements fit together
Matins and incense gather the Church into prayer. The Offering of the Lamb places the chosen Lamb and wine before God. The Liturgy of the Word forms the faithful by the apostolic readings and Gospel. The Creed, reconciliation, and Apostolic Kiss place the people in one faith and one peace. The Liturgy of the Faithful gives thanks, remembers Christ’s saving work, asks for the Holy Spirit, and leads to Communion.
That order is why Sunday morning can feel layered. The Church is moving step by step toward the mystery of Christ’s Body and Blood.