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WorshipNews


January 2012

Greetings from the Director for Worship
Suggestions for Worship
What's Happening Around Our Church?
From Augsburg Fortress
Events and Resources
 

Greetings from the Director for Worship

Dear Friends,

As we move through this Time after Epiphany we will see Jesus' ministry begin to unfold as we see him call his first disciples; command an unclean spirit; heal the sick; and cure a leper. All of which lead us to his transfiguration where, with Peter, James and John we see the presence of God’s glory in Jesus Christ -- God's beloved Son. But before we get to all of that, this past Sunday we heard Nathanael’s question, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth." "Can anything good come" ... It seems that this is a question that has been asked a lot lately concerning worship. Can anything good come out of using the liturgical texts? Can anything good come out of wearing vestments in worship? Can anything good come out of singing this or that style of music in worship?

These are important questions for us to ask, if for any reason, so that we actually have an answer, or, more plainly, that we have an understanding (theological at best) for doing what we do when our assemblies gather to worship. It is not enough to do this or that "because we have always done it that way," or even worse, "because this is the right way to do it." Nor is it enough to simply stop doing something because we think that "no one gets it anymore." We need to take care that our questions are genuine and seek to serve the gospel and not our own personal tastes and desires.

The gospel readings, and all Sundays for that matter, for this season direct us to the one who comes into the midst of our gatherings on Sunday, God's beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Then, what we actually do plays an important role. "Come and see," Philip told Nathanael. We need to constantly ask questions about what we actually do when we gather to worship, and whether or not that inhibits the ability to see the presence of Christ in our worship life. The answers to these questions will not be the same for each assembly. But, I hope we do not take the easy road and sell ourselves -- and our people -- short. Rather, I hope we rise to the exciting opportunity in the task of unfolding for the people of our assemblies what it is we are doing and why we do it. "Can anything good come..." I hope we consider the importance of this question in our worship life and continue the work of creating a worshipping environment for people to "come and see."

The gospel readings, and all Sundays for that matter, for this season direct us to the one who comes into the midst of our gatherings on Sunday, God's beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Then, what we actually do plays an important role. "Come and see," Philip told Nathanael. We need to constantly ask questions about what we actually do when we gather to worship, and whether or not that inhibits the ability to see the presence of Christ in our worship life. The answers to these questions will not be the same for each assembly. But, I hope we do not take the easy road and sell ourselves -- and our people -- short. Rather, I hope we rise to the exciting opportunity in the task of unfolding for the people of our assemblies what it is we are doing and why we do it. "Can anything good come..." I hope we consider the importance of this question in our worship life and continue the work of creating a worshipping environment for people to "come and see."

God's peace be with you.

Peter Perella
Director for Worship Formation
and Liturgical Resources

"IN THESE OR SIMILAR WORDS"

As you may recall, the mandate of the Renewing Worship project was not only about producing a book or electronic resources for worship, although that was a significant and tangible part of it. The primary call was for ongoing renewal of worship in our church. The task is not over. In fact, in many ways, it is just beginning.

The rubrics in Evangelical Lutheran Worship are very fluid, allowing and encouraging a great amount of flexibility and freedom within a shared, historic framework, for a particular context. Phrases like "in these or similar words" and "another appropriate hymn or canticle" appear quite regularly. But what makes an alternate text "similar" or what makes a substitute canticle "appropriate"? Simply replacing texts or songs that appear within the services in ELW with anything different is not the intent. Rather, it is hoped that worship planners and leaders, if they are enacting these fluid rubrics, will make decisions and create texts with great care for theological content and liturgical use. That is not easy. In fact it is a big challenge!

If you have liturgical texts and prayers that are carefully-crafted examples of enacting the "in these or similar words" rubrics, we would love to see them. They may prove helpful in creating resources for worship planners. Please send any texts or other ideas and comments to worship@elca.org.

Do you know about other events, resources, or ideas that should be highlighted in Worship News?  If you have an event to share, please send information at least 2 months ahead if possible. 

Please send your suggestions to worship@elca.org.

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Advent in a Tent

House of Prayer Lutheran Church in Escondido, California, held it's first Advent Event in a Tent on December 4. The event was designed to reach out to the neighborhood with the message and meaning of Advent. The Advent season was explained regarding its origins, colors, and the use within the church and families. Each family attending was presented with their very own hand-made Advent wreath and a special service to be used for their family devotions written in both English and Spanish.

The event was initiated by the congregation’s Evangelism Committee, but it took a lot of volunteers to make it happen. The event went from 2 until 4 pm to accommodate those who don't like to drive after dark. But we found a lot of people walking to the event. There was a lot of food, music and fellowship. It was a great success for our first time.

What is being planned in your synod to encourage the ongoing renewal of worship? Contact your synodical Partners in Worship to offer ideas, assistance, and encouragement.

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A Field Guide to Contemporary Worship

This is an essential guide for anyone thinking about starting a contemporary worship service and an essential reference work for those wondering about the nuts and bolts of instrumentation, arranging, working with microphones and speakers, and much more! Written by a church musician and a pastor who have experienced the joys and challenges of this popular form of worship, A Field Guide to Contemporary Worship provides field-tested ideas and hints and a wealth of illustrations.

In this book you will learn how to: form a worship team; build a repertoire; lead effective rehearsals; arrange music for your ensemble; arrange microphones and speakers; and how a PA system works.  Check out the authors' website for additional resources.  
 

Timely Occasional Services

Occasional Services for the Assembly provides a number of worship resources appropriate for the early months of the year, when congregations are holding annual meetings, installing new leaders, and highlighting mission projects.

The rites for opening and closing a synod or churchwide assembly (pp. 178, 180) can easily be adapted to begin and end an annual congregational meeting. Other prayers suitable for this occasion include prayer #787 (p. 116) and prayer #828 (p. 118).

“Installation of Leaders in the Congregation” (p. 98) is principally for elected leaders, while “Recognition of Ministries in the Congregation” (p. 93) is a good way of acknowledging those who carry out other volunteer ministries of worship, service, education, and witness.

During the winter months many congregations take special care to support ministries of caring and concrete support in their communities. "Blessing and Sending for Mission"
(p. 159) may be used, for example, when congregations send gifts of food and clothing
to those who are in need.

Occasional Services for the Assembly is available in a larger format ritual binding with ribbons, suitable for use in the worshiping assembly. The rites are also available on a CD-ROM in RTF files that are easy to customize for local use. The book and CD-ROM may be purchased together at a special bundled price. The RTF files on the CD-ROM are also available to subscribers in the library section of Sundays and Seasons.com.

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Gen X | Y and Mainline Protestant Worship

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, in Chicago's Wrigleyville neighborhood, will host a one-day worship conference on February 11, 2012. Sects and the City: Gen X | Y and Mainline Protestant Worship will explore this question: "While many mainline Protestant congregations are aging, what are young adults finding meaningful in the worship services of urban congregations with a high percentage of Generation X and Y?"

The conference moderator will be Benjamin Stewart, a professor of liturgy at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. There will also be responses from three young adult leaders with connections to Gen X | Y as well as informal reflections by several dozen young adults from neighboring congregations. Costs: single $20; $30 at the door; $50 for three or more from one congregation. The conference website includes much more information and online registration: www.sectsandthecity.org

Help your congregation make the shift from membership to discipleship! 

Plan to attend one of four regional training events being offered by the North American Assocation for the Catechumenate:  Phoenix, AZ (Feb. 24-26), Baltimore, MD (April 13-15), Minneapolis, MN (May 18-20), and Spokane, WA (Aug. 3-5).  Augsburg Fortress will roll out a new resource handbook for congregations titled "Go, Make Disciples: An Invitation to Baptismal Living".   To register online or download a brochure and other info, check out the link on the NAAC website.

MUSIC THAT MAKES COMMUNITY - MINNEAPOLIS

Music that Makes Community is offered again in Minneapolis, Minnesota on March 22-24, 2012. Sponsored by All Saints Company, San Francisco, these conferences are perfect for anyone -- pastors, lay leaders, choir directors, Sunday School teachers, organists, and more -- who seek to find ways of engaging an assembly in song in a truly authentic way.

"We are starting a movement in the Church, rekindling an ancient practice of singing…a way of music making that has been central to folk traditions for centuries. Taught and sung from memory, it is simple and beautiful, faithful and traditional. Sung without the use of a book, these songs allow congregations to focus on listening to one another, being attentive to the Holy Spirit, and singing from their hearts."

Are you looking for some middle ground between 'traditional' and 'contemporary?' This is an opportunity for you! Now is the time to plan your budget and put this event on your calendar. What is experienced and taught at these conferences is an incredible balance with the use of Evangelical Lutheran Worship or other print/projected worship resources. Community is truly developed at the conference, and is something that can change congregations in a powerful way. 

 ELCA Associate Director for Worship and Music, Scott Weidler, is one of the team of presenters for Music that Makes Community, a conference dedicated to exploring a style of singing that transforms worship and more deeply forms Christian community.

Check out All Saints Company website for more information on the Minneapolis event.

Leading the Song of God's People 
May 3-5, 2012 at St. Mary's Lutheran Church, Kenosha, WI

A practical training workshop led by Marty Haugen, Mary Preus and Tom Witt. Intended for church music coordinators, choir directors, singers and song leaders, choir members, organists/keyboardists, instrumentalists, lay and ordained worship leaders, and all those interested in vibrant, relevant and faithful worship music.

For more information, see Living Liturgy's website or contact linda@stmaryslutheran.org
 

Worship and a Way of Life,
June 4-8, 2012 at Holden Village

Led by The Living Liturgy Team: Susan Briehl, Ben Stewart, Marty Haugen, Mary Preus, and Tom Witt.
·        Experience, explore, and reflect on how communities pray with power, integrity, and meaning.
·        Recover, renew, and enliven the worship of the church.
·        Strengthen the connections between worship and a life of faith in the world. 

The week will take its shape from the four-fold pattern of the liturgy: Gathering, Word, Meal, Sending, and will include bible study, sessions on worship planning, liturgical theology, building leadership skills for musicians, and forming lay leaders. 

Open to all who register to come to Holden this week, but especially helpful for all those involved in leading worship: pastors, presiders and assisting ministers, music directors, organists, choir directors and members, those who play in worship bands and ministers of the word. For information, see Holden Village's website or contact: program@holdenvillage.org

Psalms for All Seasons

This comprehensive, single-volume anthology is the largest collection of the psalms for use in Christian worship ever published. Psalms for All Seasons contains all 150 psalms, most in multiple formats.
Ø      Each psalm appears in its actual biblical text, including as responsive readings.
Ø      Includes responsorial settings for all psalms in the Revised Common Lectionary.
Ø      Offers ideas for uses in worship settings.
Ø      Uses a wide variety of musical and spoken settings, including metrical hymn, contemporary,
       global, chant, and responsorial settings, plus psalms interspersed with hymn verses, optional
       refrains, and new compositions.
Ø      Psalms are set in formats consistent with their content.
Ø      Provides complete musical settings for morning and evening prayer as well as basic musical
       settings for chanting.

A full index allows you to search by psalm, genre, occasion for use, subject, composer, or author. An indispensible resource for worship leaders and churches of all traditions. Co-published by Faith Alive, the Calvin Institute for Christian Worship, and Baker Books. This resource can be ordered through Amazon.com or Faith Alive Resources.

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