CHICAGO (ELCA)-- "Evangelical Lutheran Worship" was affirmed
as the church's primary worship resource by the 2007 Churchwide
Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) on
Aug. 7. "This recommendation to affirm Evangelical Lutheran
Worship commits the ELCA to renewing worship in the world in
which we are called in and serve," said Carlos Pena, Galveston,
Texas, vice president, ELCA Church Council.
The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of
the ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 6 to 11 at Navy Pier's Festival
Hall. About 2,000 people are participating, including 1,071 ELCA
voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "Living
in God's Amazing Grace: Thanks be to God!"
Released on Oct. 3, 2006, Evangelical Lutheran Worship is
the outcome of a project initiated by the Church Council in 2000
to renew the worship life of the ELCA. The worship resource is
published by Augsburg Fortress Publishers, Minneapolis, the
publishing ministry of the ELCA. Approximately 725,000 volumes
of the book have been distributed since its release, according to
the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop.
The resolution, which was approved with 965 votes of 1,036
cast, applauds "The Use of the Means of Grace: A Statement on
the Practice of Word and Sacrament" -- a 1997 statement that
contributed to the development of new worship resources. It also
acknowledged the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly actions that
encouraged the completion of the new primary worship book, and
acknowledged members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
(ELCIC) for their participation in its development.
"As more people become familiar with Evangelical Lutheran
Worship there is more affirmation and reason to give thanks,"
said Rev. Michael L. Burk, executive, ELCA Worship and Liturgical
Resources. "We are confident that it supports the teachings of
this church and, at its best, that it helps us to be connected to
one another and remember why we give thanks to God."
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* Lauren A. Lamb is a senior public relations and speech
communication major at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.
This summer she is an intern with the ELCA News Service.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
