Greetings in this fourth week of Lent.
It has been just over a month since I humbly accepted Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton’s invitation to serve permanently as assistant to the presiding bishop and executive for worship. The ministry of the Worship team in the Office of the Presiding Bishop includes developing and implementing strategies that support worship in synods, congregations and other local worship assemblies across the ELCA. With my colleagues, Jennifer Baker-Trinity, program director for resource development, and BethAnn Lynch, coordinator for worship and liturgical resources, this team also develops and reviews worship resources intended for use throughout this church.
During this time of pandemic, the approach to worship suddenly looks very different. I am proud of the pastors, deacons, bishops and other leaders of this church who continue to cultivate relationships and build community in unique ways. We will learn from each other in these next weeks. Remember, you are not doing these things alone. God walks with us as we seek to be the body of Christ in new and different ways. Remember the words of Paul’s letter to the Romans:
Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 8:38-39)
In Christ’s peace,
Deacon John E. Weit
Assistant to the Presiding Bishop, Executive for Worship
COVID-19
In the midst of the spread of COVID-19, resources that offer guidance for congregations and members are available at ELCA.org/PublicHealth.
Blog
Worship in the Home
Available now on the ELCA worship blog is a weekly post, “Worship in the Home.” Although various formats of livestreaming worship work well in many contexts, you are encouraged to worship as you are able in homes on Sunday and throughout the week. Consider ways to pray and sing using this resource at home. If you don’t have a hymnal at home, perhaps churches might safely distribute copies for home use. Additional entries for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Vigil of Easter will be available in Holy Week.
All Creation Sings
As we anticipate the fall release of All Creation Sings, a liturgy and song supplement to Evangelical Lutheran Worship, the ELCA Worship Blog will highlight different features of the resource over the next few months. Visit the blog this month to learn more about this collection’s assembly song.
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