New resources and events now available

Download the most recent version of Worship News. | View in your browser.

January 2020

Greetings, Free to go in peace as you have promised. As this greeting is being prepared, the church has concluded its Christmas celebration. Lights that adorned homes, businesses and churches are being boxed up and put away for another year. Yet the church announces that Jesus’ coming is never hidden away. We’ll hear this month in Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount of the continued call to be salt and light for the world. The church calendar in 2020 has the lesser festival the Presentation of Our Lord falling on a Sunday. This festival marks the day that Mary and Joseph presented Jesus in the temple. The readings include the prophecy known as the Song of Simeon, a song that has a centuries-old tradition of being sung in worship following communion. Free to go in peace as you have promised. One translation of this text includes the refrain “Free to go in peace as you have promised.” (ELW #202). You are encouraged to sing a setting of this canticle at communion in these Sundays after Epiphany. Settings in ELW can be found on p. 113, p. 135, #200-203, #313, and #440. Also, "Holy One, Now Let Your Servants Go in Peace (A Nunc Dimittis)” from Worldmaking and “Canticle for Departure (Nunc Dimittis)” from “A Heartland Liturgy.” Free to go in peace as you have promised. May these weeks following Epiphany fill the whole world with Christ’s promised peace. In peace, Deacon Jennifer Baker-Trinity Program Director for Resource Development

Frequently asked questions Have you ever wondered? Who decides what the “focus” of worship will be each week? Who decides what readings to use each Sunday? What is a lesser festival? When and how do we celebrate them? Where does the list of readings for our Sunday worship come from? If you would like additional information or do not find the question you need answered, we invite you to contact the worship staff at worship@elca.org. We enjoy hearing from you! It is a gift for those of us here at Worship to hear about the breadth and depth of worship practices around this church. If your particular context has a story, practice or resource to share with our staff, please send it to worship@elca.org. Although we cannot share everything we receive, we may contact you for further information. Resources and Events Institute of Liturgical Studies April 20-22, 2020 Valparaiso, Ind. It begins with breath: the breath of an individual, the breath of a community. Singing is natural to creatures, as hymn writer Robert Lowry asks rhetorically, "How can I keep from singing?" In response to God's revelation in Christ by the Spirit's power, we cannot help but sing. For more information or to register, click here. Early registration ends Jan. 31. Lutheran Summer Music: Nationwide Event Series Lutheran Summer Music is pleased to embark on a series of regional events entitled An Evening With LSM. A Recital is performed by LSM alumni and current or former students and faculty, with stories shared by the performers about the impact of LSM on their lives, followed by a service of Evening Prayer in true LSM style concluding with a reception and time of Fellowship. View full event dates and details. Worship Resources from Augsburg Fortress Music Sourcebook and Worship Guidebook for Lent and the Three Days The Three-Day Feast: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Wondrous Love: Devotions for Lent 2020 Word of God, Word of Life: Understanding the Three-Year Lectionaries Connect with Us You have received this email as a member or supporter of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. To ensure that you continue to receive these emails, please add worship@ELCA.org to your address book or safe list. © Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631-4101 800-638-3522 Home | Privacy | Unsubscribe  .