Resources and Events

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October 2021

Greetings, We have entered the autumn season. The rhythms of creation continue to mark a progression of time. Many of us continue to balance curating worship experiences in person and online while continuing to address safety concerns in a lingering pandemic. The rhythms of the church year also mark the progression of time. It will not be long until we turn to Advent and Christmas. This autumn season includes a few festival days. Many congregations will mark Reformation Day, especially since Oct. 31 falls on a Sunday this year. You may have discovered two musical settings of Psalm 46 in All Creation Sings. The words “Be still and know that I am God!” (Psalm 46:10) are set to a simple melody (ACS 1083) that is easy to learn. “God Alone Be Praised” (ACS 1023) is based on Psalm 46 and was commissioned for the 500th anniversary of the Reformation and the 30th anniversary of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians. All Saints Day is celebrated the following Sunday in many congregations (the Sunday following Nov. 1). “Death Be Never Last” (ACS 1030) is a beautiful addition to worship on this day. Author and composer Ray Makeever shares the story behind this song, followed by a recording. May our sung prayer and proclamation, even if limited by the pandemic, continue to bring healing and wholeness and proclaim justice and mercy in our worship. In peace, Deacon John E. Weit Executive for Worship All Creation Sings Additional resources to support All Creation Sings (ACS) are now available for purchase or preorder. You may purchase the Ensemble Setting of Holy Communion (Setting 12) or the Enlarged Print Edition. The Guitar Accompaniment Edition is available for preorder and will be released later this fall. The All Creation Sings webpage is still your destination to learn more about this liturgy-and-song supplement to Evangelical Lutheran Worship. There you will find teaching materials including reproducible graphics, videos of hymns and songs, audio recordings of all the liturgical music in Settings 11 and 12, over a dozen blog posts, and recordings of webinars that were held earlier this year. Resources for Prayers of Intercession In mid-September, ELCA Worship began publishing weekly “Prompts for Prayers of Intercession.” These brief posts suggest national and world events that prayer writers might consider as they prepare for worship each week. These posts will be available by Wednesday on the ELCA Worship blog. You may also choose to subscribe to the blog to receive these each week. The “Resources for Crafting the Prayers of Intercession” blog post points to several resources that will assist worshiping assemblies in the practice of preparing prayers locally. A new FAQ, “How do we craft Prayers of Intercession?” provides background and other helpful information to assist congregations as they prepare prayers for worship each week. Guidance for Safe Worship Practices “Care-filled Worship and Sacramental Life in a Lingering Pandemic” is a comprehensive update from the Consultation on Ecumenical Protocols for Worship, Fellowship, and Sacramental Practices. Incorporating the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, this update informs decision-making and basic practices of Christian worship and congregational life. The ELCA has been a partner in this consultation throughout the pandemic. Also available in Spanish. Veterans Day A worship resource for Veterans Day is available in PDF and Word formats and includes several prayers and hymn suggestions that may be incorporated in worship on the Sunday closest to Veterans Day, Nov. 11. On the ELCA Worship blog: "Our Collective Healing on This Veterans Day.” Chaplain Aaron Fuller has written a blog post with guidance for observing Veterans Day following the 20th anniversary of September 11 and the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.

Resources and Events 2022 ALCM Summer Conference Valparaiso University July 18-21, 2022 “From Generation to Generation” is a continuing education conference for church musicians and worship leaders, held in conjunction with the 2022 Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival. It will feature, from Leipzig, Germany, Calmus, who will sing an all J.S. Bach concert, and other choral music during worship. Also participating: Cantus and organist Martin Jean. Early registration is open now through Jan. 15, 2022. Lutheran Summer Music 2022 Valparaiso University June 26 – July 24, 2022 Do you know a young musician in your congregation who would thrive at LSM? Now is the time to nominate them for LSM 2022. Students who apply online by Nov. 1 will not pay the application fee. Students who plan on attending both LSM and the 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering can opt into a group travel plan from Valparaiso to Minneapolis on Julyhttps://www.lsmacademy.org/nominate 24. Learn more HERE! “LSM Sunday” A Sunday that lifts up young musicians in the church! Nov. 21 It is time to celebrate the program that is forming faith, educating, and inspiring the future musicians of the Church. Each summer, Lutheran Summer Music brings together a community of high school musicians to learn, grow, and worship on a Lutheran college campus for four weeks. These students then come home to their congregations inspired, transformed, and ready to share their enthusiasm for liturgical music! Visit the LSM website for more details about participation in LSM Sunday and find a list of resources of how your church can participate. Music that Makes Community has launched its fall programs with new and familiar faces joining for a variety of online events. All are welcome to join MMC for Morning Grounding, a spacious community gathering each Monday at 10 a.m. Eastern time. Its newest offering, Composing Ourselves, invites participants to the practice of songwriting and ways to creatively sustain ourselves in these challenging days. MMC is excited to again offer an online Virtual Fall Retreat where we will lean into spaces of rest and renewal through singing and silence, discerning what our bodies, minds, and hearts need for the upcoming Advent and winter seasons. The MMC website also has a community calendar with online and (a few) safe in-person gatherings. Join us!

Worship resources from Augsburg Fortress Bread for the Day: Daily Bible Readings and Prayers Families Celebrate Advent & Christmas 2021-22 Psalter for Worship Year C Calendar of Word and Season 2022, Year C

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