Dear partners in ministry,
We are nearly at the midpoint of this calendar year. Today, we in the Northern Hemisphere mark the first day of summer. On Thursday the church celebrates John the Baptist, six months before we celebrate the birth of Jesus, as has been the custom since the fourth century and in line with the story as found in Luke’s Gospel.
After many months of living in a pandemic, when at times it seemed as if time stood still, we are seeing things move in a positive direction thanks to vaccines. As we begin to return to in-person activities, including worship, we know that we have much to do to keep everyone safe, especially the most vulnerable among us. Below you can learn about updated guidance from the consultation on Ecumenical Protocols for Worship, Fellowship, and Sacramental Practices.
We give thanks to God for the gift of science that helps us each day and pray for continued healing, justice, and peace.
Time, like an ever-rolling stream, bears all our years away;
they fly forgotten, as a dream dies at the op'ning day.
O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
still be our guard while troubles last and our eternal home.
—“O God, Our Help in Ages Past” (ELW 632), Isaac Watts, alt.
In peace,
Deacon John E. Weit
Executive for Worship
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Brief Descriptions for ACS Assembly Song
Brief descriptions of the 200 assembly songs in ACS are now available with a Sundays and Seasons subscription. These give context to the hymn or song through biographical background, lectionary or Scripture connections, or usage suggestions. For more information, see this Augsburg Fortress blog post.
Visit the All Creation Sings website to learn more and place an order. You can view videos of recent webinars and selected hymns and songs, access introductory helps, and read several blog posts about this resource.
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Lesser Festivals
Evangelical Lutheran Worship lists several lesser festivals as part of the church year calendar. Prayers of intercession specific to these days are now available to SundaysandSeasons.com subscribers, both in the library and through the planner. To learn more about when and how you might observe a lesser festival, please consult the FAQ “What is a lesser festival?”
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Worship Resources at ELCA.org
When it is possible for worshiping communities to gather safely in person, you may desire a rite for regathering. "Worship Resource for Re-Gathering" is available in both PDF and Word formats. You are invited to adapt as needed for your context.
Several Thanksgiving for the Word prayers for Easter and the Time after Pentecost are available in PDF and Word formats. |
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Worship resources for “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday
Considerations for preaching, prayers, and hymn suggestions for use on Sunday, Sept. 12, the ELCA’s annual day of service, are available in PDF and Word formats.
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Worship in the Home
“Worship in the Home” is available weekly on the ELCA Worship blog. You are encouraged to worship as you are able in homes on Sunday and throughout the week. If you don’t have Evangelical Lutheran Worship at home, a copy can be purchased through Augsburg Fortress’ web store, or perhaps your church might set up a lending library for home use. In addition to Sunday worship resources, resources for Daily Prayer are available, including simplified forms of Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Night Prayer as well as table prayers.
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