Resources and Events

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April 2020

Dear Beloved of God, When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain your touch can call us back to life again, fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been; love is come again like wheat arising green. (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 379) This greeting comes to you in an Easter unlike any we’ve experienced in recent memory. Instead of gathering in churches, we are in our living rooms or in a collage of online windows, our eyes opened, able to see and hear one another but not able to share a touch of peace as we have before. Our hearts are likely grieving so much that is lost. Even with signs of spring budding and bursting around us, our hearts may not resemble such blossoming. Yet we know that Christ is risen, indeed. We know that the Easter story is one of Jesus coming and breathing peace among the fearful and locked-in. In these days, when the Worship team in the Office of the Presiding Bishop is working from our homes, know that we continue to support your ministry. We know we join countless others in the church who are finding new ways to reach out and connect with the body of Christ, new ways to be an Easter people. Yet these new ways have been part of who God has always called us to be: signs of the new creation, signs of peace amid fear and loss, signs of a love that is stronger than death. Rest assured that Easter has come, that love arises in ways we can or can’t recognize right now. Hear our prayers for you, that your worship at this time echoes the promise of this love that brings new life. Peace in Christ, Deacon Jennifer Baker-Trinity Program Director, Resource Development Worship in the Home Available each week on the ELCA worship blog are materials for “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. In addition to Sunday worship resources, you will also find a resource for simplified daily prayer, including table prayers, in the Worship blog table of contents. 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 three liturgy settings. 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. English and Spanish versions are available for many of the worship resources.

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 FREE Worship Streaming Webinar April 24 at 2 p.m. Eastern (1 p.m. Central) Hear the experiences and advice of church musicians who, every Sunday, lead worship streams, and have your live-chat questions answered. Webinar presenters include: Jason Bazzle, director of music, St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Charleston, S.C. Karen Eddinger, minister of music at Historic Trinity Lutheran Church, Reading, Pa. William Heide, minister of worship and music, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Orange, Calif. Mark Mummert, cantor, Trinity Lutheran Church, Worcester, Mass. Please register for this webinar. Music that Makes Community has been exploring ways to support and sustain singing communities in these challenging days. MMC’s Facebook page is regularly updated with musical material and encouragement for the wider community. Its presenters have offered a list of “Songs for Unsettled Times” on the MMC blog. MMC has been paying attention to virtual singing and offers a post by Pastor Emily Scott about what she's discovering. As always, the song list on MMC’s website provides access to material you can share freely with your community, including simple melodies, call-and-response songs and more. There is additional material in its printed resources, including the recent publication Singing in Community. Please reach out if MMC can be a help to you and your faith community! Hearts • Hands • Voices July 20-23 Valparaiso, Ind. Early Bird registration extended to June 15. Full registration refunds guaranteed (cancellation fees waived) through June 15. Registration remains open for a special Hearts • Hands • Voices event at Valparaiso University, sponsored by ALCM Region 1 in conjunction with the 2020 Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival (LSM). View full event information. In this unprecedented time as most of us are worshiping in our homes, you need access to worship resources more than ever. For a limited time: ELW Pew Edition: 10% off (maximum five per customer) ELW Gift & Pocket Edition: 40% off ELW eBook Edition: 40% off Spark Story Bible: $15.99 Just go to Augsburg Fortress and use the search box to find the resource you are interested in. At checkout, use the promo code ATHOME to receive these discounts and free shipping. The print edition of Bread for the Day is out of stock. However an e-book edition is available for purchase (not included in this discount.) Augsburg Fortress Summer Music Clinic 2020 Led by John Ferguson and Christopher Aspaas Read through new seasonal music, attend workshops, participate in a hymn festival, attend handbell workshops and more! Visit our website for locations and more information! Lutheran Summer Music Clinic 2020 June 28-July 26 Valparaiso University Lutheran Summer Music continues to accept applications while making COVID-19 adjustments to eliminate risk for students and their families. You may still nominate a student. 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  .