Evangelical Lutheran Worship

Ron Burmeister, Worship Cabinet Chair and Larry Runestad, Director of Music & Worship

What is the significance of the dates 1748, 1888, 1917, 1941, 1958, and 1978 in the life of the Lutheran Church? Each date represents the introduction of a new liturgy and song book for Lutherans in North America. In each case, the founding principles of the Reformation were foremost in the composition of these worship sources. Mergers of various synods in the past century in this country required a blending of worship styles ultimately culminating in the Lutheran Book of Worship in 1978. History continued to repeat itself with the formation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 1988. In the 1990’s experimentation began within congregations to write a new worship book under the guidance of theologians, musicians, liturgists, and hymnologists that culminated in the publication of Evangelical Lutheran Worship in 2006, the “new hymnal” of the ELCA.

As stated in ELW, “In the principal service of Christian worship, the Holy Spirit gathers people around the means of grace – the saving Word of God and the sacraments.” Those of us fortunate to have worked with the contents of this book have found it a treasure chest of liturgies (there are ten, including Setting 1 and 2 of LBW) and new forms of worship, new songs from numerous countries, and many favorite hymns, some restyled with contemporary language and keyed lower for more comfortable singing. Our congre-gation has already become familiar with Setting 1 which demonstrates the freedom of the worship pattern we celebrate in all of our services at OSLC – gathering, word, meal, sending. Setting 10 is being used throughout Advent and Epiphany.

The church council voted in December to replace the LBW and With One Voice books in the Worship Center with the new ELW books during our centennial year. We encourage members and groups to consider purchasing the books at a cost of $20 each to remember or honor loved ones, with a label on the inside cover listing each name.

We will begin to use these beautiful books in worship as soon as they are available, greatly reducing the number of pages in the bulletin on Saturday and Sunday at 8:30. ELW hymn numbers only will be listed in the bulletin, so worshippers can sing from the music in the book, if desired. By utilizing our new multi-media system for scriptures and hymn texts in those services, we will save paper costs and significant staff time currently used for preparation of the bulletins.

Each copy is $20 and can be inscribed with the name of your choice. Purchase hymnals in honor or memory of loved ones. Order forms are available in the Atrium, or send your name, inscription preference, and $20 to the Church Office at 3300 Rural Street, Rockford, IL 61107. You can also call 815-399-0531 or email larry@oslcrockford.com.

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