Given the recent and growing number of Christians killed for the sake of Christ, a congregation might wish to receive the comfort of a Divine Service that specifically meditates upon and intercedes for those persecuted brothers and sisters. LCMS Worship offers the following propers as an aid toward that end.
Worship Resources & Prayers
LCMS Worship: Suggestions for 2015 midweek Lenten services
These selections can serve for midweek Vespers, Evening Prayer, or Service of Prayer and Preaching during Lent.
Suggestions for Advent
The season of anticipation is almost upon us! How will your congregation mark it? Here are some suggestions toward a fuller celebration this Advent in your congregation.
An Advent Midweek Lectionary and Hymn Guide
Despite the well-established custom of midweek Advent services in our parishes, our worship book does not provide lectionary readings or suggestions for midweek. This allows for seasonal themes to be developed, but sometimes pastors look for some concrete guidance in this area. The following suggestions are offered for consideration in meeting this need. This guide provides a psalm and Old Testament reading for each day, plus a narrative portion of Luke 1 to introduce the story of our Lord’s Advent in the flesh.
Thanksgiving Hymn Guide
Thanksgiving is, strictly speaking, a feast of the First Article. And so we confess that it is our solemn duty to “thank and praise” our kind and heavenly Father. And yet it is also a gift of the Second Article, since for the Christian, all thanks is offered in and through Christ. Finally, it is also a gift of the Third Article, for such thanksgiving is finally possible only for the one who has been brought to faith in Christ, and such faith is invariably the work of the Holy Spirit Who leads us to receive all things with thanks and praise.
Lutheran Service Book (LSB) Hymn Suggestions — Historic Series
Download Lutheran Service Book (LSB) Hymn Suggestions — Historic Series, compiled by Rev. William Weedon.
Lutheran Service Book (LSB) Hymn Suggestions — Three Year Series
Download Lutheran Service Book (LSB) Hymn Suggestions — Three Year Series, compiled by Henry Gerike.
Audio: 2014 Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music plenary session speakers presentations
With the conference theme Comfort, Comfort Ye My People, these five extraordinary speakers gave four keynote addresses which are now available here.
LCMS Interview with Dr. Norman Nagel
Dr. Nagel reflects on the comfort that comes from the means of grace delivering God’s promises to us in certainty. This video interview was filmed in the lovely chapel of Laclede Groves right after Easter, 2014.
Exsultet and the Preface for the Great Vigil of Easter
Learn how to chant the Exsultet and the Preface for the Great Vigil of Easter! Listen here to Pr. Sean Daenzer as he chants it for you.
Resource and Ideas for Renewing the Lutheran Catechumenate
This is a document published by the former Commission on Worship which explores the Lutheran version of the catechumenate. Several churches that have catechumenal ministry for adults (as well as youth) are interviewed.
Feast of the Purification of Mary
Pastors, this is one of the feasts that (sadly!) tends to be mostly observed only when it falls on Sunday, as it does this year. That means that many are tempted to speak the unfamiliar Proper Preface. If you’d like a little practice learning to sing it, listen here to Pr. Sean Daenzer as he sings it for you.
A meditation for Epiphany
The Rev. Will Weedon, LCMS director of Worship and LCMS International Center chaplain, offers a meditation for Epiphany from Is. 60:1-6, Eph. 2:1-12 and Matt. 2:1-12.
A meditation for Christmas Eve
The Rev. Will Weedon, LCMS director of Worship and LCMS International Center chaplain, offers a meditation for Christmas Eve.
A meditation on John 1:1–14, the Gospel for Christmas Day
The Rev. Will Weedon, LCMS director of Worship and LCMS International Center chaplain, offers a meditation for Christmas Day.
The Kalends for Christmas
The following were anciently read on Christmas Day in the Daily Office, but they may also serve as an introduction to the Divine Service on Christmas Day, read by the pastor from the entrance to the nave and leading directly into “O Come All Ye Faithful” as the processional hymn.
