Worship Planning Resources – Unwrapping the Gifts

Hymn suggestions for Series C — 2015-16

The following hymn suggestions are offered for Series C during 2015-16.

Proclaiming the Word in Song: Hymn Suggestions for the One-Year Series

The following list is offered with the intent that the people of God not only hear the Word as proclaimed in the readings and the sermon, but also join in the proclamation of each Sunday or feast.

A Midweek Advent Service

For pastors looking for propers for midweek Advent services, LCMS Worship suggests the following. It is an Advent series drawn from the table on Page 159 of The Lutheran Hymnal.

Marriage and Wedding Conference on June 30 in Hamel, Ill.

A pastoral conference about weddings and marriages is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hamel, Ill.

Prayers for Rogate Sunday

For those churches who use the historic series, and particularly churches in rural areas, this download will be a blessing for Rogate Sunday on May 10, 2015. It is an order for seeking God’s blessing on the fields from which our food comes.

The Passion of Our Lord According to St. Mark

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod suggests the following reading of The Passion of Our Lord, according to St. Mark in chapters 14 and 15.

The Persecuted Church: Suggested Propers for the Divine Service

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.

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.