New Resources from the Lutheran Hymnal Project

February 2004

When most people think of a new hymnal, they focus on hymns and orders of service. That is, after all, what makes up the bulk of a hymnal. There are, however, many other resources that are integral to a hymnal.

With the Lenten season fast approaching, the Commission on Worship is pleased to make available the proposed services for Holy Week. These services will be included with the entire hymnal and agenda proposal that will be presented at the synodical convention in July. In the meantime, the commission encourages their use during the first week of April 2004.

As the Liturgy Committee prepared these services, they had several goals in mind. One was to provide additional detail that is sometimes lacking in the current services. Another goal was to provide increased flexibility in the services, recognizing that congregations observe a variety of practices during this important week in the church's life.

Below are brief descriptions of the various services. The services may be downloaded by going to the official Web site for the Lutheran Hymnal Project.

Once there, click on “Orders of Service” and then again on “Other Services.” All of the services will be available in Rich Text Format so that pastors, musicians, and church secretaries can edit them according to local need and prepare service folders.

Passion Sunday with Procession of Palms

When the three-year lectionary was introduced in the 1970s, a new feature was the juxtaposition of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) with the full account of his suffering and death (Passion Sunday). The Palm Sunday component, however, was available only in Lutheran Worship Agenda. Furthermore, no clear directions were given on how to incorporate both themes into the same service.

The proposed service carries over the Palm Sunday procession from the current Agenda and then offers suggestions on how to continue with the Passion Sunday emphasis. A number of options are provided in order to give congregations maximum flexibility that will serve local needs.

Holy Thursday

A complete service for this day has been provided. It begins with an expanded Confession and Absolution. The conclusion of the service includes direction for the Stripping of the Altar, a custom that many congregations have incorporated in the past few years.

Good Friday

Two distinct services are provided on this day. The chief service was intentionally designed to allow congregations to choose whether or not to celebrate the Lord's Supper. It includes the Reproaches that were provided in Lutheran Worship Agenda and an expanded version of the Bidding Prayer. The Service of the Sacrament, when used, is greatly reduced in order to reflect the solemn character of the day.

A second service for Good Friday is Tenebrae Vespers. This service is already used in many of our congregations with nearly as many variants. Recognizing the diversity of practice, this service has been prepared with maximum flexibility in mind. The goal of the committee was to provide a framework that is based on historical models.

Vigil of Easter

The Easter Vigil retains much of the character of what is found in Lutheran Worship Agenda. Several appropriate readings have been added along with suggestions on how to choose among the readings to keep the service from running too long. The Service of Holy Baptism incorporates several of the new features of the proposed rite of Holy Baptism. An Easter Litany has been added, as well as specific directions for including the Service of the Sacrament in an abbreviated form.