22 October, 2006

It’s Coming…

… to a pew rack near you; soon!

Yes, it’s coming; the new ELW, (Evangelical Lutheran Worship book), in all it’s cranberry-covered glory! We won’t be dedicating them and installing them in our own pew racks until January. I know some of you who read this blog are ELCA Lutherans (like me!) and are receiving them and using them already. I am really excited about the new hymnal; after all, it has one of my very favorites: “You Are Holy” included within it’s binding, hymn #525 to be exact! If you haven’t heard it before you’re in for a treat. I dare say you’ll love it as much as I do.

You Are Holy, you are whole.

You are always evermore than we ever understand.

You are always at hand.

Blessed, are you coming near?

Blessed, are you coming here to your church in wine and bread,

raised from soil, raised from dead.

You are holy, you are wholeness; you are present.

Let the cosmos praise you, Lord!

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah,

hallelujah Lord.


Change isn’t easy, especially for a Lutheran!

I’ve heard grumblings about the change at hand within my own congregation, that’s to be expected. Everyone will grow familiar with the new book in their own time. This reminds me of something that one of our former Pastors at Augsburg told me years ago: “change is growth, growth is life…”

And, of course, we all know…

Life is Good!

Hallelujah!!

3 comments:

Nancy Near Philadelphia said...

We haven't made the change yet, and I can't wait! (Even though some of our people are still grumbling about moving to The Green Book!)

Ancestor Collector said...

We will be dedicating our new ELW's next Sunday, on Reformation, and I couldn't be more excited! They are so beautiful and what a wonderful color for Reformation Sunday! As chairperson of our Worship and Music committee, I have been preparing and educating our congregation for almost five years, and I pray they're ready for the change. We are using Setting 4 (the old LBW Setting 2) until Advent, and then using Setting 10 (the liturgy set to hymn tones) through Advent. We have to be careful to not push the parishioners who are still upset that we moved to the green book!

You knew I'd have to comment on this post, didn't you?!

Love you! Paulie

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

A.C. and Nancy, From your comments it looks like we're all in the same congregation... the 28 year-old-"new" LBW is still a novelty! And so it goes...