Worship

Informative $$$ helps $$$ confirmand discover the joy and purpose of the Lord's Supper.

Authoritative study by a renowned musicologist and Reformation scholar

Many scholars think that congregational singing was not established in Lutheran worship until well after the start of the Reformation. In this book Robin A. Leaver calls that view into question, presenting new research to confirm the earlier view that congregational singing was both the intention and the practice right from the beginning of the Wittenberg reforms in worship.

Leaver's study focuses on the Wittenberg hymnal of 1526, which until now has received little scholarly attention. This hymnal, Leaver argues, shows how the Lutheran Reformation was to a large degree defined, expressed, promoted, and taken to heart through early Lutheran hymns. Examining what has been forgotten or neglected about the origins of congregational hymnody under Martin Luther's leadership, this study of worship, music, and liturgy is a significant contribution to Reformation scholarship.

Demonstrates how worship and pastoral care can be blended to sustain and enrich each other. Using insights gained from pastoral care and pastoral psychology, William H. Willimon explores what happens to people when they become involved in Christian worship. True pastoral care, he shows, cannot take place apart from an active worshiping community of faith. Worship as Pastoral Care sensitizes pastors to the many ways Christian worship and pastoral care methods can be blended to enrich and support one another. It encourages pastors to broaden their understanding of corporate worship and to become aware of the importance of their role as priests. To illustrate his concepts, Dr. Willimon examines four familiar acts of worship: the funeral, the wedding, baptism, and the Lord's Supper. The psychological dimensions are discussed and suggestions are given on ways pastors can nurture and sustain their congregations through these services.

This examination of the texts of the Lutheran Confessions gathers together those references pertinent to the contemporary discussion of worship in the Lutheran church. This book also includes a brief overview of the historical worship traditions of the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican, Reformed, Anabaptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, and other denominational groups.

Worship, Gottesdienst, Cultus Dei is written in catechetical form-a book of questions and answers. As readers interact with the primary sources, they will see the early emphasis placed on the Divine Service and its continuing importance, especially to the Lutheran church.

A reference tool for clergy, students, and others involved in ministry planning.