# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2023_S138
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

4. LIFE TOGETHER

To Give Thanks for Spanish Language Hymnal
Himnario Luterano
and Commend Its Use
RESOLUTION 4-04
Overture 4-11 (CW, 278)
WHEREAS, Over the past quadrennium, the Office of
International Mission (OIM) Latin America and the Caribbean
(LAC) region, in mutually supportive planning, financial
contributions, extensive collaboration, and intensive work
assignments jointly with the Iglesia Luterana Confesional de
Chile (Confessional Lutheran Church of Chile, ILCC), the
Iglesia Evangélica Luterana del Paraguay (Evangelical Lutheran
Church of Paraguay, IELPA), the Iglesia Evangélica Luterana
Argentina (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Argentina, IELA),
and the Lutheran Heritage Foundation (LHF), and with
additional generous financial support from the Marvin M.
Schwan Charitable Foundation, has completed required
major tasks in the codevelopment, testing, and production of
the first edition of a new Spanish language hymnal, Himnario
Luterano; and
WHEREAS, Himnario Luterano was submitted to and
passed The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS)
doctrinal review (described in Bylaw section 1.9); and
WHEREAS, An initial print run of 19,000 copies of the first
edition of Himnario Luterano resulted in the distribution of
approximately 3,000 copies to LCMS congregations and
individuals located in the U.S., with the balance of
approximately 16,000 copies distributed to congregations
and individuals located elsewhere globally (20+ countries),
with most of these copies distributed in the LAC region of
OIM; and
WHEREAS, In preliminary testing and in the subsequent
distribution of copies from the initial print run, Himnario
Luterano has been received by its users with joy, thanksgiving,
and strongly positive general acclaim; and
WHEREAS, A second edition of Himnario Luterano has been
prepared and a corresponding second print run has been
completed, correcting typographical and printing errors, most
of which were of a minor housekeeping nature; and
WHEREAS, Complimentary digital media (i.e., phone app,
Kindle) versions of Himnario Luterano are under development,
with the objective of making the hymnal accessible to an even
wider global audience; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to God
for the newly completed Spanish language hymnal, Himnario
Luterano, and commend its use; and be it further

de Chile, the Iglesia Evangélica Luterana del Paraguay, the Iglesia
Evangélica Luterana Argentina, the Lutheran Heritage
Foundation, the Marvin M. Schwan Charitable Foundation,
and the OIM LAC region.
Action: Adopted (9)

Upon immediate closure of debate, as suggested by the chair, the
resolution was adopted by unanimous voice vote.

To Encourage In-Person Corporate Worship
RESOLUTION 4-06
Overtures 4-06–08 (CW, 275–77)
WHEREAS, God’s people are called to “Remember the
Sabbath day by keeping it holy” (Third Commandment; cf. Ex.
20:8); and
WHEREAS, Holy Scripture exhorts us: “… let us consider
how to stir up one another to love and good works, not
neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but
encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day
drawing near” (Heb. 10:24–25); and
WHEREAS, Numerous epistles are written to the saints in
certain places and were read publicly when they gathered
together, for example, “To the church of God that is in Corinth,
to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together
with all those who in every place call upon the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours” (1 Cor. 1:2); and
WHEREAS, Paul exhorts Timothy to focus upon the public
reading and teaching of God’s Word: “Until I come, devote
yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to
teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given
you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands
upon you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so
that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself
and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will
save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Tim. 4:13–16); and
WHEREAS, Our Savior comes to us through His Word and
Sacraments as means of grace to forgive, strengthen, comfort,
and guide us as His people as He bids us to do in Matthew
11:28, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I
will give you rest”; and
WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted corporate
worship; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention urge its pastors
and congregations to uphold the Third Commandment by
gathering together weekly for worship in celebration of the
Lord’s Day; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod’s congregations, agencies, and
church partners, as well as other Synod-related entities, be
encouraged to make extensive use of the new hymnal in
Spanish-speaking contexts; and be it finally

Resolved, That the members of the Synod be encouraged
to prioritize in-person, embodied corporate worship, and
membership in the local congregation; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod give thanks to God for all
partners involved in the development and production of
Himnario Luterano, especially the Iglesia Luterana Confesional

Resolved, That the Commission on Theology and Church
Relations produce a study of the Third Commandment that
addresses its understanding in the Old Testament, in the New

138 | PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION

Resolutions