LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 142

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2. DISTRICT AND CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES

2-01

To Accept Lutheran Service Book and Agenda
as Official Service Book'and Hymnal of Synod

Rationale

In 1998 the Synod adopted Res. 2-12, “To Encourage Work to
Begin on New Hymnal.” Following two years of intensive work,
the Commission on Worship reported on its progress to the 2001
Synod convention. In response, the convention passed Res. 2-06,
“To Approve Field-Testing Plan for New Hymnal,” in accordance
with Bylaw 3.929 a. During the past triennium, the Commission
has continued development of the hymnal and agenda, and has en-
gaged in extensive field-testing of proposed materials. Two book-
lets of materials were sent to every congregation of Synod and were
posted on the Internet. In addition, numerous reports were pub-
lished in the Reporter and The Lutheran Witness. Throughout the
process feedback has constantly been solicited, received, and noted.

Resolved, That the Synod in convention accept the proposed
hymnal and agenda as an official service book and hymnal of the
Synod (Bylaw 3.929 a); and be it further

Resolved, That in the course of editing the hymnal and agenda
the Commission be granted limited freedom to make corrections
and editorial adjustments, as well as to leave out materials for rea-
sons of space constraints; and be it finally

Resolved, That congregations and other entities of Synod be en-
couraged to participate in the introductory process for the new
hymnal.

Commission on Worship

2-02

To Encourage Completion of Hymnal Project

WHEREAS, The majority of the congregations of our Synod use
either The Lutheran Hymnal (TLH) or Lutheran Worship (LW), and

WHEREAS, Many of the congregations of our Synod did not
adopt Lutheran Worship because of changes that were made in
many familiar hymns and because LW did not contain the “Page
15” liturgy of TLH; and

WHEREAS, As a matter of principle, the Synod should make
every effort to retain those hymns and forms of worship in TLH
that have stood the test of time and are still used by many of the
Synod’s churches; and .

WHEREAS, Many of the new hymns found in the Worship Sup-
plement, Lutheran Worship, and Hymnal Supplement 98 have
proven to be edifying treasures for our churches; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Commission on Worship be commended for
the efforts that have been made to survey congregational usage of
hymns and liturgies; and be it further

Resolved, That the Commission on Worship make every effort
to respond to the input of congregations by including the best of
all the hymnals used in our Synod since 1940, especially The
Lutheran Hymnal, and be it finally

Resolved, That the Commission on Worship complete its work
and publish this kind of new hymnal in the next triennium.

Trinity
Scarsdale, NY

2-03

To Include Variety in New Hymnal
WHEREAS, Worship must center on Christ and what He has done
not on what we do:
a. “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have
peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1).
b. “We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and
folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and

143

Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor.
1:23-24).

c. “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid,
which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:11).

d. “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also re-
ceived: That Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scrip-
tures” (1 Cor. 15:3); and

WHEREAS, There is worship that is false and abominable:

a. “You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way”
(Deut. 12:4).

b. “Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain
offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your
fattened animals, I will not look upon them. Take away from me
the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not lis-
ten” (Amos 5:22-23).

c. “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Be gone, Satan! For it is written,
You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you
serve’” (Matt. 4:10); and

Whereas, The Scriptures implore us to use the Word of Christ,
in a variety of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs:

a. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and ad-
monishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col.
3:16).

b. See also Eph. 5:19; and

WHEREAS, The Scriptures encourage the use of stringed instru-
ments in extolling the Word of the Lord:

a. “Give thanks to the Lorb with the lyre; make melody to Him
with the harp of ten strings! Sing to Him a new song; play skill-
fully on the strings, with loud shouts. For the word of the Lorp is
upright, and all His work is done in faithfulness” (Psalm 33:2-4).

b. See also Psalm 150:4; and

WHEREAS, David would not allow Michael’s opinion of his cel-
ebration to inhibit his joy in the Lord (2 Sam. 6:16-23); and

WHEREAS, The Scriptures teach that the Lord gathers to Him-
self a people that glory in forgiveness and sing of salvation: “Save
us, O LorD our God, and gather us from among the nations, that
we may give thanks to Your holy name and glory in Your praise”
(Psalm 106:47); and

WHEREAS, Many congregations need help to find accessible ma-
terials that are doctrinally pure; therefore be it

Resolved, That the congregations of the LCMS renew their
commitment to worship God who saves us by grace through faith
in Jesus Christ alone; and be it further

Resolved, That the Commission on Worship include in the new
hymnal hymns and a Divine Service that is accessible for guitar
and other instruments; and be it finally

Resolved, That the congregations of the LCMS be encouraged

to make primary use of our synodically approved hymnals.
St. Peter
Monte Vista, CO

2-04

To Encourage Contemporary Worship Resources
and Seminary Instruction

WHEREAS, Many of the congregations of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod use a blended or contemporary form of
worship music, liturgy, and hymnody in one of the regular services
of their weekend worship (80 percent of congregations responding
to an informal survey in our District indicate the use of blended or
contemporary worship at least once a month); and

WHEREAS, One of the Synod’s purposes in organizing is that it
functions: “in support of its member congregations by providing
assistance as congregations conduct their ministries locally, as well
as their ministries at large” (Bylaw 1.01); and