I love this church and its liturgy and know that something very valuable is weekly unappreciated by millions of us. That ""something"" in the author's preface is the Lutheran liturgy. Understanding that liturgy is ""the work of the people in worshiping God."" Dennis R. Fakes presents this volume that will assist lay people and clergy to understand and appreciate the powerful messages of the liturgy. Uses for this book include: Worship or new member classes Worship and music committee workshops A sermon series A liturgy handbook for worship leaders The guided reflections for each part of the service provide a gospel-centered focus to the purpose of liturgy as it enhances richness and meaning to one's understanding of God's presence and invitation in the worship service. Paul R. Swanson, Bishop Oregon Synod, ELCA Not only a book for serious students of liturgical life, but also for the new Christian. The author has taken the hard work out of reading liturgical books written for all Lutherans, it is sensitive to all traditions. Eugene E. Schmidt, District President Kansas District-LC-MS I can visualize this book being utilized to not only introduce persons to the Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Liturgy but also to enable a far greater appreciation of the liturgy by those who may have been Lutherans for decades. Robert H. Studtmann, Bishop The Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod, ELCA Dennis R. Fakes, pastor at Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lindsborg, Kansas, received undergraduate degrees from St. John's College, Winfield, Kansas, and Concordia Senior College, Fort Wayne, Indiana. He holds a master's of theology degree from Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago. This is his third CSS book.

Explores the practice of eating together as Christian worship The gospel story is filled with meals. It opens in a garden and ends in a feast. Records of the early church suggest that believers met for worship primarily through eating meals. Over time, though, churches have lost focus on the centrality of food— and with it a powerful tool for unifying Christ’s diverse body. But today a new movement is under way, bringing Christians of every denomination, age, race, and sexual orientation together around dinner tables. Men and women nervous about stepping through church doors are finding God in new ways as they eat together. Kendall Vanderslice shares stories of churches worshiping around the table, introducing readers to the rising contem­porary dinner-church movement. We Will Feast provides vision and inspiration to readers longing to experience community in a real, physical way.

Background on the development of Lutheran Book of Worship and its suggested usage.

The Church in Act explores the dynamics of ecclesial and liturgical theology, examining the body of Christ in action. Maxwell E. Johnson provides in this volume historical and doctrinal thinking on a diversity of liturgical subjects under the umbrella of Lutheran liturgical theology in ecumenical conversation.From baptismal spirituality to Eucharistic concerns, the volume offers a robust account of the liturgical, sacramental, and spiritual practices of the church for scholars, students, pastors, and others who seek to minister in an ecumenical context with increased understanding and insight.

Addresses the general principles that have guided the shaping of Evangelical Lutheran Worship, considering that central liturgy of Christian worship, Holy Communion. This text examines how worship interacts with environment, music, and the preached word, and features useful and practical suggestions for all those who lead the assembly in worship around word and table.