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abc efghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz in tempo 0-25-100-0 100-22-22-0 0-80-100-0 a practical resource for Lutheran church musicians Association of Lutheran 2017, No. 1 Church Musicians l alcm.org In this issue of In Tempo: Reformation Reformation 2017: It’s 2017: It’s Still Still All About Jesus! 1 0-25-100-0 100-22-22-0 0-80-100-0 Reformation 500 All about Jesus! at WELS 3 Freed and Renewed By Jon Vieker For Luther, the real-time in Christ 4 n many and various ways, preaching of the The Church Musician churches, governments, and Gospel of Jesus Christ other institutions around the as Persuader 5 i was the principal world have been planning for Deep Calls to Deep: the 500th anniversary of the spiritual means of Using Simple Refrains Reformation in 2017. Germany, reforming the hearts In Lenten Worship 9 for instance, has been preparing since 2008 with a “Luther and minds of hearers, A Lutheran “Stations Decade” of annual themes and thereby the church. of the Cross” 10 coordinated with a greatly enhanced tourism industry. At with the gospel was ultimately Composing Canons 12 the epicenter, the little town of Christological at its core: the Wittenberg and its historic sites confession and answer of Peter, Working Together: From have been spruced up and the disciples, and every believer “Band” to “Team” 21 restored, anticipating no less since to the age-old question, than 10,000 visitors a day during “Who do you say that I am?” Summer Solos the climactic year of 2017. (Matthew 16:15). for Year A, 2017 24 For Lutherans, the anniversary This Christological lens informs is particularly meaningful as the Lutheran Church–Missouri it marks half a millennium Synod’s Reformation 2017 since Martin Luther nailed his theme: “It’s Still All about Jesus!” Ninety-Five Theses on the Castle The theme and logo locate the Church door, encountered the central teaching of Holy Scrip- New Testament gospel of free ture in Christ and his saving grace, and witnessed subsequent work for humankind—that is, reforms in both doctrine and life “the promise of the forgiveness throughout the Western Church. of sins and justification on And yet, Luther’s encounter account of Christ.” (Apology to the Augsburg Confession, Article IV; The Book of Concord, Lucas Cranach the Elder, Portrait of ed. Kolb/Wengert, p. 126.) Martin Luther, Veste Coburg, 1529. ALCM in tempo 2017, No. 1 1 Vieker, Reformation 2017 continued In General producers, Boettcher/Trinklein Productions, as they have pains- To publicize and distribute takingly worked to assemble a the Reformation 2017 theme team of Luther scholars to inter- and materials, the LCMS (with view and provide consultation financial support and partner- and oversight at every stage. A ship with its Lutheran Church trailer and additional informa- Extension Fund, Concordia tion on this wonderful project is Publishing House, and Thrivent available at LutheranReformation. Financial) has established a org and elsewhere. dedicated web site at Lutheran- Reformation.org. A number of In Word and Song resources are already posted there, with many more to The Reformation’s reshaping come later this summer. For of the church’s worship life— example, check out its “Faces in both word and song—was of the Reformation” section, an enormous endeavor. Along where one can download free with a modest revision of the and informative Bible studies, Latin handouts, and bulletin inserts Mass, Luther introduced the singing of hymns in the vernac- for such Reformation personae For Luther, the real-time preach- ular with the introduction of a as Martin Luther, Katharina von ing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ modest contribution of some two Bora, Leo X, Philip Melanch- was the principal spiritual means dozen hymns in 1523–24. Tens of thon, and many others. Be sure of reforming the hearts and thousands more would flow from to check back from time to time minds of hearers, and thereby the pens of hymn writers and as additional “faces” are added, the church. In order to “up the musicians during the centuries and don’t hesitate to explore and game” of such Gospel preaching to follow. interact with some of the other among its preachers today, the unique features at LutheranRefor- LCMS has launched its “Preach As the joyful recipients of a mation.org, a “one-stop shop” for the Word” initiative. Under the living and growing heritage of all things Reformation 2017. direction of Randall Golter, this Lutheran hymnody, the LCMS project has brought together a recently sponsored a hymn text team of seminary homileticians competition. The competition and parish practitioners who are generated more than 230 developing a dozen or so topical, entries. All hymn entries were online modules for triad groups blind judged by a panel of In Tempo is published three times a year by of preachers to work through judges according to the follow- the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, together and improve their craft ing criteria: 810 Freeman St., Valparaiso, IN 46383. of preaching. Utilizing video ■■ 800-624-2526 l www.alcm.org instruction, written components, theological strength (i.e., and interactive peer-review, the grounded in Scripture and [email protected] first three modules will become Christological in focus); Subscription is included with available in January 2017. ■■ technical poetical membership in ALCM. soundness; With funding from Thrivent ■■ freshness of imagery; Editor: Nancy Raabe Financial, a major, two-hour ■■ structural strength (i.e., Designer: Kathryn Hillert Brewer television documentary titled, “Reformation: An Idea that flow of thought within and ALCM Business Manager: Cheryl Dieter Changed the World,” will debut between stanzas); ■■ Contributors to this issue: Liv Larson in the fall of 2017 on PBS. Along aptness for liturgical use Andrews, Jeremy Bakken, Barry Bobb, Susan with the ELCA, WELS, and four and congregational singing; Palo Cherwien, Chad Fothergill, Omaldo other Lutheran church bodies in and Perez, Mark Pinnick, Jon Vieker, John Weit the U.S., the LCMS has provided ■■ centered on themes of the input and assistance to the film’s Lutheran Reformation 2 ALCM in tempo 2017, No. 1 Reformation 500 at WELS Want to know exactly how many days, hours, minutes and seconds remain until the moment of the 500th anniversary of the Ref- ormation? Northwestern Publishing House and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod has that and more available for you at www.nph.net/reformation500. Visit the web site and explore the variety of Reformation 500 mate- rials available from NPH, including music and worship resources on the hymns of Martin Luther; other Reformation-era chorales and Reformation-themed music; new publications as well as classic books about Luther’s life, teachings, and the legacy of the Lutheran church; recordings of the great music of the Lutheran heritage; devo- © 201 ouse 6 Northwestern Publishing H tionals; Bible studies for congregational use; Reformation 500 gifts and apparel; and more. And don’t miss the distinctive downloadable Reformation 500 logo at https://wels.net/reformation500/resources/, available free of charge in a variety of colors. Jeremy S. Bakken is Director of Worship and Sacred Music for Northwestern Publishing House. (e.g., the proclamation of Commemoration of Martin Clark, and others. A number of Christ and His saving work, Luther (Birth)—was ALCM members are contributors. the primacy of Scripture, observed on Sunday, The celebration of Reformation justification by grace alone, November 13, 2016 2017 will be a grand opportunity salvation through faith Commemoration of Martin alone, etc.). for Lutherans around the world Luther (Death)—was to bear witness to the Savior they The winner of this competition observed on Sunday, confess—“before God and all was Dr. Wilfred L. Karsten for February 19, 2017 the world” (Formula of Concord, his hymn, “Though All Our Presentation of the Augsburg Solid Declaration, Article VII; Life Is Like a Scroll.” ALCM Confession—Sunday, Kolb/Wengert, p. 598)—the member Dr. Jeffrey Blersch of Jume 25, 2017 One who is “the way, the truth, Concordia University Nebraska Reformation Day—observed and the life” (John 14:6). Or in was commissioned to compose October 29, 2017 the words of Fred Pratt Green: a sturdy tune to go with it. Both are available at lutheranrefor- Various authors and composers So has the Church, mation.org/resources/worship/ of sermons, service planning in liturgy and song, though-all-our-life-is-like-a-scroll. materials, service music, hymn In faith and love, texts, and hymn tunes include: through centuries of wrong, To assist congregations in Jacob B. Weber, Jonathan Kohrs, Borne witness to the truth commemorating a yearlong James Marriott, Matthew in ev’ry tongue: celebration of the Reformation Machemer, Kelly Klages, David Alleluia! anniversary, the LCMS is W. Rogner, Stephen P. Starke, —“When in Our Music God is Glorified,” developing, in partnership with Stephen R. Johnson, Amanda LSB 796, ELW 850/851 n Concordia Publishing House, Husberg, Lawrence R. Rast, a plethora of service music and Jr., James A. Baneck, Gregory worship resources for four cele- P. Seltz, Matthew C. Harrison, Rev. Jon D. Vieker, Ph.D. is senior bratory cornerstone festivals: Gregory J. Wismar, Larry A. assistant to the president of The Peters, Jeff Alexander, Matthew Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. [email protected]. ALCM in tempo 2017, No. 1 3 Freed and Renewed in God’s Grace: Commemorating 500 years of The Reformation Weaving Lutheran music and arts into your congregational activities 0-25-100-0 100-22-22-0 By0-80-100-0 John Weit ith the Reformation anniversary year wunderway, Lutheran congregations and synods across the U.S. and the world are plan- ning and hosting activities that demonstrate the importance of this historic milestone: that God’s grace in Jesus is given freely to all.