Four manuals delve into the theology and thinking that were behind the various forms of worship published in the Christian Worship suite. Two manuals are available now. The final two will be available in 2026. Together, the four-volume set will instill a greater appreciation and understanding of why we do what we do in our chapter of the history of Lutheran worship.

Christian Worship: Foundations (available now)

Lutheran worshipers in general and Lutheran pastors in particular are encouraged to read Christian Worship: Foundations. In so doing, they will find an excellent review of the principles of Lutheran worship and how those principles come into play in the materials published in the CW suite. After three chapters on the History of worship and two chapters on the Calendar the church follows, the majority of this volume is devoted to the way in which CW21’s Rites and Services align themselves with time-tested and long-cherished principles of Lutheran worship.

Note especially the “Liturgical Philosophy for Christian Worship” (chapter 6). The establishment of the principles described in this chapter provided the critical guidelines for the way in which The Service with Holy Communion was crafted.

Orders of service in the Christian Worship suite are offered as a standard or starting point for congregations that choose to use CW. In chapters 7-12, you will find detailed explanations and rationale for nearly every element of every order of service published in CW. Taking an unrushed walk through these chapters will bring both cognitive and emotional benefit as you note the care that has gone into the way we let God’s Word and sacrament bring true and lasting blessings via the orders of service.

Latter chapters in this volume provide timely information for and about those who are regularly Serving in Worship. Sections on Art and Culture round off the topics included in CW: Foundations.

Since this volume covers so much ground, it was fitting that the editor be one who had a comprehensive knowledge of all that went into the production of the Christian Worship suite. Pastor Jon Zabell served as the chairman of the WELS Hymnal Project and has our thanks as well for serving as the editor of CW: Foundations.

Christian Worship: Guidebook (coming in 2026)

The second of four manuals, CW: Guidebook is aimed particularly at pastors and is meant to dive into the expansive area of practical resources for planning, preparing, and presiding at public worship. This book identifies “basic practical concepts pastors may need to know and then guides them to online resources” (CW: Guidebook, Introduction) that will be curated by the WELS Commission on Worship.

In the same way that Christian Worship: Musician’s Resource on the Northwestern Publishing House website is a living resource that will be expanded in years to come, the online materials to which CW: Guidebook will point will also be a living, growing compendium of resources.

As you look forward to acquiring a copy of this book in the coming year, you are invited to envision not only the information on the written page but also the wealth of supporting online materials that will be available at christianworship.com, relative to these chapter titles:

• Preface: Liturgical Worship
• Chapter 1 The Pastor and Public Worship
• Chapter 2 The Christian Worship Suite
• Chapter 3 Assessing Parish Personality
• Chapter 4 Worship Education
• Chapter 5 Working with Musicians
• Chapter 6 The Christian Year and the Lectionary
• Chapter 7 Planning the Year
• Chapter 8 The Service
• Chapter 9 Planning the Service
• Chapter 10 Seasonal Services and Rites
• Chapter 11 Presiding at Worship
• Chapter 12 The Worship Committee
• Chapter 13 Assisting Participants
• Chapter 14 Supporting the Congregation’s Song: The Organ and Piano
• Chapter 15 Forming and Sustaining a Liturgical Ensemble
• Chapter 16 Audio and Video Technology
• Chapter 17 Printing and Graphic Arts
• Glossary of Worship Terms

Pastor James Tiefel was a member of the Executive Committee on the WELS Hymnal Project and served as the editor for CW: Guidebook. The wealth of experience and knowledge he has brought to bear on this volume is exceeded only by his love for the church’s worship of her Lord. We take this opportunity to thank Pastor Tiefel for working so diligently on this volume that will benefit many.

Christian Worship: Musician’s Manual (coming in 2026)

A manual for musicians indicates that, with four volumes, we are seeking to divide up a very large amount of information among several audiences. All four of the books in the four-volume set can undoubtedly benefit all who read them, but musicians especially will appreciate the content of this third of four manuals, slated for publication this coming year.

After serving for a number of years in parish ministry, Professor Jacob Behnken accepted the call to serve as the dean of chapel at Martin Luther College. An accomplished organist and gifted teacher, we extend our thanks to Prof. Behnken for editing this volume. We also repeat our thanks to Pastor James Tiefel for serving as the general editor of this book.

As a choice gift from the Lord, music finds its best and highest use as it carries the gospel message into the ears and hearts of all who hear it. Myriad are the ways this can happen in public worship. How it might best happen in the context of Lutheran worship is the substance of this manual. The following chapters seek to provide the reader with valuable information and insights on the music of Lutheran worship:

• Preface: Liturgical Worship
• Chapter 1 The Christian Worship Suite
• Chapter 2 The Purpose of Christian Worship
• Chapter 3 Lutheran Worship
• Chapter 4 Music in Lutheran Worship
• Chapter 5 Partners in Church Music
• Chapter 6 Music in The Service
• Chapter 7 Music in Daily Prayer
• Chapter 8 The Hymn of the Congregation
• Chapter 9 Singing the Psalms
• Chapter 10 Supporting the Congregation’s Song: Organ and Piano
• Chapter 11 Playing the Organ for Worship
• Chapter 12 Playing the Piano for Worship
• Chapter 13 Instruments in Lutheran Worship
• Chapter 14 Choirs and Cantors In Lutheran Worship
• Chapter 15 Children’s Voices in Worship
• Chapter 16 The Liturgical Ensemble
• Chapter 17 Music Spaces and Acoustics
• Chapter 18 Music for Christian Weddings and Funerals
• Glossary of Worship Terms

Our Worth to Him: Devotions for Christian Worship (available now)

Our sincere thanks are also extended to Mark Paustian, professor of English and Hebrew at Martin Luther College, who authored this volume. Written as a devotional rather than a manual, Professor Paustian brings his unique style into this heart-warming treatment of Lutheran liturgical worship. After dedicating the book to his mother, “who took [him] to church,” Paustian clearly articulates his purpose when he writes in the preface: “I hope to endear you to your hymnal and help you see it for the treasure that it is.”

I have no doubt that, over the course of the six units of this devotional, you will indeed become endeared to your hymnal. You may have already noted the topical progression that is common to all four of the books treated in this article. Our Worth to Him follows the same pattern. Unit 1 is The Story of Worship. Walk through The Christian Church Year devotionally in Unit 2 and The Service in Unit 3. Unit 4 offers devotions about the People Who Serve, from musicians and volunteers to the old souls and the children among us. The Arts are treated devotionally in Unit 5, and Unit 6 rounds off the devotions by talking about Departures (worship styles, weddings and funerals, culture, etc.).

This 200-page book is a devotional unlike any other. Acquire it for yourself and read it. You’ll be glad you did. Consider ordering a bulk shipment and making it available to members for purchase or as a meaningful gift for new members.

Envisioned and planned from the beginning, manuals necessarily are the final print books of the WELS Hymnal Project. One can’t write a manual on a product until the product itself has been completed. Thus the authors of the chapters and the editors of the volumes above have been very gracious in accepting and completing their assignments, in some cases several years after most of the other hymnal committees had finished their work and disbanded. That’s part of the reason for the specific words of thanks above. Grateful for their faithful work, we look forward, God-willing, to seeing the actual hard copies of the full four-volume set of manuals (three manuals and a devotional) in the upcoming year.

This article in Devote Yourself was contributed by the team that previously created and distributed Worship the Lord. View past worship-related articles at worship.welsrc.net/downloads-worship/worship-the-lord.