An Explanation of the Common Service: An Excellent Resource for the Congregation

by | May 6, 2011 |

“An Explanation of the Common Service is an excellent resource. It is concise and informative, and it presents to laymen and clergy alike the simplicity and strength of the historic Lutheran Service used by most North American parishes prior to the 1970-80s. I have had only positive feedback from all who have used it. This book is a superb resource for both new members and life-long Lutherans.”  Rev. William Parsons, Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fairhope, AL. 

Rev. Parsons took advantage of our bulk pricing for this book, offering over 50 copies to his Adult Bible Class last year.  Orders of 10-20 books receive a 15% discount; 21-30 books receive 20% off; 31+ books receive 25% off. 

*Almost five years ago, we released the reprint of An Explanation of the Common Service with the following introduction:

 The Common Service, with roots in the Reformation, the Middle Ages, and the early church, became the standard English liturgy for the Lutheran Church in America in the late 19th century. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod published it as its standard in The Lutheran Hymnal in 1941. With the publication of Lutheran Worship (1982), editors revised the Common Service, updating what they considered archaic language, but the basic structure remained the same. In the Lutheran Service Book (2006), editors have again included the Divine Service from The Lutheran Hymnal, which is the liturgy of the Common Service.

What is it about the beauty and reverence of this Divine Service that have caused Lutheran congregations to welcome it every Sunday morning for over a century? Many today enjoy it without being able to verbalize its deep theological beauty. Others may exclude it from congregational practice because they consider it outdated and invalid for the modern parishioner. In either case, the editors of An Explanation of the Common Service provide a basic yet important description of the theological and biblical meaning of this time-tested liturgy.

An Explanation of the Common Service explains the liturgy in such simple terms that it is perfect for teaching new members, catechumens, and youth. Yet its timeless truths are profound enough to instruct even long-time members and pastors. First printed a century ago, this Lutheran liturgical handbook uses questions and answers to explain the meaning of three services: the Communion service, Matins, and Vespers. (Liturgical texts are equivalent to those in The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941.) In addition, hymnody, liturgical theology, and history are addressed succinctly. The glossary of liturgical terms is helpful, extensive, and reliable.

Seed-Grains of Prayer: An Eastertide Prayer

by | Apr 29, 2011 |

“Lord God, heavenly Father, Who for our sins didst give Thine only begotten Son, and for our justification didst raise Him up from the dead, we beseech Thee in mercy to awaken our dead hearts to newness of life; and, with Christ, make us ever to live by the power of the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, Who, with Thee, in unity of the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, true God, forevermore.  Amen.”

Wilhelm Loehe, Seed-Grains of Prayer, #291

Introducing…..EP Cards

by | Mar 12, 2011 |

Since the inception of Emmanuel Press in 2004, we have offered a variety of books with the goal of “making treasures of Christian literature from the past and present, especially from within the Evangelical Lutheran Church, available to the world.”  We have been pleased and humbled at the reception our small press has received as we have sought to provide liturgical, confessional, quality books to our customers. 

For the first time, we are expanding our scope beyond books to offer a series of greeting cards that are unique in their artwork and bold in their confession of our Christian faith through the use of Bible verses and the beautiful poetry of historical, timeless hymns.  Choose from beautiful notecards appropriate for a variety of uses as well as Eastertide and Baptism/Baptismal birthday cards with artwork by Ed Riojas. 

Access the cards using the Our Cards tab above or by clicking on the EP Cards icon/widget on the right sidebar.  You can also help us spread the word about our new cards by putting the widget on your own website or blog.  Simply click on the link below the widget to find out how. 

And if you plan to be at the Gottesdienst conference in Kansas City on March 18, we’ll have a table set up there with all of our cards and books.

Seed-Grains of Prayer: Prayer After Receiving Absolution

by | Mar 10, 2011 |

“Almighty, Everlasting God, we have sinned against Thee in many ways, and for our sins have merited eternal condemnation; yet, since we believe that Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, has wrought out for us the forgiveness of our sins and eternal salvation before Thee, and are now assured thereof by the Holy Gospel, and have our hearts strengthened by this holy absolution, we most humbly beseech Thee, grant us the power of Thy Holy Spirit that we may henceforth flee from sin, and lead a truly godly life in Thy calling; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.”

Wilhelm Loehe, Seed-Grains of Prayer, #237

Seed-Grains of Prayer: Prayer at the Opening of Springtime

by | Mar 7, 2011 |

“I give thanks unto Thee, O God and Father, that, in health and joy, Thou hast caused me to see the delightful springtime of the year, when Thou causest the whole world to be renewed, the death-bound earth to revive again and be filled with creature life, to abound with grass and flowers.  Most humbly do I beseech Thee, turn away now all destructive frosts and forefend every accident, that, during this year again, I may gratefully enjoy Thy bounty.  Grant me grace also, constantly and filially to rejoice in Thy fatherly goodness and providence, and evermore to look foreward with joy to the ultimate spring time which is the last of days.  Then shall follow everylasting joy, unending beauty and glory upon the inconstancies of time.  Then is the blessed resurrection from the dead, and my flesh shall again spring forth renewed, and my mortal body shall become like unto the glorified body of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Even then will I laud, praise, and forevermore magnify Thee, together with Thy dear Son, and the much beloved Holy Ghost, for all Thy bounties.  Amen.”

Wilhelm Loehe, Seed-Grains of Prayer, #321

Seed-Grains of Prayer: At the Passing of the Week

by | Mar 5, 2011 |

“Merciful God and Father, most heartily do I thank Thee that by Thy grace I have been permitted to pass through another week, approaching a few days nearer the hour of death.  With heartfelt sorrow I confess unto Thee that in the past week I have manifoldly sinned, both consciously and unconsciously, against Thee, and merited Thy just wrath by the doing of evil as well as by leaving undone the good I might have done.  Lord, have mercy upon my transgressions according to Thy never ending grace, and let me enjoy the precious benefits of the passion-week of Thy beloved Son; that I may honor and praise Thee here and to all eternity.  Amen.”

Wilhelm Loehe, Seed-Grains of Prayer, #248