Augsburg Fortress is the publishing ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Each month ELCA Worship highlights resources from Augsburg Fortress Publishers that support worship leaders, worship planners, musicians, and all who care about the worship of the church. ELCA Worship also features resources from other partners in a monthly blog post.

A Dazzling Bouquet: Songs on the Path of Justice and Community

A Dazzling Bouquet contains 101 songs by Bret Hesla for churches, community sings, and social change movements to sing together. These beautiful, singable tunes lift up our common journey toward a just and beloved community, our call to care for the earth, and a trust in the Spirit who awakens our imagination for change. With a beautiful forward by Mary Preuss and tips for using this collection by Bret Hesla, the songbook includes indexes for topics and themes, scripture references, background notes, performance ideas, and additional resources including prayers and litanies. The book is spiral bound with ample room for notes.

More Days for Praise: Festivals and Commemorations in Evangelical Lutheran Worship

For centuries the church has paired its church year—focused on Christ’s life, death, and resurrection—with a second calendar that uses the lives of saints as a lens to see God’s gracious acts. Evangelical Lutheran Worship has continued that practice with its calendar of festivals and commemorations. In this volume teacher and scholar Gail Ramshaw shows that those whom the church has lifted up are both faithful and fascinating, always pointing to Christ. Here is a guide to help you include these observances in your prayer life. Each day’s entry includes a brief chronology of the person’s life; a summary of why the person is remembered by the church; an image of, or related to, the commemoration; a quote from the person, where possible; and devotional hymn and prayer suggestions for the day.

Indexes to Evangelical Lutheran Worship and All Creation Sings

This revised edition of Indexes to Evangelical Lutheran Worship has been expanded and supplemented with new material from All Creation Sings. Because the Revised Common Lectionary and many hymns and songs are held in common by many denominations, the contents of this volume may be helpful to those beyond the Lutheran tradition.

It provides the prayer of the day and gospel acclamation, citations for appointed readings, listing of hymns and songs suited for the day, and a complete index to the Revised Common Lectionary. Moving beyond a simple planning volume this volume is formatted to allow worship planners to consider hymns and songs from several perspectives at once, including place in the service and relationship to the readings for the day and the season.

Additional Reference Tools Included:

• A complete index to the appointed readings in the three-year Revised Common Lectionary (including Evangelical Lutheran Worship additions for lesser festivals, commemorations, and occasions not included in the RCL) arranged in biblical order.
• Scriptural and topical indexes to the hymns in Evangelical Lutheran Worship and All Creation Sings prepared for the leader’s editions.
• An alternate tune index.

A Lutheran Welcome Booklets

These highly visual and engaging booklets are for everyone. Whether someone is a visitor looking for a church home, a new member, or a life-long Lutheran, these booklets are designed to capture their attention and help them learn more about the Lutheran expression of faith. Place them in a narthex or welcome area display rack, include them in new member packets, or keep them handy for whenever someone may have questions about the basics of Lutheran faith.

Titles in the set include:

• A Lutheran Welcome to Holy Baptism
• A Lutheran Welcome to Holy Communion
• A Lutheran Welcome to Jesus
• A Lutheran Welcome to the Bible
• A Lutheran Welcome to Forgiveness
• A Lutheran Welcome to a Reformation Way

Augsburg Fortress Music Clinics – 70th Anniversary Celebration!

Locations
Columbia, S.C. — July 24-25
Twin Cities, Minn. — July 27-28
Columbus, Ohio — August 3-4
Philadelphia, Pa. — August 6-7
Chicago, Ill. — August 10-11

More information about the event and registration for a FREE music clinic near you is available here.

“For what shall we pray?” is a weekly post inviting individuals, groups, and congregations to lift up our world in prayer. This resource is prepared by a variety of leaders in the ELCA and includes prayer prompts, upcoming events and observances, and prayer suggestions from existing denominational worship materials. You are encouraged to use these resources as a starting point, and to adapt and add other concerns from your local context. More information about this resource can be found here.
 

Prayer prompts:
For peace and reconciliation among the nations, especially in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, Mali, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela…
For all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…
For fair and compassionate immigration policies and enforcement…
For LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities during this upcoming Pride month…
For graduating students and all experiencing the transition of the school year into summer and beyond…
For all those wounded and grieving after various events of death and destruction across the world: a coal mine explosion in China, a building collapse in the Philippines, a suicide bombing in Pakistan…
For the safety of all evacuated in Garden Grove, California, due to a cracked chemical tank…
For Muslims completing their Hajj pilgrimage this year, for their safety and spiritual welfare…
For synods of the ELCA as they gather in their assemblies, that the Spirit would enliven and guide them…

Events and observances:
May observances: Mental Health Awareness Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, National Military Appreciation Month, National Foster Care Month.
June observances: LGBTQ+ Pride Month

John Calvin, renewer of the church, died 1564 (May 27)
Jiri Tranovsky, hymnwriter, died 1637 (May 29)
Jiri Tranovsky, hymnwriter, died 1637 (May 29)
Visit of Mary to Elizabeth (May 31)
Justin, martyr at Rome, died c.135 (June 1)
The Martyrs of Uganda, died 1886, June 3)
John XXIII, Bishop of Rome, died 1963 (June 3)
Boniface, martyr, died 754 (June 5)

Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for those who suffer for sake of conscience (ELW p.80)
God of faithfulness, you bless those who are persecuted. Strengthen those who suffer for the sake of conscience. When they are accused, save them from speaking in hate; when they are rejected, save them from bitterness; when they are imprisoned, save them from despair. Give us grace to respect their witness and to discern the truth, that our society may be cleansed and strengthened; for the sake of our merciful and righteous judge, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A prayer for faithful living in society (ACS p.50)
God, our gracious giver, your Son Jesus taught us that where our treasure is there our hearts will be also. Teach us to love people more than money, relationships more than things, and you above all, that the way we live will reflect what we truly value and believe. We ask this in the name of Jesus, who emptied himself in love for us, and now reigns with you and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

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The following topical resources are available from resources.elca.org for use in public worship and personal devotion:
Worship Resources for the US Semiquincentennial July 2026
Worship resources in a time of war
Worship resources for the crisis in the Holy Land
Worship resources for the Eastern Europe Crisis

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ELW = Evangelical Lutheran Worship
ACS = All Creation Sings: Evangelical Lutheran Worship Supplement

Additional topical prayers are found in Evangelical Lutheran Worship (pp. 72–87) and All Creation Sings (pp. 46–55), as well as in other resources provided in print and online at sundaysandseasons.com.

Crafted intercessions for every Sunday and festival are provided in the Sundays and Seasons worship planning guide published in-print and online by Augsburg Fortress. Further assistance for composing prayers of intercession can be found here: Resources for Crafting Prayers of Intercession

Prayer Ventures, a daily prayer resource, is a guide to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world.

This post gives the background and practical implications for an addition to the church year calendar. “Creation in Christ” (or “Feast of Creation”), to be observed on September 1 or the Sunday following, is supported with lectionary readings and forthcoming worship resources.

A New Ecumenical Observance

Following several years of study, prayer, and collaboration, a new ecumenical observance is encouraged in the church throughout the world. Grounded in the ancient liturgical tradition of the Orthodox Church, “Creation in Christ” (or “Feast of Creation”) celebrates God as Creator and ponders the great mystery that everything was created through Christ. And, as a result, it also inspires us to care for the gift of the created world. Although the rich theme of Christ’s activity in creation abounds throughout the liturgical year, setting aside this day brings an important focus to this mystery.

As summarized on the feast of creation website, “since the 1989 invitation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to pray together on September 1, many churches and ecumenical networks have adopted the Creation Day observance and collaborated to encourage its celebration. In 2023, various global Christian bodies began to dialogue about the ancient roots of Creation Day in the Byzantine liturgical calendar and its potential to enrich non-Byzantine calendars even more meaningfully. Since then, a series of theological dialogues have taken place in what came to be known as “The Assisi Process,” with the participation of 13 Christian world communions and various ecumenical bodies.”

ELCA Worship shared a blog post written by Dr. Benjamin Stewart  in September 2024 that introduced this process to ELCA congregations, specifically noting the churches that convened in Assisi in March of 2024. You can learn much more about the process at www.feastofcreation.com and more about its theological grounding here.

The ELCA is a member of both the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the World Council of Churches (WCC), two of the more than thirteen Christian communions that have encouraged the adoption of this festival. LWF shared helpful information in March 2026 and the WCC offered a helpful webinar on March 19 and it is still available for viewing.

For the past two years, the Consultation on Common Texts—of which the ELCA is a member– has worked with the ecumenical conveners of this proposed celebration, namely in the task of selecting lectionary texts. See a listing of the proposed texts and the methodology report approved by the Consultation on Common Texts. The CCT also suggests the name of the day be “Creation in Christ (or Feast of Creation)” for Christological clarity, ecumenical breadth, and alignment with the Revised Common Lectionary naming conventions. For example, “Creation in Christ” is similar to “Christ the King (or Reign of Christ)” or “Baptism of Our Lord.” See pg. 5 of the methodology report for further background.

Observing “Creation in Christ”

What does this mean for the ELCA? Supported by the Lutheran World Federation and World Council of Churches, ELCA worshiping communities are encouraged to celebrate the day, using the lectionary texts provided by the Consultation on Common Texts. The date to observe “Creation in Christ” will need to be determined locally. Although celebration is encouraged on September 1 or the Sunday following, with the observance of Labor Day in the United States, some communities may opt to celebrate in late August or later in September, perhaps aligning with the autumnal equinox. Yet others may keep a Season of Creation, beginning on or near September 1 and ending with the commemoration of Francis of Assisi on or near October 4.

We anticipate that adopting this new date on the liturgical calendar will be an evolving process, just as the process to get to this point involved much thought, prayer, and deliberation. You are encouraged to discern what works best in your context, knowing that resourcing and support for this day will be available over time and will be renewed and refined along the way.

Worship Resources for “Creation in Christ”

Some resources are already available to assist you in preparation and planning and more will follow in the weeks, months, and years ahead.

Subscribers to Sundays and Seasons can find an essay by Dr. Benjamin Stewart, “Joining the Cosmic Choir: An Introduction to a Liturgical Festival of Creation” as well as “Planning a Festival of Creation” as part of the Seasonal Rites for Autumn in the 2027 print edition (and available online).

The ELCA and Augsburg Fortress anticipate they will have resources available online later this summer. Stay tuned to communications from ELCA Worship, Augsburg Fortress, and Sundays and Seasons as worship resources become available for use on “Creation in Christ” in the ELCA.

In addition, an ecumenical call was put out to submit resources to be considered for wider sharing. These are being reviewed and compiled and will be accessible later this summer on the feast of creation website.

This is an exciting time, as the last time there was an addition to the liturgical calendar was Christ the King (Reign of Christ) in the 1920s (though it was only adopted by Western churches). It is the first time a new feast/festival has been adopted since the release of the common lectionary in 1983. To be in communion with the Eastern church in celebration of Creation in Christ (Feast of Creation), holds great promise, even in this time of global crisis and uncertainty.

“For what shall we pray?” is a weekly post inviting individuals, groups, and congregations to lift up our world in prayer. This resource is prepared by a variety of leaders in the ELCA and includes prayer prompts, upcoming events and observances, and prayer suggestions from existing denominational worship materials. You are encouraged to use these resources as a starting point, and to adapt and add other concerns from your local context. More information about this resource can be found here.
 

Prayer prompts:
For peace and reconciliation among the nations, especially in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, Mali, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela…
For all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…
For health, safety, information, and wisdom amid outbreaks of the hantavirus and ebola…
For all impacted by and grieving after the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, and for religious understanding and appreciation…
For victims, first responders, and the community surrounding the lumber mill in Maine after an explosion…
For our nation as we observe Memorial Day, for all who serve in the armed forces, and for all who mourn the loss of a loved one to war…
For the Holy Spirit to descend on the church again this Pentecost…
For synods of the ELCA as they gather in their assemblies, that the Spirit would enliven and guide them…
For students and school personnel in the last days of the semester…

Events and observances:
May observances: Mental Health Awareness Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, National Military Appreciation Month, National Foster Care Month

Helena, mother of Constantine, died c.330 (May 21)
Declaration of the Bab, Bahá’í (May 22-23)
Vigil of Pentecost (May 23)
Day of Pentecost (May 24)
Nicolaus Copernicus, died 1543; Leonhard Euler, died 1783; scientists (May 24)
Memorial Day, USA (May 25)
John Calvin, renewer of the church, died 1564 (May 27)
Jiri Tranovsky, hymnwriter, died 1637 (May 29)

Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for health care providers (ELW p.85)
Merciful God, your healing power is everywhere about us. Strengthen those who work among the sick; give them courage and confidence in all they do. Encourage them when their efforts seem futile or when death prevails. Increase their trust in your power even to overcome death and pain and crying. May they be thankful for every sign of health you give, and humble before the mystery of your healing grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A prayer for peace (ACS p.48)
You calm and quiet us, eternal God, as a mother holds her children close; all people have refuge in the shadow of your wings. Spread over us the shelter of your peace. Hold before us the wisdom of your cross, where we are drawn to you not by might or power, but by your boundless love and forgiveness in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

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The following topical resources are available from resources.elca.org for use in public worship and personal devotion:
Worship Resources for the US Semiquincentennial July 2026
Worship resources in a time of war
Worship resources for the crisis in the Holy Land
Worship resources for the Eastern Europe Crisis

—

ELW = Evangelical Lutheran Worship
ACS = All Creation Sings: Evangelical Lutheran Worship Supplement

Additional topical prayers are found in Evangelical Lutheran Worship (pp. 72–87) and All Creation Sings (pp. 46–55), as well as in other resources provided in print and online at sundaysandseasons.com.

Crafted intercessions for every Sunday and festival are provided in the Sundays and Seasons worship planning guide published in-print and online by Augsburg Fortress. Further assistance for composing prayers of intercession can be found here: Resources for Crafting Prayers of Intercession

Prayer Ventures, a daily prayer resource, is a guide to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world.

“For what shall we pray?” is a weekly post inviting individuals, groups, and congregations to lift up our world in prayer. This resource is prepared by a variety of leaders in the ELCA and includes prayer prompts, upcoming events and observances, and prayer suggestions from existing denominational worship materials. You are encouraged to use these resources as a starting point, and to adapt and add other concerns from your local context. More information about this resource can be found here.
 

Prayer prompts:
For peace and reconciliation among the nations, especially in Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, Mali, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela…
For all immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers…
For those injured and affected by gun violence this week, in Dallas, Texas; Clarksville, Tennessee; and in the Philippine parliament in Manila…
For the health of those infected by hantavirus, and for all medical and public health professionals…
For Cuba and for all people and places affected by fuel costs and shortages…
For places that are burning and places affected by drought…
For those who serve in the armed forces…
For fair elections and fair representation…
For synods of the ELCA as they gather in their assemblies, that the Spirit would enliven and guide them…
For students finishing the academic year and those who are celebrating graduations…

Events and observances:
May observances: Mental Health Awareness Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, National Military Appreciation Month, National Foster Care Month

Matthais, apostle (May 14)
Erik, martyr, died 1160 (May 18)
Victoria Day, Canada (May 18)
Helena, mother of Constantine, died c.330 (May 21)
Vigil of Pentecost (May 23)
Day of Pentecost (May 24)
Nicolaus Copernicus, died 1543; Leonhard Euler, died 1783; scientists (May 24)
Memorial Day, USA (May 25)

Prayers from ELCA resources:
A prayer for enemies (ELW p.80)
Gracious God, your Son called on you to forgive his enemies while he was suffering shame and death. Lead our enemies and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

A prayer for faithful living in society (ACS p.50)
Eternal God, your Word brought forth creation, and your Spirit brings order out of chaos and confusion. You breathe upon us, and we are able to hear one another with language we can understand. Pour out your Spirit upon us now, that even when we disagree on the way forward, we may remain united in Jesus Christ, in whom we are known and accepted with a single love.Amen.

—

The following topical resources are available from resources.elca.org for use in public worship and personal devotion:
Worship Resources for the US Semiquincentennial July 2026
Worship resources in a time of war
Worship resources for the crisis in the Holy Land
Worship resources for the Eastern Europe Crisis

—

ELW = Evangelical Lutheran Worship
ACS = All Creation Sings: Evangelical Lutheran Worship Supplement

Additional topical prayers are found in Evangelical Lutheran Worship (pp. 72–87) and All Creation Sings (pp. 46–55), as well as in other resources provided in print and online at sundaysandseasons.com.

Crafted intercessions for every Sunday and festival are provided in the Sundays and Seasons worship planning guide published in-print and online by Augsburg Fortress. Further assistance for composing prayers of intercession can be found here: Resources for Crafting Prayers of Intercession

Prayer Ventures, a daily prayer resource, is a guide to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world.

Each month ELCA Worship highlights resources and events from other organizations and institutions. These Lutheran and ecumenical partner organizations work alongside the ELCA to support worship leaders, worship planners, musicians, and all who care about the worship of the church. ELCA Worship also features resources from Augsburg Fortress Publishers in a monthly blog post.

Lutheran Summer Music Academy & Festival

Transforming and connecting lives through faith and music since 1981.

All are invited to join fellow singers for a day of inspiring, community-centered music-making at the LSM Choral Gathering. Led by Dr. David Cherwien, LSM faculty member and former Artistic Director of the National Lutheran Choir, this event offers a welcoming introduction to the music, people, and artistic life of Lutheran Summer Music at St. Olaf College.

Invite your choir members and join us! Register today: LSMacademy.org/choral-gathering

Associated Parishes for Liturgy and Mission

APLM promotes the liturgical formation of the worshipping assembly for its mission in the world.

Forming the Assembly for Mission in a Chaotic World
Benedictine Center at St. Paul Monastery, St. Paul, Minn.
June 16-18

APLM will meet in St. Paul Minnesota at the Benedictine Center at St. Paul Monastery, Tues. June 16 – Thurs. June 18 under the theme “Forming the Assembly for Mission in a Chaotic Time.” In this their 80^th anniversary year, they will focus on the pressing need for liturgical formation, the practice of liturgical formation, and the relationship between liturgy and mission.

Click here for more details and the registration form.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MAY 28 to allow an accurate account for meals.

Association of Lutheran Church Musicians

ALCM nurtures and equips musicians to serve and lead the church’s song.

ALCM  2026 Conference “Now and Forever”

St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn.
Celebrating the 1986 ALCM Constituting Convention
Overlapping with Lutheran Summer Music’s Festival Week!
Featuring Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, Bach Collegium Valparaiso, Christopher M. Cock, artistic director. (Made possible through generous support provided by Pauline and John Kiltinen.

Registration is open.
The emphasis of this conference is on practical skill-building. Check out the nearly complete list of presenters and workshops on the conference website. Reasonably-priced, air-conditioned dormitory housing is still available and can be booked at time of conference registration or at a later date. Register now and make plans to envision the future of Lutheran Church music.

Music that Makes Community

Rooted in Christian contemplative and activist traditions, Music That Makes Community envisions a liberative culture that empowers individuals and communities to claim and use the power of singing to heal our spirits, nurture our common lives, and work for justice.

Music that Makes Community will be attending the ALCM Conference. Current and past Board members, Amy Steenson and Liesl Spitz, and a representative from The Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery will present a workshop on the Sacred Lands Project partnership, a collection of paperless, aural tradition songs for community singing intended to inspire and compel communities of faith to organize alongside Indigenous communities defending sacred lands from extractive and leading rematriation efforts. Read more about the project and download it here.

The Hymn Society

The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada encourages, promotes, and enlivens congregational singing by building supportive relationships and enabling networking and ecumenical cooperation which providing experience in performance practices to help in the introduction and leading of the congregation’s song.

Hymn Society Annual Conference
Rebirth: Singing Death, Singing Life
Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, N. J.
July 19-22

For eighteen years, we have seen Lutherans lead ecumenical worship with theological depth and musical excellence. This tradition continues at The Hymn Society’s 2026 Annual Conference in Princeton, NJ, from July 19–22.

The event features a strong Lutheran roster, including Marcell Silva Steuernagel, Gracia M. Grindal, Maren Haynes Marchesini, Lola Bobrow and Adan Fernandez. From veteran scholars to rising students, our voices are shepherding this year’s song.

Join your colleagues for a week of professional growth and spiritual renewal. Let’s show up and sing together. Watch this video announcement and visit The Hymn Society website to register. Information about registration fees, accommodations, meal plans and other important details are available on the website.

Advance registration through June 1
Regular registration starting June 2