Lutheran Book of Worship

The services of the Lutheran Book of Worship embody the tradition of worship which received its characteristic shape during the early centuries of the Church's existence and was reaffirmed during the Reformation era. As such, they are an emblem of continuity with the whole Church and of particular unity with Lutherans throughout the world.

At the same time, the services are adaptable to various circumstances and situations. Freedom and flexibility in worship is a Lutheran inheritance, and there is room for ample variety in ceremony, music, and liturgical form.

With One Voice

With One Voice has been prepared as an additional volume of resources for Lutherans at worship. It is intended to stand beside the principal worship book presently in use and to supplement its contents.

The letter to the Romans contains the exhortation to "live in harmony with one another... that together you may with one voice glorify... God" (Romans 15:5-6). A quick glance at this resource will reveal that to sing "with one voice" does not imply uniformity of expression. The "one voice" of the Church represents an amazingly diverse fabric, many songs of many cultures in many styles, woven together by one Spirit.

The breadth of content represented in this resource is a witness to the Church's unity in diversity and an encouragement to communities to cultivate a variety of expressions when they gather, rather than dividing themselves by style of worship or music.