Liturgy Recommendations

• Now the Feast
  This is an upbeat and celebratory liturgy. It is intended to be done with piano or guitar. The organ lacks the percussive drive to keep this piece interesting. It works best with a rhythm section including drums and acoustic guitar.
• Mass of Creation (Creation Setting)
  Perhaps the most widely-known musical setting among Roman Catholics. It has been adapted to include the additional canticles for the Lutheran service. Get the original Roman Catholic version for the beautiful, sung eucharistic prayers and words of institution.

  This setting can be done with an organ and traditional instruments, such as brass and timpani. It also works well with a rhythm section in a pop style. Parts are available for either, including woodwinds and handbells.

• Beneath the Tree of Life
  A more subdued setting, particularly nice for Lent or Advent. It has a strong focus on the cross as the tree of life.
• Santo
  A bi-lingual setting based on an Argentinian folk tune. Very easy to learn and best suited to piano or guitar. Even beginning musicians can master this one.
• Holden Evening Prayer
  This contemplative setting of evening prayer (Evensong) was written for the community at Holden Village in 1986. It is widely known throughout Lutheran churches. It is quite easy, for the most part. Watch out for the E^b minor psalm, which is nice, but can be difficult for beginning keyboard players. It is also intended for piano or guitar.
• Unfailing Light
  A setting of Holy Communion intended for evening celebrations.  The texts, written by Susan Briehl, center around the Emmaus Journey narrative from scripture.    Written for the Lutheran community at the University of Texas at Austin, it includes the possible use of handbells, woodwinds and guitar.

• Mass of Light
  This setting was written around the same time as Mass of Creation and shares some similarities. It is well written and up-tempo. The difficulty level is medium and can be done with a rhythm section or adapted by a good organist who can maintain the rhythmic drive.

Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW Website)

The new ELCA hymnal includes 10 liturgies:

• One: New setting by Mark Mummert, Robert Buckley Farlee, and Thomas Pavlechko (This is the setting used for opening worship at the 2006 NTNL Synod Assembly. It can be adapted to piano or organ.)
• Two: Setting by Marty Haugen, significantly revised from Renewing Worship
• Three: LBW Setting 1
• Four: LBW Setting 2
• Five: Chant setting based on LBW Setting 3 and SBH Setting 2
• Six: From the African American worship resource This Far by Faith
• Seven: From the Spanish language resource Libro de Liturgia y Cántico
• Eight: Music in more recent popular musical genres, from various sources
• Nine: By Joel Martinson, revised from Renewing Worship
• Ten: Hymn-based setting using common metrical hymn tunes

Bob Hurd (OCP Publications)

• Mass of Glory
  Combines African-American and folk styles. To do this liturgy successfully, you'll need a pianist who understands the feel of gospel music, especially the swinging eighth-note patterns. It sounds best with a full rhythm section and includes parts for woodwinds and even strings in some sections.

This Far By Faith (Augsburg Fortress)

• First setting: River of Life
  Nicely written jazz setting with piano accompaniment. Get the accompaniment to the liturgies book for the printed music. This setting is intended for a jazz combo: piano, upright bass, drums and possibly jazz electric guitar. Unfortunately, chord symbols are not provided in the accompaniment and would need to be added for a combo. The piano part is advanced and definitely not for beginners.

Detroit Folk Mass (Augsburg Fortress)

• Texts from the LBW in gospel style
  One of the first contemporary liturgies used widely in Lutheran churches.  Intended to be used with piano and posibly guitar and rhythm section. The style is really more gospel or jazz than folk.