Lutheran Hymnal for Church and Home, Introductory Edition

The 128-page Introductory Edition is a transitional resource for use and consideration until the complete Reclaim hymnal (in print and electronic formats) is released. The Introductory Edition is a worship and devotional resource that offers:

• A service with holy communion

Musical setting by composer John Ylvisaker entitled "Saint Paul's Setting"

• Orders for baptism, wedding, and funeral

• 47 hymns, which are "pearls of great value" in building the faith and proclaiming the gospel.

• An introduction, Luther's Small Catechism, an outline for informal worship, and an article entitled "What Makes a Hymn Lutheran?" There is also a brief commentary by John Ylvisaker, composer of the Saint Paul's Setting.

It offers classic Lutheran theology applied in practical ways in hymns, names for God, liturgy, and the various orders.  Reclaim is:

• Evangelical-a faithful Christian witness in proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ through congregational services and personal devotions for individuals and families at home. It is grounded in Scripture and reclaims the classic Lutheran emphasis on the building of faith through the proclamation and hearing of God's Word through song, liturgy, and prayer. It also includes Luther's Small Catechism.

• Lutheran-affirms the insights of the Reformation and reclaims our heritage, purpose, future, and passion as 21st-century Christians in the Lutheran tradition. It reaches out to Lutherans of various backgrounds by offering an updated service with holy communion that is built on the "Common Service" of 1888, which was adopted and since then has continued to be used by almost every Lutheran denomination in America.

• For Home & Church-Reclaim is designed to be used in the home as comfortably as in the congregation. Elegantly designed for ease of use and carefully written for the building of faith, this resource's reclaimed classic Lutheran emphasis will help both seekers and long-time members make the "Sunday to Monday connection" in their faith life.

• A theologically sound alternative to the ELCA's Renewing Worship / Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymnal. It is also an ideal supplement to the Lutheran Book of Worship. The final Reclaim hymnal resource will be a complete, self-standing hymnal for individual and congregational use.