October 2006 is the release date for the new resource, Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW). The “previews” will begin in April with an informational mailing to congregations about ELW. To help congregations become familiar with the new resources, each congregation will receive an Evangelical Lutheran Worship Preview Kit.

Augsburg Fortress has indicated that the Preview Kit will include the following materials:

• an Evangelical Lutheran Worship Sampler Edition with 64 pages of liturgies and hymns to review;
• an audio CD with recorded portions of the common liturgies contained in the sampler;
• a CD-ROM with introductory resources including newsletter articles, bulletin paragraphs, temple talks, congregational letters, graphics, such as the Evangelical Lutheran Worship logo, and more;
• samples of the new Evangelical Lutheran Worship bookplates and offering envelopes to help congregations encourage special gifts.

A “mock up” of the new Pew Edition of Evangelical Lutheran Worship will be on display at the Augsburg Fortress display at our synod assembly May 19-20.

Special pricing and financing options will be available to congregations. If congregations order the Pew Edition, they may purchase it for $17.50 through October 2. After that, the cost will be $20.

Twelve-month financing is also available for congregations to help purchase Pew Editions. Augsburg Fortress is providing twelve-month financing for interested congregations with no interest or financing charges.

Learn more about this resource by checking out the Augsburg Fortress Web site. The ELCA’s Renewing Worship Web site at www.renewingworship.org provides a preview selected content.