Hymn: Soul adorn yourself with gladness

The hymn originally called "Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele" was written by German poet Johann Franck wrote the hymn following the devastating Thirty Years' War in Germany. Despite the grief, destruction, and personal tragedies that surrounded him, Franck penned a text designed to uplift the faithful by placing their focus on God. The hymn draws heavily from the Parable of the Wedding Banquet and imagery from Psalm 43, urging the individual to leave behind earthly sorrows and approach the Lord's Table with joy.  So the hymn is often sung as a Holy Communion Hymn

Catherine Winkworth translated the hymn into English

The hymn is known as

• Soul adorn yourself with gladness
• Soul adorn thyself with gladness
• Deck thyself my soul with gladness

Text and sheet music

https://hymnary.org/text/soul_adorn_yourself_with_gladness

Video versions

Book: Reformational Missiology: An Evangelical Lutheran Perspective for Global Mission

Reformational Missiology is about why Christians share their faith--not because they made it up, but because God calls us to share. 

It explains how Lutheran beliefs, like being saved by grace alone and focusing on Jesus' sacrifice, shape the spread of the message of Jesus today. The book covers the Bible's teachings, history, modern challenges and practical ways to live out serving in God's mission today. Lutheran mission perspective may present different than that of other Christians, but all agree mission is about telling people God forgives them and invites them into His family.

Main themes covered

• Biblical & Theological Foundations: Focuses on the missio Dei (mission of God),
• Historical Perspectives: Traces how Lutheran historical doctrines shape the message and motive of mission today.
• Worldviews & Culture
• Contextualization & Translation: Explores practical ways to communicate the Christian message in diverse cultural settings without compromising core biblical truths.
• Praxis and Modern Challenges: Provides actionable guidance on modern ministry, diaspora missiology, and local church missions without relying on a priestly hierarchy.

Available at Amazon

Book: Mission from the cross

Klaus Detlev Schulz unpacks a Lutheran perspective of mission that is centred and grounded in the cross of Jesus

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Luke 10:2   Whether you go on mission trips or support them through prayer or funds, this book offers a great understanding of your involvement in the mission field. Discover the theology that underlies mission and connects you to this vital activity of proclaiming the Gospel.

The mission field is all around you—down the street and across the world. We are called to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19) and to not be ashamed of the Gospel (Romans 1:16), so how do you live that out? This books covers important topics such as cultural anthropology, communication styles, linguistics, ecumenical issues, strategies and more.

Mission from the Cross is a valuable resource as it helps you understand how God blesses His children through your service in His kingdom. This resource explores the Lutheran theology of mission through a contemporary lens and focuses on how it is accomplished through God’s grace.

There are two versions of Mission from the Cross

Lay Reader Version

Available at Amazon

Academic Version

Available at Amazon

Book: Christ Alone

 In our postmodern, pluralistic world, there are plenty of genuinely spiritual people who consider Christ a way to heaven, or even their way to heaven, but who refuse to acknowledge Him as the one and only way for everyone.

In their estimation, anyone who stresses an exclusive, saving faith in Jesus Christ is at the least intolerant and, at worst, completely ignorant. Yet as Rod Rosenbladt shows in this booklet, there are numerous evidences that support the centrality and exclusivity of Christ. He draws on these here to affirm that even in the face of sophisticated theological attacks, God's Word--and Christ's unique claims--still hold true.

In defending solus Christus Christians need not disregard the noble words or deeds of unbelievers throughout history. But there is One whose words and works stand far above all others, and whose entire existence proved His exclusive claims. And He deserves not only our worship, but our witness before a lost world.

Chapters

1. Solus Christus in the Scriptures - The Bible Is About Christ
2. The Background of Solus Christus
3. Today’s Theological Attack on Solus Christus
4. The Offense of Solus Christus
5. Solus Christus and the Pastor
6. Summary and Conclusion and Further Reading

Available on Amazon

2026 July Lutheran Fellowship Gatherings weekly resource

JULY weekly resources

Click on the weekly links below  to access the weekly resources

July week 1: Pentecost 6  Proper 9 Matthew 13:1–23

July week 2:   Pentecost 7  Proper 10 Matthew 13:24–43

July week 3:  Pentecost 8 Proper 11  Matthew 13:31–52

July week 4:  Pentecost 9  Proper 12  Matthew 14:13–21

 

The Lutheran Fellowship Gathering weekly resource is for small groups or small worshipping communities to help them connect with God and each other focussing on the Gospel reading of the Revised Common Lectionary  

I have made this resource available is to support people who wish to gather around God’s Word, focus on Jesus and to grow as part of God’s church.  

You may want to use it to help you start a small group in your church community, or to gather people in a community where a Lutheran church currently is not present.  

This resource is offered free of charge to non-commercial situations, on the understanding that you will not charge for copies or its use.   

This resource has been developed by Pastor Richard Schwedes, richardschwedes@gmail.com 

If you have feedback, suggestions or improvements feel free to email me