Liturgy Solutions

Over two years ago Liturgy Solutions, Inc. announced the launch of its website providing new, downloadable and thoroughly Lutheran music for the liturgy. Since that time, the Liturgy Solutions catalog has grown considerably, as its founders seek to provide introits, graduals, verses, psalms, and hymn stanzas for every Sunday of the church year according to both the one-year and three-year lectionaries. Collections are made available on a seasonal basis, and after purchasing, customers have the permanent right to make unlimited copies for their congregation's use.

Liturgy Solutions describes its goal as one of providing "fresh liturgical music with integrity for the 21st-century parish." The roster of composers is an impressive array of some of the best Lutheran musicians creating new music today. (Full disclosure: one of the composers and co-founders of Liturgy Solutions is my husband.)

How interesting it was, then, to discover the newly announced line from Concordia Publishing House entitled Acclamation. According to CPH, Acclamation "provides fresh [emphasis mine] musical settings of the Introit, Psalm of the Day, Gradual, Gospel Acclamation, and Hymn of the Day stanza for each Sunday of the Church Year as well as the Festivals and Holy Days. Supporting both the three-year-series and the one-year series of propers, Acclamation will be available through the Internet for purchase on a weekly basis. Once the download has been made, the purchaser has permission to make enough copies for local use by the choir or soloist."

Hmmm . . . looks like a good idea is catching on! Here's to competition. But might I add that the cost for one Sunday worth of Acclamation downloads is $10, while the cost for a Liturgy Solutions booklet, covering an entire season of the church year, ranges from $30-40. In addition, Liturgy Solutions is now offering "breakout" booklets whereby the consumer can purchase smaller collections (for example, psalms or hymn stanzas only) at even less cost. Finally, Liturgy Solutions has a track record of proven quality and rich variety from its diverse and talented cache of composers.

If you've never checked us out, come on over and take a peek! And if you see anything that might be of interest to your own congregation, please pass on our site address to your pastor and/or musician.

Okay, commercial over. Now back to your regularly scheduled blogs.