To Proclaim 2029 500th Anniversary Year of the Catechism

Official Workbook overture source text

1-30 
To Proclaim 2029 500th Anniversary  
Year of the Catechism 
WHEREAS, 2029 marks the 500th anniversary of the Small and 
Large Catechisms of Martin Luther; and 
WHEREAS, The renewal of catechesis ushered in by Luther’s 
catechisms is arguably the greatest contribution to  catechesis since 
the time of the apostles; and 
WHEREAS, The catechisms capture “the pattern of sound words  
… in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 1:13), which is essential for evangelism, 
mission work, teaching the faith, and the health and growth of the 
Church; and 
W
HEREAS, The doctrine and life of the congregations and schools 
of the Synod are to conform to the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran 
Confessions of which the catechisms play a central role; therefore 
be it 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention proclaim 2029 the 500th 
Anniversary Year of the Catechism; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage every entity 
of the Synod to prepare resources, activities, conferences, symposia, 
continuing education opportunities, educational materials, worship 
resources, and catechetical materials to equip our congregations,  
schools, pastors and church workers to “Tell the Next Generation” 
of the treasure we have in the catechisms for evangelism, 
discipleship, teaching the faith, the life of prayer, Christian 
vocation, mercy work, and confessing Christ to the world; and be it 
further 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct the Office of 
National Mission to work with each district of the Synod to 
coordinate a program of study and celebration for our congregations 
and schools to commemorate the 500th Anniversary Year of the 
Catechism; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage each 
university of the Concordia University System and each seminary 
of the Synod to engage in an intentional program of study and 
celebration to commemorate the 500th Anniversary Year of the 
Catechism; and be it further 
Resolved, That preaching, teaching, and worship celebrations of 
the 500th Anniversary of the Catechism be encouraged throughout 
the Synod in the year 2029; and be it finally 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to our 
gracious Lord for the gift of Luther’s Small and Large Catechisms, 
and rise to the singing of hymn, “Lord, Help Us Ever to Retain” 
(LSB 865): 
Lord, help us ever to retain 
The Catechism’s doctrine plain 
As Luther taught the Word of truth 
In simple style to tender youth. 
Help us Your holy Law to learn, 
To mourn our sin and from it turn 
In faith to You and to Your Son 
And Holy Spirit, Three in One. 
Hear us, dear Father, when we pray 
For needed help from day to day 
That as Your children we may live, 
Whom You baptized and so received. 
Lord, when we fall or go astray, 
Absolve and lift us up, we pray; 
And through the Sacrament increase 
Our faith till we depart in peace. 
Board for National Mission 
Ov.