Eighty percent of LCMS congregations have adopted LSB!
Please note the special pricing below...
NEWS RELEASE
Concordia Publishing House
3558 South Jefferson Ave.
St. Louis, Missouri 63118-3968
CONTACT: Emily Barlean, Corporate Communications
Phone: 314.268.1294
e-mail: emily.barlean@cph.org
For Immediate Release
Concordia Publishing House Sells One Millionth Hymnal
Concordia Publishing House Aims to Put a Hymnal into the Hands of Every Lutheran
Twitter Pitch:
Rev. Gary Benedix of Jackpot, Nevada hits the jackpot & purchases
@concordiapub's one millionth hymnal. Learn more:
http://pitch.pe/84490
One millionth hymnal sale kicks off @concordiapub's Hymnal in Every
Home campaign. Learn more here: http://pitch.pe/84490
Summary:
One million copies of the Lutheran Service Book have been sold to
congregations around the country—now Concordia Publishing House aims
to put a hymnal into the hands of every Lutheran with the Hymnal in
Every Home campaign lasting from Sept 1 through the end of the year.
Saint Louis, MO—When you hear about a publishing company selling over
a million copies in record time, you almost expect the book to have
Harry Potter or Twilight in its title. However, Concordia Publishing
House (CPH) is proud to announce that this time that is not the case.
In fact, after just four years, Lutheran Service Book (LSB) has sold
one million copies.
"People need a way to give voice to their faith. There are three core
books that can do that: the Bible, the hymnal, and the catechism,"
said Rev. Paul McCain, Concordia's publisher. "The hymnal is the book
that helps put our faith in a form that we can easily remember. That
is a powerful influence in a Christian's life."
In fact, it is so powerful an influence, that even before its release,
the hymnal saw great success. Its first print run of 250,000 copies
sold out in preorders, and over the next four years, around 80% of the
churches in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod adopted LSB.
"We are absolutely thrilled to celebrate the overwhelming reception
that Lutheran Service Book has had in our churches," said President
and CEO, Dr. Bruce G. Kintz. "At CPH, it is our mission to serve the
church by providing resources for today's ministry, and the hymnal's
success shows us that our mission is being fulfilled."
Although the majority of the first million hymnals went to churches
across the country, last month Pastor Gary Benedix made an uncommon
purchase and bought a single hymnal. His church, Hope Lutheran in
Jackpot, Nevada, was not a part of that 80%. When Pastor Benedix
ordered LSB on the Web, he hoped to use it for two things: first, to
use as a launching pad for introducing the hymnal to his congregation,
and second, as a gift for his one and only confirmation student.
What came next was a bit more unexpected.
"I got a phone call from Dr. Kintz, and he told me that I had
purchased the millionth hymnal," said Pastor Benedix. "I was confused;
I thought they were calling everyone to tell them the news, but he
explained that I had actually, physically purchased the millionth
hymnal. I couldn't believe it!"
This retired pastor from Jackpot, Nevada, had indeed hit the jackpot.
He had purchased one very special copy of Lutheran Service Book for
his tiny church, whose attendance ranged from four to 25 on any given
week.
With such a small attendance, the church had not been able to adopt
LSB when it was released; but Pastor Benedix was not about to let that
stand in his way.
"The liturgical aspect of worship is so important to me," he said.
"The beauty of the service, especially in LSB, adds depth and
spirituality to each person that uses it."
In fact, Pastor Benedix was so interested in getting LSB for his
congregation that he hoped they would each purchase their own copies
to use during worship and at home. As a surprise and special gift to
Pastor Benedix, his congregation did not have to be without LSB for
long. Because he purchased the millionth hymnal, CPH gave his
congregation 30 hymnals as a way of saying thank you.
"We are so excited to get started with Lutheran Service Book and to
continue this liturgical tradition with Word and Sacrament in
Jackpot," Pastor Benedix said.
Even though Pastor Benedix's congregation can now use LSB at church,
their pastor is still excited to utilize the hymnal outside of
worship. Not only does he plan to start a few small Bible studies, but
he also plans on using that one special hymnal to teach his only
confirmation student, McKenzie Heileman.
"I'll expect her to use it at home to read through the devotional
services, the responsive prayer, and the chief parts," said Pastor
Benedix. "It's difficult to get kids to memorize, but her memory work
will be the prayers in the hymnal, which are marvelous."
Pastor Benedix's expectation for McKenzie to use the hymnal at home
aligns perfectly with Concordia Publishing House's hopes for the
hymnal's future, according to Peter Reske, managing editor of music
and worship resources.
"If you only use the hymnal on Sunday, you will miss all the little
things in there that are so important," Reske said. "Many things often
go overlooked."
In order to help members of the LCMS realize what they have been
overlooking over the last four years, CPH has introduced the Hymnal in
Every Home campaign, that Pastor McCain hopes will show people just
how the hymnal can be used at home.
"It gives great continuity between Sunday morning and home life,
because it is basically your one-stop-shop. There are suggested daily
Bible readings, hymns, prayers, psalms, and more," he said. "Why only
worship the Lord on Sunday? His word is our sustenance. Can you
survive by eating only one day a week? Probably. But God's buffet is
open 24/7 and he invites us to enjoy richly."
And so, as a way to promote the purchase of hymnals for every home,
CPH has lowered their prices significantly—offering the Pew Editionfor
only $20 and theGift Editionfor $30.
"From the beginning this has been your hymnal," said Reske, "and we
want to make sure you have every opportunity to get your hands on it."
To order or find out more about the Hymnal in Every Home campaign,
visit cph.org/hymnal where you can find hymnal tips, videos, and more.
Resource Links:
Social Media Release: http://pitch.pe/84490
Concordia Publishing House: http://www.cph.org
Lutheran Service Book: http://lsb.cph.org
Hymnal in Every Home Campaign: http://www.cph.org/hymnal
Concordia Publishing House is a not-for-profit publishing company and
the publisher of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. The company
offers more than 8,000 products for use in Christian congregations,
schools, and homes. Visit CPH on the Web at http://www.cph.org.
Media Resources:
Watch a special promotional video about the millionth hymnal sale and
the Hymnal in Every Home campaign. http://bit.ly/cSajhE
Listen to a podcast interview with Pastor Gary Benedix discussing the
Lutheran Service Book, his background, and what it was like to be the
purchaser of the millionth hymnal. http://bit.ly/aoBBES
Watch a video with Dr. Bruce G. Kintz, CEO of CPH, announcing to
Pastor Gary Benedix that he had purchased the millionth hymnal. Plus,
hear Bruce give Gary good news about a special gift from CPH.
http://bit.ly/bD4ftP
View this or previous releases or download via Word or PDF on Scribd.
# # #
News Facts:
CPH has more than 8,000 products that can be used by families and
individuals, Christian schools and congregations. Here is an overview
of all we have to offer. Can't find what you are looking for? Contact
us, and let our world class Customer Service representatives lend a
hand at 1-800-325-3040.
Tags:
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sold, Hymnal in Every Home, Pastor Gary Benedix, Dr. Bruce G. Kintz,
hymnal, successful book, Paul McCain, Peter Reske, catechism, Bible,
sale, liturgy, gift, announcement
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--
Rev. Paul J Cain
