The newly published hymnal "Ibada Takatifu" for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya (ELCK). The dedication for Ibada Takatifu (Divine Service) was held at the Uhuru Highway Lutheran Church in downtown Nairobi.
The hymnal is, in some ways, modeled after the Lutheran Service Book (LSB) in style. The hymnal contains a fresh translation of Luther's Small Catechism in Swahili. At least for the ELCK, the version of the Small Catechism found in the hymnal will become the new standard for Kenya. 
Rev. John Halahke, General Secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya (ELCK) stands with Deaconess Sandra Rhein, the coordinating editor of the Kenya Hymnal Project.
Procession for the hymnal dedication with Archbishop Walter Obare the last member of the procession.
People standing for the entry of the procession at the hymnal dedication.
The Archbishop and other Bishops conduct the dedication liturgy.
The bulletin for the hymnal dedication.
Pastor Thomas Aadland, professor Matango Lutheran Theological Conference, preached the dedication for the hymnal.
After the sermon, the congregation sang, "Mungu Wetu Ndiye Boma" ("A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"). You can listen to it by clicking here.
Rev. Ambele Mwaipopo, Director of Mission & Evangelism for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), congratulated the Evangelical Lutheran Church Kenya (ELCK) on their new hymnal, especially in light of false rumors that some started to hinder the project. The Tanzanian church provided a significant amount of assistance in the area of translation, copyright permissions, and other technical assistance.
Archbishop Obare read from a portion of the hymnal forward: "We thank God for enabling the ELCK to have Ibada Takatifu at such a crucial time. With this hymnal The Lord has given us a lasting treasure that will foster unity and spiritual and spiritual growth that will be carried from generation to generation! Both the ELCK Hymnal Commission and liturgical experts at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA, who labored tirelessly to complete this project deserve great thanks — their effort will be felt in all corners of our church for generations to come. We thank God for all those who contributed financial offerings to this undertaking: their work is going to bring great blessing to God's people. Finally, we pray that our Lord would abundantly bless bishops, pastors, evangelists, teachers, deaconesses, and church musicians who helped bring this work to fruition. We pray God's blessing upon those who use Ibada Takatifu in the coming years to lead His people in the divine and heavenly worship of our living God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, whose grace upon grace is always more than we desire or deserve."
Photo at the press conference and television interview after the service.
Congratulations to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya's (ELCK) on their new hymnal. To God be the glory. - Posted by Rev. Dr. Albert Collver, Director of Church Relations. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone Location:University Way,Nairobi,Kenya | 
