Service Book and Hymnal (SBH): 41 Years later

Gilbert gave his touch to other Lutheran pieces such as Merbecke's Lenten response, and he reharmonized Johann Freylinghausen's 3/4 time "Create In Me" to a version that flowed and expressed the words of Psalm 51, and would sing well in four-part harmony. This beloved version is still in use today in ELCA churches as #732 in the With One Voice (WOV) supplement. Communion liturgy pieces were directly from the Lutheran heritage, and were crafted by Regina Holmen Fryxell, who will be discussed in the next setting informative. The alternate addition of a communion prayer of thanksgiving, written by Dr. Reed, was supplanted by C. Winfred Douglas' adaptation of an ancient plainsong melody of the Lord's Prayer. This melody was used in Roman Catholic circles, and used by early Lutherans and Episcopalians. The tail end of this melody was featured in this setting.

The setting was finished out by using John Blow's Anglican chant for the Nunc Dimittis, a chant that was normally used in funeral services, but now was used in this service. It was a popular chant that retained in people's minds, so therefore it was used for this part of the service. The committee finalized the service by updating the melodies for responses taken directly from the Common Service Book and Hymnal (1917). The "Amens" for this setting featured various ones that were found in prior hymnals, and an addition of an adapted tracker version taken from hymnist T. Tertius Noble.

First Setting, known as the "Anglican Setting," was very successful when tested out in congregations and used for 20 years in ELCA churches. Unfortunately, it was not included in the LBW when published in 1978. It retained very well in the memories of people who sang it, even the Gilbert version of "Create In Me" to be included in the With One Voice supplement in the 1990's. In 1994, the Association of Lutheran Free Churches (ALFC), a group that had broken away from the Lutheran Church of America (LCA) in 1962, published a new hymnal that resembles the SBH and LBW. First Setting was used for The Ambassador Hymnal (TAH), although updated in text and transposed in key in places. The Service Hymnal, A Lutheran Homecoming that is expected to be completed in 2000, will feature a version of the Common Service, based on the Lutheran past, and

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