To Give Thanks for Spanish Language Hymnal Himnario Luterano and Commend Its Use

WHEREAS, Over the past quadrennium, the Office of International Mission (OIM) Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region, in mutually supportive planning, financial contributions, extensive collaboration, and intensive work assignments jointly with the Iglesia Luterana Confesional de Chile (Confessional Lutheran Church of Chile, ILCC), the Iglesia Evangélica Luterana del Paraguay (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay, IELPA), the Iglesia Evangélica Luterana Argentina (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Argentina, IELA), and the Lutheran Heritage Foundation (LHF), and with additional generous financial support from the Marvin M. Schwan Charitable Foundation, has completed required major tasks in the codevelopment, testing, and production of the first edition of a new Spanish language hymnal, Himnario Luterano; and

WHEREAS, Himnario Luterano was submitted to and passed The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) doctrinal review (described in Bylaw section 1.9); and

WHEREAS, An initial print run of 19,000 copies of the first edition of Himnario Luterano resulted in the distribution of approximately 3,000 copies to LCMS congregations and individuals located in the U.S., with the balance of approximately 16,000 copies distributed to congregations and individuals located elsewhere globally (20+ countries), with most of these copies distributed in the LAC region of OIM; and

WHEREAS, In preliminary testing and in the subsequent distribution of copies from the initial print run, Himnario Luterano has been received by its users with joy, thanksgiving, and strongly positive general acclaim; and

WHEREAS, A second edition of Himnario Luterano has been prepared and a corresponding second print run has been completed, correcting typographical and printing errors, most of which were of a minor housekeeping nature; and

WHEREAS, Complimentary digital media (i.e., phone app, Kindle) versions of Himnario Luterano are under development, with the objective of making the hymnal accessible to an even wider global audience; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to God for the newly completed Spanish language hymnal, Himnario Luterano, and commend its use; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod’s congregations, agencies, and church partners, as well as other Synod-related entities, be encouraged to make extensive use of the new hymnal in Spanish-speaking contexts; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod give thanks to God for all partners involved in the development and production of Himnario Luterano, especially the Iglesia Luterana Confesional de Chile, the Iglesia Evangélica Luterana del Paraguay, the Iglesia Evangélica Luterana Argentina, the Lutheran Heritage Foundation, the Marvin M. Schwan Charitable Foundation, and the OIM LAC region