I’m not just an editor, I’m a subscriber - and have been for a long time. I was getting Gottesdienst in the 1990s, before I went to seminary. Longtime readers will note how far the journal has come. And this latest issue is a quantum leap! Speaking as a subscriber, I’m impressed and pleased!

The beautiful glossy covers and heavy cover stock are now the “new normal.” We have upgraded our graphic designs, added four more pages, including two new regular columns: Aurora Borealis by the Rev. Dr. John Stephenson, Professor of Historical Theology, Registrar, and Director of Library of Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary, St. Catharines, Ontario, and To the Chief Musician by the Rev. Fr. Sean Daenzer, Chaplain and Director of Worship at the LCMS International Center, St. Louis, Missouri.

We have also added a new section of feedback from readers called From the Wilderness, short commentary from people who are seeking and finding relief from, shall we say, a different view of reverence in worship.

You will also meet our new mascot, Fritz the Penguin.

We want to hold the price steady, and so these new features are offered to you, dear reader, without a price increase. All we ask is that you tell your friends about us, and if you know someone who would like a sample issue, please let us know! We will send one out.

The current issue contains three sermons: Good Friday, Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunrise, a Liturgical Observer by Dr. Eckardt called “The Real Deadliness of Sloth,” a Commentary on the War by Fr. Petersen called “Necessary Masculinity,” a Sabre of Boldness column by Chaplain Shaw updating us about our new Sabre of Boldness recipients, Dr. Päivi Räsänen and Bishop Juhana Pohjola, a brand new Aurora Borealis column by Dr. Stephenson called “Common Sense from ‘Common’ People,” a Taking Pains column by Fr. Braden: part two of his “Mass in a Small Parish with One Server,” a new To the Chief Musician column by Fr. Daenzer called “The Altar Book is For Musicians,” a Musing on Hymns (also a relatively new column) by Dr. Fabrizius entitled “See the Conqueror Mounts in Triumph” as well as his other column Musing on the Mysteries called “Taking a Wife.”

If you enjoy the blog, you will enjoy the journal. The writing is more formal, but the commitment to reverence and the Christian life as the liturgical life shines through on every page.

If you want more information about subscribing, click here!

You might consider giving a subscription to Gottesdienst as a gift. You can also order a bulk subscription - as few as ten copies - and share them with your congregation. You can also subscribe electronically and receive the journal in PDF format for a mere $10/year!