VERSION: 2 April 2002

catechism resources

Luther's Small Catechism is a useful resource for public worship. Here are some suggestions for occasional use.

LITURGY

INVITATION TO CONFESSION
The introduction to confession might occasionally be altered to reflect the words of the Small Catechism. After saying one of the following, continue with the invitation to confession as in the order of the day. The first version below uses the 'Contemporary English' version published in 1960, and the second version uses the Openbook version published in 1996.

(1960 version)	(1996 version)	

Based on the fourth part of Baptism 
		
Friends in Christ: 
We are baptised children of God. 
This means that our sinful self, with all its evil deeds and desires, should be drowned through daily repentance; and that day after day a new self should arise to live with God in righteousness and purity forever. 
So let us confess . . . 
	Friends in Christ: 
Because we have been baptised, we should keep on drowning the old nature we were born with; everything selfish and sinful in us has to die. 
This happens when day after day we are sorry for the wrong things we have done and ask God to forgive us. 
And the new nature God has given us in baptism should come to life day after day. 
We should live as new people, who do what is right and good and live with God forever. 
So let us confess . . .

Based on one of the Ten Commandments
		
Friends in Christ, the Lord our God has commanded us to have no other gods. We are to fear, love, and trust God above anything else.
	Friends in Christ, the Lord our God has told us to have no other gods. We should honour, love, and trust God more than anything else.
	
Friends in Christ, the Lord our God has forbidden us to take his name in vain. We are to fear and love God so that we do not use his name superstitiously, or use it to curse, swear, lie or deceive, but call on him in prayer, praise, and thanksgiving.
	Friends in Christ, the Lord our God has told us not to misuse his name. We should honour and love God, and so we should not use God's name to curse someone, tell lies under oath, do witchcraft, or deceive anyone. Instead we should use God's name to ask for help in any trouble, and to praise and thank God.
	
Friends in Christ, the Lord our God has commanded us to remember the Sabbath day and to keep it holy. We are to fear and love God so that we do not neglect his word and the preaching of it, but regard it as holy and gladly hear and learn it.	Friends in Christ, the Lord our God has told us to remember God's special day and to keep it holy. We should honour and love God, and so we should not despise God's word or refuse to hear it. Instead, we should recognise that God's word is holy and be glad to hear and learn it.
	
Friends in Christ, the Lord our God has commanded us to honour our father and mother. We are to fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents and others in authority, but respect, obey, love, and serve them.
	Friends in Christ, the Lord our God has told us to respect our father and mother. We should honour and love God, and so we should not look down on our parents and others in authority or make them angry. Instead, we should respect and love them, and help and obey them.
	
Friends in Christ, the Lord our God has forbidden us to kill. We are to fear and love God so that we do not hurt our neighbours in any way, but help them in all their physical needs.
	Friends in Christ, the Lord our God has told us not to murder. We should honour and love God, and so we should not do anything to hurt or injure other people. Instead, we should give them help whenever they need it.
	
Friends in Christ, the Lord our God has forbidden us to commit adultery. We are to fear and love God so that in matters of sex our words and conduct are pure and honourable, and husband and wife love and respect each other.
	Friends in Christ, the Lord our God has told us not to be unfaithful in marriage. We should honour and love God, and so in regard to sex we should speak and act in ways that are pure. If we are married, we should love and respect our partner.
	
Friends in Christ, the Lord our God has forbidden us to steal. We are to fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbours' money or property, or get them in any dishonest way, but help them to improve and protect their property and means of making a living.
	Friends in Christ, the Lord our God has told us not to steal. We should honour and love God, and so we should not take other people's money or possessions or get them in a dishonest way. Instead, we should help people to keep and improve what they have.
	
Friends in Christ, the Lord our God has forbidden us to bear false witness against our neighbours. We are to fear and love God so that we do not betray, slander, or lie about them, but defend them, speak well of them, and explain their actions in the kindest way.
	Friends in Christ, the Lord our God has told us not to tell lies about anyone. We should honour and love God, and so we should not give their secrets away, talk about them behind their back, or damage their reputation in any way. Instead, we should speak up for them, say only good things about them, and explain their actions in the kindest way.
	
Friends in Christ, the Lord our God has forbidden us to covet our neighbour's house. We are to fear and love God so that we do not desire to get the possessions of others by scheming, or by pretending to have a right to them, but always help them keep what is theirs.	Friends in Christ, the Lord our God has told us not to want anyone else's house. We should honour and love God, and so we should not try to cheat people out of their property, or try to get things by pretending we have a right to them. Instead, we should help people keep what belongs to them.
	
Friends in Christ, the Lord our God has forbidden us to covet our neighbour's spouse or servant or cattle or anything that is our neighbour's. We are to fear and love God so that we do not tempt or coax away from our neighbours their spouse or their workers, but encourage them to remain loyal.	Friends in Christ, the Lord our God has told us not to want anyone else's husband or wife, servants, animals, or possessions. We should honour and love God, and so we should not try to take away from other people their marriage partner or anyone who is close to them. Instead, we should encourage people to be faithful and loyal.	

Office of the keys

	
Friends in Christ: Our Lord Jesus Christ said to his disciples: 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.' 
	Friends in Christ: Our Lord Jesus Christ said to his disciples: 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone's sins, they will be forgiven. But if you don't forgive their sins, they won't be forgiven.'
	
Friends in Christ: Confession has two parts. First, we confess our sins, and then we receive forgiveness from the pastor as from God himself. We should not doubt but firmly believe that by the absolution our sins are forgiven before God in heaven. 
	Friends in Christ: When you confess your sins, this is what happens: First, you tell the pastor about your sins. Then the pastor tells you that you are forgiven. This forgiveness comes from God. You should not doubt this, but believe that God really has forgiven you your sins.
	
Friends in Christ, let us consider our position in life according to the Ten Commandments: whether we are a father or a mother, a son or a daughter, a husband or a wife, an employer or employee; whether we have been disobedient or unfaithful, bad-tempered or dishonest, lazy or neglectful, or whether we have hurt anyone by what we have said or done.	Friends in Christ: God gives us responsibilities as parents or children, employers or employees, and so on. Look at the Ten Commandments and see where you have failed to carry out your responsibilities. Have you been disobedient, disrespectful, or lazy? Have you let others down, lost your temper, or picked fights? Have you hurt anyone by things you've said or done? Have you taken anything that doesn't belong to you? Have you failed to look after things, or caused any kind of damage?	

Sermons
Preach a series of sermons on some part or all parts of the catechism. These sermons could begin with a recitation of the part by the congregation (a positive learning method). This could be done in the following way:

1	Print out the part either in the bulletin or on an overhead transparency (or invest in copies of the catechism to be handed out with the hymnbooks).

2	Ask the congregation the question and get them to respond with the explanation at the beginning and the end of the sermon.

CREED
Use the explanations to the three articles of the creed as appropriate to the occasion in place of the Apostles' Creed in a non-communion service.

First Article: 
*	New Year's Eve 
*	Harvest Thanksgiving 
*	Sunday closest to Australia Day or Anzac Day 
*	Any civic service

Second Article: 
*	Sundays in Lent 
*	Lenten services 
*	Good Friday

Third Article:
*	Pentecost  
*	Services celebrating anniversaries of congregation or church building
*	Installations
*	Confirmation days (especially as the full creed is used in the rite)
*	Baptism days and festivals, eg Baptism of Christ (especially as the full creed is used in the rite)

Prayer of the church
Use parts of the catechism as a basis for the petitions in the prayer of the church. Here are some suggestions.

Based on the Ten Commandments
Lord God heavenly Father, you have commanded us to have no other gods. Keep us faithful to you alone, dethrone the idols in our life, and give us the grace to fear/honour, love and trust you above all things. 

Gracious Father, your name is holy. Stop us from using it in unholy ways. Let the name that you put on us in baptism keep us holy. Lead us to trust always in the holy name of Jesus and use his name in prayer and praise.

This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Almighty God and Father, you created six days in which to work and the seventh you made a day of rest. Grant that we may use the Lord's day for rest and hearing your word.

Gracious Father in heaven, in your goodness you have given us fathers and mothers whom you want us to honour. Grant that by the help of your Spirit all Christian parents may bring their children up to fear/honour and love you, and that children may not provoke their parents to anger but love, respect, and obey them. Keep the families of the church united, and strengthen them through your word.

Lord of life, you have created the world and you give life to all people. Grant that by your grace all may respect the sanctity of life, including the life of the unborn. Let us do nothing to hurt or harm our neighbour in any way, but rather to be of help, especially in times of need.

Merciful Father, you have established the state of marriage and continue to bless it. Give us grace to lead a chaste and pure life. Bless all who are married; enable them to remain faithful to their vows, and to be patient and forgiving.

Almighty God, you are the giver and preserver of all good things. Help us to value honest work as your gift and the means by which you bless our country. Give us joy as we serve others with unselfish hearts. Give work to the unemployed and help them to use their extra time constructively and for the good of their communities.

Lord God our heavenly Father, in Jesus Christ you have shown yourself to be for us and not against us. Help us to be loyal to our neighbours and do nothing to damage their reputation. Show us the log in our own eye when we find a speck in their eye. Make us more ready to forgive than to judge, and help us to view the actions of others in the most favourable light.

Gracious God and Father, you are the owner and giver of all things. Enable us to be good stewards of all your gifts, content with what you have given us, and eager to advance the cause of others even if it is to our disadvantage. Give us a generous heart and joy in serving our neighbour.

Based on the Lord's Prayer

(1960 version)	(1996 version)	
		
Gracious God, since you encourage us to believe that you are truly our Father and we are your children, grant that we may pray to you with complete confidence, just as children speak to their loving father, and say:
	Gracious God, you encourage us to believe that you really are our Father and we really are your children. Help us to pray to you with complete confidence, just as children speak to their loving parents, and say:
	
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.	Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.	
Since your name certainly is holy in itself, we ask that we may keep it holy. Grant that your word may be taught in its truth and purity, and help us as your children to live a holy life in harmony with it. Keep us from dishonouring your name by teaching and living contrary to your word. 
	Father, your name is already holy, but we ask you to help us to keep your name holy. Help us to teach your word clearly and correctly, and to live holy lives as your children, doing what you say. Do not let us bring disgrace on your name by going against your word in what we teach or the way we live.
	
Your kingdom come.	Your kingdom come.	
Even though your kingdom comes without our praying for it, grant that it may come also to us. Give us your Holy Spirit, so that by your grace we believe your holy word and live a godly life on earth now and in heaven forever.
	Father, you come to rule as king even if we don't ask for this to happen, but we ask you to come and rule over us. Give us your Holy Spirit, so that by your goodness to us we believe your holy word and live as your people on earth now and in heaven forever.
	
Your will be done, on earth as in heaven.	Your will be done, on earth as in heaven.	
Even though your good and gracious will is surely done without our prayer, grant that it may be done also among us. Hinder and defeat every evil scheme of the devil, the world, and our sinful self which would prevent us from keeping your name holy and would oppose the coming of your kingdom. Graciously strengthen our faith and keep us firm in your word as long as we live.	Father, you do the kind and good things you want for people even if we don't ask for this to happen, but we ask you to do these kind and good things for us too. Break the power of the devil, our sinful human nature, and people who are against God, since all these want to stop us from keeping your name holy and having you rule as our king. Make our faith in Jesus strong and help us to trust God's word as long as we live.	
		
Give us today our daily bread.	Give us today our daily bread.	
Since you give daily bread, even without our prayer, to all people, though sinful, help us to realise this and to receive our daily bread with thanks. Give us and all people everything needed for this life, such as food and clothing, home and property, work and income, a devoted family, an ordered community, good government, favourable weather, peace and health, a good name, and true friends and neighbours.
	Father, you give daily bread to all people, whether they are good or bad, even if we don't ask for this to happen. But we ask you to help us to see our daily bread as your gift, and to be thankful for it. Give us and all people everything we need for this life, things like food, clothes, a place to live, money and possessions, a good marriage, loving children, good people to work with, good and honest community leaders, good government, good weather, peace, health, respect for law, a good reputation, good friends, and helpful neighbours.
	
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.	Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.	
Do not hold our sins against us, heavenly Father, and because of them refuse to hear our prayer.  Forgive us and give us everything by grace, for we sin every day and deserve nothing but punishment. Help us heartily to forgive and gladly to do good to those who sin against us.	Father, we don't deserve anything we pray for. We sin every day, and all we deserve is punishment. But we ask you not to look at our sins or refuse to listen to our prayers because of them. Instead, give us everything we need simply out of your kindness. When people sin against us, help us gladly to forgive them and be kind to them.
	
Lead us not into temptation.	Lead us not into temptation.	
Since you tempt no-one to sin, watch over us and keep us so that the devil, the world, and our sinful self may not deceive us and draw us into false belief, despair, and other great and shameful sins. And even though we are so tempted, help us still to win the final victory.
	Father, we know that you do not tempt anyone. But we ask you to keep us safe from the devil, our sinful nature, and people who are against you. Don't let them trick us into losing our Christian faith, giving up all hope, or doing other terrible things. And even though they attack us, we pray that in the end we will win the victory.
	
Deliver us from evil.	Deliver us from evil.	
Save us, heavenly Father, from every evil to body and soul, and at our last hour mercifully take us from the troubles of this world to yourself in heaven.
Amen.	Father, save us from every kind of evil - anything that could hurt our body or soul, our possessions or reputation. Be with us when we die. Be kind to us and take us from the troubles of this world to be with you in heaven.
Amen.	

Creed
Note: While it is usual to address the prayer of the church to only one person of the Trinity - as a rule, to God the Father - it may occasionally be appropriate to use a prayer which, in three separate sections, addresses each member of the Trinity in turn. This style of prayer may be most appropriate on the festival of the Holy Trinity.

(1960 version)	(1996 version)	
		
Almighty Father, maker of heaven and earth, you have created each one of us and all that exists. Preserve our body and soul with all their powers. Provide us with food and clothing, home and family, daily work, and all we need from day to day. Protect us in time of danger and guard us from every evil.
We thank and praise you for your fatherly and divine goodness and mercy.
Help us to serve and obey you.	Almighty Father, maker of heaven and earth, you have created each one of us and everything that exists. Take care of our body and soul, our mind and senses and all our abilities. Give us everything we need from day to day - things like food, clothes, home and family, work, and money. Protect us from danger and keep us safe when we are in trouble.
Our kind and loving Father, we thank and praise you.
Help us to serve and obey you.	
		
Lord Jesus Christ, you are true God, Son of the Father from eternity, and true man, born of the Virgin Mary. Save and redeem all who are lost and condemned. By your holy and precious blood and your innocent suffering and death, free us from sin, death, and the power of the devil. May we always be your own, live under you in your kingdom, and serve you in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness.
For you are risen from the dead,
and live and rule eternally.	Lord Jesus Christ, you are truly God - you have always been the Son of the Father. You are also a real human being, the Virgin Mary's son. Rescue all who are lost and sentenced to death. Since you suffered and died for us, even though you were holy and innocent, set us free from all our sins, from death, and from the power of the devil. As you rule over us as our king, may we always belong to you, live under you and serve you, so that we may be innocent and happy forever.
For you have been raised to life,
and live and rule forever.	
		
Holy Spirit, by our own understanding or effort we cannot believe in Jesus Christ our Lord, or come to him. Continue to call us through the gospel, enlighten us with your gifts, and sanctify and keep us in true faith. In the same way, we ask that you would continue to call, gather, enlighten, and sanctify the whole Christian church on earth, and keep it united with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. 
We ask you day after day to fully forgive our sins, 
and the sins of all believers. 
	Holy Spirit, on our own we cannot come to Jesus Christ our Lord, or believe in him, no matter how hard we try. Continue to call us to Jesus by the good news about him. Lead us to know and trust Jesus, make us holy, and keep us in the Christian faith. In the same way, we ask that you would continue to create the Christian church all over the world, by calling people to Jesus, bringing them together into the church, leading them to know and trust Jesus, making them holy, and keeping them with Jesus in the Christian faith. 
Keep on forgiving all our sins, 
and the sins of everyone who believes in Jesus. 
	
Father Almighty, by your Holy Spirit, raise us and all the dead on the last day, and give us and all believers in Christ eternal life. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 
Amen.	Father Almighty, by your Holy Spirit, raise us to life at the end of time together with all who have died, and give us and all others who believe in Christ eternal life. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 
Amen.	

Invitation to communion 
After the 'Lamb of God' in the service with holy communion, use a part of the catechism section on Holy Communion as an invitation to receive Christ's body and blood. The congregation may respond with the words ‘Thanks be to God’ after the catechism quote.

*	Come and receive the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ given with bread and wine, instituted by Christ himself for us to eat and drink. 
	(Thanks be to God.)

*	In the sacrament we receive forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. For where there forgiveness of sin, there is also life and salvation. 
	(Thanks be to God.)
	Come, everything is ready.

*	Whoever believes these words 'given and shed you for the forgiveness of sins' is well prepared and worthy to receive the sacrament. Whoever believes these words has exactly what they say: forgiveness of sins. 
	(Thanks be to God.)
	Come, everything is ready.

BAPTISM
Use a part of the catechism section on Holy Baptism in the rite of baptism (cf Church Rites, page 2) in place of the Address (2).

*	Baptism is not water only, but it is water used together with God's word and by his command. In it God forgives sin, delivers from death and the devil, and gives everlasting salvation to all who believe what Jesus has promised: 'Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.'

*	In baptism God forgives sin, delivers from death and the devil, and gives everlasting salvation to all who believe. It is not the water that does these things, but God's word with the water and our trust in this word. Water by itself is only water, but with the word of God it is a life-giving water which by grace gives the new birth through the Holy Spirit.

*	Baptism with water means that our sinful self, with its evil deeds and desires, should be drowned through daily repentance; and that day after day a new self should arise to live with God in righteousness and purity for ever, as St Paul says in Romans 6: 'We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.'

HYMNS AND SONGS

Luther's catechetical hymns
Luther wrote hymns to assist the process of learning by 'singing' the catechism. The translators of the modernised texts below give permission for congregations to use them for worship.

The Ten Commandments 
A translation of Luther's hymn based on the Ten Commandments, 'Dies sind die heil'gen zehn Gebot' can be found in Lutheran Worship (CPH), no. 331. Note, however, that the text is copyright CPH.

The following song is a translation by David Schütz, based in part on earlier translations. The suggested tune is 'Christmas in the scrub' by Leigh Newton (ATA 134). It should be sung at a lively pace - especially because it is quite lengthy otherwise! Maybe it would be best to split the song into two parts, and (for instance) sing part before the sermon and part afterwards.

These are the holy ten commands
that God the Lord has giv'n to us
through his true servant, Moses, high 
upon the Mountain Sina-i.
'I am your God and Lord alone,
no other God shall be your own.
Put your whole confidence in me,
and always love me faithfully.'

Chorus:
'For these commandments I am giving you 
to show you how to live,
they guard from harm and danger 
and protect the gifts I give.'

'You shall not use the holy name
of God the Lord with low disdain;
praise only that as good and true 
which I myself would say and do.
And keep the holy day God blest 
that you and all your house may rest.
And put aside the work you do, 
so I may do some work in you.

'Give honour and obedience to 
your parents, and to all it's due,
serve them with all your heart and hand;
that you may live long in the land.
Do not be angry, harm or kill, 
and do not hate or bear ill will.
Be patient and of gentle mind, 
to show your foe that you are kind.

'Be faithful to your marriage vow;
for straying hearts are not allowed!
Keep all your words and actions clean
through modesty and discipline.
And do not steal or take away
what others sweated for all day;
but open wide your gentle hand 
to all the poor throughout the land.

'Do not tell lies of anyone;
the gossip stories must be shunned.
Defend the innocent from blame,
and use your love to hide their shame.
And do not want your neighbours' goods, 
their fam'ly, home or livelihoods.
but pray that ev'rything that's theirs 
will always stay the way it is.'

These ten commands have all been giv'n
to show us that we're deep in sin;
but also that we learn to see 
how God would have our life to be.
And so we see that all is lost
if our good works are all we've got;
Lord Jesus, come and place your cross
to stand between us and God's wrath!

Last chorus:
For Jesus Christ our Lord has come to us
to die that we might live;
he frees us from all danger
and he keeps us in God's love.

Creed
Here is a modernised version of LH 142 (TIS 435), translated by John Pfitzner.

We all believe in God who made
heaven and earth in all their splendour,
who gave himself to us in love
as our Father strong and tender.
He provides for us and feeds us,
every day his gifts surround us;
keeps us safe from harm, and leads us,
his protecting arm around us.
He guards and keeps us day and night,
all things are governed by his might.

And we believe in Jesus Christ,
God's own Son, our Lord and Saviour,
who rules with equal power and might
at his Father's side for ever.
He came down from heaven to save us,
born of Mary by the Spirit.
Through his human life he gave us
life that we could never merit.
He died upon the cross, and then
was raised by God to life again.

And in the Spirit we believe,
holy Comforter, life-giver,
who with the Father and the Son
is adored and praised forever.
He unites from every nation
those to whom true faith is given;
in this church, his new creation,
wounds are healed and sins forgiven.
The dead will all be raised, and we
will live with God eternally.

Here is a modernised version of LH 139. 

We all believe in one true God,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
ever-present help in need,
praised by all the heavenly host.
By his mighty power alone
all is made, and formed, and done.

We all believe in Jesus Christ,
Son of God and Mary's son,
who descended from his throne
and for us salvation won.
By his death and agony
we are saved from misery.

We all confess the Spirit, too,
who, as Lord, from both proceeds;
who upholds and comforts us
in all trials, fears, and needs.
Blest and holy Trinity,
praise to you eternally.

Lord's Prayer
Here is a form of LH 421 (TIS 550), modernised and condensed by David Schubert.

Our Father, God in heaven above,
we are your family through your love.
Your name be hallowed: help us, Lord,
to keep in purity your word.
Your kingdom come: yours let it be
in time, and through eternity.

And may your will on earth be done
as it is done before your throne.
Curb flesh and blood and every ill
that sets itself against your will.
Give us this day our daily bread,
whatever for this life we need.

Forgive us all our sins, we pray;
take all their burdening guilt away,
as we the sins of those forgive
who us by their offenses grieve.
When testing comes on every hand,
Lord, give us strength that we may stand.

Deliver us from evil days;
throughout our lives, protect our ways.
And when we die, grant calm release,
and take us home to you in peace.
Thus in your name and at your word
we say: Amen, O hear us, Lord.

Baptism
Here is a version of LHS 748 that may be sung to the tune  Greensleeves (LHS 746). The hymn is translated by H F W Proeve and adapted by David Schütz.

When Christ our Lord to Jordan came,
his Father's will obeying,
John baptised him beneath the waves,
his mission thus portraying.
This was his holy sign
to cleanse us from transgression,
and by his holy death
he frees us from oppression

Hear then and mark the message well,
God's own clear declaration
what we must learn baptism is
to keep from aberration.
With water we baptise -
this is God's will and pleasure -
connected with his word
and Spirit without measure.

To us this truth with ample proof
through words and signs are given.
From Jordan's banks we clearly hear
the Father's voice from heaven:
'This is my own dear Son,
with whom I am delighted;
listen and follow him,
all you by him invited.'

Now God's own Son himself is here
in youthful manhood standing;
we see the Holy Spirit too,
in form of dove descending.
Here Father, Spirit, Son,
makes promises compelling:
in those who are baptised
our God will make his dwelling.

The Lord to his disciples says:
'Go out, teach every nation
that lost in sin, they must repent,
to flee from condemnation.
Believe and be baptised - 
you shall be saved forever;
the kingdom now is yours - 
newborn and dying never.'

If lacking faith, we still reject
this grace so freely given,
we stay in sin, condemned to death,
and to despair are driven.
Good works will count for naught;
whatever holy things we do,
sin dwells in everyone;
ourselves we cannot rescue.

Our mortal eyes can only see
mere water as we pour it,
but faith in spirit sees the power
of Jesus' blood and merit.
Here flows the crimson flood,
dyed with the blood of Jesus;
this washes Adam's heirs
from all our sin and frees us.

Lord's supper
Here is a modernised version of LH 295, revised by John Kleinig.

O Lord, we praise you, bless you, and adore you,
in thanksgiving come before you.
With your own body and your blood you nourish
us on earth that we may flourish.
O Lord, have mercy.
By your body, pure as no other,
born of Mary, your virgin mother,
by your blood
for us shed,
help us in the hour of need.
O Lord, have mercy.

Your holy body into death was given,
gaining for us life from heaven.
By giving us yourself, you now remind us
in this banquet of your kindness.
O Lord, have mercy.
You loved us so much that you sought us;
with your priceless blood you have bought us;
all our debt
you have paid:
peace with God once more is made.
O Lord, have mercy.

Bless us, our Father, with your grace and favour,
so that we, in our behaviour,
stay close together in true love and union,
strengthened by divine communion.
O Lord, have mercy.
Give us your good Spirit to make us
gentle-hearted, and don't forsake us.
Let your church
always see
days of peace and unity.
O Lord, have mercy.

OTHER CATECHISM HYMNS AND SONGS
Here are some other hymns and songs that emphasise the content of the catechism.

Ten Commandments
LHS 345
AT 175

Creed
LHS 139, 779, 905
AT 155
TIS 140, 435

Lord's Prayer
LHS 894, 901
AT 74, 283
TIS 550
Ray Roehm's paraphrase (see below)

Baptism
LHS 826
AT 4
TIS 491
Simon Cooper's hymn (see below)

Lord's Supper
LH 281
AT 170, 176

Office of the Keys
LH 311

Paraphrase of the Lord's Prayer
This paraphrase of the Lord's Prayer by Ray Roehm is sung to the tune of Auld Lang Syne.

Our Father God, you are in heaven,
holy is your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as is in heaven.

Chorus:
For kingdom and power
and praises are yours
forever and ever
and evermore, O Lord.

Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive what we do wrong,
as we forgive those who do wrong
against each one of us.

Chorus:

And let us not be tempted, Lord,
and deliver us from sin.
For kingdom, power and praise are yours
forevermore. Amen.

Chorus:

new Baptismal hymn 
This hymn by Simon Cooper is intended to be sung to the tune Dismissal (LH 604). The references for the Scripture texts on which the lines are based are given alongside in italics.

Bringing life to all God's children,
flows the living-water stream.	Ps 46:4
Those who in Christ's church are baptised
never need to thirst again.	John 4:10; 6:35b
Living now in God the Father,
with the Spirit, through the Son.

At the well stand parched and weary	John 4:7,15
thirsty souls - still gathering	Ps 42:1,2; John 10:16
to receive rejuvenation,	Titus 3:5; 1 Pet 3:21
life from death, from sin washed clean.
Giving thanks to God the Father,
with the Spirit, through the Son.

The rite of baptism could take place here.

Since, with Christ, we died completely,
filled with hope in Christ we rise!
We are sure of life forever,	Rom 6:3-5
firm the promise, free the prize!
We are joined to God the Father,
with the Spirit, through the Son.

Reigning now with God forever	2 Tim 2:12
we will never thirst again.	John 4:14
Planted deep beside the river,
we, with fruits of love, extend	Ps 1:3; Jer 17:8
songs of praise to God the Father,	Rev 7:9-12,14b
with the Spirit, through the Son.

LEIGH NEWTON'S 'OFF BY HEART'
Leigh Newton has set the catechism to music, using the 1960 text (The Small Catechism in Contemporary English). His composition is entitled Off by heart. To obtain a copy of the booklet and audio cassette, contact your nearest Open Book shop or phone Leigh on (08) 8339 6219 or email him on lnewton@ozemail.com.au