The Year of the Lutheran Worship 2026

During its 6th session in October 2025, the Synod of the Church adopted a resolution declaring 2026 to be the “Year of the Lutheran Worship.”

In his text for the Evangelical Calendar 2026, the Presiding Bishop Jerzy Samiec, draws attention to the central importance of evangelical worship as a space of unity for the entire community. He emphasizes that although small parish groups are important for building relationships, it is worship that brings the congregation together as one. He states that “groups play an important role in building relationships among their members and enable each group to pursue its own goals. As a consequence, this is reflected in the dynamics of the functioning of the entire congregation. However, groups existing alongside one another must have a common space in which they form unity. That space is worship.”

In the context of the Year of Lutheran Worship, bishop Samiec refers to the discussion surrounding the new liturgical agenda, appealing for prudence and for avoiding disputes conducted solely from ideological positions. He stresses that the essence of worship lies not in liturgical forms, but in the action of the Holy Spirit and in genuine fellowship with God and with one another: “I have a deep conviction that in reality it is not about the forms of liturgy or about singing, but about the Holy Spirit acting within the community. It is about our having fellowship with God and with one another. The essence of worship is fellowship with God.”

The Bishop also expresses caution regarding far-reaching changes, especially with regard to liturgical vestments and the order of worship, and underscores the key role of the sermon and confession as unchanging foundations of the life of the Church. He writes: “I know that the world is changing and that society is changing, and that we must adapt to these changes; however, certain axioms cannot be altered. Certain foundations must remain constant. If we begin to abandon them, it may turn out that the entire ‘structure’ will collapse.”

He also encourages a broad debate involving all the Church members, reminding that together they all constitute the Church: “I hope that in diocesan synods or in parishes, the non-ordained will also be able to express their views. After all, we all form the Church and are equally important.”

The full text can be found in the Evangelical Calendar 2026.