RSO offers worship for shut-ins

(LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)

By Brianna Dehn

Worship Anew is a Recognized Service Organization (RSO) of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) that serves older adults in their walk with Christ as well as with other needs. Based on the campus of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Worship Anew has been creating Lutheran content and resources specifically for aging adults for 60 years.

During the April meeting of the LCMS Council of Presidents (COP), the district presidents rehearsed and then recorded two hymns for the Worship Anew broadcast: “The Church’s One Foundation” and “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word.” LCMS Atlantic District President Rev. Dr. Dien Ashley Taylor, who directed the rehearsals, said that COP members “worked conscientiously in forming a choir,” learning their parts “while attending to diction, tone, volume, pace and blending” during two different practice sessions.

Taylor continued: “The recording itself was completed with the help of the dedicated servants of Worship Anew who patiently and diligently completed their work so that the council members were able to sing with joy, knowing that they were recording hymns that would be heard by people who would be unable to attend regular worship services in a church building.”

Worship Anew’s roots go back to 1964, when the Rev. Oswald Henry Bertram approached a Toledo, Ohio, television station about creating a televised weekly worship service for people who are unable to leave their homes. The program first aired in 1965 under the name “Worship for Shut-Ins.” The current name was adopted in 2017.

“[Seniors] are people we want to minister to. We want to be able to help them to finish strong,” said Matthew Leighty, executive director of Worship Anew.

Worship Anew records weekly worship services with six regular pastors on rotation and different choirs from across the country. The worship service is not a recording of a church service at a congregation, but it is recorded specifically for this ministry, with the pastor preaching directly into the camera. The words to the hymns sung by the choirs are shown on the screen so those watching may sing along.

These worship services can be streamed online and are also available on select local TV channels. While the main purpose for these services is to aid shut-ins who cannot leave their home, it has also been used by those serving in the military who are members of the LCMS.

Worship Anew also offers a devotional series called “Hope-Full Living,” which is written for seniors by seniors. These daily devotions are available in print, online or in an audio version. Their monthly magazine, Broadcaster, is focused on topics for seniors. There is no cost to subscribe.

Susan Tweeton, a Worship Anew user and donor, began using the resources from Worship Anew when her late husband, John, was unable to go to church. “[Worship Anew] is something that’s a part of my life now, and I can’t give up giving [to this ministry] because it meant so much to my husband, but it also means something to me,” Tweeton said.

Worship Anew has two apps: one for the worship program and one for “Hope-Full Living” devotions, both of which are free.

Another feature of Worship Anew is their care package ministry. Care packages can be requested for loved ones who are going through a difficult time or experiencing grief. These care packages consist of a variety of gifts, mainly centered around caring spiritually for those who receive them.

“I just love the idea of the care box ministry,” said Tweeton. “I’ve used it four times now. … It’s really nice to have something to do that’s concrete to someone who’s suffering.”

“For those older adults who are going through a difficult time or time of isolation or time of illness, we want to let those people know that Christ loves them, and we’re coming alongside with prayer and support,” said Leighty.

Learn more at worshipanew.org.

Posted Aug. 25, 2025