‘In All Things’: New edition of ‘Chapel Talks’ now available

Students participate in school chapel at Holy Cross Lutheran Church and School, North Miami, in 2018. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)

LCMS School Ministry has released the 2021–2022 edition of Chapel Talks for Lutheran Schools, an annual resource designed to assist Lutheran schools with weekly chapel.

Under the theme “In All Things,” the resource includes devotions for every week of the school year as well as for Christmas. The theme, which will also be used during National Lutheran Schools Week and at the 2022 LCMS Youth Gathering, is based on Colossians 1:15–20:

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

“And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”

Drawing on the theme, each devotion is organized around various types of “things”:

“First Things” are introductory thoughts or activities that connect to the week’s theme;

“The Main Thing” shares Law and Gospel exploration of the text and brings Christ and His redemptive work to the students;

“All Things in Jesus’ Name” offers a petition relevant to the theme; and

“More Things” provides suggestions for carrying the devotion beyond the chapel setting through additional activities, further reflection and study.

Chapel Talks was written by the Rev. Bob Riggert, a former Lutheran teacher, principal, parish pastor and district education executive who has written the last seven editions of the resource. It includes a new hymn by Jeffrey Burkhart, “In All Things Jesus Christ Is Found,” sung to the tune WAS GOTT TUD (“What God Ordains Is Always Good,” LSB 760).

Riggert writes in the introduction: “‘In All Things’ is a confession of Christ’s redemptive work … a celebration of the Christ for youth, children and adults of the church … [and] an opportunity for Lutheran schools to worship Christ in all things.”

Chapel Talks is available for free download at luthed.org/chapel-talks or lcms.org/schools.

Purchase a print copy for $9.99 plus shipping at amazon.com.

Posted June 29, 2021/Updated July 8, 2021