This companion text is a tremendous resource for worship planning. In addition to great historical pieces and extensive background on nearly every hymn in the LBW, the Companion has a suggested hymns section in the back which is worth the price of the book by itself. I don't know how a worship planning committee can pick hymns without this book. We use it everytime we meet.The only limitation is the Companion is limited to the contents of the Lutheran Book of Worship and doesn't reflect later publications such as With One Voice and Renewing Worship.If you're doing "traditional" Lutheran worship, you need the Companion.