Come, O Emmanuel: A Service of Lessons and Carols
Since at least the eighth century, Christians have prepared to celebrate the birth of Christ by singing the O Antiphons. These seven songs, or antiphons, function as prayers asking for the Savior to come soon. Each employs a different name for the Messiah found in the Old Testament. In modern times, the O Antiphons are most commonly sung as the seven verses of the Advent hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” The seven O Antiphons and their names for the Messiah guide this Lessons and Carols service.
Learn moreDwelling in the Psalms
You are invited to join the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship (CICW) in a year of dwelling in the psalms—the prayerbook and songbook of the Bible. Together, the 150 psalms guide Christian worshipers through the full range of human emotions and experiences, making space for communities to practice praise and lament, to ask questions and find words of comfort, and so much more. Our work at CICW over the years has connected us to many people engaging in thoughtful and imaginative work around the psalms. We are eager to build on those connections and encourage more new and ancient ways to dwell in the psalms.
Local Psalm Festivals
As part of its 2025–26 Dwelling in the Psalms year, the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship provided resources to support Psalm festivals around Canada and the United States.
Dea Jenkins on Visual Prayers of Response
Creating short visual prayers is a way for worshipers or audiences to make a visual response to God. This nonthreatening practice can work for people of any age. You can even do it alone to connect with God in a new way.
Psalm Festival Program
As part of its 2025-26 year of Dwelling in the Psalms, the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship is providing support to worshiping communities throughout the United States and Canada to host a public psalm festival worship event that features congregational singing based on Psalms. We encourage using the resource Psalms for All Seasons: A Complete Psalter for Worship (Brazos and Faith Alive Christian Resources, 2012) and other psalm resources of your choosing.
Estar preparados para su Venida
El regreso cierto de Jesús a este mundo es un llamado a estar preparados y vigilantes. Ya que no sabemos cuándo regresará, lo mejor que podemos hacer es cumplir con la misión que nos ha encomendado y manifestar en este mundo su amor y justicia para los marginados de la vida.
A Prayer for Those in Communications
Weekly worship prepares congregations for the work of the week ahead in many different jobs and places. We all carry different burdens throughout the week and are given different tasks. This series of prayers written by Calvin University faculty and staff for people working in various professions can be adapted to fit the different occupations present in your congregation. As a Christian liberal arts institution, Calvin University prepares students not only for their different fields of calling, but to live as agents of renewal and citizens of God’s kingdom in their everyday work and living.
Eight Simple Reminders for Trauma-Informed Worship
Reflections from a clinical psychologist who cares about the church.
La dicha de imitar a Jesús en este mundo
Las bienaventuranzas constituyen la carta magna, la constitución, para los discípulos de Jesús. Ellas describen aquello que constituye la verdadera dicha en la vida, lo que hace que la vida sea plena y, por ello, feliz.
Worship Institute Receives Grant to Expand Access to Preaching and Worship Resources
The three-year grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. will support the continued enhancement of websites that equip preachers and worship planners with digital resources.
A Prayer for Librarians
Weekly worship prepares congregations for the work of the week ahead in many different jobs and places. We all carry different burdens throughout the week and are given different tasks. This series of prayers written by Calvin University faculty and staff for people working in various professions can be adapted to fit the different occupations present in your congregation. As a Christian liberal arts institution, Calvin University prepares students not only for their different fields of calling, but to live as agents of renewal and citizens of God’s kingdom in their everyday work and living.
A Prayer for Those in Psychology-Related Fields
Weekly worship prepares congregations for the work of the week ahead in many different jobs and places. We all carry different burdens throughout the week and are given different tasks. This series of prayers written by Calvin University faculty and staff for people working in various professions can be adapted to fit the different occupations present in your congregation. As a Christian liberal arts institution, Calvin University prepares students not only for their different fields of calling, but to live as agents of renewal and citizens of God’s kingdom in their everyday work and living.
Monica Schaap Pierce on Appreciating Other Christian Traditions
The Holy Spirit has gifted different Christian traditions with unique songs, rituals, stories, and practices. Monica Schaap Pierce, executive director of Christian Churches Together, explains how to learn from and welcome gifts from other church families. You can use these ideas at church and at home.