Resource Library

Peggy Goetz on Planning Worship with Stroke Survivors

Peggy Goetz is a communication arts and sciences professor at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Observing her speech pathology students in Calvin’s stroke clinic sparked her to research the experience of stroke survivors in their church communities.

Conversation | September 12, 2014

Peggy Goetz on Churches and Stroke Survivors

Stroke is a leading cause of disability in adults around the world, so your congregation probably includes—or will soon include—stroke survivors. And about a third of stroke survivors suffer from some form of communication impairment. Peggy Goetz researches the experience of stroke survivors in their church communities.

Conversation | September 12, 2014

Coop's Column - Spirit at Work: Guarantor

The Spirit is the strange, personal presence of the living God himself, leading, guiding, warning, rebuking, grieving over our failings and celebrating our small steps toward the true inheritance.

Reflection | December 12, 2011

Coop's Column - Spirit at Work: The Transformer's Aim

The Spirit’s aim is to give people aim in life. He seeks to direct them along a path which shall enable them, at their life’s close, to have marked progress in learning Christ’s deeper ways, in growing to love him more and more.

Reflection | September 20, 2011

Coop's Column - Spirit at Work: Protector

The source of this sturdy confidence, this quiet tranquility and hope? It is anchored in the confident trust Jesus’ community puts in his promise to them: “Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.”

Reflection | August 05, 2011

Service of Reaffirmation of Resurrection Hope - Weekday Worship

A worship service held on the biblical vision of heaven and hope.

Worship Service | April 26, 2011

Coop's Column - Designed to the Inheritance of Jesus

"Designed to the Inheritance of Jesus" blog entry from Coop's Column.

Reflection | April 26, 2011

Coop's Column - Risen Indeed

"On the third day he arose again from the dead." Simple words often capture life's most profound and important truths the best. How better, therefore, for Christians to make their most astonishing declaration about Jesus Christ than by this direct, unadorned, and so forthrightly clear confession?

Reflection | February 11, 2011

Singing the Psalms Against a Backdrop of Persecution: A View from Pakistan

Find out how the psalms bring hope to suffering Christians in Pakistan and how the psalms can challenge theologians, poets, and musicians around the world to strengthen faith, ministry, and worship.

Audio | March 23, 2010

A Litany of Hope

A Litany of Hope based on Ezekiel 37:11. This litany came from an article in Reformed Worship magazine. It offers prayer for restoration and salvation, and gives thanks for the promise of new life.

Article | March 01, 2009

Epiphany: Words of Hope

The idea for this service began in late November 2007. As a congregation we were not planning to hold a New Year’s Eve or a New Year’s Day service. So we asked the question, "How will we begin the new year on Epiphany Sunday?"

Worship Service | Article | September 01, 2008

Where the Love of God Goes: Dealing with Disasters

"Where is God when it hurts?" "Why me, Lord?" For worship leaders, the time to prepare yourself and those who you love for times of disaster is before the disaster strikes. We will examine the impact disasters can have on people's lives and the spiritual preparation necessary to help you plan worship in ways that help you and your congregations face disasters in your own lives and the lives of those whom you love.

Audio | January 01, 2008

How to Include More Heaven in Your Worship Music

Songs often sink into worshipers hearts and influence how they understand and experience life. As you include more songs that mention heaven, pay attention to the beliefs that permeate them.

Feature Story | July 07, 2006

Eschatology: Our hope for a new heaven and new earth

How does your story fit into God's story? The way you answer this question likely influences what you believe about heaven. And your view of heaven makes a big difference in how you live and worship. A feature story exploring Eschatology: our hope for a new heaven and a new earth.

Feature Story | July 07, 2006

Seeing Clearly in the Sanctuary - Psalm 73

A service plan for Lent from Psalm 73 which acknowledges the seeming inequities of life and the doubts that arise yet declares strength, hope and protection in God our Sovereign Lord. Part of a Lenten series on the Psalms.

Worship Service | June 01, 2005

Meeting the Judge - Romans 1, HCLD 4

A service plan focusing on Lord's Day 4 of the Heidelberg Catechism and reflecting on God's just nature in punishing sins, but also his merciful nature in forgiving them and offering us hope for salvation. This is part of a series on the Heidelberg catechism.