Resource Search Results

Christine McAteer on the Coronavirus and Bus Chaplaincy

During the COVID-19 pandemic, bus drivers and other public transport workers have been praised as essential workers. Yet they remain largely invisible to those with the option to travel by private automobile. Your church can include bus drivers and other essential workers in congregational prayers.

Conversation | May 12, 2021

James Abbington on Planning Henry “Hank” Aaron’s Funeral Music

Although news coverage of public figures’ funerals often focuses most on speakers and eulogists, music is crucial. James Abbington thought pastorally while planning music for baseball star Henry Aaron’s homegoing.

Conversation | May 11, 2021

Mitri Raheb on Resilience and God’s Faithfulness in Bethlehem

Mitri Raheb is a theologian, public figure, widely published author, and—for 30 years—senior pastor of Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem. In this episode, Rev. Raheb talks with John Witvliet, director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the worshiping community in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus.

Audio | Podcast | February 24, 2021

Prayer with the Staff of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship

This service features scripture readings, hymns and prayers drawn from historic morning prayer liturgies, without music or other artistic elaboration. Complementing other Symposium services that are more complex, today we practice an intentionally simple form of common prayer, grateful to be united in prayer with people around the world on a day of historic, cultural and political importance here in the United States.

Video | Worship Service | November 03, 2020

Universal Design, Public Worship, and the Christian Life

Join together with John D. Witvliet, director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, in this opening session focused on welcoming all to the online Symposium experience, highlighting the legacy of Barbara Newman and her work on Universal Design for Worship, and reflecting on vocational worship leadership in Christian community as we begin 2021.

Video | October 29, 2020

Creative Scripture Reading for Virtual Worship

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many churches still gather through virtual worship. Finding creative ways to read the Bible for online worship services can help worshipers experience what Romans 15:4 promises: “The Scriptures give us strength to go on.”

Article | September 09, 2020

Jeff Barker on Combining Music and Public Scripture Reading

The COVID-19 pandemic pushed many churches to do online worship services, inspiring some liturgists to more creatively present Bible readings. Jeff Barker explains how to combine music with the lections or scripture passages.

Conversation | September 09, 2020

Calvin Seerveld on The Passion and Poetry of the Psalms

A conference talk exploring psalms to sing in public worship that are most loved, most difficult, and most important for contemporary Christian life.

Audio | July 23, 2020

Teacher-Scholar Panel: Scripture and Formation Themes

2019 Teacher-Scholar Vital Worship Grant recipients talk about their projects and the implications for those projects for gathered worship.

Conversation | July 08, 2020

Dennis R. Edwards on 1 Peter and Good Shepherd Sunday

For lectionary Year A, Good Shepherd Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Easter, includes a reading from 1 Peter. New Testament scholar Dennis R. Edwards explains why Peter’s first letter is especially relevant as people deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conversation | April 14, 2020

Good Shepherd Sunday

Many Christian traditions mark the fourth Sunday of Easter as Good Shepherd Sunday, centering worship around the compelling image of Jesus Christ as our Good Shepherd as found in John 10, and complementing that with reading or singing Psalm 23 and other texts that unfold the beauty and power of this image.

Resource Guide | April 13, 2020

Shaping Worship During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Ministry of Presence at St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church, Roseville, California

Greek Orthodox Christian worship is consciously embodied. Christopher Flesoras, a Greek Orthodox priest, discusses pastoral discernment for serving the faithful when public health needs require social distancing, also known as physical distancing.

Article | April 07, 2020

Shaping Worship during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Reviving Wesleyan Discipleship at Grant United Methodist Church, Fairmount, Indiana

Not every church has the capacity to move worship online when pandemic public health directives require social and physical distancing. Pastor Constance Cherry explains how her small rural Methodist congregation is drawing on its Wesleyan heritage to help members worship and disciple each other.

Article | Conversation | April 06, 2020