Resource Search Results

Worship Resources for Pregnancy Loss and Infertility

Many church members stay silent about miscarriages and other common reproductive losses. Yet Christian traditions contain many helpful books and worship resources to aid those who have experienced reproductive loss. Your church can start with these resources to engage this issue more directly and care for those who mourn.

Article | June 02, 2020

Church Responses to Infertility, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy Loss

After decades of silence, church leaders and congregations have begun accompanying people who mourn losing children before or soon after birth or letting go of dreams to form a family.

Feature Story | June 02, 2020

Stacey Edwards-Dunn on African American Infertility and the Church’s Response

People experiencing infertility often suffer in silence. African Americans experience more infertility than other racial groups. But churches can offer healing when they open the door for conversations and include these sorrows in worship.

Conversation | April 24, 2020

What Was Lost: Experience, Theology, and Resources for Miscarriage

2020 Calvin Symposium on Worship | Workshop

Audio | March 05, 2020

Mary L. Cohen on Community Choirs in Prisons

Oakdale Community Choir in Coralville, Iowa, meets in the prison where half its members live. Church choirs and congregations can learn from the principles and practices that make this choir so life-giving. It focuses as much on relationships and potential as on music.

Conversation | August 12, 2019

Methodist Pastor-Musicians on Gaps in Worship Music

Teaching an intensive songwriting class in a North Carolina prison for women made Susannah Long and Michael Conner reflect on gaps in what churches sing about.

Conversation | February 14, 2018

What Inside Songwriters Can Teach Outside Churches about Worship

A songwriting class in a North Carolina prison taught eight women to write biblical songs that touch congregations inside and outside prison walls.

Feature Story | February 14, 2018

Worship Resources in Times of Natural Disasters

Many of these resources, initially created for an immediate response to specific events, may be adapted or may help provide ideas for similar resources for other natural disasters or for services remembering these events.

Bibliography | March 16, 2011

Interview with C.R. “Kees” van Setten about the Power of Musical Lament to Reconcile Jews and Christians

In this email interview from spring 2008, van Setten tells how the music of lament has helped heal European Christians ashamed of how they’ve treated Jews and helped Jews feel God’s presence. He explains how combining lament and praise can enrich evangelical worship.

Feature Story | June 20, 2008

Bringing Our Pain to God: Michael Card and Calvin Seerveld on biblical lament in worship

Lament is an essential ingredient of honest faith, but what does biblical lament look or sound like in real congregations? A feature story exploring how Christians can bring their pain to God in worship.

Feature Story | June 20, 2008

Healing in Worship: Hospitality that welcomes everyone as they are

Though you might associate "heal" with "cure," healing in worship is broader. Whether through prayer, hospitality, communion, or laying on hands, it helps people become more whole.

Feature Story | February 01, 2008

Christian Funerals: Going to be with God

Thomas Long makes a case for classic Christian funeral traditions. Howard Vanderwell and Leonard VanderZee offer pastoral considerations for planning funerals and memorial services. A feature story exploring the planning for Christian Funerals and Memorial Services.

Feature Story | October 26, 2007

Worship When Steeples Cry

In this workshop, participants were led to discover the form of Biblical lament and how lament can be used in worship to facilitate the revitalization of a Gospel community experiencing loss and change. The workshop was based on the presenter's book, When Steeples Cry: Leading Congregations through Loss and Change.

Audio | January 01, 2007

Resources for Planning Worship Services in a Time of War

An index of web resources for planning worship during times of war, as well as a short bibliography.

Bibliography | June 01, 2005

Songs of Comfort and Trust in Times of Natural Disasters

A list of songs of comfort and trust to be sung in times of natural disaster.

Article | June 01, 2005

Worship Service: A Faith that Sighs and Sings - Habakkuk 3

A worship service plan flowing from the statement that Christian faith "can be found in the deepest despair and at the greatest joy." Habakkuk reminds us that true faith does not ignore life's problems, but meets them head on.

Worship Service | June 01, 2005

Worship Responses to the Tsunami

A list of thoughts, suggestions and resources compiled in response to the tsunami tragedy of 2004--these are posted in the hope they will guide you in crafting some manner in which your group or congregation can appropriately respond to such events in worship.