1855 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA
On the campus of Calvin University
© 2026 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
This worship service centers on the story of the friend at midnight in Luke 11:5-13. Sandra McCracken, in collaboration with the Calvin University Worship Apprentices and their mentor, Paul Ryan, lead congregational worship. Janette Ok delivers the sermon, and Becca Tellinghuisen leads the scripture reading.
This service was originally recorded at the 2025 Calvin Symposium on Worship.
Song: “Not a Stranger”
Text and Music: Sandra McCracken, Paul Zach, Kate Bluett, Kayla Craig © Porter’s Gate.
Used by permission
Opening Prayer
Call to Worship: Psalm 89:1-2, 5, 14
Song: “I Will Sing” (Psalm 89)
Text and Music: Sandra McCracken and Leslie Jordan © Integrity’s Worship Music.
Used by permission. CCLI #400063
Song: “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”
Text: Joachim Neander, 1680; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1863, alt.
Music: LOBE DEN HERREN; Ernewerten Gesangbuch, Stralsund, 1665; arr. Tony Alonso © 2017 GIA Publications, Inc.
All rights reserved. Used by permission. OneLicense.net A-703303.
Call to Confession: Psalm 103:8, 13-14, 17-18
Prayer of Confession
Song: “Christ Is Mine Forevermore”
Text and Music: Jonny Robinson and Rich Thompson © 2016 CityAlight Music.
Used by permission. CCLI #400063
Prayer for Illumination based on John 6:68
Scripture Reading: Luke 11:1-13
Sermon
Prayers of the People with Refrain, “Seek First”
Text and Music: Taizé Community; Jacques Berthier © 1978 Les Presses de Taizé, admin. GIA Publications, Inc.
All rights reserved. Used by permission. OneLicense.net A-703303.
Song: “We Rejoice” (Psalm 65)
Text and Music: based on Psalm 65; Wendell Kimbrough © 2022 Wendell Kimbrough.
Used by permission. CCLI#400063
Benediction
Closing Prayer: “The Lord’s Prayer”
Text: The Message, the Lord’s Prayer © 2002 Eugene Peterson
Music: Sandra McCracken © 2014 Drink Your Tea, admin. Simpleville, Inc.
Used by permission. CCLI #400063.
Join this excursion through compositional method, use of text, melodic creation, vocal range, and inner insights. The session includes the presentation of new psalm settings by Rawn Harbor.
Martin Luther frequently called Psalm 118 as his “own beloved psalm,” describing it as a “friend who helped [him] out of many troubles.” This session provides a history of the interpretation of this beloved psalm by looking at the readings of Ambrose, Augustine, Theodoret of Cyrus, Cassiodorus, Luther, and Calvin.
Modern song writers are continually setting the psalms to new music for band-led worship contexts. Join Paul Ryan, Nate Glasper, and the Calvin University Worship Apprentices to sing contemporary psalm settings sung in public worship at Calvin.
Join this excursion through compositional method, use of text, melodic creation, vocal range, and inner insights. The session includes the presentation of new psalm settings by Rawn Harbor.
Martin Luther frequently called Psalm 118 as his “own beloved psalm,” describing it as a “friend who helped [him] out of many troubles.” This session provides a history of the interpretation of this beloved psalm by looking at the readings of Ambrose, Augustine, Theodoret of Cyrus, Cassiodorus, Luther, and Calvin.
Modern song writers are continually setting the psalms to new music for band-led worship contexts. Join Paul Ryan, Nate Glasper, and the Calvin University Worship Apprentices to sing contemporary psalm settings sung in public worship at Calvin.
Carmen Imes has spent the past fifteen years immersed in the book of Exodus, writing about it for both her master’s thesis and her doctoral dissertation. In this lecture, Imes will share some of the most paradigm-shifting insights she’s had while reading Exodus through an Egyptian lens.
