Published on
November 3, 2020
Video length
16 mins
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.

Order of Worship:

This order of service follows a traditional morning prayer structure. 

Opening Words

Morning Hymn: "O Splendor of God's Glory Bright"

Psalm 19, followed by a Psalm Prayer

Psalm 131, followed by a Psalm Prayer

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 42:1-9

New Testament Reading: Matthew 22:34-40

Canticle: Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:57-59)

Prayers of the People

Lord's Prayer

Closing Blessing

Leaders: María Eugenia Cornou, Cindy DeBoer, Chan Gyu Jang, Carlos Lemagne, Rebecca Snippe, Noel Snyder, and John Witvliet

Recent Media Resources

Video Faith Formation Justice/Reconciliation
Practicing Resilience with the Psalms

The psalms are a rich resource for our human experience of emotions, community, and connection to God. We will practice activities based on the truth of the psalms and on psychology to strengthen our capacity for navigating suffering with grace and resilience.

May 21, 2026 | 1 min video
Video Preaching Psalms/Scripture
Preaching and Teaching the Psalms: A Conversation with Pastor-Theologians

A panel discussion in which Amanda Benckhuysen, Karen Campbell, G. Sujin Pak, and moderator Kathy Smith ponder the challenges and opportunities in preaching and teaching from the psalms. Are there incomplete or incorrect assumptions about the psalms that sermons and lectures can tackle? How do we handle the imprecatory psalms when we have a Savior who told us to love and forgive the very enemies many psalms talk about? The panel will consider these and other vital questions for preachers and teachers in today’s church.

May 14, 2026 | 89 min video
Video Faith Formation Psalms/Scripture
Being Shaped by the Psalms: Lessons in Trust, Hope, and Love

The psalms reflect our deepest emotions as people of faith. In their expressions of thanksgiving, trust, lament, anger, joy, doubt, and praise, these ancient prayers seem to peer right into our souls and put words to our thoughts and experiences. But the psalms are more than human words to God. Embedded as they are in the scriptures, they are now also God’s word to us.

May 12, 2026 | 80 min video