1855 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA
On the campus of Calvin University
© 2026 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
A worship service from the 2021 online Calvin Symposium on Worship.
Participants: Sandra McCracken, Tim Nicholson
Location: Nashville, Tennessee, USA
For further information see https://www.sandramccracken.com/
Order of Worship:
Hymn: “Trinity Song”
Greeting
Scripture: John 8:12
Confession and Absolution
God, You ask for our courage to protect the powerless bet we prefer to remain safe, preserving ourselves for future challenges. You ask us to speak out for justice but we whisper, in case we are heard. You ask us to stand up for what is right, but we would rather blend in to the crowd. You ask us to have faith, when doubting seems so much easier. Lord, forgive our calculated effort to follow You, only when it is convenient to do so, only in those places where it is safe to do so, only with those who make it easy to do so. God, forgive us and renew us; Inspire us and challenge us so that we might rest the journey, to Your kingdom with You. Amen.
(A prayer from Kairos South Africa, 2003)
The Invitatory
LEADER:
O Lord open our lips;
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
O God, make speed to save us;
O Lord, make haste to help us.
ALL:
Glory be to Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Scripture: Psalm 89
Song: “I Will Sing”
Song: "Thy Mercy My God"
Scripture: Psalm 33
Song: “Steadfast”
Song: “Thirst No More”
Song: "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing"
Song: “Sweet Comfort”
Song: "Abide With Me"
Scripture: Jeremiah 31:2-3; 13-14
Song: “We Will Feast”
The Lord's Prayer
Song: "Doxology"
Benediction Song: “Patient Kingdom”
Copyrights:
“Trinity Song”
Text and Music: Sandra McCracken © 2016 Drink Your Tea Music, admin. EssentialMusicPublishing.com
Used by permission. CCLI #400063.
“I Will Sing”
Text and Music: Leslie Jordan, Sandra McCracken © Integrity Worship Music, admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing
Used by permission. CCLI #400063.
“Thy Mercy My God”
Text: John Stocker, 1776
Music: Sandra McCracken © 2001 Same Old Dress Music, admin. Music Services, Inc.
Used by permission. CCLI #400063.
“Steadfast”
Text and Music: Joshua Silverberg, Leslie Jordan, Sandra McCracken © Capitol CMG Amplifier, admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing
Used by permission. CCLI #400063.
“Thirst No More”
Text and Music: Leslie Jordan, Matt Wertz, Sandra McCracken © Integrity Worship Music, admin. Capitol CMG Publishing
Used by permission. CCLI #400063.
“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
Text: Robert Robinson, 1758
Music: Asahel Nettleton, 1825
“Sweet Comfort”
Text and Music: Latifah Alattas and Sandra McCracken © 2015 Drink Your Tea Music
Used by permission. CCLI #400063.
“Abide with Me”
Text: Henry F. Lyte, 1847
Music: William Henry Monk, 1861
“We Will Feast in the House of Zion”
Text and Music: Joshua Moore and Sandra McCracken © 2015 Integrity Worship Music, admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing
Used by permission. CCLI #400063.
“Doxology”
Text: Thomas Ken, 1637-1711
Music: Genevan Psalter; attr. Louis Bourgeois, 1510-1561
“Patient Kingdom”
Text and Music: Gareth Davies-Jones, Sandra McCracken, Sarah Masen © Integrity Worship Muisc, admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing
Used by permission. CCLI #400063.
Songs from the people of Korea can deeply enrich your liturgy whether you have Korean-speaking members in your congregation or not. This workshop will introduce a variety of bilingual Korean-English songs that have been newly translated in the past few years as well as strategies to lead them effectively in your own worshiping context.
In this panel, Hispanic pastors share the learnings and experiences lived by their congregations after completing projects related to the development of their understanding and practices about worship. Together, they represent a variety of Hispanic denominations as well as of "dreams" they were able to realize (learning about the Creeds, bilingual worship, multigenerational worship, worship in non-traditional settings). Their congregations were part of the first cohort of Hispanic congregations receiving "worship grants" under a new initiative CICW launched in July of 2022.
What basic models for worship planning are out there, and which patterns will work best in your context? Join a lively discussion of several worship planning models by the authors and pastors who use them. Bring your questions and suggestions as we learn together.
Songs from the people of Korea can deeply enrich your liturgy whether you have Korean-speaking members in your congregation or not. This workshop will introduce a variety of bilingual Korean-English songs that have been newly translated in the past few years as well as strategies to lead them effectively in your own worshiping context.
In this panel, Hispanic pastors share the learnings and experiences lived by their congregations after completing projects related to the development of their understanding and practices about worship. Together, they represent a variety of Hispanic denominations as well as of "dreams" they were able to realize (learning about the Creeds, bilingual worship, multigenerational worship, worship in non-traditional settings). Their congregations were part of the first cohort of Hispanic congregations receiving "worship grants" under a new initiative CICW launched in July of 2022.
What basic models for worship planning are out there, and which patterns will work best in your context? Join a lively discussion of several worship planning models by the authors and pastors who use them. Bring your questions and suggestions as we learn together.
Join us after the University worship service (chapel) for a conversation with worship leader Kimberly Williams. We will explore topics related to worship leading and planning for diverse congregations, leading teams, songwriting and recording, and mentoring women in ministry.
