Planning Worship

The Church: A World-Wide Family

Second worship service in a collection of building blocks for a series of worship services based on key themes from the Belhar Confession

December 12, 2012 | 5 min read
The Church: Passionate for Justice and Compassion

Sixth worship service in a collection of building blocks for a series of worship services based on key themes from the Belhar Confession

December 12, 2012 | 9 min read
Key Themes from the Belhar Worship Service Collection

A collection of building blocks for a series of worship services based on key themes from the Belhar Confession.

December 10, 2012 | 1 min read

Guide for Worship Service Visit

This guide is structured to help you become more aware of the multiple levels of meaning in a worship service and to stimulate reflection on the relationship between theology, culture, and worship practices.

December 6, 2012 | 1 min read
Coop's Column - A Thankful People

Because life is a sheer gift from God, one we never deserved. The appropriate response, therefore, is to do two things: to take delight in the gift, to revel in and to savor it; and then, in response to bless the Giver with lavish thanks.

November 19, 2012 | 5 min read
Kathy Smith on Getting the Most from the Calvin Symposium on Worship

Kathy Smith is associate director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and manager of grant programs. She speaks at conferences, seminars, and churches around the world. In this edited conversation, she explains how to prepare for, experience, and benefit from the annual Calvin Symposium on Worship.

November 15, 2012 | 4 min read

How to Make a You-Who-Do-To-Through Prayer

You-who-do-to-through prayers follow an ancient pattern for making a short prayer with a single theme. Worshipers speak the prayer together, collecting their voices into one.

November 15, 2012 | 2 min read
Christian Worship Experiences for Persons with Dementia

Dementia frequently interferes with a person's ability to connect with and to benefit from regular religious activities and worship styles that had been meaningful in the past. Yet, persons with dementia continue to need to worship and experience a comforting, deep encounter with Christ.

September 27, 2012 | 1 min read
Thanksgiving Resource Guide

Thanksgiving celebrations were an important part of the people's worship before God. Throughout history, worshiping communities have set aside certain times and days as events of special thanksgiving to God.

September 14, 2012 | 1 min read

Lisa De Boer on Learning to Appreciate Liturgical Art

Lisa De Boer teaches art and art history at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. She’s been researching the role of visual arts in North American churches. In this edited conversation, she talks about learning to appreciate worship art that doesn’t match a personal ideal.

September 10, 2012 | 3 min read