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Holy Week Resource Guide

This list of Holy Week resources—art, music, devotions, liturgies, books, and sermons—will help you plan worship for Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with Triduum, the three days that mark Jesus’ trial, death, and resurrection, from the evening of Maundy Thursday through Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter morning.

March 14, 2023 | 2 min read
How Hymnody Can Help Diversify Contemporary Worship

Contemporary-worship congregations are rediscovering hymns as treasuries of theological depth that express the full range of emotions and Scripture. Singing hymns together helps people connect across generations and cultures.

March 13, 2023 | 9 min read

Jonathan A. Powers on Teaching Hymns Appropriate to Context

If your congregation experiences hymn singing as dull and lifeless, then try Jonathan A. Powers’ advice on finding, introducing, and teaching hymns that will resonate with your worshiping community.

March 6, 2023 | 6 min read
Katie J. Graber on Singing with Cultural Appreciation, Not Appropriation

Some congregations worry that singing songs outside their own tradition might be inauthentic or offensive. Ethnomusicologist Katie J. Graber gives reasons for using worship songs from other cultures and eras—and how to do so with proper appreciation and attribution.

February 28, 2023 | 6 min read

La Bendición en el Antiguo Testamento

En el culto público, la bendición es un componente indispensable de la liturgía. Podemos decir que cada iglesia, independientemente de su tradición teológica y denominacional, ha hecho de la bendición parte del culto público, por lo general, al final del culto.

February 27, 2023 | 12 min read
Herbert H. Tsang on the Beauty of Low-Tech Connections

COVID-19, “the triple pandemic,” and future universal health threats will continue to prevent many congregants, especially senior members, from attending worship in person. But for those willing to put up with some “holy messiness,” Herbert H. Tsang offers low-tech solutions to connect, sing, and worship together.

February 23, 2023 | 6 min read
Guitar Technique for Playing in Worship

Explore a jazz and classical guitarist's techniques for playing in worship. Jason Werkema demonstrates left- and right-hand exercises, fretboard memorization, expanded chord voicings, fingerstyle technique, and much more!

February 21, 2023 | 33 min video

Lent Resource Guide

This list of Lenten art, music, devotions, liturgies, books, and sermons will help you plan worship for Lent and includes resources for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday.

February 20, 2023 | 2 min read
Worship Service: Our Identity in Christ Alone

A worship service based on Colossians 3:1-11. The service is led by Danny Román-Gloró, preaching; James Abbington; Brandon A. Boyd; an orchestra from Calvin Christian High School [Grandville, Michigan] directed by Karel deWaal Malefyt; and an orchestra from Grand Rapids Christian High School [Grand Rapids, Michigan] directed by Cyndi Betts and Erin DeYoung.

February 10, 2023 | 1 min read
Sharing and Serving: The Lord's Supper

This fourth session is part of “Experiencing the Contours of Early Modern Worship,” a series of five linked sessions bringing current-day participants into the world of Reformation Europe. What was it like to attend worship in Wittenberg in 1530, Geneva in 1550, London in 1570, or Venice in 1590? When people in different confessional contexts joined in worship and participated in the sacrament in this period, what differences and similarities were there? Join Sue Rozeboom [Western Theological Seminary] and Karin Maag [Meeter Center] for an overview of the range of perspectives on and practices of this sacrament in the Reformation era.

February 10, 2023 | 75 min video