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A Christmas or Christmas Eve service focusing on the Christmas story through the eyes of Micah, presenting God's gift of grace and forgiveness through his son. This is the final service in an Advent series on Micah and the hope that he pronounced.

Not talking about awkward emotions, say after infertility, pregnancy out of wedlock, or adoption, may seem kind. But it's better for churches to include adoption and related issues in baptisms, worship, and church life. A feature story exploring the case for talking about adoption in worship.

An Advent Candlelight service outline focused on Micah's prophecy and our anticipation, awaiting a Messiah who will be our "Strong Shepherd," bring deliverance to his people and establish the eternal reign of God. This is part of a series on Micah and the hope that he pronounced.

The Psalms offer us language to express gratitude, lament, confession, and praise in worship. Worship Renewal Grant recipients will describe how they studied and prayed the Psalms to help children and adults understand how the psalms help shape the ways we speak to God and to one another through words, music and the arts.

Get ideas from other congregations for using local photography and other images in church worship. A feature story exploring some of the many possibilities for visuals in worship.

In a world filled with violence, injustice, and despair, the Advent and Christmas gospel comes, wondrously, with two strands of promise: one that touches neighborhoods racked in violence, one that is as intimate as our own interior lives, so often hidden from everyone but God. Both strands of promise are conveyed in a single common word with breathtaking scope: “Peace.”

Do the words "pizza" and "Bible study" define your church's idea of youth ministry better than the phrases "mentoring younger kids" and "leading worship" do? A feature story about a new way to lead youth ministry.

It feels off to hear a song about suffering-with upbeat rhythms and in a major key. Other new songs use mixed metaphors or trite emotionalisms. That's why choral directors search for anthems that make a meaningful match between words and music. A feature story exploring fitting texts to tunes in choral anthems.

In Worship Words, Debra and Ron Rienstra show why and how to give more attention to your church's worship language.

Not talking about awkward emotions, say after infertility, pregnancy out of wedlock, or adoption, may seem kind. But it's better for churches to include adoption and related issues in baptisms, worship, and church life. A feature story exploring the case for talking about adoption in worship.