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  • Resources
  • Grants

    Apply for Grants

    Apply for the Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grants Program to support and enhance Christian worship practices. We encourage proposals on universal design, cultural engagement, preaching, baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and more. Two grant streams are available.

    Learn More

    All Grants Awarded

    Explore all grants awarded since the program launched in 2000, with funds provided by Lilly Endowment Inc.

    Info for Current Recipients

    Explore detailed guidelines and support resources to help you manage your grant effectively.

    Teacher-Scholar Grants

    Apply for the Teacher Scholar Grant to support innovative research and teaching in Christian worship. Proposals from educators and scholars are welcome.

    Worshiping Communities Grants

    Apply for the Worshiping Communities Grant to support and enhance worship practices within your community. Proposals for diverse and innovative worship initiatives are welcome.

    Teacher-Scholar Grants

    Apply for the Teacher Scholar Grant to support innovative research and teaching in Christian worship. Proposals from educators and scholars are welcome.

    Worshiping Communities Grants

    Apply for the Worshiping Communities Grant to support and enhance worship practices within your community. Proposals for diverse and innovative worship initiatives are welcome.

  • Events

    Events

    Join us for our Symposium on Worship and Summer Seminars. Engage in inspiring sessions, workshops, and intensive seminars to deepen your understanding and practice of Christian worship.

    Learn More

    Calendar of Events

    Consider joining an upcoming event we sponsor or support. An archive is also available for reference.

    Dwelling in the Psalms

    You are invited to join the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship in a year of dwelling in the Psalms—the prayerbook and songbook of the Bible.

    Upcoming Event

    National Memorial for Peace and Justice
    Montgomery—Arrabon Experiential Learning Trip 2026
    The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship is excited to partner with Arrabon, a spiritual formation ministry that equips Christ-followers to actively and creatively pursue reconciliation and racial healing in their communities, to offer a curated experiential learning trip to Montgomery, Alabama. 
    March 17-20, 2026
    Montgomery
    , 
    Alabama
    View Event
  • About

    About

    The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship at Calvin University advances Christian worship through resources, events, and grants. Since 1997, we have partnered with congregations and organizations to fulfill our mission.

    Learn More

    Mission

    We promote the study and renewal of Christian worship through partnerships at Calvin University.

    What We Do

    We partner with congregations and organizations, focusing on resources, events, and grants.

    Diversity and Inclusion

    We promote worship practices that celebrate diversity and foster inclusion in all communities.

    Partners

    Discover our generous funding partners who make our programs possible through their support and grants.

    Staff Directory

    Find contact information and profiles for CICW staff across all programs.

    Learn at Calvin

    Calvin University offers many options for learners and students of all ages and contexts.

    Learn about MLC

    Learn about MLC

    A program for first- and second-year Calvin University students exploring how their interests intersect with the church.

    MLC Leadership Staff

    Meet the Ministry Leadership Cohort staff.

    MLC Peer Leaders

    Meet the Ministry Leadership Cohort peer leaders.

    A program for first- and second-year Calvin University students exploring how their interests intersect with the church.

    Contact Us

    Get in touch with us for inquiries, support, or more information about our programs and services.

    Executive Director Search

    Learn at Calvin

    Calvin University offers many options for learners and students of all ages and contexts.

    Learn about MLC

    Learn about MLC

    A program for first- and second-year Calvin University students exploring how their interests intersect with the church.

    MLC Leadership Staff

    Meet the Ministry Leadership Cohort staff.

    MLC Peer Leaders

    Meet the Ministry Leadership Cohort peer leaders.

    A program for first- and second-year Calvin University students exploring how their interests intersect with the church.

    Contact Us

    Get in touch with us for inquiries, support, or more information about our programs and services.

    Executive Director Search


  • Resources

  • Grants
    • All Grants Awarded
    • Info for Current Recipients
    • Teacher-Scholar Grants
    • Worshiping Communities Grants

  • Events
    • Calendar of Events
    • Dwelling in the Psalms

  • About
    • Mission
    • What We Do
    • Diversity and Inclusion
    • Partners
    • Staff Directory
    • Learn at Calvin
    • Learn about MLC
      • Learn about MLC
      • MLC Leadership Staff
      • MLC Peer Leaders
    • Contact Us
    • Executive Director Search

  • 1855 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA

    On the campus of Calvin University

    © 2026 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship


Search Results

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Article Planning Worship Christian Year Devotion/Homily

Worship Service: When God Breaks In: He Stretches Us - Jonah

A service plan for Advent recounting how God "broke into" the story of Jonah, calling him to a task and stretching him until he was willing to be obedient. God also broke into the life of Nineveh through Jonah. Part of an Advent series of anticipation focused on what happens when God breaks in to our lives.
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Article Planning Worship Christian Year

The Straight Highway - Isaiah 40

A service plan for the second Sunday of Advent planned around Isaiah 40:3-5. This service is part of "Prepare the Way," a series of Advent service plans.
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Article Planning Worship Christian Year Devotion/Homily

Worship Service: When God Breaks In: He Calls Us for Life - 1 Samuel 3

A service plan for Advent focused on how God "broke in" to call Samuel to a life of service and Samuel's response of readiness and willingness for committed Christian service. Part of an Advent series of anticipation focused on what happens when God breaks in to our lives.
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Article Planning Worship Christian Year

The Breath of God - Isaiah 40

A service plan for the third Sunday of Advent planned around Isaiah 40:6-8. This service is part of "Prepare the Way," a series of Advent service plans.
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Article Planning Worship Christian Year

Planning Ahead for Advent

Helpful suggestions and ideas for planning ahead for worship during Advent.
Past Event Virtual

The Darkness Has Not Overcome It: Preaching Advent's Light in a COVID World

An online class offered by Calvin Theological Seminary and led by Scott Hoezee, Director of the Center for Excellence in Preaching.
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Article Christian Year History Planning Worship

Planning Ahead: Worship in November

Worship service ideas for the month of November.
Art by Joel Tanis, At Psalms School
Article Faith Formation

Bibliography - Children's Books About Worship

An annotated list of excellent children's books about worship
Article Christian Year Planning Worship Christian Year

Getting Started with the Christian Year

Any church leadership team that hopes to increase the observance of the Christian year in their congregation will first need to identify how much shaping influence this practice has at present.
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Article Christian Year Christian Year Teaching

Kevin Soodsma on Worshiping with the Christian Year

Kevin Soodsma describes why he recommends worshiping with the Christian Year.
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Resources

  • Resource Library
  • Audio & Video
  • Publications

Events

  • Calendar
  • Symposium on Worship

Grants

  • Teacher-Scholar Grants
  • Worshiping Communities
  • Current and Past Grants

About

  • Our Mission
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Funding and Partners
  • Staff Directory
  • Contact Us

1855 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA

On the campus of Calvin University

© 2026 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship

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