Skip to main content
CICW Logo CICW Logo
  • 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

    Artwork: "Celebration" by John August Swanson, 2003
    From Generation to Generation: A Service of Lessons and Carols
    Join Calvin University choirs for their fiftieth annual lessons and carols service, which coincides with Calvin University's 150th anniversary celebrations spanning the 2025–26 academic year. 
    December 7, 2025, 3:00 PM
    Grand Rapids
    , 
    Michigan
    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

    © 2025 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship


Search Results

Article Christian Year Intergenerational Planning Worship

Toronto Designers on Visual Cues to God's Time

First Christian Reformed Church of Toronto, Ontario, planned a worship grant connecting color and the liturgical year. They invited the congregation into the biblical story by collaborating on a permanent artwork. Then the pandemic prevented them from entering the church building. The landscape architect and the architect who led the grant say that this pivot turned out to be a good thing.
Article History Preaching Christian Year

Scholars Suggest How to Remember the Reformation

Seven scholars, pastors and musicians discuss how Protestants and Catholics can and should together observe the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in 2017.
Generic placeholder image
Article Theology Justice/Reconciliation

Meeting the Judge - Romans 1, HCLD 4

A service plan focusing on Lord's Day 4 of the Heidelberg Catechism and reflecting on God's just nature in punishing sins, but also his merciful nature in forgiving them and offering us hope for salvation. This is part of a series on the Heidelberg catechism.
photo of AI screen
Article Faith Formation Interdisciplinary Preaching

Derek Schuurman on Using Artificial Intelligence in Church

You are probably used to artificial intelligence (AI) suggesting ways to complete sentences in your emails and texts. Now that AI has the capacity to write sermons and mimic emotional care, how should AI be used in churches?
Generic placeholder image
Article Faith Formation Theology Psalms/Scripture

The Honor of Relationships - 1 John 3, HCLD 40

A service plan focused on the Sixth Commandment and that not only are we to refrain from murder, but we must also affirm the value and sacredness of life through loving our neighbors in a series on the Ten Commandments, as explained in the Heidelberg Catechism.
Article Preaching Cultural Diversity Leadership

A Community That Affirms

A peer preaching group changed the course of a student’s seminary journey—and her ministry path.
Generic placeholder image
Article Devotion/Homily Psalms/Scripture Sacraments

The Service of Baptism (Bible Study)

This Bible study lesson looks at baptism and how it becomes the sign of washing in Christ, the entrance into discipleship, and inclusion in the Christian church.
Article

Symposium Ends in Hope

The 2019 Calvin Symposium on Worship began on Thursday, Jan. 24 with opening worship that included prayers decrying war, cheap labor, and toxins in watersheds.
Article Christian Year Planning Worship

Lent Planning Guide

An introduction to Lent and comprehensive guide to Lenten planning.
Generic placeholder image
Article Christian Year

Surely Not I, Lord? - Matthew 26

A service plan for the second Sunday of Lent planned around Matthew 26:22. This service is part of "Questions of the Last Week," a series of Lent service plans.
  • Load More
Footer Logo

Stay in the know about the study and renewal of worship.

Sign up for our newsletter

Footer

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

© 2025 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship

Footer Logo