Liturgy and Worship Commons^™

Worship 101: The Building Blocks Of A Biblical Approach To Worship, John D. Witvliet

Symposium on Worship Archive

George Barna: "Most of the church people who fight about their musical preference do so because they don't understand the relationship between music, communication, God and worship. Church leaders foster the problem by focusing on how to please people with music or how to offer enough styles of music to meet everyone's tastes rather dealing with the underlying issues of limited interest in, comprehension of, and investment in fervent worship of a holy, deserving God." ... The Barna study discovered that among the key worship issues is that church-going adults and Protestant Senior Pastors do not share a common perception …

Who May And May Not Participate In The Worship Life Of The Church?, Mark Stephenson

Symposium on Worship Archive

A discussion and reflection on disability in the church, presented by Reverend Mark Stephenson, Director of Disability Concerns, CRCNA.

"Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others." (Article 1: Purpose, "Final report of the Ad Hoc Committee on a comprehensive and Integral International Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities," United Nations General Assembly, A/61/611, 6 December 2006)

Choreography For Worship, Shelley Marinus

Symposium on Worship Archive

A handout for note taking during the workshop to review the purpose of the dance as part of worship and review the basic elements needed for dance in worship, and choreography planning considerations.

Experiencing God In Worship, Bob Rognlien

Symposium on Worship Archive

"Western Christianity went to sleep in a modern world governed by the gods of reason and observation. It is awakening in a post-modern world open to revelation and hungry for experience.... It is one thing to talk about God. It is quite another thing to experience God." - Leonard Sweet, Post-Modern Pilgrims

"Among adults who regularly attend church services, one half admit that they haven't experienced God's presence in the past year." - George Barna

The more complete the experience of God, the greater the response to God! To read the introduction of Experiential Worship and sign up for the …

An Invitation To "The Liturgy Of The Hours", Pat Zandstra

Symposium on Worship Archive

The Liturgy of the Hours, also known as Fixed Hours of Prayer, Divine Hours, Daily Offices, or Common Prayer teaches us to pray, immerses us in Scripture, unites us with all believers who have gone before us and believers around the world, makes us aware of the passing of time in the liturgical year, provides words for us in tough times, and regularly draws our attention back to God throughout the day.

Public Biblical Praying, Lester Ruth

Symposium on Worship Archive

The Berekah, or blessing, occurs several times throughout the Bible. Genesis 24:26-27: Then the man bowed down and worshiped the Lord, saying, "Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master." Exodus 18:10-11: "Blessed be the Lord, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharoah, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians." There are further examples and discussion included in the handout.

When The Fires Die: Religious Critiques Of Revivalism In The Aftermath Of The Second Great Awakening, John D. Bratt, Lester Ruth

Symposium on Worship Archive

A document accompanying a talk on the aftereffects of the Second Great Awakening, including types of critics, common charges, common complaints, and proposed solutions.

Where Can I Find That Song? Researching Hymns Online–Greg Scheer, Greg Scheer

Symposium on Worship Archive

There are a few databases that will allow anyone to find sources of particular songs or hymns. The most established (still within the last few years) are geared toward historical hymns, but more recent databases are becoming more comprehensive and global in scope, even to providing sources of different versions/keys, ability to print a song, ideas for performance, etc. Come to learn about the current state of research.

The Hymnary is an online hymn and hymnal database that is collaboration between The Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) and the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship (CICW). The project actually began as …

In Spirit And In Truth: The Role Of Worship In Christian Higher Education, Tim Mccarthy

Symposium on Worship Archive

The role of worship in Christian Higher Education is a unifying practice for missional endeavor, a well of missional conviction, a garden of missional practices, a fountain of missional response, and to discuss threats and areas of further development.

The Priest Of Our Worship, The Priests Of Creation, Gerrit Scott Dawson

Symposium on Worship Archive

Christ now bears the office of priest, not only that by the eternal law of reconciliation he may render the Father favourable and propitious to us, but also admit us into this most honourable alliance. For we though in ourselves polluted, in him being priests (Rev. 1:6), offer ourselves and our all to God, and freely enter the heavenly sanctuary, so that the sacrifices of prayer and praise which we present are grateful and of sweet odour before him. To this effect are the words of Christ, "For their sakes I sanctify myself" (John 17:19), for being clothed with his …

Redeeming The Time: Homiletic Theology For A Pilgrim People, Michael Pasquarello Ii

Symposium on Worship Archive

The idea for Redeeming the Time has emerged during more than twenty five years of leading worship according to the rhythms of the Christian Year and preaching from its common lectionary. In following these "traditioned" practices, I have often thought there is need for a fresh understanding of the Christian Year that will demonstrate the theological and pastoral wisdom of ordering a congregation's ministry of the Word and its life by means of the narrative of salvation proclaimed in the liturgical reading and preaching of Scripture.

Spiritual Formation In Worship-Centered Congregations, Jane Rogers Vann

Symposium on Worship Archive

When I talk about spiritual formation, what I have in mind is "being formed in the likeness of Christ." Now, people in every historical period and location have their own understanding of what "the likeness of Christ" might include. So we want to look at these images or assumptions and the ways they went about spiritual formation.

Making Stuff Up: Magically Making Music In The Moment!, Tom Trenney

Symposium on Worship Archive

In many churches, the only time congregations clearly hear the organ as a solo instrument is during hymn introductions. Frequently, there is talking and movement during the prelude. Often, there is mass chaos during the postlude. Use this opportunity to showcase the many colours of your instrument and to set the tone for the music to follow. Introductions must clearly present the key, the tempo, and the character of the hymn to come. Otherwise, be creative!

An Introduction To The Principles And Practices Of Liturgical Dance, Shelley Marinus

Symposium on Worship Archive

A note taking document for liturgical dance - exploring its purpose (worship, prayer, communion with believers, expressing the story of scripture) and basic elements (music, clothing, props, imagery), as well as scripture references.

Christ's Priesthood And Our Praises, Gerrit Scott Dawson

Symposium on Worship Archive

As the eternal Son of God, our Lord has from before time been offering himself to his Father in perfect love. We might say he has ever been completely obedient, though the human implication of a hierarchy involved in obedience obscures the reality. The three co-equal persons of the Trinity give themselves to each other so absolutely that the most abject human obedience to another is pitifully shallow in comparison to the depths of such offering of one divine person to the other, and yet all of this is done not in servility but in total freedom. The very nature …

Reclaiming Funerals As Christian Worship, John D. Witvliet

Symposium on Worship Archive

Goals:

To encourage each of you to set up a council discussion, adult education sessions about this topic (note: to change, even if to deepen, our practices in the context of the volatile emotions surrounding death is not likely, and may be very counter-productive),

To encourage each of you to select the very best books for your persona and church libraries (one of the best ways to deepen practice is to make the best resources the most available),

To plant the seeds of some constructive questions that can ferment a bit in each of our lives over the next several …

Morning Worship - The Wonder Of The Nature Of Faith, Calvin Institute Of Christian Worship, Kenneth E. Bailey, James Abbington, Soul Purpose, Greg Scheer

Symposium on Worship Archive

A morning worship service from the 2008 Calvin Symposium on Worship with preaching from Kenneth Bailey on Hebrews 11 ("The Wonder and Nature of Faith: David, Jesus, and Hebrews 11"), a scripture drama by Soul Purpose, and music led by James Abbington and Greg Scheer.

Preaching Without Notes, Mike Graves

Symposium on Worship Archive

A note taking document on the brief discussion of the scary side of preaching, how to preach without notes, internalizing the gospel, and personal journey.

The Most Used Contemporary Worship Songs: Their View Of God And Our Love Of God, Lester Ruth

Symposium on Worship Archive

We're going to be taking a close look at the lyrics of the most used contemporary worship songs. Some of the songs on the list are very old songs.

Imagine... What Has Christ Done For Us?, Paul Ryan

Symposium on Worship Archive

How to plan with images in mind.

One way of planning the service of confession and assurance is to keep in mind an image of the atonement. These can be a catalyst for our words of confession and offer a means by which we might experience the assurance of salvation.

The Conference Choir, Calvin Institute Of Christian Worship, Joel Navarro, Tom Trenney, Jonathan Velasco

Symposium on Worship Archive

The Conference Choir were directed by Joel Navarro and Jonathan Velasco, with Tom Trenney at the organ and piano, including sheet music for Kyrie Eleison and O Worship The King (4th verse).

Concert By Duo Majoya, Marnie Giesbrecht, Joachim Segger

Symposium on Worship Archive

The unlikely marriage of organ and piano, reasons for including this combination in worship: a piano and an organ are found in many or most sanctuaries today, instruments work well together in most situations, when played together either instrument can lead, the piano is a wonderful "stop" or color addition to the organ and vice versa, there is a growing repertoire for piano and organ, it creates great variety of tone colors which helps to draw attention to the words, it can enhance the variety of musical styles of congregational song, it is not difficult to learn this combination provided …

God's Providence And The Problem Of Evil: A Challenge To Faith, John Cooper, Scott E. Hoezee

Symposium on Worship Archive

An outline from a workshop focusing on the problem of suffering and evil, responses, sin and evil in Scripture, the limits of our understanding, and nurturing an enduring faith.

Thriving As A Keyboard Player In The Diverse World Of Church Music, Cynthia Uitermarkt

Symposium on Worship Archive

In today's church climate, the pianist or organist will need to be fluent in multiple styles: traditional, contemporary, and ethnic. For the classically trained performer, this can mean stretching well beyond the comfort zone. In this session, we will explore philosophical, spiritual, and practical strategies for surviving and thriving.

2008 Worship Booklet: With Every Good Thing, Calvin Institute Of Christian Worship

Symposium on Worship Archive

As we gather for the 2008 Calvin Symposium on Worship, we turn to the Book of Hebrews as a focal point for the worship services at this year's conference. For many in the church, Hebrews is a strange and daunting book. No one knows who wrote it or to whom it was addressed. Many people find the theology and imagery of the book to be complex and at time a little quirky. In more recent times many scholars have concluded that Hebrews is not actually a letter at all but rather an extended sermon.

This worship book contains an outline …

Morning Devotions, Calvin Institute Of Christian Worship, Michael Card, Trygve Johnson, L.O.F.T. (Living Our Faith Together) Worship Team

Symposium on Worship Archive

A service of morning devotions with music led by Michael Card and the L.O.F.T. (Living Our Faith Together) Worship Team, and preaching on Hebrews 12:1-13 by Trygve Johnson.

Evening Worship - Approach With Boldness, Calvin Institute Of Christian Worship, Susan Briehl, Marty Haugen

Symposium on Worship Archive

A service outline of an evening worship service from the 2008 Calvin Symposium on Worship. Susan Briehl preaches on Hebrews 4:14-5:10 ("Approach with Boldness") and Marty Haugen leads congregational song.

Jazz Vespers - 2008 Calvin Symposium On Worship, Calvin Institute Of Christian Worship

Symposium on Worship Archive

Music in this service was written, and is being offered, by persons experienced in blues and jazz. However, we ask you not to try to define what particular piece of music is jazz and what is not jazz in this service. Our only goal is hold a fitting Vespers to end the afternoon.

We are not trying to prove any point of view. We are not saying that music from the history of the Church is no longer valid for today's worshippers. Nor are we trying to show that music derived from jazz should be recommended for present-day worship. Indeed …

Leading Congregational Singing From The Piano, John Ferguson, Cynthia Uitermarkt

Symposium on Worship Archive

A note taking outline for the session offered the 24th to the 26th, including discussion of the leadership role of the keyboard player, musical role of the keyboard player, and ways to prepare oneself each week.

Celebración Bilingüe / Bilingual Celebration, Calvin Institute Of Christian Worship, Jorge Lockward, Gerardo Oberman

Symposium on Worship Archive

Outline and recording for a Spanish/English bilingual vesper service including songs, scripture readings, and prayers