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)

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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

Morning Worship - Witnessing Perfection, Calvin Institute Of Christian Worship, John Ferguson, David Davis

Symposium on Worship Archive

A morning worship service at the 2008 Calvin Symposium on Worship, featuring John Ferguson leading worship and David A. Davies preaching on Hebrews 10:1-18 ("Witnessing Perfection").

Opening Worship - Yet At Present, Calvin Institute Of Christian Worship, Scott Hoezee

Symposium on Worship Archive

An outline and recording of the opening worship service at the 2008 Calvin Symposium on Worship based on Hebrews 2:1-12, with a sermon by Scott Hoezee called, "Yet at Present."

Show Us Your Glory, Calvin Institute Of Christian Worship, Carol Bechtel

Symposium on Worship Archive

Outline and video of a closing worship service with Carol Bechtel preaching on Exodus 33:12-23 and Revelation 5:1-14.

Collaboration And Team Building In Worship And Arts Ministries, Norma De Waal Malefyt, John Ferguson, Rory Noland, Robert Nordling, Paul Ryan, Howard Vanderwell

Symposium on Worship Archive

In this day we will discover how worship and arts ministries thrive in the cradle of collaboration and teams. From conception to realization of a worship service, the Spirit of God unites individuals and groups for creative, thoughtful, and formative experiences. In these moments community is built, character is formed, competency increases, and our unique callings are affirmed. Pastors, musicians, artists, choral directors, worship team leaders, planners, etc.–all who work collaboratively or desire to develop the collaborative potential of their ministries are encouraged to participate in this seminar.

With You Always, From John 14:25-31, Calvin Institute Of Christian Worship

Symposium on Worship Archive

Service outline from the 2006 Calvin Symposium on Worship based on John 14:25-31.

Each service in 2006 follows a theme taken from the final words of Jesus to his disciples before he ascended into heaven. The Gospel according to Matthew ends with this promise of Jesus: "And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

This promise was not new--Scripture records that promise many times, which is why Jesus used the word "remember." Indeed, every time the people of God gather for worship, we meet to "remember and believe" that God is with us still, in …

Vertical Habits: Missional Churches At Worship, John Witvliet

Symposium on Worship Archive

In this workshop for new and emerging, as well as established and evolving congregations, we explored how new Christians and young children learn to relate to God, and what this teaches us about our practices of weekly congregational worship. The workshop featured insights from a number of congregations involved in a new Vertical Habits program hosted by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship.

Ephesians: A Model Of Integral (Holistic) Worship, Mariano Avila

Symposium on Worship Archive

Paul's letter to the Ephesians demonstrates that worship is an excellent way of expressing the deepest theological teachings and also of integrating them to everyday life. Actually, Ephesians shows that life is an act of worship. This session opened up this compelling book not only for preachers and teachers, but for all who long for a deeper biblical perspective on worship.

Includes a recording and handout.

Worship In The Early Church, David Rylaarsdam

Symposium on Worship Archive

What did worship according to Scripture look like in the first Christian centuries? How did the type of water used in baptism or the shape of the font, for example, proclaim biblical teaching? What was the celebration of the Lord's Supper like? Why was a person's posture during prayer so important? Some of the worship practices of early Christians --100-400 A.D.-- were strikingly different but perhaps more biblical than ours today.

With You Always, From John 12, Calvin Institute Of Christian Worship

Symposium on Worship Archive

Service outline from the 2006 Calvin Symposium on Worship based on John 12:12-26.

Each service in 2006 follows a theme taken from the final words of Jesus to his disciples before he ascended into heaven. The Gospel according to Matthew ends with this promise of Jesus: "And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

This promise was not new--Scripture records that promise many times, which is why Jesus used the word "remember." Indeed, every time the people of God gather for worship, we meet to "remember and believe" that God is with us still, in …

With You Always, From John 14:1-7, Calvin Institute Of Christian Worship

Symposium on Worship Archive

Service outline from the 2006 Calvin Symposium on Worship based on John 14:1-7.

Each service in 2006 follows a theme taken from the final words of Jesus to his disciples before he ascended into heaven. The Gospel according to Matthew ends with this promise of Jesus: "And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

This promise was not new--Scripture records that promise many times, which is why Jesus used the word "remember." Indeed, every time the people of God gather for worship, we meet to "remember and believe" that God is with us still, in …

From Passive To Participative Worship, Constance Cherry

Symposium on Worship Archive

How engaged are the worshipers in your congregation? Do they tend to function as observers or active participants? This session explored how to design worship services that invite dynamic participation.

With You Always, From Exodus 13, Calvin Institute Of Christian Worship

Symposium on Worship Archive

Service outline from the 2006 Calvin Symposium on Worship based on Exodus 13:17-22.

Each service in 2006 follows a theme taken from the final words of Jesus to his disciples before he ascended into heaven. The Gospel according to Matthew ends with this promise of Jesus: "And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

This promise was not new--Scripture records that promise many times, which is why Jesus used the word "remember." Indeed, every time the people of God gather for worship, we meet to "remember and believe" that God is with us still, in …