Calvin Institute of Christian Worship

https://worship.calvin.edu/resources/publications/servanthood-of-song-music-ministry-and-the-church-in-the-united-states
'Servanthood of Song,' a new book in the Worship and Witness series with Wipf and Stock Publishers, provides a critical resource for anyone considering a career in either musical or pastoral ministries in the American church as well as all who care passionately about vital and authentic worship for the church of today.

Servanthood of Song: Music, Ministry, and the Church in the United States 'Servanthood of Song' is a history of American church music from the colonial era to the present. Its focus is on the institutional and societal pressures that have shaped church song and have led us directly to where we are today.

Check out this new book in our 'Worship and Witness' series with Wipf and Stock Publishers/Cascade Books, https://worship.calvin.edu/resources/publications/sound-theology and thanks to author-pastor Randall Engle for sharing his wisdom.

The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship has awarded today yearlong grants to 48 recipients throughout the United States and Canada to stimulate thoughtful, innovative work aimed at strengthening Christian worship practices and preaching.

CICW Grants Fund 48 New Projects in Worship and Preaching Vital Worship, Vital Preaching grants fund diverse projects for worshiping communities and teacher-scholars.

https://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/semillas-de-adoraci-n-une-grupos-tnicos-y-generacionales
The "Seeds of Worship" project, initiated by Van Nuys United Methodist Church, has successfully brought together people from diverse ethnic and generational backgrounds. Thanks to the thoughtful strategies implemented by the congregation, they were able to teach and worship as one body, creating a powerful and deeply meaningful experience for everyone involved.

Churches sometimes ignore or separate children and adults with intellectual disability from general church worship and congregational life. But schools, service agencies, and churches can expand one another’s imaginations about what’s possible for and with people with intellectual and development disabilities. Even small congregations can experience the joy of learning to include all abilities in the body of Christ. https://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/kate-strater-on-ministry-with-and-by-people-with-intellectual-disability

Young adults with intellectual disability (ID) often feel left out, even at church. But schools, churches, and agencies can work together to create a sense of belonging that nurtures everyone. Inclusive postsecondary education increases opportunity for employment, independent living, and sharing God-given gifts.

Kate Strater on Including Young Adults with Intellectual Disability Young adults with intellectual disability (ID) often feel left out, even at church. But schools, churches, and agencies can work together to create a sense of belonging that nurtures everyone. Inclusive postsecondary education increases opportunity for employment, independent living, and sharing God...

Now that AI has the capacity to write sermons and mimic emotional care, how should AI be used in churches?

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?

https://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/derek-schuurman-on-a-reformed-worldview-and-artificial-intelligence Calvin University

Derek Schuurman on a Reformed Worldview and Artificial Intelligence Many Christians are wary about rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI). Some think AI has nothing to do with faith or the Bible. Others worry that AI will take over the world. Computer science scholar Derek Schuurman discusses how to connect bytes and beliefs.

https://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/el-segundo-tiempo-ordinario-mayo-y-junio-del-a-o-cristiano-y-el-calendario-lit-rgico

El segundo tiempo ordinario (mayo y junio) del año cristiano y el calendario litúrgico La Trinidad como modelo para la unidad y misión de la iglesia y la multifacética obra del Espíritu Santo en nosotros.

Christian Reformed Church in North America - CRCNA

All of us at CICW are deeply grateful for the many contributions that Neal Plantinga has made to our mission since our founding in 1997. Since his retirement as President of Calvin Theological Seminary, Neal has served as Senior Research Fellow at CICW. During this time, Neal has served on our publications team, reviewing manuscripts and advising on publication projects. He has preached in many congregations, participated in Symposium sessions each year, and advised pastors who have sought out his advice. He has also published Reading for Preaching (2013), Morning and Evening Prayers (2021), Under the Wings of God (2023), Gratitude: Why Giving Thanks is the Key to Our Well-Being (2024), several Reformed Worship articles, as well as essays in many other journals.

Neal's contributions to CICW started long before he joined our team. During his tenure as Calvin University's Dean of the Chapel, he co-authored, with Sue Rozeboom, Discerning the Spirits: A Guide to Thinking about Christian Worship Today (2003), the fruit of CICW's very first seminar group, convened in 1998. Through all these years, Neal has been a deeply encouraging member of our team. As he retires from this staff role at CICW, we eager to express our gratitude to him and to God, the giver of all good gifts!

All of us at CICW are deeply grateful for the many contributions that Neal Plantinga has made to our mission since our founding in 1997. Since his retirement as President of Calvin Theological Seminary, Neal has served as Senior Research Fellow at CICW. During this time, Neal has served on our publications team, reviewing manuscripts and advising on publication projects. He has preached in many congregations, participated in Symposium sessions each year, and advised pastors who have sought out his advice. He has also published Reading for Preaching (2013), Morning and Evening Prayers (2021), Under the Wings of God (2023), Gratitude: Why Giving Thanks is the Key to Our Well-Being (2024), several Reformed Worship articles, as well as essays in many other journals.

Neal's contributions to CICW started long before he joined our team. During his tenure as Calvin University's Dean of the Chapel, he co-authored, with Sue Rozeboom, Discerning the Spirits: A Guide to Thinking about Christian Worship Today (2003), the fruit of CICW's very first seminar group, convened in 1998. Through all these years, Neal has been a deeply encouraging member of our team. As he retires from this staff role at CICW, we eager to express our gratitude to him and to God, the giver of all good gifts!

A service of reflection and celebration this Juneteenth day. Thanks be to God.

Vesper | Grounded in God: A Faith-filled Testimony of the African American Church in Song 2019 Calvin Symposium on WorshipVesper | Grounded in God A Faith filled Testimony of the African American Church in SongLed by James Abbington and the One Lo...

Tonight at 7 pm EDT join this lecture given by Esther Lightcap Meek on "Recovering Our Love of the Real" hosted by CICW and livestreamed from Calvin Seminary chapel room.

Recovering Our Love of the Real | Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Many people feel that reality is just impersonal, indifferent, and meaningless, only grist for society’s pragmatic utility and scaling of power and mastery. ...

https://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/benjamin-brody-on-writing-new-hymn-tunes

Benjamin Brody on Writing New Hymn Tunes You might think that hymn tunes must always be in four-part harmony. But hymn tune composer Benjamin Brody includes many music styles for congregational singing in his new hymn collection At the Weaving of Creation: 50 New Tunes.

Music, leadership, and formation,

Brian Reichenbach on Including Band and Orchestra Students in Church Music Playing his trumpet in worship alongside adult instrumentalists profoundly affected Brian Reichenbach’s Christian faith and church life. He works to help congregations give school band and orchestra students a similar grounding.

https://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/el-a-o-cristiano-y-el-calendario-lit-rgico-una-gu-a-para-los-ritmos-y-nfasis-cristol-gicos-durante-el-a-o-para-la-adoraci-n-en-las-iglesias Mariano Avila

El año cristiano y el calendario litúrgico: Una guía para los ritmos y énfasis cristológicos durante el año para la adoración en las iglesias. En el mundo cristiano evangélico ya existe por la fuerza de la herencia y costumbre, un calendario litúrgico, aunque no lo llamemos así. Celebramos por lo menos la Navidad y la Semana Santa, aunque conozco iglesias que no lo hacen por considerar esas fiestas de origen pagano en términos de la fe...

https://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/brian-hehn-on-an-ecumenical-ccli-top-songs-list/ Brian Hehn

Brian Hehn on an Ecumenical CCLI Top Songs List CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing, Inc.) hugely influences what many congregations sing, so the United Methodist Church began vetting CCLI Top 100 songs in 2015. Since then, song leader Brian Hehn has been encouraging other denominations to vet these popular contemporary worship songs so he can ev...

https://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/vetting-ccli-worship-songs-for-faith-formation

Vetting CCLI Worship Songs for Faith Formation Several denominations have created or are creating rubrics for vetting CCLI Top 100 contemporary worship songs. Vetting sparks conversations that help worship leaders make faithful decisions about which songs to put on congregations’ lips.

Application deadline of June 15 for CICW's Vital Worship, Vital Preaching grants program, https://worship.calvin.edu/grants/

Now is the time to consider joining the more than 1000 communities and scholars across CAN and the USA who have participated in this vibrant program.

Makoto Fujimura, Pentecost, Mineral Pigments and Gold on Kumohada over Board; 2008.

Christians in South India are reviving keerthanais, poems of Christian praise and devotion sung in the Tamil language. They are working to bring this cultural expression back into church, https://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/tamil-christians-revive-keerthanai-music/

Salmos 100 y 23: Llamado a la adoración y una expresión de plena confianza, https://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/salmos-100-y-23-llamado-a-la-adoraci-n-y-una-expresi-n-de-plena-confianza

En el libro de los Salmos encontramos un modelo que muestra cómo los creyentes antiguos caminaron en el camino de la vida sorteando las muchas circunstancias de la vida.

Salmos 100 y 23: Llamado a la adoración y una expresión de plena confianza En el libro de los Salmos encontramos un modelo que muestra cómo los creyentes antiguos caminaron en el camino de la vida sorteando las muchas circunstancias de la vida.

This week marks the ascension of Jesus to heaven. Some churches observe Ascension Day with a service on that Thursday (May 9, 2024). Others observe Jesus’ ascension on the preceding or following Sunday. As during the celebration of Easter, the liturgical colors are white and gold. The ascension of Jesus serves as the prelude to Pentecost, when the power of the risen Christ came upon all believers through the Holy Spirit.

Ascension Resource Guide This list of Ascension Day resources, including songs, reflections, visual arts, and readings, will help you plan worship for Ascension Day, traditionally celebrated 40 days after Easter. Ascension Day worship services celebrate Jesus Christ ascending into heaven after giving his disciples the Great...

Monthly email from CICW, https://mailchi.mp/calvin/new-on-the-web-from-cicw-4h6bzwazyb-1131320?e=ce3d0fb3a2

We updated a conversation with Rosemary Apol-Hoezee on dementia and worship (see https://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/rosemary-apol-hoezee-on-dementia-and-worship/) to include the now available second edition of Evening Star handbook: https://dementia-institute.org/product/evening-star-handbook/

Evening Star™ – Dementia Institute This Evening Star™ handbook was written to shape meaningful Christian worship with persons living with dementia. The purpose of the handbook is to help someone experiencing brain changes related to dementia feel like a truly valued child of God.

CICW is hiring! Help us spread the word about a full-time position at CICW for Communication Coordinator and Administrative Assistant. See https://g.co/kgs/renp1bh

https://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/daniel-i-block-on-god-s-grace-in-ezekiel

Daniel I. Block on God’s Grace in Ezekiel Although Ezekiel’s strange visions and often shocking images perplex readers, Old Testament scholar Daniel I. Block explains why the book of Ezekiel is worth reading. The judgment, grace, and love God spoke through Ezekiel to Israel also apply to the church today.

So grateful for this panel of wise, pastoral leaders at the 2024 Calvin ,

Leading Worship in a Trauma-informed Way The Official Magazine of the Christian Reformed Church

The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship has awarded yearlong grants to 38 recipients across the United States and Canada to stimulate thoughtful, creative work in strengthening Christian worship practices and preaching.

Latest Round of CICW Grants to Fund 38 Worship and Preaching Renewal Projects Vital Worship, Vital Preaching grants fund new projects for worshiping communities and teacher-scholars.

https://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/cunado-el-camino-se-torna-dif-cil-el-sufrimiento-y-la-presencia-de-dios

Cunado el camino se torna difícil: El sufrimiento y la presencia de Dios En medio, entre el salmo uno y el 150, se encuentra la vida con toda su complejidad. Es un camino con altas y bajas, con obstáculos y desviaciones, con trampas y peligros. Eso es lo que encontramos en los demás salmos. Es un camino tortuoso, difícil, plagado de sufrimientos, luchas, enemigos, tri...