Thanks for this, Kevin. It rings so true, and I appreciate your wisdom. So much healing is needed, and it's important for us as worship leaders to realize that every minute of the service can offer healing. On this same topic (if people want to read more) I'd recommend Howard Vanderwell's book, Caring Worship: Helping Worship Leaders Provide Pastoral Care through the Liturgy, released in 2017. Howard left us a legacy of caring for people and discusses in the book how we can care for each other in each element of the worship service.
Amen, Scott! When my kids were little we had a very special 'regular' grandmotherly woman in the nursery - and as mothers we knew that no matter if our children cried, fussed, were 'angels' (or not), they were loved by Jessie! You're right - what a ministry.
Love this, Staci! I remember getting together with cousins, uncles and aunts, grandpa and grandma, having a meal (potluck) , and then singing together - every Christmas carol we could think of and anything else that was requested. My uncle played the piano by ear, and he could play everything we threw at him - hymns included. My large (extended) family had a family favorite that was sung at every occasion called "Every Day With Jesus" - and we'd often end with that (or the Doxology). Everyone stayed around the table and sang - young and old - melody and harmony - it was a sweet and special time. (seriously - it would go on for a long time - 45 minutes to an hour). I don't remember a single Christmas present I received from that party, but I remember the holy moments of making music together!
I love this - thank you, Rebecca! I have wonderful memories of family worship with my grandchildren. In addition to the Bible story and singing (don't forget to sing together!), we always read a Psalm. Bob & Laura Keeley authored a very good Psalm devotional called "Psalms for Families: Devotions for All Ages". (https://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/psalms-for-families-devotions-for-all-ages-introduction). I encourage grandparents also to take advantage of the precious time with their grandchildren and worship together in your home.
Life is precious. Thank you for sharing your story of Dylan, Mark, and for your honesty that there are no easy answers in this life. I'm thankful that as Christians we know that God holds all things in his hands - all the complications of health care - and even life and death are in his strong and loving hands.
Along with some of the things you've described, we also had a theme song for Advent that was sung each week during Advent in different places in the worship service. The church could choose a theme song for each season - perhaps that goes with the scripture passage that is memorized, or a theme for the season. As we participated in the season of waiting (advent), we used the refrain, "Take O Take Me As I Am" (#741 in Lift Up Your Hearts), and also did motions. The children enjoyed learning the motions with the adults in worship. Since the church was also going through a renewal process, we also added a 2nd 'verse' and sang, "Take O take us as we are..."
Sharing a meal, in our homes or churches, can be another one of those 'ordinary means of grace' that seem small but can have real meaningful effects. There's something about sitting around a table together that is nurturing not only in physical ways but spiritually as well.
Kudos for wanting to learn more about worship with your team. I'm not familiar with that book, but a few I can think of are: The Worship Architect, by Constance Cherry - I've just studied this book recently for a class and found it very helpful in thinking about planning worship. We've (Worship Ministries) been hosting Peer Learning Groups for worship leaders (planners, worship committees, etc.) the last few years. The books that groups are currently using are: The Next Worship, by Sandra Van Opstal - a great book to help you think about multicultural worship in your context. Also, The Accessible Gospel - a book that looks at making the worship accessible to all people, including those with abilities and disabilities. Last year worship groups studied the book, Stilling the Storm, by Kathy Smith - this book is great for a church that is going through transition and/or difficult times.
If you'd like more information on the peer learning groups that we are supporting, email me at [email protected].
I remember this practice, too, Staci, and as a musician I remember the anticipation of whether someone would pick a really hard song to play! But I, too, really enjoyed this. Maybe now churches could have a "Song Request Box" in the back of church, and members could drop in a paper with a song they'd like to sing. The worship leader/planner could try to incorporate these requests as much as possible. It would give people new ownership and involvement in the worship, wouldn't it?
How about books to read with children that form their faith? Like the Chronicles of Narnia? Or the Psalms - the excellent collection by Bob & Laura Keeley, Psalms for Families. I know a lot of people like The Jesus Storybook for young kids, but I always liked My First Message by Eugene Peterson.
Posted in: Healing Worship
Thanks for this, Kevin. It rings so true, and I appreciate your wisdom. So much healing is needed, and it's important for us as worship leaders to realize that every minute of the service can offer healing. On this same topic (if people want to read more) I'd recommend Howard Vanderwell's book, Caring Worship: Helping Worship Leaders Provide Pastoral Care through the Liturgy, released in 2017. Howard left us a legacy of caring for people and discusses in the book how we can care for each other in each element of the worship service.
Posted in: Immersed in God's Love (A Short Theology of Nursery)
Amen, Scott! When my kids were little we had a very special 'regular' grandmotherly woman in the nursery - and as mothers we knew that no matter if our children cried, fussed, were 'angels' (or not), they were loved by Jessie! You're right - what a ministry.
Posted in: His Enough is Enough
Thank you, Jolene. This is such an encouraging message for today and every day!
Posted in: A Birthday Cake for Jesus
Love this, Staci! I remember getting together with cousins, uncles and aunts, grandpa and grandma, having a meal (potluck) , and then singing together - every Christmas carol we could think of and anything else that was requested. My uncle played the piano by ear, and he could play everything we threw at him - hymns included. My large (extended) family had a family favorite that was sung at every occasion called "Every Day With Jesus" - and we'd often end with that (or the Doxology). Everyone stayed around the table and sang - young and old - melody and harmony - it was a sweet and special time. (seriously - it would go on for a long time - 45 minutes to an hour). I don't remember a single Christmas present I received from that party, but I remember the holy moments of making music together!
Posted in: Family Worship: Something to Get Excited About
I love this - thank you, Rebecca! I have wonderful memories of family worship with my grandchildren. In addition to the Bible story and singing (don't forget to sing together!), we always read a Psalm. Bob & Laura Keeley authored a very good Psalm devotional called "Psalms for Families: Devotions for All Ages". (https://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/psalms-for-families-devotions-for-all-ages-introduction). I encourage grandparents also to take advantage of the precious time with their grandchildren and worship together in your home.
Posted in: The Trials of Charlie Gard
Life is precious. Thank you for sharing your story of Dylan, Mark, and for your honesty that there are no easy answers in this life. I'm thankful that as Christians we know that God holds all things in his hands - all the complications of health care - and even life and death are in his strong and loving hands.
Posted in: Organizing Your Faith Formation Tools
Along with some of the things you've described, we also had a theme song for Advent that was sung each week during Advent in different places in the worship service. The church could choose a theme song for each season - perhaps that goes with the scripture passage that is memorized, or a theme for the season. As we participated in the season of waiting (advent), we used the refrain, "Take O Take Me As I Am" (#741 in Lift Up Your Hearts), and also did motions. The children enjoyed learning the motions with the adults in worship. Since the church was also going through a renewal process, we also added a 2nd 'verse' and sang, "Take O take us as we are..."
Posted in: My New Year's Resolution: To Be An "Ordinary Christian"
Sharing a meal, in our homes or churches, can be another one of those 'ordinary means of grace' that seem small but can have real meaningful effects. There's something about sitting around a table together that is nurturing not only in physical ways but spiritually as well.
Posted in: Worship Committee Book Study Ideas?
Hi Andrew,
Kudos for wanting to learn more about worship with your team. I'm not familiar with that book, but a few I can think of are: The Worship Architect, by Constance Cherry - I've just studied this book recently for a class and found it very helpful in thinking about planning worship. We've (Worship Ministries) been hosting Peer Learning Groups for worship leaders (planners, worship committees, etc.) the last few years. The books that groups are currently using are: The Next Worship, by Sandra Van Opstal - a great book to help you think about multicultural worship in your context. Also, The Accessible Gospel - a book that looks at making the worship accessible to all people, including those with abilities and disabilities. Last year worship groups studied the book, Stilling the Storm, by Kathy Smith - this book is great for a church that is going through transition and/or difficult times.
If you'd like more information on the peer learning groups that we are supporting, email me at [email protected].
Posted in: I Choose Hope!
Thank you, Jolene, for this prophetic word on hope.
Posted in: Does Your Worship Team Take Song Requests?
I remember this practice, too, Staci, and as a musician I remember the anticipation of whether someone would pick a really hard song to play! But I, too, really enjoyed this. Maybe now churches could have a "Song Request Box" in the back of church, and members could drop in a paper with a song they'd like to sing. The worship leader/planner could try to incorporate these requests as much as possible. It would give people new ownership and involvement in the worship, wouldn't it?
Posted in: Go-to Books on Nurturing the Faith of Children
How about books to read with children that form their faith? Like the Chronicles of Narnia? Or the Psalms - the excellent collection by Bob & Laura Keeley, Psalms for Families. I know a lot of people like The Jesus Storybook for young kids, but I always liked My First Message by Eugene Peterson.