God, we sing your glorious praises
as we tell your awesome deeds;
you have fashioned all creation
and you meet each creature's needs.
We rejoice in how your people
tasted your great faithfulness;
graced through every generation,
we your mighty acts profess.

- written by Bert Polman for the 150th anniversary of the Christian Reformed Church

Vital Worship
Feature stories...for inspiration, reflection, and group discussion

Vertical Habits: Relational words that expand worship language

Sojourn Community Church in Louisville, Kentucky, created this visual for “I"m Listening.” Image courtesy of Michael Winters.

In worship, we often feel that we don't have the words to bring every part of ourselves to God and to enjoy God's full message to us.

Vertical habits is a framework that pairs relational words with worship habits, such as "I love you" with praise or "I'm listening" with illumination.

Churches and schools that use vertical habits say it helps their communities develop worship habits that deepen their relationship with God and affect every part of their lives. See how their experiences can help enrich worship at your church or school.

Read more.

www.calvin.edu/worship/stories/vhabits.php

Diversity and Innovation in a Multi-Ethnic Church

In this presentation, pastor and sociologist Gerardo Marti provided highlights from his recent book: A Mosaic of Believers: Diversity and Innovation in a Multiethnic Church. He also discussed his current research to discuss worship music as a means to accomplish racial diversity in churches.

Review of Sounds of Global Worship II

We can imagine that in heaven, Jesus, our eternal High Priest, will gather and combine every song that God's people have ever sung into one perfected, unending hymn. You can get a taste of this heavenly song when you listen to Sounds of Global Worship II. The CD's liner notes speak of the recording as a musical banquet. Indeed. Listening to the smorgasbord of songs on the CD brings to mind the words of the Psalmist: "My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips."

Learn more.

www.calvin.edu/worship/global/review_sounds2.php

Special Offer: Sing With Me

As a special offer from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship in partnership with Faith Alive Christian Resources, you can get the Sing With Me children's songbook for half price, plus free shipping. This new 336 page songbook comes packed with nearly 250 easy-to-sing songs kids love. It covers contemporary tunes, global music, traditional hymns, spirituals, and more.

To order, or to view sample songs and an index, go to www.FaithAliveResources.org.

To purchase the regular edition of Sing With Me as part of a worship planning bundle, see Publications.

www.calvin.edu/worship/pub

Recent Posts at our Worship Weblog

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