This vesper worship service includes an enactment of one of the most mysterious ancient Hebrew dramas. It focuses initially on this biblical text, newly translated by Tom Boogaart. The congregation embraces the text and responds to it with music, prayer, testimony, and more scriptures.
Jeff Barker, professor of theatre from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, has worked for nearly two decades alongside Tom Boogaart, professor emeritus of Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Their long-awaited book Performing the Plays of the Bible has been released by Webber Institute Books in 2020.
Leaders of this vesper service include Jeff Barker and the Northwestern Drama Ministries Ensemble: Natalie Blackman (the king), Karsten Garwood, Kevin Griffiths (the old prophet), Corrie Hayes, Karisa Meier, Jeremiah Mitchell (the man of God from Judah), Jackson Paganini, Rebekah Stoscher, and Camila Wede.
This session will explore how to talk about differences in Catholic and Protestant worship. Every time we talk with a neighbor, teammate, or coworker from a different Christian tradition about what we do in worship and why, we are practicing liturgical theology. When marked by both conviction and humility, these conversations have rich potential for building holy friendships and deepening our worship of God. Yet they can also backfire, perpetuating stereotypes and leaving us unsure about the point of common practices. Come to this session to learn from veteran participants in both formal ecumenical dialogues and informal neighborhood conversations about how we can engage with believers across the Protestant-Catholic divide in constructive and healing ways.
Come and join a conversation with knowledgeable and experienced preachers and worship planners as we talk about our best practices for Holy Week worship planning. Bring your questions and ideas as we share and learn together.
Music and prayer are prominent elements in worship liturgy. How does the culture of the worship community influence these worship practices? How should we engage culture and yet be countercultural in our practice of music and prayer? Engage with this panel from four continents as we explore how cultural values form and inform worship practices.
This session will explore how to talk about differences in Catholic and Protestant worship. Every time we talk with a neighbor, teammate, or coworker from a different Christian tradition about what we do in worship and why, we are practicing liturgical theology. When marked by both conviction and humility, these conversations have rich potential for building holy friendships and deepening our worship of God. Yet they can also backfire, perpetuating stereotypes and leaving us unsure about the point of common practices. Come to this session to learn from veteran participants in both formal ecumenical dialogues and informal neighborhood conversations about how we can engage with believers across the Protestant-Catholic divide in constructive and healing ways.
Come and join a conversation with knowledgeable and experienced preachers and worship planners as we talk about our best practices for Holy Week worship planning. Bring your questions and ideas as we share and learn together.
Music and prayer are prominent elements in worship liturgy. How does the culture of the worship community influence these worship practices? How should we engage culture and yet be countercultural in our practice of music and prayer? Engage with this panel from four continents as we explore how cultural values form and inform worship practices.
Congregations, pastors, and parents/caregivers have many opportunities to join together in worship and prayer practices that more intentionally engage children and help them come to know and love God and grow in faith together. Panelists will discuss ways to intentionally create intergenerational community in which people of all ages, including children, are welcomed as full participants whose participation enriches the community and gives praise to God.
