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The Radiant Preciousness of Jesus Series

During this Lenten season, I intend to focus these meditations on the radiant preciousness of our Lord Jesus Christ and his love-driven willingness to endure cruel suffering and death in order to bring us new life.

February 21, 2012
Coop's Column - Creation's Choir Sings Hymns of Praise

It takes an act of slowing life down enough to cultivate wonder, which is one of the reasons God bids his children to practice Sabbath—to take a day off in order to savor life for the sheer and undeserved gift that it is, and then in turn to worship God and to give God thanks for it. This column includes an audio recording by Dale Cooper.

February 15, 2012
Using Re-tuned Hymns in Worship

Mike Cosper and Kevin Twit discuss using old hymn texts set to new music and how to nurture a “hymn movement,” including such issues as finding texts, songwriting, copyright issues, as well as working with artists, and recording and distributing music.

January 27, 2012

Emerging Adults, Emerging Worship

We are currently observing a new phenomenon within the development of young adults: emerging adulthood, which spans the ages of 18 to 29, marked by unprecedented options for education, work and career choices, delayed marriage and family life, and remarkable geographic mobility.

January 27, 2012
My Life and the Soundtrack of Hymns

Hymns have been woven into our lives with layers of significance. Hear the stories behind the hymns that were written, why hymns still matter today, and how they have shaped my own story. This session was a combination of discussion, performance and singing together.

January 27, 2012
The Strange Silence of Songs of Justice in Contemporary Biblical Worship

The word justice is never far hidden in the vocabulary of the psalmists. Over half the psalms specifically use the word. But in worship today, particularly in the Western church, the word is suspect and politicised.

January 27, 2012

What College Students Have Taught Me About Preaching

They are the emerging leaders in our congregations. They are only a few years away from serving as deacons, elders, or preachers themselves. What are they listening for in sermons? What are they hungry for? What bores them?

January 27, 2012
Worshiping in a Multicultural Environment

A multicultural, multilingual congregation is one that reflects the diversity of God’s kingdom, but also the complexities of life together this side of eternity. Having a way of understanding and interpreting the differences among us makes it possible to anticipate the worship described in the Revelation vision.

January 27, 2012

Talking with Children about the Sacraments

These two mothers of young children have a particular interest in helping children understand what it means to be baptized and to participate in the Lord’s Supper.

January 27, 2012
Worship in the Desert: The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers

“Spirituality” and “Worship” have been hot topics recently. In this session we’ll explore the world and worship of the ancient desert monastics—Christians living in the rugged regions of Syria and Egypt in early Christian history.

January 27, 2012
Does Worship Keep Your Understanding of God Too Small? Insights from Ancient Constantinople about the Transcendent in Worship

Worship today often stresses the nearness of God, on God as our personal friend. But God is much more. This session explored the setting and practices of worship in 6th century Constantinople to learn how they can contribute to our worship practices and larger understanding of the greatness of God.

January 27, 2012