Our faith is shaped and nurtured as we worship God together. This page includes ideas for strengthening the relationship between your church's congregational worship and educational ministries.
Commissioning
September is the time when many churches begin a new season of programs. A service of commissioning is a wonderful time to recognize the commitment and gifts of the workers involved in these programs and to ask God’s blessing on their ministry. Check out the following services from Reformed Worship online here.
Also look at the Reformed Church in America's Learning for Life commissioning service for Christian Educators (.pdf). Scroll down to pages 18 to 20.
The Journey of Life Drama
by Laura and Robert Keeley
Use this drama as part of a worship service with an emphasis on church education or as part of a commissioning service of church school volunteers.
Prayer
The following responsive prayer for illumination can be used before Scripture is read.
Reader: Blessed Lord, we remember Enoch who walked with you.
People: Help us to walk with you.
Reader: We remember Noah who obeyed and by faith built the ark.
People: Help us to respond in obedience.
Reader: We remember Abraham who left his family to follow God and became the father of many nations.
People: Help us to follow you.
Reader: We remember Jacob who wrestled with you and was blessed.
People: Help us to wrestle with your Word and be blessed by it.
Reader: Prepare our hearts and lives so that we are strengthened and changed by your Word.
People: Help us, Lord. Amen.
Advent and Your Faith Story
Advent is a great time to share stories of faith. As we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth, we can learn more about our church community too. Check out the Reformed Worship article “Linking the Advent Wreath to Our Faith Stories” by Laura and Robert Keeley to learn how to incorporate story into a worship service and share faith stories at home.
Songs
The following songs address the theme of faith formation in various ways and may be helpful in your worship planning. If you would like to suggest additional songs for this list, please email Jolanda Malburg at jmalburg@crcna.org.
The following abbreviations tell where to locate these songs:
PsH refers to Psalter Hymnal, Faith Alive Christian Resources, 1987
SNC refers to Sing! a New Creation, Faith Alive Christian Resources, 2001
SWM refers to Sing With Me, Faith Alive Christian Resources, 2006
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SWM 161
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“Be Thou My Vision”
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SWM 18
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“Every Move I Make”
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PsH 547
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“Fill Thou My Life, O Lord, My God”
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PsH 556, SWM 194
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“Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
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SWM 193
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“Guide My Feet”
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SWM 198
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“He Leadeth Me”
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SWM 200
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“Hey-O”
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PsH 530
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“I Love to Tell the Story”
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SWM 205
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“I Walk by Faith”
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SNC 77
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“I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”
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SWM 208
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“In Christ Alone”
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PsH 544
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“Lead Me, Guide Me Along the Way”
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PsH 291, SWM 211
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“May the Mind of Christ, My Savior”
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SNC 17, SWM 12
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“Step by Step”
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PsH 289
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“Take My Life That It May Be”
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SWM 192
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“The Lord Is My Shepherd”
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SNC 86, SWM 177
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“Thy Word”
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SWM 217
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“Walk Like Jesus”
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SWM 183
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“You Are My All in All”
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