Resources by Norma de Waal Malefyt

Unity, Reconciliation, Justice
Belhar Confession Justice Reconciliation Unity Worship Planning
May 7, 2013

The following is a collection of building blocks for a series of worship services based on key themes from the Belhar Confession. This series is adapted from the longer version available on the website of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship (worship.calvin.edu.) A few notes:

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Gustav Klimtv "Pear Tree"
Dwelling with Philippians
Contentment Daily Living Humility Joy Philippians (book) Trust Union With Christ
May 27, 2011

Philippians has been the focus for Bible study groups on the campus of Calvin College and Hope College in Michigan during this past year. More than 1,500 students participated in small-group Bible studies, which often included a combination of faculty, staff, and students. A number of churches across the country also joined the study.

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Piano Resources for Advent, Christmas, Epiphany
Advent Christmas Epiphany Music Piano Worship Planning
September 1, 2010

I can’t imagine worship through the cycle of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany without music. Through the centuries, composers and arrangers have offered the church a wealth of music that is consistent with the themes of worship for these seasons.

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Congregational Songs for Weddings
Congregational Singing Music Wedding
December 1, 2008

Music and weddings go together hand in hand—in fact, music gives voice to the celebration in ways no other medium can! While the church considers weddings to be private family events, the gathered guests, who function as the congregation, can and should have opportunity to praise God joyously, pray for the bride and groom’s new life together, and encourage them with Scripture. Much of this can happen in song!

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A Case for Collaboration
Worship Worship Planning
March 5, 2005

This article is adapted from the book Designing Worship Together: Models and Strategies for Worship Planning, (Alban Institute, 2005), by Norma de Waal Malefyt and Howard Vanderwell. It is a collection of their shared wisdom from many years of fruitful collaboration as senior pastor and music director at Hillcrest Christian Reformed Church, Hudsonville, Michigan. This book would make a fruitful study by worship planning teams and worship committees.

 

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Ring Those Bells!
Handbell Leading Worship Worship Planning
December 2, 2002

From time to time all of us who plan worship need some new ideas and triggers that will spark our creativity. Using handbells in worship can be such a spark. I like to think of bells as a seasoning to the “meat and potatoes” of the liturgy. Used with discretion, bells can be an outstanding asset to engage the congregation’s senses in worship.

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Picture Jesus: eight service plans for Lent and Easter
Easter Lent Worship Planning
December 1, 1999

A copy of this article, complete with graphics, is available at the end of the article.

This series of messages was prepared for the worship life of Hillcrest Christian Reformed Church for Lent 1999. Our intent during this season was to help members of the congregation to slow down the pace of life, to think reflectively and devotionally about their relationship with God by focusing on the person and work of their Savior.

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WE APPROACH GOD IN GRIEF AND SORROW

Prelude: "Duet No. 2 in F Major," Beethoven unaccompanied flute and bassoon

The Call to Worship

Hymn: "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise" PsH 460, PH 263, RL 7, TH 38

stanzas 1-3

Our Declaration of Trust and God's Greeting

Congregation of Jesus Christ, in whom are you trusting?

Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth.

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Members, Methods, and Mandates
Congregation Elders Leading Worship Worship Planning
September 1, 1994

Church worship can easily be destroyed by extremes. The same is true for the worship planning process. One extreme occurs when no one is ultimately in charge; the other occurs when everyone is. Establishing a worship committee can help churches avoid these extremes.

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