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Rolf Bouma

Rolf Bouma (rbouma@umich.edu) is a pastor at Campus Chapel Ministries, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Articles by this author:

  • Focus on the Father: A four-week series on the prodigal son

    By Rolf Bouma

    This series of services based on the parable of the prodigal son was developed by Rolf Bouma when he was copastor of Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was influenced by Henri Nouwen's The Return of the Prodigal Son and Robert Farrar Capon's The Parables of Grace. Bouma also acknowledges contributions by others in churches where he preached this series, including copastors Leonard Vander Zee and Roy Berkenbosch at Eastern Avenue and Paul Brink and Charlotte Larsen of the Ann Arbor (Michigan) Christian Reformed Church.

  • The Wayward, Wanton, and Wasteful Daughter

    By Rolf Bouma

    Characters: Younger Daughter, Elder Daughter, Mother, Bartender/Diner, Neighbors, Interrupter

    Props: Textbooks, apron, bottles and glass, table settings, food scraps, bar stool, desk, knapsack, suitcase

    Note: In week one, use the script as printed below. In week three, add the two shaded portions of script included at the end of the drama and indicated in the script.

    [Mother and two daughters go to center platform, one on each side, mother's arms on their shoulders.]

  • Week Four: Come, Celebrate

    By Rolf Bouma
    God Gathers Us for Worship

    Opening is structured as congregation is accustomed. Songs should be celebrative. Include the song "And Jesus Said," by Gloria Grindall and Joy Paterson (see RW 41, p. 32). Include prayers of the people in this section.

    God Invites Us to a Party

    Prayer for Illumination

    Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

    Sermon: "It's Party Time!"

  • Week One: The Younger Son

    By Rolf Bouma
    God Gathers Us for Worship

    Opening is structured as congregation is accustomed, with emphasis on praise for God's gracious-ness. Suggested hymns include "I Will Sing of My Redeemer" (PsH 479), "Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing" (PsH 501, PH 466, RL 362, 363, TH 164).

    God Embraces Us in Grace

    Drama: The Wayward, Wanton, and Wasteful Daughter (see p. 24)

  • Week Three: The Father

    By Rolf Bouma
    God Gathers Us for Worship

    Opening is structured as congregation is accustomed.

    God Embraces Us in Grace

    Drama: The Wayward, Wanton, and Wasteful
    Daughter
     (Modified—see box, pp. 24-25.)

    Hymn: Sung to the tune of MORNING SONG, PsH 615, PH 60O, RL 48O, TWL 277

    [Sing stanzas 1 and 2.]

  • Week Two: The Older Son

    By Rolf Bouma
    God Gathers Us for Worship

    Opening is structured as congregation is accustomed.

    God Embraces Us in Grace

    Reading: From Madeleine L'Engle's And It Was Good:

    Reflections on Beginnings

  • The Earth is the Lord's: Service planning for Ascension and Pentecost

    By Rolf Bouma

    These four services celebrating God's creation have been designed to fit into the liturgical calendar on the Sundays between Ascension Day and the first Sunday in Ordinary Time. The services would be equally appropriate as a freestanding series on creation sometime during the summer months.