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office of theology and worship

New video series on ‘Copyrights in Worship’ now available

“Our use of language, symbols and cultural forms in Christian worship is founded on the gift of Jesus’ incarnation,” said the Rev. Dr. David Gambrell, quoting the Book of Order (W-1.0301), in his opening for a video addressing copyright issues in worship. The same passage in the Book of Order later states, “Through Jesus Christ, we may speak truthfully to God and lift up our hearts with gratitude.” The video, “Copyrights in Worship: Words,” is the second in a series of six short videos produced by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) through a collaboration between its Office of Theology & Worship, legal staff and Communications team.

Elijah’s cry from beneath a broom tree resonates today

With a selected preaching text of 1 Kings 19:4–8, the account of Elijah asking God for death and God instead providing an angel to minister to the prophet for the long journey ahead, the Rev. So Jung Kim delivered a homily during a recent Chapel Service for the PC(USA)’s national staff filled with encouragement to care for one another in similar ways.

‘If I showed up at your church, somebody other than Jesus would be happy to see me’

With Ephesians 2:10 as their scriptural basis, the co-moderators of the 226th General Assembly, the Rev. CeCe Armstrong and the Rev. Tony Larson, joined the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Rev. Jihyun Oh, to lead a hybrid worship service Wednesday in the Chapel at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville, Kentucky. One by one, the three recently elected denominational leaders spoke on “Created,” “Called” and “Commissioned.”

Elijah’s cry from beneath a broom tree resonates today

With a selected preaching text of 1 Kings 19:4-8, the account of Elijah asking God for death and God instead providing an angel to minister to the prophet for the long journey ahead, the Rev. So Jung Kim delivered a homily during Wednesday’s Chapel Service for the PC(USA)’s national staff filled with encouragement to care for one another in similar ways.

The PC(USA)’s Daily Prayer app gets a big update

An updated version of the PC(USA)’s Daily Prayer app is now available for Apple, Android and Amazon devices. The app has been downloaded more than 10,000 times since its debut in 2012. This is the first significant update to the app, and it comes in response to requests to have the new version match the latest (2018) version of the Book of Common Worship.

The PC(USA)’s Call to Worship journal launches a new website with more digital content

“For more than 50 years, Call to Worship and its precursor journals have fostered deep dialogue among pastors, musicians, and scholars around the theology and practice of worship,” said the Rev. Dr. David Gambrell, associate for worship with the Presbyterian Mission Agency, who sees the new website as an opportunity to expand these conversations in digital spaces and draw in fresh perspectives.

A Presbyterian minister discusses her intentional approach to retirement

“I definitely say that retirement for me has been a gift. It’s a gift of time,” the Rev. Dr. Barbara Cathey says during the fourth episode of the 2024 season of “Everyday God-talk,” produced by the Rev. Dr. So Jung Kim, associate for theology in the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s Office of Theology & Worship.

A retired PC(USA) minister lives into the call to let go

“The way I’ve always done ministry is that I love my people,” said the Rev. Cynthia Jarvis, a retired pastor in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), in a recent episode of “Everyday God-talk.” Jarvis spoke to the Rev. Dr. So Jung Kim, associate for Theology in the Office of Theology and Worship, in three 10-minute conversations organized around the themes of how Jarvis’ soul, heart and mind are responding to the call to retire.