I’m always on the lookout for good resources to aid in the preparation of liturgies for the corporate worship of God’s people. Well, I don’t need to look any further. Ryan Kelly has served the church well with the publication of this volume. Every pastor and music leader in the church will want a copy of this book. This is not the kind of work that one reads once or simply places on the shelf alongside other “worship” books. Rather, this volume is a resource that will be employed weekly by all attempting to prayerfully craft liturgies aimed at ministering faithfully to God’s people. There is no greater duty or delight for the Christian than gathering with God’s people in worship; and preparing for those gatherings is one of the greatest duties and delights of the pastor. With this publication, that delightful duty just became richer, simpler, and more informed thanks to Dr. Kelly. -- Jason Helopoulos, Senior Pastor, University Reformed Church, East Lansing, Michigan
Ryan Kelly has served the church well in gathering from the scriptures calls to worship, invocations, and benedictions. With good judgment, and a persuasive appeal to the history of Reformed worship, these resources come in the express words of Scripture, though some faithfully reflect and apply the message of Scripture in words of purely human composition. The book organizes these resources around the liturgical calendar, but none of them is so tied to those occasions that it could not be used at any time the church gathers to worship. This little book will assist pastors and elders to serve their people well and for that I warmly commend it to all who lead the flock in the sacred assembly -- David Strain, Senior Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Mississippi
Calls to Worship, Invocations and Benedictions offers an excellent introduction to basic elements of Reformed liturgy arranged by the church’s calendar. Ryan Kelly provides biblically rich and pertinent theological texts to enhance the labors of worship leaders and pastors in their liturgical planning. This is a blessing to read, a useful tool for preparation and a motivation to pursue fidelity and excellence in the praise of our Lord who is exalted over all. -- Peter Lillback, President, Westminster Theological Seminary
“Few elements in reformed liturgy receive less contemplation than the beginning and ending of our services. Let such inattention be gone! With Calls to Worship, Invocations, and Benedictions, Ryan Kelly has called the church to thoughtfulness, invoked the historical and theological backdrop, and blessed us with a vast array of biblical selections to deploy for these core worship elements. Pick up and heed.” -- David B. Garner, Academic Dean and Professor of Systematic Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary
Experienced pastors know that every element in the worship service matters: not least of these are the calls to worship, invocations, and benedictions with which gathered worship begins and ends. Ryan Kelly has performed a great service by organizing material from Scripture and church history to sharpen and uplift our leadership of public worship as pastors. It will not take long for my copy of this useful book to become well-worn! I highly commend it to all ministers of the gospel. -- Richard D. Phillips, Senior Minister, Second Presbyterian Church, Greenville, South Carolina
