Worship

	»	Holy Communion at the End of an Appointment
	»	November Is Native American Heritage Month
	»	Leading Hymns: Who's in Charge? November 6, 2009 (#221) The phone call was not unique. It had come numerous times before in several forms. The caller requests help and answers in resolving a conflict about who has the responsibility for leading congregational singing in the local church -- who's in charge?
	»	International Day for Prayer for the Persecuted Church (November 8, 2009)
	»	A Service of Prayer for Persecuted Christians
	»	"We Stand for Brave and Selfless Friends": Hymn for Veteran's Day (Remembrance Day), November 11 British Methodist pastor and hymn writer, the Rev. Gareth Hill, has written this hymn in observance of the United Kingdom's Remembrance Sunday, equivalent to the USA's Veteran's Day, November 11, the anniversary of the end of hostilities of the First World War at 11:00 A.M. in 1918. It is set here to the tune LLOYD, a strong Common Meter tune that may be unknown to many in the USA.
	»	Hauerwas on Christian Worship: Liturgy as Living Alternative Is your community involved in the work of worship and liturgy or is your worship just coming from a couple folks putting things together from their cubicles for a presentation. Stanley Hauerwas talks about entertainment vs. the work of the people.
	»	Advent Planning Helps and Resources
	»	Christmas Planning Helps and Resources
	»	Christmas & Advent Music and Lyrics
	»	2010 Festival of Homiletics Preaching Conference, May 17-21, 2010, Nashville, TN
	»	GBOD Resources for Thanksgiving
	»	Music and Worship Resources for Christ the King Sunday (November 22, 2009)
	»	Paul Manz -- In Memoriam (May 10, 1919 -- October 29, 2009) Obituary for organist, composer and teacher Paul Manz (May 10, 1919 - October 29, 2009) "So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come." Funeral services will be held in St. Paul on Sunday afternoon, November 8. Paul's many compositions, recordings, and hymn festivals have influenced the art and practice of church music in the United States since the 1960's. His playing and teaching has influenced untold numbers of organists throughout this country who considered him a mentor and friend.
	»	Job Opening: 2012 General Conference Worship & Music Director (pdf) TheĀ WorshipĀ &Ā MusicĀ Director,Ā anĀ individualĀ withĀ aĀ highĀ levelĀ ofĀ organizationalĀ andĀ communicationĀ skills,Ā isĀ responsibleĀ forĀ theĀ overallĀ worshipĀ &Ā musicĀ programĀ managementĀ atĀ GeneralĀ Conference
	»	"Waiting for the Light" Michael Ekbladh has composed this response for congregation and/or choir to accompany the lighting of the Advent and Christmas Eve candles in the Advent wreath. Included are melody-only and 4-part versions of the Advent and Christmas responses.
	»	H1N1 and Services of Baptism Here are some guidelines for the use of water in services of the baptismal covenant during times when water may be more likely to become a means of spreading disease.
	»	Suggestions for Observing Veterans' Day (November 11) in Worship
	»	Simple Gifts: Preaching on the Tough Issues (Sojourners magazine article -- free registration required)
	»	"Equip Me for the War" The text of this Wesley hymn last appeared in the 1878 Methodist Hymnal.
	»	Honoring Fred Kaan (July 27, 1929-October 4, 2009)
	»	Organ and Tissue Donor Sunday (November 8, 2009)
	»	"Adeste Fideles" This familiar, traditional Christmas hymn by John Wade (no. 234 in The United Methodist Hymnal) is presented here with all four stanzas in Latin.
	»	"O God, You Send Us Out to Walk" (A Hymn of Dedication for Those Participating in CROP Walks) Hymn writer Carolyn Winfrey Gillette has composed this new hymn subtitled "A Hymn of Dedication for Those Participating in CROP Walks." It would be appropriate around October 16, designated as World Food Day.
	»	Music Events, 2009-2010
	»	Pastor, Talk to Me About . . . Ecumenical site where laity from across the country discuss what they need to know about the texts this week.
	»	Composer Biography: Tom Council
	»	Open Source Liturgy Project
	»	Planning for Advent, Year C On November 29, 2009, Advent begins; and we move into Year C of the lectionary. During this year of the three-year lectionary cycle, we will read through Luke's gospel, hear the stories and proclamations of the prophets, and spend considerable time in the epistles of Galatians, Colossians, I and II Timothy, and II Thessalonians, with a side-trip in August to complete the readings from Hebrews begun toward the end of Year B.
	»	Advent, Year C: A Season of Flashbacks and Previews The Advent readings for each lectionary year are not merely a progressive build-up to "O Holy Night" on Christmas Eve. They are a series of "flashbacks" and "previews" reminding us that Christ has already come and that Christ will come again in glory.
	»	Advent Wreath Meditations 2009 This set of brief meditations with Scriptures, reflections, and liturgies may be used in lighting the candles of the Advent wreath in worship at church or home.
	»	"O Wondrous Mystery": An Advent/Christmas Hymn for Children This appealing hymn is especially appropriate for children during the seasons of Advent and Christmas. It is based on the medieval text, "O Magnum Mysterium," and contains images of the animals on Christmas morning.
	»	"In This Night We Hear Rejoicing": A Hymn for Christmas Eve Here is a new text for Christmas Eve. It is rooted in the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Christmas Eve, Years A, B, and C, and is set to the lovely Welsh tune, AR HYD Y NOS, which is found at 688 in The United Methodist Hymnal.
	»	Our Hearts Ache Eastward (For victims of floods, earthquakes and tsunamis in the Pacific) O God, our hearts ache eastward For lives lost Suddenly . . .
	»	"Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence": Choral Introit by Tom Council This SATB choral setting of the familiar hymn "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" is suitable for Advent, Christmas, and Holy Communion as an anthem, choral introit, or hymn introduction.
	»	Prepare the Way of the Lord": Choral Introit by Tom Council This is an SATB choral setting of the familiar Isaiah 40:3 Advent text suitable as an introit or procession.
	»	H1N1 Virus/Swine Flu Fall 2009 Update: What's the Deal, What to Do and What Not to Do in Worship News about the H1N1 Virus/Swine Flu had diminished after the early scare of the late spring flu season. With the fall flu season upon us, and schools and colleges back in session, it is expected that the virus will have new opportunities to spread.
	»	Breaking Bread Behind the Wall: A Prison Communion Liturgy The language of this form of the Communion prayer reflects the ways many prisoners understand and address God, Jesus, Spirit and Trinity in the prison setting. Congregations of men are often most comfortable addressing God as "Father." Settings including juvenile offenders or women often are not. Both kinds of readings are offered here in various places to address these different kinds of contexts. Testers of this liturgy should use the language that is most appropriate in their setting.
	»	Native American Comprehensive Plan -- Worship Resources
	»	"I Will Sing of My Redeemer": Gospel Hymn This favorite old gospel song appears in the Cokesbury Hymnal at number 47. It is provided here in both lead sheet and fully harmonized versions.
	»	"In the Bleak Midwinter" (SATB, organ): Choral Setting This choral and organ setting of the Christina Rossetti classic Christmas text (UM Hymnal no. 221) by Dallas area composer Michael Ekbladh has brief 3-part divisi for women's voices. Included here are PDF score and mp3 file.
	»	"Four Hymns for Advent, Lectionary Year C" Hymn writer F. Richard Garland has composed a set of hymns to go with the Advent lectionary readings for Year C.
	»	"When God Envisioned Love's Birth" The author writes of this new hymn, "'When God Envisioned Love's Birth,' is the first of a planned series of hymns rooted in the selections from the Letter to the Ephesians used by the Revised Common Lectionary. Based on Ephesians 3:1-12, the hymn is written for use on Epiphany Sunday or the Epiphany of the Lord, which in 2010 are January 3and January 6, respectively.
	»	"The Heavens Are Telling"
	»	"Lamb of God" This is a choral call to worship or other response suitable for Lent or Holy Week.
	»	Composer Biography: Michael E. Ekbladh
	»	"This Is the Day" for SATB Choir This choral introit or call to worship is suitable for any season.
	»	"Bless the Creatures, Great and Small": A Hymn for Blessing of the Animals This delightful new hymn was commissioned for a Blessing of the Animals ceremony at the author's church.
	»	Goat Herders 'Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.'
	»	Cada Celebración: Un anuario litúrgico y algo más para la iglesia de habla hispana Cada Celebración: es un recurso para la adoración en la iglesia de habla hispana. Podría describirse como un anuario litúrgico o un manual de sugerencias e ideas para ser incorporadas al culto de adoración.
	»	"Thousands Came to Hear the Rabbi" This new hymn is based on John 6:1-15 and was featured at the 2009 conference of The Hymn Society.
	»	United Methodist Worship Group on Facebook
	»	Faith-Based & Community Organizations Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Checklist
	»	Government Guidance for How Congregations Can Help during Pandemics
	»	Swine Flu, Hygiene, and Holy Communion The high profile of the Swine Flu outbreak has provoked new concerns about contact with people in public settings. In stadiums, airports, and other settings where we don't know who has been there or where they have traveled, there looms a question of what exposure to epidemic diseases we might have. It is natural that church leaders and members are wondering about the risk of participating in worship, including hand-shaking, hugging, and sharing the bread and cup of Holy Communion.
	»	"Long Ago When Pharaoh's Daughter": A Hymn Celebrating Adoption This new hymn celebrating infant adoption moves from the baby Moses in the ark to a family adoption to the church welcoming a new member in baptism, with Scripture references including Exodus 2:1-10, Matthew 18:1-5, Galatians 4:4-7, John 3:1-10, James 1:27, and Psalm 68:5-6.
	»	"The Lord's Prayer" for choir or congregation and choir Dallas, Texas area composer and church musician Tom Council has composed this setting as part of a larger work.
	»	Par L'eau et Par L'esprit: Une Compréhension Méthodiste du Baptźme (By Water and the Spirit: A United Methodist Understanding of Baptism -- French)
	»	A Reference Companion to The United Methodist Hymnal and The Faith We Sing by Dean McIntyre
	»	emergingumc2: restoring missional methodism: November 12-14, 2009 An opportunity for community, growth, learning and new commitment to Christ, to each other, and to ministry in all the world where you are and beyond.
	»	Preaching Moment 67: Walter Brueggemann on WorkingPreacher.com
	»	Book Review of Preaching in the Small Membership Church by Lewis Parks
	»	Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor The book, Songs of Grace, includes over 70 new hymns written to be sung to the tunes of many beloved and well known hymns. The new words offer expressions of hope, celebration and spiritual enrichment. Accompanying each new hymn is a devotion or meditation to be used in reflection of the melodic prayers.
	»	"Join in Festive Song": 5-Octave Handbell Composition
	»	From the Table into the World "Be careful what you pray" is a common admonition. Usually it is offered as a warning that receiving what we're seeking may bring unexpected and perhaps unfortunate consequences. Here, I turn the admonition into an imperative . . . be careful what you pray!
	»	What Does The United Methodist Church's Book Of Discipline (2008) Say About the Employment of Non-Appointed Church Staff? We frequently receive from pastors, church members, committee members, and employed church staff questions about the employment of non-appointed lay staff in the local church. This article gathers together the most frequently asked questions with related sections of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, 2008. No attempt is made here to interpret these paragraphs or to offer advice related to any specific situation.
	»	A Great Thanksgiving at the Seaside
	»	"When Brutal Forces Crush Out Love" We experience adversity from many sources: economic distress, war, disease, terrorism, tsunamis, earthquakes, personal failure. This new hymn by United Methodist pastor and hymn writer, R. Fred Crider, offers hope in the midst of adversity. It uses Scriptures found in Psalm 22:1,2a and 1 Peter 4:19. It was a prize-winning hymn in the Macalester Plymouth United Church Hymn Contest in 2008.
	»	"Come and Share Our Bread": Contemporary Communion Song This new communion chorus in praise style was written for the composer's choir and congregation. It includes an optional ending that can be used to segue into the communion hymn, "One Bread, One Body."
	»	New Composer Biography: John R. Kleinheksel
	»	Twittering the Psalms This Summer
	»	Two Rounds for Congregation, Choir, or Children Both these rounds are especially suited for Trinity Sunday.
	»	"God of Love, Come Claim this Moment": Wedding Hymn This latest hymn by British Methodist pastor and hymn writer, Gareth Hill, is especially suitable for weddings.
	»	"O God, from Our Working You Call Us Away": A Hymn for Conferences and Camps It is the season for summer church conferences, and this hymn is especially appropriate in that setting.
	»	Planning Helps and Resources for the Sundays After Pentecost (Ordinary Time II)
	»	"Come with Me and Praise God's Glory" This new hymn works well as a general praise and invitation to worship. Dr. Phil Burkett is the Worship Arts Pastor at College Park United Brethren Church, located near the Huntington University campus in that denomination's headquarters at Huntington, Indiana.
	»	Ancient Rites for a New Generation of Disciples August 3-6, 2009 Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
	»	"Confession Is Communion with God" This eloquent new text moves from conversation with God to transformation.
	»	Great (and Not So Great) Expectations in Worship
	»	"There's a New Day Dawning": Contemporary Song This new contemporary song is by Linda Jarvi (lindajarvi@olypen.com) and Kathryn Pacelli (sanctuaryds@aol.com), contemporary worship leaders of Trinity UMC in Sequim, Washington.
	»	Subscribe to Preaching Moments, video podcasts on WorkingPreacher.org
	»	Getting on the Right Track How will you approach the Revised Common Lectionary readings for the long season after Pentecost commonly called Ordinary Time?
	»	Worship Planning for the Season after Pentecost (Ordinary Time), Year B So in what kinds of directions is Christ calling you for the coming months? How might these streams of texts over the coming months help you both discern and follow his call?
	»	"A Verdant Vineyard Springs at Eden's Dawning" John Kleinheksel composed words and music for this hymn exploring the vineyard metaphor as a restatement of the gospel lesson in John 15 for the Sundays of May 10, 17, and 31 (Pentecost) of 2009. The tune, TESSA, is in honor of his youngest granddaughter, Tessa, living in Melbourne, Australia with their youngest daughter.
	»	An Order for the Dedication of Choir Music
	»	Twittering in Worship
	»	"Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow," adaptation This is an adaptation of the two doxologies in The United Methodist Hymnal (nos. 94, 95), combining the traditional words of no. 95 with the music of no. 94.
	»	An Order for the Dedication of Choir Robes
	»	"At Its Best Life Is a Wonder" This new hymn, subtitled "Ashes," is especially appropriate for Ash Wednesday and Lent.
	»	"Take Time to Be Holy"
	»	The Services of the Baptismal Covenant of The United Methodist Church as Revised to Align with the 2008 Book of Discipline and Book of Resolutions (HTML version)
	»	The Services of the Baptismal Covenant of The United Methodist Church as Revised to Align with the 2008 Book of Discipline and Book of Resolutions (pdf)
	»	Preacher Feature: What are people looking for in a sermon?
	»	"From Creation's Timeless Word" Words by F. Richard Garland, 2009 Music: tune, DIX, by Conrad Kocher, 1838
	»	"My Jesus, I Love Thee" Sandy Rogers has composed this setting of the familiar hymn, "My Jesus, I Love Thee," for congregation, choir, or both together. The piano accompaniment and key change add harmonic interest and variety.
	»	"Far Beyond Our Understanding" This new hymn has the cross as its central theme and is especially suited for Lent and Holy Week.
	»	"God, We Hear Your Call" Words by Kristen Wall-Love Music: ISLA DEL ENCANTO, trad. Puerto Rican carol
	»	Prayer for a Building Team Architect of the heavens and the earth, you who have built the foundation of all that is and will be, forgive us for drawing plans on our own apart from your guidance.
	»	When Weary Times Confront the Soul" Words by F. Richard Garland Tune: REST, by William Bradbury
	»	"Open to All" Words: Larry M. Warren Music: Tune, ADELAIDE
	»	Theology of [United Methodist] Worship?
	»	Servicio para la Reafirmación del Pacto Bautismal
	»	A New Service of Reaffirmation of the Baptismal Covenant This service reframes the structure and vows of the current Baptismal Covenant (UMH 50 and 2004 Book of Discipline, para. 217) in fresh imagery and a more interactive style. Text in regular print may be offered by the pastor. Text in bold print may be said by all.
	»	"Sing with All the Saints in Glory" This choral or congregational setting with full accompaniment is by Dallas area musician Michael Ekbladh.
	»	"While Our Horizons Hem Us In" Words: Gareth Hill, 2009 Music: DEUS TUORUM MILITUM, arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams
	»	Free Planning Calendars for Worship and Music Leaders from GBOD These planning calendars for 2009 and 2010 contain the Revised Common Lectionary citations for every Sunday and major day of the church year, as well as United Methodist observances and special days and holidays from the secular and civil calendars.
	»	Revised Common Lectionary 2009--Sundays and Special Days Only (2-page pdf document)
	»	New Membership Vows and Ritual
	»	New Membership Vows and Ritual (Revised and Corrected) Among the many actions taken by the 2008 General Conference were revisions to paragraphs 217 and 225 of the 2004 Book of Discipline that changed vows for all professing members in The United Methodist Church and clarified the process for receiving members from other denominations. The changes in the vows in the Discipline also affect the official ritual of the church in Baptismal Covenants I, II and IV (UMH 33 ff., UMH 39 ff., and UMH 50 ff.). All these changes go into effect January 1, 2009.
	»	Affirmations of Faith
	»	We Will Witness: Liturgies to Support New United Methodist Church Membership Vows
	»	Services for the Ordering of Ministry in The United Methodist Church, 2008 Approved for Use in The United Methodist Church, 2009-2012 These services were approved by General Conference 2008 and supersede all materials relating to the Ordering of Ministry in The United Methodist Book of Worship (1992).
	»	By Water and the Spirit in pdf format with Table of Contents and Index

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