MISSIONS FESTIVAL to be scheduled in the fall of 2012

Please join Conference clergy & lay leadership for the 2012 Missions Festival at Cross in the Desert UMC in Phoenix. There will be a dozen workshops, key note speakers and great mission fellowship! If you want to have a table at this festival please let us know. For more information contact Rev. Mel Muchinsky at 480 266 0468. See you in November 2012!

Hallelujah Moment from El Salvador: A web-formatted version of the story,  THE WORLD IS MY PARISH, By Jodi L. Cataldo, ways to worship, and bulletin inserts are available at:
http://gbgm-umc.org/global_news/full_article.cfm?articleid=5410

WORSHIP BRIDGE

The canon "Alleluia, Amen" (Global Praise 3, #24) from Central America can be used in a variety of ways in worship and  Christian education settings.  This four-part canon has each part clearly marked in the music score. Rather than teaching the entire canon to the congregation, consider using parts of the canon as short ostinato-like choruses. For instance, the first part of the canon is a rhythmic setting of the text "Alleluia!" This section could be sung as a call to worship, as a response to the reading of scripture, or any time you need a joyful response. Children will enjoy adding percussion instruments or clapping as they sing, "Alleluia!"  The congregation could add "percussion" by tapping the pew or chair in front of them. Once the community sings this first part of the canon securely, consider using it at the close of church meetings, at the end of prayers, or after table graces for church dinners.

The second part of the canon reminds us to lift up our voices and rejoice. We share the many places where we will rejoice in the third part of the canon: schools, farms, villages, everywhere in the lands. 

The final part of the canon is an "alleluia" that is easily sung  even by the most rhythm and singing challenged worship participants!  One sure "instant success" option is to teach the fourth part of the canon to the congregation as the children and youth sing the energetic first part. These two sections partner together fabulously! Once the community is comfortable singing these two parts of the canon, ask the choir, small ensembles, or soloists to add the second and third voices of the canon. Create a medley in worship by singing  this with Jerry Sinclair's "Alleluia" found in most hymnals (UMH  #186.)

Global Praise 3 and all of the Global Praise resources can be ordered from Cokesbury by calling toll-free 1-800-672-1789, 1-877-877-8674, or by visiting www.cokesbury.com