Worship Resources of the Christian Church in the Upper Midwest
April | 2022
Experimenting at Easter
Rev. Joshua Patty
Regional Minister and President
As a worship leader, this may be your busiest week of the year. I hope that you share wonderful and meaningful services this Holy Week.
As a congregational pastor, Holy Week was the focal point of my year. This seemed appropriate, given that the foundations of faith are found in parts of this week. Plus, the opportunity to invite people to fully experience the meaning of Holy Week deeply touches my spirit too.
It's unfair to suggest we don't incorporate the hope of Easter into other worship services. But it does suggest that there are others who need Easter celebrations more than once a year. May you have a chance to reach some of these people this week and the weeks to come.
Recorded Post-Easter Sermon
Rev. Tiff Williams, Associate Regional Minister, will record a sermon on Jesus' post-resurrection appearances to the disciples and Thomas in John 20. We hope this offers worship leaders and preachers extra rest after Lent and Holy Week. The recorded sermon will be available for download and to stream on YouTube. We plan to share detailed instructions and access to the sermon to congregations and ministers this Friday.
CAMP!
April is the perfect time to register for camp! We have camp opportunities for those who have completed grades 2-12, families with children under 18, grandparents with kids age 4 through grade 2, and adults 55 and older.
Here are some important resource pages with information:
Hymnary.org is a vast searchable resource for hymns and hymnals (offers copyright or public domain information)
Prayers, Liturgies & More:
Worship Ways from the United Church of Christ (permission granted to congregations to adapt and use in worship)
Worship Planning from United Methodist Church (permission granted to congregations to adapt and use in worship)
Easter Special Offering, April 10 & 17
Each year the Easter special offering supports general ministries of the Christian Church. These include the Office of General Minister and President, overseas ministry, congregational support, health and social service ministries, and much more.
Our general ministries have prepared some worship materials you can use on Palm Sunday or Easter as part of this special offering:
Our region coordinates the old-fashioned hymn sing-along at the Iowa State Fair. It takes 22 song leaders and 22 instrumentalists to make these twice-daily events occur. Please contact Rev. Don Hiscox (515-865-1770) if you are willing to help with the hymn sing.
Last year, an early afternoon Children's Time was started outside the historic First Church, introducing young people to a Bible story through storytelling, craft, and song. Please contact Rev. Gail Aurand (660-785-0349) if you are willing to help.
4 Types of Volunteers Needed for Digital Worship
By now, you probably know that digital worship should be more than pointing a cell phone and streaming a live service. A recent article shares the 4 key areas of focus which can help you offer online worship services that engage others.
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