A conversation with the worship team

Listen to the leaders of the team who will lead worship at the special General Conference in St. Louis explain their approach to helping create a sacred experience while delegates seek to see a way forward for the United Methodist Church. The Rev. Arthur McClanahan, director of communications for the Iowa Conference, conducts the interviews.


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Worship
Graphic by Taylor W Burton Edwards.

Ask The UMC: How do the Sunday readings for Advent differ from year to year?

The Advent readings pursue three different themes in the three different years.
Worship
The St. John's United Methodist Church Choir in Lubbock, Texas, performs "My Soul Gives Glory to My God." Photo courtesy of St. John's United Methodist Church.

Ask The UMC: The liturgical history of Lessons and Carols

Increasingly over the past four decades, United Methodist congregations with choirs have included a service of Lessons and Carols among their Advent or Christmas musical celebrations. While the music may be what draws people to the services, what actually drives the vigil form of worship historically is an extended period of listening to the Scriptures.
Worship
The worship team at Kirkwood United Methodist Church in St. Louis, Mo., invited people to be creative together and paint on canvases available at the front of the sanctuary during their summer worship series. Photo courtesy of the Missouri Conference.

Connecting with the Creator on canvas

At Kirkwood United Methodist Church, a summer worship series called “Every Moment Holy” encourages people to find God’s presence in new ways. One Sunday in the series centered on art and the idea that all are created in the image of the Creator.

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