
Worship Resources
Visit this page often for Worship resources and ideas!
Links to worship resource people & places:
Director of Music Resources
GBOD | The United Methodist Church
PO Box 340003
Nashville, TN 37203-0003
GBOD Web site: www.gbod.org
GBOD Worship Web site: www.GBOD.org/worship
Toll-free: (877) 899-2780 Ext. 7073
Church of the Week on GBOD Website
Want to feature your United Methodist church on the UMC.org and GBOD.org sites? Submit a photo. See guidelines for submission
Banners/ Calligraphy & graphic Design/ Logos/ Paraments /Bulletin covers
Banner Consultations/ Workshops/ commissions
NM Annual Conference, Conference Office
11816 Lomas Blvd. NE, Albuquerque NM 87112
505-255-8786 800-678-8786
5 Things Churches Need to Know About Music Performance License
- You do not need to obtain a performance license to play, sing, perform or present music in your congregational worship service in your church. This is allowed by the religious exemption clause in the USA copyright law. It is important to understand that this exemption covers only your congregational worship service in your church. It does not cover copying, broadcasting, telecasting, webcasting, recording, or any other use of the music. These uses may be covered by obtaining permissions from the copyright holder or obtaining one of numerous other types of licenses.
- The following activities commonly engaged in by churches are not covered by the religious exemption clause or by CCLI or other music licenses. For any of these activities, the church must obtain permission from the copyright holder of the music to be used or performed (live or recorded) or obtain a performance license:
- Summer camps (including talent shows, campfires, group singing, worship)
- Picnics & BBQs
- Vacation Bible School
- Carnivals and festivals
- Church dinners and banquets
- Special programs outside of your worship services
- Youth events and meetings
- Conferences, festivals, convocations
- Retreats
- Concerts
- Daycare programs
- Coffee houses
- Karaoke
- Meetings
- Parties
- Normally, performance licenses for music in the above settings can be obtained from ASCAP, SESAC and BMI for the music that each one of those organizations covers. If the music you want to use is handled by more than one of these organizations, then you will need a performance license from each company involved.
- Private companies are beginning to emerge that will handle these copyright and licensing tasks for churches for a fee, much as CCLI, LicenSing and OneLicense.net provide similar services for the copying and projection of hymn and song lyrics for use by churches in bulletins and worship. One such company is Christian Copyright Solutions, www.copyrightsolver.com through its PERFORMmusic License. And there are other companies, as well.
- Copyright and licensing have become complex and challenging for churches. It requires dedicated time, research and follow-up to remain legal in ministry today. And we must be aware that copyright laws exist, not for the benefit of churches, but solely for the financial benefit of the copyright owner.
For more information:
- Performance Licenses for churches
- Top 5 Myths of Performance Rights White Paper
- Resources for Copyright and Licensing on the GBOD Website
©COPYRIGHT 101
COPYING INDIVIDUAL PAGES (USA only)
Are the practical needs of church musicians in conflict with the provision of US copyright law? Here are three questions often asked by local church musicians dealing with copying of individual pages of music in specific circumstances:
- Can copies legally be made of music being played in an organ recital so that the program can proceed smoothly and without the need to stack books on top of each other and constantly move them around?
- Also, if one owns a collection of arrangements and the editing is such that the page turns are all but impossible, can copies legally be made so the music can be arranged in sheet protectors, etc., to facilitate page turns as long as both the collection and the copy will not be used at the same time, but rather one or the other?
- I am an organist and want to make and use photocopies to avoid awkward page turns and books that refuse to stay open. Can I do this legally?
There is no provision in the copyright laws that provides for photocopying and using protected music in these situations without the permission of the copyright owner. As logical as this kind of copying appears to us, and as restrictive as the law appears in denying it, it is still the law. Your options are to contact the copyright owner for permission or to act upon the assumption many musicians hold that publishers will not prosecute such use. Music licenses like CCLI, OneLicense.net and LicenSing do not cover copying for these purposes.
PENALTIES FOR COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT (USA ONLY)
If you or your church is found guilty of copyright infringement, what are the penalties?
- The copyright holder can calculate the actual amount of financial loss resulting from your infringement and sue you for that amount, and may add other punitive damages to the suit.
- Rather than calculating and proving actual damages, the copyright owner may opt for statutory damages. These statutory damages have already been set by the US government and range from $750 to $30,000 per infringement.
- Statutory damages may go up to $150,000 per infringement if determined to be “willful.”
Copyright owners have discovered over time that it is often to their advantage to claim willful infringement for every claim and then settle for a lesser amount once the copyright offender has been frightened by the charge.
COPYRIGHT 101: Enlarging Hymns & Music (USA ONLY)
QUESTION: ENLARGING MUSIC FOR THE VISION IMPAIRED
I have older choir and congregational singers with poor vision who enlarge their music to see it. Is that legal? Read the answer.

Timely Articles about available worship resources:
- United Methodist Hymnal Table of Contents Online Listing
(Listing of Common Titles & First Lines of Hymns)
-
FROM THE NATIVE AMERICAN COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: An Invitation to Contribute Worship Resource Ideas!
Nov. 2012: Many of you are aware that the Native American Comprehensive Plan (NACP) has been working on a new book of worship resources written by Native American United Methodists. This new book will be a follow up to the original Voices, which was published over 20 years ago and is now out of print. We are happy to invite you to submit original written worship resources for our upcoming publication, Voices II. If you would like to submit your writing for consideration, simply send an email inquiry to and attach your work as a Word document (or you may include your work in the body of the email you send ). Your submitted work will be reviewed by a group of Native American readers and editorial staff. You will be notified if your work is approved for inclusion.
Check out more details with this
Voices II Information sheet and
Voices II- Samples to guide your work. - “God Bless Our President” , Words: John Thornburg; Music: tune, AMERICA
This one-verse hymn prayer is provided for use specifically around presidential inauguration day, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. - Resources for Church Musicians, Pastors, Worship Leaders & Planners, Issue #12 Hymns, anthems, worship resources, links from GBOD.
- Africana Worship Book for Year C Wonderful book of resources moving into Revised Common Lectionary Year C. On sale now for $20 (41% discount).
- “Remembrance” (“Once Crimson Poppies Bloomed”) A Hymn for Veterans Day (USA) and Remembrance Day (Great Britain), November 11; Words by Andrew Pratt, 2012. British Methodist pastor and hymn writer Andrew Pratt (photo, bio, contact information, links to other hymns) has composed this remarkable text for Veterans Day (USA) and Remembrance Day (British Commonwealth nations). Veterans/Remembrance Day, also known as Poppy Day or Armistice Day, is observed each year on November 11 to commemorate the end of World War I on that date in 1918 and, more broadly, to remember the members of the armed forces who have died in the line of duty.
For many congregations church music is synonymous with ensemble music—the
chancel choir rehearsing and singing anthems, the handbell choir playing in
worship, children's choirs, youth choirs, brass and other instrumental groups,
and so forth. At Saint Mark's United Methodist Church in Murfreesboro,
Tennessee, the congregation is the most important choir. All of the church's
musical ensembles understand that their primary role is to support and enable
the congregation to experience the presence of God in worship through
singing. (Read the full article HERE.)
- RESOURCES FOR CHURCH MUSICIANS, PASTORS AND WORSHIP PLANNERS & LEADERS - ISSUE #11 Periodic E-Newsletter with SO MANY resources – music, liturgy, articles, links, more.
- Copyright 101: Changing Text for Inclusive Language (USA Only)
QUESTION: May I change male-dominant language in copyrighted hymns to make the hymns more inclusive? - Resources for Church Musicians and Worship Leaders & Planners, Issue #9
Wide range of music & worship resources, including: lectionary hymn recommendations, new hymns, global hymns, choir music, piano/organ duet, articles, events, much more.
50 Ways to Guarantee Poor Congregational Singing
Most congregations will recognize some of these
- Copyright 101: Music and Public Domain
When is a hymn in the public domain? When does copyright on a hymn expire? - HYMNS, PRAYERS, LITANIES IN TIME OF HURRICANE AND FLOOD
When It Won’t Stop Prayer by Safiyah Fosua
A Prayer-Poem for Those Who Are Wet By Kwasi Kena
A Prayer for Storm Survivors By Lisa Ann Moss Digrenia
A Prayer for Those Facing Flooding By Taylor Burton Edwards
At a Time Like This A contemporary worship song in time of crisis or need by Tom LeFevre.
By the Waters of the Levee A litany and prayer by Lyne Stull-Lipps.
Prayer and Musical Response in Time of Disaster By Dean Reed and Brian Henkelman
Flooding By Marilyn E. Thornton
Homes that Once Held Joy and Laughter Hymn by Andrew Pratt
In Search of Higher Ground By Safiyah Fosua - FIVE SUNDAYS OF CONGREGATIONAL SINGING Celebrate five centuries of congregational singing on Reformation Sunday,
Oct. 28, 2012, with this service.
- A Labor Day Blessing for Workers and All Seeking Work
A Service of Holy Communion for Labor Day - A Hymn Festival for Holy Communion
This musical service of worship is designed to be used at any time of the year, but especially leading up to World Communion (1st Sunday of October). The congregation experiences a variety of readings, scriptures and hymns all on the sacrament of Holy Communion. The service may be adapted to fit within a Sunday morning worship service but it should not be used in place of The Great Thanksgiving and it is not designed to be used in a service in which the sacrament is actually observed. Both bulletin and script are provided. - 2012 Worship & Music Planning Calendar
Here are FREE downloadable calendars for 2012 and 2013 that contain the liturgical seasons and celebrations of the church as well as many holidays, celebrations and observances of the civil calendar. They also contain all of the lectionary reading citations for every Sunday and major liturgical days of the year. - Resources for Church Music & Worship Planners #7
Practical and instructional items for musicians, pastors, worship leaders and planners.
- A Blessing of the Backpacks and the School Year
Ask your children and youth to bring their backpacks to worship for this special blessing. - An Act of Worship for a Time Between Pastors
By John Peterson
Use this liturgy for worship during the time of a departing previous pastor and the arrival of a newly appointed pastor.
- Complete Works of Charles Wesley Released http://divinity.duke.edu/news-media/news/20120501wesley
The Center for Studies in the Wesleyan Tradition at the Duke Divinity School has announced that with the publication of the transcription of “MS Acts,” it has completed a project to make publically available in a single setting every known poem or hymn of Charles Wesley. The complete collection of verse by Charles Wesley that survives in original manuscripts is available online, either individually by work or in a convenient zipped file of the entire collection. The center had previously posted transcriptions of all known verse that Charles Wesley (or his brother John) published during his life. This collection is also available online. “Combined, these two collections comprise every poem or hymn known that can be traced with some confidence to the pen of Charles Wesley,” said Randy L. Maddox, William Kellon Quick Professor of Wesleyan and Methodist Studies.. “They are the equivalent of around a 15-volume printed edition of his works.”
- SOULfeast
July 8-12, Lake Junaluska, NC - Experiences for children, youth and adults that will nourish the soul, strengthen your faith, transform your life. Sponsored by Upper Room Ministries, GBOD, Nashville. - Free Music Downloads for Lent and Easter:
- Choral
- Vocal
- Instrumental
- Handbell
- Hymns and songs
- Lead sheets
- Communion settings
- More
- The Church as a Place of Hope and Renewal
From GBOD Best Practices
- Our Over-Messaged Lives – Finding Time for a Spiritual Life
Latest installment of GBOD’s 5-part Dreaming of Vital Congregations series.
- Is your church a Vital Congregation?
Here’s a Promo Video for Vital Congregations. - Worship & Music Resources for Time of Drought & Famine
Free downloads from GBOD.
- Hymn Study: “He Touched Me” All about Bill Gaither’s hymn,
a favorite of United Methodists.
- Shaping Your Church’s Worship from Congregational Identity
Shaped by Identity
- Forming disciples is a natural part of the holy work of worship, preaching, and music.
- FREE online membership for students to The Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts (FUMMWA):
www.UMFellowship.org/Students
- Looking for ways to keep your worship experiences fresh and relevant - and distinctly Wesleyan? Are you aware of the wealth of worship planning resources available through the United Methodist denomination? Worship tools of all types come together here, thanks to the work of our GBOD colleagues. You'll find research, ideas, preaching helps, and pastoral prayers for situations like the recent unrest in Egypt. And, did we mention the word FREE? Check it out!
- Many churches are finishing up one year and beginning to plan for another. As you do so, you may be able to use these free, downloadable 2011 and 2012 pdf calendars from GBOD containing liturgical, sacred, secular and civil holidays and observances as well as all of the Revised Common Lectionary citations for each Sunday and many special days.
2011 Worship and Music Planning Calendar
- What To Do When There Is No Accompanist for Hymns?
UM Hymnal Accompaniment on CDs: piano/organ accompaniments to all hymns, baptism, communion responses, Psalter
http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?flid=3475
UM Hymnal Accompaniment CD Sampler
http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=446529
Selected Hymns from The UM Hymnal Midi Disk (I believe there are 20 separate disks; this link is to vol. 1. These are also available in “Symphony” editions which package 4 disks together in one pack, and there is a Christmas disk.)
http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=626023
The Faith We Sing CD Accompaniment edition
http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=9780687052165
The Faith We Sing MIDI Edition
http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=214822
- Free downloadable worship resources for this time of flooding:
Worship Resources In a Time of Flooding
- Evaluating Your Church’s Worship and Music
http://www.gbod.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=nhLRJ2PMKsG&b=5603505&ct=9343927
- Children’s & Children’s Choir Music Resources
http://www.gbod.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=nhLRJ2PMKsG&b=5609115&ct=9353379
Additional Resources:
Worship in the Wilderness http://witwabq.webs.com
ongoing monthly hikes, fellowship and worship.
please contact Rev. Melissa Madara to make arrangements
Sing to the Lord New (and Some Great Old) Songs!
In Interpreter Magazine, Jan-Feb 2011 Issue
http://www.interpretermagazine.org/interior.asp?ptid=43&mid=14340
"Sight Psalms,” a new daily devotional intended to help people reflect on God’s presence in their lives through the use of images, is now available on GBOD’s website as a part of a new page on Prayer. Each day, a new photograph will be posted to evoke reflection and inspiration with a brief verbal message accompany most photos. Sight Psalms can be found at www.gbod.org/sightpsalms where users also will have the opportunity to subscribe to have each day’s image delivered via email.
The Silver Tsunami
http://www.gbod.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=nhLRJ2PMKsG&b=5609115&ct=8650209
Baby Boomers, those born 1946-64, have transformed almost every aspect of public life as they have grown up and aged, including the church. They are now poised to have a dramatic effect once again upon the life of the church as they increasingly reach retirement age. Are you ready? What will you and your church do with this growing demographic?
Conference Banner Sharing Program:
Over the past 35 years, the NM Annual Conference banners were the original designs and creations of Cheryl Hicks. Many of them are offered to local churches for 2-4 weeks so that they may be shared with your congregations. There are a number of them available at most any time, and you can arrange to use them by contacting in the conference office. We will try to post pictures of them here, with approximate sizes to help you determine if they could be accommodated in your church.

AC 2011 "Walls Come Tumbling Down!"
5' x 10' each All or either may be borrowed.

AC 2010 "Imagine!" (Parts of set may also be borrowed.)
5'x10' 8' sq. 5'x10'
includes pulpit hanging

AC 2009 "Arise, Shine!"
10'x10'

AC 2006 & 2008
"Jesus Christ, Hope of the World"
"Hope, with Confident Expectation"
strips 3'x12' center disk 10' diameter
(Ctr. orb has special rigging to facilitate hanging)

AC 2007 "Following the Shepherd"
5'x12' 5'x10' 5'x12'
3 pieces, 15-17' span

AC 2005 "Connected by the Cross"
12' x 10' (?)

AC 2004 "Open Doors" [no longer available, destroyed
by fire, 2010]
4'x12' (sides) 10'x11'?(center) 4'x12'

AC 2003 "Open Minds" [no longer available, destroyed
by fire, 2010]
10'x11' (with or without added side panels above)

AC 2002 "Open Hearts" [no longer available, destroyed
by fire, 2010]
Center panel with accompanying side panels (see 2004 above)
10'x11' (navy blue background)

AC 2001 "Win, Nurture, Send"
12'x12'

AC (year?) "Go, Teach, Learn"
5-panel display, Center 5'x10' at point, sides 3' wide(?) ea.