OPEN IT UP!

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN YOUR CHRISTMAS EVENT

by Cheri Walters

Over 20 years ago, at a Pastors’ School of Ministry in Phoenix, my husband Ken and I heard Rev. Tommy Barnett say something that knocked us back in our seats. He told us (and a few thousand of our closest friends at the ministry conference) that their church allowed non-attenders to perform in their Christmas productions. In fact, they allowed non-believers to be in it! Gasp! To those who objected that only Christians should sing on the Tree, he responded, “I can preach to the people behind me the same as I preach to the ones in front of me.”

It IS amazing

by Darlene Marquardt

Just out of curiosity,  I did a good search of the term “it’s amazing”.  Of course, I had in mind that God is amazing.  But I made no mention of that in my search phrase.  I wanted to see what came up.

Christmas Presence
 

by Steve Phifer
 
There will be no major shortage of Christmas presents this year. Even in a down-turned economy, gifts in bright paper will flow from giver to receiver.  There is little church musicians need to do to enhance Christmas presents this year.  I’m sure many of us will present carefully prepared musical expressions of seasonal music as loving gifts to our congregations and communities.  

Sing Notes That Soar!

By Carole Brewer

The art of relaxing the tongue, teeth, and jaw may be a difficult concept to “sell” to your inexperienced singers.  Without vocal training, most singers go with the familiar feeling of holding the mouth in the same position as for speech.  Songs have lyrics and so “speaking” through a song comes naturally.   The difference is that lyrics are sung over an extended length of time vs. speech which is articulated rapidly.  Simply said, singing is not the same as speaking or yelling!