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LENT
MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Michelle Riley Jones, Lectionary Team Liturgist
Worship Planning Notes
Worship leaders might naturally tend to develop Lenten services that are solemn and sober. After all, during this season we are focused on turning our sins over to our Savior and our Redeemer. It’s a serious matter. Some congregations still observe a schedule of fasting on certain days during Lent, especially the giving up of meat, alcohol, sweets, and other types of food. Other faith traditions do not place great emphasis on fasting, but focus on charitable deeds, especially helping those in need by providing them food and clothing. Whatever your approach, Lent offers positive opportunities for worshippers.
Consider the “soul release” that comes with confession—when we “tell Jesus all about it”—and experience his transformational power to forgive and to redeem. Psalm 32:1-2 puts it this way: “Count yourself lucky, how happy you must be—you get a fresh start, your slate’s wiped clean. Count yourself lucky—God holds nothing against you, and you’re holding nothing back from Him” (Message Bible). Lent offers us a time to pause, consider, and renew our relationship with God—a serious but hopeful (not dreary) experience.
Color, Images, and Décor
- The color used in the sanctuary for most churches during the Lenten season is violet or purple. Violet symbolizes both the pain and suffering as a result of sin, but it is also the color of royalty, and so points to the resurrection and hope of newness that will be celebrated in the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Hang violet banners.
- Many churches tend to simplify the décor during this season: use of dried arrangements instead of fresh or silk floral arrangements; use of unbleached muslin or violet fabric to drape the cross; etc. These images invite the congregation into the Lenten practices of prayer and fasting.
- Set up a barren tree (obtained from any home and garden center) in front of either a wooden cross or a large banner with a cross to represent the barrenness of our sinful condition.
Service Elements
During the responsive reading, have one to two individuals light a candle at designated points throughout the reading. (See 1 (c) below.)
- Include moments of silence within the service to allow opportunities for those gathered to engage in reflection.
- Distribute paper leaves (with violet ribbons) as people enter the worship service. At prayer time, have individuals prayerfully consider what they want to turn over to God, write it on the leaf, and come up to the altar to place their leaf on a tree branch which has been created. Make sure that the paper can be easily attached to the service on which the tree has been placed.
- During this season, while we don’t abandon our prayers for others, the passage in 2 Chronicles 7:14 points us to penitential prayer for ourselves: “. . . if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” The prayer this passage is calling us to is not intercessory prayer for others, but clearly penitential prayer for ourselves—that we, God’s people, will repent, so that we can be forgiven and our land healed.
Music
- Music should be selected that induces the congregation to reflect on all that separates us from God, to humbly confess our inadequacy before God, and to respond anew to the presence of God in our lives.
- Include a brief Hymn Sing as a prelude to the service leading up to the Invocation. Or develop the worship service as a service of hymn/songs and meditations. Select appropriate hymns and have the pastoral team or selected individuals provide short meditations on each hymn. Some suggestions include:
- Jesus, Lover of My Soul
- Lift High the Cross
- What Wondrous Love Is This
- When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
- In the Garden
- I Must Tell Jesus
1. Litany, Invocation, or Responsive Reading
Introit
(a) Adoramas Te, Christe (Christ We Do All Adore Thee). Text tr. by Theodore Baker. Music by Theodore DuBois, from “The Seven Last Words”
Invocation
(b) Listen Lord—A Prayer. By James Weldon Johnson
Listen Lord—A Prayer
O Lord, we come this morning
Knee-bent and body-bowed
Before thy throne of grace.
O Lord—this morning—Bow our hearts beneath our knees,
And our knees in the lonesome valley.
We come this morning—Like empty pitchers to a full fountain,
With no merits of our own.
O Lord—open up a new window of heaven,
And lean out far over the battlements of glory,
And listen this morning.
Responsive Reading
| (c) |
Responsive Reading—Psalm 32:1-11 (Message Bible). This reading may be accompanied with candle lighting. *A candle may be lit at each point in the reading marked with an asterisk. |
| *Leader: |
Count yourself lucky, how happy you must be—you get a fresh start, your slate’s wiped clean. |
| Congregation: |
Count yourself lucky—
God holds nothing against you
and you’re holding nothing back from him. |
| *Leader: |
When I kept it all inside,
my bones turned to powder,
my words became daylong groans.
The pressure never let up;
all the juices of my life dried up. |
| Congregation: |
Then I let it all out;
I said, “I’ll make a clean breast of my failures to God.”
Suddenly the pressure was gone—
my guilt dissolved,
my sin disappeared. |
| *Leader: |
These things add up. Every one of us needs to pray;
when all hell breaks loose and the dam bursts
we’ll be on high ground, untouched. |
| Congregation: |
God’s my island hideaway,
keeps danger far from the shore,
throws garlands of hosannas around my neck. |
| *Leader: |
Let me give you some good advice;
I’m looking you in the eye
and giving it to you straight |
| Congregation: |
“Don’t be ornery like a horse or mule
that needs bit and bridle
to stay on track.” |
| *Leader: |
God-defiers are always in trouble;
God-affirmers find themselves loved
every time they turn around. |
| ALL: |
Celebrate God.
Sing together—everyone!
All you honest hearts, raise the roof! |
2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) In the Garden. Text and Tune, (GARDEN), by C. Austin Miles
(b) Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross. By Fanny J. Crosby. Tune, (NEAR THE CROSS), by William H. Doane
(c) I Must Tell Jesus. Text and Tune, (ORWIGSBURG), by Elisha A. Hoffman
3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) I Know the Lord. Traditional Spiritual. Arr. by Alice Parker
(b)Just a Closer Walk with Thee. African American Spiritual
(c) Standin’ in the Need of Prayer. African American Spiritual
4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) God So Loved the World. Traditional
(b) Jesus Saves. By James Brown
(c) Give Me Another Chance. By Dottie Peoples and Frank Ray, Jr.
(d) Blood Restoreth My Soul (Live). By Roland Perry, II
5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Group Music
My Confession. By Judith Christie-McAllister
6. Anthems
(a) Come to Calv’ry’s Holy Mountain. By Tom Fettke
(b) If You Laid Bare Our Guilt. By John Foley SJ. For SATB, with piano, string accompaniment, and flute solo
(c) I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say. By Horatius Bonar
(d) Just as I Am. Text and Tune, (JUST AS I AM), by Charlotte Elliott
7. Modern Songs
(a) Transparent. By Ayiesha Woods
(b) Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone). By Chris Tomlin
(c) Forgiven, Forgotten, Forever. By Amy Keffer and Belinda Smith
(d) Say Jesus. By J. Isaac, P. Jones, and A. Nesby
(e) I Must Tell Jesus. By Elisha A. Hoffman and Wayne Bucknor
8. Song or Instrumental for the Offertory Period
(a) Let It Rise. By Holland Davis
(b) Give Thanks (Live). By Cedric Ford
9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Spirit of the Living God. By Daniel Iverson
(b) Hear Me, O Lord, Nor Hide Thy Face. By Alice Parker
(c) Psalm for Lent. By Leon C. Roberts
(d) Come Ye Disconsolate. By Thomas Moore and Thomas Hastings. Tune, (CONSOLATOR), by Samuel Webbe
(e) Never Further Than Thy Cross. By Elizabeth R. Charles. Tune, (ALETTA), by William B. Bradbury
(f) An Evening Prayer. By C. M. Battersby. Tune, (EVENING), by Charles Gabriel
Song Following Prayer
(g) I’ve Got a Mind to Live Right. Anonymous
10. Sermonic Selection
(a) I Can Do This. By Duawne Starling
(b) He Looked Beyond My Faults. By Dottie Rambo
(c) In the Garden. By C. Austin Miles
(d) The Prayer. By Stephen Hurd
(e) Just as I Am. By Charles Elliott
11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Kneel at the Cross. By Charles E. Moody
(b) Just as I Am. By Charles Elliott
(c) If My People. By Brandon Waddles. For TTBB
12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
Benediction
(a) Lord, Make Me More Holy. African American traditional
Sending Song
(b) Oh Happy Day. By Edwin Hawkins
(c) You Won’t Leave Here Like You Came. By Maceo Woods
13. Audio Visual Suggestions
Images for Bulletins/Orders of Worship and Screens
(a) Lenten Images can be found at www.eyekons.com.
(b) Have members who are artistically inclined paint, draw, or provide photos of Lenten images that can be compiled into a PowerPoint presentation and shown during the Prelude or at some reflective period in the service. This presentation can be set to music. An example can be seen at www.calvin.edu/worship/visual_arts/artist_month/lent/lentchapel.ppt.
(c) Creative Idea for the Benediction: Use modern art (projected on screens) as visual focus for the benediction. One example is Vincent van Gogh’s “The Road Menders,” online at www.arttoheartweb.com/worshipresources/benedictions/ben_vanGogh_Menders.htm.
14. Other Recommendations
Find new approaches for midweek Lenten services. What better time is there than during
the Lenten journey to start new traditions. Fresh alternatives can come from combining church practices of the past with modern elements of worship—stimulating spiritual growth and strengthening relationships within the church family.
(a) |
Members of the early church met in homes focused on spreading the story of the life of
Christ and to engage in fellowship. Arrange for small house church group meetings. Identify host homes, and encourage the congregation to meet in small groups once a week during Lent for Bible study and fellowship. Allow for group interaction, lots of discussion, and feedback, and have the core of the Bible study completed within an hour. The pastor may suggest the content or may identify several resources from which each group can draw. |
(b) Have a positive impact on the environment by reducing your carbon footprint.
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- Reduce your home use of plastics. Look around your home and find out what plastics can be replaced with something made from sustainable materials.
- Instead of delivering meals and food supplies to the homeless in plastic bags or cartons, use boxes and other materials.
- Support local farmers by buying produce that is free from preservatives at local farmers markets.
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| (c) |
Give away something in your possession every day of the Lenten season to a charity shop or to those in need. Spend some time thinking about your attachment to material things, and try to loosen its grasp.
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Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed
1. Litany, Invocation, or Responsive Reading
Introit
(a) Adoramas Te, Christe (Christ We Do All Adore Thee). Text tr. by Theodore Baker. Music by Theodore DuBois, from The Seven Last Words
Location:
United Methodist General Board of Discipleship
P. O. Box 3400003
Nashville, TN 37203-0003
Phone: 615-340-7073
Invocation
(b) Listen Lord—A Prayer. By James Weldon Johnson
Location:
God’s Trombones: Seven Negro Sermons in Verse. New York, NY: Penguin Group, 2008, p. 11. Used with permission.
Responsive Reading
(c) Responsive Reading—Psalm 32:1-11 (Message Bible). This reading may be accompanied with candle lighting.
2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) In the Garden. Text and Tune, (GARDEN), by C. Austin Miles
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2001. #494
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. Nashville, TN: A.M.E. Zion Publishing House, 1996. #644
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 1987. #248
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. Nashville, TN: Triad Publications, 2005. #116
The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association. 1985. #487
Church of God in Christ. Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. Memphis, TN: Church of God in Christ Pub. Board in association with the Benson Co., 1982. #87
(b) Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross. By Fanny J. Crosby. Tune, (NEAR THE CROSS), by William H. Doane
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #252
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. #300
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #45
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #103
The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #312
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #244
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #375
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. #526
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #267
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #340
The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #485
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #7
(a) I Know the Lord. Traditional Spiritual. Arr. By Alice Parker
Location:
GIA Publications, Inc.
7404 South Mason Avenue
Chicago, IL 60638
Phone: 1-800-442-1358
Online location: www.giamusic.com
Product # G-4229
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #455
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #156
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #309
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #156
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #441
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. #416
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #216
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #496
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #216
4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) God So Loved the World. Traditional
Location
Walker, Albertina and The Caravans. The Divas of Gospel. Hollywood, CA: Fuel, 2000/2001.
(b) Jesus Saves. By James Brown
Location:
Coley, Daryl. Praise and Worship: Daryl Coley. New York, NY: Verity, 2006.
(c) Give Me Another Chance. By Dottie Peoples and Frank Ray, Jr.
Location:
Peoples, Dottie. Do It. New York, NY: Comin’ Atcha, 2008.
(d) Blood Restoreth My Soul (Live). By Roland Perry, II
Location:
Gospel Music Workshop of America. Live in Kansas 2004. New York, NY: Artemis, 2005.
5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Group Music
My Confession. By Judith Christie-McAllister
Location:
In His Presence LIVE! New York, NY: Artemis, 2006.
6. Anthems
(a) Come to Calv’ry’s Holy Mountain. By Tom Fettke
Location:
Beckenhorst Press
960 Old Henderson Road
Columbus, OH 43220
Phone: 614-451-6461
Online location: www.beckenhorstpress.com
accompaniment, and flute solo
Location:
GIA Publications, Inc.
Phone: 1-800-442-1358
Online location: www.giamusic.com
Product # G-4129
(c) I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say. By Horatius Bonar
Location:
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #407
The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #465
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #84
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #344
7. Modern Songs
(a) Transparent. By Ayiesha Woods
Location:
Love Like This. Nashville, TN: Gotee, 2008.
(b) Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone). By Chris Tomlin
Location:
See the Morning. Brentwood, TN: Sparrow, 2006.
(c) Forgiven, Forgotten, Forever. By Amy Keffer and Belinda Smith
Location:
Free, Brian. Brian Free. Hendersonville, TN: Daywind, 1999.
(d) Say Jesus. By J. Isaac, P. Jones, and A. Nesby
Location:
Nesby, Ann. The Lula Lee Project. Indianapolis, IN: Tyscot, 2009.
(e) I Must Tell Jesus. By Elisha A. Hoffman and Wayne Bucknor
Location:
Virtue. Nothing But the Hits: Virtue. New York, NY: Zomba, 2004.
8. Song or Instrumental for the Offertory Period
(a) Let It Rise. By Holland Davis
Location:
Big Daddy Weave. Every Time I Breathe. New York, NY: Warner, 2006.
(b) Give Thanks (Live). By Cedric Ford
Location:
Ford, Cedric & Heart of Worship. Created 2 Worship. Indianapolis, IN: Tyscot, 2009.
9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Spirit of the Living God. By Daniel Iverson
Location:
Woods, Bishop Andre & Chosen. Bishop Andre Woods & Chosen. Detroit, MI: Sounds of Gospel, 2000.
(b) Hear Me, O Lord, Nor Hide Thy Face. By Alice Parker
Location:
Parker, Alice and the Musicians of Melodious Accord. Sweet Manna: Early American Songs of Praise. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 1999.
(c) Psalm for Lent. By Leon C. Roberts
Location:
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #509
(d) Come Ye Disconsolate. By Thomas Moore and Thomas Hastings. Tune, (CONSOLATOR), by Samuel Webbe
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #421
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. #447
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #255
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #264
The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #477
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #287
Location:
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. #139
(f) An Evening Prayer. By C. M. Battersby. Tune, (EVENING), by Charles Gabriel
Location:
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #312
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #331
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #136
(g) I’ve Got a Mind to Live Right. Anonymous
Location:
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #520
10. Sermonic Selection
(a) I Can Do This. By Duawne Starling
Location:
Duawne Starling. Nashville, TN: Central South Distribution, 2005.
(b) He Looked Beyond My Faults. By Dottie Rambo
Location:
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #195
(c) In the Garden. By C. Austin Miles
Location:
Sapp, Marvin. Thirsty. New York, NY: Zomba, 2007.
(d) The Prayer. By Stephen Hurd
Location:
Times of Refreshing. New York, NY: Columbia, 2009.
(e) Just as I Am. By Charles Elliott
Location:
Adams, Yolanda and Wanda Nero Butler. Just as I Am/New Born Soul. Detroit, MI: Sounds of Gospel Records, 2006.
11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Kneel at the Cross. By Charles E. Moody
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #241
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #197
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #286
Location:
Glad. Simply: Glad. Franklin, TN: Provident Music Group, 2005.
(c) If My People. By Brandon Waddles. For TTBB
Location:
GIA Publications, Inc.
Phone: 1-800-442-1358
Online location: www.giamusic.com
Product # G-7548
12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
Benediction
(a) Lord, Make Me More Holy. African American traditional
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #632
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #222
The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #69
(b) Oh Happy Day. By Edwin Hawkins
Location:
The Edwin Hawkins Singers. Oh Happy Day: The Best of the Edwin Hawkins Singers (remastered). New York, NY: Buddha Records, 2001.
(c) You Won’t Leave Here Like You Came. By Maceo Woods
Location:
Patterson, G. E. Having Church with the Saints, Vol. I. Memphis, TN: Podium Records, 2007.
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