MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Worship Planning Notes

The Creator has given the earth to us to fill it, to subdue it, and to have dominion over it (Genesis1:28). God has blessed us with this wonderful creation and expects us to take care of it.

Paul says, “…Creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now” (Romans 8:22, NKJV). As we look around the world, we see that creation is suffering. We have taken our call to fill the land and answered it with landfills. We have taken the resources God has given us and have squandered them. This cannot continue. We cannot treat this planet as disposable just because God has promised us a better place. The call of dominion and stewardship still remains. We must answer that call. Why would God call us to a better place if we are such bad stewards of earth?

Our Creator is expecting the children of God to stand up and to take care of the earth to bring the Kingdom of God not just to churches, homes, and relationships, but to our environment, to nature, and to the animal kingdom.

This worship service can focus on three elements: God’s Character, God’s Creation, and God’s Call.

• Worship begins by being centered on God in all of God’s splendor and power. Worship must always be centered on the Creator. A celebration of God’s strength, power, and creativity begin the worship.
• The next element is God’s creation. This focuses on the handiwork of God and the wonderful gift of life and resources God has blessed us with.
• The last element of the service focuses on God’s call. God has called us to be stewards of the earth. We must do all in our power to keep God’s creation beautiful, to sustain it, and to bring the kingdom of God to earth while we wait for the new creation.

Create a Multi-Sensory Earth Day Worship Experience.
For a multi-sensory worship service, engage as many of the senses as possible.

• For sight, employ scenes of nature that display the creativity and power of God. Both still photographs and nature video clips can be used. (Free still photos can be found in the Microsoft Clip Art Gallery http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/default.aspx, and nature worship background videos can be purchased from sites such as: www.worshiploop.com; www.motionworship.com; and www.sermonspice.com.)  
  
  
• To engage the sense of smell, nature-inspired incense or candles can be used in the service. They can be lit before service as a part of the ambience or could be lit as a part of worship (i.e., during the prayer or as a symbol of commitment). Also, fresh plants and flowers should fill the sanctuary, giving it the sight and smell of spring.   
  
  
• To engage the sense of touch, mementos can be given out such as small pots with dirt and seeds for worshippers to plant at home. This will give them a constant reminder of their duty to the earth. (If the expense is too great for your church to purchase pots, seeds alone can be given.) Seed kits and potted plant kits can be found at ctainc.com or orientaltrading.com or at your nursery.   
  
  
• To further engage the sense of sound, as a prelude to the service, nature sounds could be played. Several nature collections are available on CD. Many incorporate the sounds of nature and sacred music. An example of this is the “All Creation Sings” CD by Dino (see 11(c) below).
  
  
• And finally for taste, refreshments or a light reception could be held before or after church. Serve only fresh fruits and vegetables, juice, and water. Give worshipers the opportunity to taste the foods God prepared for them. If time and resources permit, a complete raw food potluck or dinner could be served. Menu and recipes ideas can be found at www.living-foods.com.

1. Litany and Congregational Readings
Litany

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) This Is My Father’s World. By Maltbie D. Babcock. Tune, (TERRA BEATA), by Franklin 
L. Sheppard

(b) How Great Thou Art. Text and Tune, (O STORE GUD), by Stuart K. Hine

(c) Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee. By Henry van Dyke. Tune, (HYMN TO JOY), by Ludwig  
van Beethoven

(d) O Worship the King. By Robert Grant. Tune, (LYONS), from Wm. Gardiner’s Sacred  
Melodies, 1815

(e) Praise to the Lord, the Almighty. By Joachim Neander. Tune, (LOBE DEN HERREN), by
W. Sterndale Bennett

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) He’s Got the Whole World in His Hand. Traditional. Tune, (WHOLE WORLD).

(b) Great Day. By J.W. Work

(c) View the Land. Spiritual

(d) Make a Better World. By Earl King

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Praise Teams, or Children
(a) Cover the Earth. By Cindy Cruse Ratcliff, Israel Houghton, and Melissa Houghton

(b) In All the Earth. By Tyrone Dickerson and Kirk Wendell Whalum

(c) High in All the Earth. By Andrea Clayton

(d) Fill the Earth. By Ron Kenoly

(e) God Made the Heavens and the Earth. By Kim Sipus and Mark Stitts. This is a great
     arrangement for children.

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Power of One. By Israel Houghton and Ricardo Sanchez

(b) Save the World. By Raymond Dominic Reeder, Jr.

(c) Back to Eden. By Donald Lawrence

6. Anthems
(a) For the Beauty of the Earth. By F. S. Pierpoint. Arr. By John Rutter. For SATB choir

(b) From All That Dwell Below the Skies. By David Shcwoebel. For SATB choir

(c) Achieved Is Thy Glorious Work. From “The Creation” by Franz Joseph Haydn

7. Modern Songs
(a) Come to the Water. By Paul Baloche, Steven Curtis Chapman, Stuart Garrard, Israel
Houghton, Tim Hughes, Graham Kendrik, Andy Park, Matt Redman, Martin Smith, Michael  
W. Smith, Chris Tomlin, and Darlene Zschech

(b) Shout Praise. By Paul Baloche, Steven Curtis Chapman, Stuart Garrard, Israel Houghton,
Tim Hughes, Graham Kendrik, Andy Park, Matt Redman, Martin Smith, Michael W. Smith,  
Chris Tomlin, and Darlene Zschech

(c) All the Earth. By Andrew Ulugia and Wayne Huirua

(d) I Could Sing of Your Love Forever. By Martin James Smith

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Offering. By Paul Baloche

(b) Give to the Lord. By Ron Kenoly

(c) Shout to the Lord. By Darlene Zschech

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) In the Garden. Text and Tune, (GARDEN), by C. Austin Miles. Instrumental

(b) Rain on Our Fields/Pray for Rain. By David Binion and Reba Rambo-McGuire

(c) Be Blessed. By Kurt Carr

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) Heal the Land. By Vincent Gray

(b) We Change the World. By Babbie Mason and Cindy Sterling

(c) A World of Difference. By Babbie Mason

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Use Me. By Dewitt Jones and Kim Jones

(b) Just as I Am. By Charlotte Elliott. Tune, (WOODWORTH), by William B. Bradbury

(c) Nature of Praise Medley. Arr. By Dino. Instrumental-piano

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) How Great Is Our God. By Chris Tomlin

(b) Till We Meet Again. By Kirk Franklin

(c) The Lord Bless You and Keep You. Text, Numbers 6:24-26. Tune by Peter Lutkin

13. Audio Visual Suggestions
(a) “Christians Go Green”
Location:

(b) “Environmental Concerns”
Location:

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

1. Litany and Congregational Readings
Litany. By Andrea Trusty King

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) How Great Is Our God. By Chris Tomlin
Location: