MOTHER’S DAY

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Marco K. Merrick, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Director of the Inspirational Choir, Douglas Memorial Community Church, Baltimore, MD

Worship Planning Notes

Power point Presentation – For use prior to worship, during liturgical dance, or at a post service reception/coffee hour gather a collection of pictorial materials from parishioners that feature mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, and grandmothers from within your congregation and community. Also consider including visuals and photographs of historic women/mothers in the Black faith community and Black women leaders in government, education, medicine, business, politics, etc.

These images can be useful tools for informing our children and youth about the contributions of women (particularly mothers) who paved the way for us in society. It’s even more important to point out through brief blurbs that should accompany the images their “strong faith” which enabled their accomplishments and contributions to society.  

In general, Mother’s Day observance is a time in the Black Church when many attend services, with or in memory of their mothers. It would be helpful to promote this special day weeks in advance to encourage members to invite their families to worship together with as many generations of mothers in their families as possible.

If possible, also provide invitations for members to distribute – not just within their own families – but also to neighbors, co-workers and friends who do not typically attend church. Mother’s Day can be a useful vehicle for outreach to the community. In addition to the invitations, send E-blasts and Facebook announcement cards or invitations to neighbors and throughout your community. This will make the neighbors feel welcome and part of a church in their community. Be sure to identify them during the service and encourage members to reach out (in a very personal way) to everyone who is visiting.

It may be helpful to provide an incentive to the membership to invite their families or mothers  (i.e., a gift certificate for dinner for the longest living mother or great-grandmother in attendance; or a special gift to the largest family in attendance with their matriarch during the service. etc.)

During the service, ask all mothers who can to stand, and then specially acknowledge all grandmothers, great-grandmothers, and great-great-grandmothers. 

(b) The Church’s One Foundation. By S. J. Stone. Tune, (AURELIA).

(c) My Faith Looks Up To Thee. By Ray Palmer. Tune, (OLIVET).

(b) Do You Love My Lord. Arr. by Roy Belfield, Jr. Traditional African American Spiritual

(c) My Soul’s Been Anchored in De Lord. Arr. by Glenn Jones

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles or Praise Teams
(a) Use Me. By M. Roger Holland, II

(b) The Lord Will Hear The Just When They Cry Out. By Kenneth W. Louis

(c) Follow Jesus. By Margaret Pleasant Douroux 

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) How I Got Over. Arr. by Dorothy Pearson

(b) Oh Happy Day. Arr. by Edwin Hawkins

6. Anthems
(a) Be Strong! The Lord Will Be With You. By Roy L. Belfield, Jr.

(c) A Virtuous Woman. By Guy Robinson  

(b) O Magnify. By Glenn Burleigh

(c) My Everything (Praise Waiteth). By Richard Smallwood

(b) Last Night While Counting My Blessings. By Margaret Pleasant Douroux

(b) Hear My Prayer. By Moses Hogan

(c) What A Friend We Have In Jesus. Arr. by Valeria A. Foster. Tune, (CAANAN).  

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) O For A Faith. Arr. by Nathan Carter

(b) Blessed Quietness. Arr. by Glenn Burleigh

(c) Great Is Thy Faithfulness. Arr. by Nathan Carter  

(b) Just A Closer Walk With Thee. Traditional African American Spiritual

(c) I Will Trust In The Lord. Traditional

12. Benediction Song or Music
(a) Just In Case (A Benediction Song). By Glenn Burleigh

(b) Lord, Dismiss Us With Thy Blessing. By John Fawcett. Tune, (SICILIAN MARINERS).

(c) The Lord Bless You/Sevenfold Amen. By Peter Lutkin

13. Other Worship Recommendations
Following the worship service:

• It would hospitable to hold a reception or coffee hour that enables everyone to fellowship. Prepare information about your church and its ministries for guests who may not have church families. This is a great time for visitors to see and experience a sense of family within your church. Equally important is the opportunity for families with children to see that there are opportunities for their children to participate in the life of the church. 

• Also, provide examples of and information as to how your church works in and with its surrounding community. Often, visitors are individuals who live and or work near the church. Be sure to provide cards, brochures and programs with information about the church, its ministries and services it provides to the community. As well, be sure to obtain contact information from all visitors (including family members of current members of the church).

• Have your Christian Education department do a follow-up discussion (during the next week – or a subsequent Sunday) about the images of the women used in the power point presentation. Perhaps there are stories to be shared by members in the church about the photos they may have provided, or discussions to be had with young people on the roles of these women and all mothers. Teachers can also use the images to have youth engage in a creative writing contest about mothers.

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed