A SERVICE OF HEALING (For those suffering emotional distress, grief, divorce, and physical ailments)
MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Nolan Williams, Jr., Lectionary Team Liturgist; Kenneth Mosley, Assistant Liturgist; and Kurt Carr, Contributor, Gospel Recording Artist/Songwriter
Worship Planning Notes
In these days of uncertainty, many are emotionally distressed over the challenges they face. Others are grief stricken due to all manner of losses. Still others are suffering physical disorders, some self-induced, some predictable with age, and others totally unpredictable. Whatever the issue or ailment, all who are suffering desire healing. Jeremiah 17:4 reminds us that we can make our requests known to God who is our healer.
Audio Visual Suggestions
If you are able to display video during the worship service, produce a video of persons from your congregation sharing a one to two line testimony about having been healed by God. If you cannot display a video, a list of quotations from members of the congregation about healing will also be a good thing to share with the congregation.
1. Call to Worship, Centering Prayer, and Litany
Call to Worship
Healing, though it may seem at times elusive, even nebulous, is a concept found throughout the Bible. Today, we gather to worship and exalt the Healer, and to receive from him all we have need of: healing, comfort, and divine peace. Our dis-ease may be physical, emotional, and even spiritual; the need for healing is universal and our source of healing flows from the same fountain. Let us join together and worship as the river of healing flows.
Centering Prayer
O God, just as the woman who pressed through crowds, rules, distractions, and pain to touch the hem of your garment, we too draw near to you, firmly grasping your word concerning us. We believe in your promise, your willingness, your ability to heal us in every way: spirit, mind, and body. We surrender our worries, our fears, and even our doubts to you. You are our healer and we rest in you. Our eyes are firmly fixed on you, not on our maladies. And as we see you high and lifted up, in the fullness of your power, we believe and we receive your healing. For this, we are thankful. In your blessed name we pray. Amen.
Litany
Adapted from Matthew 9:35 (KJV); Isaiah 53:4, 5 (KJV); Isaiah 61:1-4 (NIV); and Mark 1:40-42 (NIV)
Reader:
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
People:
By faith, we receive healing for every manner of dis-ease we have.
Reader:
Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
People:
But He [was] wounded for our transgressions, [He was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.
Reader:
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
People:
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
Reader:
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
People:
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
Reader:
A man with leprosy came to Him and begged Him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
People:
Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!”
Reader:
Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.
All:
With great faith, we receive the promise of God’s word of healing in every aspect of our lives!
2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) He Touched Me. By William Gaither. Tune, (HE TOUCHED ME), by William Gaither
(b) Somebody Prayed for Me. By Dorothy Norwood and Alvin Darling
(c) Because He Lives. By Gloria and William Gaither. Tune, (RESURRECTION), by William
Gaither
3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) There Is a Balm in Gilead. Traditional
(b) Come On in the (My) Room. Traditional
(c) Holding On (and I Won’t Let Go My Faith). By Dorothy Love-Coates
4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) My Shepherd (Psalm 23). By Kurt Carr
(b) My Help (Cometh from the Lord). By Jackie Gouche Farris
(c) Touch and Deliver (Healing Angels from Heaven). By James Cleveland
(d) Oh, It Is Jesus. By Andraé Crouch
5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Why Not Trust God Again. By Kurt Carr
(b) Even Me. Arr. by Daryl Coley
(c) Praise Him in Advance. By Deon Kipping
(d) Healing Hands. By Thomas Whitfield
6. Anthems
(a) Surely. From Messiah. By G. F. Handel
(b) Those Who Wait on the Lord. By Craig Courtney
(c) Assurance. By John Ness Beck
7. Modern Songs (Songs Written After 1989)
(a) God Restores. By Wayne Bucknor
(b) When You Pray. By Walter Hawkins
(c) It Ain’t Over. By Anthony Brown
8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Right Time, Right Place. By Kurt Carr
(b) The Potter’s House. By V. Michael McKay
(c) Stronger. By Myron Butler
(d) God Is Able. By Jesse White, Jeffrey White, and Oscar Williams Jr.
9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) I Believe God. By Kurt Carr
(b) Come Ye Disconsolate. By Thomas Moore (v. 1–2) and Thomas Hastings (v. 3). Tune,
(CONSOLATOR), by Samuel Webbe
(c) Spirit of the Living God. By Daniel Iverson. Tune, (IVERSON), by Daniel Iverson
(d) No Weapon. By Fred Hammond and Alvin Moore
10. Sermonic Selection
(a) One Word. By Kurt Carr
(b) Prayers of the Righteous. By Israel Houghton, Aaron Lindsey, and Adrian Lindsey
(c) Let the Healing Begin. By Gretchen Starks and Derrick Starks
(d) My Times. By Carol D. Antrom
(e) (I Know) The Lord Will Make a Way Somehow. By Thomas Dorsey
11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) God Is a Healer. By Kurt Carr
(b) Let Go Let God. By DeWayne Woods
(c) Brokenhearted. By Kirk Franklin
(d) It’s Raining. By Israel Houghton
12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Be Blessed. By Kurt Carr
(b) Broken But I’m Healed. By V. Michael McKay
(c) If I Tell God. By Kurt Carr. This selection can be accompanied by liturgical dance.
13. Other Worship Recommendations
Include in your bulletin a list of books that your pastor has approved. A list of five is sufficient. Among the five be sure to include a book on coping with grief, a debilitating illness, and depression. Use African American resources.
Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed
1. Call to Worship, Centering Prayer, and Litany. By Nolan Williams, Jr., and Kenneth Mosley
2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) He Touched Me. By William Gaither. Tune, (HE TOUCHED ME), by William Gaither
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2001. #273
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. Nashville, TN: A.M.E. Zion Publishing House, 1996. #629
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 1987. #167
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. #469
(b) Somebody Prayed for Me. By Dorothy Norwood and Alvin Darling
Location:
Norwood, Dorothy & the Northern California GMWA Mass Choir. Live. Jackson, MS: Malaco, 1992.
African American Heritage Hymnal. #505
(c) Because He Lives. By Gloria and William Gaither. Tune, (RESURRECTION), by William
Gaither
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #281
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. #193
National Baptist Publishing Board. The New National Baptist Hymnal. Nashville, TN: National Baptist Pub. Board, 1981. #106
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #54
3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) There Is a Balm in Gilead. Traditional
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #524
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. #619
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #157
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #119
(b) Come On in the (My) Room. Traditional
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #525
(c) Holding On (and I Won’t Let Go My Faith). By Dorothy Love-Coates
Location:
Mississippi Mass Choir. Amazing Love. Jackson, MS: Malaco, 2002.
4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) My Shepherd (Psalm 23). By Kurt Carr
Location:
Just the Beginning. London, England: KCG/Zomba, 2008.
(b) My Help (Cometh from the Lord). By Jackie Gouche Farris
Location:
Crawford, Beverly Bam. The King Is Coming Any Day. New York, NY: Harmony Records, 1997.
(c) Touch and Deliver (Healing Angels from Heaven). By James Cleveland
Location:
Cleveland, Rev. James & the LA Gospel Messengers. Rev. James Cleveland & the LA Gospel Messengers. Japan: Savoy, 1991.
(d) Oh, It Is Jesus. By Andraé Crouch
Location:
No Time to Lose. Nashville, TN: Light, 1990.
5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Why Not Trust God Again. By Kurt Carr
Location:
One Church Project. London, England: Zomba Gospel, 2004.
(b) Even Me. Arr. by Daryl Coley
Location:
Live in Oakland: Home Again. New York, NY: Verity, 1997.
(c) Praise Him in Advance. By Deon Kipping
Location:
Sapp, Marvin. Thirsty. New York, NY: Verity, 2008.
(d) Healing Hands. By Thomas Whitfield
Location:
And They Sang a Hymn. Detroit, MI: Sounds of Gospel, 1989.
6. Anthems
(a) Surely. From Messiah. By G. F. Handel
Location:
J. W. Pepper & Sons Incorporated
2480 Industrial Boulevard
Paoli, PA 19301
Phone: 1-800-345-6296
