CELEBRATION OF VOCATIONS (LABOR DAY)

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Nolan Williams, Jr., Lectionary Team Liturgist; Kenneth Mosley, Assistant Liturgist; and J. Anthony Plenty, Assistant Liturgist

Worship Planning Notes

As we celebrate the nobleness of work for this moment on the calendar, we also lift the needs of those who struggle to work and receive low pay.

This Labor Day, think of ways to salute in worship those in your congregation and community who are working hard on jobs that do not pay well. They help keep society going and their labor is worthy of our recognition. This year honor teachers, maids, grocery baggers, etc.

1. Call to Worship, Centering Prayer, and Litany

Call to Worship
Deuteronomy 24:14-15
Do not take advantage of a hired man who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother Israelite or an alien living in one of your towns. Pay him his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and is counting on it. Otherwise he may cry to the Lord against you, and you will be guilty of sin.

Centering Prayer
O God, you gave each of us talent and skill by which we are able to provide for ourselves and our families. We acknowledge you as the source of all of our provisions, both spiritual and material. Bless now those who are in need, those who labor much but still experience lack, and those who have suffered financial loss. In all of our work, we will labor as a service to you and your kingdom, as your Word says we should. In your blessed name we do pray. Amen.

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) A Charge to Keep I Have (meter). By Charles Wesley. Tune, African American
spiritual

(b) If Jesus Goes with Me. By C. Austin Miles. Tune, (IF JESUS GOES), by C. Austin
Miles

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs 
(a) This Little Light of Mine. Traditional

(b) Ain’t Got Time to Die. Arr. by Hall Johnson

(c) I’ll Stand. By Raymond Wise

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams 
(a) God Wants a Yes. By James Hall

(b) Jesus Promised. By Tim Carpenter

(c) Noah. By Michael Grady, Anthony Grady, and Major Robinson

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) I’m Going On. By William Ragland

(b) Order My Steps. By Glen Burleigh

(c) Walk with Me. Traditional

6. Anthems
(a) God Be Praised. By Kevin Bond

(b) Come Unto Me All Ye That Labor. By Rosephanye Powell

(c) Reach the World. By Mark Bishop. Arr. by Richard Kingsmore

(d) Walk Worthy. By J. Paul Williams and Joseph Martin

7. Modern Songs (Songs Written after 1989)
(a) For the Rest of My Life. By Timothy Wright

(b) Work the Work. By Steven Food, Rodney J. Harris, and Marcus Herring

(c) Can’t Give Up Now. By Erica Atkins, Trecina Atkins, Curtis Burrell, and Warryn
Campbell

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) I Will. By Joe Pace, II

(b) You’re All I Need. By Jason Clayborn

(c) It’s Another New Day. By Milton Biggham

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Thank You, Lord. Traditional

(b) Here I Am to Worship. By Tim Hughes

(c) Jesus Be a Fence Around Me. By Sam Cooke. Arr. by Fred Hammond

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) Working on the Building. By Byron Cage

(b) Be Ye Steadfast. By Arthur Jones

(c) No Ways Tired. By Curtis Burrell

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental 
(a) On the Other Side of Through. By Harry Cooper and Isaiah Jones

(b) I’m Available to You. By Carlis Moody

(c) Saved, Saved! Text and tune by Jack P. Scholfield

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) We Must Work. By Keith C. Laws. Arr. by Nolan Williams, Jr.

(b) Be Ye Steadfast. By Arthur Jones. If you minister the entire song earlier in service,
only sing the chorus for benediction.

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

1. Call to Worship, Centering Prayer, and Litany. By Nolan Williams, Jr., and
Kenneth Mosley