PASTOR’S ANNIVERSARY

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Michelle Riley Jones, Lectionary Team Liturgist

Worship Planning Notes

A pastor’s anniversary is an opportunity for the congregation to recommit their gifts to the building up of the Kingdom of God, supporting the leadership of the Pastor, the “Lay Shepherd.” While looking for leadership from a pastor, the church cannot depend solely on the energy and gifts of a single individual—or even the entire pastoral staff and elders or deacons—but rather on a broad-based commitment of all members, as well. This decentralized and enabling shared ministry reflects the acceptance of others’ ministry gifts and creatively motivates individuals within the fellowship.

Everyone who is part of a local church has a vital role to play in nurturing the shepherd who was called to lead and feed them. The showing of appreciation for pastors is a concept that is found in Scripture. Practically speaking, showing appreciation serves two purposes. First, it is a positive witness, showing your community that God is loving and caring. Second, honoring your pastor creates an atmosphere that encourages a positive response to the call of God to the pastoral ministry. A positive, healthy Church produces those called of God to serve in Christian ministry.

The focus of the service should be the congregation’s gratitude, expressed to God for its pastor(s). In addition, the service can challenge the congregation to continue to pray for and support its pastor(s). All of the pastors in the congregation can be involved—the senior pastor, youth pastor, administrative pastor, worship pastor, etc.

This worship unit highlights the music of the “singing pastors,” those set apart to shepherd congregations, who are gifted in the preaching of the Word, and also in the ministry of Word through song and music.

Some general suggestions for this worship service include:

• Develop presentations of recognition and appreciation, grouped by age ranges (instead of by ministries), that honor the senior pastor’s reach over the full congregational life experience, from babies to seniors.


• The liturgical colors for this celebration are white and gray, with purple accents. These colors can be reflected in the liturgical garments and robes, flags, banners, floral arrangements, etc.


• A bulletin announcement printed a few weeks before the service can invite the congregation to bring cards or notes of appreciation for the pastors, to be placed in specially designated receptacles.


• When honoring the senior pastor, be mindful to also honor his or her family if applicable.


• Invite a pastor who has special significance in the life of your senior pastor and his or her family to serve as guest preacher for the service.

1. Litany, Responsive Reading, or Invocation
Litany
(a) Litany of Faith. By Sharon Postma

Songs for Gathering
(b) Glorify Him. By Sheryl Brady

(c) I Was Glad. By Andraé Crouch

(d) I Feel the Lord in This Place. By Paul D. Wright and Timothy Wright

(e) We Worship You O God. By Debra B. Morton and Michael Robinson

(f) I Came to Magnify the Lord. By Mark Condon

(g) Let’s Just Praise the Lord. By Alex Ingram

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Praise to the Lord, the Almighty. By Joachim Neander. Tune, (LOBE DEN HERREN), by William S. Bennett

(b) Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us. By Dorothy Thrupp. Music, (BRADBURY), by William B. Bradbury

(c) O Zion Haste. By Mary Ann Thompson. Tune, (TIDINGS), by James Walch

(d) I Surrender All. By Andraé Crouch

(e) God Will Take Care of You. By Civilla D. Martin. Tune by Martin W. Stillman

(f) There Is Power. By Allowyn Price

(g) There Is a Fountain. By Anthony Lockett

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Great Day the Righteous Marching. Spiritual

(b) Medley: Lord I Thank You & I’m So Glad That the Lord Saved Me. Traditional

(c) If I Can Help Somebody. Traditional

(d) Medley: Trust in the Lord. Traditional

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) He Brought Me This Far. By Andraé Crouch

(b) Medley: Peter, Don’t Be Afraid/Nobody But You Lord/Teach Me Master. By Shirley Caesar

(c) Not about Us. By Tammi Haddon and Gerald Hassan

(d) So Many Wonderful Things. By F. C. Barnes

(e) Lord Keep Me Day by Day. By Eddie Williams

(f) I Love To Praise Him. Traditional

(g) If It Wasn’t for Your Grace. By Kurt Carr

(h) Church Medley. Traditional

(i) The Old Time Way. Traditional

(j) Walk Like Jesus. By Dana Davis

5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Group Music
(a) I’ll Trust You Lord. By Donnie McClurkin

(b) To Be Kept by Jesus (Psalm 121). By Robert W. “JoJo” Hill

(c) I’m Still Standing. By Kurt Carr

(d) Sacrifice of My Praise. By Kevin Bond

(e) How Great Is Our God. By Ed Cash and Chris Tomlin

6. Anthems
(a) Praise to the Lord, the Almighty. By Mark Hayes. This selection is for choral SATB and optional brass quintet and percussion. Handbell accompaniment is also available.

(b) Be Thou Exalted. Based on Psalm 57. By Diane White-Clayton. This selection is for SSATB or SSAA choir.

(c) Sweet Meditation. By Diane White-Clayton. This is an anthem setting of Psalm 107 for SATB Choir.
In the vamp the composer uses the word “sweet” as a theme and quotes such familiar songs as
“Tis So Sweet” and “Every Day with Jesus” and “Jesus, O How Sweet  the Name.”

(d) Oh Give Thanks Unto the Lord. By Barbara Jackson

7. Modern Songs
(a) Lord You’ve Been Good. By Jackie Gouche Farris and J. Gouche-Farris

(b) Eyes Have Not Seen. By Chris Morris

(c) Jesus Is Lord. By Andraé Crouch

(d) Lord You’ve Been Good. By Jackie Gouche Farris

8. Music for the Offertory Period
(a) Made a Way. By A. McEastland, V. Mitchell, and G. Robinson

(b) Grateful. By James Hall

(c) Thank You for Everything. By Andraé Crouch

(d) Dear Jesus, I Love You. By Walter Hawkins

(e) Give Thanks. By H. Smith

9. Songs for the Pastor’s Spouse and/or Co-Pastor and Family
(a) The Lord Is My Shepherd. By Hezekiah Walker

(b) Mercy Seat. By J. Carelton, M. Carouthers, and Stephen A. Richardson

(c) You Can Make It. By Michael E. Mathis

(d) Servant’s Prayer. By Kevin Bond

(e) For All That You Have Done. By Faye Favors and Jason White

(f) Every Body Ought to Have a Praise. By Vashawn Mitchell

(g) Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. By Timothy Wright

(h) A Shield about Me. By Donn Thomas and Charles Williams

(i) We Need You Lord. By Jonathan Butler

10. Song or Instrumental for the Laying on of Hands for Pastor(s)
(a) By Faith I Touched Jesus. By Debra B. Morton

(b) Medley: I Just Want to Praise You & The Greatest Thing in All My Life. By Mark Pendergrass and Arthur Tannous

(c) Hear My Prayer. By Rick Robinson

(d) He Touched Me. By William J. Gaither

(e) No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus. By C. F. Weigle

(f) Armor of God. By Jeanie McQuinn and Jacquelyn Reddick

(g) That’s Who You Are. By Rod Lumpkin II

(h) I Love You Lord. By Walter Hawkins

(i) My Tribute. By Andraé Crouch

11. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Lord, Keep Me Day by Day. By Eddie Williams

(b) More of Thee. By Tammi Haddon

(c) Waiting on You. By Sheryl Brady and Clint Brown

(d) He Has His Hands on You. By Percy Bady

(e) God Is Here. By Israel Houghton and Martha Munizzi

12. Sermonic Selection
(a) Amazing Grace. By John Newton

(b) Lamb’s Book of Life. By J. Farris-Gouche and Jackie Gouche Farris

(c) Mercy Saw Me. By Geron Davis and Becky Davis

(d) The Lord Is My Light. By Horatio Parker

(e) I Need Thee. By Annie S. Hawks. Tune, (NEED), by Robert Lowry

13. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) “Rev.” By Kirk Whalum

(b) Harvest Time. By Tammi Haddon and Gerald Hassan

(c) Try Christ. By Walter Hawkins

(d) A City Called Heaven. By Aaron Sledge and Bryan Sledge

14. Benediction Spoken or Sung
Benediction Spoken
(a) The Pastor’s Song (based on Luke 2:29-32). By Michelle Riley Jones

Lord, here am I, your humble servant.
Strengthen me and my family as we recommit
ourselves to continue to fulfill your ordained will.
You have chosen me for this special ministry,
called me to shepherd this flock;
so that you may be revealed to this community,
yea, even the whole world,
and that you might be glorified among the peoples.
Dismiss us, but may we remain forever in thy presence.
Amen.

Benediction Sung
(b) Hallelujah Song. By Donnie McClurkin

(c) Power of a Dream. By Wintley Phipps

(d) United We Stand. By Timothy Wright

(e) I Feel Like Going On. By Shonta Levette Graham

15. Audio Visual Suggestions
(a) Design an in-house video. Have your worship arts and audio visual team work with the congregation to develop a video presentation of people sharing their testimonies of how the pastor and his or her family has influenced their lives and what they appreciate most about the pastor and/or his or her spouse.

(b) Incorporate video interludes in the service. You may purchase videos that focus on showing appreciation for the pastor to incorporate into the worship service.
Sample: http://www.sermonspice.com/product/20838/pastor-appreciation-month-oct

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed