CELEBRATING ASSOCIATE CLERGY

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Dedric A. Cowser, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
M.Div. Student, Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia

Worship Planning Notes

Many would agree that associate clergypersons are not honored or emphasized enough in many of our local churches; however, their role is vital to the well-being of the church. Associate clergy are often in the background building and leading the programs and ministries of the church, as well as equipping the saints for ministry.

Associate clergy lead and serve in many capacities in the local church; therefore, as you celebrate, find ways to involve various ministries who are directly led by these clergy to participate in planning. This is a wonderful opportunity to allow a vast array of worship participants who deeply appreciate the work of those being honored to express their love and appreciation. This could also be a Sunday in which associate clergy are installed into their various positions.

1. Prelude
(a) Who’ll Be a Witness fo’ Mah Lawd? African American Spiritual. Arr. by William Farley Smith. Organ

(b) Jesus Christ Is the Way. By Walter Hawkins

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

2. Choral Introit/Gathering Music
(a) There’s a Spirit of Love in This Place. Text and Tune, (MEDEMA), by Mark A. Miller

(b) Let’s Praise the Lord. By Rufus Carter

(c) Praise Him. Text and Tune by Donnie Harper. Arr. by Stephen Key

3. Call to Worship
(a) Clergy Appreciation

Good Shepherd of the sheep, you have appointed some to be pastors and teachers, under-shepherds of our souls. For this we give thanks.

We rejoice that they follow in the tradition of the apostles and prophets of old.

Apostles are commissioned as delegates of the Lord Jesus Christ to bring the Word of God to the unbelieving.

They proclaim the good news of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

After Jesus prayed, he then selected the initial twelve apostles to further his teaching.

They were trained by his example to carry on his ministry after his departure.

Jesus commissioned seventy more apostles, representing all the nations of the world.

After his departure, the apostles testified to his resurrection. Barnabas and Andronicus, Junia and Paul, were added to this group.

The prophets are messengers to the believing Church, discerned as instruments of fresh revelations.

They included Anna and Simeon, the prophets at Antioch and Jerusalem, and finally, Philip’s daughters.

Prophets give inspired instruction in moral and religious truth. Some are endowed with literary powers and commit their visions and revelations to writing.

Prophets edify, comfort, and counsel God’s people.

Among the apostles and prophets whom we honor today are Richard Allen and Absolam Jones, Jarena Lee, Lemuel Haynes, Sojourner Truth, and Bishops Mason and Lawson.

Thanks be to God!

We also honor Adam Clayton Powell, Benjamin Mays, Howard Thurman, Pauli Murray, Martin Luther King Jr., C.L. Franklin, J.H. Jackson, and Samuel Procter. We give thanks for unnamed servants of the Lord, women and men of the past, as well as those who serve us today.

Thanks be to God!

Our clergy announce God’s will with authority, honoring the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus. They take heed to build carefully upon his foundation, studying and rightly dividing the word of truth.

Thanks be to God for the diligent efforts of our clergy!

(b) Greeting & Opening Prayer

We come together as the Church
to offer praise and thanksgiving to God,
to hear the Holy Word,
and to seek for ourselves and others
the power, presence, and direction of the Holy Spirit.
Let us pray.

Eternal God, by Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit
you gave to your apostles many excellent gifts.
Give your grace to all servants of your Church
that we may with diligence and faithfulness
fulfill our various ministries.
Grant that we your people may follow where you lead
and live in joyful obedience to your will;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

4. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) I Am on the Battlefield for My Lord. Text and Tune by Sylvana Bell and E.V. Banks. Arr. by Thomas A. Dorsey
           
(b) It Pays to Serve Jesus. Text and Tune by Frank C. Huston

(c) God of the Prophets. By Dennis Wortman. Tune, (TOULON), adapt. from OLD 124^th, Trente quatre Pseaumes, Geneva, 1551

(d) Many Gifts, One Spirit. Text and Tune, (KATHERINE), by Al Carmines

(e) Renew Thy Church, Her Ministries Restore. By Kenneth L. Cober. Tune, (ALL IS WELL), J.T. White’s Sacred Harp

(f) To the Work! By Fanny J. Crosby. Tune, (TOILING ON), by William H. Doane

5. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Witness. Arr. by Moses Hogan. SATB, a cappella

(b) Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning. African American Spiritual. Tune, (KEEP YOUR
LAMPS).

(c) Great Day the Righteous Marching. Arr. by Moses Hogan. A cappella

6. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) I’m Available to You. By Milton Brunson
           
(b) Grateful. By Kurt Carr

(c) Give Me a Clean Heart. Text and Tune by Margaret Pleasant Douroux. Arr. by Albert Dennis Tessier and Nolan Williams, Jr.

7. Liturgical Dance or Mime Ministry Music
(a) In the Sanctuary. By J. Daniel Smith and Mark Condon

(b) My Life Is in Your Hands. By Kirk Franklin

(c) The Light. By Ricky Dillard

8. Anthems
(a) Total Praise. Text and Tune by Richard Smallwood

(b) Guide My Feet, Lord. Arr. by John Carter. Scriptural References: Psalm 9:1, 51:15; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15. SATB

(c) Take and Receive, O Lord. By Allen Pote

(d) Lord, My God, a Wonder Fills My Heart and Soul. Music by W. Mozart. Arr. by Hal H. Hopson

9. Modern Songs (Written between 2000–2010)
(a) I Give Myself Away. By William McDowell

(b) Flow to You. By Deshazo

(c) Never Would Have Made It. By Marvin Sapp

10. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) What a Mighty God We Serve. Text and Tune by Donn Thomas

(b) I’m Still Standing. By Paul S. Morton

(c) No Battle, No Blessing. By Shari Addison

11. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired. Text and Tune by Curtis Burrell. Arr. by Stephen Key and Nolan Williams, Jr.

(b) Jesus, Draw Me Ever Nearer. By Margaret Becker

(c) Make Us One. Text and Tune, (MAKE US ONE), by Carol Cymbala

(d) I Give All to You. Text and Tune by Larnelle Harris. Arr. by Williams S. Moon

12. Sermonic Selection
(a) It’s Your Time. By Luther Barnes

(b) Center of My Joy. By Gloria Gaither. Tune, (CENTER OF MY JOY), by Richard Smallwood and William Gaither. Arr. by Mark A. Miller

(c) Precious Jesus. Text and Tune by Thomas A. Whitfield. Arr. by Thomas W. Jefferson

(d) Father, I Stretch My Hands to Thee. By Charles Wesley. Tune, (MARTYRDOM), by Hugh Wilson

(e) Amazing Grace. By John Newton. Tune, (AMAZING GRACE). Harm. by Edwin O. Excell

13. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Called as Partners in Christ’s Service. By Jane Parker Huber. Tune, (BEECHER), by John Zundel

(b) Here Am I, Send Me. By Daniel March. Tune by J.C. Lenderman

(c) Follow Jesus. Text and Tune, (FOLLOW JESUS), by Wayman L. Burwell, Sr. Arr. by Nolan Williams, Jr.

14. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Make Me a Blessing. By Ira B. Wilson. Tune, (SCHULER), by George S. Schuler

(b) Thuma Mina (Send Me, Jesus). South African traditional song. Tune, (THUMA MINA).

(c) Go to the World. By Sylvia G. Dunstan. Tune, (SINE NOMINE). Alleluias by Ralph Vaughn
Williams

(d) We Study, We Shout, We Serve. Text and Tune by Eddie A. Robinson

15. An Order for the Installation or Recognition of Leaders in the Church

This order may be included in a service of worship when elected or appointed leaders in the congregation are to be installed or recognized.

As a Response to the Word or at some other appropriate place within a public worship service, the pastor invites the leaders being recognized to come forward. The pastor presents the leaders to the congregation and then says to them:

Dear friends,

You have been called by God and chosen by the people of God
for leadership in the church.
This ministry is a blessing and a serious responsibility.
It recognizes your special gifts
and calls you to work among us and for us.
In love we thank you for accepting your obligation
and challenge you to offer your best
to the Lord, to his people, and to our ministry in the world.
Live a life in Christ
and make him known in your witness and your work.
Today we install (recognize) [Names].

Do you this day acknowledge yourself a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ?

I do.

Will you devote yourself to the service of God in the world?

I will.

Will you so live that you enable this church to be a people of love and peace?

I will.

Will you do all in your power to be responsible to the task for which you have been chosen?

I will.

Let us pray.

Almighty God, pour out your blessings upon these your servants
who have been given particular ministries in your church.
Grant them grace to give themselves wholeheartedly in your service.
Keep before them the example of our Lord,
who did not think first of himself, but gave himself for us all.
Let them share his ministry and consecration,
that they may enter into his joy.
Guide them in their work.
Reward their faithfulness with the knowledge
that through them your purposes are accomplished;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The pastor addresses the congregation:

Dear friends, rejoice that God provides laborers for the vineyards.
Will you do all you can to assist and encourage them
in the responsibilities to which they have been called,
giving them your cooperation, your counsel, and your prayers?

The congregation responds:

We will.

The pastor may greet the leaders individually.

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed