ECONOMIC JUSTICE/FINANCIAL LITERACY SUNDAY

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Eric Oliver, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Minister of Music for Zion Baptist Church in Cincinnati, OH, and a Labor Attorney for The National Labor Relations Board

Worship Planning Notes

As it was during those years in which we were taught the value of a good education and honest hard work, the choice before us today is to embrace a work and financial ethic that honors God. By doing so, we are assured of God’s favor and are guaranteed success and prosperity in all that we do. On the contrary, it is clear from God’s Word that the ungodly are not beneficiaries of God’s favor and that their pursuits and ventures will ultimately perish. It is an understanding of this spiritual precept which encourages us to abandon the way of the world and to invest our energies in vocations and service-oriented projects that are consistent with God’s recipe for a fruitful life. We do so while standing on God’s promise that he is the rewarder of those who diligently seek him.

Setting the Atmosphere for Worship

• The worship service should commence with an instrumental prelude or Praise and Worship selection (Praise Team and Congregation) which instills in the parishioners the victory that comes from serving God. If a traditional devotional format is used in which deacons are involved, they should be encouraged to select hymns or traditional call and response songs which convey the benefits of being a Christian disciple.
  
  
• If the church has a projection screen, images can be projected at appropriate points in the service which reinforce the theme of the rewards that come from being good stewards and adhering to God’s work ethic. Children’s Moment, if such is included in the worship service, might be an opportune time to use the projection screen for purposes of instilling in the younger congregants the importance of adhering to God’s work ethic.
  
  
• The above-noted theme can be reinforced at the close of the service and prior to the benediction by singing a verse and a chorus of a familiar song which ties in with the sermon and the theme of the worship service.
  
  
• A testimonial from a successful Christian businessperson, professional, missionary, etc. would also be meaningful and quite effective in convincing the parishioners of the multiple and unlimited benefits that come from a God-centered and/or ministry-oriented vocation or avocation.

1. Invocation

Economic Justice/Financial Literacy

Dear Savior of all creation,

We come today with gratitude in our hearts for the many ways in which you have abundantly blessed us. We realize that we are nothing without you and understand that it is because of your grace and mercy that we are heirs of your eternal promises.

Please forgive us for our foolish ways and sanctify our hearts and minds so that our will is aligned with yours. Instill in us a burning passion to be industrious, live financially responsible lives, and use our God-given skills, talents, and resources to bless others for your Name’s sake.

Let us not get side-tracked by the diversions of the enemy, but help us to keep our minds stayed on you so that our lives will bring you glory and draw others to you.

We offer this petition and prayer of thanksgiving in the precious Name of Jesus, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Trust and Obey. By John H. Sammis. Tune by Daniel B. Towner

(b) Living for Jesus. By Thomas O. Chisholm. Tune by C. Harold Lowden

(c) Take My Life, and Let It Be. By Frances Ridley Havergal. Tune by H.A. Cesar Malon. Arr. by Lowell Mason

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Rise an’ Shine. Traditional

(b) What You Do for Me, Lord. Traditional

(c) Shine for Jesus. By Julian Alford. Tune by E.C. Deas

(d) Ain’t Got Time to Die. By Hall Johnson

(e) Done Made My Vow to the Lord. By John W. Work

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) He’s So Freely Passing Out Blessings. By Damian D. Price

(b) Follow Jesus. By Margaret Pleasant Douroux

(c) It’s Wonderful to Live for Jesus. Text and Tune by Charles A. Craig, Jr. Arr. by R. H. Goodpasteur

(d) My Job Is Working for Jesus. Text and Tune by James Cleveland. Arr. by Kenneth Morris

5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Ministry Music
(a) Bless Me (Prayer of Jabez). By Donald Lawrence and Andraé Crouch

(b) Empower Us, Lord. By Gale Jones Murphy

(c) Order My Steps. By Glenn E. Burleigh

(d) You Covered Me. By Donald Lawrence

6. Anthems
(a) Come, Come Ye Saints. By William Clayton. Tune and arrangement by J. Spencer Cornwall

(b) It Pays to Serve Jesus. Text and Tune by Frank C. Huston. Arr. by Nathan Carter

7. Modern Songs (Written between 2005–2011)
(a) Favor. By David Frazier

(b) Just Want to Please You. By Rodney Hubbard

(c) Favor (Ain’t Fair). By Anthony McEastland and Mitchell VaShawn

(d) God Blocked It. By Kurt Carr

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) God Has Smiled on Me. Text and Tune by Isaiah Jones, Jr. Arr. by Nolan Williams, Jr.

(b) God Is. Text and Tune by Robert J. Fryson. Arr. by Evelyn Simpson-Curenton and Nolan Williams, Jr.

(c) I Really Love the Lord. Text and Tune by Jimmy Dowell. Arr. by Nolan Williams Jr.

(d) Make Me a Blessing. By Ira B. Wilson. Tune by George S. Schuler

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Jesus Is All the World to Me. By Will L. Thompson

(b) He’s Sweet I Know. By A. Jackson

(c) Keep Me Every Day. By F.I. Eiland. Tune by Emmet S. Dean

(d) Give Me a Clean Heart. By Margaret Pleasant Douroux

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) Higher Ground. By Johnson Oatman, Jr. Tune by Charles H. Gabriel

(b) I Do, Don’t You. By Melville W. Miller. Tune by E.O. Excell. Suggested for solo

(c) Where He Leads Me. By E. W. Blandy. Tune by John S. Norris

(d) May the Work I’ve Done Speak for Me. Text and Tune by Sullivan Pugh. Arr. by Kenneth Morris. Suggested for solo

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Follow Jesus. By Margaret Pleasant Douroux

(b) I Have Decided to Follow Jesus. Text ascribed to an Indian prince; as sung in Garo, Assam. Tune: ASSAM; Indian folk melody. Arr. by Norman Johnson

(c) I’ve Decided to Make Jesus My Choice. By Harrison Johnson

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) The Lord Bless You/Sevenfold Amen. Numbers 6:24-26. Tune, (BENEDICTION), by Peter C. Lutkin

(b) Always Remember. Text and tune by Andraé Crouch. Arr. by Evelyn Simpson-Curenton

(c) I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired. Text and tune by Curtis Burrell. Arr. by Stephen Key and Nolan Williams Jr.

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

1. Invocation—“Economic Justice/Financial Literacy” by Eric V. Oliver, Cincinnati, Ohio. Used with permission.