PROVIDING AID DURING NATURAL AND MANMADE DISASTERS
MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Michelle Riley Jones, Lectionary Team Liturgist
“Our prayers must be seconded with serious endeavors, else we mock God.”
—Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on Nehemiah 2
Worship Planning Notes
This service should be a clarion call for God’s people to respond boldly, to respond wholeheartedly, and to respond with the full measure of love that God has for us all towards those who are suffering due to natural and manmade disasters. This service should call people to respond both with their physical efforts and other resources and with their prayers.
Some suggestions for the service include:
Make the entire service highly participatory.
The music should be energetic so as to inspire and compel people to action, but should also allow for lament by those who are still suffering from the effects of a disaster.
Develop a “Let’s Rebuild” Campaign. It can be one for your community, your state, your country, or another country. Identify specific projects in which your members can participate. Select a coordinator from your church for each project. Take individual 3 x 5 cards and write the names of the project opportunity on one side, and on side 2 include: brief details about the needs of the project, location of the project, church coordinator name and phone number, date of an info session about the project (coordinator can host this), and project dates/timeframe. To make it fun, attach the project tag to a miniature item which represents the specific needs of the project.
Several ideas are:
For those projects which need physical labor, attach a project tag to miniature wooden hammers or other tool. (Purchase these at a craft store.)
For those projects which need highly skilled labor (i.e., plumbing, electrical), attach the project tag to a miniature pipe or snips of wire.
For those projects which require service labor (i.e., sorting clothes at a distribution center, serving meals, etc.), attach the project tag to miniature broom, spoon/plate, paper doll shirt, etc.
In lieu of the miniature items, you can also use a stamp to put an image of the project type on the other side.
Place these in baskets based on project type and at some point in the service—maybe at Offering—let your congregation come to the front as they are giving their offering and pick a project. Later in the service, ask those who took a project to come forward and have the pastor and elders pray over them.
Members can attend informational sessions about the projects right after the service and/or at a later date.
Let the rebuilding begin!
1. Litany, Responsive Reading, or Invocation
Call to Worship (a) Call to Worship – Nehemiah 2:17-20 (AMP). [Paraphrase added]
LEADER:
Then I said to them, You see the bad situation we are in—how Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates are burned with fire.
CONGREGATION:
Come, let us build up the wall of Jerusalem…
LEADER:
Then I told them of the hand of my God which was upon me for good, and also the words that the king had spoken to me.
CONGREGATION:
And they said, Let us rise up and build!
LEADER:
So they strengthened their hands for the good work. But when [others] heard of it, they laughed us to scorn and despised us and said, What is this thing you are doing?…
ALL:
[We] answered them, The God of heaven will prosper us;therefore we His servants will arise and [re]build.
Litany (b) Worker’s Appreciation. Emphasis added throughout by Michelle Riley Jones
Leader:
O Lord God, we thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, in the form of a servant. He said in the Holy Word that He came to serve. Thank You for those who imitate His spirit of serving.
People:
Lord, we thank You for those who have serving spirits.
Leader:
We thank You, Lord, for those who have girded themselves with the towel of service, whether they possess a title or not. They go out, onto the highways and byways, in the cities and in the hills, both at home and afar, to lend a helping hand to those in need.
People:
Lord, we thank You.
Leader:
We thank You for those who serve behind the scenes, doing the things necessary for the advancement of this church, and for the benefit of all people.
People:
We thank You, Lord.
Leader:
Lord, we thank You for those who are always willing to give of their talents and skills for the cause of Christ.
People:
Thank You, Lord.
Leader:
We are grateful for those who never say no when asked to serve, but are always willing to go the extra mile for Your kingdom.
People:
Lord, we are grateful.
Leader:
Lord, we thank You for those who serve untiringly with glad hearts, because they render their service unto You and not unto people.
People:
We thank You, Lord.
Leader:
We give You glory for the level of excellence that they bring to ministry. We thank you that you have filled the church with so much expertise.
People:
Lord, we thank You.
Leader:
Knowing that You will reward everyone according to his or her works, we bless Your name for their future rewards. Lord, please enable us to speak words of encouragement and appreciation and bless them with acts of kindness in the meantime, for the acts of kindness they so willingly bestow on others.
All:
Lord, we thank You for those who serve among us.
Music for Gathering (c) Today, Our Hearts – A Call to Worship. By John Stoddart. For SATB choir and congregation
2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Somebody Here Needs a Blessing. By Eddie Robinson
(b) Quaking Earth and Swirling Water. By Safiyah Fosua. This song waswritten shortlyafter the 8.9 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Japan on March 11, 2011. Meter is 8.7.8.7Trochaic. Suggested Tune: RESTORATION (Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy)
Quaking earth and swirling water
Highways turned to waterfalls
Sweeping people, houses seaward
God of mercy help us all!
Walls of water rushing eastward
Leaving havoc in their wake
Sirens sounding, children crying
God of mercy help us all!
When the waters have subsided
When the earth stops shivering
Move our hearts to offer succor
God of mercy help us all.
(c) Work for the Night Is Coming. By Anna Coghill. Tune by Lowell Mason
(d) Renew Thy Church, Her Ministries Restore. By Kenneth L. Cober. Tune, (ALL IS WELL), from J.T. White’s Sacred Harp
(e) A Shelter in the Time of Storm. By Vernon J. Charlesworth. Tune by Ira D. Sankey
(f) Standing on the Promises. Text and Tune, (PROMISES), by R. Kelso Carter
(g) I Gave My Life for Thee. By Frances R. Havergal. Tune, (KENOSIS), by Philip P. Bliss
3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs (a) Ride On, King Jesus. Traditional
(b) Shine on Me. Spiritual. Tune, (SHINE ON ME).
(c) I Been Prayin.’ Spiritual
(d) Soon Ah Will Be Done. Spiritual
(e) Father I Stretch My Hand to Thee/Amazing Grace. By Charles Wesley and John Newton
(f) Sing ‘Til the Power of the Lord Comes Down. Spiritual. Arr. by Alan J. Hommerding. For SATB, a cappella
4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, and Praise Teams (a) Work to Do. By Dorinda Clark-Cole
5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Ministry Music (a) Lord You Reign. By Shirley Murdock
(b) Word Shall Perform. By Jason Nelson
(c) Bridge Over Troubled Water. By Paul Simon
(d) I Don’t Look Like (What I’ve Been Through). By Deon Kipping
6. Anthems (a) Rise Up, Oh Men of God. Arr. by Kenneth Jennings. For TTBB
(b) O for a Faith. By Sharon Willis. For SATB
(c) No Matter What I’m Gonna Keep on Praising the Lord. By Raymond Wise
(d) Great Is Thy Faithfulness. By William Runyon. Arr. by Nathan Carter
7. Modern Songs (a) What Faith Can Do. By Scott Davis and Scott Krippayne
(b) Rebuild. By James Moss
(c) Great and Mighty. By Maria Jenkins
(d) Heaven on Earth. By David Binion, John Brockman, and Joshua Dufrene
(e) Holding On. By Jamie Grace
(f) Here I Am. By Jonathan Dunn
(g) Lift Up Ye Heads. By Aaron Lindsey and James White
(h) My God Is a Big God. By Khristian Dentley and Martha Munizzi
(i) God I Look to You. By Jenn Johnson and Ian McIntosh
(j) Come Together Now. By David Mullen, Michael W. Smith, and Cindy Morgan
8. Songs for Children/On Behalf of Children (a) Children, Go Where I Send Thee. Traditional
(b) The Joy of the Lord. Text and Tune, (JOY OF THE LORD), by Alliene G. Vale
(c) Jesus Is Right Here. By Anne Weister Anderson
(d) Bridge Over Troubled Water. By Paul Simon
(e) God of Wonders. By Marc Byrd and Steve Hindalong
(f) A New Hallelujah. By Michael W. Smith
(g) He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands. By Keith Hunter
9. Music for the Offertory Period (a) Build a House. By John P. Kee
(b) Espoir (Hope). By Wester Desamours.Instrumental for bass guitar
(c) God’s Got a Blessing (With My Name on It). By Norman Hutchins
10. Songs of Support the Medical Personnel, Military, and Relief Workers and Volunteers (a) Wind Beneath My Wings. By Larry Henley and Jeff Silbar
(b) I Want to Say Thank You. By Michael A. Brooks
(c) Gift from God. By Jamel Strong
(d) My Rock. By Keith Williams
(e) Hero. By Kirk Franklin
11. Prayer, Song, Instrumental, or Video for the Period of Prayer Prayer (a) A Prayer for Storm Survivors. By Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
Jesus, we see you calming storms storm-tossed seas and stormy lives. Extend your power and grace again, especially upon these most recent storm victims. Speak peace and healing over bodies and spirits broken by the chaos.
Jesus, speak peace. Silence
Speak peace and hope over families and communities devastated by sudden loss.
Jesus, speak peace. Silence
Speak peace and unity over diverse groups of people so they would come together for greater provision, just distribution and effective rebuilding.
Jesus, speak peace. Silence
Speak peace and protection over rescue workers
as they reach out to those who are suffering.
Jesus, speak peace. Silence
You are the Prince of Peace.
You are the Resurrection and the Life.
You are strong to save.
Our hope and trust are in you. Amen.
(b) Prayer for the First Responders. By Michelle Riley Jones
Lord, we pray for those who work in danger in the aftermath of storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and calamities of all types. For those who have rushed in to bring hope, help and comfort, food, water, and medicine; whose mission is to seek and save, serve and protect, and whose presence embodies the presence of our Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord Who Is Here with Us. Bear them up, O Lord; give them peace of heart and mind in all that they must do and witness. Sustain them in their courage and dedication that they may continue to save lives, ease pain, and mend the torn fabric of lives and societies; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Music or Video for Period of Prayer
(c) My City of Ruins – New Orleans after Katrina. By Bruce Springsteen (The music from the video can be played with or without showing the images in the video.)
(d) Trust Me. By Richard Smallwood
(e) Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying. Words and Tune by Ken Medema. Arr. by Joel Raney. For SATB
(f) God Is Able. (Single). By Leo Davis
12. Sermonic Selection (a) The Lord Is My Light. By Frances Allitsen
(b) Peace Be Still. By James Cleveland
(c) This Is the Time. By Terry MacAlmon
(d) Standing by the Grace. By Derek Allen
13. Invitational Song or Instrumental (a)Shifting the Atmosphere. By Jason Nelson
(b) Come by Here. Spiritual. Instrumental
(c) Stretch Out Your Hand. By Darnell Davis
(d) Can I Build (My Home in You)? By Vicki Winans
14. Benediction Spoken, Sung, or Instrumental Benediction (a) Are There Any Nehemiah’s in God’s House? By Michelle Riley Jones
Giant waves…Quaking earth…Tornado winds …Terrorists attack…Bridges collapse…Tsunamis…Planes crash…Breaking levies…Wildfires…
These have devastated our people and our lands.
But there is one House that still stands God’s House—the People of God—
…people of love …people of purpose …people of prayer …people of the Word …people of hope …people of action
We’ve watched the devastation over and over again on screens of all kinds. We’ve cried, watching children separated from their parents. We’ve carried candles in the neighborhood. We’ve collected food and water. We’ve prayed.
But the challenge comes again: Are there any Nehemiahs in God’s House?
We say YES! Today,
--- we have beseeched God’s favor to go and rebuild cities.
--- we will gather the resources.
--- we will marshal the people.
Rise to your feet in the name of our God! For as God’s House—the People of God— We will go forth from this worship service and we will rebuild on behalf of the people. For the God of Heaven will prosper us!
Hallelujah! Amen!
Music (b) God Is on Our Side. By Andraé Crouch
(c) Take the Name of Jesus with You. By Lydia Baxter. Tune, (PRECIOUS NAME), by William H. Doane
(d) Be Strong! The Lord Will Be with You. By Roy Belfield, Jr. For SATB, with organ and optional trumpet
(e) Moving Forward. By Israel Houghton
(f) Ce’ Grand Matin (Such a Lively Morning). By Franz Casseus. Arr. by Emile Desmours. For SATB choir
15. Audio Visual Suggestions (a)Show pictures of community relief efforts on your screens, or enlarge photos of disaster relief and hang them around your church.
Video (b) Haiti Earthquake 2010 – “What Faith Can Do”
Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed
Litany (b) Worker’s Appreciation. Emphasis added throughout by Michelle Riley Jones Location:
Total Praise. Chicago, IL/Nashville, TN: GIA Publications, Inc./Sunday School Publishing Board, 2011.
Music for Gathering
(c) Today, Our Hearts – A Call to Worship. By John Stoddart. For SATB choir and congregation
Location:
Sheet Music available UrbanJunctionEast Music Phone: 256-533-2414
2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Somebody Here Needs a Blessing. By Eddie Robinson
Location:
Total Praise. #426
(b) Quaking Earth and Swirling Water. By Safiyah Fosua. Meter is 8.7.8.7 Trochaic. Suggested Tune: RESTORATION (Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy).
Location:
(c) Work for the Night Is Coming. Text by Anna Coghill. Tune by Lowell Mason
Location:
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. Nashville, TN: A.M.E. Zion Publishing House, 1996. #435
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. Nashville, TN: Triad Publications, 2005. #451
The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1985. #375
(d) Renew Thy Church, Her Ministries Restore. By Kenneth L. Cober. Tune, (ALL IS WELL), from J.T. White’s Sacred Harp
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2001. #343
Total Praise. #335
(e) A Shelter in the Time of Storm. By Vernon J. Charlesworth. Tune by Ira D. Sankey
Location:
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 1987. #165
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #267
The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #528
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. #143
(f) Standing on the Promises. Text and Tune, (PROMISES), by R. Kelso Carter
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2001. #437
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #267
The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #518
Total Praise. #386
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #105
(g) I Gave My Life for Thee. By Frances R. Havergal. Tune, (KENOSIS), by Philip P. Bliss
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #233
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #432
The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #281
Total Praise. #235
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #266
3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Ride On, King Jesus. Traditional
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #527
Total Praise. #226
(b) Shine on Me. Spiritual. Tune, (SHINE ON ME).
Location:
Total Praise. #516
(c) I Been Prayin.’ Spiritual
Location:
The Lloyd Mallory Singers. With My Whole Heart. Los Angeles, CA: Breath of Life Records, 2011.
(d) Soon Ah Will Be Done. Spiritual
Location:
Committed. Committed. New York, NY: Sony Music Entertainment, 2011.
(e) Father I Stretch My Hand to Thee/Amazing Grace. By Charles Wesley and John Newton
Location:
Norful, Smokie and the 12th District Mass Choir. How I Got Over...Songs That Carried Us. Brentwood, TN: TreMyles Music/EMI Gospel, 2011.
(f) Sing ‘Til the Power of the Lord Comes Down. Spiritual. Arr. by Alan J. Hommerding. For SATB, a cappella
Location:
J. S. Paluch Company/World Library Publications
3708 River Road, Suite 400
Franklin Park, IL 60131
Phone: 1-800-566-6150
(d) Great Is Thy Faithfulness. By William Runyon. Arr. by Nathan Carter
Location:
GIA Publications, Inc.
Phone: 1-800-GIA-1358
Online location: www.giamusic.com
7. Modern Songs
(a) What Faith Can Do. By Scott Davis and Scott Krippayne
Location:
Kutless. It Is Well. Seattle, WA: BEC Recordings, 2009.
(b) Rebuild. By James Moss
Location:
Just James. New York, NY: Verity Gospel, 2009.
(c) Great and Mighty. By Maria Jenkins
Location:
Best, W. Andrew. You Can Make It. W. Andrew Best: Laurel, MD, 2010.
(d) Heaven on Earth. By David Binion, John Brockman, and Joshua Dufrene
Location:
Stampley, Micah. Micah Stampley—One Voice. New York, NY: Music World Music, 2011.
(e) Holding On. By Jamie Grace.
Location:
One Song at a Time. Nashville, TN: Gotee Records, 2011.
(f) Here I Am. By Jonathan Dunn
Location:
Sapp, Marvin. Here I Am. New York, NY: Verity Gospel, 2010.
(g) Lift Up Ye Heads. By Aaron Lindsey and James White
Location:
Hilliard, Preashea. Live Out Loud. Houston, TX: SoundEFX Media, 2010.
(h) My God Is a Big God. By Khristian Dentley and Martha Munizzi
Location:
Munizzi, Martha. Make It Loud! Goldenrod, FL: Martha Munizzi, 2011.
(i) God I Look to You. By Jenn Johnson and Ian McIntosh
Location:
Bethel Live. God I Look to You—Single. Brentwood, TN: EMI Christian Music Group, 2011.
(j) Come Together Now. By David Mullen, Michael W. Smith, and Cindy Morgan
Location:
Various Artists. Come Together Now (Music City Unites for Haiti)—Single. Salt Lake City, UT: Deer Valley Music, 2010.
8. Songs for Children/On Behalf of Children
(a) Children, Go Where I Send Thee. Traditional
Location:
Total Praise. #610
(b) The Joy of the Lord. Text and Tune, (JOY OF THE LORD), by Alliene G. Vale
Location:
Total Praise. #612
(c) Jesus Is Right Here. By Anne Weister Anderson
Location:
Whitman, Walt & The Soul Children of Chicago. My Time, My Favor. Chicago, IL: MPaact International Music Group, 2010.
(d) Bridge Over Troubled Water. By Paul Simon
Location:
Chicago Children’s Choir. Open Up Your Heart. Chicago, IL: Chicago Children’s Choir, 2006.
(e) God of Wonders. By Marc Byrd and Steve Hindalong
Location:
Veggie Tales. Veggie Tales Worship Songs. Nashville, TN: Big Idea Inc., 2006.
(f) A New Hallelujah. By Michael W. Smith
Location:
Smith, Michael W. (featuring The African Children’s Choir). A New Hallelujah. New York, NY: Provident Label Group, 2009.
(g) He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands. By Keith Hunter
Location:
The African Children’s Choir. Window on the World. Burbank, CA: Landmark Entertainment, 2008.
9. Music for the Offertory Period
(a) Build a House. By John P. Kee
Location:
The New Life Community Choir. Nothing But Worship. New York, NY: Zomba Recording, 2007.
(b) Espoir (Hope). By Wester Desamours.Instrumental for bass guitar
Location:
Desamours, Wester. First Step. New York, NY: Basia Productions, 2009.
(c) God’s Got a Blessing (With My Name on It). By Norman Hutchins
Location:
Nobody But You. Los Angeles, CA: JDI Records. 1999
10. Songs of Support for the Medical Personnel, Military, and Relief Workers and Volunteers
(a) Wind Beneath My Wings. By Larry Henley and Jeff Silbar
Location:
Knight, Gladys & The Pips. The Best of Gladys Knight & The Pips. New York, NY: Sony, 2002.
(b) I Want to Say Thank You. By Michael A. Brooks
Location:
Brooks, Lisa Page. Strong. Baltimore, MD: Habakkuk Music, 2009.
(b) Prayer for the First Responders. By Michelle Riley Jones. This prayer was originallywritten for The African American Lectionary as part of the music/worship resource for theHaiti Earthquake Response. The original prayer has been edited by the author to make itapplicable for all types of disaster response services.
Music for Period of Prayer
(c) My City of Ruins – New Orleans after Katrina. By Bruce Springsteen (The music from the video can be played with or without showing the images in the video.) Online location: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfEMbBtV3gs
(d) Trust Me. By Richard Smallwood
Location:
Smallwood, Richard with Vision. Promises. New York, NY: Verity Gospel Music Group, 2011.
(e) Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying. Words and Tune by Ken Medema. Arr. by Joel Raney. For SATB
Location:
Hope Publishing Company
380 S. Main Place
Carol Stream, IL 60188
Phone: 630-665-3200
