Sunday, June 1, 2008

Jermaine D. Manor, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Minister of Music, New Faith Ministries, Mobile, AL

Worship Planning Notes
See #12 “Other Recommendations,” for suggestions for planning worship services for children.

1. Invocation
God, we give you thanks for children. They are our joy, and we accept with serenity the worries, fears, and labors they can bring. Help us to love them sincerely. You created them and you love them. Give us the wisdom to guide them and the patience to teach them, and help us to be the type of examples that draw them closer to you. Bring them back if they stray; and bring us back if we stray from our role in supporting them. Grant that they may always see their homes as havens in their times of need. This is our prayer, in the name of the one who loved children, Jesus Christ, Amen.

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Give of Your Best to the Master. By Howard B. Grose. Tune by Charlotte Barnard

(b) Higher, Higher. Anonymous

(c) Jesus Loves the Little Children. By C. H. Woolston. Tune, (CHILDREN), by George F. Root

(d) Lord, You Are Welcome. By Warren Jones. Can also be used as an Introit

(e) Praise Him All Ye Little Children. Lyrics, Anonymous. Tune by Carey Bonner

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Ezekiel Saw de Wheel.

(b) Git on Board, Little Children.

(c) He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands. Tune, (WHOLE WORLD).

(d) Hush, Hush, Somebody’s Callin’ My Name. Tune, (SOMEBODY'S CALLIN').

(e) I’m Gonna’ Sing When the Spirit Says Sing. Traditional Spiritual. Arr. by J. Jefferson Cleveland

(f) Little David Play on Your Harp. Traditional

(g) Lord, Be Glorified. By Bob Kilpatrick

4. Songs for Choirs, Praise Teams, or Ensembles
(a) High and Lifted Up. By Joe Pace

(b) I’m a Child. By Arthur Scales

(c) Open the Eyes of My Heart. By Paul Baloche

(d) Shabach. By Byron Cage and Tobias Fox

(e) Shout to the Lord. By Darlene Zschech

(f) Trees. By Margaret Pleasant Douroux

(g) You Are My Joy. By Tye Tribett

5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Group Music
(a) Glory, Glory. By Donald Lawrence

(b) I Got A Praise (Holy One). By Deitrick Haddon

(c) Identity. By Neville Diedericks and Israel Houghton

(d) Redeemed. By Myron Butler

6. Children’s Anthems
(a) Alleluia. By W. A. Mozart. Can be sung in unison or two-part harmony

(b) I Was Glad: Psalm 122. By Ruth Elaine Schram

(c) Little Eyes Are Watching You. By Ruth Elaine Schram

(d) My Help Cometh from the Lord. Lyrics from Psalm 121. Tune by Geraldine Woods

(e) Please Guide Me. By Leanna Watkins and Nolan Williams, Jr.

(f) The Joy of the Lord. By Aileen G. Vale

(g) The Master’s Love. By Geraldine Woods

7. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Bring a Gift of Love. By Mary Kay Bottens

(b) Celebrate. By Donald Lawrence

(c) This Is the Day. Lyrics, Psalm 118:24. Tune by Les Garrett

(d) Victory Chant. By Donnie McClurkin

8. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) I Love You Lord Today. By William F. Hubbard

(b) It Is to You. By Byron Cage

(c) Kum Ba Yah. Traditional. Tune, (DESMOND).

(d) Mayenziwe. Lyrics from the Lord’s Prayer, South African, (Xhosa). Tune, South African traditional. Transcribed by John L. Bell

9. Sermonic Selection
(a) He Knows My Name. By Tommy Walker

(b) Worship Medley: More Precious Than Silver, There Is None Like You, and I Worship You Almighty God. By Lynn DeShazo and Lenny LeBlanc

10. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Lord, I Want to Be a Christian. Negro Spiritual

(b) Put Your Hand in the Hand. By Gene MacLellan

11. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Pray. By Mary Alessi
For the sake of our children we pray
For the sake of our children we pray
We pray cover and keep them with Your mighty hand.
Hear our cry today. For the sake of our children we pray.

(b) Till We Gather Again. By Stephen F. Key

12. Other Recommendations
Types of songs that can be used for leading children in worship include:

1. Action Songs. These teach the meaning of a song, and provide an outlet for children's energy to be released. Songs with few words and much repetition are best for children. But songs do not need to be meaningless to be included in the category of action songs. Songs such as “Silver and Gold” and “He That Believeth” teach while they involve children in actions.
   
   
2. Adoration Songs. Avoid thinking that children only want to sing fun songs. They also want to express their love to Jesus in song. Even children can be captivated by the wonder of music.
   
   
3. Adult Songs. Children want to sing songs that are being sung by older people in church, or that are sung by the senior youth group. The key is to ensure that the message of these songs is not too mature for the children’s experience level.
   
   
4. Use of Other Languages. Don’t be afraid to teach children worship songs from other cultures, and in other languages. (See examples at #8.)
   
   
5. Assorted Songs. Paul in his letters listed three types of songs to be used in worship: psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16)
   
   (1) Psalms. This involves the singing of Scripture choruses, because they are simple in lyrics and melody and they are quickly learned even by young children. The use of modern language helps children relate to the words and the message.
   
   (2) Hymns. There is a need to teach children hymns. Exposure to the past helps children face the future. A sense of their heritage stimulates a sense of their future destiny, but the use of a hymn book is counter productive as most children will stare blankly at the pages and be unable to follow the format or thumb through the pages. Instead, repeat the more well known hymns until children learn the words, or make use of an overhead screen.

NOTE: The Songs of Zion hymnal (Edited by J. Jefferson Cleveland and Verolga Nix, Abingdon Press, Nashville, TN, 1981) is a good reference for finding historical notes on the development of hymns, spirituals, and gospel songs. It is a good idea to incorporate the teaching of the history of this music as we teach songs from various genres to children.

1. Provide an example for children to follow. As they follow (mimic) the leader, they will be encouraged to respond to God’s presence with love and devotion.
   
   
2. Be creative and use games. Predictability does not imply dull, routine worship but can include creative and fun times of praise.
   
   
3. Use instruments that are unusual and fun. Allow children to play bongos, congas, shakers, triangles, spoons, etc.
   
   
4. Encourage children to pray. Help children overcome their shyness and fear of a long prayer by saying a word or phrase to get them started or help them continue. This will build their confidence. Introduce the time of prayer by asking each child to give one reason why they are thankful to God, or one thing they love about God. Then have them express their thanks to God for that thing as they pray.
   
   
5. Pray in their language. Beware of obstacles to understanding, such as: out-of-date language, long words, and religious clichés. A prayer such as "Thou O Lord art highly to be praised because of thine exceeding holiness," uses old language that is foreign to children and contains complex religious words. An alternative would be “God, you are so great and wonderful that when we think of You, it makes us happy."
   

With children the opening songs need to be fun songs that allow them to march, stomp, holler, clap, and get actively involved. This helps draw children into the service. Meeting children where they are means jumping in with BOTH feet and having some fun with them. Follow fun songs with praise songs that help children tell who God is to them. Sometimes the praise to worship transition can be made by changing a word or two of the song being sung (i.e., “God is so good” to “God, You are so good”).

Develop these simple outlines, mostly centered on Bible stories, using fun songs, praise songs, and then worship songs.

1. Jesus Heals Today (Acts 3:1-10)
   (1) Share the story of the lame man’s healing; (2) Praise God as did the lame man; and (3) Pray for someone who is sick.
   
   
2. Praise Brings Victory (Acts 16:25-34)
   Sing songs to God and pray. Have children give thanks to God for all things that God has allowed them, their family members, friends, and church members to achieve. Teach children the habit of expressing gratitude to God for all victories (big and small).
   
   
3. Thank You Jesus (Luke 17:11-19)
   (1) Read the passage about the one grateful leper; (2) Allow children to express thanks in prayer and discuss being thankful for more than things; and (3) Sing songs that express gratitude.
   
   
4. Jesus Is in the Storms of Our Lives (Mark 4:35-41)
   (1) Read the story of Jesus and the disciples in the storm; (2) Have the children think of a storm in their lives. Remember, children now lead lives that are very complex; (3) Apply aspects of the biblical story to their personal storm; and (4) Sing songs about the God who answers prayers.
   
   
5. Take It to Jesus
   (1) Read Isaiah 37:14-20; (2) Tell children to take a piece of paper and write their request to God (v. 14); (3) Have children spread the paper out in God's presence; and (4) Lead them in prayer for their requests.
   
   
6. Jesus, I’m Sorry (Psalm 32)
   Teach the children how to say “Jesus, I’m sorry that I…”; and (2) Sing songs about forgiveness.

13. Additional Resources
Finding good children's music can be challenging. These following resources and music collections—including songs for Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent/Holy Week, Palm Sunday, Easter, Pentecost, Baptism, etc.—are designed to guide young singers through well known days of the church year.



1. Invocation - written by Jermaine D. Manor, Minister of Music, New Faith Ministries, Mobile, AL.

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Give of Your Best to the Master. By Howard B. Grose. Tune by Charlotte Barnard
Location:

(b) Higher, Higher. Anonymous
Location:

(c) Jesus Loves the Little Children. By C. H. Woolston. Tune, (CHILDREN), by George F. Root
Location:

(d) Lord, You Are Welcome. By Warren Jones. Can also be used as an Introit
Location:

(e) Praise Him All Ye Little Children. Lyrics, Anonymous. Tune by Carey Bonner
Location:

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Ezekiel Saw de Wheel.
Location:

(b) Git on Board, Little Children.
Location:

(c) He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands. Tune, (WHOLE WORLD).
Location:

(d) Hush, Hush, Somebody’s Callin’ My Name. Tune, (SOMEBODY’S CALLIN’).
NOTE: The teaching and singing of this song is a great opportunity to share the story of Samuel, who was called by God as a child while serving in the temple (1 Samuel 3). The mysterious calling of Samuel’s name led young Samuel to discern his ministry call. Later, Samuel would be the one used by God to anoint young David King of Israel. (1 Samuel 16:1-13).
Location:

(e) I’m Gonna’ Sing When the Spirit Says Sing. Arr. by J. Jefferson Cleveland
Location:

(f) Little David Play on Your Harp. Traditional
Location: