MEN’S DAY

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Sunday, July 29, 2012

(Please see the extensive and provocative video in today's Cultural Resources unit. The video features James Baldwin and Dick Gregory. It is titled "Baldwin's Nigger.")

Daryl J. Walker, Lectionary Team Liturgist

Worship Planning Notes

God leads humble men in the way they should go. Humble men remain in covenant with God, keep the decrees of God, and are repentant. They fear God and follow God without ceasing. The theme for the day is not simply humility for the sake of being humble versus prideful; it is about humility being a prerequisite for receiving God’s guidance and teaching. The word “humble” comes from the Latin word humus, which means earth or ground. Being humble means coming up from the ground, or growing. Therefore, humble men are men who desire to grow.

Music and liturgical dance and mime for Men’s Day is suggested based on the four primary actions involved in men being able to grow through following God’s teachings:

1. Recognizing that we are not perfect and asking God to reveal potential issues with humility is expressed through songs like:
   (a) Search Me Lord. By Thomas A. Dorsey (see 3b)
   (b) Humble Me. By Gabriel Roth (see 11b)
   (c) A Change in My Life. By Bill Strauss. Vocal arr. by Sean Altman (see 5a)
   
   
2. Understanding that we cannot change all by ourselves and asking God to help us is expressed through songs like:
   (a) Lead Me, Guide Me. By Doris Akers (see 2c)
   (b) How Great Thou Art. By Stuart K. Hine. Arr. by Omar Dickenson (see 4c)
   (c) I Need You Now. By W. R. “Smokie” Norful, Jr. (see 5d and 9b)
   
   
3. Acknowledging ourselves as servants of God is expressed through songs like:
   (a) I’ll Serve Him. By John P. Kee (see 7b)
   (b) Use Me. By Ayanna Williams (see 11a)
   (c) I’ll Follow Where You Lead. By Marvin Winans, Barry Hankerson, and Carvin Winans (see 10b)
   
   
4. Committing to following God is expressed through songs like:
   (a) Rise Up, O Men of God. By William P. Merrill and Aaron Williams (see 2a)
   (b) I’m Determined to Walk with Jesus. By Raymond Wise (see 3c)
   (c) Completely Yes. By Sandra Crouch (see 4a)

In accordance with the guiding Scripture below (or you may select another Scripture), music for each of these areas focuses on involving God.

Consider publishing the guiding Scripture in your bulletin/Order of Worship on Men’s Day along with how the songs your choir is performing align with the four primary actions listed above.

Also consider inserting into the bulletin a call for men to sign up for Bible study and for service.

Bible Study

In addition to Sunday worship, consider partnering with Christian Education, Youth Fellowship, or some other appropriate program in your church to extend the theme beyond one service with a focused Bible study. Study is a form of worship and is one of God’s decrees: Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). If we are unable to rightly divide God’s word in this area, we might easily confuse being humble before God with being doormats before humans. God has decreed we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37), but understanding humility as it relates to God is the key to being powerful men of God.

1. Litany

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Rise Up, O Men of God. By William P. Merrill and Aaron Williams

(b) Just a Closer Walk with Thee. Anonymous

(c) Lead Me, Guide Me. By Doris Akers

(d) Savior Lead Me Lest I Stray. By Frank M. Davis

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Daniel, Servant of the Lord. By Undine Smith Moore

(b) Search Me Lord. By Thomas A. Dorsey

(c) I’m Determined to Walk with Jesus. By Raymond Wise. If you do not have music talent available to convert this song for a men’s chorus, contact the composer for TTBB arrangement.

(d) I Opened My Mouth to the Lord. By Raymond Wise. If you do not have music talent available to convert this song for a men’s chorus, contact the composer for TTBB arrangement.

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Completely Yes. By Sandra Crouch

(b) God Is Great. By John Latin III

(c) How Great Thou Art. By Stuart K. Hine. Arr. by Omar Dickenson

(d) Safe in the Arms of Jesus. By Walter Hawkins

5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Ministry Music
(a) A Change in My Life. By Bill Strauss. Vocal arr. by Sean Altman

(b) God Is Here (There Is a Sweet Anointing in This Sanctuary). By Karen Clark-Sheard

(c) Order My Steps. By Glenn Burleigh

(d) I Need You Now. By W. R. “Smokie” Norful, Jr.

(e) I Won’t Complain. By Rev. Paul Jones
The following liturgical dance video featuring young men in wheelchairs is by C2C Ministry of Mime from Bethpage Presbyterian Church, Concord, North Carolina. They adapted the wheelchair idea from another group (Genesis Mime Ministry). Pair with spoken word that introduces it and explains the connection between humility and not complaining.

6. Anthems
(a) Great Is Thy Faithfulness. By Mark Hayes

(b) Non Nobis Domine. By Patrick Doyle. Arr. by Graham Preskett

(c) Holy, Holy, Holy. By John B. Dykes. Arr. by Carlton Burgess

7. Modern Songs (Songs Written between 2000–2011)
(a) Be More Like You. By Doug Williams

(b) I’ll Serve Him. By John P. Kee

(c) Move in Me. By Stan Jones

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
These selections are offerings of humility. Perhaps pair the songs with a spoken word connecting the idea of humility and offering one’s self as a requirement for growth in God.

(a) I Surrender All. By Judson Van De Venter and Winfield Weeden

(b) What Shall I Render? By Margaret Pleasant Douroux

(c) Give of Your Best to the Master. By Howard B. Grose and Charlotte Bernard. The words can be adapted to reflect the kind of offering your church most needs its men to give.

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) The Prayer Song. By Marquis Powell

(b) I Need You Now. By W.R. “Smokie” Norful, Jr.

(c) A Praying Spirit. By Albertina “Twinkie” Clark. Arr. Nolan Williams Jr.

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) Order My Steps. By Glenn Burleigh. Start with the third verse because it speaks to being humble, and then go back to the beginning.

(b) I’ll Follow Where You Lead. By Marvin Winans, Barry Hankerson, and Carvin Winans

(c) I Need Thee Every Hour. By Annie Hawkins and Robert Lowry. This selection is to be rendered as a solo, preceded by spoken personal testimony.

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Use Me. By Ayanna Williams

(b) Humble Me. By Gabriel Roth

(c) Thy Way, O Lord. By Nina Jackson and E. Deas. Make it instrumental, but print the verses in your Bulletin or Order of Worship.

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Do Your Will. By Rance Allen

(b) Always Remember. By Andraé Crouch

(c) I’m Available to You. By Carlis Moody, Jr. Render only the chorus.

13. Additional Suggestions for Men’s Day Worship

(A) The Get DOWN (Become Humble) to Man UP Film Festival

Some people relate and understand better when they can see something instead of just hearing about it or reading about it. To help men of all ages see what this theme looks like in action, consider scheduling a combined film festival and Bible study where men get together to watch and discuss films that illustrate: (a) the presence or lack of humility in men, (b) men following or failing to follow God’s scriptural decrees, and (c) men coming to a deeper understanding of manhood as a result of their encounter with how God’s word says a man should live.

Consider showing one movie a week for several weeks leading up to Men’s Day and a couple after Men’s Day. For a more in-depth study, consider showing one movie a month. The Bible study can be held on Sunday after church, on a Saturday, on a Wednesday evening, or any other time that works for your church and or community.

Suggested Scriptures

Analyze these six Scriptures phrase by phrase and analyze each movie for evidence of each phrase.

1. Psalm 25:8-15: Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. For thy name’s sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great. What man is he that fears the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant. Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
   
   
2. Philippians 4:8: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
   
   
3. James 5:12b: Let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay.
   
   
4. Psalm 37:23a: The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.
   
   
5. Philippians 3:13-14: Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
   
   
6. Luke 18:10-14: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, “God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.” And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.

Suggested Movies

These movies are not stories about Bible characters. They are simply movies about men going about the business of living their lives. They take place in different time periods, and they don’t have explicit religious messages. Some of them have fairly obvious connections to the scriptural theme(s), but some require closer study to determine the applicable themes. Some appeal to teenage men and others capture concerns of older men. Although all of the movies listed have been used quite effectively for Bible studies with varied populations of men, depending on the teaching expertise available to you, you might want to choose movies you think might be more appropriate for your particular population of Bible study facilitators and Bible students.

1. Stomp the Yard
   
2. Groundhog Day
   
3. Buck and the Preacher
   
4. Good Deeds
   
5. Boyz n the Hood
   
6. Menace II Society
   
7. Strictly Ballroom
   
8. The Best Man
   
9. Idlewild
   
10. Daddy’s Little Girls
    
11. A Soldier’s Story
    
12. Liar, Liar

Guiding Questions for Analyzing Each Movie

1. Based on the suggested Scriptures, who is following God and who is faking it?
   
2. How teachable are the men? Consider main characters and secondary characters.
   
3. What are barriers to lessons that they could be taught? Consider not only the main characters’ attitudes and circumstances but also the actions and attitudes of others in the film.
   
4. What are the positive and negative consequences of how the men manifest (or fail to manifest) humility, the ability to be taught, and growth?
   
5. Are the men repentant or not? And with what consequences?
   
6. Where and how do you see yourself in this movie?
   
7. Based on the cited Scriptures, what will you do differently having seen these films?

(B) Adapting Songs for Male Voices

Some hymns and other songs are written for SATB. For assistance in converting them to TTBB for male choruses, contact either the composer or Walker Music Academy at wm_academy@msn.com.

(C) Acquiring Music

Most albums and sheet music referenced in this unit can be acquired from:

(a) NTIME MUSIC COMPANY
Phone: 704-531-8961
Online location: www.ntimemusic.com

(b) GIA Publications, Inc.
7404 South Mason Ave.
Chicago, IL 60638
Phone: 1-800-GIA-1358
Online location: www.giamusic.com

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

Material in this unit was contributed by these additional people:

• Bryan Johnson, Executive Director of Sacred Music at Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago;
• Ron Anderson, Associate Director of Sacred Music at Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago;
• Dr. Marilyn J. Richardson Lewis, Principal of Higher Level, LLC, Denver, CO;
• Dr. Raymond Wise, Ph.D., President, Raise Publishing Co., Columbus, OH, www.raiseonline.com
• Byron Gray, Director, Men of Majestic Praise, New Hope Baptist Church, Denver, CO; and
• Dr. Dennis Slaughter, Director of Music, Parkway UMC, Milton, MA.

1. Litany by Rev. Joe Ann Watson, Administrative Assistant for Arts and Worship, Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago

Bible Study: The Get DOWN (Become Humble) to Man UP Film Festival

Bible Study crafted by Dr. Marilyn J. Richardson Lewis

Suggested Movies

1. Stomp the Yard
In addition to analyzing this movie through the 6 scriptures suggested earlier, also consider using Proverbs 20:29, Joel 2:28, and Acts 2:17.
Genres: Drama, Teen, and Musical/Performing Arts 
Running Time: 1 hr. 54 min.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for a scene of violence, some sexual material and language.
Production Co.: Rainforest Films
Studio: Screen Gems, 2007

2. Groundhog Day
Genres: Comedy, Romance, and Science Fiction/Fantasy
Running Time: 1 hr. 43 min.
MPAA Rating: PG
Production Co.: Sony Pictures Scoring Stage
Studio: Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, 1993

3. Buck and the Preacher
Genre: Western     
Running Time: 1 hr. 42 min.
MPAA Rating: PG
Production Co.: E&R Productions Corporation, Belafonte Enterprises
Studio: Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, 1972

4. Good Deeds
Genres: Drama and Romance
Running Time: 1 hr. 51 min.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sexual content, language, some
Production Co.: The Tyler Perry Company
Studio: Lionsgate, 2012

5. Boyz n the Hood
Genre: Drama
Running Time: 1 hr. 52 min.
MPAA Rating: R
Studio: Columbia Pictures, 1991

6. Menace II Society
Genres: Drama and Crime/Gangster
Running Time: 1 hr. 30 min.
MPAA Rating: R
Production Co.: EFX Systems Inc
Studio: New Line Cinema, 1993

7. Strictly Ballroom
Genres: Comedy, Musical/Performing Arts, and Romance
Running Time: 1 hr. 32 min.
MPAA Rating: PG
Production Co.: M&A Film Corporation, 1993

8. The Best Man
Genres: Comedy, Drama, and Romance
Running Time: 2 hrs.
MPAA Rating: PG for language/sexuality
Production Co.: 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, 1999

9. Idlewild
Genres: Musical/Performing Arts and Drama
Running Time: 2 hrs.
MPAA Rating: R for violence, sexuality, nudity, and language
Production Co.: Mosaic Media Group
Studio: HBO Films, 2006

10. Daddy’s Little Girls
Location:
Genres: Comedy and Romance
Running Time: 1 hr. 35 min.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic material, drug and sexual content, some violence and language
Production Co.: The Tyler Perry Company, Reuben Cannon & Associates
Studio: Lionsgate, 2007

11. A Soldier’s Story
Genres: Drama, Thriller, and Adaptation
Running Time: 1 hr. 41 min.
MPAA Rating: PG
Production Co.: Caldix Films Ltd, Delphi Productions
Studio: Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, 1984

12. Liar, Liar
Genre: Comedy
Running Time: 1 hr. 27 min.
MPAA Rating: PG 13 for sex-related humor and language
Production Co.: Imagine Entertainment
Studio: Universal Pictures, 1997