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EARTH DAY
MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES
Monday, April 22, 2013
Brandon A. Boyd, Lectionary Young Adult Liturgists’ Team
Minister of Music and Creative Arts, Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Tallahassee, FL
Worship Planning Notes
As Reverend Christopher Jones, contributor of the 2013 Earth Day Lectionary commentary, writes, Earth Day is an annual day set aside to increase awareness and appreciation of the earth’s natural environment and our role in creating a sustainable environment for the future. He continues:
While this sociocultural event has held growing significance for global consciousness since its inception in 1970, it can still be argued that Christians need to concern themselves with this day in a more forthcoming manner. According to Psalm 24:1-2, this day should reaffirm for us our role as stewards blessed with God’s dominion. This should make us more seriously concerned about pollution of air, soil, or water, and of our over-exploitation of the world’s resources. Earth Day should serve as a clarion call to those who are willing to lead us above the assumption of being lords of this land, and instead lead us to a holy life and faith in God as blessed inhabitants of God’s dominion of the earth; blessed inhabitants who are here as stewards of God’s manifold grace.
As the Worship and Arts leaders for your church, be sure to emphasize Earth Day music and related worship offerings throughout today and even throughout the entire month of April. This can include, songs, images for screens, poetry, dance, and of course you can use your bulletin/order of worship to provide Earth Day information for your congregation. Do not just sing relevant songs. Do something impactful and memorable. See today’s cultural resource unit for additional suggestions for making your church’s Earth Day celebration(s) memorable.
1. Invocation and Litany
Invocation
Dear God, you created the earth, its inhabitants, and the sky. Give us strength to continue our journey with you. Make us new and renew in us a clean heart. Sustain us as we worship you for who you are, the creator of everything. We ask that you strengthen us as stewards of your land and resources. Forgive us for not committing to loving you and your earth. In the name of Jesus, the Christ. Amen.
Litany
A Litany of God’s Gift of the Earth
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Creator God, your Spirit moves over the face of our planet earth, our oceans and rivers. You are the one who gathers the seas into their places, and with your hands created the courses of the rivers. You bless the planet with rain maintaining the waters of life.
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| People: |
We worship you, Creator of our planet.
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Redeemer God, who even in the most critical moments of our history preserved the human race and the animal world,
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| People: |
You offer to your people, in the midst of our disobedience, the hope of a new world and a new tomorrow.
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Your promises are the hope of our world. Along with your son, Jesus Christ, we are your heirs, daughters, and sons of your promises. We are most blessed.
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We worship you, Redeemer of all creation, for your love, for your mercy.
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God, preserver and sustainer of all creation, keep us grateful for all of the beauty you created.
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Day by day, keep us thankful, keep us committed to do justice not only for the planet, but also for all those that live in it, regardless of race, sex, color, orientation, abilities, or religious creed.
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At every sunrise, every day, guide us in a way where we live life to the fullest—in harmony with our neighbor and our environment.
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At every sunset, in the quietness, peacefulness, and beauty, let us give thanks to you for your love, care, and mercy. United, we give you all the glory and honor; in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) This Is My Father’s World. By Maltbie Babcock. Tune, (TERRA BEATA), by Franklin Sheppard
(b) Song for the Nations. By Christian Christensen. Tune, (SONGS FOR THE NATIONS).
(c) Good and Perfect Gifts Medley: For The Beauty of the Earth/Everything Was Made by God.
For the Beauty of the Earth. By Folliott Pierpoint. Tune, (DIX), by Conrad Kocher
Everything Was Made by God. By Tina English. Tune by Candice Christopher
3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) He’s Got the Whole World in His Hand. Arr. by Hezekiah Brinson
(b) View de Land. Arr. by Nathaniel Dett
(c) Wade in de Water. Arr. by James Abbington
4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Lord of the Harvest. By F. Hammond, K. Rutherford, and N. Hall
(b) Cover the Earth. By Israel Houghton
(c) Back 2 Earth. By A. Chislom, J. Sheard, and Kierra Sheard
5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Ministry Music
(a) Truly Amazing. By Christopher Watkins
(b) The Heavens Are Telling. By Donald Lawrence
(c) Jesus Is a Rock. By Glenn Burleigh
6. Anthems
(a) O Radiant Light. By Norah Duncan
(b) Shout for Joy. By Dello Thedford
(c) Faithful Over a Few Things. By Glenn Burleigh
7. Modern Songs
(a) Strange Land. By Michael Brooks
(b) Marvelous. By M. Butler and T. Winn
(c) A God Like You. By Kirk Franklin
8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) All the Earth Will Sing Your Praises. By Lincoln Brewster
(b) Jesus the Same. By Israel Houghton
(c) Running Over. By Joe Pace
9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Down at the Altar. By Joe Pace
(b) Is Your All on the Altar. By Thomas Whitfield
(c) We Fall Down. By Donnie McClurkin
10. Sermonic Selection
(a) I Will Heal Your Land. By Margaret Douroux
(b) For Every Mountain. By Kurt Carr
(c) My Life Belongs to You. By Derick Thomas
11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) The Altar. By Kirk Franklin
(b) Jesus Purchased My Salvation. By Robert Fryson
(c) Since Jesus Came Into My Heart. By Rufus McDaniel. Tune by Charles McDaniel
12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Make Us Disciples. By Gale Jones Murphy
(b) As You Go, Tell the World. Arr. by Valeria Foster
(c) The Lord Bless You/Sevenfold Amen. By Peter Lutkin
Cites and Additional Information for Music and Materials Listed
1. Invocation and Litany
Invocation. By Brandon Boyd
A Litany for God’s Gift of the Earth: Earth Day Litany
Location:
2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) This Is My Father’s World. By Maltbie Babcock. Tune, (TERRA BEATA), by Franklin Sheppard
Location:
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. Nashville, TN: Triad Publications, 2001. #41
The Presbyterian Hymnal: Hymns, Psalms, and Spiritual Songs. Louisville, KY: Westminster Press/John Knox Press, 1990. #293
The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1985. #92
Total Praise: Songs and Other Worship Resources for Every Generation. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2011. #140
(b) Song for the Nations. By Christian Christensen. Tune, (SONGS FOR THE NATIONS).
Location:
The Celebration Hymnal: Songs and Hymns for Worship. Brentwood, TN: Word/Integrity Music, 1997. #439
(c) Good and Perfect Gifts Medley: For The Beauty of the Earth/Everything Was Made by God.
For the Beauty of the Earth. By Folliott Pierpoint. Tune, (DIX), by Conrad Kocher
Everything Was Made by God. By Tina English. Tune by Candice Christopher
Location:
The Celebration Hymnal. #181–183
3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) He’s Got the Whole World in His Hand. Arr. by Hezekiah Brinson
Location:
Total Praise. #143
(b) View de Land. Arr. by Nathaniel Dett
Location:
Religious Folk-Songs of The Negro. Hampton, VA: Hampton Institute Press, 1927. #183
(c) Wade in de Water. Negro Spiritual. Arr. by James Abbington
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2001. #676
4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Lord of the Harvest. By F. Hammond, K. Rutherford, and N. Hall
Location:
Hammonds, Fred. Speak Those Things: POL Chapter 3. New York, NY: Verity Records, 2002.
(b) Cover the Earth. By Israel Houghton
Location:
Bynum, Juanita. More Passion. Dallas, TX: Flow Records, 2010.
(c) Back 2 Earth. By A. Chislom, J. Sheard, and Kierra Sheard
Location:
Sheard, Kierra. Free. Nashville, TN: EMI Records, 2011.
5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Ministry Music
(a) Truly Amazing. By Christopher Watkins
Location:
McKissack, Rudolph. The Recovery. Middleburg, FL: Emtro Gospel Records, 2012.
(b) The Heavens Are Telling. By Donald Lawrence
Location:
Clark-Sheard, Karen. The Heaven’s Are Telling. New York, NY: Elektra Records, 2003.
(c) Jesus Is a Rock. By Glenn Burleigh
Location:
NTIME MUSIC COMPANY
4913 Albemarle Road #103
Charlotte, NC 28205
Phone: 704-531-8961
Online location: www.ntimemusic.com
6. Anthems
(a) O Radiant Light. By Norah Duncan
Location:
GIA Publications, Inc.
7404 South Mason Avenue
Chicago, IL 60638
Phone: 1-800-GIA-1358
Online location: www.giamusic.com
(b) Shout for Joy. By Dello Thedford
Location:
Dello Thedford and the Gospel Symphonic Choir. Detroit, MI: Sounds of Gospel, 2000.
(c) Faithful Over a Few Things. By Glenn Burleigh
Location:
7. Modern Songs
(a) Strange Land. By Michael Brooks
Location:
Lawrence, Donald. YRM(Your Righteous Mind). New York, NY: Verity Records, 2011.
(b) Marvelous. By M. Butler and T. Winn
Location:
Jakes, T.D. The Storm Is Over. Nashville, TN: EMI Records, 2001.
(c) A God Like You. By Kirk Franklin
Location:
Hello Fear. Inglewood, CA: Gospocentric Records, 2011.
8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) All The Earth Will Sing Your Praises. By Lincoln Brewster
Location:
Let the Praises Ring: The Best Worship Songs of Lincoln Brewster. New York, NY: Integrity Records, 2006.
(b) Jesus the Same. By Israel Houghton
Location:
Jesus at the Center: Live. New York, NY Integrity Records, 2012.
(c) Running Over. By Joe Pace
Location:
9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Down at the Altar. By Joe Pace
Location:
(b) Is Your All on the Altar. By Thomas Whitfield
Location:
Total Praise. #393
(c) We Fall Down. By Donnie McClurkin
Location:
The Essential Donnie McClurkin. New York, NY: Verity Records, 2007.
10. Sermonic Selection
(a) I Will Heal Your Land. By Margaret Douroux
Location:
(b) For Every Mountain. By Kurt Carr
Location:
(c) My Life Belongs to You. By Derick Thomas
Location:
Shout Praises Kids: Kids Shackles. New York, NY: Integrity, 2006.
11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) The Altar. By Kirk Franklin
Location:
Hello Fear. Inglewood, CA: Gospocentric Records, 2011.
(b) Jesus Purchased My Salvation. By Robert Fryson
Location:
Waiting to Go: African American Church Worship Resources—Pentecost through Advent. James Abbington and Linda Hollies, eds. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2002. # 194.
(c) Since Jesus Came Into My Heart. By Rufus McDaniel. Tune by Charles McDaniel
Location:
Total Praise. #499
12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Make Us Disciples. By Gale Jones Murphy
Location:
Total Praise. #539
(b) As You Go, Tell the World. Arr. by Valeria Foster
Location:
Total Praise. #625
(c) The Lord Bless You/Sevenfold Amen. By Peter Lutkin
Location:
Total Praise. #622
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