ECUMENICAL DAY OF WORSHIP
MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Michelle Riley Jones, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Minister of Music, Capitol Hill Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Washington, DC
Worship Planning Notes
We are all familiar with the remark, “Sunday morning (or Sabbath morning) is
one of the most segregated hours of the week.” But as we plan worship, do we
ever ask what we can do to change this? If not, this is your chance to change
your behavior. Work with your pastor and church leaders to plan a service with
persons from different denominations or different faith communities. Such a
worship service should not exclude persons on the basis of race, gender, or
ethnicity.
Ecumenical worship tests our ability and commitment to be Christ’s followers,
praise God together, and learn to pray and worship in the presence of other
Christians or non-Christians. Through this experience, we allow God to mold us
into that body which is then capable of demonstrating and proclaiming
reconciling love.
An important dimension of that love is our ability to understand and respect
the traditions, beliefs, and rituals of those who differ from us. As we find
ourselves living in a more pluralistic society, we need to be more purposeful
in showing respect and concern for those who are different from us.
In preparing services of ecumenical worship, worship planners should be careful
not to borrow haphazardly from various traditions, but rather to use the
richness of hymnody, prayers, and forms of liturgy from these traditions to
create a service that is internally coherent. Responsible representatives from
each tradition should be involved in each part of the worship planning process.
Everyone should be made aware of all issues of protocol.
Ecumenical worship services function best when there is an agreed upon central
idea that frames or overarches the worship service. The core idea is usually
crystallized by the sermon and is supported in various ways by the music and readings
(if any) and the other areas of the service. So, all aspects of the service
should be coordinated using the central idea.
From Worship to World
Consider forming an interfaith alliance of the worship leaders of each church
represented. This group could plan quarterly prayer services to build and
maintain connections between the churches and plan community projects in which
all of the churches can collaborate.
1. Invocation or Litany
(a) Invocation
Holy One, Loving Creator, Sustainer of the universe, you call your people, who
are created in your image, to be reconciled with each other in truth, in justice,
and in love. For how pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! When
we pay attention, we see signs all around us of your promises for the fullness
of time. We see them in friendships that transcend barriers. We see them in
hospitality to strangers. We see them in common responses to the needy. We see
them in solidarity with the struggles of the oppressed. We see them in shared
prayer. But we also see them in our brokenness, our fears, our resistance.
Sometimes, even when we want change, we do not know how to create change. Show
us, loving God. Conform us ever more fully to your will. For you, the
foundation of our faiths are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Draw us
toward your purpose and your will for humanity – unity. This we pray in
the name of the One who makes us one. Amen.
(b) Litany
Walk, Work, Worship TOGETHER Children!
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LEADER
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The hand of God is upon us to give us unity of mind, following the word
of the LORD. (2 Chron. 30:12)
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| CONGREGATION |
Walk TOGETHER children!
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LEADER
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For Christ has given us the glory given to Him by God, that we may be one as
they are one. (John 17:22)
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| CONGREGATION |
Walk TOGETHER children!
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LEADER
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The same One who gives endurance and encouragement will give a spirit of unity
among us. (Romans 15:5)
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| CONGREGATION |
Work TOGETHER children!
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LEADER
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Let us make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the
bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3)
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| CONGREGATION |
Work TOGETHER children!
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LEADER
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May we be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you love
us all. (John 17:23)
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| CONGREGATION |
Worship TOGETHER children!
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LEADER
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For it is love, which binds us all together in perfect unity. (Colossians
3:14)
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| CONGREGATION |
Worship TOGETHER children!
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LEADER
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Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us
also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run
with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to the perfecter of
our faith. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
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| ALL |
Walk, Work, Worship TOGETHER children! For how very good and
pleasant it is when kindred dwell together in unity!
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(c) Processional Music
Come, All You People (Uyai Mose). Zimbabwe folksong. By Alexander Gondo.
For SATB, with keyboard, guitar, drums and percussion accompaniment
This simple, festive gathering song can be used as a processional for the
clergy, choirs, and dance ministries, with accompanying drums and percussion.
Come all you people
Come and praise your Maker
Come all you people
Come and praise your Maker
Come all you people
Come and praise your Maker
Come now and worship the Lord
2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Anthem of Unity. By John Ness Beck. For SATB and congregation
(b) Come, Ye Thankful People (Come). By Henry Alford. Tune, (ST. GEORGE’S WINDSOR), by George J. Elvey
(c) Let the Peoples Praise You. By John McCann. For SATB and cantor/worship
leader
This beautiful and simple song can be used for processional music for choirs
and congregation(s).
(d) Unity. Text based on Psalm 133:1. Tune by Glorraine Moore
(e) Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones. By Athelstan Riley. Tune, (LASST UNS ERFREUEN), Geistliche Kirchengesange
3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Walk Together Children. Arr. by Evelyn Simpson-Curenton
(b) It’s My Desire. By Freda Pullen Bagley and Horace Boyer
4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Keep Oil in Your Lamp. By David Curry and Jerry Mannery
(b) Special Place. By Byron Cage
(c) I Need You. By Dana Sorey and Tye Tribbett
5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Kwanzaa-Umoja-Uhuru (First Fruits of the Harvest-Unity-Freedom). By Gary
Hines
(b) Enter into His Gates/Halleluyah. By Helen Shapiro
This spirited piece, in the Jewish tradition, is a wonderful song of rejoicing!
It could also be used for the offertory selection.
6. Anthems
(a) Canticle of Fellowship. By Craig Courtney. For SATB, with optional 3-4
octave handbells
(b) Holy Ground. By Geron Davis
(c) Renew Thy Church, Her Ministries Restore. By Kenneth L. Cober. Tune, (ALL IS WELL).
(d) The Church’s One Foundation. By Samuel Wesley. Arr. by Roger Holland, II.
For SATB, organ and optional brass
7. Modern Songs
(a) We Have Come. By Wayne Bucknor
(b) We Are One. By Walt Whitman
(c) I Can Only Imagine. By Bart Millard
8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Uyai Mose/Come, All You People (Zimbabwe). By Alexander Gondo
If not used for the processional, this is a festive piece for the Offertory in
which the congregation can participate.
(b) Enter into His Gates/Hallelujah. By Helen Shapiro
This spirited piece, in the Jewish tradition, is a wonderful song of rejoicing!
It could also be used for liturgical dance.
(c) Suite 1 for Organ Offertory. By Florence B. Price
Florence B. Price (1887-1953) was a renaissance woman from Chicago. She was the
first commercially successful African American female composer of classical
music.
9. Prayer, Song, or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
Prayer
(a) “We Have Often Perpetuated the Divisions Christ Came to Destroy.” Prayer by
Valerie Bridgeman Davis. Adapted by Michelle Riley Jones
Have a representative from each visiting faith community
participate in the prayer.
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L1
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Merciful God, we have not loved you with all our being.
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L2
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In your kindness you formed the world as one glorious, diverse,
multi-colored place.
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L3
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In our stubbornness and sinful pride, we have distorted
your intention
for humanity and for all creation.
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L4
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As your church, we have often perpetuated the divisions
Christ came
to destroy.
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L1
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In your grace, forgive us and free us from the grip of sin.
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L2
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Lord, you have gathered us together today as a shepherd gathers a
flock.
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L3
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Forgive us Lord for often choosing intolerance and
animosity, piety and jealousy, rather than love and respect between churches.
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L4
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Lord, Magnificent Creator, you are peace and reconciliation!
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L1
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Forgive us, Lord, for often choosing isolation, and refusing
to be a blessing for each other, between churches and faith communities.
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L2
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Faithful Redeemer, you give us an abundance of blessings in the unity of faith!
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L3
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Forgive us, Lord, for having often strayed far from you, and pushed you
away, thus underlining our divisions.
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Host Pastor
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For you have sought us, and today, together, we draw near
to you. Remind us of our common foundation. Give us a fresh chance to work for
unity. We seek the oil of your anointing, your sweet, sweet Spirit. Create in
us a fervent longing for the unity of your church and enable us to work towards
it. May we grow together in faith and in love, until we attain that unity which
is your will. Help us to worship and serve you joyfully for the sake of the
salvation of the world. Amen.
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Prayer Music
(b) You’re My Glory. By Helen Shapiro
(c) Holy Is Thy Name. By Joel Bruce, Jr. Arr. by Lloyd Mallory, Jr.
10. Sermonic Selection
(a) Who Shall Separate Us? By Glenn Burleigh. For men’s choir, TTBB
(b) Great Is Thy Faithfulness. Arr. by Paul Caldwell and Sean Ivory. For SSATB and
children’s choir
11. Invitational Song
(a) The Decision. By V. Michael McKay
(b) Is There Any Room in Your Heart for Jesus? By Wyatt T. Walker. Arr. by
Valeria A. Foster
12. Benediction Spoken or Sung
Spoken
(a) Benediction 1. By Rev. Dennis W. Creek, Senior Pastor, New Beginnings Christian Fellowship (Assemblies of God).
Adapted by Michelle Riley Jones
Thank you, Lord, for the wonder of your Spirit that still hovers over your
creation. Ignite, inflame, and kindle our hearts so that we may be unified in
our love of you, and each other. Soothe us and be an overflowing fountain
welling up within our lives. Purify, strengthen, heal, instruct, and melt our
hearts in ways pleasing to you. Capture our thoughts and empower us. Awaken
mighty hope and blow your winds of renewal throughout your church and the
world. So work in our hearts and lives, our churches, our synagogues, our
mosques, and our lands, that our testimony in this millennium will be our unity
and not our divisions, community and not our creeds, your power and not our
plans, your work and not our earthly wisdom. May our unity in you flow like
precious oil on our heads, and like the dew which falls on the mountain of
Zion. For through this unity, you may ordain your blessing, life evermore.
Amen.
(b) Benediction 2—“God the Sprit, Guide and Guardian”—Great Triune God, so
bless the time entrusted to our care, that all our varied ministries may form a
common prayer; then, when time ceases, bring us where divisions are undone,
that in your presence, joined in praise, at last we may be one. Amen.
Sung
(c) Nothing Can Ever Come Between Us. Taizé. For SSATB and piano
This is a simple choir and congregational song that has solos which can be led
by a member from each faith group represented.
(d) We’re Marching to Zion. By Isaac Watts. Tune, (MARCHING TO ZION), by Robert
Lowry
(e) Blest Be the Tie That Binds. By John Fawcett. Tune, (DENNIS), by John G.
Nageli
(f) A Charge to Keep I Have. By Charles Wesley. Tune, (BOYSTON), by Lowell Mason
(g) The Blessing. By Helen Shapiro
13. Recessional Music
Oh, Happy Day. By Edwin Hawkins
14. Audio Visual Suggestions
(a) Design your bulletin using the faith symbols of various faith communities
represented in the worship service.
(b) The following poem can be printed in your church bulletin for congregants
to silently reflect upon as they gather.
What lies before us and what lies behind us
are small matters compared to what lies within us.
And when we bring what is within out into the world,
miracles happen.
Henry David Thoreau
(c) Develop a border of denominational symbols, and use the border throughout
the service on screen when listing song lyrics, scriptures, and announcements.
15. Other Recommendations
(a) Sources
The ecumenical dimension of worship will vary relative to form, context, and
scope. The form and/or text of a service often borrow from existing
denominational sources or from significant ecumenical events. These sources
might include the World Council of Churches (i.e. With all God's People -
Resources for Worship, the National Council of Churches or local
councilor bodies). Other models for ecumenical worship may be provided from
annual events such as the National Workshop on Christian Unity, the Week of
Prayer for Christian Unity (Graymoor, Garrison, New York), and the World Day of
Prayer (Church Women United).
(b) Ecumenical Accountability
The General Guidelines of the Massachusetts Council of Churches are a good
resource from which to obtain guidelines for planning ecumenical services.
Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed
1. Invocation or Litany
(a) Invocation. Prayer by Diane Kessler, Executive Director, Massachusetts
Council of Churches.
www.masscouncilofchurches.org/docs/prayersforunity.pdf Used with permission. Adapted by
Michelle Riley Jones.
(b) Litany. Walk, Work, Worship TOGETHER Children! By Michelle Riley Jones
(c) Processional Music. Come, All You People (Uyai Mose). Zimbabwe folksong. By
Alexander Gondo. For SATB, with keyboard, guitar, drums and percussion
accompaniment
Location:
Sheet Music and Audio Sample Available
GIA Publications, Inc.
7404 South Mason Avenue
Chicago, IL 60638
Phone: 1-800-GIA-1358
Online location: www.giamusic.com
2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Anthem of Unity. By John Ness Beck. For SATB and congregation
Location:
(b) Come, Ye Thankful People (Come). By Henry Alford. Tune, (ST. GEORGE’S WINDSOR), by George J. Elvey
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2001.
#194
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. The A.M.E. Zion Hymnal Official Hymnal
of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Charlotte, NC: A.M.E.
Zion Pub. House, 1996. #243
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. Nashville, TN:
Triad Publications, 2005. #327
Christian Reformed Church. Psalter Hymnal: Including the Psalms, Bible Songs,
Hymns, Ecumenical Creeds, Doctrinal Standards, and Liturgical Forms of the
Christian Reformed Church in North America. Grand Rapids, MI: CRC
Publications, 1987. #502
The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1985. #557
(c) Let the Peoples Praise You. By John McCann. For SATB and cantor
Location:
Sheet Music and Audio Sample Available
GIA Publications, Inc.
Phone: 1-800-GIA-1358
Online location: www.giamusic.com
(d) Unity. Text based on Psalm 133:1. Tune by Glorraine Moore
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #338
(e) Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones. By Athelstan Riley. Tune, (LASST UNS ERFREUEN), Geistliche Kirchengesange
Location:
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Hymnal. #9
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. Chicago, IL:
GIA Publications, 1987. #104
The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #91
3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Walk Together Children. Arr. by Evelyn Simpson-Curenton
Location:
Wise, Raymond. 21 Spirituals for the 21st Century: 21 Concert Spirituals.
Columbus, OH: Raise Publishing, 2004.
African American Heritage Hymnal. #541
(b) It’s My Desire. By Freda Pullen Bagley and Horace Boyer
Location:
Abbington, James. Stop by Lord: 14 Selections from the African American Church
Music Series. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2002.
Sheet Music and Audio Sample Available
GIA Publications, Inc.
Phone: 1-800-GIA-1358
Online location: www.giamusic.com
4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Keep Oil in Your Lamp. By David Curry and Jerry Mannery
Location:
Mississippi Mass Choir. I’ll See You in the Rapture. Jackson, MS: Malaco
Records, 1996.
(b) Special Place. By Byron Cage
Location:
An Invitation to Worship. Inglewood, CA: Gospocentric Records, 2005.
(c) I Need You. By Dana Sorey and Tye Tribbett
Location:
Tribbett, Tye. Stand Out. New York, NY: Sony, 2008.
5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Kwanzaa-Umoja-Uhuru (First Fruits of the Harvest-Unity-Freedom). By
Gary Hines
Location:
Sounds of Blackness. Time for Healing. New York, NY: Perspective/A&M
Records, 1997.
(b) Enter into His Gates/Halleluyah. By Helen Shapiro
Location:
The Gospel Collection. East Bourne, East Sussex, UK: ICC Records, 2002.
EssentialChristian.com
Regency Mews
Silverdale Road
Eastbourne
East Sussex
BN20 7AB
United Kingdom
Online location: http://www.essentialchristian.com/
6. Anthems
(a) Canticle of Fellowship. By Craig Courtney. For SATB, with optional 3-4
octave handbells
Location:
(b) Holy Ground. By Geron Davis
Location:
NEW-J Publishing
P.O. Box 4599
Washington, DC 20017
Phone: 202-882-8966
Sheet Music available
(c) Renew Thy Church, Her Ministries Restore. By Kenneth L. Cober. Tune, (ALL IS WELL).
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #343
(d) The Church’s One Foundation. By Samuel Wesley. Arr. by Roger Holland, II. For
SATB, organ and optional brass
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #337
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Hymnal. #304
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #297
Psalter Hymnal. #502
The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #348
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. #88
7. Modern Songs
(a) We Have Come. By Wayne Bucknor
Location:
Madison Mission Choir. Open Praise: Madison Mission Choir Live.
Huntsville, AL: Madison Avenue Records, 1985.
(b) We Are One. By Walt Whitman
Location:
Various Artists. Generation X Celebration. New York, NY: CGI Platinum,
1999.
(c) I Can Only Imagine. By Bart Millard
Location:
Williams, Myron. Made to Worship. Dallas, TX: Flow Records, 2007.
8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Uyai Mose/Come, All You People (Zimbabwe). By Alexander Gondo
Location:
Bell, John L. Come All You People. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 1995.
(b) Enter into His Gates/Halleluyah. By Helen Shapiro
Location:
The Gospel Collection. East Bourne, East Sussex, UK: ICC Records, 2002.
(c) Suite 1 for Organ Offertory. By Florence B. Price
Location:
Johnson, Calvert. Chicago Renaissance Women: Organ Works by Florence B. Price.
Ithaca, NY: Calcante Recordings, 2002.
CD Available
Organ Historical Society
P.O. Box 26811
Richmond, VA 23261
Online location: www.organsociety.org
Sheet Music available
ClarNan Editions
235 Baxter Lane
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Phone: 479-442-7414
clarnan@ipa.net mailto:clarnan@ipa.net
Mp3 available for download
Online location: www.emusic.com
9. Prayer, Song, or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
Prayer
(a) “We Have Often Perpetuated the Divisions Christ Came to Destroy.” Prayer by
Valerie Bridgeman Davis. Adapted by Michelle Riley Jones
Location:
Davis, Valerie Bridgeman and Safiyah Fosua. The Africana Worship Book: Year B.
Nashville, TN: Discipleship Resources, 2007, p. 159.
Prayer Music
(b) You’re My Glory. By Helen Shapiro
Location:
The Gospel Collection. East Bourne, East Sussex: ICC Records, 2002.
(c) Holy Is Thy Name. By Joel Bruce, Jr. Arr. by Lloyd Mallory, Jr.
Location:
Sheet Music and Audio Sample Available
GIA Publications, Inc.
Phone: 1-800-GIA-1358
Online location: www.giamusic.com
10. Sermonic Selection
(a) Who Shall Separate Us? By Glenn Burleigh. For men’s choir, TTBB
Location:
Glenn Burleigh Music
P.O. Box 16091
Oklahoma City, OK 73113
Phone: 405-842-3470
Online location: www.glenmusik.com
(b) Great Is Thy Faithfulness. Arr. by Paul Caldwell and Sean Ivory. For SSATB and
children’s choir
Location:
11. Invitational Song
(a) The Decision. By V. Michael McKay
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #388
(b) Is There Any Room in Your Heart for Jesus? By Wyatt T. Walker. Arr. by
Valeria A. Foster
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #353
12. Benediction Spoken or Sung
Spoken
(a) Benediction 1. By Rev. Dennis W. Creek, Senior Pastor, New Beginnings Christian Fellowship (Assemblies of God).
Adapted by Michelle Riley Jones
(b) Benediction 2. Author Unknown
Sung
(c) Nothing Can Ever Come Between Us. Taizé. For SSATB and piano
“Nothing can ever come between us and the love of God,
the love of God, revealed to us in Christ Jesus.”
(c) Ateliers et Presses de Taizé, 7125 0 Taizé, France.
The texts (lyrics) displayed on the Taize website may be freely copied and
distributed on paper for non-commercial use, but only if the source is quoted,
with copyright notice given as above.
Location:
Taize. Venite Exultemus. Taize: Atelieres et Presses de Taize, 2002.
GIA Publications, Inc.
Phone: 1-800-GIA-1358
Online location: www.giamusic.com
(d) We’re Marching to Zion. By Isaac Watts. Tune, (MARCHING TO ZION), by Robert
Lowry
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #590
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Hymnal. #648
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #366
The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #422
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #21
(e) Blest Be the Tie That Binds. By John Fawcett. Tune, (DENNIS), by John G.
Nageli
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #341
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Hymnal. #493
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #298
Psalter Hymnal. #315
Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #350
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #34
(f) A Charge to Keep I Have. By Charles Wesley. Tune, (BOYSTON), by Lowell Mason
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #468
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Hymnal. #439
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #436
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #330
(g) The Blessing. By Helen Shapiro
Location:
The Gospel Collection. East Bourne, East Sussex: ICC Records, 2002.
13. Recessional Music
Oh, Happy Day. By Edwin Hawkins
Location:
Various Artists. House of Gospel Anthology: The 70’s Vol. 1. New York,
NY: Sheridan Square Records, 2007.
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