YOUTH SUNDAY (Ages 13–17) (BUILDING SELF-ESTEEM)

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Sunday, October 6, 2013

L'Tanya M. Moore-Copeland, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Director of Music and Worship Arts, Saint Philip African Methodist Episcopal Church, Atlanta, GA

Key Thought: You were created by God and God does not make mistakes or junk.
For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. Psalm 139:13-14 (NRSV)

Key Thought: You have leadership ability and can overcome obstacles and steer your life in the right direction with God's guidance. Stand strong and fulfill your purpose!
I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 (NRSV)

Worship Planning Notes

Banners
If possible, in the corridors of your church place YOUTH banners that proclaim victory, love, self-esteem, encouragement, hope, leadership, etc.

Music/Videos
As people are entering and exiting the Sanctuary, play appropriate music or videos on screens. The videos should be centered on victory, love, self-esteem, encouragement, hope, leadership, etc.

Bulletins/Program
Bulletins should include graphics centered on victory, love, self-esteem, encouragement, hope, leadership, etc. The Bulletin should be UNIQUE and the extreme opposite of a regular church program. Consider changing the size or shape of your bulletin for Youth Sunday.

Teens Serving in Worship
All participants in today's worship service should be teens—greeters, ushers, choir, dancers, deacons, and clergy.

Praise Team/Choir/Dancers
Your choir and praise dancers should coordinate songs that can be ministered together. Dancers should use banners and flags throughout the entire worship experience. The choir and praise team should be musically prepared for a constant "flow" in worship.

Order of Service
The Service should be NON-TRADITIONAL and highly energetic. Interject strong passionate testimonies from teens whose lives have been changed by involvement in church organizations.

Attire
Encourage a come-as-you-are approach with respect to attire.

Message/Sermon
The sermon should be given by a youth pastor or teen clergy.

Invitation to Christ
The Invitation to enter a relationship with Jesus should be uniquely presented with teens assisting in the invitational process.

Follow Up/Stay Connected
A week after your service, send follow-up letters, e-mails, Facebook posts, Twitter messages, Instagram pictures, etc. to follow young people who visited your church and those youth who are members of your church. Continue to invite them to be a part of activities including Bible studies, youth gatherings, and Sunday worship.

1. Litany, Responsive Reading, or Invocation
(a)

Be Joyful in the LORD

(b)

Rite of Passage Litany for Youth

God, bless our youth that they may grow into men and women who honor you and who reflect the best of their families and communities.

As they experience the difficult task of becoming adults, guide them in the pursuit of faith, identity, and purpose.

Above all may they come to know you and love you with all their hearts, minds, and souls. Let them know that you are always with them, helping them fulfill the plan which you have designed for their lives. May they keep your commandments and search out your will.

Wherever life takes them, may they never cease to praise you, to pray, and to study your Holy Word.

God, save them from negative self-images, from feelings of hopelessness, and from peer pressure that contradicts the values which their families and churches have instilled in them.

As Jesus increased in wisdom and favor, grant that young people may also attain spiritual and human maturity.

May they understand the responsibility and sensitivity necessary to become a friend, a leader, a spouse, and a parent.

Lord, give them role models and mentors. Grant them spiritual immunity from the brokenness and meanness of life. Help them to develop good relationships with others.

May they acquire knowledge of their ancestry, master contemporary life skills, and understand the multicultural dimensions of our world.

May they begin the adult journey by remembering the history of their people. May they travel with confidence.

May they value education and see themselves as an important part of their nation. Bless them to choose and prepare for careers and vocations that enrich their lives and the lives of others.

As they set personal and career goals, give them the knowledge and capability to achieve them. Help them to aim high, embrace good health, live by moral principles, have respect for life and property, and have a desire to serve others.

May they feel connected to every village and nation of the world, and may they understand the importance of participating in many arenas of life.

God of our past, present, and future, let our youth see visions, discern problems, and search for solutions. Make them and shape them into strong African American men and women.

(c)

Beginnings
(ABC Prayer for a Teen's Life)

Dear God,
A soul is born into this world—
Be it a boy or a girl.
Created precious by God for life,
Developed with love amidst the world's strife,
Eventually this child will learn and grow,
Forgiving and trusting, taking life slow.
Give now this youth, this gift of love,
Help him or her with teachings that come from above.
Introduce her early to seeking God's way,
Just help them believe there will be better days.
Kindness offered to all people they know,
Let every teen show love for their friends and their foes.
Make their minds strive to study God's Word,
Not just to wait 'til it's something they've heard.
Open their minds to receive suggestions.
Please allow them to ask many questions.
Quickly always to lend them a helping hand, teach them to
Respect every woman and man.
Singing songs to God, with hands upraised
To you oh Lord, we lift our hearts in praise.
Ungrateful our teens shall never be.
Verbal teachings will also help them to see,
With Christ in their lives to help them to do right.
X-Ray Christ-like vision will lead them to your light.
Young, full of joy, each youth can grow.
Zealous to walk on God's path they'll go. Amen.

(d)

Finally Figured It Out
(For teens working to develop positive self-esteem, inspired by Katrina, age 17)

Dear God,
Finally figured out what I'm good at.
I'm a poet with confidence, and that's a fact!
I'll make it in this world—this I believe.
I treat the word can't as if it's a disease.
One thing I've learned, though, is life is not fair.
There are dangers to face, and of evil, we must beware.
My life is not perfect—that is true.
But I am learning more and more how to put my trust in You.
That's why I'm special; that's why I've grown.
With You, Lord, in my life, I can make it on my own.
Amen.

(e)

X-tra Time
(For teens fighting to avoid death in the streets, inspired by Jeremy, age 15)

Dear God,
I pray for X-tra time—
X-tra time to make up my mind concerning life, goals, and dreams.

I pray for X-tra time—
X-tra time to make up my mind to seek your guidance as I strive for my goals.

I pray for X-tra time—
X-tra time to leave a positive mark on someone else's life.

I pray for X-tra time—
X-tra time to live and not be a statistic, to overcome trials and make a difference.

Lord, I pray for X-tra time.
There is enough pain and hurt in this world, without my adding to the strife.

Amen.

(f)
Scripture: Psalm 73

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) This Is My Father's World. By Maltbie D. Babcock, Franklin Sheppard, and Norman Johnson

(b) I've Got Joy, Joy, Joy. By George W. Cooke

(c) Victory Is Mine. By Dorothy Norwood, Alvin Darling, and Stephen Key

(d) I Need You to Survive. By David Frazier

(e) Victory Chant. By Joseph Vogels. Arr. by Pam Stephenson

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Let Everything That Hath Breath. Arr. by Twinkie Clark-Terrell

(b) Open My Mouth. Negro Spiritual. Arr. by Dexter Walker

(c) Blessed. By Fred Hammond and Tommie Walker

(d) He's Able. By Deitrick Haddon

4. Songs for Praise Teams
(a) Chasing after You. By DeVaughn Murphy

(b) Press. By Shana Wilson

(c) So Addicted. By Deon Kipping

(d) Champion. By Tye Tribbett

(e) Let God Arise. By Elizabeth Bacon. Arr. by Reid Lancaster

5. Modern Songs
(a) Hello Fear. By Kirk Franklin

(b) Made. By Evelyn Keene, Lisa McClendon, and Keith McMasters

(c) Strong Finish. By Jonathan Nelson

(d) Stronger. By Myron Butler

(e) Happy. By Tasha Cobbs

(f) I Believe. By James Fortune and AyRon Lewis

6. Liturgical Dance and Mime Ministry Music
(a) No Way. By Tye Tribbett

(b) Set Me Free. By Myron Butler

(c) Break Every Chain. By William Reagan

(d) It's Not Over. By Israel Houghton, Aaron Lindsey, and Ricardo Sanchez

7. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Champions. By Jonathan Nelson

(b) I Choose to Believe. By Myron Butler

(c) After This. By J. J. Hairston

(d) Victory Chant. By Joseph Vogels. Arr. by Pam Stephenson

8. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Draw Me Close. By Kelly Carpenter and Fannie Crosby

(b) Indescribable. By Jesse Reeves and Laura Story

(c) Nobody Greater. By Darius Paulk

(d) I'm In Love with Jesus. By Percy Gray

9. Sermonic Selection
(a) God Made Me. By Jules Bartholomew

(b) The Struggle Is Over. By Jonathan Nelson

(c) Speak. By Jamar Jones and Johnnie Murray

(d) Turning around for Me. By Vashawn Mitchell, Philip Feaster, Lehman Gray, and Calvin Rodgers

10. Invitation Song or Instrumental
(a) Jesus You're Beautiful. By CeCe Winans

(b) Speechless. By Rick Roberson

(c) Time to Believe. By Dewitt Jones and Kim Jones

(d) Hold On. By Cheryl Fortune, James Fortune, and Terence Vaughn

(e) I Give Myself Away. By William McDowell

11. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Expect the Great. By Jonathan Nelson

(b) The Best Is Yet to Come. By Donald Lawrence

(c) Victory. By Tye Tribbett

(d) Moving Forward. By Israel Houghton, Ricardo Sanchez, and Y. Sus. Moonlight

(e) There Is a King in You. By Donald Lawrence

12. Other Recommendations

Songs to Play BEFORE or AFTER Your Service
(a) Lovin Me. By Jonathan McReynolds

(b) I Won't Go Back. By William McDowell

(c) My Name Is Victory. By Jonathan Nelson and Justin Savage

(d) You Are an Heir. By Donald Lawrence

(e) Friend of God. By Michael Gungor and Israel Houghton

(f) Happy Being Me. By Derek Allen, Saleem Asad, and Angie Stone

Spoken Word
Let the Word Do the Work. By Donald Lawrence and Loren McGee

Scripture: Psalm 73

Internet Sources
(a) www.negrospirituals.com

(b) www.igivemyselfaway.org

(c) www.worshiptogether.com

(d) www.wordmusic.com/worship

(e) www.churchleaders.com/youth/youth

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed