“WHO SO EVER WILL” SUNDAY

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Cornelius V. Johnson III, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Minister of Music, Transformations Church, Chicago, IL

Worship Planning Notes

The purpose of this worship experience is to celebrate without judgment, the unique people that God created each of us as. It is a day that we put aside our differences and other extraneous distractions that would take our focus away from the fact that we are all created in God’s image. The Bible says, “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). This includes all of humanity, people of different racial backgrounds, social statuses, sexual orientations, different abilities, different theological beliefs, and the list goes on.

For many in our congregations, the concept of intentionally celebrating our differences may prove to be a difficult task initially. However, if we first accept that God made us exactly as we are, then we can begin to celebrate our diversity.

The pastor, worship leaders, and other church leaders can help guide your church to a greater worship experience by selecting music, prayers, and a sermon that focuses our attention on the fact that not only is grace a gift from God, but so is diversity. Much care should be given to proper planning for this service, particularly given the likely presence of children and youth.

I have listed references for showing diversity and being inclusive in your worship experience. Include those who are disabled, visual artists, women, and testimonials about racial and social issues of diversity. For other resources and ideas, please see section “14. Additional Worship Planning Recommendations” to become a more welcoming and inclusive congregation.

1. Litany, Call to Worship, and Invocation

2. Song for Gathering/Opening Selection
As We Are, We Come. By Uzee Brown

3. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Standing on the Promises. By R. Kelso Carter. Tune, (PROMISES), by R. Kelso Carter

(b) God of Grace and God of Glory. By Harry Emerson Fosdick. Tune, (CWM RHONDDA), by John Hughes

(c) Blessed Assurance. By Fanny J. Crosby. Tune, (ASSURANCE), by Phoebe P. Knapp

(d) Hold to God's Unchanging Hand. By Jennie Wilson. Tune, (UNCHANGING HAND), by F. L. Eiland

4. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) He's Got the Whole World in His Hand. Traditional

(b) For God So Loved the World. By Lanny Wolfe

(c) God Never Fails. By George Jordan

(d) He's Been Keeping Me. By Gale Murphy Jones

5. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Who Shall Separate Us. By Walter Hawkins

(b) Safe in His Arms. By Darius Brooks

(c) Search Me Lord. By Ricky Dillard

(d) Your Grace Is Enough. By Matt Maher and Chris Tomlin

(e) I Came to Magnify the Lord. By Mark Condon

6. Liturgical Dance or Mime Ministry Music
(a) Love God Love People. By Israel Houghton, Aaron Lindsey, and Tommy Simms

(b) Safety. By Oscar Williams Jr.

(c) When Sunday Comes. By Donald Lawrence

(d) Justified. By Smokie Norful

7. Anthems
(a) Amazing Grace. By John Newton. Arr. by Evelyn Simpson-Curenton

(b) Just as I Am, I Come. Arr. by Mary McDonald and Charlotte Elliot

(c) A Prayer for Peace. By Michael John Trotta

(d) O Love That Will Not Let Me Go. Arr. by Joseph Martin and George Matheson

(e) O Love That Will Not Let Me Go. Arr. by Mary Kay Parish. This selection is an anthem alternative for a hand bell choir and chimes.

8. Modern Songs
(a) God Made Me. By Jules Bartholomew

(b) Strong Finish (Finish Strong). By Jonathan Nelson and Kenneth Shelton

(c) Lord You've Been So Good. By Amber Bullock, Paul Morton Jr., and Eric Ramey

(d) It Not Over (When God Is in It). By Aaron Lindsey, Israel Houghton, and Ricardo Sanchez

9. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Oh Give Thanks. By Judith Christie McAlister

(b) I've Got So Much. By Kurt Carr

(c) Thank You Lord. By Walter Hawkins

(d) Celebrate. By Keith Hampton

(e) The Lord Is Blessing Me. Arr. by Mark Hubbard

10. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) I Love the Lord. By Richard Smallwood

(b) Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior. By Fanny J. Crosby. Tune, (PASS ME NOT), by William H. Doane

(c) Be Blessed. By Kurt Carr

(d) Remember Me (Chant). By Nolan Williams, Jr.

(e) Hear My Prayer, O Lord. By Roy L. Belfield, Jr.

11. Sermonic Selection
(a) Great Is Thy Faithfulness. By Thomas O. Chisholm

(b) So Many Reasons. By A. Lewis and Vicki Yohe

(c) Were It Not for Grace. By David Hamilton and Phil McHugh

(d) No Weapon. By Fred Hammond and Alvin Moore

(e) He Will Answer. By Jules Bartholomew

12. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Take Me to the King. By Kirk Franklin

(b) His Yoke Is Easy. By Glenn Burleigh

(c) We Offer Christ. By Joel Britton. Arr. by Valeria Foster

(d) Amazing Grace. For organ. By Mark Hayes. Arr. by Douglas E. Wagner

13. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Be with Us All, Lord. By Uzee Brown Jr.

(b) God Be with You. By Thomas A. Dorsey

(c) A Gospel Benediction. By Rollo Dilworth

14. Additional Worship Planning Recommendations
Article
Berg, Susan Vanden. "Festival of Church Celebrates Diversity and Inclusion." The Banner. March 2012. Online location: http://www.thebanner.org/news/2012/03/festival-of-churches-celebrates-diversity-and-inclusion.

This article identifies way in which those in the following areas can be included:

• Disabled worshippers
• Ethnic dance ensembles
• Persons with testimonies of racial inclusion
• Hip-hop artists

Resource for Children
Hart, Carolyn. Story Time Standouts: Raising Children Who Love to Read. Online location: http://www.storytimestandouts.com/celebrating-diversity-with-picture-books/

Books

	Williams, Scott. Church Diversity: Sunday The Most Segregated Day of The Week. Green Forest, AR: New Leaf Press, 2011.
	Young, Amos. The Bible, Disability, and the Church: A New Vision of the People of God. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2011.

15. Audio Visual Aids

Love, Joshua. Uncommon Hope: A DVD Enhanced Curriculum Reflecting the Heart of the Church for People Affected by HIV/AIDS. Bloomington, IN: Trafford Publishing, 2009.

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

1. Litany, Call to Worship, and Opening Prayer by Cornelius V. Johnson III