ECUMENISM SUNDAY
(DIFFERENT FAITHS WORSHIPPING TOGETHER)

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Michelle Riley Jones, Lectionary Team Liturgist

Worship Planning Notes

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, according to differing traditions. Through this experience, we allow God to mold us into that Body which is then capable of proclaiming, and more importantly, demonstrating, reconciling Love throughout the world.

The song "Every Praise," written by David Bratton, and recently re-released as a single by Hezekiah Walker, hones in on what ecumenical worship should really be about—God. Ecumenism consists not in losing the distinctive features of our various traditions, but in bringing together the particularities of the various traditions, bringing together these rich practices of worship so that our every praise, our every word, our every act is to God alone, as we stand on one accord. We bring our worship traditions together in the spirit of hospitality and offer them as a gift to those who will worship together. Where differences create barriers to our unity, we trust the transforming power of the Spirit to work in us and through us in order to minister to the world.

Preparation

• All those who will lead in worship should meet, study, and practice together.
  Worship will be smoother if those who are proposing to share leadership in worship meet to get to know each other personally, to study the theology and ritual actions used in each other's faith community, and, perhaps, above all, to practice (rehearse, several times!) presiding together.
  
  
• Schedule regular, ongoing occasions for gathering—for worship and working in the name of Christ. Even with the study and sharing you may have done yourself and with your congregation prior to your first celebration together, such sharing will take time and practice together for it to become comfortable for all.

Evangelistic Witness

• In In Spirit and In Truth: The Music of African American Worship, Melva Wilson Costen states: "The "blending" of worship elements and improvising what we borrow is an African practice that has helped create and maintain the African American ethos that extends beyond the sanctuary."² Ecumenical services should be about our witness of Christ's love, and care should be taken to present the Gospel without undue emphasis on denominational distinctives. Denominational distinctives are a significant part of history but are distinguishable from what Christians throughout history have regarded as essential to the Gospel. Ecumenical services should offer participation to all Christian churches in the community.

Social Witness

• Keep the order of service relatively simple. This will help with adapting it to local situations and allow Christians from all traditions to come together without difficulty in worshiping, while respecting the diversity of all. It is quite possible to expand a part of the service.
  
  
• Provide opportunity to learn the denominational and local history of participating churches and faith communities. Print synopses of histories as a supplement to the bulletin.

Service Elements

• The use of liturgical colors or other symbols should be used with appropriate explanation as to the intended meaning in an ecumenical context.

Music

• Music leaders should expand their knowledge of the many genres of liturgical songs and create a balance in the use of a variety of songs.
  
  
• Find commonality in hymns and other music used in worship.
  
  
• Post mp3s of the responses that will be used in the service on participating church websites. What should be a high moment of celebration could become instead awkward, chaotic, and ultimately disheartening. Posting mp3s of the congregational songs can be a great way to build unity prior to the service.
  
  
• A story or testimony accompanying each song is also a great way to talk through what the song lyrics mean and how they relate to the Christian life.
  
  
• Host an ecumenical Choir Festival to culminate the worship weekend.

1. Call to Worship, Litany, or Congregational Reading

Music for Processional or Invocation
(a) We All Are One. By Donnie McClurkin

(b) Alleluia. By Diane Clayton-White. This selection is a majestic introit for worship, for SATB choir.

(c) The Lord Is in His Holy Temple. From Habakkuk 2:20. Tune by George F. Root

(d) O King, O Lord, O Love. By Timothy Watson

(e) Fill This Place. By Stanley Brown

Invocation

From many denominations and faiths we have gathered together today,
recognizing you as the only true and living God,
and professing You as Lord over all.

In your name we have come.
And it is in your name that we have put aside everything out of our lives
that keeps us from doing what we should.
And it is in your name that we are united
where differences would seek to divide us.

Be in us Lord, just as our Heavenly Father is in you.
That we all may be one in you.
And that the world will know
that you love them, even as you love us.

May our unity illuminate the hope that we have in You.
May our unity point the way to healing that only comes through You.
And Lord, may our unity draw others into the saving knowledge of You.

You are our Lord.
and we are one today, in your name.
The name above all names.
Amen.

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) O Worship the King. By Robert Grant. Tune, (LYONS), Wm. Gardiner's Sacred Melodies

(b) Crown Him With Many Crowns. By Matthew Bridges. Tune, (DIADEMATA), by George J. Elvey

(c) When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder. Text and Tune, (ROLL CALL), by James M. Black

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Great Getting' Up Mornin. Spiritual

(b) Have You Got Good Religion? (Certainly Lord). Spiritual

(c) Cert'nly, Lord. Spiritual. Arr. by Alice Parker. For a capella SATB choir, and soloist Music sample: http://resources.giamusic.com/mp3s/4239.mp3

(d) Plenty Good Room. Spiritual

(e) When the Saints Go Marchin' In. Spiritual. This selection can also be used for recessional.

(f) This Little Light of Mine. Traditional

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs or Praise Teams
Praise Teams
(a) Every Praise. By David Bratton

(b) You Are My God. By Paul Avery

(c) Clap Your Hands. By Jesse Stevenson

(d) Power in the Name of Jesus. By Aaron W. Lindsey and Hart Ramsey. This selection is done with a little reggae flair!

Choirs
(e) He's Still the Light. By Patrick Lundy

(f) So Let Us Praise the Lord. By Earl Bynum

(g) Giving Honor to God. By Charles Jenkins

(h) Jesus Christ Is the Way. By Walter Hawkins

5. Liturgical Dance, Mime Ministry, or Banner/Flag Team Music
(a) Let the Word Do the Work. By Donald Lawrence. This is a great piece for drama and dance!

(b) You Are Welcome. By forever JONES

(c) The Corinthian Song. By V. Michael McKay

(d) We Bless Your Name. By Nolan Williams Jr.

(e) Beyond Beyond. By Anthony Brown and Justin Savage

6. Anthems
(a) Crown Him with Many Crowns. By Matthew Bridges. Tune, (DIADEMATA), by Godfrey. Arr. by Craig Courtney

(b) You Are Holy. By Keshia McFarland, Jason Tyson, and Martin Woods

(c) Hymn of Fellowship. Medley of "In Christ There Is No East or West." By John Oxenham. Setting by John Ness Beck. For SSAATB choir, congregation, organ and optional trumpet trio
Audio Sample: http://s3.amazonaws.com/media-master/mp3/hymn-of-fellowship.mp3
Music Sample: http://s3.amazonaws.com/media-master/pdf/web-37-hymn-of-fellowship.pdf

(d) For God So Loved the World. By Craig Phillips. For SATB choir, a cappella
Audio Sample: http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/look_inside/19557477/audio/104013

(e) Anthem of Unity. By John Ness Beck. This selection is for SATB choir, featuring All Creatures of Our God and King with congregation.
Audio Sample: http://s3.amazonaws.com/media-master/mp3/10-anthem-of-unity.mp3
Music Sample: http://s3.amazonaws.com/media-master/pdf/web-7-anthem-of-unity.pdf

7. Modern Songs
(a) God Chaser. By Ernest Vaughan

(b) Greater. By Darren Thomas

(c) Get Up (Live). By Tasha Cobbs and Vashawn Mitchell

(d) I Know Who I'm Living For. By DeWitt Jones IV

(e) I Look Like You (When I Worship). By Keith Cistrunk, Israel Houghton, Aaron W. Lindsey, and Hart Ramsey

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Great God Great Praise. By Kurt Carr

(b) God of Promise. By Richard Smallwood

(c) How Great Is Our God. By Chris Tomlin

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Nothing Between. By Charles A. Tindley

(b) Thy Way, O Lord. By Nina B. Jackson. Tune, (THY WAY), by E. C. Deas

(c) Make Me Righteous. By Devaughn Murphy and William Murphy

(d) Rain & Glory Medley. By Earnest Pugh and James Fortune

(e) You Are My Strength. By Reuben Morgan

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) Jesus Christ Is the Way. By Walter Hawkins

(b) Lord We Are Waiting. By Jamar Jones and Johnnie Murray

(c) Covenant Keeping God. By Andrae Ambrose

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Come to Jesus Now, Pt. 2. By Henry McKenzie Davis

(b) Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. By H.H. Lemuel. Arr. by John Stoddart and Jaime Jorge. For violin

(c) Released. By Donald Lawrence

12. Benediction/Sending Spoken, Sung, or Instrumental
(a) Christ for the World We Sing. By Samuel Wolcott. Arr. by Craig Courtney. For SATB, congregation, and optional trumpet trio

(b) God Is on Our Side. By Andraé Crouch and Luther "Mano" Hanes

(c) May the Grace of Christ Our Savior. By John Newton

Benediction Prayer
(d) Benediction Prayer. John 17:7-23, paraphrased

Thank you, Lord. We know that everything we have comes from you. Our Creator and Sustainer, protect us by the power of your name, the name above all names, so that the world may know that we are one. As you sent our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, into this world, you now send us into this world. Sanctify us, O God. We pray for all those who will believe on you through this message, that we all may be one in you. Be in us, Lord, so that the world may believe that you have sent us, for you have given us the glory that we may be one as you and your father are one. God, be in us, shine through us, so that we all may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent us and do love them even as you love us.

Amen.

13. Audio Visual Suggestion
If your Audio Visual capabilities or budget will permit, set up a large screen outside to broadcast the service to the community. Be mindful of the volume, of course, and any permits that may be required.

14. Other Suggestions and/or Resources
(a) Identify a common interest if any—climate issues, social justice, arts in schools, homelessness, etc.—and plan a community project the churches can all support.

(b) Use an artist in one of the participating churches to sketch a children's "bulletin" for the services for ages 3–6. These can be generic (see sample: http://www.childrensbulletins.com/tour/church-activities-for-kids.aspx) or customized for the service to include teaching on various worship practices unique to each faith tradition represented.

(c) Prior to the worship service, maybe a few days to a week earlier, hold an evening Service of Prayer for Christian Unity based on Acts 2:42. Within this theme, looking back to the first church in Jerusalem, there are four elements which are the pillars of the life of the Church, and of its unity, that can be highlighted throughout the prayer service:

• First, the Word was passed on by the apostles.
• Second, fellowship (koinonia) was an important mark of the early believers whenever they met together.
• A third mark of the early Church was the celebration of the 'breaking of the bread', remembering the New Covenant which Jesus has enacted in his suffering, death, and resurrection.
• The fourth aspect is the offering of constant prayer.

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

Worship Planning Notes

Quotes
1. Lyric from "Every Praise" written by David Bratton.

• Ecumenical Accountability. Massachusetts Council of Churches. Online location: http://www.masscouncilofchurches.org/docs/doc_accountability.htm (accessed 24 March 2013).
  
  
• Ecumenical Etiquette: Worshipping With and Toward Others. General Board of Discipleship. Online location: http://www.gbod.org/lead-your-church/ecumenical-resources/resource/ecumenical-etiquette-worshiping-with-and-toward-others (accessed 9 April 2013).
  
  
• A New Ecumenical Wind. Adventist World. Online location: http://www.adventistworld.org/article/288/resources/english/issue-2008-1004/a-new-ecumenical-wind (accessed 24 March 2013).

1. Call to Worship, Litany, or Congregational Reading