WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Patrick D. McCoy, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Minister of Music, Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC

Worship Planning Notes

This observance is a wonderful opportunity for Christians to embrace people from all walks of life, regardless of ethnic background or cultural differences. It is also an occasion that allows us to see that which is bigger than ourselves (the world Christian community). Be purposeful in preparing the music and all aspects of worship for this service. Pictures of communion services from churches around the world and from persons of varying Christian denominations and faith communities should adorn walls and be presented on church screens for this moment on the liturgical calendar.

Greetings from Others Serving Around the World

In recent years, the Internet has made it possible to collect greetings from other churches around the world, and to share some of these with your congregation during worship. Greetings from the faithful across the globe can be especially fruitful in exposing members of your congregation to other cultures and communion celebrations in other countries. Several weeks before your service, make plans to share greetings from others around the globe and to send greetings from your congregation.

Participate in World Communion

If your church desires to participate in World Communion Sunday, consider using some of the liturgy and hymns from Churches Uniting in Christ’s inaugural service in your congregation’s World Communion Sunday service; visit the “Churches Uniting in Christ” website, http://www.cuicinfo.org/, for more details. Using this information, interested congregations can invite members from the other CUIC denominations to participate in their respective World Communion services.

1. Call to Worship
Unison Communion Reflection
Communion allows all who claim Christ as the risen Lord to stand together as his people. Regardless of our station in life, regardless of location, regardless of our style of worship, we all drink from one cup and eat from one loaf of bread. This we do in remembrance of the life Christ lived, the blood he shed, his body which was broken, his burial which was mourned, and his resurrection which we claim and celebrate. Amen.

2. Hymns
(a) Here I Am, Lord. Text, Isaiah 6. Tune by Daniel L. Schutte

(b) My Jesus, I Love Thee. Text and Tune, (GORDON), by William R. Featherston

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Thuma Mina. South African Spiritual

I tol’ Jesus it would be all right
If He changed mah name
Jesus tol’ me I would have to live humble
If He changed mah name
Jesus tol’ me that the world would be ‘gainst me
If He changed mah name
But I tol’ Jesus it would be all right
If He changed mah name.

(c) The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power. By Andraé Crouch

(d) I Know It Was the Blood. Traditional

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) I Love You Lord, Today. By William F. Hubbard

(b) Silver and Gold. By Luther G. Presley

5. Anthems
(a) Taste and See. Text, Psalm 34. Tune by James E. Moore, Jr.

(b) In Remembrance. By Ragan Courtney and Buryl Red

6. Modern Songs
(a) Lamb of God. By Twila Paris
This piece is effective when it is sung during the passing of the cup. A soloist, preferably a soprano or tenor, should center this piece by singing verses 1 and 2 with no break and then the choir should join the soloist on the refrain. The soloist then sings verse 3 and the choir again joins with the soloist on the refrain. Also, experiment with having the choir repeat the refrain several times, eventually without accompaniment.

(b) As the Deer. By Martin Nystrom

(c) Shout to the Lord. By Darlene Zscsech

(d) Eat This Bread. (Jesus Christ, Bread of Life!). By Jacques Berthier, Taize

7. Liturgical Dance or Mime Music
(a) I Know I’ve Been Changed. Traditional. Performed by LaShun Pace Rhodes

(b) I’ve Never Seen Your Face. By Douglas Le Allen Williams and Henry Green

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
Song
(a) The Lord Be Praised. By Margaret Douroux

Instrumental
(b) Alleluia. By Jerry Sinclair

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Fix Me Jesus. Traditional

(b) We Exalt Thee. By Pete Sanchez

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) How Beautiful. By Twila Paris. Arr. by Benjamin Harlin. For SATB

(b) My Faith Looks Up. By Ray Palmer. Tune, (OLIVET), by Lowell Mason

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) We Won’t Leave Here Like We Came. By Maceo Woods

(b) If You Want Joy, Real Joy. By Joseph D. Carlson

12. Service of Communion Songs
(a) I Know It Was the Blood. Traditional

(b) Let Us Break Bread Together. Traditional

(c) Let Us Sing Unto the Lord (Cantemos al Senor). By Carlos Rosas, Roberto Escamilla, Elise Eslinger, and George Lockwood

13. Benediction Song or Instrumental
Song
(a) Hallelujah, Amen. By Nolan Williams, Jr.

Instrumental
(b) Siyahamba. South African. Arr. by Hal H. Hopson

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

1. Call to Worship
By Martha Simmons, Lectionary Director

African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2001. #567

Oregon Catholic Press (OCP)
P.O. Box 18030
Portland, OR 97218-0030
Phone: 1-800-548-8749

Online location: www.ocp.org

African American Heritage Hymnal. #574

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 1987. #335

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. Nashville, TN: Triad Publications, 2001. #235

African American Heritage Hymnal. #564

Online location: http://www.negrospirituals.com

African American Heritage Hymnal. #256

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. #250

African American Heritage Hymnal. #267

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #253

African American Heritage Hymnal. #580

Kirk Franklin and the Family. Inglewood, CA: Gospocentric, 1993.

African American Heritage Hymnal. #680

African American Heritage Hymnal. #685

Sanctuary. Houston, TX: Star Song, 1991.

African American Heritage Hymnal. #255

Salvador. Worship Live. New York, NY: Word, 2003.

Shout to the Lord. Mobile, AL: Integrity Music, 1996.

Worship & Rejoice Hymnal. Carol Stream, IL: Hope Publishing, 2001. #471

Hope Publishing Company
380 S Main Place
Carol Stream, IL 60188
Phone: 1-800-323-1049

Online location: http://www.hopepublishing.com

Oregon Catholic Press (OCP)
Phone: 1-800-548-8749
Online location: www.ocp.org

I Know I’ve Been Changed. Jackson, MS: Malaco, 2005.

The Williams Brothers (The Concert). Jackson, MS: Blackberry Records, 2000.

African American Heritage Hymnal. #115

African American Heritage Hymnal. #644

African American Heritage Hymnal. #436

Worship & Rejoice Hymnal. #47

A Heart That Knows You. Brentwood, TN: Sparrow Records, 1993.

Alfred Publishing
P.O. Box 10003
Van Nuys, CA 91410-0003
Item # 00-19107

African American Heritage Hymnal. #456

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #127

African American Heritage Hymnal. #40

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #301

African American Heritage Hymnal. #267

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #253

African American Heritage Hymnal. #686

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #530

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #30

GIA Publications, Inc.
7404 South Mason Avenue
Chicago, IL 60638
Phone:1-800-GIA-1358

Online location: www.giamusic.com

African American Heritage Hymnal. #118
Sheet music available from:
NEW-J Publishing
P.O. Box 4599
Washington, DC 20017
Phone: 202-882-8966

Online location: music@newinspiration.us

African American Heritage Hymnal. #164

Worship & Rejoice Hymnal. #697