(a) All addictions (sexual, drugs, food, etc.) separate us from God. We tend to focus on the “on the spot” healing rather than acknowledging the fact that, for many people, the breaking of addictive behaviors may take some time.
Opportunities to support one another are provided through regular meetings, which include worship, fellowship, and ministry. (See Acts 2:42-47, 20:7; and 1 Corinthians 11:17-33.) These opportunities provide many of the essential ingredients—such as social support networks, positive beliefs and values, and other important environmental factors—for the prevention of or support in breaking addictions.
Worship can provide an environment that assures people of the promises of God, exhibits support from the family of God, and rejoices in the victory that is available to all, no matter what the addiction, because of Christ Jesus.
(b) Have your bulletin cover display graphics that represent various types of addictions.
(c) Incorporate small group prayer into the worship service to allow those suffering to experience God’s presence through the power of community.
(d) Provide information on how to contact church-based and other local community resources for various addictions. This can be an insert in the bulletin and should always be readily available.
1. Invocation, Litany, or Congregational Reading Litany
Substance Abuse Awareness
O God, you are great, and your name is great in all the earth! Speak to us of your creation and of the purpose for which you have created us. Speak to us with urgency as we desperately search for answers to the plague of addiction.
Speak to us Lord with words of healing and victory.
Contemplating the global plight of addiction leaves us wounded and confused. The death and destruction that this plague brings humbles us and menaces the health and survival of many who love and care for us.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth; and it was good. We are marvelously and wonderfully made.
Rescue us from the hand of the wicked and cruel who profit from the demise of others. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom the Lord has chosen as his heritage.
Happy are those who take refuge in God instead of in the things of this world.
We know that our bodies are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in us. God help us not to destroy these temples.
Addiction occurs in rich and poor; in educated and uneducated; in church folk and unchurched; in all ethnic groups, classes, professions, neighborhoods, and homes.
In the name of Christ, make us ready to accept the challenge of social wholeness as a high priority. Set the captives free and deliver your people from all that is against them.
Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world. Let God arise and his enemies be defeated. We bind addictions of all kind and we release life-affirming love throughout creation. Amen.
2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Just a Closer Walk with Thee. Anonymous
(b) Jesus Is All the World to Me. Text and Tune, (All the World) by Will L. Thompson
(c) I Need Thee Every Hour. By Annie Hawkes. Tune, (Need) by Robert Lowry
3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) The Time for Praying. By Howard Helvey. Spiritual. For SATB
(b) Soon-a Will Be Done. Spiritual
4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams (a) And Yet I’m Still Saved. By Donald Lawrence
(b) Jesus Be a Fence Around Me. By Sam Cooke
(c)
Satan You Can’t Tempt Me. By Major Robertson
(d) Desire. By Kirk Franklin
(e) How Great Is Our God. By Ed Cash and Chris Tomlin
5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Music (a) Chains. By Kirk Franklin
(b) Yes. By Valencia Lacy
(c) Addicted to Jesus. By Carman. This would be a great presentation for a youth mime group.
6. Anthem
My Shepherd Will Supply My Need. By Isaac Watts
7. Modern Songs (a) Because He Lives. By William Gaither and Gloria Gaither. This is a spirited gospel arrangement of this hymn.
(b) Oh My Lord. By Joy Williams-Yetton and Justin York
(c) Presence (My Heart’s Desire). By Peter Furler, Tim Hughes, and Steve Taylor
(d) Power of Christ (Live). By Paul D. Allen, K. Nekai Allen, and James Moss
(e)
Listen. By Adrian Anderson
8. Song or Instrumental for the Offertory Period (a) My Name Is Victory. By Jonathan Nelson
(b)
My Shepherd (Psalm 23). By Kurt Carr
9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer (a) He Looked Beyond My Fault. By Dottie Rambo. Tune, Londonderry Aire
(b)
Renew Me. By Martha Munizzi
10. Sermonic Selection
(a) His Eye Is on the Sparrow. By Civilla D. Martin. Tune, (Sparrow) by Charles H. Gabriel
(b)
Try Jesus (He Satisfies). By Nathan Carter. For SSATB and SSA trio
(c) Heart’s Desire. By Wesley Tuttle
(d)
Run ‘Til I Finish. By Smokie Norful
(e) All Things Are Working. By Fred Hammond, Kim Rutherford, and Tommie Walker
(f)
Thou Art a Shield for Me: Psalm 3. By Freda Tapp
11. Invitational Song (a) Why Not Trust God Again. By Kurt Carr
(b)
My Peace I Leave with You. By Wendell Woods. For SATB
(c) I Receive Your Love. By Israel Houghton, Aaron Lindsey, and Martha Munizzi
12. Benediction Song or Instrumental (a) I Got a Praise (Holy One). By Deitrick Haddon
(b)
Lord, I Don’ Don.’ Traditional. Arr. by J. Weldon Norris. For SATBB Choir and Baritone solo. This song provides a declaration of obedience.
13. Audio Visual Suggestions (a) Satan Knows His Limitations is a Powerpoint pack by FaithVisuals.com.
When Jesus was being tempted in the desert, Satan responded to the Word. Share how to overcome temptation using these Powerpoint slides that can be used to display lyrics, Scriptures, sermon illustrations, etc. “Satan Know His Limitations” also serves as a great theme for the day.
(b) Addiction is a short video by Moving Pictures.
This video about addiction stars Charlie Chaplin. It shows the uphill battle of addiction and is a perfect introduction for a sermon. This video can also be used as a lead-in to the Offertory Period.
Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed
1. Invocation, Litany, or Congregational Reading Litany
Substance Abuse Awareness. Amendments made by Michelle Riley Jones.
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2001. #92. Used with permission.
2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Just a Closer Walk with Thee. Anonymous
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #455
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 1987. #156
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. Nashville, TN: Triad Publications, 2005. #309
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. #388
(b) Jesus Is All the World to Me. Text and Tune, (All the World) by Will L. Thompson
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #382
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. #257
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #266
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #283
The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association. 1985. #185
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #448
(c) I Need Thee Every Hour. By Annie Hawkes. Tune, (Need) by Robert Lowry
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #451
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Hymnal. #466
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #303
The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #483
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #305
3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) The Time for Praying. By Howard Helvey. Spiritual. For SATB
Location:
(c) I Receive Your Love. By Israel Houghton, Aaron Lindsey, and Martha Munizzi
Location:
Munizzi, Martha. Change the World. Goldenrod, FL: Martha Munizzi, 2008.
12. Benediction Song or Instrumental (a) I Got a Praise (Holy One). By Deitrick Haddon
Location:
Haddon, Deitrick & Voices of Unity. Together in Worship. Indianapolis, IN: Tyscot Records, 2007.
(b) Lord, I Don’ Don.’ Traditional. Arr. by J. Weldon Norris. ForSATBB Choir and Baritone solo. This song provides a declaration of obedience. Location:
Abbington, James. Use Me: Selections from the African American Church Music Series. Chicago, IL: GIA Music, 2008.
Octavo Score and mp3 sample also available:
GIA Publications, Inc.
Phone: 1-800-442-1358
Online location: www.giamusic.com
