CHILDREN’S SUNDAY (Birth–Age 12) MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES
Sunday, July 12, 2009
James D. Alston, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Minister of Music, New Psalmist Baptist Church, Washington, DC
Worship Planning Notes
Children’s Sunday should be a high time of celebration in every church because the presence of children is a sign that a church is still alive and has a chance to continue doing mighty works for the Kingdom. Following are some things to note for Children’s Sunday:
Children are not small adults; they are children. Be sure to select worship assignments, a worship design, music, and instruments accordingly.
Children are very capable; expect much and that is what you will receive. If you expect children to memorize material and give them time and guidance, they can do it. Although they are not small adults, always remember that they are competent.
Children are not motivated, moved, or inspired by most of the occurrences in a worship service that motivate and inspire adults. On Children’s Sunday, all adults are to remember that, even if they don’t “get the service,” it is only important that the children do. The job of adults on this Sunday is to simply serve as motivators and encouragers.
Children should be taught to connect worship in church to service to others outside the church. Since most churches have more than one Children’s Sunday each year, use these and other occasions to teach children early how to serve. This should include activities that could take them outside of their comfort zones, such as: singing at a hospital where children are sick, singing at a facility for handicapped children and children with severe developmental disabilities, cleaning a park, or cleaning the yard of a senior. Children who are taught to continuously serve and worship become adults who continuously serve and worship.
Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10
1. Litany
Children
LEADER:
Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.
PEOPLE:
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart.
LEADER:
Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.
PEOPLE:
Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
LEADER:
Even children make themselves known by their acts, by whether or not what they do is pure and right. Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray.
PEOPLE:
Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come, and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them.”
LEADER:
He established a decree in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach to their children;
PEOPLE:
That the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and rise up and tell them to their children,
LEADER:
So that they should set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments; and that they should not be like their ancestors, a stubborn and rebellious generation.
ALL:
The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.
2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam. By Nellie Talbott. Tune, (Sunbeam) by E. O. Excell
(b) Here Am I. Text and Tune by Nolan Williams, Jr.
(c) Count on Me. By E. E. Hewitt. Tune by J. Lincoln Hall
(d) Have Thine Own Way. By Adelaide A. Pollard. Tune, (Adelaide) by George C. Stebbins
3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands. Traditional. Arr. by Hezekiah Brinson, Jr.
(b) This Little Light of Mine. Negro spiritual. Arr. by Nolan Williams, Jr.
(c) Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit. Negro spiritual. Arr. by Nolan Williams, Jr.
4. Gospel Songs for Children’s Choirs
(a) Give an Applause. By Gerry A. J. Thompson
(b) Get Excited! By Raymond Wise
(c) Let the Children Sing. By Gerry A. J. Thompson
5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Be Blessed. By Kurt Carr
(b) Holy Are You, Lord. By Joseph Pace II
6. Anthem for a Children’s Choir
Teach Me O Lord. By Raymond Wise
7. Modern Songs
(a) The Light. By Ricky Dillard
(b) Here I Am to Worship. By Chris Tomlin
(c) Available to You. By Darius Brooks
(d) Jesus. By Kirk Franklin Be sure to arrange this song as suitable for your Children’s choir. It is to be sung only by children.
8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) God’s Got a Blessing (With My Name on It). By Norman Hutchins
(b) He Will Supply. By Kirk Franklin
9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Thank You Lord. Traditional. Arr. By Stephen Key
(b)Glorify Thy Name. By Donna Adkins
(c) God Is So Good. Traditional
10. Sermonic Selection
(a)Acceptable You. By Eli Wilson, Jr.
(b) Use Me. By F. Darnell Davis
11. Invitational Songs
(a)I Have Decided to Follow Jesus. Anonymous. Arr. by Eugene Thomas
(b) Seek Ye First. By Karen Lafferty
12. Benediction Songs
(a) Children of the Heavenly Father. By Carolina Sandell Berg
(b) Take Time to Be Holy. By William D. Longstaff. Tune, (Slane) by George C. Stebbins
Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed
1. Litany – Children
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2001. #3
Used with permission.
2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam. By Nellie Talbot. Tune, (Sunbeam) by E. O. Excell
Location
African American Heritage Hymnal. #614
National Baptist Publishing Board. The New National Baptist Hymnal. Nashville, TN: National Baptist Pub. Board, 1981. #460
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. Nashville, TN: Triad Publications, 2001. #510
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. #420
(b) Here Am I. Text and Tune by Nolan Williams, Jr.
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #466
(c) Count on Me. By E. E. Hewitt. Tune by J. Lincoln Hall
Location:
The New National Baptist Hymnal. #391
(d) Have Thine Own Way. By Adelaide A. Pollard. Tune, (Adelaide) by George C. Stebbins
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #449
The New National Baptist Hymnal. #125
Yes Lord! The Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #313
3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands. Traditional. Arr. by Hezekiah Brinson, Jr.
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #150
(b) This Little Light of Mine. Negro spiritual. Arr. by Nolan Williams, Jr.
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #549
(c) Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit. Negro spiritual. Arr. by Nolan Williams, Jr
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #325
4. Gospel Songs for Children’s Choirs (a) Give an Applause. By Gerry A. J. Thompson
Location:
First Coast Children’s Choir. Let the Children Sing, Vol. 4: Give Applause. Jacksonville, FL: Spirit Of Life Records, 2007.
Sheet music and CDs available at: www.isingiplay.com
