• BACK
• Click Here Cultural Resources
• Click Here Lectionary Commentaries

The Father-Force, by Dr. Na’im Akbar

FATHER’S DAY

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Michelle Riley Jones, Lectionary Team Liturgist

The real Father-force is responsibility. It’s standing up and being the man.
The Father-force is a caring force. It watches at night when dangers lurk around their children…

The Father-force does not want to be something that’s impressive to someone else. The Father-force wants to be impressive to his own family, his own children. They don’t want their sons to look up to their boss. They want their sons to look up to them. That’s the Father-force!

--Dr. Na’im Akbar

Worship Planning Notes

In the African American community there has long been a cry for more men to step up and take responsibility as fathers. On this Sunday, although the need continues, we do not continue that cry. Instead we salute those Godly men who are supporting families and communities. These men are described in Psalm 112 and in 1 Timothy 5:8.

Begin worship with a spirited choir processional, “To My Father’s House,” by Edwin Hawkins, to honor the providential care of the God of our fathers (both biological and mentors) whom the Creator has given to us.

The colors for this day are maroon and burgundy, signifying strength and robustness! Choir robes, or robe accents, and banners/flags, etc. should all be coordinated. Notify fathers four weeks in advance and have them wear maroon or burgundy ties this day. Supply maroon carnation lapel corsages.

This day, let fathers speak! Plan an afternoon service of spoken word delivered by fathers. The spoken word topics can cover all aspects of fatherhood (i.e., fatherly spiritual leadership in the home, fathers as providers, fathers as teachers, etc.). Uplift traditional and non-traditional fathers (i.e., single dads, grandfathers, foster fosters, adoptive fathers, stepfathers, mentor fathers/father figures, etc.).

1. Litany
Processional Music
(a) To My Father’s House. By Edwin Hawkins

Litany
(b)

Leader:	Father of our fathers, we give you glory today. We thank you for our earthly fathers. We honor them, as they have honored you.
People:	Father, father…Thank You!
Leader:	Our fathers have reverenced you and have walked in your ways. As you have girded them up, we too have been made strong. Our fathers have shown us the way to you. Because of their example, we have made precious your precepts.
People:	Father, father… Thank You!
Leader:	We can never forget what you’ve done for us, O God; and fathers, we will forever remember that you have loved us as God loved you.
People:	Father, father… Thank You!
Leader:	Our fathers, when knocked down, have always looked to you for strength to get back up. They have leaned on your everlasting arms to care and provide for their families.
People:	Father, father… Thank You!
Leader:	Father of our fathers, we give you glory today. We thank you for our earthly fathers (dads, uncles, father-figures, adoptive fathers, and step fathers). We honor them, as they have honored you.
All:	Father, father…Thank You!

2. Hymns or Congregational Songs
(a) God of Our Fathers. By Daniel C. Roberts. Tune, (NATIONAL ANTHEM), by George W. Warren

(b) O Perfect Love. By Dorothy B. Gurney. Tune, (O PERFECT LOVE), by Joseph Barnby

(c) My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me. By W. C. Martin. Tune, (WATCHES OVER ME), by Charles H. Gabriel

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) I Thank You, Jesus. Negro Spiritual

(b) The Good Old Righteous Way. By Linda Twine

(c) My Soul Is Anchored in the Lord. Arr. by Charles Garner. This selection is for SATB, with tenor solo.

Sheet Music Sample: http://www.giamusic.com/searchPDFS/G6137.pdf

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) That’s Just the Way the Father Is. By Kurt Carr

(b) Provider. By VaShawn Mitchell

(c) I’ve Got My Mind Made Up. By Norman Hutchins

(d) Worthy to Be Praised. By Brenda Hinton

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Father You. By Jayshawn Champion

(b) My Father Was/Is. By Noel Hall and Fred Hammond

6. Anthem
All The Way My Savior Leads Me. By Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, and Fanny J.
Crosby. Tune by Robert Lowry. Arr. by Tom Fettke; orch. arr. by Michael Lawrence. This selection is for SATB, with optional instrumental ensemble.
Audio Sample: http://www.alfred-music.com/player/AlfredChurchChoral2009/32210/player.html

7. Modern Songs
(a) Everlasting God. By Chris Tomlin

(b) Heavenly Father. By Terrell Hunt

(c) The Father’s Song. By Matt Redman

8. Song or Instrumental for the Offertory Period
(a) My Tribute. By Andraé Crouch

(b) Jesus, I’ll Never Forget/He’s Done So Much for Me. By Patrick Henderson

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Happy the Men Who Jesus Knows. By Charles Wesley. Tune, (VENETIA), from the London Tune Book

(b) I Honor You. By Timothy Clifton

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) Jesus Loves Me. Traditional

(b) Thanks for Staying. By Lindsey Houghton, Aaron Lindsey, and Kim Rutherford

(c) Your Love Is Amazing. By Norman Hutchins

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around. Spiritual

(b) Because You Loved Me. By Diane Warren

(c) Father, I Worship You. By Charles Williams

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Well Done. By Darnell Williams

(b) God Will Take Care of You. By Civilla D. Martin. Tune by W. Stillman Martin

13. Audio Visual Suggestions
Include images of fathers in bulletins and videos. Highlight fathers of all age ranges, from teens to seniors, and from all aspects of life: work, family, home, at church, in the community, etc.

14. Other Recommendations
(a) Men’s Ministry Remodeled™ --developed by the National Fatherhood Initiative, this one-year ministry plan provides a model that churches and ministries can use to establish a sustainable men’s ministry that prioritizes fathers. This program provides the tools needed to create an intentional men’s ministry where fathers feel welcomed and encouraged.

(b) Visit FatherSOURCE, the online resource of the National Fatherhood Initiative to view a collection of resources for new dads, plus resources for military fathers, incarcerated fathers, teen dads, and more.

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

1. Litany
Processional Music
(a) To My Father’s House. By Edwin Hawkins
Location:

Litany
(b) Father, father…Thank You! By Michelle Riley Jones

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) God of Our Fathers. By Daniel C. Roberts. Tune, (NATIONAL ANTHEM), by George W. Warren
Location: (b) O Perfect Love. By Dorothy B. Gurney. Tune, (O PERFECT LOVE), by Joseph Barnby
Location: (c) My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me. By W. C. Martin. Tune, (WATCHES OVER ME), by Charles H. Gabriel
Location: 3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) I Thank You, Jesus. Spiritual
Location:
(b) The Good Old Righteous Way. By Linda Twine
Location:
(c) My Soul Is Anchored in the Lord. Arr. by Charles Garner. This selection is for SATB, with tenor solo.
Location: 4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) That’s Just the Way the Father Is. By Kurt Carr
Location:
(b) Provider. By VaShawn Mitchell
Location:
(c) I’ve Got My Mind Made Up. By Norman Hutchins
Location:
(d) Worthy to Be Praised. By Brenda Hinton
Location:
5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Father You. By Jayshawn Champion
Location:
(b) My Father Was/Is. By Noel Hall and Fred Hammond
Location:
6. Anthem
All The Way My Savior Leads Me. By Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, and Fanny J.
Crosby. Tune by Robert Lowry. Arr. by Tom Fettke; orch. arr. by Michael Lawrence. This selection is for SATB, with optional instrumental ensemble.
Location:: 7. Modern Songs
(a) Everlasting God. By Chris Tomlin
Location:
(b) Heavenly Father. By Terrell Hunt
Location:
(c) The Father’s Song. By Matt Redman
Location:
8. Song or Instrumental for the Offertory Period
(a) My Tribute. By Andraé Crouch
Location:
(b) Jesus, I’ll Never Forget/He’s Done So Much for Me. By Patrick Henderson
Location:
9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Happy the Men Who Jesus Knows. By Charles Wesley. Tune, (VENETIA), from the London Tune Book
Location:
(b) I Honor You. By Timothy Clifton
Location:
10. Sermonic Selection
(a) Jesus Loves Me. Traditional
Location:
(b) Thanks for Staying. By Lindsey Houghton, Aaron Lindsey, and Kim Rutherford
Location:
(c) Your Love Is Amazing. By Norman Hutchins
Location:
11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around. Spiritual
Location:
(b) Because You Loved Me. By Diane Warren
Location:
(c) Father, I Worship You. By Charles Williams
Location:
12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Well Done. By Darnell Williams
Location:
(b) God Will Take Care of You. By Civilla D. Martin. Tune, (GOD CARES), by W. Stillman Martin.
Location: 13. Other Recommendations
(a) Men’s Ministry Remodeled™. Developed by National Fatherhood Initiative
Location: (b) FatherSOURCE, the online resource of the National Fatherhood Initiative
Location:

• Click Here Cultural Resources
• Click Here Lectionary Commentaries