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JESUS AND CHILDREN (BIRTH–AGE 12)

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Nolan Williams, Jr., Lectionary Team Liturgist and Kenneth Mosley, Assistant Liturgist

Worship Planning Notes

Make special efforts to involve children in almost every aspect of the worship service today (and we would add on most Sundays). Also, be sure to involve children with special needs (those who are deaf or differently abled). Consider the needs of the children in your church or organization, as well as their taste and their abilities. Also, always remember that children are capable if we train them, celebrate them, and expect excellence from them. Finally, remember that children love singing adult songs and playing instruments.

1. Call to Worship, Litany, and Acrostic
(a) Call to Worship
O God, your Word promises to bless our children, and our children’s children. Our generations are important to you. We humbly ask that you empower us to devote our time, our resources, and our love to our children. Help us to undergird them with strength to achieve their goals, courage to conquer every obstacle, and compassion during tough times. With each passing day, grace us with the wisdom to shape this next generation—all for your glory. In your blessed name we pray. AMEN.

(b) Litany

Child Reader:	We are fearfully and wonderfully made, a part of the Creator’s marvelous work. We, though young, are your people, precious lambs in the Creator’s flock. For this we are grateful.
People:	With thankful hearts, we celebrate our children. We realize we’ve much to give and to receive, to teach them and to learn from them. We commit to positively shape the hearts and minds of those who will follow our footsteps.
Youth Reader:	There is nothing too difficult for our Heavenly Parent, and God’s Son welcomes those with childlike hearts into his kingdom.
People:	Children are a gift from God. We cherish them, nurture them, train them, and prepare them for fruitful work in the kingdom.
Child Reader:	Our lives are given by God, our souls are redeemed by his Son, and our minds are renewed by God’s Spirit. We welcome God’s direction in our daily lives.
People:	With Jesus, the Light of the world and the Word of God as a light for the pathway of our lives, we will commend our young people for their accomplishments, help redirect their missteps, and walk with them through life’s pathway.
Child Reader:	With respect for our elders, our community, and ourselves, we will, God being our help, be leaders and pioneers, forging ahead to fulfillment, living out God’s plan and will for our lives while serving those around us.
People:	Bless now this generation, Lord, and endow us with the ability to unlock the unending potential that resides within each young person, loving them and welcoming them, just as Jesus did.
All Adults:	Jesus does love all children, and desires a healthy life and a wholesome environment in which they can flourish. God grace us with the wisdom to withstand distractions, to yield to divine direction, and to be godly examples to a vulnerable generation.

(c) Acrostic—“Our Duty”
Select four parent/child pairs. Have the parents line up on one side of the Sanctuary and the children line up on the opposite side. Provide two sets of cards (8½ x 11 or larger) that spell out the word D-U-T-Y. Assign the same letter to each parent/child pair. Have each pair take turns revealing their common letter and sharing how the word D-U-T-Y applies to parents and children. Each parent speaks to his/her responsibility to the child while the child speaks to his/her responsibility to the parent.

They all begin by saying in unison, “OUR DUTY”:

D— Parent #1:	I will DEVOTE myself to rearing you to the best of my ability. I will ensure that you have all you will need to become a responsible adult and citizen, and to realize God’s plan for your life.
Child #1	And I will DEVOTE myself to following your directions and your example. I will strive, in every way, to please you and God!
U— Parent #2:	I will be UNDERSTANDING of you and sensitive to your needs and concerns.
Child #2:	And I will be UNDERSTANDING of you especially when your directives differ from my desires, recognizing that you have my best interests at heart.
T— Parent #3:	I will always TREAT you fairly. I will speak to you in love, never calling you by an ungodly name, always striving to be open and honest with you.
Child #3:	And I will TREAT you respectfully, recognizing the rules you establish for our household, and honoring you as my (mother/father).
Y— Parent #4:	I will not YIELD to the temptation to be your buddy or your friend. I will not YIELD the authority and responsibility I have to provide for you and to guide you to be the person God would have you to be.
Child #4:	And I will not YIELD to the temptation of wanting to have things my way, or engaging in negative behavior when I don't like or understand your directives.

All Together:     Together we recommit ourselves to God and to one another.

All Parents (turning to face the children):		This is our DUTY to you!
All Children (turning to face the parents):		And this is our DUTY to you!

All Together:     And it pleases the Lord!

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) I Have Decided to Follow Jesus. Text: Ascribed to an Indian prince; as sung in Garo,  
Assam. Tune, (INDIAN FOLK MELODY), by Paul B. Smith; harmony by Norman Johnson

(b) Children, Go Where I Send Thee. African American traditional. Arr. by Evelyn  
Simpson-Curenton

(c) Children of God. Text and tune by Anderson T. Dailey

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Honor, Honor. By Hal Johnson

(b) Children Go Where I Send Thee. Traditional

(c) Halleluya! Pelo Tsa Rona (South African spiritual)

(d) The Lord’s Prayer (West Indian). Arr. by Nolan Williams, Jr.

(e) I’m Gonna Sing When the Spirit Says Sing. Traditional

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Take Up Your Cross. By Ray Blotz, Joan Johanson, and Steve Millikan

(b) I’m A Child. By Arthur Scales

(c) The Master’s Love. By Geraldine Woods. Arr. by Nolan Williams, Jr.

(d) I Am a Promise. By Bill Gaither and Gloria Gaither

5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Music
(a) Feel Something Drawing Me On. By William Herbert Brewster

(b) We Must Praise. By James Moss

(c) Lean on Me. By Kirk Franklin

(d) Shut De’ Do’. By Randy Stonehill

6. Anthems
(a) All Good Things. By Shelton Becton

(b) Follow Me. By Russell Nagy

(c) I Am Jesus’ Little Lamb. By Mark Shepperd

(d) The Bible Tells Me So. By Suzanne Paterson

7. Modern Songs
(a) When I Think of You. By Amy Grant

(b) Children, Obey Your Parents. By Steve Green

(c) Sing the Scriptures: Collection of Songs for Children. By Russell Nagy.
This collection features 19 Scripture settings for unison voices with keyboard or CD  
accompaniment.
Contents: 1 John 4:19; 1 Colossians 3:15; Psalm 119:11; Proverbs 3:5-6; Mark 5:19;
John 4:14; John 8:36; John 15:12; John 13:34-35; 2 Timothy 4:7; Ephesians 2:8-9;
Ephesians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 1:9; 1 Peter 5:7; Luke 12:15; John 3:16; 1
Peter 2:9; and Numbers 6:24-26 (Benediction)

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Shabach. By Tobias Fox

(b) Do to Others. By Steve Green

(c) Think Big. By Dave Leham

(d) Like a Tree. By Margaret Douroux

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) God Is Truly Amazing. By Deniece Williams

(b) Joy of My Salvation. By Jeffrey LaValley

(c) Throne of Mercy. By James Moore

(d) Remember Me. By David R. Curry and David Curry, Jr.

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) Use Me. By Dewitt Jones and Ron Kenoly

(b) Take Up Your Cross. By Brent Jones

(c) Stand! By John P. Kee

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental 
(a) Things Go Better with Christ. By David Curry, Jr.

(b) The Shepherd’s Song. By Jerry Mannery, Tommy Tate, and Dorcus Curry Thigpen

(c) Child of the King. By Harriet Buell. Tune by John Sumner

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Let’s Change the World. By David Curry and Dorcus Curry Thigpen

(b) God Made Me. Traditional

(c) I Will Go in Jesus' Name. By Clay Bogan, III

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

1. Call to Worship, Litany, and Acrostic. By Nolan Williams, Jr. and Kenneth Mosley

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) I Have Decided to Follow Jesus. Text: Ascribed to an Indian prince; as sung in Garo,  
Assam. Tune, (INDIAN FOLK MELODY), by Paul B. Smith; harmony by Norman Johnson
Location: (b) Children, Go Where I Send Thee. African American traditional. Arr. by Evelyn  
Simpson-Curenton
Location:
(c) Children of God. Text and tune by Anderson T. Dailey
Location:
3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Honor, Honor. By Hal Johnson
Location: (b) Children Go Where I Send Thee. Traditional
Location:
(c) Halleluya! Pelo Tsa Rona (South African spiritual)
Location:
(d) The Lord’s Prayer (West Indian). Arr. by Nolan Williams, Jr.
Location:
(e) I’m Gonna Sing When the Spirit Says Sing. Traditional
Location:
4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Take Up Your Cross. By Ray Blotz, Joan Johanson, and Steve Millikan
Location:
(b) I’m a Child. By Arthur Scales
Location:
(c) The Master’s Love. By Geraldine Woods. Arr. by Nolan Williams, Jr.
Location:
(d) I Am a Promise. By Bill Gaither and Gloria Gaither
Location:
5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Music
(a) Feel Something Drawing Me On. By William Herbert Brewster
Location:
(b) We Must Praise. By James Moss
Location:
(c) Lean on Me. By Kirk Franklin
Location:
(d) Shut De’ Do’. By Randy Stonehill
Location:
6. Anthems
(a) All Good Things. By Shelton Becton
Location:
(b) Follow Me. By Russell Nagy
Location: (c) I Am Jesus’ Little Lamb. By Mark Shepperd
Location:
(d) The Bible Tells Me So. By Suzanne Paterson
Location:
7. Modern Songs
(a) When I Think of You. By Amy Grant
Location:
(b) Children, Obey Your Parents. By Steve Green
Location:
(c) Sing the Scriptures: Collection of Songs for Children. By Russell Nagy. This   
collection features 19 Scripture settings for unison voices with keyboard or CD  
accompaniment.
Contents: 1 John 4:19; 1 Colossians 3:15; Psalm 119:11; Proverbs 3:5-6; Mark 5:19;   
John 4:14; John 8:36; John 15:12; John 13:34-35; 2 Timothy 4:7; Ephesians 2:8-9;  
Ephesians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 1:9; 1 Peter 5:7; Luke 12:15; John 3:16; 1
Peter 2:9; and Numbers 6:24-26 (Benediction)
Location:
8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Shabach. By Tobias Fox
Location:
(b) Do to Others. By Steve Green
Location:

(c) Think Big. By Dave Leham
Walt Whitman and the Soul Children of Chicago. We Are One. Los Angeles, CA: IAMSOUND Records, 1992.

(d) Like a Tree. By Margaret Douroux
Location:
9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) God Is Truly Amazing. By Deniece Williams
Location:
(b) Joy of My Salvation. By Jeffrey LaValley
Location:
(c) Throne of Mercy. By James Moore
Location:
(d) Remember Me. By David R. Curry and David Curry, Jr.
Location:
10. Sermonic Selection
(a) Use Me. By Dewitt Jones and Ron Kenoly
Location:
(b) Take Up Your Cross. By Brent Jones
Location:
(c) Stand! By John P. Kee
Location:
11. Invitational Song or Instrumental 
(a) Things Go Better with Christ. By David Curry, Jr.
Location:
(b) The Shepherd’s Song. By Jerry Mannery, Tommy Tate, and Dorcus Curry Thigpen
Location:
(c) Child of the King. By Harriet Buell. Tune by John Sumner
Location:
12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Let’s Change the World. By David Curry and Dorcus Curry Thigpen
Location:
(b) God Made Me. Traditional
Location:
(c) I Will Go in Jesus’ Name. By Clay Bogan, III
Location:

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