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PASTOR’S ANNIVERSARY

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Michelle Riley Jones, Lectionary Team Liturgist

Worship Planning Notes

A pastor’s anniversary is an opportunity for the congregation to recommit their gifts to the building up of the Kingdom of God, supporting the leadership of the Pastor, the “Lay Shepherd.” While looking for leadership from a pastor, the church cannot depend solely on the energy and gifts of a single individual—or even the entire pastoral staff and elders or deacons—but rather on a broad-based commitment of all members, as well. This decentralized and enabling shared ministry reflects the acceptance of others’ ministry gifts and creatively motivates individuals within the fellowship.

Everyone who is part of a local church has a vital role to play in nurturing the shepherd who was called to lead and feed them. The showing of appreciation for pastors is a concept that is found in Scripture. Practically speaking, showing appreciation serves two purposes. First, it is a positive witness, showing your community that God is loving and caring. Second, honoring your pastor creates an atmosphere that encourages a positive response to the call of God to the pastoral ministry. A positive, healthy Church produces those called of God to serve in Christian ministry.

The focus of the service should be the congregation’s gratitude, expressed to God for its pastor(s). In addition, the service can challenge the congregation to continue to pray for and support its pastor(s). All of the pastors in the congregation can be involved—the senior pastor, youth pastor, administrative pastor, worship pastor, etc.

This worship unit highlights the music of the “singing pastors,” those set apart to shepherd congregations, who are gifted in the preaching of the Word, and also in the ministry of Word through song and music.

Some general suggestions for this worship service include:

• Develop presentations of recognition and appreciation, grouped by age ranges (instead of by ministries), that honor the senior pastor’s reach over the full congregational life experience, from babies to seniors.


• The liturgical colors for this celebration are white and gray, with purple accents. These colors can be reflected in the liturgical garments and robes, flags, banners, floral arrangements, etc.


• A bulletin announcement printed a few weeks before the service can invite the congregation to bring cards or notes of appreciation for the pastors, to be placed in specially designated receptacles.


• When honoring the senior pastor, be mindful to also honor his or her family if applicable.


• Invite a pastor who has special significance in the life of your senior pastor and his or her family to serve as guest preacher for the service.

1. Litany, Responsive Reading, or Invocation
Litany
(a) Litany of Faith. By Sharon Postma

Pastors:	There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:4-6)
Congregation:	It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. (Ephesians 4:11-12)
Pastors:	I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. The grace of our Lord is poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 1:12, 14)
Congregation:	We always thank our God for you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3)
Pastors:	I have taught you with confidence because of the grace God gave me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to you with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that you might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:15-16)
Congregation:	Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
Pastors:	You are fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. (Ephesians 2:19-20)
Congregation:	Praise God! He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. (Psalm 40:2)
Pastors:	I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:17-19)
ALL:	Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Songs for Gathering
(b) Glorify Him. By Sheryl Brady

(c) I Was Glad. By Andraé Crouch

(d) I Feel the Lord in This Place. By Paul D. Wright and Timothy Wright

(e) We Worship You O God. By Debra B. Morton and Michael Robinson

(f) I Came to Magnify the Lord. By Mark Condon

(g) Let’s Just Praise the Lord. By Alex Ingram

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Praise to the Lord, the Almighty. By Joachim Neander. Tune, (LOBE DEN HERREN), by William S. Bennett

(b) Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us. By Dorothy Thrupp. Music, (BRADBURY), by William B. Bradbury

(c) O Zion Haste. By Mary Ann Thompson. Tune, (TIDINGS), by James Walch

(d) I Surrender All. By Andraé Crouch

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

(f) There Is Power. By Allowyn Price

(g) There Is a Fountain. By Anthony Lockett

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Great Day the Righteous Marching. Spiritual

(b) Medley: Lord I Thank You & I’m So Glad That the Lord Saved Me. Traditional

(c) If I Can Help Somebody. Traditional

(d) Medley: Trust in the Lord. Traditional

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) He Brought Me This Far. By Andraé Crouch

(b) Medley: Peter, Don’t Be Afraid/Nobody But You Lord/Teach Me Master. By Shirley Caesar

(c) Not about Us. By Tammi Haddon and Gerald Hassan

(d) So Many Wonderful Things. By F. C. Barnes

(e) Lord Keep Me Day by Day. By Eddie Williams

(f) I Love To Praise Him. Traditional

(g) If It Wasn’t for Your Grace. By Kurt Carr

(h) Church Medley. Traditional

(i) The Old Time Way. Traditional

(j) Walk Like Jesus. By Dana Davis

5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Group Music
(a) I’ll Trust You Lord. By Donnie McClurkin

(b) To Be Kept by Jesus (Psalm 121). By Robert W. “JoJo” Hill

(c) I’m Still Standing. By Kurt Carr

(d) Sacrifice of My Praise. By Kevin Bond

(e) How Great Is Our God. By Ed Cash and Chris Tomlin

6. Anthems
(a) Praise to the Lord, the Almighty. By Mark Hayes. This selection is for choral SATB and optional brass quintet and percussion. Handbell accompaniment is also available.

(b) Be Thou Exalted. Based on Psalm 57. By Diane White-Clayton. This selection is for SSATB or SSAA choir.

(c) Sweet Meditation. By Diane White-Clayton. This is an anthem setting of Psalm 107 for SATB Choir.
In the vamp the composer uses the word “sweet” as a theme and quotes such familiar songs as
“Tis So Sweet” and “Every Day with Jesus” and “Jesus, O How Sweet  the Name.”

(d) Oh Give Thanks Unto the Lord. By Barbara Jackson

7. Modern Songs
(a) Lord You’ve Been Good. By Jackie Gouche Farris and J. Gouche-Farris

(b) Eyes Have Not Seen. By Chris Morris

(c) Jesus Is Lord. By Andraé Crouch

(d) Lord You’ve Been Good. By Jackie Gouche Farris

8. Music for the Offertory Period
(a) Made a Way. By A. McEastland, V. Mitchell, and G. Robinson

(b) Grateful. By James Hall

(c) Thank You for Everything. By Andraé Crouch

(d) Dear Jesus, I Love You. By Walter Hawkins

(e) Give Thanks. By H. Smith

9. Songs for the Pastor’s Spouse and/or Co-Pastor and Family
(a) The Lord Is My Shepherd. By Hezekiah Walker

(b) Mercy Seat. By J. Carelton, M. Carouthers, and Stephen A. Richardson

(c) You Can Make It. By Michael E. Mathis

(d) Servant’s Prayer. By Kevin Bond

(e) For All That You Have Done. By Faye Favors and Jason White

(f) Every Body Ought to Have a Praise. By Vashawn Mitchell

(g) Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. By Timothy Wright

(h) A Shield about Me. By Donn Thomas and Charles Williams

(i) We Need You Lord. By Jonathan Butler

10. Song or Instrumental for the Laying on of Hands for Pastor(s)
(a) By Faith I Touched Jesus. By Debra B. Morton

(b) Medley: I Just Want to Praise You & The Greatest Thing in All My Life. By Mark Pendergrass and Arthur Tannous

(c) Hear My Prayer. By Rick Robinson

(d) He Touched Me. By William J. Gaither

(e) No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus. By C. F. Weigle

(f) Armor of God. By Jeanie McQuinn and Jacquelyn Reddick

(g) That’s Who You Are. By Rod Lumpkin II

(h) I Love You Lord. By Walter Hawkins

(i) My Tribute. By Andraé Crouch

11. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Lord, Keep Me Day by Day. By Eddie Williams

(b) More of Thee. By Tammi Haddon

(c) Waiting on You. By Sheryl Brady and Clint Brown

(d) He Has His Hands on You. By Percy Bady

(e) God Is Here. By Israel Houghton and Martha Munizzi

12. Sermonic Selection
(a) Amazing Grace. By John Newton

(b) Lamb’s Book of Life. By J. Farris-Gouche and Jackie Gouche Farris

(c) Mercy Saw Me. By Geron Davis and Becky Davis

(d) The Lord Is My Light. By Horatio Parker

(e) I Need Thee. By Annie S. Hawks. Tune, (NEED), by Robert Lowry

13. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) “Rev.” By Kirk Whalum

(b) Harvest Time. By Tammi Haddon and Gerald Hassan

(c) Try Christ. By Walter Hawkins

(d) A City Called Heaven. By Aaron Sledge and Bryan Sledge

14. Benediction Spoken or Sung
Benediction Spoken
(a) The Pastor’s Song (based on Luke 2:29-32). By Michelle Riley Jones

Lord, here am I, your humble servant.
Strengthen me and my family as we recommit
ourselves to continue to fulfill your ordained will.
You have chosen me for this special ministry,
called me to shepherd this flock;
so that you may be revealed to this community,
yea, even the whole world,
and that you might be glorified among the peoples.
Dismiss us, but may we remain forever in thy presence.
Amen.

Benediction Sung
(b) Hallelujah Song. By Donnie McClurkin

(c) Power of a Dream. By Wintley Phipps

(d) United We Stand. By Timothy Wright

(e) I Feel Like Going On. By Shonta Levette Graham

15. Audio Visual Suggestions
(a) Design an in-house video. Have your worship arts and audio visual team work with the congregation to develop a video presentation of people sharing their testimonies of how the pastor and his or her family has influenced their lives and what they appreciate most about the pastor and/or his or her spouse.

(b) Incorporate video interludes in the service. You may purchase videos that focus on showing appreciation for the pastor to incorporate into the worship service.
Sample: http://www.sermonspice.com/product/20838/pastor-appreciation-month-oct

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

1. Litany, Responsive Reading, or Invocation
Litany
(a) Litany of Faith. By Sharon Postma. Used with permission.
Location:

Songs for Gathering
(b) Glorify Him. By Sheryl Brady
Location:
(c) I Was Glad. By Andraé Crouch
Location:

(d) I Feel the Lord in This Place. By Paul D. Wright and Timothy Wright
Location:

(e) We Worship You O God. By Debra B. Morton and Michael Robinson
Location:

(f) I Came to Magnify the Lord (Live). By Mark Condon
Location:

(g) Let’s Just Praise the Lord. By Alex Ingram
Location:

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Praise to the Lord, the Almighty. By Joachim Neander. Tune, (LOBE DEN HERREN), by William S. Bennett
Location:





(b) Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us. By Dorothy Thrupp. Music, (BRADBURY), by William B. Bradbury
Location:






(c) O Zion Haste. By Mary Ann Thompson. Tune, (TIDINGS), by James Walch
Location:




(d) I Surrender All. By Andraé Crouch
Location:

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

(f) There Is Power. By Allowyn Price
Location:

(g) There Is a Fountain. By Anthony Lockett
Location:

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Great Day the Righteous Marching. Spiritual
Location:

(b) Medley: Lord I Thank You & I’m So Glad That the Lord Saved Me. Traditional
Location:

(c) If I Can Help Somebody. Traditional
Location:

(d) Medley: Trust in the Lord. Traditional
Location:

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) He Brought Me This Far. By Andraé Crouch
Location:

(b) Medley: Peter, Don’t Be Afraid/Nobody But You Lord/Teach Me Master. By Shirley Caesar
Location:

(c) Not about Us. By Tammi Haddon and Gerald Hassan
Location:

(d) So Many Wonderful Things. By F. C. Barnes
Location:

(e) Lord Keep Me Day by Day. By Eddie Williams
Location:

(f) I Love to Praise Him. Traditional
Location:

(g) If It Wasn’t for Your Grace. By Kurt Carr
Location:

(h) Church Medley. Traditional
Location:

(i) The Old Time Way. Traditional
Location:

(j) Walk Like Jesus. By Dana Davis
Location:

5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Group Music
(a) I’ll Trust You Lord. By Donnie McClurkin
Location:

(b) To Be Kept by Jesus (Psalm 121). By Robert W. “JoJo” Hill
Location:

(c) I’m Still Standing. By Kurt Carr
Location:

(d) Sacrifice of My Praise. By Kevin Bond
Location:

(e) How Great Is Our God. By Sheryl Brady
Location:

6. Anthems
(a) Praise to the Lord, the Almighty. By Mark Hayes. This selection is for choral SATB and optional brass quintet and percussion. Handbell accompaniment is also available.
Location: (b) Be Thou Exalted. Based on Psalm 57. By Diane White-Clayton. This selection is for SSATB or SSAA choir.
Location:
(c) Sweet Meditation. By Diane White-Clayton. This is an anthem setting of Psalm 107 for SATB Choir. In the vamp the composer uses the word “sweet” as a theme and quotes such familiar songs as “Tis So Sweet” and “Every Day with Jesus” and “Jesus, O How Sweet the Name.”
Location:

(d) Oh Give Thanks Unto the Lord. By Barbara Jackson
Location:

7. Modern Songs
(a) Lord You’ve Been Good. By Jackie Gouche Farris and J. Gouche-Farris
Location:

(b) Eyes Have Not Seen. By Chris Morris
Location:

(c) Jesus Is Lord. By Andraé Crouch
Location:

(d) Lord You’ve Been Good. By Jackie Gouche Farris
Location:

8. Music for the Offertory Period
(a) Made a Way. By A. McEastland, V. Mitchell, and G. Robinson
Location:

(b) Grateful. By James Hall
Location:

(c) Thank You for Everything. By Andraé Crouch
Location:

(d) Dear Jesus, I Love You. By Walter Hawkins
Location:

(e) Give Thanks. By H. Smith
Location:

9. Songs for the Pastor’s Spouse and/or Co-Pastor and Family
(a) The Lord Is My Shepherd. By Hezekiah Walker
Location:

(b) Mercy Seat. By J. Carelton, M. Carouthers and Stephen A. Richardson
Location:

(c) You Can Make It. By Michael E. Mathis
Location:

(d) Servant’s Prayer. By Kevin Bond
Location:

(e) For All That You Have Done. By Faye Favors and Jason White
Location:

(f) Every Body Ought to Have a Praise. By Vashawn Mitchell
Location:

(g) Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. By Timothy Wright
Location:

(h) A Shield about Me. By Donn Thomas and Charles Williams
Location:

(i) We Need You Lord. By Jonathan Butler
Location:

10. Song or Instrumental for the Laying on of Hands for Pastor(s)
(a) By Faith I Touched Jesus. By Debra B. Morton
Location:

(b) Medley: I Just Want to Praise You & The Greatest Thing in All My Life. By Mark Pendergrass and Arthur Tannous
Location:

(c) Hear My Prayer. By Rick Robinson
Location:

(d) He Touched Me. By William J. Gaither
Location:

(e) No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus. By C. F. Weigle
Location:

(f) Armor of God. By Jeanie McQuinn and Jacquelyn Reddick
Location:

(g) That’s Who You Are. By Rod Lumpkin II
Location:

(h) I Love You Lord. By Walter Hawkins
Location:

(i) My Tribute. By Andraé Crouch
Location:

11. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Lord, Keep Me Day by Day. By Eddie Williams
Location:

(b) More of Thee. By Tammi Haddon
Location:

(c) Waiting on You. By Sheryl Brady and Clint Brown
Location:

(d) He Has His Hands on You. By Percy Bady
Location:

(e) God Is Here. By Israel Houghton and Martha Munizzi
Location:

12. Sermonic Selection
(a) Amazing Grace. By John Newton
Location:

(b) Lamb’s Book of Life. By J. Farris-Gouche and Jackie Gouche Farris
Location:

(c) Mercy Saw Me. By Geron Davis and Becky Davis
Location:

(d) The Lord Is My Light. By Horatio Parker
Location:

(e) I Need Thee. By Annie S. Hawks. Tune, (NEED), by Robert Lowry
Location:

13. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) “Rev.” By Kirk Whalum
Location:

(b) Harvest Time. By Tammi Haddon and Gerald Hassan
Location:

(c) Try Christ. By Walter Hawkins
Location:

(d) A City Called Heaven. By Aaron Sledge and Bryan Sledge
Location:

14. Benediction Spoken or Sung
Benediction Spoken
(a) The Pastor’s Song (based on Luke 2:29-32). By Michelle Riley Jones

Benediction Sung
(b) Hallelujah Song. By Donnie McClurkin
Location:

(c) Power of a Dream. By Wintley Phipps
Location:

(d) United We Stand. By Timothy Wright
Location:

(e) I Feel Like Going On. By Shonta Levette Graham
Location:

 

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