Worship Resources



“WHO SO EVER WILL” SUNDAY

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Sunday, August 28, 2011
(Please visit the archive section of the Lectionary Dialogue Corner for articles on this topic. Scroll to the bottom of the Dialogue Corner page.)

Nolan Williams, Jr., Lectionary Team Liturgist and Director of the Young Adult Lectionary Liturgists Division

Worship Planning Notes

This worship experience should focus on the theme of hospitality. Hospitality is presented to us in the Bible as a required ethical way of living. It confirms the high worth and common humanity of all people! On this Sunday we want to begin or continue a dialogue that welcomes Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual, Transgender and those who self-identify as Queer. Many persons in these groups are identified by the church as strangers, even if they have long served in the Church. The first level of getting to know and understand anyone is the extension of hospitality, not judgment or hostility.

The members of your Worship and Arts Division and the Pastor will set the tone for this service through the Word that is preached and the songs that are sung. Prior to this service be sure that the leadership is on one accord regarding this day of worship. This may require teaching, several discussion meetings, prayer and special planning. Your unity will help unify the congregation. Remember, the main message to be lifted in this service is one of hospitality.

Please see the “Additional Ideas for Worship and Teaching” (#13) below for assistance in planning and setting a tone for this service.

1. Call to Worship, Centering Prayer, and Litany

Call to Worship and Litany

Leader: Great God of the universe, You are always calling us out of our comfort zones to expand our perspectives, our attitudes, and even our territory. Today, we hear Your voice calling us as a community to move beyond the narrow parameters of homogeny. Today, we heed Your call to become a more loving and embracing fellowship.

Together, we pray to You:

Congregation: Lord, open our eyes!

Leader: Open our eyes to see those who are invisible to us and to our community.

Congregation: Lord, open our hearts!

Leader: Open our hearts to feel compassion for those who do not look like us, talk like us, share our values, or live the same lifestyle.

Congregation: Lord, open our arms!

Leader: Open our arms to receive all of Your people, embracing even when we don’t agree, empathizing even when we don’t understand, affirming their personhood without passing judgment, and loving as Christ would unconditionally.

Congregation: Lord, help us to so love!

Leader: Let us pray:

O God, we heed the words of the Apostle Paul admonishing us to love one another mutually and without exclusivity. And we are careful today and all days about showing hospitality to strangers recognizing that oftentimes we may be entertaining angels without knowing it. May all who gather in our midst on this day feel Your genuine love and acceptance in this place of worship.

Congregation: Amen.

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. By Elisha Hoffman. Music, (SHOWALTER), by Anthony Showalter

(b) Victory in Jesus. By Eugene Bartlett. Tune, (HARTFORD), by Eugene Bartlett

(c) Deeper, Deeper in the Love of Jesus. By Charles Price Jones. Tune, (DEEPER) by Charles Price Jones

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love. Traditional. By Peter Scholtes

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity will one day be restored
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

(b) Walk Together Children. Traditional

(c) Jesus, You Brought Me All the Way. By Kenneth Louis

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) So Glad I’m Here. By Richard Smallwood

(b) God Has Smiled on Me. By Isaiah Jones, Jr.

(c) Koinonia. By V. Michael McKay

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Love. By Kirk Franklin

(b) Happy Being Me. By Donald Lawrence

(c) Today. By Kurt Carr 

6. Anthems
(a) Sanctuary. By Bruce Greer

(b) Wherever You Are. By Tom Fettke

(c) Anthem Alternative (for handbell choir): Just as I Am. Tune, (WOODWORTH), by William Bradbury. Arr. by Kevin McChesney

7. Modern Songs
(a) I Am Not Forgotten. By Israel Houghton and Aaron Lindsey

(b) Moving Forward. By Israel Houghton and Ricardo Sanchez

(c) What a Fellowship. By Elisha Hoffman. Arr. by Laythan Armor, Donald Taylor, and Tony Wilkins

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Welcome. By Dathan Thigpen

(b) My Soul Says Yes. By Ricky Dillard

(c) Together. By Patrick Lundy

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Give Thanks. By Henry Smith

(b) Unity. By Glorraine Moore. Arr. by Daniel Cason and Valeria Foster

(c) I Need Thee Every Hour. By Annie Hawkes. Tune, (NEED), by Robert Lowry

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) We Are One. By Kim McFarland and Walt Whitman

(b) I’ve Come Too Far. By Richard Smallwood

(c) My Life Is in Your Hands. By Kirk Franklin

(d) He’s Been Just That Good. By Ricky Dillard

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental 
(a) Speak to My Heart. By Donnie McClurkin

(b) I’ll Say Yes. By Carol Cymbala

(c) Be Open. By Raymond Reeder

12. Benediction Sung or Instrumental
(a) As You Go, Tell the World. Anonymous. Arr. by Valeria Foster

(b) I’ve Got Something. By Richard Smallwood

(c) I Need You to Survive. By David Frazier

13. Additional Ideas for Worship and Teaching
  1. Even if you perceive yourself to be a welcoming congregation, don’t assume you are. Do a hospitality assessment:
    1. Have a stranger visit your congregation and tell you what he/she sees, hears, feels.

    2. Take a hospitality assessment of your congregation at:
      http://archive.elca.org/evangelizingChurch/congregations.

  2. Identify everyone in the congregation as members of the “Welcoming Team.”
    1. Provide intentional training for congregational members throughout the year on anti-racism, interacting with persons with disabilities, inter-cultural training, women, welcoming gay and lesbian people.

    2. Periodically include a short public “Affirmation of Welcome” in worship.

    3. Graciously ask that no one have a “reserved” pew or seat

      except persons with disabilities for whom certain seating may be necessary.

Books

  • Homosexuality and the Bible by Walter Wink. Easily read and accessible to most members of congregations, this 16-page booklet is available from Fellowship Bookstore, Box 271, Nyack, NY 10960. Phone: 845-358-4601.

  • Listening to the Spirit: A Handbook for Discernment, “What is the Gospel Message to Our Church as We Relate to Gay and Lesbian Christians?”edited by William Paulsell. This book offers an alternative process to the usual model of debate followed by a vote. Order online from www.chalicepress.com.

  • A Whosoever Church: Welcoming Lesbians and Gay Men into African American Congregations by Gary David Comstock

  • Sexuality and the Black Church by Kelly Brown Douglas

  • Open Mike: Reflections on Philosophy, Race, Sex, Culture and Religion (see chapter 18) by Michael Eric Dyson

  • Black Church Studies: An Introduction by Stacey Floyd-Thomas, et al.

  • Stones that the Builders Rejected: The Development of Ethical Leadership from the Black Church Tradition by Walter Earl Fluker

  • Their Own Receive Them Not: African American Lesbians and Gays in Black Churches by Horace Griffin

  • The Church Has AIDS: Essays on Sexuality, Sexual Orientation, Taboos, and the Black Church by Gerald Palmer

  • Loving the Body: Black Religious Studies and the Erotic by Anthony B. Pinn and Dwight Hopkins<

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

1. Call to Worship, Centering Prayer, and Litany
By Nolan Williams, Jr., Lectionary Team Liturgist

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. By Elisha Hoffman. Music, (SHOWALTER), by Anthony Showalter
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2001. #371

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. Nashville, TN: A.M.E. Zion Publishing House, 1996. #662

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 1987. #257

The New National Baptist Hymnal. Nashville, TN: National Baptist Pub. Board, 1981. #211

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. #94

(b) Victory in Jesus. By Eugene Bartlett. Tune, (HARTFORD), by Eugene Bartlett
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #261

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. #504

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #240

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #511

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #98

(c) Deeper, Deeper in the Love of Jesus. By Charles Price Jones. Tune, (DEEPER), by Charles Price Jones
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #336

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love. Traditional. By Peter Scholtes
Location:
(b) Walk Together Children. Traditional
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #541

(c) Jesus, You Brought Me All the Way. By Kenneth Louis
Location:
Guide My Feet
GIA Publications, Inc.
7404 South Mason Avenue
Chicago, IL 60638
Phone: 1-800-442-1358

Online location: www.giamusic.com

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) So Glad I’m Here. By Richard Smallwood
Location:
Gospel Greats: The Richard Smallwood Singers. Franklin, TN: Benson, 1994.

(b) God Has Smiled on Me. By Isaiah Jones, Jr.
Location:
Cleveland, James. James Cleveland Sings with the World’s Greatest Choirs
(25
th Anniversary Album). Japan: Savoy, 1980.

African American Heritage Hymnal. #152

(c) Koinonia. By V. Michael McKay
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #579

Schaff Music Publishing
14 Sullivans Lane
Missouri City, TX 77459
Phone: 713-728-1300

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Love. By Kirk Franklin
Location:
God’s Property. M2K Gospel 2000. Santa Monica, CA: Interscope, 2000.

(b) Happy Being Me. By Donald Lawrence
Location:
The Law of Confession, Pt. 1. London, England: Zomba, 2009.

(c) Today. By Kurt Carr 
Location:
Franklin, Kirk. Hello Fear. Dallas, TX/Inglewood, CA: Fo Yo Soul/Gospocentric Records, 2011.

6. Anthems
(a) Sanctuary. By Bruce Greer
Location:
Lillenas Music
Online location: http://www.lillenas.com
optional accompaniment track is also available

(b) Wherever You Are. By Tom Fettke
Location:
(c) Anthem Alternative (for handbell choir): Just as I Am. Tune, (WOODWORTH), by William Bradbury. Arr. by Kevin McChesney
Location:
7. Modern Songs
(a) I Am Not Forgotten. By Israel Houghton and Aaron Lindsay
Location:
Israel & New Breed. Alive in South Africa. New York, NY: Sony/Epic, 2005.

(b) Moving Forward. By Israel Houghton and Ricardo Sanchez
Location:
Walker, Hezekiah & LFC. Souled Out. London, England: Zomba, 2008.

(c) What a Fellowship. By Elisha Hoffman. Arr. by Laythan Armor, Donald Taylor, and Tony Wilkins
Location:
LA Mass Choir. Come as You Are. Nashville, TN: Light, 1992.

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Welcome. By Dathan Thigpen
Location:
Thigpen, Dathan & Holy Nation. Get Up, Vol. 1: Get Exposed to Unadulterated Praise. Plymouth, MN: Dominium Entertainment, 2006.

(b) My Soul Says Yes. By Ricky Dillard
Location:
Dillard, Ricky and New G. Keep Living. Nashville, TN: Light, 2011.

(c) Together. By Patrick Lundy
Location:
Lundy, Patrick & The Ministers of Music. In the Fellowship. Orlando, FL: Meridian Music Group, 2005.

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Give Thanks. By Henry Smith
Location:
WOW Worship: Today’s 30 Most Powerful Worship Songs. New York, NY: Integrity/Word/Epic Music, 1999.

(b) Unity. By Glorraine Moore. Arr. by Daniel Cason and Valeria Foster
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #338

(c) I Need Thee Every Hour. By Annie Hawkes. Tune, (NEED), by Robert Lowry
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #451

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. #466

New National Baptist Hymnal. #229

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #453

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) We Are One. By Kim McFarland and Walt Whitman
Location:
Whitman, Walt and the Soul Children of the Chicago. We Are One.
Los Angeles, CA: I Am (IAMSOUND), 1992/Santa Monica, CA: A&M, 1996.

(b) I’ve Come Too Far. By Richard Smallwood
Location:
Textures. New York, NY: Word, 2008.

(c) My Life Is in Your Hands. By Kirk Franklin
Location:
God’s Property. M2K Gospel 2000. Santa Monica, CA: Interscope, 2000.

(d) He’s Been Just that Good. By Ricky Dillard
Location:
Dillard, Ricky and New G. Keep Living. Nashville, TN: Light, 2011.

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Speak to My Heart. By Donnie McClurkin
Location:
Donnie McClurkin, Nashville, TN: Warner Alliance, 1996.

(b) I’ll Say Yes. By Carol Cymbala
Location:
Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. I’ll Say Yes. Mobile, AL: Integrity, 2008.

(c) Be Open. By Raymond Reeder
Location:
Smallwood, Richard, With Vision. Healing—Live in Detroit. New York, NY: Verity, 2007.

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) As You Go, Tell the World. Anonymous. Arr. by Valeria Foster
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #633

(b) I’ve Got Something. By Richard Smallwood
Location:
Quintessential EMI Gospel: Richard Smallwood. Nashville, TN: EMI, 2007.

(c) I Need You to Survive. By David Frazier
Location:
Walker, Hezekiah. Family Affair, Vol. 2: Live at Radio City Music Hall. New York, NY: Verity, 2002.