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

PASTOR’S ANNIVERSARY

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Sunday, September 9, 2012

J. Anthony Plenty, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Minister of Music, First Baptist Church, Fairfield, Alabama, and Educational Leadership, Policy, and Law Doctoral Fellow, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL

Worship Planning Notes

A pastor’s anniversary is a joyous time at which the parishioner of a local assembly can celebrate the works of and the person who God give to them as their pastor. As the corporate worship experience is designed, one should remember that this day is not only an opportunity to celebrate the Servant Leader, but this should be a time during which you worship and thank God for what God is doing through your Servant Leader.

As your Music and Worship Arts Ministry prepares for this special day, consider ways that visual aids might be employed to enhance some of the selections ministered during worship. This may be done through videos, handbills, dramatic presentations, tapestries, etc. Think about what would bring joy to the pastor. For instance, if your pastor has been casting a vision of unity among the congregants, then consider some unique act of worship in which all members may participate. An example of this can be found when you follow the YouTube link located at the selection “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow.”

Finally, as you prepare for this day, reflect on these words found in Paul’s first letter to the Church at Thessalonica. It is here that he says, “But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labor among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.” Keep in mind that pastors are a blessing to the body of Christ. It is most appropriate for the Body of Christ to use this day to be a blessing to them.

1. Call to Worship, Centering Prayer, and/or Litany

Litany: Pastor’s Appreciation

The Leader:	Holy God, we praise You for Your wisdom in gifting the church with pastors. We thank You for giving us a pastor after Your own heart.
The People:	Thank You for our pastor.
Leader:	You know that in order for Your people to grow, they must be fed with knowledge and understanding.
People:	Thank You for our pastor, who feeds us.
Leader:	You gifted the Church with pastors to make us ready to do the work of the ministry, that the Church would know the truth concerning our faith in Jesus Christ and that we might no longer be gullible concerning the strange teachings of this world.
People:	Thank You for our pastor.
Leader:	We thank You for our pastor, who labors in the Word of God to preach and teach—rightly dividing the Word of truth. Thank You for our pastor’s diligence in preaching and teaching the Word in season and out of season.
People:	Thank You for our pastor’s faithfulness to Your Word.
Leader:	We thank You for the time our pastor spends in prayer, seeking You for direction in guiding this flock.
People:	Thank You for a praying pastor.
Leader:	Lord, we thank You for our pastor, who possesses a pastor’s heart and is willing to comfort and willing to correct-a heat that is full of compassion.
People:	Thank You for a caring pastor.
Leader:	Truly the pastor’s work is great and many times is beyond our understanding, but You have told us in Your Word to honor those who work hard for You, giving spiritual guidance to Your people. Help us to acknowledge, appreciate, respect, and overwhelm our pastor with love for the sake of Kingdom building.
Together:	Thank You for the privilege of loving our pastor.

2. Hymns or Anthems
Hymns
(a) Lead Me, Guide Me. By Doris M. Akers

(b) He Leadeth Me. By Joseph H. Gilmore

(c) Great Is Thy Faithfulness. By Thomas Chisholm

(d) Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You. By Henry van Dyke

Anthem
(e) Ho, Everyone That Thirsteth. Arr. by Will C. Macfarlane

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) The Angels Keep A-Watchin’. Traditional

(b) A Charge to Keep I Have (Metered). By Charles Wesley Choir Version

Quartet Version

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams 
(a) My Soul Got Another Dip. By Cleopha Pair, Jr.

(b) Thank You. By Leon Lewis

(c) Let’s Have a Good Time. By Percy Gray, Jr.

(d) No Joy, No Strength. By Melvin Crispell

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Speak to Me. By Erica Campbell, Trecina Campbell, Warren Campbell, and Warryn Campbell

(b) I Am the One. By Kurt Carr

(c) You Been Good to Me. By Dorothy Love Coates

6. Congregational Songs 
(a) Come and Go with Me. Arr. by Kenneth W. Louis

(b) Grateful. By Derek Triplett

(c) Glad to Be in the Service. Traditional

(d) We Bless Your Name. By Carol Cymbala and Jim Hammerly

7. Modern Songs
(a) We’re Thankful for All Things. By Raymond Wise

(b) God Is Great. By John Lakin, III

(c) Still Have Joy. By Rudolph Stansfield

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) I’ve Got to Tell Somebody That Jesus Lives. By Corey McGee

(b) Great Things. By DeAndre Patterson. To encourage an atmosphere of fellowship and kiononia, consider these alternate lyrics in addition to those penned by the composer:

These lyrics may also be taught to the parishioner and sung by the entire congregation to the pastor.

(c) Tithes and Offerings. By Michael E. Mathis

(d) Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow. By Isaac Watts, William Keathe, and Thomas Ken. See the worship planning notes about this selection.

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Pray On. By Donna Douglas and Babbie Mason

(b) Is There a Word from the Lord. By Glenn Burleigh

(c) The Model Prayer. By Albert Hay Malotte

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) Speak Life. By Joseph Pace, II

(b) Through Jesus I Get Joy. By Walter Strutchings

(c) Peace and Favor Rest on Us. By Kurt Carr

(d) For the Rest of My Life. By Timothy Wright

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental 
(a) God Restores. By Wayne Bucknor

(b) For Your Glory. By Mia Booker

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Go Ye Now in Peace. By Joyce Eilers Bacak

(b) Be Blessed. By Kurt Carr

(c) To Him Who Sits on the Throne. By Debbye Graafsma

(d) My Tribute. By Andraé Crouch

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

1. Call to Worship, Centering Prayer, and/or Litany
Litany: Pastor’s Appreciation. This litany was paraphrased for use in this worship unit.
Location:
2. Hymns or Anthems
Hymns
(a) Lead Me, Guide Me. By Doris M. Akers
Location:
(b) He Leadeth Me. By Joseph H. Gilmore
Location:
(c) Great Is Thy Faithfulness. By Thomas Chisholm
Location:
(d) Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You. By Henry van Dyke
Location:
Anthem
(e) Ho, Everyone That Thirsteth. Arr. by Will C. Macfarlane
Location:
3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) The Angels Keep A-Watchin’. Spiritual
Location:
(b) A Charge to Keep I Have (Meter). By Charles Wesley
Location:
4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) My Soul Got Another Dip. By Cleopha Pair, Jr.
Location:
(b) Thank You. By Leon Lewis
Location:
(c) Let’s Have a Good Time. By Percy Gray, Jr.
Location:
(d) No Joy, No Strength. By Melvin Crispell
Location:
5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Speak to Me. By Erica Campbell, Trecina Campbell, Warren Campbell, and Warryn Campbell
Location:
(b) I Am the One. By Kurt Carr
Location:
(c) You Been Good to Me. By Dorothy Love Coates
Location:
6. Congregational Songs
(a) Come and Go with Me. Arr. by Kenneth W. Louis
Location:
(b) Grateful. By Derek Triplett
Location:
(c) Glad to Be in the Service. Traditional
Location:
(d) We Bless Your Name. By Carol Cymbala and Jim Hammerly
Location:
7. Modern Songs
(a) We’re Thankful for All Things. By Raymond Wise
Location:
(b) God Is Great. By John Lakin, III
Location:
(c) Still Have Joy. By Rudolph Stansfield
Location:
8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) I’ve Got to Tell Somebody That Jesus Lives. By Corey McGee
Location:
(b) Great Things. By DeAndre Patterson
Location:
(c) Tithes and Offerings. By Michael E. Mathis
Location:
(d) Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow. By Isaac Watts, William Keathe, and Thomas Ken
Location:
9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Pray On. By Donna Douglas and Babbie Mason
Location:
(b) Is There a Word from the Lord. By Glenn Burleigh
Location:
(c) The Model Prayer. By Albert Hay Malotte
Location:
10. Sermonic Selection
(a) Speak Life. By Joseph Pace, II
Location:
(b) Through Jesus I Get Joy. By Walter Strutchings
Location:
(c) Peace and Favor Rest on Us. By Kurt Carr
Location:
(d) For the Rest of My Life. By Timothy Wright
Location:
11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) God Restores. By Wayne Bucknor
Location:
(b) For Your Glory. By Mia Booker
Location:
12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Go Ye Now in Peace. By Joyce Eilers Bacak
Location:
(b) Be Blessed. By Kurt Carr
Location:
(c) To Him Who Sits on the Throne. By Debbye Graafsma
Location:
(d) My Tribute. By Andraé Crouch
Location:

• Click Here Cultural Resources
• Click Here Lectionary Commentaries