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Sunday, July 27, 2008

Tony McNeill, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Minister of Music & Arts, Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC

Worship Planning Notes
In January of 1997, George Barna published the results of a random survey of 2,000 men in an article entitled “The Battle for the Hearts of Men.” Barna reported that 85 percent of unchurched men were previously churched. His study revealed that unchurched men have given up on organized religion, but not on God. Barna concluded that they want to know God—they just don’t know how, and they have not seen their peers figure it out either. This is the time for your church to show that it has a serious commitment to reaching men who are not in the church. How this can be done:

• A month before (or no less than two weeks before) Men’s Day, hold meetings where issues and topics related to men’s concerns are discussed, and related printed materials can be shared. Topics for discussion might include: health, finances, spiritual formation, parenting, entrepreneurism, etc. Make a special effort to have in attendance 25 men who are not members of a church.
  
  
• Offer special Bible study sessions throughout the year using topics and materials just for men.
  
  
• On Men’s Day, with men leading the worship, name your Church Man of the Year, and your Man in the Making (youth ages 12-17).
  
  
• Publish a men’s newsletter at least each quarter that highlights the activities and achievements of the men, in support of the church’s program and achievements in other arenas.*

1. Invocation or Litany

One:	PUT IT ON, SOMEBODY! Put on God’s wardrobe.
Many:	Put on God’s clothing, with its strength and its power.
One:	PUT IT ON, SOMEBODY!
Many:	Deck yourself out in God’s wear so that you can withstand wickedness.
One:	PUT IT ON, SOMEBODY!
Many:	Put on God’s threads so that you can fight the right fight; not against flesh, but against foolishness in foul places.
One:	PUT IT ON, SOMEBODY!
ALL:	Clothe yourself with prayer, cover somebody else in prayer. PUT IT ON, SOMEBODY. PUT ON GOD’S WARDROBE and STAND!

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Am I a Solider of the Cross. By Isaac Watts. Tune, (ARLINGTON), by Thomas A. Arne

(b) Am I a Soldier of the Cross. By Isaac Watts. Tune, (METER HYMN), by lined out by Westerly Robinson. Arr. by Evelyn Simpson Curenton

(c) Onward Christian Soldiers. By Sabine Baring-Gould. Tune, (ST. GERTRUDE), by Arthur S. Sullivan

(d) Rise Up, O Men of God. By William P. Merrill. Tune, (ST. THOMAS), by Aaron Williams

(e) Rise Up, O Men of God. By William P. Merrill. Tune, (FESTAL SONG), by William H. Walter

(f) Stand Up for Jesus. By George Duffield, Jr. Tune, (WEBB), by George J. Webb

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Be Still, God Will Fight Your Battles. Arr. by Nolan Williams, Jr.

(b) Satan, We’re Gonna Tear Your Kingdom Down. Traditional. Arr. by Jimmie Abbington. Tune, (KINGDOM DOWN).

(c) We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder. Tune, (JACOB’S LADDER).

4. Gospel Songs for Men’s Chorus
(a) I’m a Soldier. Traditional. By The Five Blind Boys of Alabama  

(b) I’m a Soldier. Traditional. By The Soul Stirrers

5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Group Music
Only a Man. By Jonny Lang

6. Anthems and Special Selections for Soloists, Duos, or Ensembles
(a) Godly Men. Words and Music by Scott W. Brown and David Hampton. Arr. By O. D. Hall, Jr.

(b) Rise Up, O Men of God. By William Pierson. Tune by William H. Walter. Arr. By Ovid Young

7. Modern Songs
(a) He’ll Make It Alright. By Richard Smallwood. Arr. By Raymond Reeder

(b) Lay Aside Ev’ry Weight. By Glenn E. Burleigh. For SATB, solo (ad lib), piano

(c) Stand. By Alex Hill

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
Offertory Preparation
Because God is great in strength, in might, and in power, no one who calls in faith will be turned away. God is calling us by name. He is calling us to PUT IT ON! He is calling us to wear his image and his armor. Let us share our resources to ensure that the call is heard around the world.

Offertory Sung
(a) Standing on the Promises. By R. Kelso Carter

(b) What a Mighty God We Serve. Traditional

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) I Will Trust in the Lord. Negro Spiritual

(b) Hold Back the Night. By Charles H. Nicks, Jr.

(c) Newspaper columnist Abigail Van Buren has composed a "Parent's Prayer" in which she stresses the practical side of raising children. We have paraphrased her words here as a prayer that men who are parents or parent figures can pray.

Says "Dear Abby":
"God, make me a better parent. Teach me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they have to say, and to answer all their questions kindly. Keep me from interrupting them or contradicting them. Make me as courteous to them as I would have them be to me. Forbid that I should ever laugh at their mistakes, or resort to shame or ridicule when they displease me. May I never punish them for my own selfish satisfaction or to show my power. Let me not tempt my child to lie or steal. And guide me hour by hour that I may demonstrate by all I say and do that honesty produces happiness. Reduce, I pray, the meanness in me. And when I am having a bad day, help me, O Lord, to hold my tongue. May I ever be mindful that my children are children and I should not expect of them the judgment of adults. Let me not rob them of the opportunity to make their own decisions when they are of age. Bless me with the bigness to grant them all their reasonable requests, and the courage to deny them privileges I know will do them harm. Make me fair and just and kind. And fit me, O Lord, to be loved and respected and imitated by my children. Amen."

10. Sermonic Selection
Stand. By Donnie McClurkin

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
Jesus Saves. By Priscilla J. Owens. Tune by William J. Kirkpatrick

12. Benediction Spoken or Sung
Spoken
Lord, we are your prophets. We are ready today to witness to your goodness in every place. We will not be bound by fear, by discouragement, by unbelievers, and by those who knew us before we knew you. We go forth to preach, testify, heal, listen, touch, welcome, and by change hearts and lives in your name. Amen.

Sung
(a) To Worship, Work, and Witness. By Mary Ann Thomson. Tune, (TIDINGS), by James Walch

(b) I Am on the Battlefield for My Lord. By Sylvana Bell and E. V. Banks. Tune, (BATTLEFIELD).

13. Audio Visual Suggestions
(a) Use images of black men on screens and bulletin covers. An image is included with this lectionary material.

(b) Since worship should be fun and joyous, for Men’s Day consider the following for placement on church screens or inside church bulletins/orders of worship:

If Men Wrote the Rules

Rule # 1 - Anything we said six or eight months ago is inadmissible in an argument. All of our stupid comments become null and void after seven days.

Rule # 2 - If we say something that can be interpreted in two ways, and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other way.

Rule # 3 - It is in neither your best interest nor ours to make us take those stupid Cosmo quizzes or watch Oprah together.

Rule # 4 - You can either ask us to do something OR tell us how you want it done - not both.

Rule # 5 - Do not bring up anything important during a game and then get mad because we are inattentive.

Rule # 6 - Tell us what you want and when you want it; we will never be smart enough to totally figure out either one.


*Part of the suggested activities in support of Men’s Day were provided by Presbyterian Church USA’s suggestions for Men’s Ministries.

1. Invocation or Litany
Location:

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Am I a Soldier of the Cross. By Isaac Watts. Tune, (ARLINGTON), by Thomas A. Arne
Location:

(b) Am I a Soldier of the Cross. By Isaac Watts. Tune, (METER HYMN), lined out by Westerly Robinson. Arr. By Evelyn Simpson Curenton
Location:

(c) Onward Christian Soldiers. By Sabine Baring-Gould. Tune, (ST. GERTRUDE), by Arthur S. Sullivan
Location:

(d) Rise Up, O Men of God. By William P. Merrill. Tune, (ST. THOMAS), by Aaron Williams
Location:

(e) Rise Up, O Men of God. By William P. Merrill. Tune (FESTAL SONG), by William H. Walter
Location:

(f) Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus. By George Duffield, Jr. Tune by George J. Webb
Location:

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Be Still, God Will Fight Your Battles. Arr. By Nolan Williams, Jr.
Location:

(b) Satan, We’re Gonna Tear Your Kingdom Down. Traditional. Arr. By Jimmie Abbington. Tune, (KINGDOM DOWN).
Location:

(c) We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder. Tune, (JACOB'S LADDER).


4. Gospel Songs for Men’s Chorus
(a) I’m a Soldier. By Kenny Gamble and Cecil
Location:

(b) I’m a Soldier. Traditional
Location:

5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Group Music
Only a Man. By Jonny Lang
Location:

6. Anthems and Special Selections for Soloists, Duos, or Ensembles
(a) Godly Men. Words and Music by Scott W. Brown and David Hampton. Arr. By O. D. Hall, Jr.
Location:

(b) Rise Up, O Men of God. By William Pierson. Tune by William H. Walter. Arr. By Ovid Young
Location:

7. Modern Songs
(a) He’ll Make It Alright. By Richard Smallwood. Arr. By Raymond Reeder
Location:

(b) Lay Aside Ev’ry Weight. By Glenn E. Burleigh. For SATB, solo (ad lib), piano
Location:

(c) Stand. By Alex Hill
Location:

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
Offertory Preparation
Location:

Offertory Sung
(a) Standing on the Promises. By R. Kelso Carter
Location:

(b) What a Mighty God We Serve. Traditional
Location:

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) I Will Trust in the Lord. Negro Spiritual
Location:

(b) Hold Back the Night. By Charles H. Nicks, Jr.
Location:

10. Sermonic Selection
Stand. By Donnie McClurkin
Location:

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
Jesus Saves. By Priscilla J. Owens. Tune by William J. Kirkpatrick
Location:

12. Benediction Spoken or Sung
Spoken
Location:

Sung
(a) To Worship, Work, and Witness. By Mary Ann Thomson. Tune, (TIDINGS), by James Walch
Location:

(b) I Am on the Battlefield for My Lord. By Sylvana Bell and E. V. Banks. Tune, (BATTLEFIELD).
Location:

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