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Sunday, August 10, 2008

Donna Cox, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Chair, Department of Music, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH

Worship Planning Notes
On this Sunday it is acceptable to have all aspects of worship led by persons who are 65 or older and by persons who are grandparents.

To make the day even more special for these seasoned saints, consider distributing ribbons that will indicate to all present that elders are being honored on this occasion. The ribbon color should be one that matches the décor of your sanctuary, and can be worn by men and women. To ensure that young adults (persons ages 18-35) are included on this day, have them at the door ready to pin a ribbon on any elder and/or grandparent who would like to wear a ribbon. The ribbons should be pre-made a week or so in advance and pins must be purchased.

Honor the senior saint of your church and the person with the largest number of grandchildren. Plaques, flowers, or plants can be purchased for these purposes.

1. Litany or Responsive Reading

Leader:	God of Abraham and Sarah, our grandfather and grandmother in the faith, God of all generations:
Congregation:	We thank you today for those who are grandparents/elders.
Leader:	We especially thank you for those who are grandparents to us, those who are grandparents by blood relationships, and those unrelated but older than we who generously share their love and wisdom.
Congregation:	We thank you today for those who are grandparents and elders.
Leader:	We thank you for those who share their time and traditions so that we have roots, stories, and hope.
Congregation:	We bless you for the gift of grandparents and elders in the faith.
Leader:	Lord, we ask your blessing on them, that their days may be filled with delight.
Congregation:	We praise you for the gift of grandparents and elders in the faith.
Leader:	May they be a blessing to all they love and call Grandchildren.
All:	We honor you for the gift of grandparents and elders through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Faith of Our Fathers. By Frederick William Faber. Tune, (ST. CATHERINE), by Henri Frederick Henry

(b) Faith of Our Mothers. By A. B. Patten. Tune, (ST. CATHERINE), by Henri Frederick Henry

(c) In Christ There Is No East or West. By John Oxenham. Tune, (ST. PETER), by Alexander R. Reinagle

(d) Just a Closer Walk with Thee. Anonymous. Tune, (CLOSER WALK).

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord. Arr. by Moses Hogan. Performed by the St. Olaf Choir.

(b) In the Garden. By C. Austin Miles. Tune, (GARDEN).

(c) Father I Stretch My Hands to Thee. Charles Wesley. Long Meter Hymn

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Praise Teams, or Ensembles
(a) Still Standing. By Kurt Carr

(b) Blessed and Highly Favored. By Karen Clark Sheard

5. Liturgical Dance Music
This liturgical dance is dedicated to elders and this should be indicated in the church bulletin/order of worship.
(a) The Prayer. By David Foster and Carol Bayer Sager

(b) Mama’s Song. By Kirk Franklin

6. Anthem
(a) Find Us Faithful. By John Mohr and Larry Mayfield

Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful.
May the fire of our devotion light their way.
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey.
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful.

Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful.
May the fire of our devotion light their way.
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey.
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful.

(b) A Good and Faithful Servant of the Lord. By David Lantz, III. For SATB

7. Modern Songs
(a) I’ve Got to Praise Him. By V. Michael McKay

(b) I Just Want to Say Thanks. By Raymond Wise

(c) With Long Life. By Israel Houghton, Aaron Lindsey, Juan Najera, and Rene F. Sotomayor

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Grateful. By Sean Brown

(b) I Don't Feel No Ways Tired. By James Cleveland

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Thank You for Staying. By Israel Houghton, Aaron Lindsey, and Kim Rutherford

(b) Never Would Have Made It. By Marvin Sapp

(c) Sweet Hour of Prayer. By William Walford and William Bradbury

10. Sermonic Selection
(This sermonic selection should be led an elder)
(a) I Believe/You’ll Never Walk Alone. By Ervin Drake, Irvin Graham, Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers, Jimmy Shirl, and Al Stillman

(b) Amazing Grace. By John Newton. Stanza 4 attributed to John Rees. Tune, (NEW BRITAIN).

(c) Down thru the Years. By Dan Smith

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
Come to Jesus. By Richard Randall. For SATB

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
Do You Know Jesus? By David Frazier

13. Audio Visual Suggestion
Show Video presentation of the elders of the church while playing this song at key moments during worship:
Praying Women. By Cedric Caldwell, Victor Caldwell, and T.D. Jakes


1. Litany or Responsive Reading
Prayer of Thanksgiving for Grandparents/Elders adapted from a prayer by Daniel Benedict and Taylor Burton-Edwards, “A Prayer of Grandparents.” Used with permission.

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Faith of Our Fathers. By Frederick William Faber. Tune, (ST. CATHERINE), by Henri Frederick Henry
Location:

(b) Faith of Our Mothers. By A. B. Patten. Tune, (ST. CATHERINE), by Henri Frederick Henry
Location:

(c) In Christ There Is No East or West. By John Oxenham. Tune, (ST. PETER), by Alexander R. Reinagle
Location:

(d) Just a Closer Walk with Thee. Anonymous. Tune, (CLOSER WALK).
Location:

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord. Arr. By Moses Hogan. Performed by the St. Olaf Choir
Location:

(b) In the Garden. By C. Austin Miles. Tune, (GARDEN).
Location:

(c) Father, I Stretch My Hands to Thee. By Charles Wesley. Long Meter Hymn
Location:

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Praise Teams, or Ensembles
(a) Still Standing. By Kurt Carr
Location:

(b) Blessed and Highly Favored. By Karen Clark Sheard
Location:

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) The Prayer. By David Foster and Carol Bayer Sager
Location:

(b) Mama’s Song. By Kirk Franklin
Location:

6. Anthem
(a) Find Us Faithful. By John Mohr and Larry Mayfield
Location:

(b) A Good and Faithful Servant of the Lord. By David Lantz, III. For SATB
Location:

7. Modern Songs
(a) I’ve Got to Praise Him. By V. Michael McKay
Location:

(b) I Just Want to Say Thanks. By Raymond Wise
Location:

(c) With Long Life. By Israel Houghton, Aaron Lindsey, Juan Najera, and Rene F. Sotomayor
Location:

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Grateful. By Sean Brown
Location:

(b) I Don't Feel No Ways Tired. By James Cleveland
Location:

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Thank You for Staying. By Israel Houghton, Aaron Lindsey, and Kim Rutherford
Location:

(b) Never Would Have Made It. By Marvin Sapp
Location:

(c) Sweet Hour of Prayer. By William Walford and William Bradbury
Location:

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) I Believe/You’ll Never Walk Alone. By Ervin Drake, Irvin Graham, Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers, Jimmy Shirl, and Al Stillman
Location:

(b) Amazing Grace. By John Newton. Stanza 4 attributed to John Rees. Tune, (NEW BRITAIN).
Location:

(c) Down thru the Years. By Dan Smith
Location:

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
Come to Jesus. By Richard Randall. For SATB.
Location:

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
Do You Know Jesus? By David Frazier
Location:

13. Audio Visual Suggestion
Praying Women. By Cedric Caldwell, Victor Caldwell, and T.D. Jakes
Location:

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