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Sunday, August 24, 2008

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

Worship Planning Notes
Some of the notes provided in our first Revival Music and Worship Resource unit bears repeating. The purposes for holding revivals vary from church to church, but most seek to bring into the church persons who have little or no Christian experience, and to bring back those who were once members of a church. The type of worship in which your church engages during its revival should be driven by the purpose(s)/aims of the revival as established by the pastor and/or the spiritual leaders of the church. Following are some pointers to keep in mind when planning worship for a revival:

• Begin planning your revival far enough in advance to invite guest choirs, guest churches, and persons from your community. During the planning phase, you may also want to select a theme and colors, and you may want to tie the revival to other church efforts. Planning is critical to any successful revival.
  
  
• The typical revival service held in the evening should be no longer than two and a half hours if persons are expected to return for multiple nights during the week.
  
  
• Youth revivals should not be treated in the same manner liturgically as a revival for adults. Youth revivals are occasions for adults to be taken outside of their comfort zones; these services should cater to their target audience–youths. It is expected that a youth revival will feature praise dancers, Christian mime groups, step teams, and youth worship leaders and preachers.
  
  
• Just because congregants arrive late does not require that worship begin late. Always start at the time that was advertised. This is especially important for choir members and other members of your worship ministry. Also ensure that members of the music and arts ministries who have disabilities arrive early to allow time for them to be properly seated and provided with necessary materials to participate in the worship service.
  
  
• Please see Revival One Music and Worship Resources for additional notes on planning an organized, spirit-filled revival.

1. Litany

Leader:	The pathway to the burning fire and refreshing springs of revival is faith. We remember that in the antebellum South, American slaves of African ancestry stole away in the darkness of night to celebrate salvation in Jesus!
People:	Lord God, your people are still in need of repentance and renewal. They are seeking hiding places in the hope of finding you.
Leader:	Like Moses who approached you through a bush that burned but was not consumed, we desire to draw closer to you during this revival.
People:	God of Strength, the power of your divine presence enlightens our vision, empowers our mission, directs our ministries, renews our spirit, transforms our minds, heals our sufferings, and cleanses our souls.
Leader:	When Joshua battled the Amorites, you caused the sun to stand still over Gibeon. Before David slew the Philistine giant and King Jehoshaphat defeated both the Moabites and the Ammonites, you said, “The battle is not yours, but the Lord’s.”
People:	God of Victory, we confess that your strength is seen in our weakness, and that our best efforts are feeble attempts unless your divine presence and eternal wisdom are called upon.
Leader:	Through the faith of a Hebrew maiden, the Israelites secured a leader–Moses; through faith, Ruth clung to Naomi and God redeemed the future of all generations; Rahab’s faith provided safety for two of Joshua’s spies.
People:	Through faith, a widow provided food for Elijah when the brook of Cherith dried up; through faith, Hannah gave Samuel back to the Lord; through faith, Mary, a young virgin, trusted that the life within her was indeed of the Holy Spirit!
Leader:	“As a deer longs for flowing streams,” we stand before you asking for an outpouring of your Holy Spirit. Miracle-working, Supernatural God, stir up our faith to such an extent that we may fulfill your purposes at this time.
ALL:	God, who has answered by fire, send again the wind and the fire of your Spirit. On your people pour your power. “Lord, let there be a revival and let it begin with us.”

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) He Touched Me. By William J. Gaither. Tune, (HE TOUCHED ME).

(b) He Looked Beyond My Faults. By Dottie Rambo. Tune, (LONDONDERRY AIRE).

(c) Victory Is Mine. By Dorothy Norwood and Alvin Darling. Tune, (VICTORY).

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) If Any Man Be in Christ. By Raymond Wise. For SATB

(b) I Want to Thank You Lord. By Moses Hogan. For SATB with tenor solo and accompaniment

(c) I Will Trust in the Lord. Spiritual

(d) Old Time Religion. Traditional

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Stop By Lord. By Doris Wesley Bettis. For SATB

(b) Bless Me (Prayer of Jabez). By Andraé Crouch and Donald Lawrence

(c) Lord Help Me to Hold Out. By James Cleveland

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Go Tell Somebody. By Michael Brooks

(b) We Are Not Ashamed. By Andraé Crouch

6. Anthems
(a) Sing Unto the Lord. By Diane White. For SATB

(b) O for a Shout of Sacred Joy. By Isaac Watts. Arr. by Robert Jordahl

7. Modern Songs
(a) Center of My Joy. By Richard Smallwood and William Gaither

(b) Why We Sing. By Kirk Franklin

(c) Let it Rain. By Paul S. Morton

(d) I’ve Got a Reason to Praise the Lord. By O’Landa Draper and the Associates

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) He’ll Welcome Me. By John P. Kee

(b) Old Time Power. By Charlie D. Tillman

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Lord I Want to Be a Christian. Spiritual

(b) Just as I Am. By Charlotte Elliott. Tune, (WOODWORTH), by William Bradbury

(c) Revive Us Again. By William P. Mackay. Tune, (REVIVE US AGAIN), by John J. Husband

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) Hymn of Praise. By Shelton Beckton. For SATB

(b) Guide My Feet. Arr. by Avis Graves. For SATB

(c) I Wanna Be Yours. By Fred Hammond

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Sanctify Me. By V. Michael McKay

(b) Come and Go with Me. Arr. by H. Luedeman

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
Instrumental
(a) Lord Make Me More Holy. Traditional. Adapted and arranged by Roland Carter

Song
(b) With Thy Spirit Fill Me. By Oswald J. Smith. Tune, (FILL ME).

13. Other Recommendations
Cox, Donna. Gospel Songs Your Choir Will Love To Sing: An Annotated Resource Guide. Dayton, OH: Personal Best Ministries Press, 2007.


1. Litany—Revival, used with permission.
Location:

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) He Touched Me. By William J. Gaither. Tune, (HE TOUCHED ME).
Location:

(b) He Looked Beyond My Faults. By Dottie Rambo. Tune, (LONDONDERRY AIRE).
Location:

(c) Victory Is Mine. By Dorothy Norwood and Alvin Darling. Tune, (VICTORY).
Location:

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) If Any Man Be in Christ. By Raymond Wise. For SATB
Location:

(b) I Want to Thank You Lord. By Moses Hogan. For SATB with tenor solo and
accompaniment
Location:

(c) I Will Trust in the Lord. Spiritual
Location:

(d) Old Time Religion. Traditional
Location:

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Stop By Lord. By Doris Wesley Bettis. For SATB
Location:

(b) Bless Me (Prayer of Jabez). By Andraé Crouch and Donald Lawrence
Location:

(c) Lord, Help Me to Hold Out. By James Cleveland
Location:

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Go Tell Somebody. By Michael Brooks
Location:

(b) We Are Not Ashamed. By Andraé Crouch
Location:

6. Anthems
(a) Sing Unto the Lord. By Diane White. For SATB
Location:

(b) O for a Shout of Sacred Joy. By Isaac Watts. Arr. by Robert Jordhal
Location:

7. Modern Songs
(a) Center of My Joy. By Richard Smallwood and William Gaither
Location:

(b) Why We Sing. By Kirk Franklin
Location:

(c) Let It Rain. By Paul S. Morton
Location:

(d) I’ve Got a Reason to Praise the Lord. By O’Landa Draper
Location:

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) He’ll Welcome Me. By John P. Kee
Location:

(b) Old Time Power. By Charlie D. Tillman
Location:

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Lord I Want to Be a Christian. Spiritual
Location:

(b) Just as I Am. By Charlotte Elliott. Tune, (WOODWORTH), by William Bradbury
Location:

(c) Revive Us Again. By William P. Mackay. Tune, (REVIVE US AGAIN), by John J. Husband
Location:

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) Hymn of Praise. By Shelton Beckton. For SATB
Location:

(b) Guide My Feet. Arr. by Avis Graves. For SATB
Location:

(c) I Wanna Be Yours. By Fred Hammond
Location:

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Sanctify Me. By V. Michael McKay
Location:

(b) Come and Go with Me. Arr. by H. Luedeman
Location:

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
Instrumental
(a) Lord Make Me More Holy. Traditional. Adapted and arranged by Roland Carter
Location:

Song
(b) With Thy Spirit Fill Me. By Oswald J. Smith. Tune, (FILL ME).
Location:

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