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EARTH DAY

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Monday, April 22, 2013

Brandon A. Boyd, Lectionary Young Adult Liturgists’ Team
Minister of Music and Creative Arts, Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Tallahassee, FL

Worship Planning Notes

As Reverend Christopher Jones, contributor of the 2013 Earth Day Lectionary commentary, writes, Earth Day is an annual day set aside to increase awareness and appreciation of the earth’s natural environment and our role in creating a sustainable environment for the future. He continues:

As the Worship and Arts leaders for your church, be sure to emphasize Earth Day music and related worship offerings throughout today and even throughout the entire month of April. This can include, songs, images for screens, poetry, dance, and of course you can use your bulletin/order of worship to provide Earth Day information for your congregation. Do not just sing relevant songs. Do something impactful and memorable. See today’s cultural resource unit for additional suggestions for making your church’s Earth Day celebration(s) memorable.

1. Invocation and Litany

Invocation
Dear God, you created the earth, its inhabitants, and the sky. Give us strength to continue our journey with you. Make us new and renew in us a clean heart. Sustain us as we worship you for who you are, the creator of everything. We ask that you strengthen us as stewards of your land and resources. Forgive us for not committing to loving you and your earth. In the name of Jesus, the Christ. Amen.

Litany

A Litany of God’s Gift of the Earth

One:	Creator God, your Spirit moves over the face of our planet earth, our oceans and rivers. You are the one who gathers the seas into their places, and with your hands created the courses of the rivers. You bless the planet with rain maintaining the waters of life.
People:	We worship you, Creator of our planet.
One:	Redeemer God, who even in the most critical moments of our history preserved the human race and the animal world,
People:	You offer to your people, in the midst of our disobedience, the hope of a new world and a new tomorrow.
One:	Your promises are the hope of our world. Along with your son, Jesus Christ, we are your heirs, daughters, and sons of your promises. We are most blessed.
People:	We worship you, Redeemer of all creation, for your love, for your mercy.
One:	God, preserver and sustainer of all creation, keep us grateful for all of the beauty you created.
People:	Day by day, keep us thankful, keep us committed to do justice not only for the planet, but also for all those that live in it, regardless of race, sex, color, orientation, abilities, or religious creed.
One:	At every sunrise, every day, guide us in a way where we live life to the fullest—in harmony with our neighbor and our environment.
People:	At every sunset, in the quietness, peacefulness, and beauty, let us give thanks to you for your love, care, and mercy. United, we give you all the glory and honor; in Jesus’ name. Amen.

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) This Is My Father’s World. By Maltbie Babcock. Tune, (TERRA BEATA), by Franklin Sheppard

(b) Song for the Nations. By Christian Christensen. Tune, (SONGS FOR THE NATIONS).

(c) Good and Perfect Gifts Medley: For The Beauty of the Earth/Everything Was Made by God.
For the Beauty of the Earth. By Folliott Pierpoint. Tune, (DIX), by Conrad Kocher
Everything Was Made by God. By Tina English. Tune by Candice Christopher

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) He’s Got the Whole World in His Hand. Arr. by Hezekiah Brinson

(b) View de Land. Arr. by Nathaniel Dett

(c) Wade in de Water. Arr. by James Abbington

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Lord of the Harvest. By F. Hammond, K. Rutherford, and N. Hall

(b) Cover the Earth. By Israel Houghton

(c) Back 2 Earth. By A. Chislom, J. Sheard, and Kierra Sheard

5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Ministry Music
(a) Truly Amazing. By Christopher Watkins

(b) The Heavens Are Telling. By Donald Lawrence

(c) Jesus Is a Rock. By Glenn Burleigh

6. Anthems
(a) O Radiant Light. By Norah Duncan

(b) Shout for Joy. By Dello Thedford

(c) Faithful Over a Few Things. By Glenn Burleigh

7. Modern Songs
(a) Strange Land. By Michael Brooks

(b) Marvelous. By M. Butler and T. Winn

(c) A God Like You. By Kirk Franklin

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) All the Earth Will Sing Your Praises. By Lincoln Brewster

(b) Jesus the Same. By Israel Houghton

(c) Running Over. By Joe Pace

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Down at the Altar. By Joe Pace

(b) Is Your All on the Altar. By Thomas Whitfield

(c) We Fall Down. By Donnie McClurkin

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) I Will Heal Your Land. By Margaret Douroux

(b) For Every Mountain. By Kurt Carr

(c) My Life Belongs to You. By Derick Thomas

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) The Altar. By Kirk Franklin

(b) Jesus Purchased My Salvation. By Robert Fryson

(c) Since Jesus Came Into My Heart. By Rufus McDaniel. Tune by Charles McDaniel

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Make Us Disciples. By Gale Jones Murphy

(b) As You Go, Tell the World. Arr. by Valeria Foster

(c) The Lord Bless You/Sevenfold Amen. By Peter Lutkin

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Materials Listed

1. Invocation and Litany
Invocation. By Brandon Boyd
A Litany for God’s Gift of the Earth: Earth Day Litany
Location:
2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) This Is My Father’s World. By Maltbie Babcock. Tune, (TERRA BEATA), by Franklin Sheppard
Location:

(b) Song for the Nations. By Christian Christensen. Tune, (SONGS FOR THE NATIONS).
Location:
(c) Good and Perfect Gifts Medley: For The Beauty of the Earth/Everything Was Made by God.
For the Beauty of the Earth. By Folliott Pierpoint. Tune, (DIX), by Conrad Kocher
Everything Was Made by God. By Tina English. Tune by Candice Christopher
Location:
3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) He’s Got the Whole World in His Hand. Arr. by Hezekiah Brinson
Location:

(b) View de Land. Arr. by Nathaniel Dett
Location:

(c) Wade in de Water. Negro Spiritual. Arr. by James Abbington
Location:

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Lord of the Harvest. By F. Hammond, K. Rutherford, and N. Hall
Location:

(b) Cover the Earth. By Israel Houghton
Location:

(c) Back 2 Earth. By A. Chislom, J. Sheard, and Kierra Sheard
Location:

5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Ministry Music
(a) Truly Amazing. By Christopher Watkins
Location:

(b) The Heavens Are Telling. By Donald Lawrence
Location:

(c) Jesus Is a Rock. By Glenn Burleigh
Location:

6. Anthems
(a) O Radiant Light. By Norah Duncan
Location:

(b) Shout for Joy. By Dello Thedford
Location:

(c) Faithful Over a Few Things. By Glenn Burleigh
Location:

7. Modern Songs
(a) Strange Land. By Michael Brooks
Location:

(b) Marvelous. By M. Butler and T. Winn
Location:

(c) A God Like You. By Kirk Franklin
Location:

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) All The Earth Will Sing Your Praises. By Lincoln Brewster
Location:

(b) Jesus the Same. By Israel Houghton
Location:

(c) Running Over. By Joe Pace
Location:

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Down at the Altar. By Joe Pace
Location:

(b) Is Your All on the Altar. By Thomas Whitfield
Location:

(c) We Fall Down. By Donnie McClurkin
Location:

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) I Will Heal Your Land. By Margaret Douroux
Location:

(b) For Every Mountain. By Kurt Carr
Location:

(c) My Life Belongs to You. By Derick Thomas
Location:

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) The Altar. By Kirk Franklin
Location:

(b) Jesus Purchased My Salvation. By Robert Fryson
Location:

(c) Since Jesus Came Into My Heart. By Rufus McDaniel. Tune by Charles McDaniel
Location:

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Make Us Disciples. By Gale Jones Murphy
Location:

(b) As You Go, Tell the World. Arr. by Valeria Foster
Location:

(c) The Lord Bless You/Sevenfold Amen. By Peter Lutkin
Location:

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