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

MOTHER’S DAY

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Courtney-Savali L. Andrews, Lectionary Young Adult Liturgists’ Team

Worship Planning Notes

On this day, we come together to celebrate and honor mothers, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in our society. As a tribute service, it is important to recognize the broad spectrum of motherhood—from teen mothers to great-grandmothers, adoptive mothers to other maternal figures—while also being aware of sensitive circumstances that are inclusive of mothers who have lost children to illness, violence, incarceration, infertility, etc. and families that are grieving the loss of a maternal figure. The texts and musical selections suggested below have been chosen to include the large scope of honor and commemoration due to our mothers.

Since this is a service of inclusive celebration, consider ways to empower and appreciate all women that encompass what motherhood exemplifies:

• Flowers—It has been customary to give a single carnation to honor our mothers on this day. As a way to honor mothers that have or are going through sensitive circumstances stated above, consider a single flower to be worn by the entire congregation to symbolize collective support and remembrance of these losses. A mention of the symbolic gesture should be printed in the program while also spoken of—perhaps before prayer or a special tribute.
  
  
• Drama Ministry—Consider performing dramatic readings of biblical excerpts from the varied stories of mothers in the Bible.
  
  
• Liturgical Dance and Mime Ministry—There are several tribute song selections that commemorate the work of mothers. Consider preparing a medley of songs that may speak to and from multiple generations.
  
  
• Audio-Video Ministry—From photo montages to words of tribute, this ministry can be used in a variety of ways throughout the service: Introduction of Scripture reference Hosea 11:1-9 to set the tone of service; a tribute to the elder Mothers of the church; video excerpts of your youth and children’s ministries speaking words of appreciation.

1. Invocation and Litany

(a) Invocation

Divine Creator, we welcome you into this sanctified space. With open hearts we usher in your Divine presence and await the movement of your Holy Spirit. God of all mothers, stand with us as we celebrate those who have mothered, those who are mothering, and those who will mother. Abide with us as we honor those who found ways to give life and nurture even in the midst of the Middle Passage, slavery, Jim Crow, and the New Jim Crow. Stand by us as we honor the women who have often given way more than they ever received. Like our earthly mothers, you have given us life and nurtured us. And like our earthly mothers you have blessed us with your merciful love even when our behavior has broken your heart. As we enter into a time of worship we are grateful for your unwavering mercy, love, provision, patience, and guidance. And we are grateful for the mothers you sent to us to be the reflection of your abiding presence in our lives. Through Christ Jesus. Amen.

(b) Litany

Leader:	Mothering God, we thank you for our earthly mothers who birthed us, loved us, and nurtured us through the good, the bad, and the ugly.
All:	We thank you, Lord, for all mothers and all who have mothered.
Leader:	We pray for those who are mourning the loss of a mother on this day. And we give thanks for the mothers who have gone on to glory but whose memories still bless and guide us.
All:	We thank you, Lord, for all mothers and all who have mothered.
Leader:	We give thanks for the people who stood in the gap as surrogates when biological mothers were unable to be present.
All:	We thank you, Lord, for all mothers and all who have mothered.
Leader:	We ask you to stand with mothers who are unable to mother due to physical and mental illness, drug addiction, incarceration, and other issues that plague our communities.
All:	Lord, have mercy. Send your mothering Spirit.
Leader:	We ask you to be a healing presence for those who desire to be mothers but have not yet been blessed with that opportunity.
All:	Lord, have mercy. Send your mothering spirit.
Leader:	God, we thank you for being a merciful mothering presence, even when we are disobedient and have not followed your Divine Will. Continue to guide through the work of our earthly mothers.
All:	We thank you, Lord, for your mothering presence, for all mothers and all who have mothered.

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
Selections (a) & (b) can be sung and arranged in a medley.

(a) I Am Kept by the Grace of God. By Charles H. Nicks

(b) I Really Love the Lord. By Jimmy Dowell. Tune, (I REALLY LOVE THE LORD).

(c) Lead Me, Guide Me. By Doris Akers. Tune, (LEAD ME).

(d) Blest Be the Ties That Bind. By John Fawcett. Tune, (DENNIS), by John G. Nageli

3. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, and Praise Teams
(a) I Got a Reason. By O’landa Draper

(b) If Not for Your Grace. By Israel Houghton

(c) Thank You Lord. By Walter Hawkins

(d) Thank You. By Richard Smallwood

4. Mother’s Day Tribute Songs
These songs could be offered by the choir ensembles as well as the Liturgical Dance, Mime, Drama, and Children’s Ministries.

(a) I Really Love You. By Lamar Campbell

(b) Wanting Memories. By Ysaye Barnwell

(c) Grandma’s Hands. By Bill Withers

5. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Great Things. By DeAndre Patterson

(b) Momma’s Song. By Anita Hailey

(c) Faithful Is Our God. By Jules Bartholomew

6. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) I Need Thee Every Hour. By Annie S. Hawkes. Tune, (NEED), by Robert Lowery

(b) Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread. By Edwin Hawkins

7. Sermonic Selection
(a) I Really Love You. By Lamar Campbell

(b) God Favors Me. By Jules Bartholomew

(c) There’s No Way. By Zak Williams & 1Akord

8. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Yes. By David Curry

(b) Just to Be Close to You. By Fred Hammond

(c) I Surrender All. By Winfield S. Weeden

9. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Let the Church Say Amen. By Andraé Crouch

(b) Smile Medley (Part 2): God Has Smiled on Me. By Isaiah Jones, Jr.

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

1. Invocation and Litany prepared by Rev. Dominique Chantell Atchison. Used with permission.

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
Selections (a) & (b) can be sung and arranged in a medley.

(a) I Am Kept by the Grace of God. By Charles H. Nicks
Location:
(b) I Really Love the Lord. By Jimmy Dowell. Tune, (I REALLY LOVE THE LORD).
Location:

(c) Lead Me, Guide Me. By Doris Akers. Tune, (LEAD ME).
Location:
(d) Blest Be the Ties That Bind. By John Fawcett. Tune, (DENNIS), by John G. Nageli
Location:
3. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, and Praise Teams
(a) I Got a Reason. By O’landa Draper
Location:

(b) If Not for Your Grace. By Israel Houghton
Location:

(c) Thank You Lord. By Walter Hawkins
Location:

(d) Thank You. By Richard Smallwood
Location:

4. Mother’s Day Tribute Songs
These songs could be offered by the choir ensembles as well as the Liturgical Dance, Mime, Drama, and Children’s Ministries.

(a) I Really Love You. By Lamar Campbell
Location:

(b) Wanting Memories. By Ysaye Barnwell
Location:

(c) Grandma’s Hands. By Bill Withers
Location:

5. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Great Things. By DeAndre Patterson
Location:

(b) Momma’s Song. By Anita Hailey
Location:

(c) Faithful Is Our God. By Jules Bartholomew
Location:

6. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) I Need Thee Every Hour. By Annie S. Hawkes. Tune, (NEED), by Robert Lowery
Location:

(b) Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread. By Edwin Hawkins
Location:

7. Sermonic Selection
(a) I Really Love You. By Lamar Campbell
Location:

(b) God Favors Me. By Jules Bartholomew
Location:

(c) There’s No Way. By Zak Williams & 1Akord
Location:

8. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Yes. By David Curry
Location:

(b) Just to Be Close to You. By Fred Hammond
Location:

(c) I Surrender All. By Winfield S. Weeden
Location:

9. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Let the Church Say Amen. By Andraé Crouch
Location:

(b) Smile Medley (Part 2): God Has Smiled on Me. By Isaiah Jones, Jr.
Location:

• Click Here Cultural Resources
• Click Here Lectionary Commentaries