Worship Resources
FATHER’S DAY
MUSIC AND WORSHIP RESOURCES
William C. Powell, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Associate Professor of Music, Auburn University, Auburn, AL
Worship Planning Notes
Make a slide show of fathers with their children (of all ages). Photos can come from members of the congregation or from the Internet by doing an image search on your favorite search engine. Integrate the slide show with a song from section 4 (Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams). The slide show can serve as a backdrop to the liturgical dance, or as a backdrop to one of the songs if no dance is used. If neither option is preferred, the slide show can be shown as congregants enter the sanctuary or during the offertory.
Another suggestion is to display photographs of fathers from the congregation (living or deceased) throughout the foyer or other designated areas where most congregants are likely to view them prior to entering the sanctuary. In place of or in addition to the photographs, children’s ministry leaders can have the children from the congregation create drawings of one of their favorite moments with their own fathers (or father figures) during the weeks leading up to Fathers’ Day and these can be displayed and used in the bulletin.
| 1. Responsive Reading |
|
| A Godly Father Learns… | |
| Leader: | What does it take to become a godly father? |
| People: | Effort, commitment, honesty, patience, endurance, strength, self-control, love, wisdom, faith, and prayer. |
| Young man: | But how does a man gain all of these qualities? |
| People: | A godly father learns… |
| Choir director: | He learns when to speak and when to listen. |
| High school or college student: |
He learns when to plan, and when to be spontaneous. |
| People: | A godly father learns… |
| An Usher: | He learns when to be a leader and when to let another lead. |
| A Church Officer: | He learns when to discipline, and when to embrace. |
| People: | A godly father learns… |
| Leader: | He learns when to give support, and when to withhold or withdraw his support. |
| People: | A godly father learns… |
| Young male teen: | How can a father learn all of these actions? |
| People: | A godly father learns by accepting that he is always in a learning process. He does not have all the answers or all the skills, but he can learn from the One who knows all things: The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father! Amen. |
2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) God of Our Fathers. By Daniel C. Roberts. Tune, (National Hymn) by George W. Warren
(b) Eternal Father, Strong to Save. By William Whiting. Tune, (Melita) by John Bacchus Dykes
(c) Faith of Our Fathers. By Frederick William Faber. Tune, (St. Catherine) by Henri Frederick Nemy
(d) A Child of the King. By Harriet E. Buell. Tune, (Binghamton) by John B. Sumner
(e) Great Is Thy Faithfulness. By William M. Runyan. Tune, (Faithfulness) by Thomas O. Chisholm
(f) A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. Text and Tune, (Ein’ Feste Burg) by Martin Luther
3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs(a) Guide My Feet. Spiritual. Tune, (Guide My Feet) Arr. by Jester Hairston
(b) I Will Trust in the Lord. Spiritual. Tune, Trust in the Lord
(c) King Jesus Is a-Listenin.’ Traditional. Tune, King Jesus
4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) That’s Just the Way the Father Is. By Kurt Carr
(b) You Are the Reason. By Bryan Wilson
5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Music
(a) Thanks for Staying. By Israel Houghton, Aaron Lindsey, and Kim Rutherford
(b) Just Like You. By Chris Eaton, Anthony Evans, and Jason Ingram
(c) Still My Father/God’s There. By Bryan Wilson
6. Anthems(a) Special Moments. By Dave and Jean Perry. For SAB, or 2-part mixed voices
(b) I Have Felt the Hand of God. By Craig Courtney
(c) Striving after God. By Michaelangelo. Composed by Undine Smith-Moore. For SATB
7. Modern Songs
(a) Father Me. By Joseph McCargo
(b) He Never Failed Me Yet. By Robert Ray
(c) You Got Me Through. By J. Moss
8. Offering Song or Instrumental
(a) We’ve Come This Far by Faith. By Albert A. Goodson
(b) The Family of God. By Gloria Gaither and William J. Gaither. Tune, (Family of
God) by William J. Gaither
(c) God Never Fails. By George Jordan
9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) A Praying Spirit. By Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark
(b) Cover Me. By J. Moss
(c) Fix Me, Jesus. Spiritual. Tune, Fix Me
(d) Father I Stretch My Hands to Thee. By Charles Wesley. Tune, (Martyrdom) by Hugh
Wilson
10. Sermonic Selection
(a) Our Father You Are Holy. By John Harris
(b) Heavenly Father. By Terrell Hunt
11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Come and Go with Me. Congregational Praise Song. Tune, Come and Go with Me
(b) Come to Jesus. Traditional. Tune, Come to Jesus
(c) ‘Tis the Ol’ Ship of Zion. Negro spiritual. Tune, Ol’ Ship of Zion
12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) God Be with You (Till We Meet Again). By Jeremiah E. Rankin. Tune, (God Be with
You) by William G. Tomer
(b) Ain’t-A That Good News. African American spiritual. Tune, Good News
(c) Till We Meet Again. By Kirk Franklin
13. Other Recommendations
College, teen, youth, and/or children’s ministries can present a “tribute to fathers.” Have these individuals write positive and encouraging speeches about their own fathers, father figures, or fathers in general. The ministry leader(s) should predetermine the length of each speech to afford adequate and equal time for each age group if the tributes are to be presented during a worship service or in a class.
Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed
1. Responsive Reading
A Godly Father Learns…. By William C. Powell
2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) God of Our Fathers. By Daniel C. Roberts. Tune, (National Hymn) by George W. Warren
Location:
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. The A.M.E. Zion Hymnal Official Hymnal of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Charlotte, NC: A.M.E. Zion Pub. House, 1996. #530
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 1987. #322
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. Nashville, TN: Triad Publications, 2001. #459Church of God in Christ. Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. Memphis, TN: Church of God in Christ Pub. Board in association with the Benson Co., 1982. #499
Location:
Location:
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Hymnal. #529
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #282
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #27
Location:
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Hymnal. #542
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #391
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #118
Location:
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Hymnal. #80
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #242
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #45
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #122
Location:
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Hymnal. #57
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #37
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #144
(a) Guide My Feet. Spiritual. Tune, (Guide My Feet) Arr. by Jester Hairston
Location:
2480 Industrial Boulevard
Paoli, PA 19301
Phone: 1-800-345-6296
Online location: www.jwpepper.com
African American Heritage Hymnal. #131
Location:
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Hymnal. #75
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #232
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #285
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #333
(c) King Jesus Is a-Listenin’. Traditional. Tune, King Jesus
Location:
4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) That’s Just the Way the Father Is. By Kurt Carr
Location:
(b) You Are the Reason. By Bryan Wilson
Location:
(a) Thanks for Staying. By Israel Houghton, Aaron Lindsey, and Kim Rutherford
Location:
Location:
(c) Still My Father/God’s There. By Bryan Wilson
Location:
6. Anthems
(a) Special Moments. By Dave and Jean Perry. For SAB, or 2-part mixed voices
Location:
P.O. Box 10003
Van Nuys, CA 91410-0003
Phone: 818-892-2452
Online location: www.alfred.com
(b) I Have Felt the Hand of God. By Craig Courtney
Location:
960 Old Henderson Road
Columbus, OH 43220
Phone: 614-451-6461
Online location: www.beckenhorstpress.com
Location:
7404 South Mason Avenue
Chicago, IL 60638
Phone: 1-800-442-1358
Online location: www.giamusic.com
7. Modern Songs
(a) Father Me. By Joseph McCargo
Location:
(b) He Never Failed Me Yet. By Robert Ray
Location:
Phone: 1-800-345-6296
Online location: www.jwpepper.com
Accompaniment Track also available
Sheet Music Sample (TTBB): http://www.jwpepper.com/pdf/10002656.pdf
Location
8. Offering Song or Instrumental
(a) We’ve Come This Far by Faith. By Albert A. Goodson
Location:
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Hymnal. #259
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #225
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #529
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #395
(b) The Family of God. By Gloria Gaither and William J. Gaither. Tune, (Family of
God) by William J. Gaither
Location:
(c) God Never Fails. By George Jordan
Location:
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #224
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #250
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #110
(a) A Praying Spirit. By Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark
Location:
Location:
(c) Fix Me, Jesus. Spiritual. Tune, Fix Me
Location:
Wilson
Location:
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Hymnal. #494
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #223
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #42
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #289
(a) Our Father You Are Holy. By John Harris
Location:
Location:
11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Come and Go with Me. Congregational Praise Song. Tune, Come and Go with Me
Location:
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #250
(b) Come to Jesus. Traditional. Tune, Come to Jesus
Location:
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Hymnal. #408
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #287
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #173
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #281
(c) ‘Tis the Ol’ Ship of Zion. Negro spiritual. Tune, Ol’ Ship of Zion
Location:
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Hymnal. #612
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #494
12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) God Be with You (Till We Meet Again). By Jeremiah E. Rankin. Tune, (God Be with
You) by William G. Tomer
Location:
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Hymnal. #598
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #309
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #560
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #86
(b) Ain’t-A That Good News. African American spiritual. Tune, Good News
Location:
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #171
Location: