FATHER’S DAY

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Sunday, June 17, 2012

W. Patrick Alston, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Minister of Music, Douglas Memorial Community Church, Baltimore, MD

Worship Planning Notes

Father’s Day is a day on which we celebrate the men in our lives. I suggest the following to make your Father’s Day worship experience effective.

• Have all of the elder males in the church bring the younger males in their lives to church to worship with them on that day. It is important that the younger men see the older men worship so that they will know that real men worship God.
  
  
• Your church should arrange to have all of the men sit together in the front of the church to show strength in the fellowship of true brotherhood.
  
  
• If time permits and it is logistically feasible, have the men process into the worship service. There is something special about processing into the holy place as a true symbol of being invited into the very presence of God; this can be very powerful.
  
  
• Have the music ministry form a special women’s chorus for this service. Be sure to include both elder and younger women to show various generations. I have included a special section of songs that adapt well for women’s choruses, even though they were not originally written for women’s choruses. This should free up the men of your church from their usual kingdom duties in order that they may concentrate on giving God a special sacrifice of praise.

1. Litany

O Lord, today we celebrate you and the model you have provided us through the men of your kingdom.

Thank you, O Lord, for our grandfathers, fathers, uncles, brothers, and elders who teach us, guide us, and protect us.

Thank you for the women in our lives who sometimes have to fill these roles in the absence of our elder men.

Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night.

They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.

O Lord, may we always be mindful to love on another, even as you love us.

O Lord, may we always be mindful to teach our children to love as you love.

Teach us your ways, O Lord, and we shall commit to them with sincere hearts.

Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer.

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) O God of Generations. By Ruth Duck. Tune, (AURELIA), by Samuel Wesley

(b) I Will Trust in the Lord. Traditional. Arr. by J. Jefferson Cleveland

(c) I Have So Much to Thank God For. By Jimmy Dowell. Arr. by Brandon Waddles

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) All Night. By Alvin Darling

(b) Lord Do It for Me. By James Cleveland

(c) Long as I Got King Jesus. By James Cleveland

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) No Higher Calling. By Lenny Leblanc and Greg Gulley

(b) This Is Your House. By Randy Phillips

(c) I Give Myself Away. By William McDowell

5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Ministry Music
(a) Jesus Is Love. By Lionel Ritchie

(b) Cover Me. By J Moss

6. Anthems
(a) The Lord’s Prayer. By Harry T. Burleigh

(b) God of Our Fathers. Arr. by Gordon Young

(c) A Mighty Fortress. Arr. by Gordon Young

7. Special Selections for Women’s Chorus
(a) Our Father You Are Holy. By John Harris

(b) He Cares for You. By Percy Bady

(c) Keep On Making Away. By Percy Gray

(d) God Favored Me. By Jules Bartholomew

(e) Hero. By Kirk Franklin

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) O Give Thanks. By Charles Nicks, Jr.

(b) One More Chance. By Eric McDaniel

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Faith of Our Fathers. By Frederick William Faber. Tune, (ST. CATHERINE), by Henri F. Hemy
 
(b) Thank You, Lord. Arr. by J. Jefferson Cleveland and Verolga Nix

(c) My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me. By W. C. Martin. Tune, (HEAVENLY FATHER), by Charles H. Gabriel

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) Trust Me. By Richard Smallwood

(b) The Corinthian Song. By V. Michael McKay

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Where He Leads Me. By E.W. Blandy. Tune, (NORRIS), by John S. Norris

(b) Another Chance. By Kirk Franklin

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Follow Jesus. By Margaret Pleasant Douroux

(b) Completely Yes. By Sandra Crouch. Arr. by Stephen Key

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

1. Litany by W. Patrick Alston, Sr.