Worship Resources



“WHO SO EVER WILL” SUNDAY

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Cornelius V. Johnson III, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Minister of Music, Transformations Church, Chicago, IL

Worship Planning Notes

The purpose of this worship experience is to celebrate without judgment, the unique people that God created each of us as. It is a day that we put aside our differences and other extraneous distractions that would take our focus away from the fact that we are all created in God’s image. The Bible says, “For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well” (Psalm 139:13-14, NRSV). This includes all of humanity, people of different racial backgrounds, social statuses, sexual orientations, different abilities, different theological beliefs, and the list goes on.

For many in our congregations, the concept of intentionally celebrating our differences may prove to be a difficult task initially. However, if we first accept that God made us exactly as we are, then we can begin to celebrate our diversity.

The pastor, worship leaders, and other church leaders can help guide your church to a greater worship experience by selecting music, prayers, and a sermon that focuses our attention on the fact that not only is grace a gift from God, but so is diversity. Much care should be given to proper planning for this service, particularly given the likely presence of children and youth.

I have listed references for showing diversity and being inclusive in your worship experience. Include those who are disabled, visual artists, women, and testimonials about racial and social issues of diversity. For other resources and ideas, please see section “14. Additional Worship Planning Recommendations” to become a more welcoming and inclusive congregation.

1. Litany, Call to Worship, and Invocation

Leader: O God, the Creator of  all, You  made us and know us completely. You, O God, are familiar with all of our ways. Even before we utter a word, you know it. You surround us with your love and have laid your hand upon us. So wonderful are you, Lord! Your knowledge goes far beyond what our minds can conceive. Today we are called to open our hearts and minds to receive the blessings you have placed within all of your people. Together we pray to you:

Congregation: Lord, hear our prayer!

Leader: Lord, your thoughts are not our thoughts and your ways are not our ways. Help us not to judge those who we perceive as being  different than us. Help us not to discriminate against those we do not understand.

Congregation: Lord, hear our prayer!

Leader: Lord, as we perceive faults and shortcoming in others, help us to remember our own.

Congregation: Lord, hear our prayer!

Leader: Lord, help us not to glory in the discrimination and hurt of others. Lord, help us to show love to all of your children, including the homeless, the addicted, the disenfranchised, and the forgotten.

Congregation: Lord, hear our prayer!

Leader: Help us to see the beauty and the significance in the uniqueness of all of your people. Lord, you created us all.

Congregation: Lord, hear our prayer!

ALL: Lord, help us to remember that we all have sinned and fallen short of your glory, but through your gift of grace and through your son Jesus Christ, we are made whole. Help us to honor and celebrate all that you have created and called each of us to be. Lord, help us to remember that all who call upon your name shall be saved. We thank you for your unconditional love. Lord, on this day, we believe that you have heard our prayer. Amen!

2. Song for Gathering/Opening Selection
As We Are, We Come. By Uzee Brown

3. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Standing on the Promises. By R. Kelso Carter. Tune, (PROMISES), by R. Kelso Carter

(b) God of Grace and God of Glory. By Harry Emerson Fosdick. Tune, (CWM RHONDDA), by John Hughes

(c) Blessed Assurance. By Fanny J. Crosby. Tune, (ASSURANCE), by Phoebe P. Knapp

(d) Hold to God's Unchanging Hand. By Jennie Wilson. Tune, (UNCHANGING HAND), by F. L. Eiland

4. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) He's Got the Whole World in His Hand. Traditional

(b) For God So Loved the World. By Lanny Wolfe

(c) God Never Fails. By George Jordan

(d) He's Been Keeping Me. By Gale Murphy Jones

5. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Who Shall Separate Us. By Walter Hawkins

(b) Safe in His Arms. By Darius Brooks

(c) Search Me Lord. By Ricky Dillard

(d) Your Grace Is Enough. By Matt Maher and Chris Tomlin

(e) I Came to Magnify the Lord. By Mark Condon

6. Liturgical Dance or Mime Ministry Music
(a) Love God Love People. By Israel Houghton, Aaron Lindsey, and Tommy Simms

(b) Safety. By Oscar Williams Jr.

(c) When Sunday Comes. By Donald Lawrence

(d) Justified. By Smokie Norful

7. Anthems
(a) Amazing Grace. By John Newton. Arr. by Evelyn Simpson-Curenton

(b) Just as I Am, I Come. Arr. by Mary McDonald and Charlotte Elliot

(c) A Prayer for Peace. By Michael John Trotta

(d) O Love That Will Not Let Me Go. Arr. by Joseph Martin and George Matheson

(e) O Love That Will Not Let Me Go. Arr. by Mary Kay Parish. This selection is an anthem alternative for a hand bell choir and chimes.

8. Modern Songs
(a) God Made Me. By Jules Bartholomew

(b) Strong Finish (Finish Strong). By Jonathan Nelson and Kenneth Shelton

(c) Lord You've Been So Good. By Amber Bullock, Paul Morton Jr., and Eric Ramey

(d) It Not Over (When God Is in It). By Aaron Lindsey, Israel Houghton, and Ricardo Sanchez

9. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Oh Give Thanks. By Judith Christie McAlister

(b) I've Got So Much. By Kurt Carr

(c) Thank You Lord. By Walter Hawkins

(d) Celebrate. By Keith Hampton

(e) The Lord Is Blessing Me. Arr. by Mark Hubbard

10. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) I Love the Lord. By Richard Smallwood

(b) Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior. By Fanny J. Crosby. Tune, (PASS ME NOT), by William H. Doane

(c) Be Blessed. By Kurt Carr

(d) Remember Me (Chant). By Nolan Williams, Jr.

(e) Hear My Prayer, O Lord. By Roy L. Belfield, Jr.

11. Sermonic Selection
(a) Great Is Thy Faithfulness. By Thomas O. Chisholm

(b) So Many Reasons. By A. Lewis and Vicki Yohe

(c) Were It Not for Grace. By David Hamilton and Phil McHugh

(d) No Weapon. By Fred Hammond and Alvin Moore

(e) He Will Answer. By Jules Bartholomew

12. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Take Me to the King. By Kirk Franklin

(b) His Yoke Is Easy. By Glenn Burleigh

(c) We Offer Christ. By Joel Britton. Arr. by Valeria Foster

(d) Amazing Grace. For organ. By Mark Hayes. Arr. by Douglas E. Wagner

13. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Be with Us All, Lord. By Uzee Brown Jr.

(b) God Be with You. By Thomas A. Dorsey

(c) A Gospel Benediction. By Rollo Dilworth

14. Additional Worship Planning Recommendations
Article
Berg, Susan Vanden. "Festival of Church Celebrates Diversity and Inclusion." The Banner. March 2012. Online location: http://www.thebanner.org/news/2012/03/festival-of-churches-celebrates-diversity-and-inclusion.

This article identifies way in which those in the following areas can be included:

  • Disabled worshippers
  • Ethnic dance ensembles
  • Persons with testimonies of racial inclusion
  • Hip-hop artists

Resource for Children
Hart, Carolyn. Story Time Standouts: Raising Children Who Love to Read. Online location: http://www.storytimestandouts.com/celebrating-diversity-with-picture-books/

Books

Williams, Scott. Church Diversity: Sunday The Most Segregated Day of The Week. Green Forest, AR: New Leaf Press, 2011.
Young, Amos. The Bible, Disability, and the Church: A New Vision of the People of God. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2011.

15. Audio Visual Aids

Love, Joshua. Uncommon Hope: A DVD Enhanced Curriculum Reflecting the Heart of the Church for People Affected by HIV/AIDS. Bloomington, IN: Trafford Publishing, 2009.

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

1. Litany, Call to Worship, and Opening Prayer by Cornelius V. Johnson III

2. Song for Gathering/Opening Selection
As We Are, We Come. By Uzee Brown Jr.
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2001. #641

The Lorenz Corporation
501 E. Third Street
Dayton, OH 45402
Phone: 937-228-6118

Online location: www.lorenz.com

3. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Standing on the Promises. By R. Kelso Carter. Tune, (PROMISES), by R. Kelso Carter
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #373

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. Nashville, TN: The African Methodist Episcopal Church, (2000) sixth printing 2004. #424

King, D. E. The New Progressive Baptist Hymnal: Aids to Worship Through Living Standard Hymns, Favorite Gospel Songs, Choice Anthems, Best Loved Chants, and Responsive Readings for Live People Who Join in Soulful Worship in Living Churches and Related Activities. Washington, D.C.: Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc., 1982. #279

(b) God of Grace and God of Glory. By Harry Emerson Fosdick. Tune, (CWM RHONDDA), by John Hughes
Location:
African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #62

The New Progressive Baptist Hymnal. #372

The Presbyterian Hymnal: Hymns, Psalms, and Spiritual Songs. Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1990. #420

(c) Blessed Assurance. By Fanny J. Crosby. Tune, (ASSURANCE), by Phoebe P. Knapp
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #508

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #450

The New Progressive Baptist Hymnal. #27

The Presbyterian Hymnal. #341

(d) Hold to God's Unchanging Hand. By Jennie Wilson. Tune, (UNCHANGING HAND), by F. L. Eiland
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #404

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #513

The New Progressive Baptist Hymnal. #248

4. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) He's Got the Whole World in His Hand. Traditional
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #150

(b) For God So Loved the World. By Lanny Wolfe
Location:
Cleveland, James. The Best of Reverend James Cleveland and The Gospel Music Workshop of America. Newark, NJ: Savoy Records, 1993.

(c) God Never Fails. By George Jordan
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #159

The New Progressive Baptist Hymnal. #239

(d) He's Been Keeping Me. By Gale Murphy Jones
Location:
GIA Publications, Inc.
7404 South Mason Avenue
Chicago, IL 60638
Phone 1-800-442-1358

Online location: www.giamusic.com

5. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Who Shall Separate Us. By Walter Hawkins
Location:
Love Alive IV. Jackson, MS: Malaco Records, 1990.

(b) Safe in His Arms. By Darius Brooks
Location:
Rev. Milton Brunson: The Ultimate Collection. New York, NY: Atlantic/Warner/Word, 2012.

(c) Search Me Lord. By Ricky Dillard
Location:
7th Episode: Live in Toronto. Nashville, TN: NuSpring, 2007.

(d) Your Grace Is Enough. By Matt Maher and Chris Tomlin
Location:
Tomlin, Chris. Arriving. Roswell, GA: six step records/Sparrow, 2004.

(e) I Came to Magnify the Lord. By Mark Condon
Location:
McClendon, Bishop Clarence E. Shout Hallelujah. New York, NY: Sony Music Distribution, 2000.

6. Liturgical Dance or Mime Ministry Music
(a) Love God Love People. By Israel Houghton, Aaron Lindsey, and Tommy Simms
Location:
Houghton, Israel. Love God. Love People. The London Sessions. New York, NY: Columbia/Integrity. 2010

(b) Safety. By Oscar Williams Jr.
Location:
Unstoppable. Indianapolis, IN: Aleho International Music, 2005.

(c) When Sunday Comes. By Donald Lawrence
Location:
Coley, Daryl. Compositions: a Decade of Songs. Nashville, TN: EMI Gospel, 2000.

(d) Justified. By Smokie Norful
Location:
Smokie Norful Live. Nashville, TN: EMI, 2009.

7. Anthems
(a) Amazing Grace. By John Newton. Arr. by Evelyn Simpson-Curenton
Location:
GIA Publications, Inc.
Phone 1-800-442-1358
Online location: www.giamusic.com

(b) Just as I Am, I Come. Arr. by Mary McDonald and Charlotte Elliot
Location:
Hope Publishing
380 South Main Place
Carol Stream, IL 60188
Phone: 1-800-345-6296

Online location: http://www.jwpepper.com/10360881.item

(c) A Prayer for Peace. By Michael John Trotta
Location:
Morning Star Music Publishers
1727 Larkin Williams Rd
St. Louis, MO 6326
Phone: 1-800-647-2117

Online location: www.morningstarmusic.com

(d) O Love That Will Not Let Me Go. Arr. by Joseph Martin and George Matheson
Location:
Shawnee Press
Exclusively Distributed by Hal Leonard Corporation
PO Box 13819
Milwaukee, WI 53213
Phone: 1-800-962-8584

Online location: www.shawneepress.com

(e) O Love That Will Not Let Me Go. Arr. by Mary Kay Parish. This selection is an anthem alternative for hand bell choir and chimes.
Location:
Alfred Music Publishing
P.O. Box 10003
Los Angeles, CA 91410
Phone: 1-800-292-6122

Online location: www.alfred.com

8. Modern Songs
(a) God Made Me. By Jules Bartholomew
Location:
Mississippi Mass Choir. Then Sings My Soul. Jackson, MS: Malaco Records, 2011.

(b) Strong Finish (Finish Strong). By Jonathan Nelson and Kenneth Shelton
Location:
Nelson, Jonathan. Finish Strong. Detroit, MI: Karew Records, 2013.

(c) Lord You've Been So Good. By Amber Bullock, Paul Morton Jr., and Eric Ramey
Location:
Bullock, Amber. So in Love. Houston, TX: Music World Entertainment, 2012.

(d) It's Not Over (When God Is in It). By Aaron Lindsey, Israel Houghton, and Ricardo Sanchez
Location:
Houghton, Israel. Jesus at the Center: Live. New York, NY: Columbia/Integrity, 2012.

9. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Oh Give Thanks. By Judith Christie McAlister
Location:
Woman Thou Art Loosed: Worship 2002 Run to the Water…The Rive Within. Nashville, TN: EMI/Chordant, 2002.

(b) I've Got So Much. By Kurt Carr
Location:
Bless This House. New York, NY: Verity Gospel Music Group, 2013.

(c) Thank You Lord. By Walter Hawkins
Location:
Love Alive IV. Jackson, MS: Malaco Records, 1990.

(d) Celebrate. By Keith Hampton
Location:
Earthsong Publishing
1030 NW Cleveland Ave.
Corvallis, OR 97330
Phone: 541-758-5760

Online location: www.earthsongs.com

(e) The Lord Is Blessing Me. Arr. by Mark Hubbard
Location:
Trotter, Larry & The Sweet Holy Spirit Combined Choir. What's to Come Is Better Than What's Been. Indianapolis, IN: Tyscot, 1999.

10. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) I Love the Lord. By Richard Smallwood
Location:
The Praise and Worship Songs of Richard Smallwood. New York, NY: Verity, 2003.

(b) Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior. By Fanny J. Crosby. Tune, (PASS ME NOT), by William H. Doane
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #435

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #272

The New Progressive Baptist Hymnal. #162

(c) Be Blessed. By Kurt Carr
Location:
Morton, Paul S., Sr. Memorable Moments with Bishop Paul S. Morton. Franklin, TN: Light Records, 2010.

(d) Remember Me (Chant). By Nolan Williams, Jr.
Location:
inSpiration. Washington, DC: NEWorks Productions, 2008.

(e) Hear My Prayer, O Lord. By Roy L. Belfield, Jr.
Location:
Morning Star Music Publishers
1727 Larkin Williams Rd
St. Louis, MO 6326
Phone: 1-800-647-2117

Online location: www.morningstarmusic.com

11. Sermonic Selection
(a) Great Is Thy Faithfulness. By Thomas O. Chisholm
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #158

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #84

The New Progressive Baptist Hymnal. #153

The Presbyterian Hymnal. #276

(b) So Many Reasons. By A. Lewis and Vicki Yohe
Location:
Yohe, Vicki. I'm at Peace: A Praise and Worship Experience. Newton, NJ: Shanachie Records, 2011.

(c) Were It Not for Grace. By David Hamilton and Phil McHugh
Location:
Larnelle. First Love. Franklin, TN: Brentwood Records, 1998.

(d) No Weapon. By Fred Hammond and Alvin Moore
Location:
Hammond, Fred. Playlist: The Very Best of Fred Hammond. New York, NY: Legacy/Verity, 2010.

(e) He Will Answer. By Jules Bartholomew
Location:
Cage, Byron. Faithful to Believe. New York, NY: Verity Records, 2009.

12. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Take Me to the King. By Kirk Franklin
Location:
Man, Tamela. Best Days. Dallas, TX: Tilly Man, 2012.

(b) His Yoke Is Easy. By Glenn Burleigh
Location:
Rev. Clay Evans and the Fellowship Mass Choir. He'll Be There. Jackson, MS: Savoy/Malaco Records, 1998.

(c) We Offer Christ. By Joel Britton. Arr. by Valeria Foster
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal #355

(d) Amazing Grace. For organ. By Mark Hayes. Arr. by Douglas E. Wagner
Location:
The Lorenz Corporation
501 E. Third Street
Dayton, OH 45402
Phone: 937-228-6118

Online location: http://www.lorenz.com

13. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Be with Us All, Lord. By Uzee Brown Jr.
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #641

The Lorenz Corporation
Phone: 937-228-6118
Online location: http://www.lorenz.com

(b) God Be with You. By Thomas A. Dorsey
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #639

(c) A Gospel Benediction. By Rollo Dilworth
Location:
Hal Leonard Corporation
Online location: http://www.halleonard.com