September -- A New Beginning for a New Music Ministry Year 

September is the beginning of a new ministry year for so many of us.  So I'd like to start off this ministry year by sharing my plans for September -- creative calls to worship, anthem selections, prayer responses, and visuals.

September 11th:  The Lectionary scripture that will be used is Luke 15:1-10 and will focus on the Parable of the Lost Sheep and the Parable of the Lost Coin.

• Call to Worship:  We use the Abingdon Worship Annual for our Call to Worship and Prayer of Confession.  The one we've selected for September 11th asks the congregation to respond by saying, "All are welcome here."  In various hymnals, Marty Haugen's "All Are Welcome" can be found.  (These resources can be found at Hymnary.org.)  The refrain of this hymn is a perfect musical response for this call to worship.  So instead of speaking "All are welcome here," we will be singing "All are welcome here."
• Anthem:  "Give Me Jesus with Steal Away" arranged by Ruth Elaine Schram, Lorenz Publishing. 
• Closing Hymn:  "Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us"

September 18th:  The Lectionary scripture that will be used is Luke 16:1-15 - the Parable of the Shrewd Manager.  Also, included in this Sunday's Lectionary is Jeremiah 8: 22, "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then have my people not been restored to health?"  Also, our congregation is emphasizing the theme of peace for this worship service.

• Choral Introit:  Mark Miller's "There's A Spirit of Love In This Place," W&S#3148, to emphasize our theme of peace.
• Opening Hymn:  "There Is A Balm in Gilead" to connect with the Jeremiah lectionary selection.
• Litany for Peace (during the Lord's Prayer):  We will be using this litany written by Joe Wadsworth.
• Our anthem, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," arranged by Cindy Berry, Hope Publishing, ties in with the final verses of the Luke 16 lectionary reading.
• Closing Hymn and Benediction:  Last year, our church purchased a Peace Pole.  For our closing hymn, we will exit the sanctuary, congregate around the peace pole, and sing "Let There Be Peace on Earth" followed by the benediction.
• Visuals:  Last year we dedicated the entire month of September through World Communion Sunday to the theme of peace.  During that time, the congregation was encouraged to write replies to "how do you define peace" on pieces of ribbon.  These ribbons were woven together and framed.  The frames along with a "peace" plaque and a single candle were placed on the altar table for World Communion Sunday.  (We have also used the same visual during Advent for Peace Advent Sunday.)  We will once again place this visual on our altar table as we emphasize peace on this Sunday.

September 25th:  The Lectionary reading for today is Luke 16:19-31, the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.  Also included in today's lectionary reading is Psalm 91.

• Choral Introit:  "On Eagle's Wings" connects with the Psalm 91 lectionary reading.
• Prayer Response:  "Jesus, Remember Me" connects with the Luke 16 lectionary reading.
• Choral Anthem:  "You Are My All in All with Fairest Lord Jesus" arranged by Larry Shackley, Hope Publishing, ties in with the Luke reading.

I hope you have found some inspiration for your own worship planning for September.  Watch for the next blog post for World Communion Sunday in a couple of weeks.