Suggestions for Use Advent and Christmas Days of Discipleship Lent and Holy Week

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1 Table of Contents Suggestions for Use... 6 Advent and Christmas Advent I: Come, Emmanuel Advent II: The Peaceable Kingdom Advent III: Rejoice Greatly Advent IV: Magnificat Christmas I: Unto Us a Child Is Born Christmas II: Jesus, Light of the World The Epiphany: Starlight and Angel Song The Baptism of the Lord: The Voice of God Days of Discipleship Days of Discipleship: Follow Me Days of Discipleship: The Gifts of the Spirit Days of Discipleship: Beatitudes Days of Discipleship: Be Salt, Be Light Days of Discipleship: New Wine, New Wineskins Days of Discipleship: Love Your Enemies Lent and Holy Week Ash Wednesday: Remember Lent I: Not on Bread Alone Lent II: Our Citizenship in Heaven Lent III: Proclaim Christ Crucified Lent IV: Ambassadors for Christ Lent V: A New Covenant Palm Sunday: Jubilation and Desolation Holy Week: The Sacrament of Service... 56

2 Easter Easter Sunday: This Is the Day Easter II: My Lord and My God Easter III: Hearts on Fire Easter IV: The Shepherd s Voice Easter V: Christ, the Living Stone Easter VI: Love One Another The Ascension of the Lord: Go Teach All Nations Easter VII: The Spirit and the Bride Pentecost: The Fruit of the Spirit Days of Proclamation Days of Proclamation: A Living Sacrifice Days of Proclamation: Take Up Your Cross Days of Proclamation: Seventy Times Seven Days of Proclamation: The Vineyard of the Lord Days of Proclamation: Not to Be Served, But to Serve Days of Proclamation: The Prophets Wisdom Days of Proclamation: In God s Time Days of Proclamation: When Did We See You? All Saints: Children of God... 96

3 All Souls: Eternal Rest Thanksgiving: Bless the Lord Pastoral Blessings Pastoral Blessings: My Heart Overflows Pastoral Blessings: The Lord Your God Is with You Pastoral Blessings: They Went Out to the Mount of Olives Pastoral Blessings: You Are a Letter from Christ Pastoral Blessings: I Will Pray with My Spirit Pastoral Blessings: They Cast Their Crowns Before the Throne Scripture Index

4 Suggestions for using To Sing and to Serve Like the prayers of this book s predecessor, In Holy Harmony, the prayers in To Sing and to Serve come from a larger collection, Proclaim the Gospel in Song (wlp ). They are intended to support musicians in their prayer, either individually or in groups, whether before or after rehearsals, worship, or a musicians gathering. The prayers in this book follow the shape of the liturgical year, with the primary seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter having the same number of prayers as there are Sundays/feasts for those seasons. The Days of Discipleship are meant for those weeks in between the conclusion of Christmas and the beginning of Lent, and Days of Proclamation for the time following Pentecost through the conclusion of the liturgical year. Though related to the Lectionary, the various prayers do not follow Lectionary cycles precisely, so prayer leaders may choose a prayer that connects with a Sunday s readings, or with something more directly addressing the community. The prayers in this book are intentionally missionfocused. There is a deep connection between music and mission, as the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (#9) reminds us: liturgy is not the totality of the Church s work. These prayers are meant to help musicians be outward-focused, to live in service to the world even as we are servants of the liturgy.

5 As with In Holy Harmony, two types of prayers are offered: one longer, one shorter, along with a short scripture passage related to the theme of those particular prayers. Proclaim the Gospel in Song contains a separate section of Pastoral Blessings, which are also offered in this book. These are for occasions (perhaps the first or final rehearsal of the year, or a musicians meal gathering) when the pastor or other minister is invited to offer a blessing of the musicians. These include a brief quote from scripture, followed by a blessing prayer. Of course, the Holy Spirit will guide you to still other ways to use these prayers, as we all continue to make music for the glory of God and the life of the world. Alan J. Hommerding R

6 Days of Discipleship Follow Me Speak to us, Lord, your servants are listening; in you alone do we find our Spirit and life, our Hope and Peace, our Song of Salvation. Call us, send us to follow you now and forever. Amen. 28

7 Days of Proclamation A Living Sacrifice We offer our lives in thankfulness and praise, God of power and might; with the heavenly host, we acclaim, Holy, Holy, Holy! Keep us dedicated and faithful in service, following Christ, our Savior and Lord, giving ourselves joyfully in sacrifice, now and forever. Amen. 80

8 Pastoral Blessings My Heart Overflows My heart is stirred by a noble theme, as I sing my ode to the king. My tongue is the pen of a nimble scribe. (Psalm 45:1) Let us pray. Almighty and ever-living God, you are the source of all joy and beauty, and you continually give your people a new song to place on their lips and in their hearts. Send your blessing on your servants, who seek to use your gift of music for the uplifting of souls and the spread of the gospel. May your blessing be upon them, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen. 104