Table of Contents Suggestions for Use... 6 Advent and Christmas Advent I: Come, Emmanuel... 10 Advent II: The Peaceable Kingdom... 12 Advent III: Rejoice Greatly... 14 Advent IV: Magnificat... 16 Christmas I: Unto Us a Child Is Born... 18 Christmas II: Jesus, Light of the World... 20 The Epiphany: Starlight and Angel Song... 22 The Baptism of the Lord: The Voice of God... 24 Days of Discipleship Days of Discipleship: Follow Me... 28 Days of Discipleship: The Gifts of the Spirit... 30 Days of Discipleship: Beatitudes... 32 Days of Discipleship: Be Salt, Be Light... 34 Days of Discipleship: New Wine, New Wineskins... 36 Days of Discipleship: Love Your Enemies... 38 Lent and Holy Week Ash Wednesday: Remember... 42 Lent I: Not on Bread Alone... 44 Lent II: Our Citizenship in Heaven... 46 Lent III: Proclaim Christ Crucified... 48 Lent IV: Ambassadors for Christ... 50 Lent V: A New Covenant... 52 Palm Sunday: Jubilation and Desolation... 54 Holy Week: The Sacrament of Service... 56
Easter Easter Sunday: This Is the Day... 60 Easter II: My Lord and My God... 62 Easter III: Hearts on Fire... 64 Easter IV: The Shepherd s Voice... 66 Easter V: Christ, the Living Stone... 68 Easter VI: Love One Another... 70 The Ascension of the Lord: Go Teach All Nations... 72 Easter VII: The Spirit and the Bride... 74 Pentecost: The Fruit of the Spirit... 76 Days of Proclamation Days of Proclamation: A Living Sacrifice... 80 Days of Proclamation: Take Up Your Cross... 82 Days of Proclamation: Seventy Times Seven... 84 Days of Proclamation: The Vineyard of the Lord... 86 Days of Proclamation: Not to Be Served, But to Serve... 88 Days of Proclamation: The Prophets Wisdom... 90 Days of Proclamation: In God s Time... 92 Days of Proclamation: When Did We See You?... 94 All Saints: Children of God... 96
All Souls: Eternal Rest... 98 Thanksgiving: Bless the Lord... 100 Pastoral Blessings Pastoral Blessings: My Heart Overflows... 104 Pastoral Blessings: The Lord Your God Is with You... 105 Pastoral Blessings: They Went Out to the Mount of Olives... 106 Pastoral Blessings: You Are a Letter from Christ... 107 Pastoral Blessings: I Will Pray with My Spirit... 108 Pastoral Blessings: They Cast Their Crowns Before the Throne... 109 Scripture Index... 110
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 017341). 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.
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
Advent II The Peaceable Kingdom O God whose might is mercifulness, let your kingdom come to dwell here, full of harmony and peace. Let your justice reign, your tender, forgiving voice be echoed in ours. Make us your herald messengers, Holy Trinity, now and forever. 12
Let divisions end, let peace abide; help us proclaim this Good News, Lord, today and always. They shall not harm or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord, as water covers the sea. On that day, The root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the peoples Him the nations will seek out; his dwelling shall be glorious. (Isaiah 11:9 10) 13
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. 28
Lord Jesus Christ, make us faithful disciples, singing your praises today and every day. As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men. At once they left their nets and followed him. (Matthew 4:18 20) 29
Ash Wednesday Remember Help us remember, O God, your divine image, in which we are made, the presence of Christ, whose Body we are, the breath of the Spirit, filling our song. Through these Lenten days, keep us steadfast and faithful, remembering most of all your mercy, now and forever. 42
May this holy season of mercy bring us closer to you, O Lord, and, in mercy, to one another. Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. The Lord planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and placed there the man whom he had formed. (Genesis 2:7 8) 43
Lent III Proclaim Christ Crucified God of eternal wisdom, your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, showed us strength in the weakness of the crucified. Let us not pretend to be strong, but rather hold up the cross as the true power of our lives and our ministry to your people, now and forever. 48
May the Crucified One guide us, strengthening us for the service of others, leading us to Easter joy and glory. We proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. (1 Corinthians 1:23 25) 49
Easter VII The Spirit and the Bride God of all peoples, we continue to rejoice in the Risen Christ, our Alpha and Omega, Morning Star of our days. You joined us, through the Spirit, to Christ s bride, the Church; we believe he will come again in glory, so let our service in song never weary, now and forever. 74
We watch and wait in Easter hope, God of glory, joining with the Spirit and the whole Church as we sing Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! We even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us. (Romans 5:3 5) 75
Days of Proclamation The Prophets Wisdom God of might and majesty, you raise up prophets bold in speaking your will, strong in times of hardship, comforting in adversity. Grant that our voices unite with theirs as we proclaim your word, now and forever. 90
In every age, O Lord of wisdom and wonder, your prophets have made your presence known. We ask that we may worthily join their company. Reflecting on these things, and considering in my heart That immortality lies in kinship with Wisdom, great delight in love of her, and unfailing riches in the works of her hands; And that in associating with her there is prudence, and fair renown in sharing her discourses, I went about seeking to take her for my own. (Wisdom 8:17 18) 91
Pastoral Blessings They Went Out to the Mount of Olives Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. (Mark 14:26) Let us pray. God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son ate at table with sinners, showing us your way of forgiveness. On his last night he shared his Body and Blood at table with his friends and followers, showing us the way of self-sacrifice. One day, through the power of the Spirit, we believe we will gather at the celestial banquet, living for eternity in the joy he won for us. In blessing, send that heavenly song of the table upon us, so that we may worship you faithfully and offer our lives as a sacrifice of praise. May your blessing be upon us, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. 106
Pastoral Blessings You Are a Letter from Christ [You are] a letter of Christ, administered by us, written not in ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets that are hearts of flesh. (2 Corinthians 3:3) Let us pray. Loving, saving God, your New Covenant was inscribed forever in the life, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord. Bless all who carry on this covenant in the ministry of music; through their work and witness may you continue to compose the splendid harmonies of the Spirit. May your blessing be upon them, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. 107
Pastoral Blessings I Will Pray with My Spirit I will pray with the spirit, but I will also pray with the mind. I will sing praise with the spirit, but I will also sing praise with the mind. (1 Corinthians 14:15) Let us pray. God of wisdom and grace, fill the hearts and minds of those gathered in your name, so that the song they sing and the music they play may glorify you, may bring others to know you, may send all forth into the world. Bless the spirit and understanding of these music-makers, so that the prayer they lead and offer will be filled with your grace. May your blessing be upon them, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. 108
Pastoral Blessings They Cast Their Crowns Before the Throne The twenty-four elders fall down before the one who sits on the throne and worship him, who lives forever and ever. They throw down their crowns before the throne, exclaiming, Worthy are you, Lord our God to receive glory and honor and power. (Revelation 4:10 11) Let us pray. God of heaven and earth, enthroned in majesty; hear the praises of your saints: radiant in eternal glory around your throne of grace, vigilant in earthly rejoicing, joined with the heavenly host. Shower us with your blessing, so we may fervently continue the song of the saints who have gone before us in faith, and hand it on to resound through the lives of saints still to come. May your blessing be upon us, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. 109