As the title of this series implies, this is a time for action! This series begins when vacations and summer days are ending, and churches and families refocus on the year ahead. The church’s calendar is closely tied to the school year; and while the lectionary passages don’t necessarily reflect the school year, we see how this series can be a great kick-off to a new year of programming around mission and ministry. Therefore, music for this series is intended to allow time in the worship service for reflection as well as for promoting forward motion to encourage worshipers to live out the Sunday service of praise and worship to service to others throughout the week. Praise and worship are not just relegated to Sunday morning; as disciples, praise and worship are how we live our very lives, being doers of the word.

Here are some recommendations for music that can serve to connect all the Sundays of the worship series together. These can be used as the theme opening song or used as service music in smaller chunks throughout the service. As you think about these suggestions, you may also come up with other related songs that are meaningful and familiar to you and then decide how best to use them in your services over the five weeks. If you are choosing a new song as a thematic song, consider having a soloist or ensemble introduce it the first week during the offertory or during the gathering so it starts to become familiar. Then, start working it into other parts of the service. This has proven to be a highly effective way of teaching new songs that are relevant and meaningful to the congregation.

How well we are living in community is the general theme through this series. How do we open ourselves to the world around us in ways that impact our communities for the better? How do we reflect diversity in our unity?

Abbreviations:

TFWS - The Faith We Sing
UMH - The United Methodist Hymnal
W&S - Worship and Song

Songs that Reflect the Overall Theme

“Praise the Source of Faith and Learning,” 2004 TFWS (Opening Song). Click to read the related “History of Hymns” article.
“Jesu Tawa Pano” (“Jesus, We are Here”), 2273 TFWS (Children’s Song). Click to read the related "History of Hymns" article.
“Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying,” 2193 TFWS (Prayer Song)
“Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love,” 432 UMH (Centering Song). Click to read the related "History of Hymns" article.
“Blest Be the Tie That Binds.” 557 UMH (Closing Song or Benediction). Click to read the related "History of Hymns" article.
“A Place at the Table,” 3149 W&S (Communion or following the sermon). Click to read the related "History of Hymns" article.
“Together We Serve,” 2175 TFWS (Sending Forth)