SONGBOOK WITH MOTIONS
God’s Big Backyard (Theme Song)
The Greatest Commandment
I’m Diggin’ Life
Faithful Friend
Be a Good Friend
Great Love
We’re Here to Serve
Shout It!
Jesus, We Love You
Ready to Serve
God’s Big Backyard (Theme)
VERSE 1: Hand Jive
Helping out
Slap knees twice
a neighbor
Clap twice
and lending a hand,
Hand over hand (2 beats per hand)
building up a
Fist over fist (2 beats per fist)
sister or brother.
Right thumb over shoulder twice,
Left thumb over shoulder twice
All the world
Slap knees twice
around is God’s
Clap twice
big backyard,
Hand over hand (2 beats per hand)
and there’s plenty of room when we’re
Fist over fist (2 beats per fist)
loving each other.
Right thumb over shoulder twice,
Left thumb over shoulder twice
CHORUS
Oh, it’s a
Right hand lassoes overhead
big backyard.
Palms face each other, thumbs point
back over shoulders, fingers point up
Yeah, a really
Right hand lassoes overhead
big backyard.
Palms face each other, thumbs point
back over shoulders, fingers point up
Everybody’s serving and doin’ their part
Thumbs over shoulders in rhythm
in God’s big, big, big, big,
Palms face in, motion wider on “big”
big backyard,
Palms face each other, thumbs point
back over shoulders, fingers point up
in God’s big, big, big, big,
Palms face in, motion wider on “big”
big backyard.
Palms face each other, thumbs point
back over shoulders, fingers point up
VERSE 2: Hand Jive
BRIDGE
Hey yo, it’s a
Right hand lassoes overhead
big backyard.
Palms face each other, thumbs point
back over shoulders, fingers point up
Hey yo, a really
Right hand lassoes overhead
big backyard.
Palms face each other, thumbs point
back over shoulders, fingers point up
Everybody’s serving here
and doin’ their part
when we all get together in His
Thumbs over shoulders in rhythm
big backyard.
Palms face each other, thumbs point
back over shoulders, fingers point up
VERSE 3: Hand Jive (one exception, below)
[last line]
So take my hand and let’s go, go, go!
Jump and point up on each “go!”
Motions by Renae Hudson
Words and Music by Rachel L. Harvey
© 2007 Music Precedent, Ltd. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
The Greatest Commandment
With all my mind (with all my mind)
Right finger points to head, then left
With all my strength (with all my strength)
Right arm flexes, then left
With all my heart (with every beat of my heart)
Point to heart, pump hands
I’m gonna serve You, Lord.
Reach out from waist, raise arms
This is the greatest commandment:
“Raise the roof”*
to love God above all else.
Cross arms over chest, raise fist
Whoa, this is the greatest commandment:
“Raise the roof”
and then to love my neighbor as myself.
Cross arms over chest, thumbs point
out and then to self
* Raise arms above head, palms up, and lift upward repeatedly
Motions by Renae Hudson
Words and Music by Kathy Ulrich
© 2007 Music Precedent, Ltd. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
I’m Diggin’ Life!
I’m diggin’ life in Jesus Christ!
Pretend to dig
Splashin’ in the living water.
Clasp hands, move in waves
Soakin’ up the sun,
Rub arms with imaginary sunscreen
havin’ me some fun,
Roll fists away from self
stayin’ faithful to the Father.
Point up
Jumpin’ into service
Jump and point down
‘round the world and ‘round the block.
Jump and point to sides, shoulders, up
Tearin’ down walls
Fists punch at the air
and buildin’ on the Rock.
Fists build upward
I’m diggin’ life in Jesus Christ!
Pretend to dig, point up
Diggin’ it, diggin’ it deep and wide.
Dig, point to ground, stretch arms out
Twenty-four seven on a spiritual high!
Cup hands to mouth
Even when it rains, I feel fine,
Make rain with fingers
because the Son of God always shines!
Open hands, scoop up and overhead
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!
Point at different spots in the air
Motions by Renae Hudson
Words and Music by Sarah Moore
© 2007 Music Precedent, Ltd. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Faithful Friend
Jesus, You are a
Left middle finger touches inside of right
palm; repeat with right middle finger and
left palm
faithful
Index finger touches forehead, one fist
on top of the other
friend,
Interlock index fingers of both hands
someone I can
Point to self
count on,
One fist on top of the other
‘cause You gave Your life
Hands move forward
to show Your love.
Cross arms over chest, fists clenched
Jesus, You are a
Left middle finger touches inside of right
palm; repeat with right middle finger and
left palm
faithful
Index finger touches forehead, one fist
on top of the other
friend.
Interlock index fingers of both hands
A friend
Interlock index fingers of both hands
loves
Cross arms over chest, fists clenched
at all times,
Index finger in air, draw circles [always]
and loving
Cross arms over chest, fists clenched
means to serve.
Slide one hand forward, move it back
while sliding other hand forward
Signs in American Sign Language, adapted by Renae Hudson
Words and Music by Rachel L. Harvey
© 2007 Music Precedent, Ltd. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Be a Good Friend
If you wanna have friends
you’ve got to be a good friend,
Put arms around kids on either side
living the love of Jesus.
Point upward
When you are a good friend
others notice and come,
High five kids on either side
drawn to the love of Jesus.
Point upward
Good friends
Point to kids
give before they take.
Open hand, palm up; close hand
Good friends
Point to kids
will forgive mistakes.
Palms face out, move from left to right
Good friends
Point to kids
want the best for you.
Clasp hands together
Good friends
Point to kids
help you live right too.
Raise arms, thumbs out
Motions by Renae Hudson
Words and Music by John H. Morton
© 2007 John H. Morton, admin. by Music Precedent, Ltd. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Great Love
Oh, what a great love;
Stretch arms to sides, cross over chest
Oh, what a wonderful love
that the Father has given us.
Raise arms above head, sway
Oh, what a great love;
Stretch arms to sides, cross over chest
Oh, what a wonderful love
that the Father has given us.
Raise arms above head, sway
We are called God’s children,
Pat the heads of imaginary kids
living in His light,
Palms out, circle hands outward
created in His image,
Hands overhead, palms in, move down
precious in His sight.
Fingers make Vs, move hands up
REPEAT CHORUS
We must love each other
Cross arms over chest
the way the Father does.
Point up
When we love our neighbors,
Cross arms over chest, thumbs point
over shoulders
they see God in us.
Point up, then to self
REPEAT CHORUS
Motions by Renae Hudson
Words and Music by Sarah Moore
© 2007 Music Precedent, Ltd. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
We’re Here to Serve
How many needs are in this world?
Right arm opens to side, then left
Seems too much for any boy or girl.
Shrug right shoulder, then left
Start with one and when you’re done,
Point, circle right
start all over again.
Point, circle left
Find a place where you can serve.
Raise arms from waist, palms up
Lend a hand to heal a hurt.
Clasp hands and raise together
Make a diff’rence in your world,
Draw an X in air with right hand then left
we all are here to serve.
Raise arms from waist, palms up
Motions by Renae Hudson
Words and Music by Sarah Moore
© 2007 Music Precedent, Ltd. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Shout It!
We can make a diff’rence
by reaching out together
to share God’s love with the world.
Raise arms above head, sway
The love of God is wider,
Reach out
it’s deeper and it’s higher.
Reach down, reach up and point
We can’t keep it inside!
Point to self, shake head
We’re gonna shout the love of Jesus,
shout it for all to hear!
Raise arms above head, sway
We’re gonna shout it!
Cup hands to mouth
(We’re gonna shout!)
Raise fist in air
We’re gonna shout it!
Cup hands to mouth
(We’re gonna shout!)
Raise fist in air
Motions by Renae Hudson
Words and Music by Darren Roos
© 2007 Music Precedent, Ltd. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Jesus, We Love You
Jesus, we love You.
Cross arms over chest, point up
(Jesus, we love You.)
You are great!
Make fists, raise arms upward
(You are great!)
We will follow You with our whole heart
Walking motion
and serve You
Slide arms forward
ev’ry day.
Raise arms overhead
Jesus, You have power,
Flex muscles
nothing is too hard for You.
Cross hands, palms down, shake head
We serve You
Slide one hand forward, move it back
while sliding other hand forward
by telling of all that You can do.
Point to mouth, swing arms down
You can change lives;
Arms swing down and cross over
You can make all things new.
Arms swing up and cross over
We can ask You for help
Praying hands, open
and You hear us.
Cup hands to ears
Motions by Renae Hudson
Words and Music by John H. Morton
© 2007 John H. Morton, admin. by Music Precedent, Ltd. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Ready to Serve
Verse 1
Ready to go where You will lead.
Right arm circles and points, then left
I’m ready, ready to serve.
Move arms as if running, then raise
Ready to love as You love me.
Cross arms over chest, point up, cross
arms
I’m ready, ready to serve.
Move arms as if running, then raise
Chorus
I’m ready, ready, Lord.
Move arms as if running, then point up
I’m ready to serve.
Move arms as if running, then raise
Walkin’ in faith and offering praise,
Walk in place, raise arms up from waist
I’m ready, ready to serve, yeah!
Move arms as if running, then raise
I’m ready, ready to serve.
Repeat previous motion
Verse 2
Ready to show Your power and love.
Flex muscles, cross arms over chest
I’m ready, ready to serve.
Move arms as if running, then raise
Ready to do when words aren’t enough.
Fists build, point to mouth, cross hands
I’m ready, ready to serve.
Move arms as if running, then raise
Motions by Renae Hudson
Words and Music by Sarah Moore
© 2007 Music Precedent, Ltd. All rights reserved. Used by permission.