MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Friday, January 1, 2010

James Glover, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Organist, Israel Baptist Church, Washington, D.C., assisted by Carolyn Glover, Church of The Redeemer, Washington, D.C.

Emancipation Day (January 1)

O Lord, we celebrate your strong hand of deliverance. We have seen your grace in the midst of life’s burdens.

Lord God of Hosts, on the anniversary of our freedom from slavery, we know that we can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us. (see Phil. 4:13)

The Emancipation Proclamation freed African slaves in the United States on New Year’s Day in 1863. But actual freedom for the slaves did not come until a June day two and a half years later. This Juneteenth milestone reminds us of the triumph of the human spirit.

Lord God of Hosts, be with us always, as you were with Harriett Tubman.

The Constitution once defined African Americans as three-fifths human. But we have labored and died as whole men and women.

Lord God of Hosts, be with us always, as you were with Frederick Douglas.

The Thirteenth Amendment abolished the heinous institution of slavery, but we still struggle against the chains of racial discrimination.

Lord God of Hosts, be with us always, as you were with Vernon Johns.

The Fourteenth Amendment made us citizens by legislation because our blood, sweat, and tears helped to build this nation.

Lord God of Hosts, be with us always, as you were with Thurgood Marshall.

The Fifteenth Amendment said we could not be denied the right to vote because of our color; yet we have faced systematic exclusion from the political process, and we continue to struggle for full inclusion.

Lord God of Hosts, be with us always, as you were with Barbara Jordon.

The Twenty-fourth Amendment abolished poll taxes, voting tests, and other restrictions upon our right to vote; but these soon were replaced by gerrymandering and political apathy.

Lord God of Hosts, be with us always, as you were with Benjamin Quarles.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 translated into law most of the goals of the Civil Rights Movement, protecting all citizens from racial segregation and discrimination. Let us remain ever vigilant in our commitment to proactive citizenship.

Lord God of Hosts, be with us always, as you were with Stokely Carmichael.

Our hopes soar to heights of joy when we remember the emancipation of Nelson Mandela in 1990, and his ascendancy to President of South Africa after twenty-six long years in prison. Blessed are the righteous.

Lord God of Hosts, be with us always, as you were with Desmond Tutu.

Let us leave behind those sins that pulled us down in the old year, and answer the high calling of your will for our lives in the new year.

Lord God of Hosts, on the anniversary of our freedom from slavery, we know that we can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us. Amen.

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired. By Curtis Burrell. Arr. by Stephen Key and Nolan Williams, Jr.

(b) ‘Tis So Sweet. By John H. Stockton. Tune, Only Trust Him

(c) Great Is Thy Faithfulness. By Thomas O. Chisholm. Tune, (Faithfulness) by William M. Runyan

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Ezekiel Saw De Wheel. Negro Spiritual. Arr. by J. Jefferson Cleveland

(b) Father I Stretch My Hands to Thee. By Charles Wesley. Tune, (Martyrdom) by Hugh Wilson. Arr. by Nolan Williams

(c) Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel. Negro Spiritual. Arr. by Moses Hogan

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) I Will Trust in the Lord. Negro Spiritual. Arr. by Jeffrey Radford and Nolan Williams, Jr.

(b) We’ve Come This Far by Faith. By Albert Goodson. Arr. by Jimmie Abbington

(c) There’s a Bright Side Somewhere. Anonymous. Arr. by Joseph Joubert

5. Liturgical Dance and Death Ministries Music
(a) He Will Supply. By Kirk Franklin

(b) I Am the One. By Kurt Carr

6. Anthems
(a) Praise Ye the Lord. By James Glover

(b) O For a Faith. Arr. by Nathan Carter

(c) It Is Well. Arr. by Nathan Carter

7. Modern Songs
(a) My Eternal King. By James Glover

(b) Taste and See. By Kenneth Louis

(c) Lord I Thank You. By Rudolph Stansfield

8. Song or Instrumental for the Offertory Period
(a) Anthem of Praise. By Richard Smallwood

(b) Peace and Favor. By Kirk Carr

(c) Just Have Faith in God. By Phillip McIntyre

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) God Is. By Robert Fryson

(b) Just When I Need Him Most. By William C. Poole. Tune, (Gabriel) by Charles H. Gabriel

(c) Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand. By Jennie Wilson. Tune, (Unchanging Hand) by F. L. Eiland

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) I’ll Trust You. By James Fortune

(b) Why We Sing. By Kirk Franklin

(c) I’ll Trust You. By Richard Smallwood

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Your Grace and Mercy. By Frank Williams. Arr. by Nolan Williams, Jr.

(b) Come to Jesus. Traditional. Arr. by Evelyn Simpson-Curenton

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Lift Every Voice and Sing. By James Weldon Johnson. Tune, (Anthem) by J. Rosamund Johnson

(b) Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow. By Isaac Watts and William Keathe. Arr. by Roberta Martin

(c) God Be with You. By Thomas A. Dorsey. Arr. by Horace Clarence Boyer

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed