MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCE

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Michelle Riley Jones, Lectionary Team Liturgist

Worship Planning Notes

“African man don’t you know, with a fist, your love  don’t show.”

The scriptures contain story after story of violence against women: Dinah (Genesis 34), Tamar (2 Samuel 13), the Levite’s concubine (Judges 19), and Vashti (Esther 1), to name a few. In addition, there are scriptural passages that are interpreted by some to confirm male dominance over women: “Wives, be subject to your husbands as you are to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the church, the body of which he is the Savior. Just as the church is subject to Christ, so also wives ought to be, in everything, to their husbands” (Ephesians 5:22-24, NRSV). Many do not continue with or use alone the scripture that is an integral part of the description of a relationship between a husband and a wife: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her . . .” (Ephesians 5:25, NRSV).

Christians, either by our silence or our instruction, have too often communicated to battered women that they should stay in abusive relationships, try to be better wives, and/or “forgive and forget.” We have also often ignored children and their cries for help.

Violence and victimization are never God’s will! “The thief [abuser] comes only to steal [your freedom in Christ] and kill [your joy] and destroy [your faith in God]. I came that they may have life [safety and wholeness], and have it abundantly” (John 10:10, emphasis added). Jesus understood his ministry “to proclaim release to the captives. . .” (Luke 4:18, quoting Isaiah 61, NRSV). Jesus also told the story of the Good Samaritan to emphasize our responsibility to stop and care for the victim.

In this service, you have an opportunity to convey true love, compassion, and restoration that Jesus’ ministry taught. Here are some general suggestions:

• If this service is not held during the regular Sabbath or Sunday morning worship times, consider an evening service held by candlelight.

• Ensure that your greeters and ushers exude warmth as they greet people. If congregational greeting is not a regular part of your worship service, consider adding a short period of congregational greeting following the guest/visitor welcome. During this time, congregants can warmly greet each other. Godly hugs or warm handshakes can foster an environment of acceptance and support to those who may be in need.

• Utilize moments of quiet reflection throughout the service to give opportunities for individuals to think on key points throughout the service. Music can be played during this period, and/or you may utilize the Media Ministry to show short vignettes.

• Include a period of testimony during the service. Allow select women or children who survived domestic violence to tell their stories. Work with all who are to testify concerning appropriateness of comments and length.

• Designate a room nearby the sanctuary as a Prayer Room where individuals may go before, DURING, and after the service to pray with a Minister, Elder, Deacon, or member of your prayer ministry. This environment may also be conducive to Ministers or Elders employing guided prayers. Place a tabletop fountain in the prayer room (provides an ambience of “healing waters”) and play meditative music.

• The service should include an Altar Call for those suffering and recovering from domestic violence.

1. Litany, Responsive Reading, or Invocation
Music for Invocation
(a) Come Holy Spirit. By Derrick L. James

Music for Gathering
(b) Praise in the Temple (It’s Service Time). By Alvin Darling, D.A. Johnson, and Dorothy Norwood

Invocation
(c) Kum Ba Ya, My Lord, for the Victims of Domestic Violence. By Michelle Riley Jones (with the song “Kum Ba Ya” by Marvin V. Frey)

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) O Perfect Love. By Dorothy B. Gurney. Tune, (O PERFECT LOVE), by Joseph Barnby

(b) Happy the Home. By Henry Ware. Tune, (ST. AGNES C.M.), by John B. Dykes

(c) The Gift of Love. Text and Tune, (GIFT OF LOVE), by Hal Hopson

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Steal Away. African American Spiritual

(b) Sing ‘Til the Power of the Lord Comes Down. Spiritual. Arr. By Alan J. Hommerding. For SATB, a cappella

(c)  Hold On. African American Spiritual. Arr. By Rosephayne Powell. This selection is a  
      fresh urban take on this spiritual.
Audio Sample: http://www.inkhornmusic.com/credits_motherlesschild.php

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) He Loves Me. By C. Ronald Williams, II

(b) The Love Medley (Oh How He Loves You and Me). By Kurt Kaiser

(c) God Can Do Anything. By Kevin Williams

(d) We Declare a War on Sin. By Evelyn Turrentine-Agee

5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Group Music
(a) Rock-A My Soul. Spiritual. Arr. By Howard Roberts. This selection can be performed with choir and liturgical dance ministries.

(b) I Will Find My Way. By Fred Hammond

(c) Love (Remix). By Kirk Franklin

(d) Love. By Bama Boyz, Mathew Knowles, Jesse Rankins, Eddie Smith III, Angel Taylor, and Jonathan Wells

6. Anthems
(a) Even Me. Traditional. Arr. By Michael Reid. For SATB choir, with solo

(b) Make Haste, O God. By Rosephayne Powell

7. Modern Songs
(a) He Loves Me. By Belinda Telemaque

(b) He Loves Me. By Hilary Weeks

(c) God Is in Control. By Clenord Ferguson

(d) My Jesus I Love Thee. By William F. Featherston. Tune, (GORDON), by Adoniram J. Gordon

8. Songs for Children/On Behalf of Children
(a) He Keeps Me Singing as I Go.

(b) The Joy of the Lord. Text and Tune, (JOY OF THE LORD), by Aliene G. Vale

(c) Pray. By Mary Alessi

(d) What about the Children (Live). By BeBe Winans

9. Song or Instrumental for the Offertory Period
(a) God’s Got a Blessing (With My Name on It). By Norman Hutchins

(b) Still I Rise. By Rosephayne Powell. For SSA women’s choir. This is a women’s anthem, saluting the strength of women to persevere through life’s difficulties.

The Prayer of a Woman Suffering Domestic Violence

God, are you listening? Please do not turn away from hearing my pleas. Let me know you are here. I need your direction, for I am consumed by shame and pain. I am afraid, my knees are wobbly; I am distraught and overwhelmed. If I had wings—I would fly away—and be at peace. I would go far away from here. I am desperate to get away from the turmoil and violence that surrounds my life.

Day and night his brutality encircles me; I am demoralized. Lord, it is not my enemies who oppress me—maybe I could handle that. But it is my companion, my spouse, with whom I took a solemn vow. Life used to be good; together, we and our children, delighted in you. Yet, it is this companion from whom I now seek deliverance. I will cry to you day and night. You have promised you will hear and deliver me. My abuser has broken his vow to me. He is smooth-talking and charming on the outside, yet his heart remains bent on violence against me.

I am grateful I can talk to you, and I place all my trust in you. You must hold me up, for I cannot make it without you. Thank you for sending deliverance soon and very soon. Amen.

Music
(a) Perfect Love. By Dorothy F. Gurney. Tune, (O PERFECT LOVE), by Joseph Barnby. This selection speaks to a husband and wife becoming one flesh.

(b) The Bond of Love. Text and Tune, (BOND OF LOVE), by Otis Skillings. This selection emphasizes God’s commandment that we love one another.

(c) Rachel’s Song. By Nolan Williams, Jr.

(d) Someone Watching Over You. By Gordon Chambers, Barry Eastmond, and Phil Gladston

11. Songs for Abusers
(a) Happy the Men Who Jesus Knows. By Charles Wesley. Tune, (VENETIA), from the London Tune Book

(b) Give Me a Clean Heart. By Margaret Pleasant Douroux

(c) Make Me a Channel of Your Peace. By Sebastian Temple

(d) In Your Presence, O God. By Lynn DeShazo

(e) Just Love. By Brian Courtney Wilson

(f) Do Right. By Damon Little

12. Sermonic Selection
(a) Jesus Is a Love Song. By Elbertina Clark

(b) He Loves Me (Live). By Veda McCoy

(c) No Weapon. By Dan Davis, Lashon Hayes, and Stephanie Meyer

(d) Take the Pain Away. By Richard Smallwood

(e) He Loves Me. By Kirk Franklin

13. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Spirit Song. By John Wimber

(b) Oh How He Loves You and Me. By Kurt Kaiser

(c) He Won’t Leave You. By Richard Smallwood

(d) Dedication to Mom: I’d Rather Have Jesus. By Rhea F. Miller and George Beverly Shey. This selection is a piano solo.

(e) Come Follow Me. By Joseph Martin and J. Paul Williams. Tune by Joseph Martin. For SATB, from the Cantata “A Time for Alleluia.” Orchestration by Brant Adams is also available. This selection is a wonderful invitation to discipleship and challenge to follow in the footsteps of the Master.

14. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Benediction. (‘Til We Meet Again). By Evelyn Turrentine-Agee. This selection includes spoken word scripture passages from Psalm 139.

(b) My Peace I Leave with You. By Wendell Craig Woods. For SATB choir

(c) Be With Us All, Lord. By Uzee Brown, Jr.

(e) Take the Name of Jesus with You. By Lydia Baxter. Tune, (PRECIOUS NAME), by William H. Doane

15. Audio Visual Suggestions
Images for Bulletins and Videos
(a) Use images of a couple displaying anger; women and/or children displaying fear, crying; images of a man crying; positive male/female interactions; positive family interactions, etc.

Videos
In addition to the two videos that accompany today’s material, the following are powerful videos that speak to the themes of domestic violence.

(b) Broken Wing. By Martina McBride. In this country and western tune, a woman manages to leave an abusive situation, and despite years of oppression, she learns to “fly.”

(c) Independence Day. By Martina McBride. This song is an acclaimed anti-domestic violence anthem.

(e) African Lady (The Anti-Domestic Violence Anthem). By L. Kabasomi Kakoma and Fela Antikulapo Kuti. This is a wonderful jazz offering that features a feast of percussion.

16. Other Recommendations
Worship Resources
(a) Worship Resource Packet: The Black Church and Domestic Violence Institute provides a Domestic Violence Sabbath Observance (DVSO) resource packet. These liturgical models include various educational resources that are designed to aid clergy in leading their congregations in recognizing the epidemic of domestic violence and its tragic effects upon women of faith. The DVSO resource packet includes: litany, sample bulletin, candle lighting ceremony, DVSO post cards, and other materials. See the lectionary commentary for more information or call them at (770) 909-0715.

Drama Resources
(b) Drama/Dramatic Reading: Have your drama team develop a sketch on domestic violence. Or, bring in a drama group. Why Won’t She Leave? Is a 1-hour monologue by Healing Waters Productions which features four women dealing with the question most asked of women living with domestic violence.

Training Resources
(c) Faith-Based Training Program: Through the This Far by Faith Leadership Institute Pastors and ministry leaders can attend training supporting the empowerment and leadership development of religious leaders in the historic Black Church in prevention of and in response to domestic violence. It provides an appropriate response, from a faith-based perspective, to African American women and children impacted by domestic violence or intimate partner violence.

(d) Video: The Preachers: Working to End Sexual and Domestic Violence features sermons by ordained clergy who have survived partner violence. Each sermon contains insightful discourses into domestic violence as it relates to issues of faith. This video also includes a companion study guide to facilitate discussion. It is produced by The Black Church and Domestic Violence Institute.

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

Invocation
(c) Kum Ba Ya, My Lord, for Victims of Domestic Violence. By Michelle Riley Jones (with the song “Kum Ba Ya” by Marvin V. Frey)

10. Prayer, Song, or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
Prayer
(a) The Prayer of a Woman Suffering Domestic Violence (Based on Psalm 55:1-2, 5-14, 16-22). By Michelle Riley Jones

15. Audio Visual Suggestions
Images for Bulletins and Videos
(a) Images can be found at www.istockphoto.com.