Olusola Tribble, Member, The African American Lectionary Young Adult Liturgists Team
Worship Planning Notes
Keep in mind that this service is more song-focused, whereas Word and song work together normally. If there is a sermon during this service, it would be brief, perhaps just give a 10- or 15-minute reflection on the wisdom, teaching, encouragement, and spirit-ushering that singers and choir to do for the Christian community through song.
Be sure to coordinate with the other arts ministries and include them in the worship planning.
1. Instrumental Prelude, Spoken, or Sung Call to Worship
It’s the Same Spirit
Choir: (sung) Every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart I will pray. (Sing melody in unison, refrain only)
Group 1: No one can say, “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord.
Group 2: There are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestations of the Spirit for the common good.
Choir: (sung): I’m gonna sing when the Spirit says sing (3 times) and obey the Spirit of the Lord. (Sing melody in unison)
Group 1: To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit.
Group 2: To another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit.
Choir (sung): I’m gonna pray when the Spirit says pray (3 times) and obey the Spirit of the Lord. (Sing melody in unison)
Group 1: To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits.
Group 2: To another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
Choir (sung): I’m gonna shout when the Spirit says shout and obey the Spirit of the Lord. (Sing melody in unison)
Both Groups: All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
Choir (Sung): Every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart I will pray. Every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart I will pray. (Sing in harmony)
2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) We’ll Understand It Better By and By. By Charles A. Tindley
(b) I Love to Tell the Story. By A. Katherine Hankey
(c) Blessed Assurance. By Fanny Crosby
(d) Precious Memories. By J.B.F. Wright and Lonnie Combs
3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) One Day (Living He Loved Me). Traditional
(b) This Train. Traditional
(c) I’m Gonna Sing When the Spirit Says Sing. Spiritual
(d) Jesus I’ll Never Forget. Traditional
4. Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Lift Him Up. By Justin Lesley, Dwayne Gott, and J. Martin
(b) Psalm 27. By Donnie McClurkin
(c) By and By. By Clay Evans
5. Liturgical Dance and Mime Ministry Music
(a)My Faith Looks Up to Thee. By Kim Burrell
(b) Hallelujah to Your Name. By Tye Tribbett II
(c) Great Is the King. By James Fortune
6. Anthems
(a) My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord. By Moses Hogan
(b) I’m Gonna Sing When the Spirit Says Sing. By Howard Helvey
(c) Great Is Thy Faithfulness. By Mary McDonald
7. Modern Songs (Written between 2000–2010)
(a) Follow You. By James Fortune
(b) If Not for Your Grace. By Israel Houghton
(c) Who Else but God. By Tye Tribbett II
8. Music for Children and Youth
(a) Bless the Lord (Son of Man). By Tye Tribbett II, Dana Sorey, and Thaddaeus Tribbett
(b) That’s Who You Are. By Myron Bulter
(c) He Is Exalted/Give You Praise. By Youthful Praise
(d) He Is the Son of God. By Marilyn E. Thornton
9. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Give Thanks. By Henry Smith
(b) Offering. By Toby Hill
(c) And We Are Glad. By Joe Pace
10. Sermonic Selection
(a)Your Blood (The Communion Song). By Tye Tribbett II
(b) If Not for Your Grace. By Israel Houghton
(c) His Blood Still Works. By VaShawn Mitchell
11. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Anointing. By Donn C. Thomas
(b) Your Grace and Mercy. By Franklin D. Williams
(c) I Need Your Glory. By James Fortune
12. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Grace Alone. By Scott Wesley Brown
(b) Affirmation. By Marilyn E. Thornton
(c) We Offer Christ. By Joel Britton
13. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) We Are Singing (Siyahamba/Caminando). South African Hymn
(b) We Are Marching. South African Folksong
(c) Go Ye Now in Peace. By Joyce Eilers
Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed
1. Instrumental Prelude, Spoken, or Sung Call to Worship
It’s the Same Spirit. By Marilyn E. Thornton
Location:
The Africana Worship Book, Year A. Valerie Bridgeman Davis and Safiya Fosua, eds. Nashville, TN: Discipleship Resources, 2006. Pp. 132–133. Used with permission.
2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) We’ll Understand It Better By and By. By Charles A. Tindley
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2001. #418
The New National Baptist Hymnal. Nashville, TN: Triad Publications, 1975. #325
(b) I Love to Tell the Story. By A. Katherine Hankey
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #513
Chalice Hymnal. St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press, 1995. #480
The New National Baptist Hymnal. #407
(c) Blessed Assurance. By Fanny Crosby
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #508
Chalice Hymnal. #543
The New National Baptist Hymnal. #27
(d) Precious Memories. By J.B.F. Wright and Lonnie Combs
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #516
The New National Baptist Hymnal. #285
3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) One Day (Living He Loved Me). Traditional
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #235
(b) This Train. Traditional
Location:
Pearson, Carlton. Live at Azusa 2: Precious Memories. New York, NY: Word Entertainment, 1997.
(c) I’m Gonna Sing when the Spirit Says Sing. Spiritual
Location:
The New National Baptist Hymnal. #498
(d) Jesus I’ll Never Forget. Traditional
Location:
Pearson, Carlton. Live at Azusa 2: Precious Memories. New York, NY: Word Entertainment, 1997.
4. Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Lift Him Up. By Justin Lesley, Dwayne Gott, and J. Martin
Location:
Walker, Hezekiah & The Love Fellowship Choir. 20/85 The Experience. New York, NY: Zomba Recording LLC, 2005.
(b) Psalm 27. By Donnie McClurkin
Location:
Live in London and More. New York, NY: Verity, 2000.
(c) By and By. By Clay Evans
Location:
Still in the Mix. Jackson, MS: Blackberry Records, 2003.
5. Liturgical Dance and Mime Ministry Music
(a) My Faith Looks Up to Thee. By Kim Burrell
Location:
No Ways Tired. Newton, NJ: Shanachie Entertainment, 2009.
(b) Hallelujah to Your Name. By Tye Tribbett II
Location:
Victory Live! New York, NY: Sony, 2006.
(c) Great Is the King. By James Fortune
Location:
Fortune, James and FIYA. Transformation. New York, NY: Worldwide, 2008.
6. Anthems
(a) My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord. By Moses Hogan
Location:
Sheet Music Plus
1300 64th Street
Emeryville, CA 94608
Phone: 1-800-743-3868
