KWANZAA

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Monday, December 26, 2011–Sunday, January 1, 2012

Michelle Riley Jones, Lectionary Team Liturgist

Worship Planning Notes

Kwanzaa was developed in the 1960s by Dr. Maulana Karenga as a non-religious holiday to celebrate African American culture. There are seven days in the Kwanzaa celebration. The first day of Kwanzaa, is called UMOJA, which means UNITY. While all of the principles can be acknowledged, in this Kwanzaa service we lift up the principle of Umoja [Oo-mo-jah]—Unity—traditionally celebrated on the first day of Kwanzaa. Unity stresses the importance of togetherness for the family and the community, which is reflected in the African saying, “I am We,” or “I am because We are.”

To further tie in the principles of Kwanzaa and of the principle Umoja in the worship service, you can:

• See the 2011 Kwanzaa Cultural Resource unit for great ideas;
  
  
• Hold a Kwanzaa meal before your Watch Night Service;
  
  
• Use the colors of Kwanzaa—black, red, and green—throughout the décor for the church. In this Kwanzaa service, the color red represents the struggle for self-determination and freedom by people of color. Black is the people, the earth, the source of life, representing hope, creativity, and faith and denoting messages and the opening and closing of doors. Green represents the earth that sustains our lives and provides hope, inspiration, employment, and the fruits of the harvest;
  
  
• Include traditional African items, i.e., African baskets, cloth patterns, art objects, harvest symbols, etc., as part of the decorations;
  
  
• Select a variety of musical artists, styles, and instruments. Kwanzaa music was originally composed by African artists. Start with traditional African music, but also pick some modern musicians, children's groups, and instrumental (drumming) songs. Look for music created exclusively using traditional instruments, such as slit gongs, musical bows, and rattles; and
  
  
• Show unity by having the congregation form a circle around the sanctuary to sing a closing hymn, recite a closing litany, and/or pray at the end of the service.

Ideas for Children

• Use Sabbath and Sunday School times, Children’s Church, etc., to creatively introduce the principles of Kwanzaa to children and youth through use of storytelling, puppetry, drama, art, etc. See the 2011 Kwanzaa Cultural Resource unit for additional excellent ideas.
  
  
• If you have a separate Fellowship Hall or chapel, have the children present a Kwanzaa program of their own. (See #15b.)

1. Litany, or Responsive Reading, or Invocation
Instrumental Prelude
(a) Stepping (Isise). By Babatunde Olatunji. This is a wonderful drumming/percussion piece for a prelude leading into the processional.

Processional
(b) Ise Oluwa (The Work of the Lord). Nigerian Christian Song. Choral SATB with percussion

(c) Ise Oluwa [The Work of the Lord]. Nigerian Christian Song. This selection is a slightly more gospelized version, also with percussion.

(d) Come Let Us Sing/He Is Exalted. By David Baroni and Twila Paris. This contemporary song has African-inspired rhythms and percussion.

(e) Children, Go Where I Send Thee. African American spiritual. This is a spirited rendition of this favorite spiritual.

Call to Worship
(f) Umoja—Our Precious Oil. By Michelle Riley Jones

Umoja—Our Precious Oil

On this first day of Kwanzaa, we gather in the spirit of Umoja, the spirit of unity.
For it is written, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
It is our precious oil, poured on bowed heads, to consecrate us.
It is like the dew from the Zion, falling on the people of God, to bless us.
Come and let us worship our Three-in-One God–perfect unity.
For in our God there are blessings evermore.

(g) Habari Gani (What’s the Good News?)—A Call to Worship for Kwanzaa Service. By Michelle Riley Jones

Habari Gani (What’s the Good News?)—A Call to Worship for Kwanzaa Service

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) The Church’s One Foundation. Text by Samuel J. Stone. Tune, (AURELIA), by Samuel S. Wesley

(b) In Christ There Is No East or West. By John Oxenham. Tune, (MC KEE), by Harry T. Burleigh

(c) Lift Every Voice and Sing. By James Weldon Johnson. Tune, (ANTHEM), by J. Rosamund Johnson

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) True Light. Arr. by Keith Hampton. For SATB

(b) They Will Know We Are Christians. By Peter Scholtes

(c) I Want Jesus to Walk with Me. Spiritual

(d) Plenty Good Room. Spiritual

(e) Woke Up This Morning. Traditional

(f) Come Here Jesus, If You Please. Spiritual

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
Praise Team
(a) We Are One. By Brian Doerksen and William H. Murphy III

(b) Bless the Lord Medley: I Will Bless Thee Oh Lord/Bless His Holy Name/Here We Are in Your Presence/He Has Made Me Glad. By Ester Watanabe. Traditional

(c) Let’s Rejoice. By Ester Lowery and Stuart Lowery

Choirs/Ensembles
(d) Walk Like Jesus. By Dana Davis

(e) Nothing Shall Separate Me. By Butch Heyward

(f) For Who You Are. By Ricardo Sanchez

(g) New Doxology. By Genevan Psalter, Thomas Ken, and Thomas Miller

(h) The Lord Is on Our Side. By V. Mitchell and R. Robinson

5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Ministry Music
(a) What Would I Do without You. By Myron Williams

(b) I Command My Soul. By M. Lamar Campbell

(c) Bless the Lord. By Fred Cleveland

(d) Moving Forward. By Israel Houghton and Ricardo Sanchez

6. Anthems
(a) Christ for the World We Sing. By Craig Courtney. For choral SATB. Optional brass

(b) Amen Is Where We Begin. By Pepper Choplin. For SATB choir and solo

(c) Lift Every Voice and Sing. By James Weldon Johnson and John Johnson. A capella arr. by Jody Gray

7. Songs for Children and Youth
(a) Children, Go Where I Send Thee. African American traditional

(b) Happy. By Tasha Cobbs

(c) My Shepherd. By Nicole C. Mullen

(d) Kwanzaa. By Stan Spottswood

(e) Umoja. By Charles Mims Jr. and Patsy Moore

(f) Umoja: Unity. By Denis Fortune and Alan Jackson

8. Modern Songs (Written between 2000-2010)
(a) Just a Prayer Away. By Walter Hawkins

(b) Say What You Believe. By Trey Heffinger and Scotty Wilbanks

(c) Kingdom Come. By Nicole C. Mullen

9. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) A Friend. By Dana Davis, Lashon Hayes, and Stephanie Mayer

(b) Stand by Me. By Ben E. King

(c) What Shall I Render. By Margaret Douroux

10. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Prayers of the Righteous. By Israel Houghton, Aaron Lindsey, and Adrian Lindsey

(b) Power in the Name of Jesus. By Keith Laws

(c) More of Thee. By Tammi Haddon

11. Sermonic Selection
(a) Speak a Word. By Rick Robinson

(b) Just a Prayer Away. By Greg Curtis and Gregory Curtis

(c) Simply Redeemed. By Isaac Carree

12. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Called to Be. By Jonathan Nelson

(b) Your Glory. By Stephen Hurd

13. Instrumental
(a) Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. By Robert Robertson. Arr. by Tim Green

(b) The Gathering. By Daniel Weatherspoon and Michael Weatherspoon

(c) Dawn of Umoja. By Blue Salim

14. Benediction Spoken, Sung, or Instrumental
Benediction Prayer
(a) Benediction for Kwanzaa—Umoja (based on Acts 4 and 1 Peter 3). By Michelle Riley Jones

Benediction for Kwanzaa—Umoja

As the disciples took the Good News to the people, the Holy Spirit was upon them.
And the whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind!
As it was then, so it is again, that the Spirit has been poured upon us from on high.

In our closing moments of worship,
we leave here renewed in our commitment, Oh God, to:
be of one mind—a mind stayed on Thee;
have compassion towards each other;
love one another as brothers and sisters;
bless each other; knowing that we are called to the ministry of love.

We go from this place on one accord—in the spirit of
Umoja,
Kujichagulia,
Ujima,
Ujamaa,
Nia,
Kuumba,
Imani,
And in the Spirit of our God.
Be with us all Lord.
Amen.

Songs for Benediction
(b) I Then Shall Live. By William Gaither

(c) Blest Be the Tie That Binds. By John Fawcett. Tune, (DENNIS), by John G. Nageli

Sending Song
(d) Seven Joyous Days: Celebrate Kwanzaa. By Denis Fortune and Alan Jackson

15. Other Suggestions
(a) Presentation of the Symbols of Kwanzaa. The Kwanzaa table may be overlaid with Kente or other Africa-inspired fabric. Two persons may do this as the leader begins, or the overlay may be placed prior to the start of service. Persons designated to place a symbol on the table will recite the description of the symbol as they place it on the table. This should be rehearsed ahead of the service for proper placement of the symbols on the table.

Leader: This is an educational and spiritual service. We now place the symbols of Kwanzaa.

Person 1: Mazao—crops—represent the historical roots of the holiday itself and the rewards of collective productive labor.

Person 2: Mkeka—straw mat—is the symbol of a tradition which is the foundation of the community.

Person 3: Kinara—candleholder—is the symbol of those forebears and ancestors of continental Africa.

Person 4: Muhindi—ear of corn—represents the children of a household.

Person 5: Zawadi—gifts—are symbolic of the seeds sown for the children and the fruits of labor.

Person 6: Kikombe cha Umoja—the unity cup—symbolizes the primary principle of Kwanzaa which is unity.

Person 7: Mishumaa Saba—the seven candles—represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

(b) Present a Children’s Mini-Musical. One possibility is the Kwanzaa Suite—A Musical Celebration by Stan Spotswood. This 35-minute program of nine memorable songs and narration presents a variety of styles that shine a musical light on the history and meaning of Kwanzaa. Online location: http://www.stanspottmusic.com/kwanzaaSuite.htm

(c) Hold a Kwanzaa Feast or Karamu, traditionally held on December 31. This can be held just prior to your Watch Night Service, as a communal and cooperative fellowship. If held on December 31, I would suggest very little “programming” since it would precede the Watch Night Service. If held on another day, you can develop a broader feast and program of ceremony and cultural expressions involving welcoming, remembering, reassessment, recommitment, and rejoicing. The feast can feature traditional Kwanzaa foods and symbols of Kwanzaa.

(d) Kwanzaa Music—there are many online references to help in selecting music:

• http://www.cobbala.com/
• http://www.movers.com/guides/kwanzaa-music.html
• http://www.kwanzaamedia.com/video.htm

(e) Kwanzaa Worship Service, “Celebrating Kwanzaa: In Culture and with Christ,” by Michelle Riley Jones

The lighting of the Kwanzaa candles will take place throughout the service. Seven individuals may be selected to light a candle with each associated recitation. The worship planner can incorporate various types of presentations (i.e., reading, poetry, dramatic presentation, dance, instrumental selection, congregational readings, etc.) for each candle lighting.

Celebrating Kwanzaa: In Culture and with Christ

Prelude (Drumming)—“Drums of Passion”

Processional—“Ise Oluwa”

Call to Worship—“Umoja—Our Precious Oil”

Invocation

Hymn of Praise—“Children, Go Where I Send Thee”

Scripture or Litany—“Habari Gani (What’s the Good News?)—A Call to Worship for Kwanzaa Service”

Praise and Worship

Welcome

The Prologue
(Explain what Kwanzaa is and why it was created.)

Presentation of the Symbols of Kwanzaa (see 15a.)

Music Ministry

Lighting the Seven Kwanzaa Candles

Leader: “In this Kwanzaa Service, the representative colors are red, black, and green. The color red represents the struggle for self-determination and freedom by people of color. Black is the people, the earth, the source of life, representing hope, creativity, and faith and denoting messages and the opening and closing of doors. Green represents the earth that sustains our lives and provides hope, inspiration, employment, and the fruits of the harvest.”

Umoja—Unity
(Ephesians 4:1-5; Acts 2:46; Romans14:19; 1 John 4:7)

Leader: “We pay tribute to the unity that is the foundation of the family and the community. We strive for and maintain unity in the family, community and race.”

Kujichagulia—Self-Determination
(Genesis 1:26; Ruth 1:16; 2 Kings 20:1-6; Esther 4:16; Philippians 3:14)

Leader: “We honor our identity, heritage and value. To define ourselves, name ourselves, create ourselves, and speak for ourselves instead of being defined, created & spoken for by others.”

Music Ministry

Ujima—Collective Work & Responsibility
(John 9:4; John 5:2-9; 1 Corinthians 12:13,14,18-26)

Leader: “We reaffirm the traditional values of generosity & cooperation, pledging to solve problems together for the good of the community.”

Ujama—Cooperative Economics
(Genesis 45:18; Malachi 3:10; Acts 2: 44-45; Hebrews 7:5)

Leader: “We recommit ourselves to supporting and building our own shops, stores, businesses and enterprises.”

Ministry of Giving of our Tithes and Offerings

Congregational Prayer of Dedication

Nia—Purpose
(Exodus 4:15,16; Isaiah 49:1,3; Jeremiah 1:4,5,9; Romans 8:28)

Leader: “We rededicate ourselves to preserving and appreciating our proud heritage, passing the same dedication on to future generations.”

Kuumba—Creativity
(1 Kings 17:10-16; Job 22:28; John 1:1,14; John 2:1-11; Timothy 1:6-7)

Leader: “We strive to use our talents, imagination, and creativity to bring harmony and beauty to our community.”

Music Ministry

Imani—Faith
(Psalm 36:7; Isaiah 43:1-2; Matthew 21:21-22; Hebrews 11:1-3)

Leader: “We believe we can transcend and transform our difficulties with thoughtful action, sustaining the eternal hope that no matter where we travel we are never alone.”

Call to Discipleship

Acknowledgments

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

Worship Planning Notes

• Quote taken from article by Ellen G. White, “Unity in the Church,” written in 1880. Accessed at http://www.reocities.com/xbenson1888/Review/Review08/Article09.html 4 May 2011



• Suggestions for use of colors in Kwanzaa found at:
  Location:
  
  Riley, Dorothy Winbush. The Complete Kwanzaa. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 1995, p. 24.