Sunday, May 11, 2008
Pamela Jean Davis, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Director of Worship Arts, Fountain of Praise Church, Houston, TX
Worship Planning Notes
These notes are provided by Teresa L. Fry Brown, Professor of Homiletics, Emory University,
who also prepared the lectionary commentary for today.
- Because Mother’s Day and Pentecost coincide, it is an opportunity to ask all to dress in
red or wear some measure of red to celebrate life in the church—not just physical birth, but spiritual birth and rebirth.
Print words in bulletins or recite phrases from works such as Langston Hughes’ “Mother to Son,” Alice Walker’s “Women,” the traditional hymn
“Faith of Our Mothers,” and the Boys to Men song, “Mama.”
- Consider the demographics of your congregation in terms of the types of
mothers who are present. Consider how many have deceased
mothers, incarcerated mothers, military mothers, foster mothers, etc.
In order to avoid excluding anyone from the sermon or worship experience.
Also remember you may have present women who are unable to have children and women who
have lost children.
- Have each person bring a photo of their mother or whomever nurtured them, or something that represents the woman’s impact.
At altar call or some designated period of worship ask persons to come
forward and lay them on tables or altars set up around the front
of the church or, depending on the size of the congregation, around the
building. Members can pause and say their own prayer of
thanksgiving for mothers before returning to their seats. Items can be retrieved at the end of worship. An alternative would be for someone
in your media ministry to ask for items two weeks before Mother’s Day and make a video of the items or pictures and show them during
the service.
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1. Litany | Black Mothers
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Leader |
All-knowing God, who sees and helps to bear the pains and disappointments of every black mother, we ask that you extend to our
mothers comfort and strength.
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Congregation |
We pray for black mothers everywhere. They give us life and love and hold our families together. Amid changing family structures we
remember mothers young and old, single mothers, homeless mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, and surrogate mothers.
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Leader |
We pray for black mothers who suffer due to unemployment, insufficient housing, and poor healthcare. Heal black mothers, Lord, as
they have often experienced mistreatment and witnessed the harsh abuse of their children, husbands, siblings, and parents.
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Congregation |
Divine Nurturer, fortify our mothers. Continue to make them a refuge in the time of trouble.
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Leader |
We pray for mothers and their children, as violent crimes and drug abuse conspire to tear the fiber of black families.
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Congregation |
We pray for black mothers of old who have bent their backs cleaning homes, picking cotton, and working by the sweat
of their brow. We thank them for their determination and their belief that education is a door to liberation and success.
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Leader |
God, empower black mothers to enrich the lives of their families. Aid them as they teach sons and daughters determination and the value
of investing in the future.
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Congregation |
Mothers have always been activists and leaders, teaching us how to live and making our communities better. We remember poet and
writer Frances E. W. Harper, who birthed a crusade against lynching during Reconstruction.
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Leader |
We remember Rosa Parks, who birthed a bus boycott, and Shirley Chisholm, who blazed the trail to high-profile public office for black women.
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Congregation |
We cherish mothers who teach, write, or preach the truth and who open the minds of children to limitless possibility.
We celebrate mothers who are homemakers, educators, authors, and pastors, who formulate ideas, expend creative energy, and
inspire young people to become leaders.
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Leader |
They have been a loving presence in business and play, in the arts and in all of life.
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All |
Because our mothers taught us that “the Lord will make a way out of no way,” we have the inheritance of a powerful
spiritual legacy. We give black mothers bouquets of gratitude and honor. Kind and Gentle Savior, ever bless them.
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2. Congregational Songs
(a) Dwell in Unity. By Pamela Jean Davis
(b) Faith of Our Mothers. By A. B. Patten. Tune, (ST. CATHERINE), by Henri Frederick Hemy
(c) Great Is Thy Faithfulness. By Thomas O. Chisholm. Tune, (FAITHFULNESS), with refrain by William M. Runyan
3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Even Me. Arr. By Doris Jones Wilson for SATB. Tune, (EVEN ME).
(b) Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit. Spiritual. Arr. By Moses Hogan for SATB
(c) Keep Me, Every Day. By F. L. Eiland. Tune by Emmet S. Dean
4.Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Change. By Patrick Love and Myron Williams
(b) Come Holy Spirit Medley. By Israel Houghton and Keith Staten
(c) Lord I Thank You. By Rudolph Stanfield
(d) One God. By Darlene Dennis
(e) Thou Art a Shield for Me. By Freda Tapp
5. Liturgical Dance Music
Assemble a multi-generational liturgical dance team that includes daughters, mothers, and grandmothers.
(a) Let It Be to Me. By Stormie and Michael Omaritian
(b) Lord, You’re Holy. By Eddie James
(c) Mama’s Kitchen. By H. Headley, D. Ramsey, S. Sanders, and T. Sims
(d) The Prayer. By David Foster and Carol Bayer Sager
6. Anthems
(a) A Virtuous Woman. By Guy Robinson. For SATB and solo
(b) Bless the Lord O My Soul. By Willis Barnett
(c) I Will Give Thanks Unto Thee. By G. Rossini. Arr. By Fitzhugh for SATB
(d) Praise Ye the Name of the Lord. By Gordon Young
7. Modern Songs
(a) Is My Living in Vain? By Twinkie Clark
(b) Oh Thou Most High. By Cedric Caldwell, Victor Caldwell, and CeCe Winans
8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) For Every Generation. Adaptation by Thomas Ken. Arr. By Monya Davis Logan
(b) Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow (Doxology). By Thomas Ken. Tune, (OLD 100),
attributed to Louis Bourgeois
(c) Running Over. By Joe Pace II
9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Come Holy Spirit Come. By Mary Alessi
(b) Holy Spirit Fill This Room. By Mary Alessi
(c) I Need You to Survive. By David Frazier. Arr. By Mark A. Miller
10. Sermonic Selection
(a) In the Midst of It All. By Kevin Bond
(b) Only if God Says Yes. By Kevin Bond
(c) We Need a Word from the Lord. By Thomas Whitfield
11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
Do You Know Jesus? By David Frazier
12. Benediction Song
Alpha and Omega. By Erasmus Mutanbira. Tune, Traditional African
13. Closing Prayer
Lord, we thank you for all of the mothers who came before us, and those who are here with us now to protect us and love us.
Thank you for allowing us to feel the love from our mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers so that we may pass
on the will, the strength, and the courage and faith they had, to do your will to raise a holy family that will follow you,
Lord. Cleanse us daily with new mercy to follow your directions, which we should take until you come again and
receive us faithful and just. Amen.
14. Audio Visual Suggestions
(a) Show pictures of strong, loving mothers on screens, and place such images on bulletin covers.
(b) Display quotes and poems on screens about mothers.
15. Other Recommendations
Blomgren, David, Dean Smith, and Douglas Christoffel, Ed. An Anthology of Articles on Restoring Praise & Worship to the Church. Shippensburg, PA: Revival Press, 1989.
This book can be a wonderful resource for women who, with the challenges of being wives, mothers, daughters, co-workers,
ministry leaders, etc., wish to re-establish praise and worship in their hearts and lives. Music has the ability to communicate
and influence. Music has purpose and power. With music, thoughts and emotions are the freight and music is the carrier.
This channel allows us to recognize and bless God, who created music, as we bless ourselves and others. A mother will
always have a song in her heart to encourage herself or find strength to make it through.
Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed
1. Litany - Black Mothers, used with permission.
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2001. #71
2. Congregational Songs
(a) Dwell in Unity. By Pamela Jean Davis
Location:
Zion Still Sings for Every Generation. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2007. #90
(b) Faith of Our Mothers. By A. B. Patten. Tune, (ST. CATHERINE), by Henri Frederick Hemy
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #410
African Methodist Episcopal Church. African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. Nashville, TN: African
Methodist Episcopal Church, 2006. #430
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. Nashville, TN: Triad Publications, 2005. #275
(c) Great Is Thy Faithfulness. By Thomas O. Chisholm. Tune, (FAITHFULNESS), with refrain by William M. Runyan
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #158
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. The A.M.E. Zion Hymnal Official Hymnal of the African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church. Charlotte, NC: A.M.E. Zion Pub. House, 1996. #80
Church of God in Christ. Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. Memphis, TN: Church of God in Christ Pub. Board in association with the Benson Co., 1982. #122
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications,
1987. #242
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #45
3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Even Me. Arr. By Doris Jones Wilson for SATB. Tune, (EVEN ME).
Location:
Doris Jones Wilson Choral Series. For SATB
Wilson Music
Phone: 314-524-9086
(b) Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit. Arr. By Moses Hogan for SATB
Location:
Hal Leonard Choral Series
7700 West Bluemound Road
Milwaukee, WI 53213
Phone: 414-774-3630
Online location: Sheet Music Plus: www.sheetmusicplus.com
(c) Keep Me, Every Day. By F. L. Eiland. Tune by Emmet S. Dean
Location:
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #124
4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Change. By Patrick Love and Myron Williams
Location:
Bynum, Juanita. A Piece of My Passion. Duluth, GA: Flow Records, 2006.
(b) Come Holy Spirit Medley. By Israel Houghton and Keith Staten
Location:
New Season. New York, NY: Integrity/Epic, 2001.
(c) Lord I Thank You. By Rudolph Stanfield
Location:
Anderson Sanctuary Choir. Joyful Praise. Jackson, MS: Malaco Records, 2004.
NTIME MUSIC COMPANY
4913 Albemarle Road #103
Charlotte, NC 28205
Phone: 704-531-8961
Online location: www.ntimemusic.com
(d) One God. By Darlene Dennis
Location:
Clark, Maurette Brown. The Dream. Atlanta, GA: AIR Gospel, 2006.
(e) Thou Art a Shield for Me. By Freda Tapp
Location:
Byron Cage (recorded live at New Birth Cathedral). Nashville, TN: Gospocentric, 2003.
5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Let It Be to Me. By Stormie and Michael Omaritian
Location:
Lewis, Crystal, Michael Omartian, et. Al. Child of the Promise A Musical Celebrating the Birth of Christ. Brentwood, TN: Sparrow Label Group, 2000.
(b) Lord, You’re Holy. By Eddie James
Location:
Baylor, Helen. My Everything. Franklin, TN: Provident Music Distribution, 2002.
(c) Mama’s Kitchen. By H. Headley, D. Ramsey, S. Sanders, and T. Sims
Location:
Winans, CeCe. Purified. New York, NY: Sony, 2005.
(d) The Prayer. By David Foster and Carol Bayer Sager
Location:
Adams, Yolanda and Donnie McClurkin. Again. New York, NY: Verity, 2003.
Dion, Celine, Andrea Bocelli, and R. Kelly. These Are Special Times. New York, NY: 550 Music/Epic, 1998.
6. Anthems
(a) A Virtuous Woman. By Guy Robinson. For SATB and solo
Location:
GIA Publications, Inc.
7404 South Mason Avenue
Chicago, IL 60638
Phone: 1-800-GIA-1358
Online location: www.giamusic.com
(b) Bless the Lord O My Soul. By Willis Barnett
Location:
(c) I Will Give Thanks Unto Thee. By G. Rossini. Arr. By Fitzhugh for SATB
Location:
(d) Praise Ye the Name of the Lord. By Gordon Young
Location:
7. Modern Songs
(a) Is My Living in Vain? By Twinkie Clark
Location:
Zie’L. Genesis. Nashville, TN: Light Records, 2006.
(b) Oh Thou Most High. By Cedric Caldwell, Victor Caldwell, and CeCe Winans
Location:
Winans, CeCe. Throne Room. New York, NY: Sony, 2003.
8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) For Every Generation. Adaptation by Thomas Ken. Arr. By Monya Davis Logan
Location:
Zion Still Sings for Every Generation. #214
(b) Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow (Doxology). By Thomas Ken. Tune, (OLD 100), attributed to Louis Bourgeois
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #651
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Hymnal. #15
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #305
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #18
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #58
Zion Still Sings for Every Generation. #214
(c) Running Over. By Joe Pace II
Location:
Pace, Joe. Joe Pace Presents Sunday Morning Service. Mobile, AL: Integrity Records, 2006.
9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Come Holy Spirit Come. By Mary Alessi
Location:
Munizzi, Martha. No Limits--Live. New York, NY: Integrity/Columbia, 2006.
(b) Holy Spirit Fill This Room. By Mary Alessi
Location:
Munizzi, Martha. No Limits--Live. New York, NY: Integrity/Columbia, 2006.
(c) I Need You to Survive. By David Frazier. Arr. By Mark A. Miller
Location:
Walker, Hezekiah, Kim Burrell, and John P. Kee. Family Affair II Live at Radio City Music Hall. New York, NY: Verity, 2002.
Zion Still Sings for Every Generation. #219
10. Sermonic Selection
(a) In the Midst of It All. By Kevin Bond
Location:
Adams, Yolanda. Mountain High-Valley Low. New York, NY: Elektra, 1999.
(b) Only if God Says Yes. By Kevin Bond
Location:
Adams, Yolanda. Believe. New York, NY: Elektra, 2001.
(c) We Need a Word from the Lord. By Thomas Whitfield
Location:
A Tribute to The Maestro. New York, NY: Zomba Recording Corp, 1993.
11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
Do You Know Jesus? By David Frazier
Location:
Walker, Hezekiah. 20/85 the Experience. New York, NY: Verity/Zomba, 2005.
12. Benediction Song
Alpha and Omega. By Erasmus Mutanbira. Tune, Traditional African
Location:
Zion Still Sings For Every Generation. #221
13. Closing Prayer written by Pamela Jean Davis.
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