CHRISTIAN EDUCATION SUNDAY
(Sunday School and Bible Training Emphasis)
MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Leo H. Davis, Jr., Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Minister of Music, Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, Memphis, TN
Worship Planning Notes
While in one sense, each Sunday is a moment of Christian education in the life of a church, on this Sunday, the Christian
Education Department and all Christian education entities (which includes all areas of a church), are celebrated and promoted.
Christian education is a critical tool in shaping spiritual awareness and positive self-image in children and adults.
This shaping occurs throughout all areas of the church, often even when people are unaware that it is occurring. With
that in mind, make special efforts to hold activities prior to this service that encourage and promote Christian education.
Instead of holding the usual weekly church activities the week before this Sunday, all of the week's activities would be devoted to
strengthening Christian education in your church. Be sure to develop a theme for the week and to carefully plan all
activities for maximum participation. Do not expect people to come—invite them via phone, email, the church’s website,
and by mail. The following are potential activities for your Christian Education Week celebration.
Possible Week Long Activities
One evening during a meal for singles, offer a special class on an issue of interest to the singles in your church and tie
the gathering to Christian education. Have a plan in place to continue the effort in some fashion.
Offer an evening of Bible Fun and Facts. On this occasion, members of the church are dressed as various biblical characters.
Selected members will provide the biographies of biblical characters and if applicable, information about the books of the Bible
that were written by the characters they represent. Encourage children and youth to dress as characters and allow them to make presentations. Prizes for children, youth,
and new converts should be included as part of the evening’s activities.
Over one or two evenings, offer training classes for all departments of the church including: the diaconate, stewards,
trustees, teachers, choirs, ministers, and ushers. Bring in trainers if possible.
The week’s activities would culminate with a service on Sunday at which the highlights of the week’s
activities are mentioned during the service and in the church bulletin.
1. Litany
Do You Know Who You Are?
Leader
Do you know who and Whose you are?
Youth:
I am unashamedly Black. Even though I may be called out of my
name: because of my blackness, I am nonetheless unashamedly
Black.
Leader
Consider who and Whose you are.
Youth:
God made me who I am, and I am Whose I am.
Leader
God created the whole human race according to God’s likeness.
Youth:
I am included in that creation.
Leader
Remember that you are created by God with the identity of God’s people.
Youth:
We belong to God and are not ashamed of this belonging and what it means for
our lives as Christians who are young, gifted, and Black.
All:
God, the name above all names, provides the basis for our valued
human identity. Knowing this gives us reason to disclaim
language and behavior that disaffirms that identity.
2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
Hymns
(a) I Love to Tell the Story. By A. Katherine Hankey. Music by William G. Fischer. Tune, (HANKEY).
(b) Lord, I Want to Live for Thee. Arr. by Leo H. Davis, Jr.
Congregational Songs
(c) Lead On, O Cloud of Presence. By Ruth Duck. Music by Henry T. Smart. Tune, (LANCASHIRE).
(d) Christ’s Word to Us Is Like a Burning Fire. By Jane Parker Huber. Music by George Warren
(e) World without Walls. By David A. Robb and Amanda Husberg
3. Spirituals or Prayer and Praise Hymns
Spirituals
(a) I Opened My Mouth to the Lord. Arr. by Raymond Wise
(b) Fix Me, Jesus. Arr. by Hall Johnson
(c) I Know I’ve Been Changed. Arr. by Damon Dandridge
Prayer and Praise Hymns
(d) Satan, We’re Gonna’ Tear Your Kingdom Down.
(e) I’m Glad I Got That Old Time Religion.
(f) I Know His Blood Has Made Me Whole!
4. Modern Songs
The suggested modern songs are designated for ensembles with experienced vocalists.
(a) Search Me, Lord. By Edwin Hawkins
(b) Becoming the Kingdom. By Nolan Williams, Jr.
(c) I Owe You More. By Pamela Jean Davis
(d) Even Me. Arr. by Michael Reid
5. Liturgical DanceMusic
Teach Me Oh Lord. By Thomas Whitfield
6. Offertory Song or Instrumental
Organ Offertory
Fix Me, Jesus. Arr. by Ralph Simpson
7. Anthems
(a) Lord, Thou Hast Searched and Known Me. By Eugene Butler
(b) God Is My Rock. By Andy Beck
(c) Psalm 139. By Allen Pote
8. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) I’ll Say Yes. By Carol Cymbala
(b) Down at the Altar. By Joe Pace
9. Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Turn It Around. By Israel Houghton and Aaron Lindsay
(b) King of Kings. By DeMarcus Williams and Myron Williams
(c) Yes. By Valencia Lacy
10. Invitational Song or Instrumental
I Surrender All. By Judson W. Van De Venter
11. Benediction Song orInstrumental
Order My Steps in Your Word. By Glenn Burleigh
12. Audio Visual Suggestions
Place images of persons in Bible study and Sunday school classes on screen, bulletins, and on walls. If your church holds a week
of Christian education training prior to this service, display images from the week’s activities.
Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed
1. Litany - "Do You Know Who You Are?” written by leaders of the Youth Hope-Builders Academy of the
Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA. Used with permission.
2. Hymns and Congregational Songs Hymns
(a) I Love to Tell the Story. By A. Katherine Hankey. Music by William G. Fischer. Tune, (HANKEY).
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2001. #513
African Methodist Episcopal Church. African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. Nashville, TN:
African Methodist Episcopal Church, 2006. #217
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Hymnal. Charlotte, NC: A.M E. Zion Publishing House, 1957. #389
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. #450
Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. His Fullness Songs. Jackson, MS: National Pub. Board of the Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A., 1977. #167
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. Nashville, TN: Triad Publications, 2001 #424
King, D. E. The New Progressive Baptist Hymnal: Aids to Worship Through Living Standard Hymns, Favorite Gospel Songs, Choice Anthems, Best Loved Chants, and Responsive Readings for Live People Who Join in Soulful Worship in Living Churches and Related Activities. Washington, D.C.: Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc., 1982. #408
(b) Lord, I Want to Live for Thee. Arr. by Leo H. Davis, Jr.
Location:
J.W. Pepper & Sons Incorporated
2480 Industrial Boulevard
Paoli, PA 19301
Phone: 1-800-345-6296
Congregational Songs
(c) Lead On, O Cloud of Presence. By Ruth Duck. Music by Henry T. Smart. Tune, (LANCASHIRE).
Location:
Abbington, W. James, Ed. New Wine in Old Wineskins: A Contemporary Congregational Song Supplement. Vol. 1. Chicago, IL: GIA
Publications, 2007. #37
Brenner, Athalya, Ed. Genesis: A Feminist Companion to the Bible. England: Sheffield Academic Press, 1998, p. 89.
(d) Christ’s Word to Us Is Like a Burning Fire. By Jane Parker Huber. Music by George Warren
Location:
New Wine in Old Wineskins. #8
(e) World without Walls. By David A. Robb and Amanda Husberg
This hymn comes in the musical (rhythmic) style called the “Highlife.” Highlife music or rhythm was created in the western
part of Africa. It is basically a fusion of Caribbean, West and Central African indigenous rhythms, such as Calypso, Samba,
Kwasa, and Kpanlogo.
Location:
Zion Still Sings for Every Generation. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2007. #102
3. Suggested Spirituals or Prayer and Praise Hymns
Spirituals
(a) I Opened My Mouth to the Lord. Arr. by Raymond Wise
Location:
J.W. Pepper & Sons Incorporated
Phone: 1-800-345-6296
Online location: www.jwpepper.com
(c) I Know I’ve Been Changed. Arr. by Damon Dandridge
Location:
J.W. Pepper & Sons Incorporated
Phone: 1-800-345-6296
Online location: www.jwpepper.com
Prayer and Praise Hymns
(d) Satan, We’re Gonna’ Tear Your Kingdom Down.
Location:
Walker, Wyatt Tee, C. E. Cooper, and James Abbington. Spirits That Dwell in Deep Woods: The Prayer and Praise Hymns of the
Black Religious Experience. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 1987, 1988, 1981. #142
(e) I’m Glad I Got That Old Time Religion.
Location:
Spirits That Dwell in Deep Woods. #88
(f) I Know His Blood Has Made Me Whole!
Location:
Spirits That Dwell in Deep Woods. #46
4. Modern Songs The suggested modern songs are designated for ensembles with experienced vocalists.
(a) Search Me, Lord. By Edwin Hawkins
Location:
Dillard, Ricky, and New Generation. The 7th Episode Live in Toronto. EMI Christian Music Group, 2007.
NTIME MUSIC COMPANY 4913 Albemarle Road #103 Charlotte, NC 28205
Phone: 704-531-8961
