POLITICAL ACTION DAY

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Sharon L. Fuller, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Minister of Music, Tabernacle Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC; Ministry Consultant and HIV/AIDS Counselor, B.O.S.S. Ministries Incorporated; and Producer and Host, The Soap Box: Reel Talk for Real People.

Worship Planning Notes

The next United States presidential election will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. The presidential electors will be voted upon by qualified voters of the United States. As specified in the US Constitution, the 2012 presidential election will coincide with one-third of U.S. Senators facing re-election (33 Class I seats), and the United States House of Representatives election (which occurs every two years) to elect the members for the 113th Congress. Eleven gubernatorial elections and numerous elections for state legislatures will also take place in November 2012.

Familiarize yourself and your congregation with the quadrennial presidential election process via your Political Action Ministry in conjunction with your Worship Arts ministry. Gain a thorough understanding of how the Electoral College operates. Be creative. Utilize banners, drumming, incense, videos, graphics, and décor that depict the theme “Being Politically Responsible.”

Our task is simple: to facilitate political awareness that will yield leaders and followers who will fulfill their duties and responsibilities according to Proverbs 31:8, 9: “Speak up for the people who have no voice, for the rights of all the down-and-outers. Speak out for justice!” (The Message).

1. Litany, Responsive Reading, or Invocation

A Believer’s Affirmation Impacting Political Action(s)
The Believer’s Affirmation is based on 2 Samuel 23:2-4

***Softly begin instrumental music, looping the introduction of the song titled “Savior, Lead Me Lest I Stray” coupled with African drumming

• Observe a moment of silence for all who will be engaged in the November 2012 elections.
  
  
• Light each candle in silence.
  
  
• Pouring Libations (water and oil) say in the following order:
  
  
• For the expectancy of the coming of Christ (Pour Libations)
  
  
• For our ancestors that died not being allowed to vote (Pour Libations)
  
  
• For the elite majority (Pour Libations)
  
  
• For those suffering from social injustice (Pour Libations)
  
  
• For those who serve with hearts of bigotry and hatred (Pour Libations)
  
  
• For the glorious cloud of witnesses that watch over us (Pour Libations)
  
  
• For health, strength, and an attitude of gratitude to our God (Pour Libations)

After the Libation ceremony, the song “Savior, Lead Me Lest I Stray” should be rendered. Your media team and/or worship arts ministry (including the mime and praise dance ministries) should create a presentation to reflect the message of the lyrics. Applicable Scripture references should be displayed throughout the presentation. (Please note: A live performance or a prerecorded clip may be rendered.)

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) America, the Beautiful. By Katharine Lee Bates. Tune by Samuel A. Ward

(b) Battle Hymn of the Republic. By Julia Ward Howe. Tune by William Steffe

(c) Battle Hymn of the Republic. By Julia Ward Howe. Arr. by J. Jefferson Cleveland

(d) God Save America. By William G. Ballantine. Tune by Alexis Lwoff

(e) Lift Every Voice and Sing. By James Weldon Johnson. Tune by J. Rosamond Johnson

(f) My Country ‘Tis of Thee. By S. F. Smith. Tune by Henry Carey

(g) The Star Spangled Banner. By Francis Scott Key. Tune by John S. Smith

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) A Charge to Keep I Have. By Charles Wesley. Negro Spiritual

(b) Here I Am. Traditional

(c) O Lord, Abide with Me. By Edward Boatner. Negro Spiritual

(d) Savior, Lead Me, Lest I Stray (Lead Me). Traditional. Text and Tune by Frank M. Davis

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) America the Beautiful. By Katherine L. Bates

(b) Father I Stretch My Hands to Thee. By Charles Wesley

(c) God Bless America. By Irving Berlin

(d) Lead Me, Guide Me. Text and Tune by Doris Akers

(e) There’s One Spirit of Love in This Place. Text and Tune by Mark A. Miller

(f) There’s No Me, There’s No You. Text and Tune by Evelyn Reynolds

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) I Look to You. By R. Kelly

(b) I Will Search. By Israel Houghton

(c) Looking for Angels. By John L. Cooper

(d) What Do We Know? By Thousand Foot Krutch

6. Anthems
(a) God of Our Comings and Goings. By Carol Browning

(b) Guide My Feet. Traditional. Arr. by Avis Graves

(c) O Lord, Support Us. By Cardinal John Henry Newman, Music by Richard Proulx

(d) Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand). By Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson. Arr. by Mac Huff. For SAA, piano

(e) Touch Somebody’s Life. By James Moore

7. Modern Songs
(a) Our Help Is from the Lord. By Paul Melley

(b) I Need You to Survive. By David Frazier

(c) Stand. By John P. Kee

(d) Stand Still (Until His Will Is Clear). By Carol D. Antrom

8. Music for Children and Youth
(a) Give Me Your Eyes. By Troop Nation

(b) Help Me. By Brandon Love

(c) I’ll Go All the Way. By Karen Washington

(d) Thy Word. By Karen Washington

 9. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Ooh Child. By Kirk Franklin and Donnie McClurkin

(b) Love God, Love People. By Israel Houghton, Aaron Lindsey, and Tommy Sims

(c) We Will Wait on You. By David Frazier

10. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) All My Help Comes from the Lord. By Rev. Cleophus Robinson

(b) Come by Here, My Lord. By Marvin V. Frey. Tune, (DESMOND).

(c) Servant Prayer. By Kevin Bond

11. Sermonic Selection
(a) Every Prayer. By Dayna Caddell, Israel Houghton, Aaron Lindsey, and Ricardo Sanchez

(b) Faith. By Andra Woods. Arr. by Thomas Whitfield

(c) Stand! By John P. Kee

12. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Door of Hope. By Carlton Burgess

(b) God Is Still Speaking. By Marty Haugen

(c) Stand. By David Frazier

(d) Others. By Israel Houghton and Meleasa Houghton

13. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Brothers and Friends. By Marcus Dawson and Jeff Ferguson

(b) Reach Out and Touch. Text and Tune by Charles F. Brown

(c) Send Me to the Nations. By Israel Houghton and Aaron Lindsey

14. Audio Visual Aids

1. Create a newsletter entitled G.E.T. I.N.V.O.L.V.E.D. Place important information in your newsletter in an effort to educate the congregation and community about the political structure. Many Christians do not possess correct facts about the voting process. Help stamp out ignorance by use of the newsletter.

2. Produce a video presentation to the song titled “In This Place” by Troy Sneed. The storyline should convey African Americans’ progress from being slaves to having the right to vote. A picture story coupled with music will yield a unique and personal message to all that view the visual experience. Pictures of the president of the United States are available at www.whitehouse.gov.

3. Utilize crafts and tapestry in order to impact the overall message.

• Colorful banners should be made to provide visual display of the symbols and colors of Election day. Place the tapestries and banners in the sanctuary at least one month before Election Day.
  
  
• Create arm bands for the youth to wear. Each time the wristband is looked upon, they are to pray a prayer for all parties involved in the voting process.

4. Use Social Networking Sites

Prepare an eCommercial to promote the observance of a 2012 Voting Initiative offered by you ministry titled “Teach Democracy: Not Dogma.” The commercial can contain any information you select. Post the media on various networking sites such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, etc. for evangelism purposes.

5. Use Public Access Television

Produce a television show that serves an educational forum regarding the importance of getting involved in the 2012 election. This show can be shown to a local viewing audience via the Public Access station in your area. Public Access television provides an avenue for local residents to express their opinions or messages over a special cable channel. Utilize this free service to get your message to a diverse audience.

15. Other Recommendations

1. Have the entire congregation wear G.E.T. I.N.V.O.L.V.E.D. pins, t-shirts, and bracelets twice before the 2012 election. Have a team to create a design. Promote all Political Action events using this design.

2. Use learning/teaching resources:

(a) Separation of Church and State. 1999 Anti-Defamation League. Separation: Good for Government, Good for Religion. Online location:
http://www.adl.org/issue_religious_freedom/separation_cs_primer.asp. (accessed 25 April 2012).

(b) Teaching Democracy. Online location:
http://www.democraticdialogue.com/DDpdfs/TeachingDemocracyPDK.pdf.

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed