THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CYCLE

ANTI-DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUNDAY

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Wendell Craig Woods, Guest African American Lectionary Liturgist
Minister of Music, Shiloh Baptist Church, Plainfield, NJ

Worship Planning Notes

Domestic violence is a problem that has long plagued society. Its victims often feel powerless to act either out of fear or shame, perhaps both, and may find themselves suffering in silence. Emboldened by the inaction or inability to act of their victims, perpetrators of domestic violence may increase acts of abuse (physical, psychological, verbal, mental, etc.) as a means of further control.

God frowns upon human abuse and mistreatment, especially in the home. (See Malachi 2:13-16.) The Church must find her voice to confront the issue of domestic violence, calling to task those who would engage in such abusive behavior, and offer deliverance, healing, hope, reassurance, and empowerment to victims.

This service dedicated to Anti-Domestic Violence is designed to address this scourge on relationships that has affected many, and to offer help, hope, and deliverance to both the abused and the abuser. In addition to the standard service protocols which may already be established for any given worship environment, the following are a few suggestions.

• Have a small group present a short skit that shows the many facets of domestic violence—be it husband/wife; parent/child; sibling/sibling, etc. The skit should show better ways to build and maintain relationships of love and mutual respect.
  
  
• Invite a special guest to come and discuss the social and counseling services available to those affected by domestic violence. Ask them to provide pamphlets, brochures, and other materials to distribute to individuals who may have a need or who may know someone who may be in need.
  
  
• Show a video presentation that depicts the effects of domestic abuse (consider your audience as you decide how graphic the material will be), and after the video have either an altar prayer for healing or a period of silent meditation, concluding with a song (or liturgical dance) of healing.
  
  
• Provide an opportunity during the service for a testimonial from an individual who has or individuals who have experienced and overcome domestic violence. Their story(ies) can offer hope and inspiration to others who may yet be going through similar situations.

1. Responsive Reading—Psalm 46:1-3, Psalm 121 (NRSV)

2. Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

3. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) I Must Tell Jesus. Text and Tune, (ORWISGBURG), by Elisha A. Hoffman

(b) I Need Thee Every Hour. By Annie S. Hawks. Tune, (NEED), by Robert Lowry

(c) Love Divine, All Loves Excelling. By Charles Wesley. Tune, (BEECHER), by John Zundel

(d) Never Alone. Text attr. to Ludie D. Pickett

4. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) I Want Jesus to Walk with Me. Arr. by Colin Lett

(b) Glory Hallelujah! Since I Laid My Burdens Down. By Wallace Cheatham

(c) Jesus Is a Rock in a Weary Land. Arr. by Glenn Burleigh

(d) You Better Mind. Arr. by Jester Hairston

5. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Safety. By Oscar Williams, Jr.

(b) Jesus Is My Help. By Melvin Crispell

(c) Safe in His Arms. By Darius Brooks

(d) Safe in the Arms of Jesus. By Kevin Bond

6. Liturgical Dance or Mime Ministry Music
(a) I Need You Now. By Smokie Norful

(b) I’m Coming Out. By Dorinda Clark-Cole and Asaph A. Ward

(c) Encourage Yourself. By Donald Lawrence

(d) I Will Live. By Carlton Jenkins

7. Anthems and Sacred Choral Music
(a) Peace Be Still. By Dick Tunney, Melodie Tunney, and Beverly Darnall. Arr. by David Lantz, III

(b) He’s Watching Over Israel. By Felix Mendelssohn

(c) We Walk by Faith. By J. Paul Williams. Music by Jan Sanborn

(d) I Need Thee Every Hour. Arr. by John Ness Beck

8. Modern Songs (Written between 2005–2012)
(a) Turning around for Me. By Vashawn Mitchell, Leiman Gray, Calvin Rodgers, and Phillip Feaster

(b) Never Would Have Made It. By Marvin Sapp and Matthew Browne

(c) Trust Me. By Richard Smallwood

(d) Love Lifted Me. By Philip Nathan Thompson, Zenzo Matoga, and J. J. Hairston. Arr. by Eric Davis

9. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Unity. By Glorraine Moone

(b) Koinonia. By V. Michael McKay

(c) After This. By J. J. Hairston. Arr. by Eric Davis

(d) What the World Needs Now (Instrumental). By Burt Bachrach and Hal David

10. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) My Help (Cometh from the Lord). By Jackie Gouche Farris

(b) I Love the Lord. By Richard Smallwood

(c) If It Had Not Been for the Lord on My Side. By Margaret Pleasant Douroux

(d) Come Here, Jesus, if You Please. Traditional. Arr. by Roland M. Carter

11. Sermonic Selection
(a) You Can Make It. By Betty Griffin Keller

(b) No Weapon. By Fred Hammond and Alvin Moore

(c) Jesus, Precious King. By Roberta Martin

(d) Lord, Make Me an Instrument. Arr. by M. Roger Holland, III

12. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Jesus Is the Answer. By Andraé Crouch

(b) The Potter’s House. By V. Michael McKay

(c) Up Where We Belong. By Will Jennings. Music by Buffy Sainte-Marie and Jack Nitzsche

(d) My Peace I Leave with You. By Wendell Craig Woods

13. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Blest Be the Tie That Binds. By John Fawcett

(b) We Won’t Leave Here Like We Came. By Maceo Woods. Arr. by Nolan Williams

(c) Reach Out and Hold to His Hand. By George Jordan. Arr. by Kenneth Morris

14. Audio Visual Aids
(a) Secret Lives of Ministry Wives. Written and Produced by Nicole Morgan

(b) She Had Enough (with scenes from The Color Purple). By Kristy Lee

(c) Power and Control: Domestic Violence in America. Documentary

15. Other Recommendations
(a) Let There Be Peace on Earth. By Sy Miller and Jill Jackson

(b) He’s Got the Whole World in His Hand. Traditional. Arr. by Hezekiah Brinson, Jr.

(c) I Believe I Can Fly. By Robert Kelly

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

1. Responsive Reading—Psalm 46:1-3, Psalm 121 (New Revised Standard Version)