Cheryl Wilson-Bridges, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Minister of Music, Community Praise Center SDA Church, Alexandria, VA
Worship Notes
Easter is a time of joy and hope for Christians around the world. The celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the evidence of the empty tomb cannot be overemphasized or overstated. Do something rare and memorable that would encourage your congregants to have their own resurrection encounter with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Also, be sure to utilize the special downloadable video that accompanies this unit.
1. Invocation
Holy God, as we meditate on your Word and the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ, let our hearts be moved and our minds be fastened on the power of your ascension and soon appearing. Amen.
2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Jesus Christ Is Risen Today. Latin, 14th Century. Tune, (Llanfair) by Robert Williams
(b) Crown Him with Many Crowns. By Godfrey Thring. Tune, (Diademata) by George J.
Elvey
(c) Because He Lives. By Gloria Gaither and William J. Gaither. Tune, (Resurrection)
by William J. Gaither
(d) I Know That My Redeemer Lives. By Samuel Medley
(e) Sing with All the Sons of Glory. By William J. Irons. Tune, (Hymn to Joy) by Ludwig
van Beethoven
3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a)He Rose. Spiritual. By W. Scott Mayo
(b) He Rose Triumphantly. By Oswald J. Smith. Tune by B. D. Ackley
(c) He Arose. Spiritual. The Youtube video features a modern version of this classic
Spiritual.
(d) Christ the Lord Is Risen Today. By Charles Wesley. Tune, Easter Hymn
4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a)Two Thieves and a Lamb. By Nolan Williams, Jr. The accompanying video can be shown as the choir ministers this song.
(b) Anthem of Praise. By Richard Smallwood
(c) I Believe in a Hill Called Mount Calvary. By William J. Gaither
5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Music
Don’t Cry. By Kirk Franklin
6. Modern Songs
(a) Believer. By Warren Campbell, Erica Campbell, and Trecina Campbell
(b) Redeemer. By Nicole C. Mullen
7. Anthems
(a) It Happened on Calvary. By Raymond Wise. For SATB
(b) Alleluia. By Randall Thompson. This selection is a four-part chorus for mixed voices a cappella.
8. Song or Instrumental for the Offertory Period
(a)Lord I Lift Your Name on High. By Rick Founds
(b) Nothing but the Blood. Text and Tune, (Plainfield) by Robert Lowry
9. Song or Instrumental for thePeriod of Prayer
(a) God Is Here. By Martha Munizzi
(b) Sweet Hour of Prayer. By William W. Walford. Tune, (Sweet Hour) by William B. Bradbury
(c) Awesome Medley. By Mark Altrogge and Dave Billington
10. Sermonic Selection
(a) I Believe God. By Kurt Carr
(b) He Lives. By JJ Hairston
(c) He Got Up. By Kevin Davidson
11. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Till We Meet Again. By Kirk Franklin
(b) The Lord Bless You and Keep You. Text Numbers 6:24-26. Tune, (Benediction)
by Peter C. Lutkins
12. Audio Visual Suggestions (a) Pictures of Jesus’ triumphal entry and the road to Jerusalem can be shown on screens.
(b) Show the “Two Thieves and a Lamb” video as a Prelude to the worship service or during the Offertory.
(c) Sites such as www.crossdaily.com provide a wealth of photos and graphics that can be purchased for any religious occasion.
Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed
1. Invocation
By Cheryl Wilson-Bridges
2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Jesus Christ is Risen Today. Latin, 14th Century. Tune, (Llanfair) by Robert Williams
Location:
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. #195
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 1987. #58
(b) Crown Him with Many Crowns. By Godfrey Thring. Tune, (Diademata) by George J. Elvey
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago IL: GIA Publications, 2001. #288
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Hymnal. #199
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #68
The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1985. #223
(c) Because He Lives. By Gloria Gaither and William J. Gaither. Tune, (Resurrection) by William J. Gaither
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #281
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Hymnal. #193
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. Nashville, TN: Triad Publications, 2005. #120
The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #526
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. #265
(d) I Know That My Redeemer Lives. By Samuel Medley
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #276
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Hymnal. #190
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #63
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #245
(e) Sing with All the Sons of Glory. By William J. Irons. Tune, (Hymn to Joy) by Ludwig van Beethoven
Location:
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Hymnal. #185
3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) He Rose. Spiritual. By W. Scott Mayo
Location:
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Hymnal. #189
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #118
(b) He Rose Triumphantly. By Oswald J. Smith. Tune by B. D. Ackley
Location:
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #123
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #262
(c) He Arose. Spiritual
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #280
Lead Me Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #59
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #118
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #269
(d) Christ the Lord Is Risen Today. By Charles Wesley. Tune, Easter Hymn
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #282
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Hymnal. #176
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #57
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #121
The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #166
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #263
4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a)Two Thieves and a Lamb. By Nolan Williams, Jr. The accompanying video can be shown as the choir ministers this song.
Location:
