• BACK
• Click Here Cultural Resources
• Click Here Lectionary Commentaries

MARTYRS’ SUNDAY (ALL SAINTS DAY)
(REMEMBERING SLAIN HEROES AND HEROINES)

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

*I Remember I Believe
By Bernice Johnson Reagon

I don’t know how my mother walked her trouble down
I don’t know how my father stood his ground
I don’t know how my people survive slavery
I do remember, that’s why I believe

I don’t know why the rivers over flow their banks
I don’t know why the snow falls and covers the ground
I don’t know why the hurricane sweeps through the land every now and then
Standing in a rainstorm, I believe

I don’t know why the angels woke me up this morning soon
I don’t know why the blood still runs through my veins
I don’t know how I rate to run another day
I am here still running, I believe

My God calls to me in the morning dew
The power of the universe knows my name
Gave me a song to sing and sent me on my way
I raise my voice for justice I believe…

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Edythe Poole, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Minister of Music, Sacred Zion Full Gospel Baptist Church, Baltimore, MD,
and W. Patrick Alston, Lectionary Team Liturgist

1. Litany

“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered for the word of God, and for the testimony they had given” (Revelation 6:9).

With grateful hearts and uplifted voices, we remember those who held to the faith, for they gave their lives in the struggle to be free.

Thank you, God, for black martyrs. Because of them, we are blessed.

Blessed are those mighty men and women of strength, who set a path for others to follow.

Lord, help us, that when our time comes, we too may face persecution and even death, with pride and dignity.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10).

Nubian queens and great kings foresaw the plight of slavery to be one of oppression and cruelty. They resisted, preferring death.

Blessed are those who threw off the shackles of powerlessness and looked to a better day.

Crispus Attucks, Nat Turner, John Brown, the Scottsboro boys, Robert Brown Elliott, Brothers Martin, Malcolm and Medgar, as well as Steve Biko responded to cruel injustice with their lives.

In the spirit of Denmark Veasey, we long to see the promise of freedom blossom in the land of the living.

The flowers of freedom are watered with the blood, sweat, and tears of our ancestors who never gave up the fight!

O Lord, have mercy on our world. It has embarked on a journey that is in great need of your intervention.

In the spirit of Cynthia Wesley, Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, and Denise McNair, four girls murdered in the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham.

We will not shrink in the face of duty. We will not meander in the maze of mediocrity.

Black Martyrdom wears many faces, but the response to the call is the same. God, we know that we will be victorious. We claim victory in your name.

As martyrdom knocks on our hearts even now, may we be willing to sacrifice everything to insure freedom and deliverance. We give thanks to God, who leads and guides us all.

2. Hymns or Congregational Songs
(a) For All the Saints. By William W. How. Tune, (Sine Nomine) Ralph Vaughan Williams

(b) A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. By Martin Luther. Tune, Ein’ Feste Burg

(c) Stand Up for Jesus. By Ernest W. Shurtleff. Tune, (Lancashire) Henry T. Smart

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho. Traditional. Arr. by Moses Hogan

(b) Lord, I Want to Be a Christian. Traditional. Arr. by Moses Hogan

(c) Soon Ah-Will Be Done. Spiritual. Arr. by William Dawson

4. Gospel Songs
(a) Who’s On the Lord’s Side. By Timothy Wright

(b) He’s All Over Me. By Alvin Darling

(c) Take It to the Lord in Prayer. By Rosy Wallace

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Hold On Old Soldiers. By Walter Hawkins

(b) Help Is on the Way. By Wanda Nero Butler

6. Anthems
(a) Lead On O King Eternal. Arr. by Dianne Bish

(b) Battle Hymn of the Republic. Arr. by Peter J. Wilhousky

(c) Mansions of the Lord. By Benjamin Harlan, Nick Glennie Smith, and Randall Wallace

7. Modern Songs
(a) God Is a Healer. By Kurt Carr

(b) The Struggle Is Over. By Jonathan Nelson and Justin Savage

(c) I’ll Make It. By D. J. Rogers and Hezekiah Walker

8. Song or Instrumental for the Offertory Period
(a) Be Glad. By Carol Cymbala and Oliver Wells

(b) It’s Only a Test. By Larry Trotter

(c) Victory. By Tye Tribbett

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) The Storm Is Passing Over. By Charles A. Tindley. Tune by Donald Vails

(b) He’s Sweet I Know. Traditional. Arr. By Kenneth Louis and Nolan Williams, Jr.

(c) Somebody Prayed for Me. By Dorothy Norwood and Alvin Darling

10. Sermonic Selections
(a) Many Are the Afflictions. By Roger Holland II

(b) We Shall Overcome. Arr. By Uzee Brown

(c) I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say. Arr. By Robert Wooten, Sr.

(d) Study War No More. By Michael McElroy and Joseph Joubert

11. Invitational Selections
(a) How Tedious and Tasteless the Hour. By John Newton. Tune, (De Fleury) German melody

(b) Leave It There. By Charles A. Tindley

(c) Come Ye Disconsolate. By Thomas Moore. Tune, (Consolator) Samuel Webbe

12. Benediction Songs
(a) We Won’t Leave Here Like We Came. By Maceo Woods

(b) He’ll Understand and Say “Well Done.” By Lucie E. Campbell

(c) I Am on the Battlefield. By Sylvana Bell and E. V. Banks

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

1. Litany – "Black Martyrs"
Location:
2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) For All the Saints. By William W How. Tune, (Sine Nomine) Ralph Vaughan Williams
Location (b) A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. By Martin Luther. Tune, Ein’ Feste Burg
Location:

(c) Stand Up for Jesus. By Ernest W. Shurtleff. Tune, (Lancashire) Henry T. Smart
Location: 3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho. Arr. By Moses Hogan
Location:
(b) Lord, I Want To Be a Christian. Traditional. Arr. By Moses Hogan
Location:
(c) Soon Ah-Will Be Done. Spiritual. Arr. By William Dawson
Location: 4. Gospel Songs
(a) Who’s On the Lord’s Side. By Timothy Wright
Location:
(b) He’s All Over Me. By Alvin Darling
Location:
(c) Take It to the Lord in Prayer. By Rosy Wallace
Location:
5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Hold On Old Soldiers. By Walter Hawkins
Location:
(b) Help Is on the Way. By Wanda Nero Butler
Location:
6. Anthems
(a) Lead On O King Eternal. Arr. By Dianne Bish
Location: (b) Battle Hymn of the Republic. Arr. By Peter J. Wilhousky
Location:
(c) Mansions of the Lord. By Benjamin Harlan, Nick Glennie Smith, and Randall Wallace
Location:
7. Modern Songs
(a) God Is a Healer. By Kurt Carr
Location:
(b) The Struggle Is Over. By Jonathan Nelson and Justin Salvage
Location:
(c) I’ll Make It. By D. J. Rogers and Hezekiah Walker
Location:
8. Song or Instrumental for the Offertory Period
(a) Be Glad. By Carol Cymbala and Oliver Wells
Location:
(b) It’s Only a Test. By Larry Trotter
Location:
(c) Victory. By Tye Tribbett
Location:
9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) The Storm Is Passing Over. By Charles A. Tindley. Tune by Donald Vails
Location:
(b) He’s Sweet I Know. Traditional. Arr. By Kenneth Louis and Nolan Williams, Jr.
Location:
(c) Somebody Prayed for Me. By Dorothy Norwood and Alvin Darling
Location:
10. Sermonic Selection
(a) Many Are the Afflictions. By Roger Holland II
Location: (b) We Shall Overcome. Arr. By Uzee Brown
Location:
(c) I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say. Arr. By Robert Wooten, Sr.
Location:
(d) Study War No More. By Michael McElroy and Joseph Joubert
Location:
11. Invitational Selections
(a) How Tedious and Tasteless the Hour. By John Newton. Tune, (De Fleury) German melody
Location:
(b) Leave It There. By Charles A. Tindley
Location: (c) Come Ye Disconsolate. By Thomas Moore. Tune, (Consolator) Samuel Webbe
Location: 12. Benediction Sung
(a) We Won’t Leave Here Like We Came. By Maceo Woods
Location:
(b) He’ll Understand and Say “Well Done.” By Lucie E. Campbell
Location: (c) I Am on the Battlefield. By Sylvana Bell and E. V. Banks
Location:

• Click Here Cultural Resources
• Click Here Lectionary Commentaries