The African American Lectionary

Worship Resources

WATCH NIGHT

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Thursday, December 31, 2009

W. Patrick Alston, Sr., Lectionary Team Liturgist

Worship Planning Notes

Watch Night service is a special service in the life of the African American worshiper in that it is a service mingled with the sadness of our history and a celebration of our history and God’s spiritual intentions for us for a new year. The atmosphere is usually charged with a spirit of anticipation, excitement, and optimism. The optimism leads one to reflect upon the previous year and the year to come. The challenge for the music and arts department is to create an evening of great expectation and remembrance.

Years ago in many churches, it was required that everyone in attendance at the Watch Night Service testify, especially before the New Year came in. In the spirit of the old tradition, the suggestion is to have a prepared testimonial segment as part of the worship service. What is meant by prepared is that you should have pre-selected individuals to participate rather than the old-fashioned impromptu way of anyone saying anything, which can sometimes be unending. Select a few of the elders of the church and the mothers, youth, and various individuals who have come through great trials this year. Ask these individuals at least three weeks before the service and give them time parameters.

In addition to the music, dance, and other arts that will be featured during the evening, have your video media ministry prepare a slide presentation of the church’s upcoming calendar events. List special church-wide events for the new year, conferences, or even building plans! Include weddings (have the couples send in a picture and their wedding date) and feature images of 2009 graduates to highlight graduation/Christian Education Sunday. In a separate slide, you can feature images of infants who were dedicated in 2009, persons who joined your church, and those who were baptized. In a third slide presentation, you can feature church members who died during 2009 and even members of the community who died in 2009 if their lives impacted your church. (Also see #13 “Audio Video Suggestions” below.)

1. Litany

	Watch Night Service
Leader:	O God, as was customary of our parents and ancestors, we come to this Watch Night vigil to be with you, in your house, as we usher out the old year and welcome the dawning of a new year.
People:	We come, thanking you for guidance and direction. Go before us, O God, and draw us into the future where you are.
Leader:	Our enslaved ancestors watched that night long ago for the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Lord, keep us awake and alert as we follow in the light of your Word, searching for the good news of the gospel, and the comforting signs of your love in this world.
People:	We thank you for watching over us and caring for us through the old year, as we walked in the light of your love. We thank you for your promises of peace, healing, and justice.
Leader:	We come, O God, with great expectations and great hopes. Keep these fires kindled within us that we may watch and wait, and once more feel your presence. Let us know your power as we embark upon this journey.
People:	You have led us in the past. Guide us now, and always, that we might choose to do your will and follow your way. We are pilgrims in a barren land.
Leader:	We give you praise, O God, for your goodness and mercy; for life, health, and friends, and for the many blessings you always send. Above all, we thank you for Jesus Christ, who lifts our hopes, guides us in the Way, in this new year, and in years to come.
People:	All praise, honor, glory, and thanks to you, our God, and to Jesus Christ our risen Savior and Lord. Amen.

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) O God Our Help in Ages Past. By Isaac Watts. Tune, (St. Anne) by William Croft

(b) God of Our Fathers. By Daniel C. Roberts. Tune, (National Hymn) by George W. Warren

(d) Watch Ye Saints. By Phoebe Palmer. Tune by William J. Kirkpatrick

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Great Day. By Moses Hogan

(b) I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired. By Curtis Burrell. Arr. by Kenneth Morris

(d) Over My Head. Traditional

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Climbing Up the Mountain. Traditional. Arr. by Mattie Moss Clark

(b) I’m Not Tired Yet. Traditional. By Milton Biggham

5. Liturgical Dance, Mime, or Deaf Ministry Music
(a) We Shall Behold Him. By Dottie Rambo

(b) Seasons. By Donald Lawrence

6. Anthems
(a) Look to This Day. By Adolphus Hailstork

(b) I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes, Movement I. By Adolphus Hailstork

7. Modern Songs
(a) Cry Holy. By Brent Jones

(b) Bright Side. By Roger Hairston

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) That’s What He’s Done for Me. By Melvin Crispell

(b) Somehow I Made It. By James Cleveland

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) We’ve Come This Far by Faith. By Albert A Goodson. Arr. by Thurston Frazier

(b) God Leads Us Along. By G. A. Young

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) Jesus, Lover of My Soul. Traditional

(b) Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand. Arr. by James Hall

(d) I Know Who Holds Tomorrow. By Ira F. Stamphill

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) God’s Tomorrow. By Alfred H. Ackley

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

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) If It Had Not Been for the Lord on My Side. By Margaret Douroux

(b) He Didn’t Have to Do It but He Did. Traditional. Arr. by G. E. Patterson

13. Audio Visual Suggestions
As suggested in the Worship Planning Notes, have your video media ministry prepare a continuous slide presentation of the church events scheduled for the upcoming year. As musical accompaniment use the song entitled “Great Things” by DeAndre Patterson.

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

1. Litany: “Watch Night Service”
Location

African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2001. #104. Used with permission.

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) O God Our Help in Ages Past. By Isaac Watts Tune, (St. Anne) by William Croft
Location

African American Heritage Hymnal. #170

African Methodist Episcopal Church. African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. Nashville, TN: African Methodist Episcopal Church, 2006. #61

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 1987. #230

National Baptist Publishing Board. The New National Baptist Hymnal. Nashville, TN: National Baptist Pub. Board, 1981. #19

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. Nashville, TN: Triad Publications, 2005. #46

The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing
Association, 1985. #103

The United Methodist Hymnal: Book of United Methodist Worship. Nashville, TN: The United Methodist Publishing House, 1989. #117

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. #15

(b) God of Our Fathers. By Daniel C. Roberts. Tune, (National Hymn) by George W. Warren
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #609

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #568

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #322

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #479

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #459

The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #645

The United Methodist Hymnal. #698

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #499

African American Heritage Hymnal. #159

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #224

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #239

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #250

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #110

(d) Watch Ye Saints. By Phoebe Palmer. Tune by William J. Kirkpatrick
Location:

The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #598

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Great Day. By Moses Hogan
Location:

Available from J. W. Pepper & Sons Incorporated
2480 Industrial Boulevard
Paoli, PA 19301
Phone: 1-800-345-6296

Online location: www.jwpepper.com

(b) I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired. By Curtis Burrell. Arr. by Kenneth Morris
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #414

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #159

Cleveland, J. Jefferson, and Verolga Nix. Songs of Zion. Nashville, TN: Abingdon,
1981. #175

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #364

Georgia Mass Choir. Greatest Hits. Santa Monica, CA: Savoy, 1996.

(d) Over My Head. Traditional
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #169

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #510

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #488

Songs of Zion. #167

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Climbing Up the Mountain. Traditional. Arr. by Mattie Moss Clark
Location:

Various Artists. Detroit Remembers: Vol. 1. Detroit, MI: Sounds of Gospel Records, 2002.

(b) I’m Not Tired Yet. Traditional. By Milton Biggham
Location:

Mississippi Mass Choir. Not by Might Nor by Power. Jackson, MS: Malaco Records, 2005.

Evans, Rev. Clay and the AARC Choir. I’ve Got a Testimony. Chicago, IL: Meek Records, 1995.

5. Liturgical Dance, Mime, or Deaf Ministry Music
(a) We Shall Behold Him. By Dottie Rambo
Location:

Bill & Gloria Gaither Present: Dottie Rambo with the Homecoming Friends. Anderson, IN: Gaither Music, 2004.

(b) Seasons. By Donald Lawrence
Location:

The Best of Donald Lawrence and the Tri City Singers: Restoring the Years. Brentwood, TN: EMI Gospel, 2003.

6. Anthems
(a) Look to This Day. By Adolphus Hailstork
Location:

Dale Music Co.
8240 Georgia Avenue
Silver Springs, MD 20910
Phone: 301-589-1459

Online location: www.dalemusic.com

(b) I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes, Movement I. By Adolphus Hailstork
Location:

Dale Music Co.
Phone: 301-589-1459
Online location: www.dalemusic.com

The Lorenz Corporation
P.O. Box 802
Dayton, OH 45401

Online location: www.lorenz.com

Also available online at: www.sheetmusicplus.com

7. Modern Songs
(a) Cry Holy. By Brent Jones
Location:

The Ultimate Weekend. Indianapolis, IN: Tyscot Records, 2007.

(b) Bright Side. By Roger Hairston
Location:

Various Artists. Columbus Gospel, Vol.1. Columbus, OH: Sound Force Gospel Records, 2008.

The Tri-City Singers: Finale. Brentwood, TN: EMI/CMG, 2006.

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) That’s What He’s Done for Me. By Melvin Crispell
Location:

Hall, James. Voices of Citadel: No Joy No Strength. New York, NY: Music Blend, 2006.

(b) Somehow I Made It. By James Cleveland
Location:

Norwood, Dorothy. Ole Rickety Bridge. Jackson, MS: Malaco Records, 2000.

Patterson, DeAndre PRC and Friends. I Made It. Chicago, IL: Holy Spirit Records, 2001.

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) We’ve Come This Far by Faith. By Albert A. Goodson. Arr. by Thurston G. Frazier
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #412

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. # 225

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #222

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #529

Songs of Zion. #192

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #395

(b) God Leads Us Along. By G.A. Young
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #136

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #231

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #261

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #386

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) Jesus, Lover of My Soul. Traditional
Location:

Hayes, Charles G. and the Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer Choir. I’ll Never Forget. Santa Monica, CA: Savoy, 1992.

(b) Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand. Arr. by James Hall
Location:

Hall, James and Worship & Praise. Live from New York at Lincoln Center. Detroit, MI: Platinum Records, 1998.

Lawrence, Donald and The Tri-City Singers. Tri-City4.com. Brentwood, TN: Sparrow Records, 2000.

(d) I Know Who Holds Tomorrow. By Ira F. Stamphill
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #415

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #187

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #202

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #281

Songs of Zion. #29

Yes, Lord! The Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #124

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) God’s Tomorrow. By Alfred H. Ackley
Location:

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #437

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #70

(b) Never Would Have Made It. By Marvin Sapp and Matthew Brownie
Location:

Sapp, Marvin. Thirsty. New York, NY: Zomba Records, 2008.

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) If It Had Not Been for the Lord on My Side. By Margaret Douroux
Location:

Baylor, Helen. Helen Baylor Live. New York, NY: Verity, 1999. This song is track 3 entitled “Helen’s Testimony.”

(b) He Didn’t Have to Do It but He Did. Traditional. Arr. by G. E. Patterson
Location:

Patterson, Gilbert Earl. Bishop G. E. Patterson & Congregation Singing The Old Time Way, Volume 2. Memphis, TN: Podium Records, 2006.

13. Audio Visual Suggestions
Great Things. By DeAndre Patterson
Location:

DeAndre Patterson. Indianapolis, IN: Tyscot, 2004.