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DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.'S BIRTHDAY
(BELOVED COMMUNITY DAY)

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Monday, January 18, 2010

Ramón D. Bryant, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Director, Chancel Choir, Douglas Memorial Community Church, Baltimore, MD

Worship Planning Notes

(a) Prior to the start of service, show images of global social injustice juxtaposed with images of Dr. King and other civil rights activists working to bring an end to suffering throughout the world. Consider using Yolanda Adam’s “The Things We Do” as the soundtrack to the video. See #14 in the cites section.

(b) Play clips of Dr. King’s sermons or speeches at appropriate times during the service.

(c) Host an interactive event with seniors, youth, and young adults where the elders share with the younger generations their first-hand accounts of racial and social injustices.

(d) Invite another church that consists predominantly of another race to worship with your congregation. Develop a theme for the worship service, and share in each other’s musical and homiletical traditions.

1. Instrumental Prelude, Spoken or Sung Call to Worship, or Litany
Instrumental Prelude
(a) Spiritual: Round about the Mountain. By Noel Da Costa. For organ

(b) Sheep May Safely Graze (from Cantata No. 208). By Johann S. Bach. For organ

Spoken Call to Worship
(c) Psalm 47:1-2, 5-6

Choral Call to Worship
(d) Let the Heaven Light Shine on Me. Arr. by Roland M. Carter

(e) Grace and Peace. By Charlene Moore Cooper

Litany
(f) Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Leader:	In every era, God has chosen men and women to serve the needs of his people. Such a servant was Martin Luther King, Jr., whose birth we celebrate. We are deeply thankful for the life of this twentieth centuryprophet
People:	May the wisdom and words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. rekindle our faith.
Leader:	May the deep love that Dr. King had for all people be released in us, that we too might work miracles in the lives of those who continue to hate.
People:	Dr. King taught that only love can overcome hatred, bitterness and fear.
Leader:	May his struggle for social transformation continue in this generation. May all people come to believe that with perseverance, “We Shall Overcome.”
People:	“But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever flowing stream.” (Am. 5:24)
Leader:	May the work of Dr. King continue to eradicate racial justice and its ungodly consequences.
People:	Dr. King pursued his dream of racial equality by appealing to the conscience of his enemies.
Leader:	May we continue to cultivate the nonviolent discipline of Dr. King, abandoning unrestrained acts of force.
People:	He taught us that a heart full of grace and love is just as important as an education.
Leader:	May the spirit of Dr. King continue to flow through our daily living.
People:	He believed in self-respect and dignity, even though he knew that there would be difficult days ahead.
Leader:	May we have the courage of Dr. King as we continue to stand up for justice, reconciliation and truth, despite challenge and controversy.
People:	Dr. King said that war is never a victory, regardless of the outcome.
Leader:	May the peace of the risen Christ cause the fury of war to vanish from the face of the earth.
All:	Dr. King went to the mountain top; he saw the Promised Land; and he reassured us that we will get there one day. God of Glory, be with us on the journey.

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah. By William Williams. Tune, (CWM Rhondda)

(b) Hail to the Lord’s Anointed. By James Montgomery. Tune, (Sheffield) English
      melody

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

(d) In Christ There Is No East or West. Galatians 3:28, John Oxenham. Tune, (McKee)
     Adapt. by Harry T. Burleigh

(e) Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You. By Henry Van Dyke. Tune, (Hymn to Joy) by Ludwig
     van Bethoven

(f) Let All the People Praise Thee. By C. H. Morris

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Ain’t Got Time to Die. Arr. by Hall Johnson. For SATB, a capella

(b) I Wanna Be Ready. Arr. by Moses Hogan. For SATB, a capella

(c) Done Made My Vow to the Lord. Arr. by John W. Work. For SATB, a capella

(d) Ain’t-A Dat Good News. Arr. by William L. Dawson. For SATB, SSA, TTBB, a
     capella

(e) Guide My Feet. Negro spiritual. Harm. By Wendell P. Whalum

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Come into His Presence. By Lynn Baird

(b) High and Lifted Up. By Joe Pace

(c) We Worship You. By David Caton and James J. Hairston

(d) No Defeat. By David Frazier

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) I Understand. By Percy Bady

(b) He’s Got the Whole World in His Hand. Negro spiritual. Arr. by Margaret Bonds

6. Anthems
(a) Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace. By John Rutter. For SATB with organ,
TTBB with piano

(b) O For a Faith. Arr. by Nathan Carter. For bass or contralto solo, alto, SATB and
keyboard

(c) Blessed Are the Men Who Fear Him (from Elijah). By Felix Mendelssohn. For SATB
with piano

(d) No Greater Love Hath No Man. By John Ireland. For SATB with organ

(e) I Am His Child. By Moses Hogan. For SATB with piano, SSA with piano

7. Modern Songs
(a) Koinonia. By V. Michael McKay

(b) Heal the Land. By Myron Butler

(c) My Name Is Victory. By Justin Savage and Jonathan Nelson

(d) Hold On Old Soldier. By Walter Hawkins

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) There’s a Bright Side Somewhere. Anonymous

(b) Taste and See. By Kenneth W. Louis

(c) The Blessing of Abraham. By Donald Lawrence

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Lord I Have Seen Thy Salvation. By John D. Cooper

(b) My Help (Comes from the Lord). By Jackie Farris-Gouche

(c) Keep Hope Alive. By Donald Vails

(d) Thy Way, Oh Lord. By Nina B. Jackson

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) Beams of Heaven. By Charles A. Tindley. Arr. by Robert E. Wooten, Sr. For SATB
with piano

(b) Precious Lord. By Thomas A. Dorsey

(c) Encourage Yourself. By Donald Lawrence

(d) Take Up Your Cross. By Ray Johanson, Joan Blotz, and Steve Millikan

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Here Am I. Text and tune by Nolan E. Williams, Jr.

(b) Lord, I Want to Be a Christian. Negro spiritual

12. Benediction Spoken or Sung
Spoken
(a) So Overcome

As the Savior so taught…
Go now and Overcome.
Overcome racial hatred with love and understanding.
Overcome sexism with mutual honor and respect.
Overcome social inequities with fair and equal educational and employment opportunities.
Overcome mean-heartedness with a kind word or good deed.
Overcome war, poverty, hunger, and suffering throughout our urban streets and lands abroad, by sharing the love of Christ Jesus with your neighbor.
Go and take peace…take peace to the elderly, the imprisoned, the parentless, and the homeless. Remember all those who society tends to forget.
Let your light shine wherever darkness looms so that all God’s children may be free at last.
God grant us the strength to overcome and love to conquer.
Amen.

Sung
(b) Some Day. By Charles A. Tindley. Arr. by Nathan Carter. For mixed chorus, solo,
organ

(c) Unity. Arr. by Daniel M. Cason, II. Tune by Glorraine Moody

(d) We Shall Overcome. Traditional

13. Postlude
(a) For He Is King of Kings! (from Songs of Deliverance). Arr. by William Farley Smith. For organ

(b) We Are All One in Mission (from Augsburg Organ Library-Epiphany). By Mark Sedio. For organ

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Materials Listed

1. Instrumental Prelude, Spoken or Sung Call to Worship, or Litany
Instrumental Prelude
(a) Spiritual: Round about the Mountain. By Noel Da Costa. For organ
Location:

(b) Sheep May Safely Graze (from Cantata No. 208). By Johann S. Bach. For organ
Location:

Spoken Call to Worship
(c) Psalm 47:1-2, 5-6

Choral Call to Worship
(d) Let the Heaven Light Shine on Me. Arr. by Roland M. Carter
Location: (e) Grace and Peace. By Charlene Moore Cooper
Location: Litany
(f) Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Location: 2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah. By William Williams. Tune, (CWM Rhondda)
Location:

(b) Hail to the Lord’s Anointed. By James Montgomery. Tune, (Sheffield) English melody
Location: (c) I Am on the Battlefield. By Sylvana Bell and E. V. Banks. Tune, Battlefield
Location: (d) In Christ There Is No East or West. Galatians 3:28, John Oxenham. Tune, (McKee) Adapt. by Harry T. Burleigh
Location: (e) Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You. By Henry Van Dyke. Tune, (Hymn to Joy) by Ludwig van Bethoven
Location: (f) Let All the People Praise Thee. By C. H. Morris
Location: 3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Ain’t Got Time to Die. Arr. by Hall Johnson. For SATB, a capella
Location: (b) I Wanna Be Ready. Arr. by Moses Hogan. For SATB, a capella
Location: (c) Done Made My Vow to the Lord. Arr. By John W. Work. For SATB, a capella
Location: d) Ain’t-A Dat Good News. Arr. By William L. Dawson. For SATB, SSA, TTBB, a capella
Location: (e) Guide My Feet. Negro Spiritual. Harm. By Wendell P. Whalum
Location: 4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Come into His Presence. By Lynn Baird
Location: (b) High and Lifted Up. By Joe Pace
Location: (c) We Worship You. By David Caton and James J. Hairston
Location: (d) No Defeat. By David Frazier
Location: 5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) I Understand. By Percy Bady
Location: (b) He’s Got the Whole World in His Hand. Negro spiritual. Arr. By Margaret Bonds
Location: 6. Anthems
(a) Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace. By John Rutter. For SATB with organ, TTBB with piano
Location: (b) O For a Faith. Arr. By Nathan Carter. For bass or contralto solo, alto, SATB and keyboard
Location: (c) Blessed Are the Men Who Fear Him (from Elijah). By Felix Mendelssohn. For SATB with piano
Location: (d) No Greater Love Hath No Man. By John Ireland. For SATB with organ
Location: (e) I Am His Child. By Moses Hogan. SATB with piano, SSA with piano
Location: 7. Modern Songs
(a) Koinonia. By V. Michael McKay
Location: (b) Heal the Land. By Myron Butler
Location: (c) My Name Is Victory. By Justin Savage and Jonathan Nelson
Location: (d) Hold On Old Soldier. By Walter Hawkins
Location: 8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) There’s a Bright Side Somewhere. Anonymous
Location: (b) Taste and See. By Kenneth W. Louis
Location: (c) The Blessing of Abraham. By Donald Lawrence
Location: 9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Lord I Have Seen Thy Salvation. By John D. Cooper
Location: (b) My Help (Comes from the Lord). By Jackie Farris-Gouche
Location: (c) Keep Hope Alive. By Donald Vails
Location: (d) Thy Way, Oh Lord. By Nina B. Jackson
Location: 10. Sermonic Selection
(a) Beams of Heaven. By Charles A. Tindley. Arr. By Robert E. Wooten, Sr. For SATB with piano
Location: (b) Precious Lord. By Thomas A. Dorsey
Location: (c) Encourage Yourself. By Donald Lawrence
Location: (d) Take Up Your Cross. By Ray Johanson, Joan Blotz, and Steve Millikan
Location: 11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Here Am I. Text and tune by Nolan E. Williams, Jr.
Location: (b) Lord, I Want to Be a Christian. Negro spiritual
Location:

12. Benediction Spoken or Sung
Spoken
(a) So Overcome. By Ramón DeMar Bryant

Sung
(b) Some Day. By Charles A. Tindley. Arr. By Nathan Carter. For mixed chorus, solo, organ
Location: (c) Unity. Arr. Daniel M. Cason, II. Tune by Glorraine Moody
Location: (d) We Shall Overcome. Traditional
Location: 13. Postlude
(a) For He Is King of Kings! (from Songs of Deliverance). Arr. By William Farley Smith. For organ
Location: (b) We Are All One in Mission (from Augsburg Organ Library-Epiphany). By Mark Sedio. For organ
Location: 14. Worship Planning Notes
The Things We Do. By Robin Scoffield and Keith Thomas
Location:

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