The African American Lectionary

Worship Resources

HOLY THURSDAY

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Thursday, April 1, 2010

W. Patrick Alston, Sr., Lectionary Team Liturgist

Worship Planning Notes

Holy Thursday focuses on the episodes leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion. Here we find the Savior realizing that he is about to die, and knowing he has been betrayed by one of his disciples. He provides an example for us when he decides to go to Gethsemane to pray.

Begin your service with organized prayer. It can be for a period of time prior to the start of the worship service, or it can be incorporated into the service itself. Have your prayer ministry, ministers, elders, deacons, stewards, altar guild, etc., lead the congregation in prayers from the altar. The prayers can be formal prayers for the following:

Personal needs;
Families;
The healing of our nation and world;
Your church and the Church universal;
The salvation of the unsaved.

Your music ministry should choose music that enhances the worship atmosphere. Instrumental music will work well during the period of prayer, but singing can also be effective. See 13. Audio Visual Suggestions at the end of this unit for recommendations.

1. Scripture Reading

After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “Do quickly what you are going to do.” Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival” or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night. (John 13:21-30, NRSV)

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) He Knows Just How Much We Can Bear. By Roberta Martin

(b) Somebody Saved Me. Arr. by Lawrence Roberts

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) I’m Too Close. By Alex Bradford

(b) We Shall Walk Through the Valley in Peace. Arr. by Nathan Carter. For SSAATTBB choir
with baritone solo

(d) I’ve Been ‘Buked. By Hall Johnson

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise teams
(a) Yes I Know Jesus. By Jimmy Dowell

(b) Do You Know Him. By Hezekiah Walker

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Your Love Divine. By Richard Smallwood

(b) For the Good of Them. By Darius Brooks

6. Anthems
(a) He Satisfies. Arr. by Nathan Carter. For SSATB choir and SSA trio

(b) Abide with Me. Arr. by Donald Busarow. For SATB choir, organ, and solo instruments

7. Modern Songs
(a) To Know You Lord. By Tonex

(b) Not My Will. By Michael Gayle

8. Song or Instrumental for the Offertory Period
(a) How Much We Can Bear. By Hezekiah Walker

(b) Somebody Prayed for Me. By Dorothy Norwood and Alvin Darling. Arr. By Nolan Williams,
Jr.

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) The Beautiful Garden of Prayer. By Eleanor Allen Schroll. Tune, (BEAUTIFUL GARDEN),
by James Fillmore

(b) Alone. By Ben H. Price

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) Seekers of Your Heart. By Larnell Harris, Sandi Patty, and Steve Green

(b) Total Praise. By Richard Smallwood

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Do You Know Jesus? By David Frazier

(b) Surely God Is Able. By W. Herbert Brewster. Arr. By Virginia Davis

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Thy Way O Lord. By Nina B. Jackson. Tune, (THY WAY), by Edward C. Deas

(b) Lead Me to Calvary. By Jennie E. Hussey. Tune, (DUNCANNON), by William J.
Kirkpatrick

13. Audio Visual Suggestions
Here is a place where your media ministry can actually guide the period of prayer prior to the start of the service. The media ministry can post directions through screen text or the church order of worship/bulletin for the church to begin a season of prayer, be it in the pews or at the altar. If possible, have your media ministry prepare looping slides or even worship videos of peaceful nature scenes such as running streams or flower gardens once the prayer period begins. Soothing worship videos during prayer are always effective.

14. Other Recommendations
Have your drama ministry prepare a skit that recreates the scene in the lection Scripture (John 13:21-30), where Jesus confronts his disciples to tell them that one of them will betray him. It is recommended that the script recreate the scene as it occurs in the Bible, rather than according to a playwright’s personal perspective. The goal is to commemorate this significant event in Jesus’ life and its importance to us and not to agitate, offend, or initiate controversy due to modern interpretation.

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

1. Scripture Reading—John 13:21-30, NRSV

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) He Knows Just How Much We Can Bear. By Roberta Martin
Location:

National Baptist Publishing Board. The New National Baptist Hymnal. Nashville, TN: National Baptist Pub. Board, 1981. #250

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. Nashville, TN: Triad Publications, 2001. #537

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. #389

(b) Somebody Saved Me. Arr. By Lawrence Roberts
Location:

NJPAC Jubilation Choir. Spirit. Newark, NJ: NJPAC Jubilation Choir, 2004.

African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2001. #459

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. Nashville, TN: The African Methodist Episcopal Church, (1984) second printing 1986. #495

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 1987. #313

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #50

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #247

The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1985. #50

The United Methodist Hymnal: Book of United Methodist Worship. Nashville, TN: The United Methodist Publishing House, (1989) twenty-sixth Printing 2003. #700

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #374

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) I’m Too Close. By Alex Bradford
Location:

Various Artists. Greatest Gospel Gems. Los Angeles, CA: Specialty Records, 1991.

(b) We Shall Walk Through the Valley in Peace. Arr. By Nathan Carter. For SSAABBTT choir
with baritone solo
Location:

GIA Publications, Inc.
7404 South Mason Avenue
Chicago, IL 60638
Phone: 1-800-GIA-1358

Online location: www.giamusic.com

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

Online location: www.jwpepper.com

(d) I’ve Been ‘Buked. By Hal Johnson
Location:

J. W. Pepper & Sons Incorporated
Phone: 1-800-345-6296
Online location: www.jwpepper.com

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Yes I Know Jesus. By Jimmy Dowell
Location:

Note: The album The Saint James Baptist Choir: And The Melodies Linger On is out of print. The lyrics and a video recording can be viewed on YouTube. See 4(a) above and click the YouTube button.

(b) Do You Know Him. By Hezekiah Walker
Location:

Hezekiah Walker Presents the LFT Church Choir Live at Love Fellowship Tabernacle. New York, NY: Verity Records, 1998.

Your Will. Brentwood, TN: EMI Gospel, 2004.

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Your Love Divine. By Richard Smallwood
Location:

Smallwood, Richard with Vision. Persuaded Live from Washington D.C. New York, NY: Verity Records, 2001.

(b) For the Good of Them. By Darius Brooks
Location:

Darius Brooks Presents the Reunion Live in Chicago, Side A. Forest Park, IL: Journey Music Group, 2006.

6. Anthems
(a) He Satisfies. Arr. By Nathan Carter. For SSATB choir and SSA trio
Location:

GIA Publications, Inc.
Phone: 1-800-GIA-1358
Online location: www.giamusic.com

(b) Abide with Me. Arr. By Donald Busarow. For SATB choir, organ, and solo instruments
Location:

GIA Publications, Inc.
Phone: 1-800-GIA-1358
Online location: www.giamusic.com

J. W. Pepper & Sons Incorporated
Phone: 1-800-345-6296
Online location: www.jwpepper.com

7. Modern Songs
(a) To Know You Lord. By Tonex
Location:

Out of the Box. New York, NY: Verity Records, 2004.

(b) Not My Will. By Michael Gayle
Location:

Jamison, Albert and The New York State Mass Choir. Show Yourself Mighty. Nashville, TN: Light Records, 2007.

Hall, James and Worship and Praise. Live from New York City at Lincoln Center. New York, NY: Platinum Records, 1998.

8. Song or Instrumental for the Offertory Period
(a) How Much We Can Bear. By Hezekiah Walker
Location:

Walker, Hezekiah and The Love Fellowship Crusade Choir. Nothing But the Hits. New York, NY: Verity Records, 2003.

(b) Somebody Prayed for Me. By Dorothy Norwood and Alvin Darling. Arr. By Nolan Williams,
Jr.
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #505

Dillard, Ricky and New G. 7th Episode Live in Toronto. Brentwood, TN: EMI Gospel, 2008.

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) The Beautiful Garden of Prayer. By Eleanor Allen Schroll. Tune, (BEAUTIFUL GARDEN),
by James Fillmore
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #425

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #330

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #334

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #308

(b) Alone. By Ben H. Price
Location:

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #77

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #115

Hide Me. Middleton, DE: S. Ford Music Group Inc., 2004.

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) Seekers of Your Heart. By Larnell Harris, Sandi Patty, and Steve Green
Location:

Various Artists. Almighty God. Brentwood, TN: Brentwood Christian, 1998.

(b) Total Praise. By Richard Smallwood
Location:

Smallwood, Richard with Vision. Adoration Live in Atlanta. New York, NY: Verity, 1996.

African American Heritage Hymnal. #471

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #339

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #305

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #384

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Do You Know Jesus? By David Frazier
Location:

Walker, Hezekiah and the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir. Family Affair, Vol. 2: Live at Radio City Music Hall. New York, NY: Verity, 2002/2004.

(b) Surely God Is Able. By W. Herbert Brewster. Arr. By Virginia Davis
Location:

Songs of Zion. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1981. #193

African American Heritage Hymnal. #141

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Thy Way O Lord. By Nina B. Jackson. Tune, (THY WAY), by Edward C. Deas
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #444

African Methodist Episcopal Hymnal. #311

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #342

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Hymnal. #200

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #323

(b) Lead Me to Calvary. By Jennie E. Hussey. Tune, (DUNCANNON), by William J.
Kirkpatrick
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #253

African Methodist Episcopal Hymnal. #306

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #81

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Hymnal. #228

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #317