Worship Resources
EASTER
MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Nolan Williams, Jr., Lectionary Team Liturgist
Michelle Riley Jones, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Minister of Music, Capitol Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church, Washington., D.C.
Tamara Fingal, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Student, Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, Oberlin, Ohio
1. Litany or Invocation
Resurrection Sunday (Easter)
Leader: | On that first Easter morning, as the sun was dawning, Jesus rose
triumphantly from the dead. The earth shook as the angel rolled the stone away. |
Congregation: | No grave could hold his body down. He is risen. He is risen indeed! |
Leader: | As Mary Magdalene and the other Mary looked on in fear, the risen Lord
revealed himself to them, and they departed with great joy.
|
Congregation: | Rejoice! And again I say rejoice! For Christ Jesus has broken
the curse of death and destroyed the power that it once had over us. |
Leader: | Although we live in a world filled with moral decay and violence,
and although we were stripped of our original culture and our past as a
people, we, like Christ, can be resurrected. |
Congregation: | Give glory to the Lord, who humbled himself, even unto death on a cross. Give glory to the exalted Christ! |
Leader: | The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is now given to those
who believe in him. |
Congregation: | Let us receive this spiritual power and use it wisely for the liberation of all God’s people! |
Leader: | Let us make a joyful noise unto the Lord. For there is none like him
who can break the chain of oppression, evil, and the grave. He is risen and
is seated at the right hand of God. |
Congregation: | “Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Rev. 5:12) |
Leader: | Who is worthy? Christ is worthy. “Because he lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because he lives, all fear is gone. Because I know he holds the future and life
is worth the living just because he lives.” |
Congregation: | Who is worthy? "The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals." (Rev. 5:13) |
Leader: | Who is worthy? The One seated on the throne who is the Lamb. To him be
all blessings and honor and glory and might! |
ALL: | He is worthy! The Risen Christ! The Resurrected One! Praise him!
Praise his Holy Name! |
2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Because He Lives. By Bill and Gloria Gaither. Tune, (RESURRECTION).
(b) Celebrate Jesus. By Gary Oliver
(c) Christ the Lord Is Risen Today. By Charles Wesley. Tune, (EASTER HYMN).
(d) Crown Him with Many Crowns.
By Matthew Bridges and Godfrey Thring. Tune, (DIADEMATA), by George Elvey
(e) For God So Loved the World. By Lanny Wolfe
(f) He Arose (Low in the Grave He Lay). By Robert Lowry. Tune, (CHRIST AROSE).
(g) He Lives. By Alfred H. Ackley. Tune, (ACKLEY).
(h) Jesus Is Alive. By Ron Kenoly
(i) Jesus Shall Reign. By Isaac Watts. Tune, (DUKE STREET), by John Hatton
3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) The Angel Rolled the Stone Away.
(b) Were You There?
(c) Go and Tell Mary and Martha.
4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Alive. By Israel Houghton and Aaron Lindsey
(b) Alpha and Omega. By Israel Houghton
(c) Celebrate (He Lives). By Darryl Dixon, Noel Hall, and Fred Hammond
(d) King of Glory. By James Hall
(e) Sovereign God. By Anthony Brown
5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Reign. By Kurt Carr
(b) Resurrection. By Richard Smallwood
(c) They Didn’t Know. By Kurt Carr
6. Anthems and Special Selections for Soloists, Duos, or Ensembles
(a) All Rise. By Babbie Mason. Arr. by David Clydesdale. For SATB
(b) Born to Die. By Glenn Burleigh
(c) I’ve Just Seen Jesus. By Danny Daniels, Gloria Gaither, and Bill Gaither
(d) Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates. By Emma L. Ashford. For SATB choir
(e) More Than Wonderful. By Lanny Wolfe
(f) Not Till I’ve Seen Jesus. By Glenn Burleigh (for solos)
(g) The Resurrection. By Richard Smallwood. Based upon Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14 by Sergei R Achmaninoff
7. Modern Songs
(a) Glory to the Lamb. By Kevin Bond
(b) Our God Reigns. By Leonard E. Smith, Jr.
8. Children and Youth
Children
(a) Get All Excited. By William J. Gaither
Youth
(b) Alive 2. By Tonéx
(c) How Great Is Our God. By Chris Tomlin
9. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) High in All the Earth. By Andrea Clayton and Steve Lawrence
(b) Jesus Rose. By Darius Brooks
(c) King of Glory. By James Hall
(d) Victory Chant (Hail Jesus). By Donnie McClurkin
10. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Oh, the Glory of Your Presence. By Steve Fry
(b) Just for Me. By Donnie McClurkin
(c) Psalm 8. By Richard Smallwood
(d) We Will Glorify. By Twila Paris
11. Sermonic Selection
(a) He Decided to Die. By Margaret Pleasant Douroux
YOUTUBE Performance by L’Tanya Moore:
(b) [There is] No Greater Love. By David Allen
12. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) For God So Loved the World. By Lanny Wolfe
(b) He Is Lord. Text, based on Philippians 2:11. Tune, (HE IS LORD).
13. Benediction Song or Instrumental
Songs
(a) Emmanuel. By Bob McGee. Tune, (MCGEE).
(b) Hallelujah, Amen. By Nolan Williams, Jr.
(c) Hallelujah Chorus. By George F. Handel
(d) Victory in Jesus. By Eugene M. Bartlett. Tune, (HARTFORD).
Instrumental
(e) Seven-fold Amen. By John Stainer
14. Audio Visual Suggestions
(a) Find youth-oriented videos that convey Easter messages.
Lifehouse’s Everything Skit can be found at: .
This skit is great for a youth group to minister to the congregation.
In addition, it is powerful and effective if only played on video screens for the congregation to view.
(b) Images and videos for screens can include: open tomb, lilies, etc.
Location:
1. Litany or Invocation—“Resurrection Sunday (Easter),” used with permission.
Location:
2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Because He Lives. By Bill and Gloria Gaither. Tune, (RESURRECTION).
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #281
Features special arrangement by Nolan Williams, Jr., with interlude, modulation, alternate harmonization, and descant for final chorus
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. Nashville, TN: A.M.E. Zion Publishing House, 1996. #193
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. Nashville, TN: Triad Publications, 2005. #120
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
(b) Celebrate Jesus. By Gary Oliver
Location:
(c) Christ the Lord Is Risen Today. By Charles Wesley. Tune, (EASTER HYMN).
Location:
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. #176
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 1987. #57
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #121
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #263
(d) Crown Him with Many Crowns. By Matthew Bridges and Godfrey Thring. Tune, (DIADEMATA), by George Elvey
Location:
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. #199
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #68
(e) For God So Loved the World. By Lanny Wolfe
Location:
(f) He Arose (Low in the Grave He Lay). By Robert Lowry. Tune, (CHRIST AROSE).
Location:
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #117
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #261
(g) He Lives. By Alfred H. Ackley. Tune, (ACKLEY).
Location:
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. #187
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #119
(h) Jesus Is Alive. By Ron Kenoly
Location:
(i) Jesus Shall Reign. By Isaac Watts. Tune, (DUKE STREET), by John Hatton
Location:
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. #390
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #10
3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) The Angel Rolled the Stone Away
Location:
(b) Were You There?
Location:
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. #156
Lead Me, Guide Me: African American Catholic Hymnal. #43
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #109
(c) Go and Tell Mary and Martha.
Location:
4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Alive. By Israel Houghton and Aaron Lindsey
Location:
(b) Alpha and Omega. By Israel Houghton
Location:
(c) Celebrate (He Lives). By Darryl Dixon, Noel Hall, and Fred Hammond
Location:
(d) King of Glory. By James Hall
Location:
(e) Sovereign God. By Anthony Brown
Location:
5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Reign. By Kurt Carr
Location:
(b) Resurrection. By Richard Smallwood
Location:
(c) They Didn’t Know. By Kurt Carr
Location:
6. Anthems and Special Selections for Soloists, Duos, or Ensembles
(a) All Rise. By Babbie Mason. Arr. by David Clydesdale. For SATB
Location:
Online location: sheet music at: Brentwood-Benson: www.brentwood-bensonmusic.com Vocal score and orchestration for anthem available.
(b) Born to Die. By Glenn Burleigh
Location:
Phone: 405-842-3470
Online location: www.glenmusik.com
(c) I’ve Just Seen Jesus. By Danny Daniels, Gloria Gaither, and Bill Gaither
Location:
(d) Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates. By Emma L. Ashford. For SATB choir
Location:
SheetMusicPlus: www.sheetmusicplus.com
Free-Scores.com: www.free-scores.com
(e) More Than Wonderful. By Lanny Wolfe
Location:
(f) Not Till I’ve Seen Jesus. By Glenn Burleigh (for solos)
Location:
(g) The Resurrection. By Richard Smallwood. Based upon Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14 by Sergei R. Achmaninoff
Location:
7. Modern Songs
(a) Glory to the Lamb. By Kevin Bond
Location:
(b) Our God Reigns. By Leonard E. Smith, Jr.
Location:
Online location: www.delirious.org.uk/features/nowisthetime.html
8. Children and Youth
Children
(a) Get All Excited. By William J. Gaither
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #287
Youth
(b) Alive 2. By Tonéx
Location:
A combination of mime and gospel hip-hop dance preceded by a short depiction of Christ’s death would powerfully portray the Easter story in a unique way. Alive 2 celebrates a risen and living savior and transcends age barriers to describe how Christ conquered death, hell, and the grave!
(c) How Great Is Our God. By Chris Tomlin
Location:
9. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) High in All the Earth. By Andrea Clayton and Steve Lawrence
Location:
(b) Jesus Rose. By Darius Brooks
Location:
(c) King of Glory. By James Hall
Location:
(d) Victory Chant (Hail Jesus). By Donnie McClurkin
Location:
10. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Oh, the Glory of Your Presence. By Steve Fry
Location:
(b) Just for Me. By Donnie McClurkin
Location:
(c) Psalm 8. By Richard Smallwood
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #290
(d) We Will Glorify. By Twila Paris
Location:
11. Sermonic Selection
(a) He Decided to Die. By Margaret Pleasant Douroux
Location:
(b) [There is] No Greater Love. By David Allen
Location:
12. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) For God So Loved the World. By Lanny Wolfe
Location:
Gospel Music Workshop of America. 25th Anniversary. New York, NY: Verity, 1997.
(b) He Is Lord. Text, based on Philippians 2:11. Tune, (HE IS LORD).
Location:
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #56
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #29
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #107
13. Benediction Song or Instrumental
Songs
(a) Emmanuel. By Bob McGee. Tune, (MCGEE).
Location:
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #98
(b) Hallelujah, Amen. By Nolan Williams, Jr.
Location:
NEWorks Productions
P.O. Box 4599
Washington, DC 20017
Phone: 202-882-8966
Online location: www.newinspiration.us
(c) Hallelujah Chorus. By George F. Handel, from the oratorio Messiah
Location:
Online location: sheet music at: www.sheetmusicplus.com
(d) Victory in Jesus. By Eugene M. Bartlett. Tune, (HARTFORD).
Location:
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. #638
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #240
The New National Baptist Hymnal. #143
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #98
Instrumental
€ Seven-fold Amen. By John Stainer
Location:
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #556
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #525