Worship Resources



CHRISTMAS

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Saturday, December 25, 2010 or Sunday, December 26, 2010

Michelle Riley Jones, Lectionary Team Liturgist

Worship Planning Notes

The birth of Christ is foretold in the Old Testament, and in Luke the story of the birth of our Savior unfolds. The response of that day was praise for the birth. Today, our response can be no less.

With most households facing economic pressures and having to do more with less, consider keeping your Christmas worship service simple this year. No huge drama or play and no weeks and weeks of choir rehearsals. Focus instead on the true blessings of Christmas; that Christ’s coming, his presence in our lives, has enriched us and everyone who comes to know him. This service should be characterized by praise and celebration, not pageantry.

  • Have a simple service of praise built around congregational singing of Christmas hymns, spirituals, and other songs, with Scripture or other readings.
  • Use the stories of your own congregation that reflect the blessings of God. This is certainly not a new idea, but one that creates more of a participatory worship experience that draws the congregants into the Christmas story.

1. Litany or Congregational Reading
Music for Processional
(a) The King Is Here (Rejoice). By Michael L. Speights

Prayer
(b) What a Labor of Love. By Sharletta M. Green

What a Labor of Love

Creator God,

In the beginning, you spoke all that is into existence, and breathed life into the world. You made light in the midst of darkness and all that you made was good.

What a labor of love.

You sent John the Baptist to be a witness to the light you would send into the world.

What a labor of love.

The Light of the World, through whom all things were created, came into the world, but the world did not recognize him. The Son came to his own people and they rejected him.

What a labor of love, you loved until it hurt.

When you invite us each by name to draw near to you to find life in you, we turn away. We cause harm to others and scoff at your sweet grace and mercy each day. You continue to love us, protect us, and wait patiently as we find our way home to you.

What a labor of love, you love us though it hurts.

You give us opportunity to be called daughters and sons of the Most High God. You call us to believe in the One you sent to us—a reflection of you, who reveals your love. Though we constantly reject you, and find love hard, though our thoughts and deeds are often evil, you still find ways to care for us and call us your own.

What a labor of love, you love us even when we are hurtful.

“And the word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

What a labor of love.

What a labor of love.

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. By Charles Wesley. Tune, (MENDELSSOHN), by Felix Mendelssohn

(b) Angels, from the Realms of Glory. By James Montgomery. Tune, (REGENT SQUARE), by
Henry Smart

3. Children’s Christmas Hymn
‘Twas on a Night (A Children’s Christmas Hymn). By Analise Stoddart. This precious little hymn was composed (lyrics and tune) by an 8-year-old child. It is a wonderful selection for your children’s choir and children’s Christmas program.

4. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) African Christmas Spiritual. By Herb Frombach

(b) Go Tell It on the Mountain. Traditional Spiritual

(c) He Came Down. Cameroon traditional

(d) Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow. Negro Spiritual

(e) Certainly Lord. Traditional Spiritual

(f) I’m Gonna Sing When the Spirit Says Sing. Spiritual. Arr. by Howard Helvey

(g) Somebody Talking ‘Bout Jesus. Traditional

(h) Shout for Joy. Traditional

5. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) I Pray on Christmas. By Harry Connick, Jr.

(b) The King Is Here (Rejoice). By Micah L. Speights

(c) Celebrate Jesus. By Doug Williams

(d) Let Us Adore Him. By John P. Kee

6. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) A Not So Silent Night. By John Stoddart. This is a high-spirited, celebratory arrangement of
Silent Night.

(b) Take Me to Jesus. By Andraé Crouch and Scott V. Smith

(c) Hark. By Luther “Mano” Haynes and Israel Houghton

7. Anthems
(a) African Gloria. By Benjamin Harlan. For SATB, with optional percussion

(b) Glory, Glory, Glory to the Newborn King. By Moses Hogan. For SATB DV, a capella

(c) Is a Light Shinin’ in the Heavens? African American Spiritual

8. Modern Songs
(a) Here I Am to Worship. By Tim Hughes

(b) Savior Christ the King. By Craig Gower

(c) Ring the Bells. By Ronnie Freeman, Cindy Morgan, Tony Wood, and Mark Hammond

9. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Celebrating New Life. By Cliff Jones and Dave “Daveyboy”

(b) Joyful, Joyful. By Anthony Criss

10. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Is There Any Room in Your Heart for Jesus? By Wyatt Tee Walker

(b) Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne. By Emily E. S. Elliott. Tune, (MARGARET), by Timothy R. Matthews

(c) Sweet Little Jesus Boy. Traditional. Instrumental

(d) My Christmas Prayer. By Greg Bieck, Tyler Hayes Bieck, and Benjamin Winans

11. Sermonic Selection
(a) O Come Immanuel. By John Mason Neale. Arr. by John Stoddart

(b) Without Him. By Melonda Pace

12. Invitational Song or Instrumental
He Is Here. By Kirk Talley

13. Benediction Song or Instrumental
Jesus, the Light of the World. Text and Tune, (WE’LL WALK IN THE LIGHT), by George D. Elderkin. Verses by Charles Wesley

14. Audio Visual Suggestions
(a) Look for African American Christmas images for use on screens and bulletins.

(b) Display Christmas testimonies of praise and/or thanks on the screens. Keep these short—2–3 sentences.

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

The song that accompanies the Christmas image is “Go Tell It On the Mountain” sung by Mahalia Jackson.

1. Litany or Congregational Reading
Music for Processional
(a) The King Is Here (Rejoice). By Michael L. Speights
Location:
The Pace Family. Celebrating the Heart of Christmas. Indianapolis, IN: Tyscot, 2007.

Prayer

(b) What a Labor of Love. By Sharletta M. Green
Location:
Bridgeman Davis, Valerie and Safiyah Fosua, eds. The Africana Worship Book: Year C. Nashville, TN: GBOD Discipleship Resources, 2008, p. 128.

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs

(a) Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. By Charles Wesley. Tune, (MENDELSSOHN), by Felix Mendelssohn
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2001. #214

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. Nashville, TN: A.M.E. Zion Publishing House, 1996. #85

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 1987. #13

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. Nashville, TN: Triad Publications, 2005. #95

The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1985. #122

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. #208

(b) Angels, from the Realms of Glory. By James Montgomery. Tune, (REGENT SQUARE), by Henry Smart
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #207

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. #98

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #18

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #85

The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #119

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #214

3. Children’s Christmas Hymn
‘Twas on a Night (A Children’s Christmas Hymn). By Analise Stoddart. This precious little hymn was composed (lyrics and tune) by an 8-year-old child. It is a wonderful selection for your children’s choir and children’s Christmas program.
Location:
Urban Junction East Music
12138 Central Ave., Suite 672
Mitchellville, MD 20721
Phone: 256-533-4660

4. Spirituals or Traditional Songs

(a) African Christmas Spiritual. By Herb Frombach
Location:
Alfred Publishing Company
Attn: Customer Service
P.O. Box 10003
Van Nuys, CA 91410-0003
Phone: 1-800-292-6122

Online location: www.alfred.com

(b) Go Tell It on the Mountain. Traditional Spiritual
Location:
Cleveland, James with the Angelic Choir and the Cleveland Singers. Merry Christmas. Jackson, MS: Savoy Records, 1987.

African American Heritage Hymnal. #202

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. #101

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #22

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #92

The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #121

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #215

(c) He Came Down. Cameroon traditional
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #200

(d) Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow. Negro Spiritual
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #213

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #12

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #91

The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #138

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #212

(e) Certainly Lord. Traditional Spiritual
Location:
Sounds of Blackness. The Third Gift: Story, Song & Spirit. Minneapolis, MN: Cc Ent/Copycats, 2009.

(f) I’m Gonna Sing When the Spirit Says Sing. Spiritual. Arr. by Howard Helvey
Location:
Beckenhorst Press
960 Old Henderson Road
Columbus, OH 43220
Phone: 614-451-6461

Online location: www.beckenhorstpress.com

(g) Somebody Talking ‘Bout Jesus. Traditional
Location:
Odetta. Christmas Spirituals. Miami Beach, FL: Ashe Records, 1960/2007.

(h) Shout for Joy. Traditional
Location:
Odetta. Christmas Spirituals. Miami Beach, FL: Ashe Records, 1960/2007.

5. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams

(a) I Pray on Christmas. By Harry Connick, Jr.
Location:
The Blind Boys of Alabama. Go Tell It on the Mountain. Atlanta, GA: Solid Productions LLC and The Blind Boys of Alabama, 2003.

(b) The King Is Here (Rejoice). By Micah L. Speights
Location:
The Pace Family. Celebrating the Heart of Christmas. Indianapolis, IN: Tyscot Records, 2007.

(c) Celebrate Jesus. By Doug Williams
Location:
The Williams Brothers. A Candlelight Christmas. Jackson, MS: Blackberry, 1998.

(d) Let Us Adore Him. By John P. Kee
Location:
Kee, John P. & The New Life Community Choir. A Special Gift. New York, NY: Verity, 1996.

6. Liturgical Dance Music

(a) A Not So Silent Night. By John Stoddart. This is a high-spirited, celebratory arrangement of Silent Night.
Location:
A Not So Silent Night. Laurel, MD: UrbanJunctionEast Music, 1998.

(b) Take Me to Jesus. By Andraé Crouch and Scott V. Smith
Location:
Crouch, Andraé. The Gift of Christmas. New York, NY: Warner Brothers, 1999.

(c) Hark. By Luther “Mano” Haynes and Israel Houghton
Location:
Israel & New Breed. A Timeless Christmas. New York, NY: Integrity Gospel, 2006.

7. Anthems

(a) African Gloria. By Benjamin Harlan. For SATB, with optional percussion
Location:
Brookfield Press/Hal Leonard Music Publishing
7777 W. Bluemound Road
Milwaukee, WI 53213
Phone: 414-774-3630

Online location: www.halleonard.com

(b) Glory, Glory, Glory to the Newborn King. By Moses Hogan. For SATB DV, a capella
Location:
Hal Leonard Publishing
Phone: 414-774-3630
Online location: www.halleonard.com

(c) Is a Light Shinin’ in the Heavens? African American Spiritual
Location:
Nathaniel Dett Chorale. An Indigo Christmas (Live). Toronto, CN: Marquis Classics, 2003.

8. Modern Songs

(a) Here I Am to Worship. By Tim Hughes
Location:
Evans, Anthony. The Bridge. Brentwood, TN: EMI Gospel, 2008.

(b) Savior Christ the King. By Craig Gower
Location:
Hillsong. Celebrating Christmas. New York, NY: Sony, 2006.

(c) Ring the Bells. By Ronnie Freeman, Cindy Morgan, Tony Wood, and Mark Hammond
Location:
Various Artists/Ronnie Freeman & Cindy Morgan. Ring the Bells: A Christmas Offering. Brentwood, TN: Fellowship Bible Church, 2007.

9. Offertory Song or Instrumental

(a) Celebrating New Life. By Cliff Jones, Dave “Daveyboy”
Location:
The Pace Family. Celebrating the Heart of Christmas. Indianapolis, IN: Tyscot Records, 2007.

(b) Joyful, Joyful. By Anthony Criss
Location:
Various Artists/Vickie Winans. And There Was Christmas. New York, NY: Verity, 2008.

10. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer

(a) Is There Any Room in Your Heart for Jesus? By Wyatt Tee Walker
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #353

(b) Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne. By Emily E. S. Elliott. Tune, (MARGARET), by Timothy R. Matthews
Location:
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. #94

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #94

The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #140

(c) Sweet Little Jesus Boy. Traditional
Location:
Whalum, Kirk. The Christmas Message. New York, NY: Warner Bros., 2001.

(d) My Christmas Prayer. By Greg Bieck, Tyler Hayes Bieck, and Benjamin Winans
Location:
Winans, BeBe. My Christmas Prayer. Santa Monica, CA: Hidden Beach Records, 2003.

11. Sermonic Selection

(a) O Come Immanuel. By John Mason Neale. Arr. by John Stoddart
Location:
Stoddart, John. Faces. Huntsville, AL: Urban Junction East, 2008.

(b) Without Him. By Melonda Pace
Location:
The Pace Family. Celebrating the Heart of Christmas. Indianapolis, IN: Tyscot, 2007.

12. Invitational Song or Instrumental

He Is Here. By Kirk Talley
Location:
Talleys. Canaan Revisited. New York, NY: Word Entertainment, 2008.

13. Benediction Song or Instrumental

Jesus, the Light of the World. Text and Tune, (WE’LL WALK IN THE LIGHT), by George D. Elderkin. Verses by Charles Wesley
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #217

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. #111

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #81