Worship Resources



KWANZAA

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Sunday, December 26, 2010–Saturday, January 1, 2011

Michelle Riley Jones, Lectionary Team Liturgist

The fact one has a surplus and gives some of it to another does not make one a benefactor and the other a dependent. The one with the surplus is simply a steward of God and is merely discharging the work of his stewardship.
—Charles Fillmore, Prosperity

Worship Planning Notes

While all of the principles can be acknowledged, in this Kwanzaa service we lift the principle of Ujamaa [Oo-jah-mah]—Cooperative Economics—traditionally celebrated on the fourth day of Kwanzaa. Acts 2:44-46 addresses how the early Christian community survived. They were of one mind and would sell their possessions to take care of members of the community who had needs. They also spent time together, ate together, and were happy and generous.

We focus the attention on our recognition that every good thing comes from the Lord; and we have a responsibility to God to return to God what is his, and a responsibility to each other to use the bounties and blessings from God for the good of and to build up others.

To further tie in the principle of Ujamaa in the worship service, you can:
  • Incorporate a period of testimonies or “Ujamaa spotlight” in the service that allows others to speak to the principle of Ujamaa in their lives. (This can also be done via video, etc.) Another variation on this idea would be to have individuals share testimonies or spotlights on each of the principles of Kwanzaa.

  • Highlight your church-based businesses (i.e., assisted-living home, book/music store, cooperative, etc.) and describe how they serve the community.

  • Use the colors of Kwanzaa—black, red, and green—throughout the décor for the church. In this Kwanzaa service, the color red represents the struggle for self-determination and freedom by people of color. Black is the people, the earth, the source of life, representing hope, creativity, and faith and denoting messages and the opening and closing of doors. Green represents the earth that sustains our lives and provides hope, inspiration, employment, and the fruits of the harvest.

  • Include traditional African items (i.e., African carved baskets, cloth patterns, art objects, harvest symbols, etc.) as part of the decorations.

  • Select a variety of musical artists, styles, and instruments. Kwanzaa music was originally composed by African artists. Start with traditional African music, but also pick some modern musicians, children’s groups, and instrumental (drumming) songs. Look for music created exclusively using traditional instruments, such as slit gongs, musical bows, and rattles.
Ideas for Children

  • Use Sabbath and Sunday School times, Children’s Church, etc. to creatively introduce the principles of Kwanzaa with children and youth through use of storytelling, puppetry, drama, art, etc.

  • Gifts for Kwanzaa are given mainly to children, but must always include a book and a heritage symbol. The book is to emphasize the African value and tradition of learning stressed since ancient Egypt, and the heritage symbol is to reaffirm and reinforce the African commitment to tradition and history.

For more information on Kwanzaa traditions, visit the official Kwanzaa website at http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/index.shtml.

1. Call to Worship, Responsive Reading, or Invocation
Call to Worship
(a) Habari Gani (What’s the Good News?)—A Call to Worship for Kwanzaa Service. By Michelle Riley Jones
Leader: Harambee!
We have been called together in the presence of the Lord.
We are called to Umoja! Habari Gani?
People: God calls us to dwell together in UNITY and to be on one accord.
We are one in the Spirit. That’s good news!
Leader: We are called to Kujichagulia! Habari Gani?
People: We bow in the presence of our Almighty God. He calls us to SELF-
DETERMINATION, our wills submitted to his will, his will to be done in our lives. That’s good news!
Leader: We are called to Ujima! Habari Gani?
People: We practice COLLECTIVE-RESPONSIBILITY; Christ calls us
to love and to care for each other and ourselves. He watches over us all.
That’s good news!
Leader: We are called to Ujamaa! Habari Gani?
People: We steward our ECONOMIC RESOURCES as we are blessed by God,
to develop, build up, and provide stability to our communities. As we give,
it shall be given back to us—but not merely given back, but given back
with bonus and blessing. That’s good news!
Leader: We are called to Nia! Habari Gani?
People: We live lives that are PURPOSE-driven, to live for and to lead
others to Christ Jesus; for he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. That’s good news!
Leader: We are called to Kuumba! Habari Gani?
People: We are called to CREATIVITY, through him all things
are possible. Old men will dream dreams; young men will see visions. That’s good news!
Leader: We are called to Imani! Habari Gani?
People: We affirm our FAITH in Jesus, for according to our faith, it will be
done to us. Because of our expressions, the world may believe in the promises of his Word. That’s good news!
Leader: We are called together today in the presence of our God. Habari Gani?
ALL: There is good news today! We come together in his presence in
worship and service to God, so that all men will know God through his Word, and through our God-directed unity, determination, collective responsibility, economic resourcefulness, purpose, creativity, and faith. That’s the good news!

Songs for Gathering
(b) The Seven Principles. By Bernice Johnson Reagon

(c) Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow. By Kevin Prongle

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. Text by Elisha A. Hoffman. Tune, (SHOWALTER), by Anthony J. Showalter

(b) We’ve Come This Far by Faith. By Albert Goodson

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Open My Mouth. Spiritual Arrangement

(b) You Oughta Help. Traditional

(c) Working on a Building. Traditional

(d) Old Time Religion. Spiritual

(e) This Is My Commandment. Traditional

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) God Gave Us a Future. By Marvin Winans

(b) Just Knowing Jesus. By Percy Bady and Smokie Norful

(c) Oh Taste and See. By G. Collins

(d) Faithful to Believe. By Byron Cage

(e) God Is Movin. By Sam Butler, Jr.

5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Group Music
(a) I Command My Soul. By M. Lamar Campbell

(b) Bless the Lord. By Brandon Camphor

(c) Moving Forward. By Israel Houghton and Ricardo Sanchez

6. Anthems
(a) Anthem of Thanksgiving. By Judith McAllister

(b) Christ for the World We Sing. By Craig Courtney. For choral SATB, optional brass

(c) Amen Is Where We Begin. By Pepper Choplin. For SATB choir and solo

7. Songs for Children and Youth
(a) Ujamaa. By Charles Mims, Jr. and Patsy Moore

(b) Seven Joyous Days: Celebrate Kwanzaa. By Denis Fortune and Alan Jackson

(c) Ooh Yaa Yaa: Ujamaa. By Denis Fortune and Alan Jackson

8. Modern Songs
(a) He’s Able. By Deitrick Haddon

(b) Whose Report. By Becky Fender

(c) Let’s Come Together. By Kevin Gray

9. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) A Friend. By Dana Davis, Lashon Hayes, and Stephanie Mayer

(b) Ujamaa—Cooperative Economics. By Randy Dixon and Mixolisi T. Sowell

(c) Stand by Me. By Ben E. King

10. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) The Lord’s Prayer. By Mbongeni Ngema

(b) Mercy and Grace. By Clint Brown and Mark Payne

(c) I Give Myself Away. By Samuel Hinn and William D. McDowell

(d) Heaven in My View. By Deitrick Haddon

11. Sermonic Selection
(a) I Come to You More Than I Give. By Kim Burrell

(b) Imperfect Hallelu.

12. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) When God Says Move. By Carmen Calhoun

(b) Chemutengure. Traditional

(c) Holy Nation Groove. By Dathan Thigpen

13. Benediction Spoken, Sung, or Instrumental
Benediction Spoken
(a) Benediction for Kwanzaa (based on Luke 4:13-19). By Michelle Riley Jones

Harambee!
In our closing moments of worship, we reflect on the Word of the Lord,
and on the principles of Kwanzaa.
And like us, on the Sabbath Day, Jesus went into the synagogue, as was his custom.
And as he stood up to read, the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him.
Unrolling it, Jesus found the place where it was written: ‘The Spirit of God is upon me.’
Today, God has anointed us [to lift the banner of Ujamaa];
God has chosen us to [give and support for the building of our communities, and to tell others that we can use our resources collectively to create and help our own businesses flourish];
to [tell those who are struggling with debt, that with God nothing is impossible;
and to those who have but choose not to give, to believe in God’s promises that he makes all things good]; and to proclaim “This is God’s year to act!”
And just as it came true for our ancestors who built so much with so little,
it will come true for us here and in our communities.
Let us go from this place on one accord—and ACT

In Umoja,
In Kujichagulia,
In Ujima,
In Ujamaa,
In Nia,
In Kuumba,
In Imani.

Song or Instrumental
(b) I Then Shall Live. By William Gaither

(c) Praise His Name. By Phillip Nathan Thompson

Sending Song
(d) Seven Joyous Days: Celebrate Kwanzaa. By Denis Fortune and Alan Jackson

14. Other Recommendations
(a) Develop a directory of businesses and services offered by members of your congregation, and hold a community business fair to introduce them to the congregation and the community.

(b) Schedule business and financial planning seminars on:

  • Individual and family financial planning
  • How to Start a business
  • How to Start a cooperative
  • How to work with your local Small Business Administration
  • How to find capital for a business

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

Worship Planning Notes

1. Call to Worship, Responsive Reading, or Invocation
Call to Worship
(a) Habari Gani (What’s the Good News?)—A Call to Worship for a Kwanzaa Service. By Michelle Riley Jones

Songs for Gathering
(b) The Seven Principles. By Bernice Johnson Reagon
Location:
Women of the Calabash. The Kwanzaa Album. New York, NY: Bermuda Reef Records, 1998.

(c) Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow. By Kevin Prongle
Location:
Williams, Zak and 1Akord. The Declaration “Live from Philly” Philadelphia, PA: 1/A Musik Group, 2006.

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. Text by Elisha A. Hoffman. Tune, (SHOWALTER), by Anthony J. Showalter
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2001. #371

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. Nashville, TN: A.M.E. Zion Publishing House, 1996. #662

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 1987. #257

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. Nashville, TN: Triad Publications, 2005. #262

The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association. 1985. #469

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. #94

(b) We’ve Come This Far by Faith. By Albert Goodson
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #412

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. #259

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

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #412

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

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Open My Mouth. Spiritual Arrangement
Location:
Walker, Dexter and Zion Movement. Move. Chicago, IL: Found Sound Music Group, 2007.

(b) You Oughta Help. Traditional
Location:
Williams, Malcolm and Great Faith. In Your Glory. Evergreen Park, IL: Malcolm James Music, 2009.

(c) Working on a Building. Traditional
Location:
The Sons of Harmony. Working on a Building. Baltimore, MD: The Sons of Harmony, 2008.

(d) Old Time Religion. Spiritual
Location:
Hendricks, Barbara and The Moses Hogan Singers. Spirituals, Volume 2. New York, NY: EMI Records, 2005.

(e) This Is My Commandment. Traditional
Location:
Payton, Rickey. Everything’s Gonna Be Alright. Nashville, TN: IMI, 2008.

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) God Gave Us a Future. By Marvin Winans
Location:
Winans, Marvin and The Perfected Praise Choir. Introducing Perfected Praise. Brentwood, TN: Sparrow, 2009.

(b) Just Knowing Jesus. By Percy Bady and Smokie Norful
Location:
Victory Cathedral Choir. Smokie Norful Presents: Victory Cathedral Choir. New York, NY: EMI Gospel, 2010.

(c) Oh Taste and See. By G. Collins
Location:
Trotter, Larry D. and The Sweet Holy Spirit Combined Choirs. I Still Believe. Indianapolis, IN: Tyscot Records, 2009.

(d) Faithful to Believe. By Byron Cage
Location:
Faithful to Believe. New York, NY: Verity, 2009.

(e) God Is Movin. By Sam Butler, Jr.
Location:
The Blind Boys of Alabama. Faith Moves Mountains. Virginia Beach, VA: Gregota Music Group, 2010.

5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Group Music
(a) I Command My Soul. By M. Lamar Campbell
Location:
Campbell, Lamar. New Song New Sound. New York, NY: EMI Gospel, 2007.

(b) Bless the Lord. By Brandon Camphor
Location:
Camphor, Brandon and OneWay. ReGeneration. Upper Marlboro, MD: Brandon Camphor & OneWay, 2009.

(c) Moving Forward. By Israel Houghton and Ricardo Sanchez
Location:
Various Artists/Joan Rosario Condrey. CoCo Brother Live Presents Stand 2010. Indianapolis, IN: Tyscot Records, 2010.

6. Anthems
(a) Anthem of Thanksgiving. By Judith McAllister
Location:
Nu Tradition. Nu Tradition. Indianapolis, IN: Tyscot, 2008.

(b) Christ for the World We Sing. By Craig Courtney. For choral SATB, optional brass
Location:
Beckenhorst Press
60 Old Henderson Road
Columbus, OH 43220
Phone: 614-451-6461

Online location:www.beckenhorstpress.com

(c) Amen Is Where We Begin. By Pepper Choplin. For SATB choir and solo
Location:
Lorenz Music Publishing
Distributed by SheetMusicPlus
1300 64th Street
Emeryville, CA 94608
Phone: 510-420-7121

Online location: www.sheetmusicplus.com

7. Songs for Children and Youth
(a) Ujamaa. By Charles Mims, Jr. and Patsy Moore
Location:
Kwanzaa for Young People (And Everyone Else!) Gardena, CA: Charphelia, 1999/2000.

(b) Seven Joyous Days: Celebrate Kwanzaa. By Denis Fortune and Alan Jackson
Location:
Smallwood, Frank. Let’s Celebrate Kwanzaa Sing-Along. Newark, NJ: Peter Pan Records, 2005.

(c) Ooh Yaa Yaa: Ujamaa. By Denis Fortune and Alan Jackson
Location:
Smallwood, Frank. Let’s Celebrate Kwanzaa Sing-Along. Newark, NJ: Peter Pan Records, 2005.

8. Modern Songs
(a) He’s Able. By Deitrick Haddon
Location:
Haddon, Deitrick & Voices of Unity. Together in Worship. Indianapolis, IN: Tyscot Records, 2007.

(b) Whose Report. By Becky Fender
Location:
Ford, Cedric & Heart of Worship. Created 2 Worship. Indianapolis, IN: Tyscot Records, 2009.

(c) Let’s Come Together. By Kevin Gray
Location:
Various Artists/Kevin Levar. CoCo Brother Live Presents Stand 2010. Indianapolis, IN: Tyscot Records, 2010.

9. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) A Friend. By Dana Davis, Lashon Hayes, and Stephanie Mayer
Location:
The Anointed Pace Sisters. Access Granted. Indianapolis, IN: Tyscot Records, 2009.

(b) Ujamaa—Cooperative Economics. By Randy Dixon and Mixolisi T. Sowell
Location:
Mxolisi & The Sankofa Singers. Kwanzaa Yenu Iwe Na Heri: Music for the People of Vision, Faith & Love. Oakland, CA: Mxolisi & The Sankofa Singers, 2008.

(c) Stand by Me. By Ben E. King
Location:
Playing for Change. Songs Around the World. Beverly Hills, CA: StarCon LLC, 2009.

10. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) The Lord’s Prayer. By Mbongeni Ngema
Location:
Various Artists/Mbongeni Ngema. Sarafina! The Sound of Freedom: Music from the Motion Picture. New York, NY: Qwest/Wea (Warner Bros. Records), 1992.

(b) Mercy and Grace. By Clint Brown and Mark Payne
Location:
Brown, Clint. Mercy and Grace. Orlando, FL: Tribe Records, 2005.

(c) I Give Myself Away. By Samuel Hinn and William D. McDowell
Location:
McDowell, William. As We Worship (Live). New York, NY: Koch Records, 2009.

(d) Heaven in My View. By Deitrick Haddon
Location:
Haddon, Deitrick & The Voices of Unity. Together in Worship. Indianapolis, IN: Tyscot Records, 2007.

11. Sermonic Selection
(a) I Come to You More Than I Give. By Kim Burrell
Location:
Everlasting Life. New York, NY: Tommy Boy Gospel, 1998.

(b) Imperfect Hallelu.
Location:
Ashmont Hill. Your Masterpiece. Mattapan, MA: Axiom Records, 2010.

12. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) When God Says Move. By Carmen Calhoun
Location:
Broken and Blessed. Washington, DC: Carmen Calhoun, 2004.

(b) Chemutengure. Traditional
Location:
Women of the Calabash. The Kwanzaa Album. New York, NY: Bermuda Reef Records, 1998.

(c) Holy Nation Groove. By Dathan Thigpen
Location:
Thigpen, Dathan & Holy Nation. Get Up Vol. 1 Get Exposed to Unadulterated Praise. Jackson, MS: Dominium Entertainment, 2006.

13. Benediction Spoken, Sung, or Instrumental
Benediction Spoken
(a) Benediction for Kwanzaa (based on Luke 4:13-19). By Michelle Riley Jones

Song or Instrumental
(b) I Then Shall Live. By William Gaither
Location:
Gaither Vocal Band. Together. Alexandria, IN: Spring House Music Group, 2007.

(c) Praise His Name. By Phillip Nathan Thompson
Location:
Ashmont Hill. Ashmont Hill. Mattapan, MA: Axiom Records, 2008.

Sending Song
(d) Seven Joyous Days: Celebrate Kwanzaa. By Denis Fortune and Alan Jackson
Location:
Smallwood, Frank. Let’s Celebrate Kwanzaa Sing-Along. Newark, NJ: Peter Pan
Records, 2005.

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© 2012 The African American Lectionary.