The African American Lectionary

Worship Resources

YOUTH DAY (AGES 12–17)
(YOUTH AND EDUCATION)

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Marcus D. Smith, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Minister of Music, Ark Church in Baltimore, MD

Worship Planning Notes

We all know that the American education system in crisis. What we do not see enough of is churches promoting education in their worship services and other church activities. This Sunday your church can begin to brand itself as an education church!

In planning this service, be sure to focus on education. Often, churches only focus on education and youth during graduation services or back-to-school programs. However, given the state of education for black youth ages 12–17, the Church must take a more proactive role all year long in partnering with parents and schools to ensure that children succeed educationally. As this service is planned, keep foremost in mind that the aim is to begin the year getting the message out that yours is a church that is committed to education advocacy all year round. Some of the following activities will be helpful in branding your church as one that is an education advocate and in sending the right messages throughout the service:

1. Involve youth ages 12-17 throughout the service. This is not just a service for them—they must be involved in the planning and actualization of the service. Make the songs ones they would sing. The sermon focus for the day is on youth and education.

2. Prepare banners or signs that will stay up year round to promote education. If possible, involve youth in making these. You can also use them during graduation programs or other education events.

3. Honor students at the grammar school and high school level (remember the focus is for ages 12–17) who ended the past school year with outstanding grades.

4. During this service also honor teachers in your congregation to show that you support educators.

5. Announce that all students ages 12–17 who receive all A’s during the 2011 school year will receive an award. Things that youths want as prizes include: The latest cell phone; IPads; gift cards to their favorite stores such as Target, the Gap, etc.; and of course cash.

6. Form a team of Homework Helpers and announce them on this Sunday. These will be adults who covenant to help at least one child in the church or community with their homework at least three hours each week. Have them listed in the bulletin when they are announced. Get new volunteers throughout the year.

7. Finally, advertise like wild, chile. Tweet it, put it on Facebook, put it on the radio, on television, in the newspaper, and of course in your church bulletin.

1. Litany, Responsive Reading, or Invocation

We ask you, Almighty God and Lord of history, to make yourself known through all that is happening in the world around us. Give us the eyes to see your judgment, your love, your glory, and your mercy at work, and give your people the wisdom to explain it to a world that needs your direction and help. We ask this in the name of our Savior Jesus. Amen.

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Onward, Christian Soldiers. By Arthur S. Sullivan

(b) ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus. By William Kirkpatrick

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Have Your Way. By Alvin Darling and Dorothy Norwood

(b) It’s Only a Test. By VaShawn Mitchell

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Glorious. By Martha Munizzi and Israel Houghton

(b) I Give Myself Away. By William McDowell and Sam Hinn

(d) I’ll Always Praise Your Name. By Chris Watkins and Kyle Kelly

(e) Be Strong in the Lord. By David Whittley

5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Ministry Music
(a) I Was Made to Worship. By Myron Williams and Aaron Gordon

(b) Nothing Else Matters. By Israel Houghton and Meleasa Houghton

(d) Lord You’re Beautiful. By Loris Holland

6. Anthems
(a) God and God Alone. By P. HcHugh

(b) Be Strong in the Lord. By Tom Fettke

7. Modern Songs (Written between 2005-2010)
(a) Oh How I Love the Name Jesus. By Marcus Smith

(b) War Cry. By Micah Stampley and Heidi Stampley

(d) Stronger. By Myron Butler and John Webb

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Count on Me. By James Hall

(b) I Will Praise Your Name. By Chris Watkins and Kyle Kelly

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Lord Prepare Me. By John Thompson and Randy Scruggs

(b) How Great Thou Art. By Stuart K. Hine

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) For the Good of Them. By Darius Brooks and Jazzantiqua

(b) Determined (to Go on). By Patrick Lundy

(d) I’ve Learned to Trust in the Lord. By Travis Sayles

(e) Release Your Power. By David Willersdorf

(f) Encore. By C. Fortune and J. Fortune

(g) Have Your Way. By Joseph Pace III

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) He’s Been Just That Good. By Jerry Peters and Kirk Whalum

(b) Nobody Greater. By Darius Paulk

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Blessed. By Fred Hammond and Tommie Walker

(b) We Are One. By Timothy Wright

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

1. Litany, Responsive Reading, or Invocation
(a) Invocation. By Paul Ashby
Online location:
http://www.prayerandbiblestudy.org/AEphesians_6_10-13.pdf

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Onward Christian Soldiers. By Arthur S. Sullivan
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2001. #481

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. Nashville, TN: Triad Publications, 2005. #427

The United Methodist Hymnal: Book of United Methodist Worship. Nashville, TN: The United Methodist Publishing House, 1989. #575

(b) ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus. By William Kirkpatrick
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #368

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 1987. #236

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. The A.M.E. Zion Hymnal Official Hymnal of The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Charlotte, NC: A.M.E. Zion Pub. House, 1996. #14

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #231

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #41

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. #484

3. Spiritual or Traditional Songs
(a) Have Your Way. By Alvin Darling and Dorothy Norwood
Location:
Norwood, Dorothy, with the Georgia Mass Choir. Feel Like…. Jackson, MS: Malaco Records, 1995.

(b) It’s Only a Test. By VaShawn Mitchell
Location:
Bishop Larry Trotter & Sweet Holy Spirit. What’s to Come Is Better Than What’s Been. Indianapolis, IN: Tyscot Records, 1999.

(c) I Open My Mouth to The Lord. Composer Unknown
Location:
NTIME MUSIC COMPANY
4913 Albemarle Road #103
Charlotte, NC 28205
Phone: 704-531-8961

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Glorious. By Martha Munizzi and Israel Houghton
Location:
Munizzi, Martha. The Best Is Yet to Come. New York, NY: Martha Munizzi Music, 2003..

(b) I Give Myself Away. By William McDowell and Sam Hinn
Location:
McDowell, William. As We Worship Live. Nashville, TN: Koch Records, 2009.

(d) I’ll Always Praise Your Name. By Chris Watkins and Kyle Kelly
Location:
Chris and Kyle with True Spirit. Heal Me. St Louis, MO: T. Records, 2010.

(e) Be Strong in the Lord. By David Whittley
Location:
Chicago First Jurisdiction State Mass Choir. It’s Gonna Be Alright. Atlanta, GA: Red Clay, 2000.

5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Ministry Music
(a) I Was Made to Worship. By Myron Williams and Aaron Gordon
Location:
Jakes, T. D. and the Potter House Mass Choir. Grace: Live in Kenya. Los Angles, California: Rhino, 2007.

(b) Nothing Else Matters. By Israel Houghton and Meleasa Houghton
Location:
Houghton, Israel & New Breed. Real. New York, NY: Sony Music Distribution, 2002.

(c) Powerful God. By J.J. Hairston and Deon Kipping
Location:
Youthful Praise, Featuring J.J. Hairston. Resting on His Promise. Nashville, TN: Light Records, 2009.

(d) Lord You’re Beautiful. By Loris Holland
Location:
Youthful Praise, Featuring J.J. Hairston. Resting on His Promise. Nashville, TN: Light Records, 2009.

6. Anthems
(a) God and God Alone. By P. HcHugh
Location:
Coley, Daryl. Praise and Worship. New York, NY: Verity, 2006.

(b) Be Strong in the Lord. By Tom Fettke
Location:
J. W. Pepper & Sons Incorporated
2480 Industrial Blvd.
Paoli, PA 19301
Phone: 1-800-345-6296

Online Location: www.jwpepper.com

7. Modern Songs (Written between 2005-2010)
(a) Oh How I Love the Name Jesus. By Marcus Smith
Location:
Divine Voices of Praise. Be Still and Know. Baltimore, MD: Central South, 2009.

(b) War Cry. By Micah Stampley and Heidi Stampley
Location:
Stampley, Micah. The Songbook of Micah. Brentwood, TN: EMI, 2005.

(c) Hold On, Don’t Let Go. By Richard Smallwood
Location:
Smallwood, Richard with Vision. Persuaded Live in D.C. New York, NY: Zomba Records, 2005 (2001).

(d) Stronger. By Myron Butler and John Webb
Location:
Butler, Myron. Stronger. Brentwood, TN: EMI, 2007.

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Count on Me. By. James Hall
Location:
Won’t It Be Wonderful. Nashville, TN: Central South Distribution, 2009.

(b) I Will Praise Your Name. By Chris Watkins and Kyle Kelly
Location:
Chris and Kyle with True Spirit. Heal Me. St Louis, MO: T. Records, 2010.

(c) Faithful to Believe. By Byron Cage, Aaron Lindsey, and Adrian Lindsey
Location:
Cage, Byron. Faithful to Believe. New York, NY: Jive/Gospocentric, 2009.

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Lord Prepare Me. By John Thompson and Randy Scruggs
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #462

(b) How Great Thou Art. By Stuart K. Hine
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #148

(c)Let Go, Let God. By P. Morton
Location:
Woods, DeWayne. When Singers Meet. New York, NY: Verity, 2006.

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) For the Good of Them. By Darius Brooks and Jazzantiqua
Location:
Brunson, Rev. Milton and the Thompson Community Singers. Available to You. New York, NY: Sony Music Distribution, 1988.

(b) Determined (to Go on). By Patrick Lundy
Location:
Lundy, Patrick and the Ministers of Music. Determined. Washington, DC: Patrick Lundy and The Ministers of Music Record Label, 2010.

(c) I Give Myself Away. By William McDowell and Sam Hinn
Location:
McDowell, William. As We Worship Live. Brentwood, TN: Koch Records, 2009.

(d) I’ve Learned to Trust in the Lord. By Travis Sayles
Location:
Hall, James. Won’t It Be Wonderful. Nashville, TN: Central South Distribution, 2009.

(e) Release Your Power. By David Willersdorf
Location:
Hall, James. Won’t It Be Wonderful. Nashville, TN: Central South Distribution, 2009.

(f) Encore. By C. Fortune and J. Fortune
Location:
Fortune, James & Fiya. Encore. Chicago, IL: Worldwide Music, 2010.

(g) Have Your Way. By Joseph Pace II
Location:
Pace, Joe. Mighty Long Way. New York, NY: Sony Music Distribution, 2006.

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) He’s Been Just That Good. By Jerry Peters and Kirk Whalum
Location:
Whalum, Kirk. The Gospel According to Jazz—Chapter III. Grosse Pointe Farms, MI: Rendezvous Music, 2010.

(b) Nobody Greater. By Darius Paulk
Location:
Mitchell, VaShawn. Triumphant. Brentwood, TN: EMI Gospel, 2010.

(c)To Worship You I Live. By Israel Houghton and Meleasa Houghton
Location:
Houghton, Israel and New Breed.Alive in South Africa. New York, NY: Integrity/Epic, 2005.

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Blessed. By Fred Hammond and Tommie Walker
Location:
Hammond, Fred. The Inner Court. New York, NY: Zomba, 1995.

(b) We Are One. By Timothy Wright
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #323