Worship Resources



DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.’S BIRTHDAY
(BELOVED COMMUNITY DAY)

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Monday, January 17, 2011

Cecilia Olusola Tribble, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Master of Theological Studies Student, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

"We must work unceasingly to uplift this nation that we love to a higher destiny,
to a higher plateau of compassion, to a more noble expression of humanness"
— Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

"When do any of us do enough?"
 — Barbara Jordan, former US Congressperson,
deceased

Worship Planning Notes

January 17, 2011 will mark the 25th anniversary of the Martin Luther King, Jr. federal holiday.

  1. Incorporate the 2011 Theme:Remember, Celebrate, Act—A Day On, Not a Day Off” into your worship planning and materials.

  2. Plan a “working” MLK Community Day Worship Service. As a prelude to or extension of your worship service, have the whole congregation form small groups to do various community projects. View the link http://mlkday.gov/ to identify local projects that can have a lasting impact in your church community, or your church may choose to develop its own project and register it/them so that other volunteers can find it.  From this same link, you can find Action Guides for various types of service projects including: Environmental, Stewardship, Disaster Relief, Economic Opportunity, Education, Health, and Veterans and Military Families. http://mlkday.gov/plan/actionguides/floorplan.php

  3. Plan a service that is:

    • Ecumenical – Invite other faith communities to participate. Divide the readings or other service elements with people from various denominations. Read the Gospel in different languages. Each year host the service at a different church if feasible.
    • EXAMPLE:
      For more than 10 years, Temple B'nai Israel in Oklahoma City has hosted a commemorative service on the Sunday before Martin Luther King Jr. Day, along with the local chapter of the NAACP. Every year the arrangements committee, led by the President of the NAACP and the Rabbi, selects a church choir, local musical group, or soloist to perform at the synagogue, along with a speaker who has had a positive impact upon the African American community or on Black/Jewish relations. Following the main program, the entire group breaks into smaller groups to discuss the theme.

    • Visible to your local and surrounding communities – This is an excellent opportunity for marketing. Promote your event as a community service. Service can be a catalyst to forming a good working relationship with other denominations. Include local leadership and community activists.

    • Welcoming to Seekers and Non-Churched – This is an excellent time to reinforce to the community who the Church is and that you care about your neighbors.

  4. Host a Community Meal

    • In conjunction with your service project, host a community meal. At the community meal, seat people family style with the elders at the head of the table. Each table or “family” can trade stories about firsthand racial or gender injustice that they faced. Also talk about possible solutions or ways of resistance for current community issues.

*The spoken word selection that accompanies today’s material is titled “Someday We’ll All Be Free/Psalm 78.” By Raphael Warnock with Jennifer Holiday.  Goodness and Mercy. INDIE. 2010. Available at http://www.raphaelwarnock.com

1. Instrumental Prelude, Spoken or Sung Call to Worship, or Litany
Instrumental Prelude
(a) Oh, Freedom. Spiritual. Have someone in your congregation play this selection with an instrument.

Spoken Call to Worship
(b) Psalm 129.

(c) Who Will Give Testimony? By Stacey Cole Wilson

One: Who will give testimony and be living witnesses of Christ’s Resurrection?
Many: We will live and tell of the works of the Lord. Christ died, Christ is risen, and Christ is alive today. Glory to God!
One: So, come, beloved; let us worship the Risen Lord. Let us praise our God
who teaches us how to overcome suffering, tribulation, and persecution. God is with us and is raising us up in this very moment.
Many: Hallelujah, Wonderful Savior. You are here!

Choral Call to Worship
(d) Come Sunday. By Duke Ellington. Arr. by Paris Rutherford

(e) Freedom Medley: Oh, Freedom and Freedom Is Coming. Spiritual and South African Freedom Song

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Great Is Thy Faithfulness. By Thomas O. Chisholm and William M. Runyan

(b) Living in the Imagination of God. By Cecilia Olusola Tribble

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

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Walk Together Children! Arr. by Ken Berg

(b) Go Down, Moses. Spiritual

(c) I Want Jesus to Walk with Me. Spiritual

(d) Bringing It Back Home Medley. Arr. by Leo Davis

(e) Let God Arise (and His Enemies Be Scattered). Arr. by Kurt Carr

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Lion of Judah. By Beverly Crawford

(b) I Will Bless the Lord. By Andraé Crouch

(c) I Wouldn’t Know You. By James Fortune

(d) I Can’t Hold It. By Byron Cage

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Ella’s Song. By Bernice Johnson Reagon

(b) Someday We’ll All Be Free/Psalm78. By Raphael Warnock and Jennifer Holiday.

(c) Freedom. By Charles Mingus

(d) Strange Fruit. By Billie Holiday

(e) Living for the City. By Stevie Wonder

6. Anthems
(a) May Our Work and Praise Be One. By Mark Hill

(b) If My People Will Pray with “Hear Our Prayer, O Lord.” By Jimmy Owens. Arr. by Keith Christopher

(c) He Never Failed Me Yet. By Robert Ray

(d) And I Shall Not Be Moved. By Barbara Furman and Vicki Tucker Courtney

(e) Your Faithfulness. By Ken Reynolds. Arr. by Marty Hamby

7. Modern Songs (Written between 2005–2010)
(a) I Dream. By Florence Roach

(b) Show Yourself Mighty (Show Yourself Strong). By Albert Jamison

(c) Our Generation (The Hope of the World). By John Legend

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart. By Henry Smith

(b) It Don’t Have to Change. By Dave Tozer

(c) We Are Grateful. By Cheryl Boggs

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) I Want Jesus to Walk with Me. Spiritual

(b) Precious Lord, Take My Hand. By Thomas A. Dorsey

(c) Precious Memories. By J. B. F. Wright

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) Trilogy of Dreams. By Langston Hughes. Arr. by Rollo Dilworth

(b) Freedom Train. By Rollo Dilworth

(c) His Light Still Shines. Arr. by Moses Hogan

(d) My Petition. By Vidal Davis

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Moving Forward. By Ricardo Sanchez

(b) Better People. By India Arie

(c) Yes, Lord. By Charles H. Mason

(d) Wholly Holy. By Aretha Franklin

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Higher Ground. By Stevie Wonder

(b) Golden. By Anthony Bell

(c) We Shall Overcome. Traditional

(d) Here I Am, Lord. By Dan Schutte

13. Audio/Video Suggestions

Audio

Martin Luther King, Jr. Sings in Memphis

Videos

  1. This is a wonderful piece to show to your children and youth groups about the journey of the Chicago Children’s Choir in exploring the Civil Rights Movement. 

  2. ‘A Dream’ by Common and Will.I.Am, from the film, Freedom Writers

Banners and PowerPoint Slides
  1. Hang banners of the words “Remember,” “Celebrate,” and “Act.” The banners can include Scripture references with the keywords emphasized.  Here are some suggestions:

    REMEMBER:
    • Genesis 9:16 (NIV):  “I will REMEMBER the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures on earth.”
    • Exodus 33:13-14 (NIV):  “Moses said to the LORD, ‘REMEMBER that this nation is your people.”  The LORD replied, “My presence will go with you...”

    CELEBRATE:
    • Exodus 12:14 (NIV): “This is a day you are to commemorate: for the generations to come as you shall CELEBRATE it as a festival to the LORD—a lasting ordinance.”
    • Esther 9:28 (NIV): “And these days should never fail to be CELEBRATE—nor should the memory of these days die out among [our] descendants.”
    ACT:
    • Ezekiel 24:14 (NIV):  “The time has come for me to ACT, I will not hold back.”
    • Philippians 2:13 (NIV): “...It is God who works in you to will and to ACT in order to fulfill his good purpose.”


  2. PowerPoint slides  - Project slides with the key words  “Remember,” “Celebrate,” and “Act.” You can incorporate civil rights/MLK images as the background on the slides (see #13 (a)), and/or the slides can include Scripture references with the keywords emphasized. 



  3. Bulletin and Other Art
    Here are some downloadable art images of Martin Luther King Jr.: http://www.newsart.com/x1/x529.htm
    Newsart.com website provides art and drawings by nationally and internationally syndicated artists whose work has appeared in Newsweek, Time, Boston Globe, Washington Post, and many others of the world’s most respected publications.

14. Other Worship Suggestions

  1. Have as a spoken word to play during and/or at the end of your service the song that accompanies today’s unit to specially appeal to youths. Its message reinforces today’s theme: Remember, Celebrate, Act.

  2. Hold an “Open Mic” vespers service where artists can present any form of message, be it poetry, a political essay, or a call for action, around MLK and/or the theme: Remember, Celebrate, ACT. 

  3. Include in your bulletin the word search puzzle for children.  See the attached puzzle developed by The African American Lectionary. Click here to download the puzzle.

  4. Hold a “gospel sing” or “singspiration,” and intersperse MLK reflections with the singing. Below are several reflections by noted pastors.

    1. Reflection by Rev. Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood, Pastor Emeritus, St. Paul’s Community Baptist Church, Brooklyn, NY:
      Audio Clip: http://explorefaith.org/audio/mlk/youngblood.mp3

    2. Reflection by Gina M. Stewart, Senior Pastor, Christ Missionary Baptist Church, Memphis, TN:
      Audio Clip: http://www.explorefaith.org/audio/mlk/stewart.mp3

    3. Reflection by Rev. Dr. Frank Thomas, Senior Pastor, Mississippi Boulevard Church, Memphis, TN:
      Audio Clip: http://www.explorefaith.org/audio/mlk/thomas.mp3

  5. Highlight the biography of at least one person involved in the civil rights movement (in the 60’s or today); focus on each of the key words (Remember, Celebrate, Act).  Present a brief (2-3 minutes) bio on such individuals.

  6. Highlight the timeline of events leading up to the signing of the King Holiday legislation  into law.
    http://www.black-collegian.com/african/mlk/kingact101.shtml


Cites and Additional Information for Music and Materials Listed

1. Instrumental Prelude, Spoken or Sung Call to Worship, or Litany
Instrumental Prelude
(a) Oh, Freedom. Spiritual
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2001. #545

National Baptist Publishing Board. The New National Baptist Hymnal. Nashville, TN: National Baptist Pub. Board, 1977. #504

Cleveland, J. Jefferson, and Verolga Nix. Songs of Zion. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1979. #102

Zion Still Sings for Every Generation. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2001. #109

Spoken Call to Worship
(b) Psalm 129.

(c) Who Will Give Testimony? By Stacey Cole Wilson
Location:
The Africana Worship Book, Year B. Nashville, TN: Discipleship Resources, 2007, p. 61.

Online location: www.discipleshipresources.org

Choral Call to Worship
(d) Come Sunday. By Duke Ellington. Arr. by Paris Rutherford
Location:
Published by G. Schirmer
Available from Sheet Music Plus
1300 64th Street
Emeryville, CA 94608
Phone: 1-800-743-3868

Online location: www.sheetmusicplus.com

(e) Freedom Medley: Oh, Freedom and Freedom Is Coming. Spiritual and South African Freedom Song
Location:
Zion Still Sings. #109 and #110

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Great Is Thy Faithfulness. By Thomas O. Chisholm and William M. Runyan
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #158

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #153

The United Methodist Hymnal: Book of United Methodist Worship. Nashville, TN: The United Methodist Publishing House, 1989. #140

(b) Living in the Imagination of God. By Cecilia Olusola Tribble
Location:
Zion Still Sings. #151

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

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #222

Songs of Zion. #192

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Walk Together Children! Arr. by Ken Berg
Location:
Series: Waltons Choral 3-part Mixed/Traditional Spiritual
Available from Sheet Music Plus
Phone: 1-800-743-3868
Online location: www.sheetmusicplus.com

(b) Go Down, Moses. Spiritual
Location:
Series: Festival Choral, Arr. by Moses Hogan
Available from Sheet Music Plus
Phone: 1-800-743-3868
Online location: www.sheetmusicplus.com

Songs of Zion. #126

(c) I Want Jesus to Walk with Me. Spiritual
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #563

Songs of Zion. #95

(d) Bringing it Back Home Medley. Arr. by Leo Davis
Location:
Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church Choir. Live at the Boulevard. Memphis, TN: Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, 2007.

(e) Let God Arise (and His Enemies Be Scattered). Arr. by Kurt Carr
Location:
One Church. Inglewood, CA: Gospocentric, 2005.

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Lion of Judah. By Beverly Crawford
Location:
Live from Los Angeles. Los Angeles, CA: Jdi Records, 2007.

(b) I Will Bless the Lord. By Andraé Crouch
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #105

Zion Still Sings. #9

(c) I Wouldn’t Know You. By James Fortune
Location:
Fortune, James & Fiya. Transformation. Worldwide, 2008.

(d) I Can’t Hold It. By Byron Cage
Location:
Faithful to Believe. Inglewood, CA: Gospocentric, 2009.

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Ella’s Song. By Bernice Johnson Reagon
Location:
Sweet Honey in the Rock. Breaths. Rounder/Umgd, 1992.

(b) Someday We’ll All Be Free/Psalm 78. By Raphael Warnock and Jennifer Holiday
Location:
Warnock, Raphael, Featuring Jennifer Holiday. Goodness and Mercy. INDIE, 2010.


(c) Freedom. By Charles Mingus
Location:
Mingus, Mingus, Mingus, Mingus, Mingus. Grp Records, 1995.

(d) Strange Fruit. By Billie Holiday
Location:
Wilson, Cassandra. New Moon Daughter. New York, NY: Blue Note Records, 1996.

(e) Living for the City. By Stevie Wonder
Location:
Innervisions. Detroit, MI: Motown, 1973, 2000.

6. Anthems
(a) May Our Work and Praise Be One. By Mark Hill
Location:
Hal Leonard Corporation
PO Box 13819
Milwaukee, WI 53213

Online location: www.halleonard.com

(b) If My People Will Pray with “Hear Our Prayer, O Lord.” By Jimmy Owens. Arr. by Keith Christopher
Location:
Daybreak Choral Series
Available at Hal Leonard Corporation
Online location: www.halleonard.com

(c) He Never Failed Me Yet. By Robert Ray
Location:
Hal Leonard Corporation
Online location: www.halleonard.com

(d) And I Shall Not Be Moved. By Barbara Furman and Vicki Tucker Courtney
Location:
Series: Glory Sound
Available at Hal Leonard Corporation
Online location: www.halleonard.com

(e) Your Faithfulness. By Ken Reynolds. Arr. by Marty Hamby
Location:
Series: Integrity Choral
Available at Hal Leonard Corporation
Online location: www.halleonard.com

7. Modern Songs (Written between 2005–2010)
(a) I Dream. By Florence Roach
Location:
Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church Choir. Live at the Boulevard. Memphis, TN: Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, 2007.

(b) Show Yourself Mighty (Show Yourself Strong). By Albert Jamison
Location:
Jamison, Albert Presents The New York State Mass Choir. Show Yourself Mighty. Compendia, 2007.

(c) Our Generation (The Hope of the World). By John Legend
Location:
Legend, John and The Roots Wake Up! New York, NY: Columbia, 2010.

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart. By Henry Smith
Location:
Zion Still Sings. #127

(b) It Don’t Have to Change. By Dave Tozer
Location:
Legend, John. Get Lifted. New York, NY: Sony, 2004.

(c) We Are Grateful. By Cheryl Boggs
Location:
Pure Worship. 2010.

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) I Want Jesus to Walk with Me. Spiritual
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #563

Songs of Zion. #95

(b) Precious Lord, Take My Hand. By Thomas A. Dorsey
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #471

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #339

The United Methodist Hymnal and Book of Worship. #474

(c) Precious Memories. By J. B. F. Wright
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #517

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #285

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) Trilogy of Dreams. By Langston Hughes. Arr. by Rollo Dilworth
Location:
Available from Sheet Music Plus
Phone: 1-800-743-3868
Online location: www.sheetmusicplus.com

(b) Freedom Train. By Rollo Dilworth
Available from Sheet Music Plus
Phone: 1-800-743-3868
Online location: www.sheetmusicplus.com

(c) His Light Still Shines. Arr. by Moses Hogan
Available from Sheet Music Plus
Phone: 1-800-743-3868
Online location: www.sheetmusicplus.com

(d) My Petition. By Vidal Davis
Location:
Scott, Jill. Beautifully Human. Hidden Beach, 2004.

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Moving Forward. By Ricardo Sanchez
Location:
Walker, Hezekiah. Souled Out. New York, NY: Verity, 2008.

Houghton, Israel. The Power of One. New York, NY: Sony, 2009.

(b) Better People. By India Arie
Location:
Testimony, Vol. 1: Life and Relationship. Detroit, MI: Motown, 2007.

(c) Yes, Lord. By Charles H. Mason
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #667

(d) Wholly Holy. By Aretha Franklin
Location:
The Definitive Soul Collection. New York, NY: Atlantic/Wea, 1990.

Legend, John and The Roots. Wake Up! New York, NY: Columbia, 2010.

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Higher Ground. By Stevie Wonder
Location:
Innervisions. Detroit, MI: Motown, 1973, 2000.

(b) Golden. By Anthony Bell
Location:
Scott, Jill. Beautifully Human. Hidden Beach, 2004.

(c) We Shall Overcome. Traditional
Location:
African American Heritage Hymnal. #542

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #372

The United Methodist Hymnal. #533

Zion Still Sings. #106

(d) Here I Am, Lord. By Dan Schutte
Location:
The United Methodist Hymnal. #593