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Sunday, May 25, 2008

Leo H. Davis, Jr., Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Minister of Music, Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, Memphis, TN

Worship Planning Notes
While in one sense, each Sunday is a moment of Christian education in the life of a church, on this Sunday, the Christian Education Department and all Christian education entities (which includes all areas of a church), are celebrated and promoted. Christian education is a critical tool in shaping spiritual awareness and positive self-image in children and adults. This shaping occurs throughout all areas of the church, often even when people are unaware that it is occurring. With that in mind, make special efforts to hold activities prior to this service that encourage and promote Christian education. Instead of holding the usual weekly church activities the week before this Sunday, all of the week's activities would be devoted to strengthening Christian education in your church. Be sure to develop a theme for the week and to carefully plan all activities for maximum participation. Do not expect people to come—invite them via phone, email, the church’s website, and by mail. The following are potential activities for your Christian Education Week celebration.

1. One evening during a meal for singles, offer a special class on an issue of interest to the singles in your church and tie the gathering to Christian education. Have a plan in place to continue the effort in some fashion.
   
   
2. Offer an evening of Bible Fun and Facts. On this occasion, members of the church are dressed as various biblical characters. Selected members will provide the biographies of biblical characters and if applicable, information about the books of the Bible that were written by the characters they represent. Encourage children and youth to dress as characters and allow them to make presentations. Prizes for children, youth, and new converts should be included as part of the evening’s activities.
   
   
3. Over one or two evenings, offer training classes for all departments of the church including: the diaconate, stewards, trustees, teachers, choirs, ministers, and ushers. Bring in trainers if possible.

The week’s activities would culminate with a service on Sunday at which the highlights of the week’s activities are mentioned during the service and in the church bulletin.

1. Litany	Do You Know Who You Are?
Leader	Do you know who and Whose you are?
Youth:	I am unashamedly Black. Even though I may be called out of my name: because of my blackness, I am nonetheless unashamedly Black.
Leader	Consider who and Whose you are.
Youth:	God made me who I am, and I am Whose I am.
Leader	God created the whole human race according to God’s likeness.
Youth:	I am included in that creation.
Leader	Remember that you are created by God with the identity of God’s people.
Youth:	We belong to God and are not ashamed of this belonging and what it means for our lives as Christians who are young, gifted, and Black.
All:	God, the name above all names, provides the basis for our valued human identity. Knowing this gives us reason to disclaim language and behavior that disaffirms that identity.

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
Hymns
(a) I Love to Tell the Story. By A. Katherine Hankey. Music by William G. Fischer. Tune, (HANKEY).

(b) Lord, I Want to Live for Thee. Arr. by Leo H. Davis, Jr.

Congregational Songs
(c) Lead On, O Cloud of Presence. By Ruth Duck. Music by Henry T. Smart. Tune, (LANCASHIRE).

(d) Christ’s Word to Us Is Like a Burning Fire. By Jane Parker Huber. Music by George Warren

(e) World without Walls. By David A. Robb and Amanda Husberg

3. Spirituals or Prayer and Praise Hymns
Spirituals
(a) I Opened My Mouth to the Lord. Arr. by Raymond Wise

(b) Fix Me, Jesus. Arr. by Hall Johnson

(c) I Know I’ve Been Changed. Arr. by Damon Dandridge

Prayer and Praise Hymns
(d) Satan, We’re Gonna’ Tear Your Kingdom Down.

(e) I’m Glad I Got That Old Time Religion.

(f) I Know His Blood Has Made Me Whole!

4. Modern Songs
The suggested modern songs are designated for ensembles with experienced vocalists.

(a) Search Me, Lord. By Edwin Hawkins

(b) Becoming the Kingdom. By Nolan Williams, Jr.

(c) I Owe You More. By Pamela Jean Davis

(d) Even Me. Arr. by Michael Reid

5. Liturgical Dance Music
Teach Me Oh Lord. By Thomas Whitfield

6. Offertory Song or Instrumental
Organ Offertory
Fix Me, Jesus. Arr. by Ralph Simpson

7. Anthems
(a) Lord, Thou Hast Searched and Known Me. By Eugene Butler

(b) God Is My Rock. By Andy Beck

(c) Psalm 139. By Allen Pote

8. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) I’ll Say Yes. By Carol Cymbala

(b) Down at the Altar. By Joe Pace

9. Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Turn It Around. By Israel Houghton and Aaron Lindsay

(b) King of Kings. By DeMarcus Williams and Myron Williams

(c) Yes. By Valencia Lacy

10. Invitational Song or Instrumental
I Surrender All. By Judson W. Van De Venter

11. Benediction Song or Instrumental
Order My Steps in Your Word. By Glenn Burleigh

12. Audio Visual Suggestions
Place images of persons in Bible study and Sunday school classes on screen, bulletins, and on walls. If your church holds a week of Christian education training prior to this service, display images from the week’s activities.

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

1. Litany - "Do You Know Who You Are?” written by leaders of the Youth Hope-Builders Academy of the Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA. Used with permission.

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
Hymns
(a) I Love to Tell the Story. By A. Katherine Hankey. Music by William G. Fischer. Tune, (HANKEY).
Location:

(b) Lord, I Want to Live for Thee. Arr. by Leo H. Davis, Jr.
Location:

Congregational Songs
(c) Lead On, O Cloud of Presence. By Ruth Duck. Music by Henry T. Smart. Tune, (LANCASHIRE).
Location:

(d) Christ’s Word to Us Is Like a Burning Fire. By Jane Parker Huber. Music by George Warren
Location:

(e) World without Walls. By David A. Robb and Amanda Husberg
This hymn comes in the musical (rhythmic) style called the “Highlife.” Highlife music or rhythm was created in the western part of Africa. It is basically a fusion of Caribbean, West and Central African indigenous rhythms, such as Calypso, Samba, Kwasa, and Kpanlogo.
Location:

3. Suggested Spirituals or Prayer and Praise Hymns
Spirituals
(a) I Opened My Mouth to the Lord. Arr. by Raymond Wise
Location:

(b) Fix Me, Jesus. Arr. by Hall Johnson
Location:

(c) I Know I’ve Been Changed. Arr. by Damon Dandridge
Location:

Prayer and Praise Hymns
(d) Satan, We’re Gonna’ Tear Your Kingdom Down.
Location:

(e) I’m Glad I Got That Old Time Religion.
Location:

(f) I Know His Blood Has Made Me Whole!
Location:

4. Modern Songs
The suggested modern songs are designated for ensembles with experienced vocalists.
(a) Search Me, Lord. By Edwin Hawkins
Location: