The African American Lectionary

Worship Resources

WOMEN’S DAY

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Avis D. Graves, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Minister of Worship, University Park Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC

Worship Planning Notes

Try Something New – Women’s Day has long been a hallowed day in the African American faith community. If it is not already the practice at your church, why not consider renewing your church’s commitment to foreign missions as well as the uplift of women, both of which were the original intentions of the founder of Women’s Day, Nannie Helen Burroughs. Your denomination or church likely already has a foreign missions department. Contact them prior to planning your services and events; make this an integral part of this year’s Women’s Day. You may want to contribute funds to missionaries, to a school in another country, to disaster relief, or to so many other mission causes. Also, select a community project or organization that uplifts women and contribute funds or the time of the women of your church to this organization. This is even more crucial during difficult economic moments for the country. Such activities also provide another opportunity for youth, young adult, middle aged, and senior women to work collaboratively.
Revive Something Old – Once upon a time, Women’s Day was a moment in the liturgical life of the African American Church where elder women were honored and young women (those under age 35) worked with them to design services and events for Women’s Day. These generational mergings helped train new leaders and provided older women a glimpse of the future direction of the church. Some traditions are worth holding on to.
Never Forget the Youth – Youth should be a key part of important days in the life of a church and their involvement should be more that perfunctory. In planning your worship services, and all activities for Women’s Day, be sure that youth are involved in a key way instead of just as members of singing, ushering, and liturgical dancing aggregations. Remember, whenever we involve youth in this manner, we are performing Christian education.
Women’s Day Music – There is so much amazing music that has been written and performed by women. This day on the calendar is a perfect opportunity to highlight some of this music. This music and worship unit provides a variety of suggestions for use.
Post Pictures and Names of Great Women – For the entire month during which your church celebrates Women’s Day, have posters that feature the names and photos of outstanding women designed and placed in various areas of the church. This should include women from your church, our African ancestors, famous historical women from the United States, and current prominent national and local women. Again, this is a great moment of education.

1. Invocation
Merciful God, we lift our hands and hearts in celebration of your awesome work in the lives of your gathered people. We celebrate the special blessing of womanhood today, and we gratefully acknowledge your mercy reflected in the life of Esther and so many other phenomenal women, which has given the women of today a definitive word to speak, an empowering word to uplift, a divine calling to fulfill, and a Holy God to glorify. Where women have grown weary, sad, or uninvolved, we ask that you would rekindle the fire once again, that we may walk and work in a way that blesses humanity and pleases you. Amen.

2. Litany
This litany may be used during congregational worship and numerous women's organization events. It would be fitting to share the "Leader" role among several women. Musicians may softly play background music as the leaders speak each bidding, and then accompany the congregational response with a brighter harmony. Women and girls speaking the responses may answer in any or all of the roles that apply. For example, one may respond as a married woman, mother, and grandmother; another as a young woman, sister, and single woman. Members of the assembly may also call the names of other bold women in prayer near the end of this litany. Bold women in your community, in national leadership positions, and those in your congregation may also be named here.

A Litany of Thanks for Bold Women

Leader:	Lord our God, we give thanks today for the witness of bold women. From the earliest times until today and into the future, bold women show all of us how to live as God's beloved children in God's beloved creation, carrying out our baptismal call to work for justice and peace for all of God's creatures.
Leader:	For Eve, mother of us all, and beloved, we say:
All Women:	Thank you, Lord!
Leader:	For Miriam, who danced beside the Red Sea, we say:
Young Women:	Thank you, Lord!
Leader:	For Mary, the mother of Jesus, who pondered the angel's words in her heart, we say:
Mothers:	Thank you, Lord!
Leader:	For Mary Magdalene, a disciple and first to hear the voice of the risen Christ, we say:
Single Women:	Thank you, Lord!
Leader:	For Naomi, who rejoiced in her grandson Obed, we say:
Grandmothers:	Thank you, Lord!
Leader:	For the Syro-Phoenician woman, bold enough to challenge Jesus himself for her child's sake:
Daughters:	Thank you, Lord!
Leader:	For Mary and Martha of Bethany, who served the Lord together in their different ways, we say:
Sisters:	Thank you, Lord!
Leader:	For the persistent widow, who would not rest until she obtained justice, we say:
Widows:	Thank you, Lord!
Leader:	For Esther, who refused to be silent because she knew that God would go before her as she prepared to go before an earthly king on behalf of her people, we say:
Women in Church Leadership: Thank you, Lord!
Leader:	There have been bold women all around us helping us to ascend to our destinies. For what woman do we thank the Lord today? Name these bold women aloud and state their role(s).
(After all names have been called, the leader responds:)
Leader:	For the witness of all bold women, yesterday, today, and tomorrow, Lord, we thank you and we praise you. Lord, please let their boldness flourish in our hearts as we live out our baptismal call to serve you and our neighbor, with all of our hearts, with all our minds, with all our strength.
All:	Thank you, Lord! Alleluia, Amen!

3. Hymn or Anthem
(a) I Am Thine. By Fanny Crosby. Tune, (I AM THINE), by William H. Doane

(b) Faith of Our Mothers. By A. B. Patten. Tune, (ST. CATHERINE), by Henri F. Henry

(d) God Leads Us Along (In Shady Green Pastures). By George A. Young

4. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Guide My Feet.

(b) The Angels Keep A-Watchin.

(d) Lord, Make Me More Holy.

(e) Every Time I Feel the Spirit.

5. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) The Lord Is My Light. By Lillian Bouknight

(b) It Shall Be. By John P. Kee

(d) Your Grace and Mercy. By Franklin D. Williams

6. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Magnify. By Teresa Hairston

(b) When the Saints Go to Worship. By Donald Lawrence

7. Anthems
(a) God Reigneth Forever. Text and Tune by Oscar Williams, Jr.

(b) Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah. By William Williams and Peter Williams. Tune, (CWM RHONDDA), by John Hughes

8. Modern Songs
(a) Pray. By CeCe Winans

(b) In the Will of God. By Karen Clark-Sheard

9. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) What Shall I Render. By Margaret Douroux

(b) The Highest Praise. By Richard Smallwood

10. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Prayer Changes Things. By Dorothy Lovecoates. Traditional

(b) Prayer Changes Things. By Dietrick Haddon.

11. Sermonic Selection
(a) This Too Shall Pass. By Yolanda Adams

(b) Broken but I’m Healed. By V. Michael McKay

12. Invitational Song
(a) I Have Decided to Follow Jesus. Text ascribed to an Indian Prince. Tune, (ASSAM), by Paul B. Smith. Harmony by Norman Johnson

(b) We Offer Christ to You. By Phillip Britain

13. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Take the Name of Jesus with You. By Lydia Baxter. Tune, (PRECIOUS NAME), by William H. Doane

(b) To the Work. Fannie J. Crosby. Tune, (TOILING ON), by William H. Doane

14. Additional Resources
The website for Women of the ELCA has ideas for what they call “Bold Women’s Day,” which encourages women to act boldly in advancing the Kingdom of God. http://www.womenoftheelca.org/

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

1. Invocation
Written by Avis Graves.

2. Litany, “A Litany of Thanks for Bold Women.” By Women of the ELCA. Used with permission.
Online location: http://www.womenoftheelca.org/

3. Hymn or Anthem
(a) I Am Thine. By Fanny Crosby. Tune, (I AM THINE), by William H. Doane
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2001. #387

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. #443
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. Nashville, TN: Triad Publications, 2005. #202

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. #380

(b) Faith of Our Mothers. By A. B. Patten. Tune, (ST. CATHERINE), by Henri F. Henry
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #410
African Methodist Episcopal Church. African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. Nashville, TN: African Methodist Episcopal Church, 2006. #430

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #275

African American Heritage Hymnal. #163
African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #311

National Baptist Convention of the United States of America. Gospel Pearls. 1921. #18

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #368

(d) God Leads Us Along (In Shady Green Pastures). By George A. Young
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #136
African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #391

Gospel Pearls. #53

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #386

4. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Guide My Feet.
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #131

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #386

(b) The Angels Keep A-Watchin.
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #130

African American Heritage Hymnal. #358

(d) Lord, Make Me More Holy.
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #632
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 1987. #222

(e) Every Time I Feel the Spirit.
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #325
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Hymnal. #220

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #202

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #380

5. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) The Lord Is My Light. By Lillian Bouknight
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #160
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #66

(b) It Shall Be. By John P. Kee
Location:

Nothing But Worship. New York, NY: Zomba Label Group, 2007.

Crawford, Beverly. Beverly Crawford: Live from Los Angeles. Los Angeles, CA: JDI Records, 2007.

(d) Your Grace and Mercy. By Franklin D. Williams
Location:

Mississippi Mass Choir. It Remains to Be Seen. Jackson, MS: Malaco Records, 1993.

6. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Magnify. By Teresa Hairston
Location:

Gospel Today Magazine Presents: Praise & Worship: 2002. New York, NY: Verity, 2002.

(b) When the Saints Go to Worship. By Donald Lawrence
Location:

Donald Lawrence and The Tri-City Singers featuring Erica McCullough. Finalé Act II. London, England: EMI Records, 2006.

7. Anthems
(a) God Reigneth Forever. Text and Tune by Oscar Williams, Jr.
Location:

Sheet Music Plus
1300 64th Street
Emeryville, CA 94608

Online location: www.sheetmusicplus.com

(b) Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah. By William Williams and Peter Williams. Tune, (CWM RHONDDA), by John Hughes
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #138
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Hymnal. #82

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #232

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #31

8. Modern Songs
(a) Pray. By CeCe Winans
Location:

Purified. Santa Monica, CA: INO/Epic, 2005.

(b) In the Will of God. By Karen Clark-Sheard
Location:

Finally, Karen. New York, NY: Island Records, 1997.

Jones, Paul. I Won't Complain. Houston, TX: Pure Records, 1996.

9. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) What Shall I Render. By Margaret Douroux
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #389

(b) The Highest Praise. By Richard Smallwood
Location:

Adoration: Live in Atlanta. New York, NY: Jive Records, 1996.

10. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Prayer Changes Things. By Dorothy Lovecoates. Traditional
Location:

Coates, Love, Dorothy. I Owe You the Praise: Savoy Gospel. Newark, NJ: Savoy Records, 1955.

(b) Prayer Changes Things. By Dietrick Haddon.
Location:

Crossroads. New York, NY: Tyscot/Verity/Zomba, 2004.

Faith Davis, the Minstrels and Levites. Worship…It’s A Lifestyle. Inman, SC: Rafa Music, 2003.

11. Sermonic Selection
(a) This Too Shall Pass. By Yolanda Adams
Location:

Day by Day. New York, NY: Atlantic, 2005.

(b) Broken but I’m Healed. By V. Michael McKay
Location:

Cage, Byron. An Invitation to Worship. Inglewood, CA: Gospocentric, 2005.

12. Invitational Song
(a) I Have Decided to Follow Jesus. Text ascribed to an Indian Prince. Tune (ASSAM), by Paul B. Smith. Harmony Norman Johnson
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #400
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #118

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #484

(b) We Offer Christ to You. By Phillip Britain
Location:

Morton, Paul S., Sr. & Greater St. Stephen’s Full Gospel Mass Choir. We Offer Christ. Jackson, MS: Blackberry Records, 1993.

13. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Take the Name of Jesus with You. By Lydia Baxter. Tune, (PRECIOUS NAME), by William H. Doane
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #297
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #261

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #233

(b) To the Work. By Fannie J. Crosby. Tune, (TOILING ON), by William H. Doane
Location:

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #392