MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Pierre Walker, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Fellowship Baptist Church, Chicago, IL

Worship Planning Notes
Quotations from Dr. King can be used on bulletin covers, in artwork, in sermons, or in prayers and litanies. Some quotes are provided below. Worship leaders can also use video clips in the worship service from the excellent PBS documentary on the last five years of Dr. King’s Life, The American Experience: The Citizen King. The DVD or VHS tape can be purchased online at www.shoppbs.org/home/index.jsp accessed 20 October 2007

Also see the additional recommendations at the end of this worship design (#13) before the Cites section.

1. Litany

Leader:	Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s greatness was anchored in his desire to serve, rooted in his obedience to his call, and guided by his strength to love. Today, we celebrate Dr. King's personal sacrifice, and we recommit ourselves to his vision for a peaceful world founded on the powerful principles of love, nonviolence, and economic and social justice for the entire human family.
People:	May we nurture Dr. King's dream, plant it on the hearts and minds of our children, and live out its true meaning in our daily lives.
Leader:	May we, in the spirit of Dr. King, put on the whole armor of God and stand against the unjust actions and unfair policies of oppressive governments; join with our brothers and sisters to expose and reject all false teachings, regardless of their age or institutional cloak; and create new visions for our people.
People:	Dr. King's faith enabled him to overcome valley experiences while maintaining mountaintop hopes. Likewise, may we work to transform our lives and renew our minds, so that our faith will lead us through our desolate times to heights higher than the reach of spirits of despair, defeat, and unbelief.
Leader:	May we too learn to love with a perfect love, forgive with a healing spirit, and trust and follow the orders of God without falling prey to the spirit of double mindedness.
People:	May the teachings of Dr. King and the sinless life of Christ empower us to reject violence in all forms; in our families, homes, relationships, churches, schools, communities; and on every battlefield.
Leader:	May Dr. King's spirit infuse us with courage, discipline us with restraint, and equip us with hope.
People:	May we, as the beneficiaries of Dr. King's drum major leadership, understand that we are responsible for the stewardship of the earth and all that is within it; and that God, one day, will require us to give an accounting.
Leader:	May we not be afraid to seek the guidance of God, incline the ear of the Holy Spirit, and employ the assistance of the angelic host to overcome those negative forces that birth war and not peace.
People:	May we, like Dr. King, act with boldness but walk with humility, knowing that it is the power and grace of God that directs our path and provides all victories.
Leader:	May we dream dreams that have not been dreamt, conquer fears yet to be born, and build communities yet to be conceived.
ALL:	We celebrate, commemorate, and honor the life and works of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., his family, and those who labored in the vineyard with them. We pray that our words will lift our own hearts and spur us to action, engage the disaffected, and enliven dry bones in broken communities to become shining lights of victory for this present generation and generations to come. Hear our Prayer, Oh God. Amen and Amen.

2. Hymn or Anthem
Hymn
(a) We Shall Overcome (I’ll Be Alright). Traditional

Anthem
(b) Lift Every Voice and Sing. By James Weldon Johnson. Tune by John R. Johnson

Hymn
(c) The Battle Hymn of the Republic (Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory). By Julia Ward Howe. Tune by William Steffe

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
Spirituals
(a) I Shall Not Be Moved.

(b) Oh, Freedom.

(c) I Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray.

(d) Walk Together Children. Arr. by Evelyn Simpson Curenton

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired.  By James Cleveland

(b) I’ve Got a Testimony. By Tony Tidwell

(c) Stand. By Donnie McClurkin

(d) The Storm Is Passing Over. By Charles Tindley. Arr. by Donald Vails

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Walk in Jerusalem, Just Like John (I Wanna Be Ready).

(b) God Has Smiled on Me. By Isaiah Jones, Jr.

6. Congregational Songs
(a) The Presence of the Lord Is Here. By Byron Cage

(b) High Praise. By Judith Christie McAllister

(c) Revolution. By Kirk Franklin

(d) Everybody Clap Your Hands. By Joshua’s Troop (JT3)

7. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) I Thank You Jesus. By Kenneth Morris

(b) He Has Done Great Things for Me. By Jesse Dixon

8. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Sweet Hour of Prayer. By William W. Walford

(b) Spirit of the Living God. By Daniel Iverson

9. Sermonic Selection
Have Thine Own Way Lord. By George Stebbins

10. Invitational Song or Instrumental
Instrumental
I Can Hear My Savior Calling (Where He Leads Me I Will Follow). By E. W. Blandy. Tune by John S. Norris

11. Benediction Song or Instrumental
Never Alone. Arr. By Robert O. Hoffelt

12. Audio Visual Suggestions
For churches and other groups with screens - Use images from famous speeches given by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. These can be found by searching the phrase “speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” on www.google.com.

13. Other Recommendations
(a) Have testimonies and reflections from persons who participated in the Civil Rights Movement.

(b) On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day congregations also can acknowledge the innovative
leadership and courageous protests of female African American freedom fighters and Civil Rights activists, such as Jarena Lee, Sojourner Truth, Ella Baker, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Rosa Parks. The following are two excellent resources for biographical information on and quotations from African American women who have struggled for justice and peace:

(c) Since there are numerous quotations from Dr. King’s sermons and speeches, only a few are listed below that can be used in various ways in worship services and on other occasions. For additional information for use in worship services and other celebrations, also see the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Beloved Community Day) material in the Cultural Resource section of this lectionary.


Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

1. Litany - This litany was written by Ralph Wheeler, Esq., Oakland, CA. Used with permission.

2. Hymn or Anthem
Hymn
(a) We Shall Overcome (I’ll Be Alright). Traditional
Location:

Anthem
(b) Lift Every Voice and Sing. By James Weldon Johnson. Tune by John R. Johnson
Location:

Hymn
(c) The Battle Hymn of the Republic (Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory). By Julia Ward Howe. Tune by William Steffe
Location:

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
Spirituals
(a) I Shall Not Be Moved.
Location:

(b) Oh, Freedom.
Location:

(c) I Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray.
Location:

(d) Walk Together Children. Arr. By Evelyn Simpson Curenton
Location:

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired. By James Cleveland
Location:

(b) I’ve Got a Testimony. By Tony Tidwell
Location:

(c) Stand. By Donnie McClurkin
Location:

(d) The Storm Is Passing Over. By Charles Tindley. Arr. By Donald Vails
Location:

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Walk in Jerusalem, Just Like John (I Wanna Be Ready).
Location:

(b) God Has Smiled on Me. By Isaiah Jones, Jr.
Location:

6. Congregational Songs
(a) The Presence of the Lord Is Here. By Byron Cage
Location:

(b) High Praise. By Judith Christie McAllister
Location:

(c) Revolution. By Kirk Franklin
Location:

(d) Everybody Clap Your Hands. By Joshua’s Troop (JT 3)
Location:

7. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) I Thank You Jesus. By Kenneth Morris
Location:

(b) He Has Done Great Things for Me. By Jesse Dixon
Location:

8. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Sweet Hour of Prayer. By William W. Walford
Location:

(b) Spirit of the Living God. By Daniel Iverson
Location:

9. Sermonic Selection
Have Thine Own Way Lord. By George Stebbins
Location:

10. Invitational Song or Instrumental
Instrumental
I Can Hear My Savior Calling (Where He Leads Me, I Will Follow). By E. W. Blandy. Tune by John S. Norris
Location:

11. Benediction Song or Instrumental
Never Alone. Arr. By Robert O. Hoffelt
Location:

• Click Here Cultural Resources
• Click Here Lectionary Commentaries