The African American Lectionary

Worship Resources

WATCH NIGHT

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Nolan Williams, Jr., Lectionary Team Liturgist

Worship Planning Notes
An ancient tradition of Native Americans is the use of dream catchers to help assure good dreams to those that sleep under them. The dream catcher is usually placed over a place where the individual would sleep where the morning light can fall on it. As they sleep, all dreams from the spirit world have to pass through the dream catcher. Only good dreams can pass through the hole in the center while the bad dreams are caught in the webbing and are destroyed by the morning light. The dream catcher has been a part of Native American culture for generations. One element of the Native American dream catcher relates to the tradition of the hoop. Some Native Americans of North America held the hoop in the highest esteem, because it symbolized strength and unity.

Through our own worship tradition, we are drawn to a living circle of strength and unity—the TRINITY. In our sojourn as African Americans in this land, the Trinity has been the anchor of our lives, while in slavery and after slavery. The “webbing” of the unbroken circle for us reflects the blessings of love, grace, mercy, providence, forgiveness, protection, and salvation that are provided to us. In the Native American tradition, the web catches the bad dreams. While the Trinity also protects us, or “catches us when we fall,” the work of the Trinity in our lives is so much greater. The Trinity interacts with us and, through this interaction, we take on divine characteristics. It is through this interaction and the taking on of these characteristics that the Trinity forms our dreams and then actualizes those dreams.

As a focal point for worship, a large dream catcher can be constructed—three sections for the hoop representing the Trinity, and the webbing of various colored ribbons representing all the colors of worship and the liturgical calendar. See 13(a) for additional information on how to create a dream catcher.

1. Litany or Invocation
Litany

WATCH NIGHT SERVICE

O God, as was customary of our parents and ancestors, we come to this Watch Night vigil to be with you, in your house, as we usher out the old year and welcome the dawning of a new year.

We come, thanking you for guidance and direction. Go before us, O God, and draw us into the future where you are.

Our slave ancestors watched that night long ago, for the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Lord, keep us awake and alert as we follow in the light of your Word, searching for the good news of the gospel, and the comforting signs of your love in this world.

We thank you for watching over us and caring for us through the old year, as we walked in the light of your love. We thank you for your promises of peace, healing, and justice.

We come, O God, with great expectations and great hopes. Keep these fires kindled within us that we may watch and wait, and once more feel your presence. Let us know your power as we embark on this journey.

You have led us in the past. Guide us, now and always, that we might choose to do your will and follow your way. We are pilgrims in a barren land.

We give you praise, O God, for your goodness and mercy; for life, health, and friends, and for the many blessings you always send. Above all, we thank you for Jesus Christ, who lifts our hopes, guides us in the Way, in this new year, and in years to come.

All praise, honor, glory, and thanks to you, our God, through Jesus Christ our risen Savior and Lord.

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Standing on the Promises. Text and Tune, (Promises) by E. Kelso Carter

(b) Because He Lives. By Gloria Gaither and William J. Gaither. Tune, (Resurrection) by William J. Gaither

(c) Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us. By Dorothy A. Thrupp. Tune, (Bradbury) by William B. Bradbury

(d) I Know Who Holds Tomorrow. Text and Tune, (Tomorrow) by Ira Stamphill

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen. Spiritual. For tenor solo

(b) God Is So Good. Traditional. Tune, So Good

(c) I Know the Lord Has Laid His Hands on Me. Spiritual. Tune, Hands on Me

(d) You’d Better Mind. Traditional

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Said He Would Be with Me. By Isaiah Thomas

(b) I Know the Lord Will Make a Way Somehow. Traditional

(c) Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand. Text and Tune, (Unchanging Hand) by Jennie Wilson

(d) Hallelujah. By Twinkie Clarke

(e) Watch Ye Therefore (Live). By Wanda Nero Butler

(f) For Whatsoever a Man Soweth. By Twinkie Clark

(g) There’s a Bright Side Somewhere. By Margaret Jenkins

(h) Greater Is He That Is in Me. By Lanny Wolfe

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Dream. By Patricia Cathcart Andress

(b) Dream. By Chi Dixson, Chiquita Lockley, Latesha Lockley, and William Murphy III

(c) We Acknowledge You. By Donald Lawrence

(d) Dance, Dance, Dance. By Sharon Queen Campbell, Marva Green, and Virgil Strafod

6. Anthems
(a) Wait on the Lord. By Willis Barnett. For SATB choir, mixed solos, and piano

(b) Jesus, You Brought Me All of the Way. By Kenneth Louis. For SATB

(c) Someday. By Nathan Carter and Charles Tindley. For SSAATTBB choir, solo and organ

7. Modern Songs
(a) I’ve Seen Him Work. By Virgil Strafod and Benita Washington

(b) God Wants a Yes. By James Hall

(c) Taste and See. By Percy Gray, Jr.

(d) Bow My Spirit. By Bishop Leonard Scott

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) The Lord Is My Shepherd. By Eddie A. Robinson

(b) Beatitudes. By Bernice Johnson Reagon

(c) It All Works Together. By Gregory W. Spencer and Myron Williams

(d) Grateful. By Percy Bady

(e) Count Your Blessings. By Johnson Oatman, Jr. Tune, (Blessings) by Edwin O. Excell

(f) Taste and See. By Percy Gray, Jr.

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Healing Stream (We Wait on You). By Judith Christie-McAllister

(b) I Don’t Mind Waiting. By Juanita Bynum

(c) Things Will Be Better Next Year. By Eddie A. Robinson

(d) Let the Spirit Speak to You. By Fred Nelson, III and Montage Pheloan

(e) I Repent. By S. Green, P. Nash, and D. Noel

(f) Taste and See. By Percy Gray, Jr.

(g) Surely the Presence of the Lord Is in This Place. By Lanny Wolfe. You can sing the first verse as a prayer response.

(h) We Need a Word from the Lord. By Thomas Whitfield

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) It’s All to the Glory of God. By Wanda Nero Butler

(b) Jesus. By Latoska Travis and Daniel Witherspoon

(c) In the Waiting. By Dave Clark, Don Koch, and Greg Long

(d) My Everything (Praise Waiteth). By Richard Smallwood

(e) Here Is Our Praise. By Freda Battle

11. Invitational Song
(a) It’s Time to Make a Change. By Jay Terrell and Maurice Watson

(b) Saints, Are You Ready to Go. By Jason Ferdinand

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
You can involve your dance ministry for song (b) or (c) and should make it a habit of involving your liturgical dance ministry throughout a worship service, especially when the choir is singing.
(a) I Don’t Mind Waiting. By Juanita Bynum

(b) To Our God. By Robert Christie and Judith Christie-McAllister

(c) Power of a Dream. By Wintley Phipps

13. Audio Visual Suggestions
(a) A Dream Catcher - Construct a large dream catcher and place it in front of the altar. The dream catcher will serve as a reminder of the work of the Trinity in our lives-- shepherding our hopes and dreams.

The Circle—construct a large circle of 3 adjoined
wooden sections. Each section could be a wrapped in
a different color felt to represent the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit.
Another Option - construct the circle out of grapevine
and sinew. You can also use the giant vine wreaths
that can generally be purchased in craft stores.
The “Webbing”—use ribbons in either 3 (for the Trinity)
or more colors (representing the liturgical season)
The “Dreams”—The “dreams” can be represented by
the construction of ribbons with beads/shells/colored
stones at one end and a plastic hook at the top.
These can be placed in African styled trays next to
the dream catcher.

During the Prayer Period, congregants can be asked to reflect on their hopes and dreams. As the congregation is led in prayer, individuals may choose to come to the altar and place a “hope” or “dream” on the dream catcher.

(b) Use Langston Hughes’s poem “I Dream a World” on the cover of your bulletin along with a black and white photo/image of an African American child or youth.

I Dream a World

I dream a world where man
No other man will scorn,
Where love will bless the earth
And peace its paths adorn.
I dream a world where all
Will know sweet freedom's way,
Where greed no longer saps the soul
Nor avarice blights our day.
A world I dream where black or white,
Whatever race you be,
Will share the bounties of the earth
And every man is free,
Where wretchedness will hang its head
And joy, like a pearl,
Attends the needs of all mankind—
Of such I dream, my world!

14. Other Worship Recommendations
(a) At the end of service, with drummers, your drama ministry, liturgical dancers and choirs, develop a pantomime and dance to any of the songs listed under #12 Benediction .

(b) Use the Lectionary Year One, Watch Night worship video, which is downloadable. This will place your congregation in touch with the spirit of our ancestors, as this download features the voices of persons who were born in slavery and survived slavery. Go to the archive and then type in the key words Watch Night.

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

1. Invocation or Litany
(a) Litany—“Watch Night Service”
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2001. #104

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Standing on the Promises. Text and Tune, (Promises) by E. Kelso Carter
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #373
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. #260

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. Nashville, TN: Triad Publications, 2005. #257

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. #105

(b) Because He Lives. By Gloria Gaither and William J. Gaither. Tune, (Resurrection) by William J. Gaither
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #28
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Hymnal. #193

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #120

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #265

African American Heritage Hymnal. #424
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Hymnal. #278

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 1987. #47

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #54

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #385

(d) I Know Who Holds Tomorrow. Text and Tune, (Tomorrow) by Ira Stamphill
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #415
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Hymnal. #48

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #187

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #281

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #124

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen. Spiritual. For tenor solo
Location:

Larnelle Harris/Various Artists. Spirituals—Songs for the Soul. Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House Music, 2004.

(b) God Is So Good. Traditional. Tune, So Good
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #156
Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #188

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #434

African American Heritage Hymnal. #360
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Hymnal. #52

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #243

(d) You’d Better Mind. Traditional
Location:

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #284

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Said He Would Be with Me. By Isaiah Thomas
Location:

Thomas, Isaiah D. and Elements of Praise. The Greatest. Baltimore, MD: Habakkuk Music, 2008.

(b) I Know the Lord Will Make a Way Somehow. Traditional
Location:

Pearson, Carlton. Live at Azusa 3. New York, NY: Atlantic Recording Corp., 1999.

Hall, James. James Hall—Live from New York. Valley Village, CA: Music Blend/Big Fish Media, 2006.

(d) Hallelujah. By Twinkie Clarke
Location:

Clarke-Sheard, Karen. It’s Not Over. New York, NY: Word, 2006.

(e) Watch Ye Therefore (Live). By Wanda Nero Butler
Location:

Just As I Am/New Born Soul. Chicago, IL: Sounds of Gospel Records, 2006.

(f) For Whatsoever a Man Soweth. By Twinkie Clark
Location:

Home Once Again—Live in Detroit. New York, NY: Zomba Recording, 2004.

(g) There’s a Bright Side Somewhere. By Margaret Jenkins
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #411

(h) Greater Is He That Is in Me. By Lanny Wolfe
Location:

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #311
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #196

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Dream. By Patricia Cathcart Andress
Location:

Tuck & Patti. Dream. New York, NY: BMG Entertainment, 1991.

(b) Dream. By Chi Dixson, Chiquita Lockley, Latesha Lockley, and William Murphy III
Location:

Murphy, William. The Sound. Atlanta, GA: m3mmusic, 2007.

Clark Sheard, Karen. The Heavens Are Telling. New York, NY: Elektra, 2003.

(d) Dance, Dance, Dance. By Sharon Queen Campbell, Marva Green, and Virgil Strafod
Location:

Judah Generation. Bishop Joseph W. Walker, III Presents Judah Generation. Nashville, TN: J3 Records/Light Records, 2006.

6. Anthems
(a) Wait on the Lord. By Willis Barnett. For SATB choir, mixed solos, and piano
Location:

GIA Publications, Inc.
7404 South Mason Avenue
Chicago, IL 60638
Phone: 1-800-GIA-1358
Online location: www.giamusic.com
Sheet Music Sample: http://www.giamusic.com/searchPDFS/G5808.pdf
Audio Sample: http://www.giamusic.com/mp3s/5808.mp3

(b) Jesus, You Brought Me All of the Way. By Kenneth Louis. For SATB
Location:

Sheet Music and Audio samples available
GIA Publications, Inc.
Phone: 1-800-GIA-1358
Online location: www.giamusic.com
Sheet Music Sample: http://www.giamusic.com/searchPDFS/G6131.pdf
Audio Sample: http://www.giamusic.com/mp3s/6131.mp3

GIA Publications, Inc.
Phone: 1-800-GIA-1358
Online location: www.giamusic.com
Sheet Music Sample: http://www.giamusic.com/searchPDFS/G6023.pdf
Audio Sample: Audio Sample: http://www.giamusic.com/mp3s/6023.mp3

7. Modern Songs
(a) I’ve Seen Him Work. By Virgil Strafod and Benita Washington
Location:

Washington, Benita. Renaissance (Live). Antioch, TN: Reddapple Seed Entertainment, 2007.

(b) God Wants a Yes. By James Hall
Location:

James Hall—Live from New York. New York, NY: Music Blend/Big Fish Media, 2006.

Chicago Mass Choir. Project Praise Live in Atlanta. Atlanta, GA: New Haven, 2005.

(d) Bow My Spirit. By Leonard Scott
Location:

Be Lifted Up. Indianapolis, IN: Tyscot Records, 2008.

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) The Lord Is My Shepherd. By Eddie A. Robinson
Location:

Ilerbea Publishing
820 Colony Circle S.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33321-3995
Phone: 954-724-3272

(b) Beatitudes. By Bernice Johnson Reagon
Location:

Sweet Honey in the Rock. Live at Carnegie Hall. Chicago, IL: Flying Fish, 1988.

Williams, Myron. Made to Worship. Atlanta, GA: Flow Records, 2008.

(d) Grateful. By Percy Bady
Location:

Paul S. Morton, Sr. and Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship. Crescent City Fire. Nashville, TN: Light Records/Tehilah Music Group, 2008.

(e) Count Your Blessings. By Johnson Oatman, Jr. Tune, (Blessings) by Edwin O. Excell
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #533
The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #325

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #35

(f) Taste and See. By Percy Gray, Jr.
Location:

Chicago Mass Choir. Project Praise Live in Atlanta. Atlanta, GA: New Haven, 2005.

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Healing Stream (We Wait on You). By Judith Christie-McAllister
Location:

In His Presence Live! New York, NY: Artemis Records, 2006.

(b) I Don’t Mind Waiting. By Juanita Bynum
Location:

Butler, Jonathan and Juanita Bynum. Gospel Goes Classical (Live). Atlanta, GA: Flow Records, 2006.

Ilerbea Publishing
Phone: 954-724-3272

(d) Let The Spirit Speak to You. By Fred Nelson, III and Montage Pheloan
Location:

Third Sound Music Publishing
1415 N Dayton Street
Chicago, IL 60622-2643

(e) I Repent. By S. Green, P. Nash, and D. Noel
Location:

Hobbs, Darwin. Free. Indianapolis, IN: Tyscot Records, 2008.

(f) Learning to Lean. By John Stallings
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #562
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #341

(g) Surely the Presence of the Lord Is in This Place. By Lanny Wolfe
Location:

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #129
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #188

(h) We Need a Word from the Lord. By Thomas Whitfield
Location:

Winans, Vickie. Bringing It All Together. New York, NY: Zomba, 2003.

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) It’s All to the Glory of God. By Wanda Nero Butler
Location:

It’s All to the Glory of God. Detroit, MI: Sound of Gospel Records, 2006.

(b) Jesus. By Latoska Travis and Daniel Witherspoon
Location:

Shekinah Glory Ministry. Jesus (Live). Chicago, IL: Kingdom Records, 2007.

Yohe, Vicki. I Just Want You. Brentwood, TN: Wellspring Gospel (now Pure Springs Gospel), 2003.

(d) My Everything (Praise Waiteth). By Richard Smallwood
Location:

Persuaded: Live in D.C. New York, NY: Verity, 2001.

(e) Here Is Our Praise. By Freda Battle
Location:

Gospel Music Workshop of America Mass Choir. GMWA 2005: Live in Milwaukee. Nashville, TN: Light Records, 2006.

11. Invitational Song
(a) It’s Time to Make a Change. By Jay Terrell and Maurice Watson
Location:

Beulahland Bible Church
1010 Newberg Ave.
Macon, GA. 31206
Phone: 478-784-1555

(b) Saints, Are You Ready to Go. By Jason Ferdinand
Location:

Pine Forge Academy Choir. Rock in a Weary Land. Pine Forge, PA: Pine Forge Academy, 2007.

12. Benediction Song or Music
(a) I Don’t Mind Waiting. By Juanita Bynum
Location:

Butler, Jonathan & Juanita Bynum. Gospel Goes Classical (Live). Atlanta, GA: Flow Records, 2006.

(b) To Our God. By Robert Christie and Judith Christie-McAllister
Location:

Christie-McAllister, Judith. In His Presence: Live! New York, NY: Artemis Records, 2006.

Power of a Dream. Palm Bay, FL: Coral, 1995.

13. Audio Visual Suggestions
(a) For general instructions on building a dream catcher, visit First Nation’s Legacy on the Rouge. Online location: http://www.rivernen.ca/build_dc.htm

To see samples of dream catchers, go to Dreamcatcher.com online location: http://www.dreamcatcher.com.

(b) “I Dream a World” By Langston Hughes
Location:

The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes. Arnold Rampersad, ed.
New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf, 1994. p. 311 ; see Kansas Heritage.org online location: http://www.kansasheritage.org/crossingboundaries/idream.html, accessed 3 August 2008.