The African American Lectionary

Worship Resources

ARTS DAY

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Wilson Lillies, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Musician, Boston, MA

Worship Planning Notes

The song “Give Me that Ol’ Time Religion” could often be heard in the church of my youth. While I do not want a return to the church of my youth, as it excluded too many groups, especially women clergy, I do want a return to the aspects of it that held black artistry in high esteem. In celebration of a black president, why not make this the year that the black church returns to its celebration of black artistry in the church, doing away with the man-made, murky line that we use as demarcation for what we in recent years (since the early 1900s) wrongly call the sacred and the secular.

Last year for Arts Day, guest liturgist Sharon Fuller provided a wide range of suggestions to enhance Arts Day worship services. This year, a few are explored with specificity.

If you do not do some of these things throughout the year, at least try them for Arts Day 2009. If Arts Day is not typically a part of your church calendar, please include it this year. It will be a wonderful addition to your liturgical year.

Placing Pictures by Black Artists in the Church
All cities and towns have new and emerging artists seeking places to display their work, paintings, and photographs. Your Music and Arts Ministry should seek out such persons and have them regularly provide pictures for your church. Be sure that such a project is covered by your church’s insurance. If possible, also ask that artists provide insurance. However, do not allow this to be a reason that you do not provide opportunities for new or poor artists.

Paintings can be placed throughout the church. Display them properly. Some paintings are meant to be placed on walls, while others are best presented on stands. Still other, perhaps more fragile and or expensive, paintings may need to be placed inside glass cases. Place paintings in areas where they will be seen, in areas where they will further invite the presence of God, and in areas where they will not be damaged. Of course on this day a sculpture should be placed in the foyer and the sanctuary.

Putting Black Sculptures in the Church
Much of what I have said above regarding paintings and photographs applies here to sculptures. Sculpture has a way of immediately inviting persons who are not typically mindful of the arts into the world of the arts. People will stop to admire a great sculpture. Place sculptures in areas where they will be seen, in areas where they will further invite the presence of God, and in areas where they will not be damaged. Of course on this day a sculpture should be placed in the foyer and the sanctuary.

Highlighting Black Art on Banners and Tapestries in the Church
Often church banners, though lovely, only contain words and maybe a typical liturgical design. This year and from now on, give new life to the use of church banners. You could have an artist create a banner that has the face of Sojourner Truth on it with the words Truth Is a Virtue. Or a banner featuring W. E. B. DuBois containing the words Our People Have a Long History of Educational Excellence. Or a banner featuring Wynton Marsalis with the words All Good Music Comes from God. For high holy days such as Easter and Christmas, consider banners that feature a black Christ or images of blackness, i.e., black children, a black choir, etc. Such banners will also be great teaching tools.

Tapestries are not common in historically black churches, but I believe that they should be used more often. Again, there are artists who would love to display their tapestries and your church may even want to purchase a tapestry that will regularly hang in the church or one that is hung for special moments in the life of the church such as the Church Anniversary, Choir Anniversary, etc.

Using Black Art on Bulletin/Orders of Worship Covers
Perhaps to save money and/or perhaps because of a lack of thought to the matter, most church bulletin/order of worship covers are either uninspiring or dull. With the advent of technology, there is no longer a reason for this. With the aid of youth and young adults in your church, make a pledge that this year your church will have the most creative, most talked about bulletins/orders of worship to be found anywhere. As was said in the commentary, we are an artistic people. Let loose your young folk and let them show the world what they can do. You may even want to have a contest and offer a prize for the top three bulletins designed. Do at least three categories—one designed by a child (8–12), one by a teenager (13–18), and one by adults (19 and up). All top three winners would have their designs used as bulletin covers for at least one service during the year.

Barring having designs done by those in your church, at least have your Worship Arts Ministry or Christian Education folk give serious attention to increasing the use of Afrocentric and black bulletin covers by your church.

Saving and Educating Our Children Through Using the Arts
I have already suggested one way that children can become a part of your Arts Day efforts as well as be part of your continuous focus on the arts throughout the year. In addition to that, make your church a place known for spotlighting and supporting young artists. Studies have shown again and again that children who are committed to interests such as the arts get better grades and are less likely to engage in delinquent behavior. This does not take a lot of money. It just takes concern for kids and interested adults. Make your church space welcoming for artistry. Do not use your sound and recording equipment only to show words on a screen or to records CDs and DVDs—make it available to young people. Let them create songs; they can do it. Let them use hip-hop cords and the instruments that speak to their age and ears. No Youth Ministry or Christian Education Department should be without an Arts component. Nor should a church year conclude without presenting art work from your children and adults in either a service or as part of a display.

See also the cultural resource unit for today for additional ways to make your church a place where art is celebrated and for additional ways to involve youth and young adults in arts efforts at your church.

1. Litany

An Arts Litany

Leader:	Creator God, we believe that you are the giver of every good and perfect gift. Thank you for our artists. They have blessed and enriched our lives down through the years.
Congregation:	Thank you for Phillis Wheatley, Gwendolyn Brooks, Richard Wright, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and all great artists who came before them and those who have come since.
Leader:	You, through the Holy Spirit, provide the inspiration, the patience, the endurance, and the determination that each artist needs to produce a work with which you will be pleased and your people blessed.
Congregation:	Thank you for Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith, Count Basie, Muddy Waters, Nina Simone, Mahalia Jackson, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Sam Cooke, Shirley Caesar, and all great artists who came before them and those who have come since.
Leader:	Teach us to appreciate those who toil in the artist work-room often for little pay and little notoriety, but only because they believe in art and beauty. Help us to become their supporters and encouragers.
Congregation:	Thank you for photographer Gordon Parks; sculptor Augusta Savage; painters Jacob Lawrence, Henry Ossawa Tanner, and Varnette Honeywood; the quilters from Gees Benz; and all great artists who came before them and those who have come since.
Leader:	Give us sight so that we might see, with fresh eyes and clear minds, how talented we are.
Congregation:	We will not dismiss art that we do not understand. We will not let our artists die because of our unconcern and ignorance. We will not leave it to others to applaud our artists and support their survival.
Leader:	So, God, we raise our hands in thanks to you for blessing our lives in yet another way, through the richness of art. We praise your name because you keep doing great things for us. You are a mighty God.
Congregation:	God, we give you praise and glory for the art that has come through your touch. Thank you every artist in this church and for abiding in this worship service that our eyes may be opened, our ears may hear glorious melodies, and we will lift our hearts in praise, for you are worthy of all our praise.

2. Hymns or Anthems
(a) Look and Live. By William A. Ogden. Tune, Look and Live

(b) Love Lifted Me. By James Rowe. Tune, Safety

3. Traditional Songs
(a) To God Be the Glory. By Fannie J. Crosby. Tune, Be the Glory

(b) Praise Him! Praise Him! By Fannie J. Crosby. Tune, Joyful Song

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) This Is the Day. Text from Psalm 118:24. Tune by Les Garrett

(b) Sing. By Israel Houghton and Aaron Lindsey

(d) God Is a Wonder to My Soul. By Robert J. Fryson. Tune, Wonder

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Arise. By Chris Jones

(b) I Am a Witness. By Darius Butler

(d) Stand. By Donnie McClurkin

6. Step Music
Stepping is an art form perfected by black fraternities and sororities. National step competitions are held yearly. Modernly, this art form has become part of worship services, special church programs, and church conferences through Drama and Arts Ministries and Youth and Young Adult Ministries.
(a) Stand Up. By DaMediator and Mouth Almighty

(b) Church Shaka. By DaMediator, RFC, Mouth Almighty, Hitman, and Jay Vcee

7. Meter Hymns
This is a great Sunday to help keep Dr. Watts/long meter hymn singing alive. It is a valuable part of our history.
(a) I Love the Lord, He Heard My Cry. African American Traditional. Tune, Meter Hymn

(b) Father, I Stretch My Hands to Thee. Charles Wesley. Tune, meter hymn. Lined out and arr. By Evelyn Simpson-Curenton. (This is the shorter version of the song. The longer version is provided below.

Father, I stretch my hands to Thee,
No other help I know;
if Thou withdraw Thyself from me,
Ah! Whither shall I go?

What did Thine only Son endure,
Before I drew my breath!
What pain, what labor, to secure
my soul from endless death!

O Jesus, could I this believe,
I now should feel Thy power;
Now my poor soul Thou wouldst retrieve,
nor let me wait one hour.

Surely Thou canst not let me die;
O speak, and I shall live;
and here I will unwearied lie,
Till Thou Thy Spirit give.

Author of faith! To Thee I lift
My weary, longing eyes:
O let me now receive that gift!
my soul without it dies.

The worst of sinners would rejoice,
Could they but see Thy face:
O, let me hear Thy quickening voice,
and taste Thy pardoning grace.

(c) Lord, I Come to Thee. Traditional. (Meter hymn version shown on the video is sung by Pastor E. Dewey Smith, Decatur, Georgia.)

8. Handbell Music
(a) When in Our Music, God Is Glorified. By Fred Pratt Green. Arr. By Sherman Arnold

(b) Peace Like a River. Traditional Spiritual. Handbell Arr. By Sandra Eithum

9. Modern Songs
(a) Never Gonna Break My Faith. By Brian Adams, Eliot Kennedy, and Andrea Remanda

(b) God Blocked It. By Kurt Carr

10. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Let It Breathe on Me. By Magnolia Lewis-Butts

(b) Count Your Blessings. By Johnson Oatman, Jr.

11. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) King Jesus Is A-Listenin’. Negro Spiritual. Tune, King Jesus

(b) All My Help Comes from the Lord. By Cleophus Robinson

12. Sermonic Selection
(a) The Word. By Deitrick Haddon. For soloist

(b) God Is at Work Within You. By Fred Bock

(c) We Are the Salt of the Earth. By Rance Allen

13. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Throw Out the Life-Line. By Edward S. Ufford

(b) ‘Tis the Ol’ Ship of Zion. Negro Spiritual. Tune, Ol’ Ship of Zion

14. Benediction Song or Dance
Instead of having someone verbally pronounce the benediction, have your liturgical dancers or guest liturgical dancers give the benediction through dance—no words, just dance and music.

Dance
(a) Peace. By Harold Rayford. This is an instrumental—saxophone—selection.

Sung
(b) Blest Be the Tie That Binds. By John Fawcett. Tune, (Dennis) John G. Nageli. Arr. By Lowell Mason

15. Audio Visual Suggestions
(a) Helpful books include:

Warren W. Wiersbe. Real Worship: Playground, Battleground, or Holy Ground?

William A. Dyrness. Visual Faith: Art, Theology, and Worship in Dialogue (Engaging Culture)

(b) A helpful Arts website is Art to Heart—www.arttoheartweb.com

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

1. Litany
“An Arts Litany.” By Wilson Lillies.

2. Hymns or Anthems
(a) Look and Live. By William A. Ogden. Tune, Look and Live
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2001. #503
African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. Nashville, TN: The African Methodist Episcopal Church, (2000) sixth printing 2004. #215

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. #428

(b) Love Lifted Me. By James Rowe. Tune, Safety
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #504
African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #461

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #425

African American Heritage Hymnal. #122

3. Traditional Songs
(a) To God Be the Glory. By Fannie J. Crosby. Tune, Be the Glory
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #157
African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #21

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #19

(b) Praise Him! Praise Him! By Fannie J. Crosby. Tune, Joyful Song
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #178
African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #92

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #4

African American Heritage Hymnal. #238
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #455

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) This Is the Day. Text from Psalm 118:24. Tune by Les Garrett
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #108

(b) Sing. By Israel Houghton and Aaron Lindsey
Location:

Lakewood Church. Better Than Life: The Best of Lakewood Live. New York, NY: Sony, 2008.

Donald Lawrence Presents the Tri-City Singers. The Grand Finale: Encourage Yourself. Brentwood, TN: EMI Gospel, 2007.

(d) God Is a Wonder to My Soul. By Robert J. Fryson. Tune, Wonder
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #132

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Arise. By Chris Jones
Location:

Chris Jones Featuring Word of Praise. Dance. Indianapolis, IN: Tsycot, 2006.

(b) I Am a Witness. By Darius Butler
Location:

Gregg Patrick & The Bridge Project. Cross Over. Indianapolis, IN: Tyscot/Cross Over Entertainment, 2008.

The Best of Donald Lawrence & the Tri-City Singers. Restoring the Years. Brentwood, TN: EMI Gospel, 2003.

(d) Stand. By Donnie McClurkin
Location:

Donnie McClurkin. Nashville, TN: Word Entertainment, 2006.

6. Step Music
(a) Stand Up. By DaMediator and Mouth Almighty
Location:

The Mobsters of Light. Church Shaka. INDIE, 2006.
Online location: www.cdbaby.com

(b) Church Shaka. By DaMediator, RFC, Mouth Almighty, Hitman, and Jay Vcee
Location:

The Mobsters of Light. Church Shaka. INDIE, 2006.
Online location: www.cdbaby.com

Revealed. New York, NY: Verity, 2008.

African American Heritage Hymnal. #394

(b) Father, I Stretch My Hands To Thee. Charles Wesley. Tune, meter hymn. Lined out and arr. By Evelyn Simpson-Curenton
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #128

Meter hymn version shown on the video above is sung by Pastor E. Dewey Smith, Decatur, Georgia.

8. Handbell Music
(a) When in Our Music, God Is Glorified. By Fred Pratt Green. Arr. By Sherman Arnold
Location:

Hope Publishing Company
380 S. Main Place
Carol Stream, IL 60188
Phone: 1-800-323-1049

(b) Peace Like a River. Traditional Spiritual. Handbell Arr. By Sandra Eithum
Location:

GIA Publications, Inc.
Resounding Faith
Handbell Music for the Church
7404 South Mason Avenue
Chicago, IL 60638
Phone: 1-800-GIA-1358
Product #G-6406

GIA Publications, Inc.
Phone: 1-800-GIA-1358
Product #G6275

9. Modern Songs
(a) Never Gonna Break My Faith. By Brian Adams, Eliot Kennedy, and Andrea Remanda
Location:

Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, and featuring the Harlem Boys Choir. Bobby: The Soundtrack. New York, NY: Island, 2006.

(b) God Blocked It. By Kurt Carr
Location:

Kurt Carr. One Church. Inglewood, CA: Gospocentric, 2005.

The Heavens Are Telling. New York, NY: Elektra/Warner, 2003.

10. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Let It Breathe on Me. By Magnolia Lewis-Butts
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #316
African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #295

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #412

(b) Count Your Blessings. By Johnson Oatman, Jr.
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #533
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #35

African American Heritage Hymnal. #671

11. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) King Jesus Is A-Listenin’. Negro Spiritual. Tune, King Jesus
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #364

(b) All My Help Comes from the Lord. By Cleophus Robinson
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #370

African American Heritage Hymnal. #494
African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #452

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #87

12. Sermonic Selection
(a) The Word. By Deitrick Haddon. For soloist
Location:

Revealed. New York, NY: Verity, 2008.

(b) God Is at Work Within You. By Fred Bock
Location:

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #99

Kee, John P. Color Blind. New York, NY: Verity, 1994.

13. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Throw Out the Life-Line. By Edward S. Ufford
Location:

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #245
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. 483

(b) ‘Tis the Ol’ Ship of Zion. Negro Spiritual. Tune, Ol’ Ship of Zion
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #349
Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #494

African American Heritage Hymnal. #558
African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #401

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #485

14. Benediction Song or Dance
Dance
(a) Peace. By Harold Rayford. This is an instrumental—saxophone—selection.
Location:

Rayford, Harold. Always There. Indianapolis, IN: Tyscot, 2008.

Sung
(b) Blest Be the Tie That Binds. By John Fawcett. Tune, (Dennis) John G. Nageli. Arr. By Lowell Mason
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #341
African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #522

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #34

15. Audio Visual Suggestions
Helpful books include:

Wiersbe, Warren W. Real Worship: Playground, Battleground, or Holy Ground? Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000.
Dyrness, William A. Visual Faith: Art, Theology, and Worship in Dialogue (Engaging Culture). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2001.