The African American Lectionary

Worship Resources

The Ascent of Ethiopia (1932)
by Lois Mailou Jones

AFRICAN HERITAGE SUNDAY

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Bruce Henderson, Guest Lectionary Liturgist
Minister of Music, Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, Baltimore, MD

Worship Planning Notes
This Sunday marks the second Sunday of Black History Month. The entire month is a major opportunity to teach your congregation more about our history. On this Sunday, our African heritage is spotlighted. Unfortunately, many opportunities to learn as we worship are missed. Do not allow African Heritage Sunday to be one of those occasions. Help your congregation do more than just gather wearing African-styled garments and head-dress. Following is a list of some of the things that you can do to make this Sunday holy, memorable, enjoyable, and a significant time of learning. If you cannot carry out all of these suggestions on this Sunday, include those you are unable to do this Sunday in future worship services during the year.

Include Your Children, Youth, and Young Adults—This Sunday, like so many others that churches fail to utilize, provides a great opportunity for the church to involve young people, teach about the Christian faith, and teach about our heritage as African Americans. Involve young people in all aspects of the worship planning for this occasion. Ensure that their role is more than perfunctory. Let them participate in designing artwork and preparing history blurbs for the church bulletin/order of worship. Let them dance, let them pray, and let them sing.

Include African Musicians and Singers—In almost every area in America, there are enclaves of African musicians and singers. At least on this Sunday, invite them to participate in your worship service. Work with them to ensure that they are able to provide an African offering of music using instruments of their choice.

Invite African Dancers—Just as there are singers, there are probably also dancers in your community who can provide a traditional African dance performance during your worship service or during other events you may hold this month. Their presence will be even more memorable if you are able to not only have them do a routine but also have your liturgical dancers practice and do a routine with them.

Invite Speakers Who Are from Africa—There is so much that we still need to learn about Africa. Take advantage of this time to invite professors and others who are knowledgeable about historic and or current events in Africa to share with your congregation.

Invite African Storytellers/Griots—Griots or storytellers are a wonderful way to introduce congregations to an aspect of our history that is important, spiritual, and highly enjoyable. If you are not familiar with griots in your area, ask around and check with local colleges and universities; they can likely assist you. Then, go and see griots or African storytellers to determine who would best fit the type of worship service that your church provides. Griots who tell stories for children may be particularly wonderful to invite for a morning worship service or afternoon event. They may be perfect for giving your Children’s Sermon for the day.

Make Use of Bulletin Boards, Glass Cases, and Display Areas—There are always artists, schools, and museums who are willing to work with churches and organizations to allow the larger public to see more African Art. Contact them so that you can obtain art from them to display throughout your church on at least this Sunday. You can also copy pictures of art from the web and from books to display on bulletin boards. If possible, place at least one large piece of African Art in the sanctuary during your main worship service(s).

Observe Sanctuary and Liturgical Colors for This Season—The primary colors for African Heritage Sunday are red, black, and green. Please be liturgically appropriate on this occasion. Choirs and praise teams can wear black suits or dresses adorned with a sash of cloth that is red, black, and green or a sash of kente cloth.

Make Use of Screens—This Sunday, be sure that an African border is placed around all wording that will be shown on screens. Also, it would be great to use your screens to present vital facts about Africa. These one-or two-line blurbs can be run periodically throughout the service. For instance: your congregation may not know that one of the most famous bishops of the Catholic Church is Augustine of Hippo, who was a bishop from North Africa. This is great information to share with your congregation.

Mark all CD or DVD Covers with an African Symbol—To make the day even more memorable, all CDs or DVDs that are sold on this Sunday—or perhaps this month—should contain an African Symbol. Suggested symbols include the symbol of SanKofa or the African Flag. Symbols can be found on the web.

Use African Instruments—If you cannot invite guests who can play African instruments, there may be someone in your music department who can play an African instrument. If at all possible, make this a part of your worship service. African drumming is particularly powerful and may work with a dance routine or as stand-alone music.

Dress in African Attire—Congregations often dress in African attire at least one Sunday of the year. Be purposeful in asking your entire congregation, including choirs, ushers, deacons, elders, trustees, and all others to wear African attire on the Sunday that you celebrate African Heritage Sunday.

1. Call to Worship, Invocation, or Litany

Call to Worship

African Diaspora

In the diaspora he sat down;
And there he wept;
Remembering Africa;
Mouth open, unable to sing a song.
Eyes full of the ocean;
Mouth imploded with praises;
Thought stacked full of memories,
Memories of Motherland Africa.
In bits he uttered;
Africa, my cherished home;
In the diaspora unable to sing a song;
I want to come to thee. Amen.

Invocation

Africa

Africa, Beautiful yet unappreciated
Africa, from the Sahara to the Atlantic
Africa, from Zulu Land to Yoruba Land
Africa, from the Nile River to River Niger
Africa, rain and sunshine round the year
Africa, with her green lustre
Africa, with coolness, calmness, a serenity unequaled
Africa, your hospitality and warmth taken for granted
Africa, raped and left desolate, yet richly blessed
Africa, your Children scattered all over the World crying for you
Africa, You are simply mine Africa.

Litany

Africa

Leader: Africa my Africa

Congregation: Africa my motherland

Leader: Africa land where I live

Congregation: Africa my Africa

Leader: A land of great rulers

Congregation: Africa my Africa

Leader: Land of nature, a land where nature lives

Congregation: Africa my Africa

Leader: A land blessed by God himself

Congregation: On the day of Creation, God threw diamonds like stone, gold like rain, he dropped crude oil like rain

Leader: Africa my Africa, land of milk and honey

Congregation: Africa my Africa

2. Hymns or Anthems
(a) Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. By Elisha A. Hoffman. Tune, (Showalter) by Anthony Showalter

(b) Blessed Monica. By Harold T. Lewis. Tune, (Lancashire) Henry Thomas Smart

(d) Lift Every Voice and Sing. Arr. by Roland Carter

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Halleluya! Pelo Tsa Rona. South African Spiritual (Sotho)

(b) Ezekiel Saw de Wheel. Arr. by William Dawson

(d) Over My Head. Traditional

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) In the Sanctuary. By Kurt Carr

(b) Caribbean Medley. By Donnie McClurkin

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) African Medley (Royal Kingdoms, Rise, My Native Land). By Gary Hines and Terry Lewis

(b) Procession of the Levites/Anthem of Praise. By Richard Smallwood

(c) Oh Happy Day. By Edwin Hawkins. The version of this song provided by the African Children’s Choir is a great song for children or youth. See the cite section for more information on this song.

6. Modern Songs
(a) To Our God. By Judith Christie McAllister

(b) This Day. By Fred Hammond

(b) Jabulani Africa. By Fini de Gersigny
(This is a great song for children or youth.)

Jesus, life and hope to heal our land
Saviour, reaching out with your mighty hand

Bridge:
Sing for joy O Africa
The Lord your God is risen upon you
Sing for joy O Africa
The Lord your God is risen upon you now

Chorus
Jabulani, Jabulani Africa
Jabulani, Jabulani Africa
(Repeat)

Jesus, river of life to our thirsty land
Saviour, meeting our needs with your mighty hand

Bridge/Chorus

8. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Mayenziwe/Your Will Be Done. Text 1 Chronicles 29:14. Music attrib. to Ludwig van Beethoven

(b) Prayer for Africa. By Enoch Sontonga. Arr. by Audrey Snyder

9. Sermonic Selection
(a) Oh, Africa! Arr. by Francis Key

(b) I’ll Stand. By Raymond Wise

10. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Thuma Mina. South African Spiritual (Zulu)

(b) Augustine of Hippo. By Harold T. Lewis. Tune by Marvin Curtis

11. Benediction Song or Music
(a) May the Grace of Our Savior. By John Newton. Tune by Ludwig van Beethoven

(b) Till We Gather Again. By Stephen F. Key

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

1. Call to Worship, Invocation, or Litany
Call to Worship—“African Diaspora.” By Chief Charles O. Okereke. Used with permission.
Invocation—“Africa.” By Segun Rasaki. Used with permission.
Litany—“Africa.” By Abisoye Sejoro. Used with permission.

2. Hymns or Anthems
(a) Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. By Elisha A. Hoffman. Tune, (Showalter) by Anthony Showalter
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2001. #371

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. Nashville, TN: Triad Publications, 2005. #211

Cleveland, J. Jefferson and Verolga Nix. Songs of Zion. Supplemental worship
resources, 12. Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 1981. #53

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. #94

(b) Blessed Monica. By Harold T. Lewis. Tune, (Lancashire) by Henry Thomas Smart
Location:

Boyer, Horace Clarence. Lift Every Voice and Sing II: An African American Hymnal.
New York, NY: Church Publishing 1993. #48

GIA Publications, Inc.
7404 S. Mason Ave.
Chicago, IL 60638
Phone: 1-800-442-1358

Online location: www.giamusic.com

(d) Lift Every Voice and Sing. Arr. by Roland Carter
Location:

MAR-VEL Publications
P.O. Box 6082
Chattanooga, TN 37401

Online location: marvelmusic@aol.com

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Halleluya! Pelo Tsa Rona. South African Spiritual (Sotho)
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #180

(b) Ezekiel Saw de Wheel. Arr. by William Dawson
Location:

Neil Kjos Music Company
Tuskegee Series
4382 Jutland Dr.
San Diego, CA 92117
Phone: 858-270-9800

Songs of Zion. # 84

Songs of Zion. #112

(d) Over My Head. Traditional
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #169

Songs of Zion. #167

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) In the Sanctuary. By Kurt Carr
Location:

Awesome Wonder. Inglewood, CA: Gospocentric, 2000.

(b) Caribbean Medley. By Donnie McClurkin
Location:

Live in London and More… New York, NY: Verity, 2000.

My Father’s Business. Indianapolis, IN: Tyscot, 2001.

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) African Medley (Royal Kingdoms, Rise, My Native Land). By Gary Hines and Terry Lewis
Location:

Sounds of Blackness. Africa to America; The Journey of the Drum.
Hollywood, CA: Perspective Records, 1994.

(b) Procession of the Levites/Anthem of Praise. By Richard Smallwood
Location:

Richard Smallwood with Vision. Persuaded—Live in D.C. New York, NY: Verity, 2001.

The African Children’s Choir. It Takes a Whole Village. London: Music for Life/Cutting
Edge Group, 1998.

6. Modern Songs
(a) To Our God. By Judith Christie McAllister
Location:

In His Presence – Live! Franklin, TN: Judah Music, 2006.

The songbook is available from Norwood Publishing
4913 Albemarle Road
Charlotte, NC 28205
Phone: 704-531-8961

Online location: www.ntimemusic.com

(b) This Day. By Fred Hammond
Location:

Free to Worship. New York, NY: Verity, 2006.

Raise the Praise. Los Angeles, CA: Judah Music, 2003.

7. Offertory Songs
(a) Bayete Inkosi. By Fini de Gersigny
Location:

The Praise Worship Songbook Eight
Integrity Media, Inc.
1000 Cody Rd.
Mobile, AL 36695
Phone: 1-800-533-6912

Online location: http://www.integritymusic.com

(b) Jabulani Africa. By Fini de Gersigny
(This is a great song for children or youth.)
Location:

Praise and Worship. Rejoice Africa. Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa: Integrity Music, 2006.

The Praise Worship Songbook Eight
Integrity Media, Inc.
Phone: 1-800-533-6912
Online location http://www.integritymusic.com

African American Heritage Hymnal. #164

8. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Mayenziwe/Your Will Be Done. Text 1 Chronicles 29:14. Music attrib. to Ludwig van Beethoven
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #666

(b) Prayer for Africa. By Enoch Sontonga. Arr. by Audrey Snyder
Location:

Lift Every Voice and Sing II. #281

Songs of Zion. #12

Sheet music available:
“N'kosi Sikelel' I Afrika” (Prayer for Africa)
Hal Leonard Publishing Corp.
7777 W Bluemound Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53213
Phone: 414-774-3630

Online location: http://www.halleonard.com

African American Heritage Hymnal. #447

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #347

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #359

9. Sermonic Selection
(a) Oh, Africa! Arr. by Francis Key
Location:

Online location: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQATLGQ_1gw

(b) I’ll Stand. By Raymond Wise
Location:

Raise Publishing Co.
P.O. Box 247574
Columbus OH 43224-7574
Phone: 610- 268-5056

Online location: www.raiseonline.com

Donald Lawrence. Go Get Your Life Back. Brentwood, TN: EMI Gospel, 2002.

10. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Thuma Mina. South African Spiritual (Zulu)
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #564

(b) Augustine of Hippo. By Harold T. Lewis. Tune by Marvin Curtis
Location:

Lift Every Voice and Sing II. #45

African American Heritage Hymnal. #493

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

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #454

11. Benediction Song or Music
(a) May the Grace of Christ Our Savior. By John Newton. Tune by Ludwig van Beethoven
Location:

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #545

(b) Till We Gather Again. By Stephen F. Key
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #638

Kirk Franklin and the Family. Inglewood, CA: Gospocentric, 1993.