The African American Lectionary

Worship Resources

CONTEMPORARY HEROES AND HEROINES DAY

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Sunday, February 15, 2009

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

Worship Planning Notes

Too often people do extraordinary work in the church and or the local community but receive little or no recognition. Although they clearly do what they do as part of their reasonable service and to glorify God and help the church and or community, these unsung heroes and heroines need to be recognized by their church and community. As a part of your Contemporary Heroes and Heroines worship service this year, why not at least honor the heroes and heroines in your church! The ceremony can be as modest or lavish as you wish, but do something. Try to honor a youth, an adult under age 60, and an adult over age 60. Advertise the ceremony through your local newspaper, church newsletter, church bulletin, television, and your church website.

1. Litany, Invocation, or Responsive Reading
(Today’s litany was also used in Year One of the lectionary.)

A Hero

Leader:	What is a hero? It is someone who demonstrates courage when facing danger and adversity. It is an individual who gives of himself or herself for a greater good so that others may live, succeed, or avoid harm. We celebrate them all.
PEOPLE:	Who is a hero?
Adult female:	It is the parent who works an extra shift on her job so that her children may not only eat and sleep comfortably, but that they may also enjoy some “extras” in their life such as soccer, ballet, and music lessons.
PEOPLE:	Who is a hero?
Youth:	It is the big brother or sister who looks out for his or her younger sibling, modeling the type of behavior that merits applause. We celebrate them all.
PEOPLE:	Who is a hero?
ALL:	It is the senior who unselfishly and sacrificially tends to the daily needs of a spouse who can no longer care for his or her own needs.
PEOPLE:	Who is a hero?
Young adult:	It is the high school graduate who furthers his or her experience by attending college and then continues to be a life-long learner. He or she inspires others in his or her community to achieve a higher level of excellence. We celebrate them all.
PEOPLE:	Who is a hero?
Worship Leader:	It is the One who allowed himself to become beaten, leading to a bloody death on a cross between two thieves. He gave his life so that our existence would not end with death, but that we could spend an unimaginable eternity with him.
PEOPLE:	Who is a hero?
ALL:	Some are great and some are small and we celebrate them all. But one deserves our worship: He is Jesus Christ, the King of kings and the Lord of lords!

2. Hymns or Anthems
(a) For All the Saints. By William W. How. Tune, (Sine Nomine) by Ralph V. Williams

(b) Am I a Soldier of the Cross. By Isaac Watts. Tune, (Arlington) by Thomas Arne

(c) Psalm 1. Arr. by Nathan Carter

(d) A Virtuous Woman. By Guy Robinson

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Done Made My Vow. Arr. by Moses Hogan

(b) I Am on the Battlefield for My Lord. By Sylvana Bell and E. V. Banks. Tune, Battlefield

(c) Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho. Spiritual. Arr. by Margaret Bonds. For voice and piano

(d) Ride on, King Jesus. Arr. by Moses Hogan

(e) I Shall Not Be Moved. Spiritual

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Closet Religion. By Dottie Peoples

(b) We Fall Down. By Donnie McClurkin

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Bridge over Troubled Water. By Paul Simon

(b) I’m Going to Live the Life I Sing about in My Song. By Thomas A. Dorsey

(c) Black Man. By Stevie Wonder

6. Modern Songs
(a) I’ll Make the Difference. By Moses Hogan

(b) Lord, Your Word Is a Lamp. Arr. by Horace Clarence Boyer

(c) Struggle. By Tye Tribbett

7. Offertory Songs
(a) Ordinary People. By Danniebelle Hall

Chorus

Just ordinary people,
God uses ordinary people.
He chooses people just like me and you,
who are willing to do as He commands.
God uses people that will give Him all,
no matter how small your all may seem to you;
because little becomes much
as you place it in the Master’s hand.

Verse
Oh, just like that little lad,
who gave Jesus all he had;
How the multitude was fed
with a fish and loaves of bread.
What have may not seem much,
but when you yield it to the touch
of the Master’s loving hand,
then you will understand how
your life could never be the same.

Chorus

(b) Stand Up for Jesus. By George Duffield Jr. Tune, (Webb) by George J. Webb

(c) You Can’t Beat God Giving. By Doris Akers

8. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Mighty Wind. By Andraé Crouch

(b) I Can Do All Things Through Christ. By Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark

(c) God Never Fails. By George Jordan. Arr. by Jeffrey P. Radford

9. Sermonic Selection
(a) Give of Your Best to the Master. By Howard B. Grose. Tune, (Barnard) by Charlotte A. Barnard

(b) Stand. By Donnie McClurkin

(c) Greater Love Hath No Man. By John Ireland

10. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) My Faith Looks Up to Thee. By Ray Palmer. Tune, (Olivet) by Lowell Mason

(b) Do You Know Jesus? By Hezekiah Walker

(c) Here Am I, Lord. By Luther Barnes

11. Benediction Song or Music
(a) Be with Us All, Lord. By Uzee Brown, Jr.

(b) O Word of God Incarnate. By William W. How. Tune, (Gesangbuch) by Meiningen. Harmonized by Mendelssohn

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

1. Litany—“A Hero” by William C. Powell, Auburn, AL. Used with permission.

2. Hymns or Anthems
(a) For All the Saints. By William W. How. Tune, (Sine Nomine) by Ralph V. Williams
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2001. #339

African Methodist Episcopal Church. African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. Nashville, TN: African Methodist Episcopal Church, 2006. #476

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 1987. #105

(b) Am I a Soldier of the Cross. By Isaac Watts. Tune, (Arlington) by Thomas Arne
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #482

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #410

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. Nashville, TN: Triad Publications, 2005. #388

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. #399

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

Online location: www.giamusic.com

(d) A Virtuous Woman. By Guy Robinson
Location:

GIA Publications, Inc.
Phone: 1-800-442-1358
Online location: www.giamusic.com

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Done Made My Vow. Arr. by Moses Hogan
Location:

Hal Leonard Publishing Corp.
7777 W Bluemound Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53213
Phone: 414-774-3630

Online location: www.halleonard.com

(b) I Am on the Battlefield for My Lord. By Sylvana Bell and E. V. Banks. Tune, Battlefield
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #480

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #281

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #493

Cleveland, J. Jefferson, and Verolga Nix. Songs of Zion. Supplemental worship
resources, 12. Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 1981. #96

(d) Ride on, King Jesus. Arr. by Moses Hogan
Location:

Songs of Zion. #77

Hal Leonard Publishing Corp.
Phone: 414-774-3630
Online location: www.halleonard.com

(e) I Shall Not Be Moved. Spiritual
Location:

Colorado Mass Choir. Watch God Move. Nashville, TN: Benson Music Group, 1996.

Online location: http://www.negrospirituals.com/news-song/i_shall_not_be_moved.htm

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Closet Religion. By Dottie Peoples
Location:

Churchin’ with Dottie. Atlanta, GA: Air Gospel/Atlanta Int’l. Records, 2002.

(b) We Fall Down. By Donnie McClurkin
Location:

The Essential Donnie. New York, NY: Verity, 2007.

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Bridge over Troubled Water. By Paul Simon
Location:

Flack, Roberta. Quiet Fire. New York, NY: Atlantic/WEA 1971, (CD Release) 1992.

(b) I’m Going to Live the Life I Sing about in My Song. By Thomas A. Dorsey
Location:

Jackson, Mahalia. Gospels, Spirituals & Hymns. New York, NY: Columbia/Legacy, 1991.

Songs in the Key of Life. New York: Motown, 1976, (CD Release) 1992.

6. Modern Songs
(a) I’ll Make the Difference. By Moses Hogan
Location:

Hal Leonard Publishing Corp.
Phone: 414-774-3630
Online location: www.halleonard.com

(b) Lord, Your Word Is a Lamp. By Horace Clarence Boyer
Location:

GIA Publications, Inc.
Phone: 1-800-442-1358
Online location: www.giamusic.com

Tribbett, Tye and G.A. Life. New York, NY: Sony, 2004.

7. Offertory Songs
(a) Ordinary People. By Danniebelle Hall
Location:

Legends of Gospel: Danniebelle Hall. Nashville, TN: Compendia, 2004.

(b) Stand Up for Jesus. By George Duffield Jr. Tune, (Webb) by George J. Webb
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #476

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #412

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #394

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #29

African American Heritage Hymnal. #671

8. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) Mighty Wind. By Andraé Crouch
Location:

Mighty Wind. New York, NY: Verity, 2006.

(b) I Can Do All Things Through Christ. By Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal #383

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #234

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #458

African American Heritage Hymnal. #159

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #239

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #110

9. Sermonic Selection
(a) Give of Your Best to the Master. By Howard B. Grose. Tune, (Barnard) by Charlotte A. Barnard
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #465

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #471

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #369

(b) Stand. By Donnie McClurkin
Location:

Donnie McClurkin. Nashville, TN: Word Entertainment, 1996.

ECS Publishing
138 Ipswich St.
Boston, MA 02215-3534
Phone: 617-236-1935

Online location: www.ecspub.com

10. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) My Faith Looks Up to Thee. By Ray Palmer. Tune, (Olivet) by Lowell Mason
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #456

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #203

Songs of Zion. #215

Jackson, Irene V. Lift Every Voice and Sing: A Collection of Afro-American Spirituals and Other Songs. New York, NY: Church Hymnal Corp., 1981. #88

(b) Do You Know Jesus? By Hezekiah Walker
Location:

20/85 –The Experience. New York, NY: Verity, 2005.

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

Online location: www.ntimemusic.com

Luther Barnes and the Red Bud Gospel Choir. God’s Promise. Atlanta, GA: Atlanta International Record Company, 1997.

11. Benediction Song or Music
(a) Be with Us All, Lord. By Uzee Brown, Jr.
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #641

Online location: http://www.music44.com/X/product/10%252F1265R-Z

(b) O Word of God Incarnate. By William W. How. Tune, (Gesangbuch) by Meiningen. Harmonized by Mendelssohn
Location:

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #201

The Celebration Hymnal: Songs and Hymns for Worship. New York, NY: Word/Integrity Music, 1997. #414

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #378

African American Heritage Hymnal. #297

The Celebration Hymnal. #235

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #258

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