The African American Lectionary

Worship Resources

GOOD FRIDAY

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Friday, April 10, 2009

W. Patrick Alston, Sr., Lectionary Team Liturgist

Worship Planning Notes

Good Friday Worship services are often framed by sermonic expositions of the seven cries from the cross. The occasion is solemn as it focuses on Christ’s suffering and his ultimate sacrifice to redeem humanity. Traditionally, these services feature seven preachers and special music and arts to enhance the worship experience.

With the advent of blended services, this entry challenges worship leaders to diversify their presentation of music and arts. Traditionally, worship leaders have used their best choices of selections that represent the music style preference of their church. For example, some churches simply use appropriate hymns such as “Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross,” “At Calvary,” and “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power;” whereas, traditional gospel churches may select to do great hits of the past such as “Jesus Dropped the Charges” by the O’Neil Twins, “No Greater Love” by The GMWA National Mass Choir, and “He Would Not Come Down from the Cross” by Margaret Douroux. Liturgical churches with strong choral music programs and churches whose music programs are not heavily geared towards gospel music tend to use excerpts, or even completed oratorios, such as: “The Seven Last Words” by T. Dubois, “The Messiah” by G. Handel, and “The St. Matthew Passion” by J.S. Bach. Now, diversity is required. Please keep this in mind as you plan your service. Many diverse offerings from which you can select and arrange to fit the needs of your church are provided below.

Also, please use children and youth in this service. Your youth choir, youth dance ministry, mime, etc., should all be involved in this service. We preserve our observance of this day by teaching our children and youth about it through including them in this service.

Be mindful of time. Clergy and musicians should meet to plan what will be the most timely worship flow. If your service contains seven sermonettes or homilies, having a selection before or after each sermon may prove difficult. The worship leaders should decide upon the timing and location of the appropriate selections.

1. Invocation or Litany

	Christ’s Suffering and Death
Leader:	Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.
Congregation:	“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
Leader:	Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him.
Congregation:	They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then wove a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, King of the Jews!” they said.
Leader:	They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
Congregation:	And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
Leader:	At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.
ALL:	When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) The Old Rugged Cross. By George Bennard. Tune, Old Rugged Cross

(b) Lead Me to Calvary. By Jennie E. Hussey. Tune, (Duncannon) by William J. Kirkpatrick

(d) Does Jesus Care? By Frank E. Graeff. Tune, (My Savior Cares) by J. Lincoln Hall

(e) My Faith Looks Up to Thee. By Ray Palmer. Tune, (Olivet) by Lowell Mason

(f) At Calvary. By William R. Newell. Tune, (At Calvary) by Daniel Towner

(g) I Stand Amazed in The Presence. By Charles H. Gabriel. Tune, My Savior’s Love

(h) Jesus Paid It All. By Elvina M. Hall. Tune, (All to Christ) by John T. Grape

(i) He Will Remember Me. By Eugene Bartlett. Tune, Remember Me

(j) O Sacred Head. Attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux. Tune, (Passion Chorale) by Hans Leo
Hessler. Arr. by J. S. Bach

(k) Come Ye Disconsolate. By Thomas Moore. Tune, (Consolator) by Samuel Webbe

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) He Never Said a Mumbling Word. Traditional

(b) Calvary. Traditional

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) I Don’t Know Why Jesus Loves Me. By Andraé Crouch

(b) At Calvary. By William R. Newell. Tune by Daniel B. Towner

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Come Sweetest Death. Instrumental. By J. S. Bach. Arr. by Virgil Fox

(b) Via Delarosa. By Billy Sprague and E. Niles Borop. Arr. by Sandi Patti

6. Anthems
(a) There Is a Fountain. By Wendell Whalum

(b) Worthy Is The Lamb That Was Slain. By George Frederic Handel

(d) Jesus Paid It All. By Robert Sterling

(e) Agnus Dei (Lamb of God). By Robert Ray

(f) The Glorious Medley. By Omar Dickenson

(g) God So Loved the World. By John Stainer

(h) Surely He Has Borne Our Griefs. By George Frederic Handel

7. Modern Songs
(a) Why Did He Do It? By John Adams

(b) The Blood. By Omar Dickenson

(d) If Not for Your Grace. By Israel Houghton

(e) I Can’t Hold Back. By Laythan Amar

(f) There Is a Fountain. Arr. By Anthony Lockett

(g) He Cares. By Percy Bady

8. Song or Instrumental for the Offertory Period
(a) Nothing but the Blood. By James Hall

(b) I Know It Was the Blood. Traditional

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) O How He Loves You and Me. By Kurt Kaiser

(b) I Love You Lord Today. By William F. Hubbard

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) And He Blessed My Soul. By Anita Watkins Stevens

(b) Because of the Blood. By Christopher Watkins

(d) Calvary. By Jules Bartholomew

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Just as I Am. By Fanny Crosby

(b) Great Is Your Mercy. By Donnie McClurkin

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(No benediction until Resurrection Sunday.)

Closing songs, that can be rendered at the conclusion of the service, as exit music, or for the postlude:

(a) Redeemed. By Fanny Crosby

(b) Christ, We Do All Adore Thee. By Theodore Dubois

13. Audio Visual Suggestions
The media ministry should display images of the cross before the service begins and throughout the service.

14. Other Recommendations
The following represents suggested placement and usage of the musical selections listed above during a Seven Last Words service.

The Seven Lasts Words

Invocation or Litany: See above.

Hymns or Congregational Songs:
(a) The Old Rugged Cross. By George Bennard. Tune, Old Rugged Cross. (See 2(a).)
(b) Lead Me to Calvary. By Jennie E Hussey. Tune, (Duncannon) by William J. Kirkpatrick. (See 2(b).)
(c) To God Be the Glory. By Fanny Crosby. Tune, (Be the Glory) by William H. Doane. (See 2(c).)
(d) At Calvary. By William R. Newell. Tune, (At Calvary) by Daniel Towner. (See 2(f).)
(e) I Stand Amazed in The Presence. By Charles H. Gabriel. Tune, My Savior’s Love. (See 2(g).)

The First Word: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
(a) God So Loved The World. By John Stainer. (See 6(g).)
(b) Why Did He Do It? By John Adams. (See 7(a).)

The Second Word: “Truly I tell you today, you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
(a) O Divine Redeemer. By Charles Gounod. (See 6(c).)
(b) When He Was on the Cross. By Ronny Hinson and Mike Payne. (See 10(c).)
(d) He Will Remember Me. By Eugene Bartlett. Tune, Remember Me. (See 2(i).)
(e) I Don’t Know Why Jesus Loves Me. By Andraé Crouch. (See 4(a).)

The Third Word: “Woman, behold thy son.” (John 19:26)
(a) And He Blessed My Soul. By Anita Watkins Stevens. (See 10(a).)
(b) Does Jesus Care? By Frank E. Graeff. Tune, (My Savior Cares) by J. Lincoln Hall. (See 2(d).)
(c) He Cares. By Percy Bady. (See 7(g).)
(d) O Sacred Head. Attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux. Tune, (Passion Chorale) by Hans Leo Hessler. Arr. By J. S. Bach. (See 2(j).)

Dance, Sign Language, or Mime Ministry:
Nobody But Jesus. By Steven Roberts. (See 5(c).)

The Fourth Word: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34)
(a) Calvary. By Jules Bartholomew. (See 10(d).)
(b) I Can’t Hold Back. By Laythan Amar. (See 7(e).)
(c) Come Ye Disconsolate. By Thomas Moore. Tune, (Consolator) by Samuel Webbe. (See 2(k).)
(d) My Faith Looks Up to Thee. By Ray Palmer. Tune (Olivet) by Lowell Mason. (See 2(f).)
(e0 Father I Stretch My Hands To Thee. Traditional. (See 4(c).)

The Fifth Word: “I thirst.” (John 19:28)
(a) There Is a Fountain. Arr. By Wendell Whalum. (See 6(a).)
(b) There Is a Fountain. Arr. By Anthony Lockett (See 7(f).)

Dance Ministry:
(a) Via Dolorosa. By Billy Sprague and E. Niles Borop. Arr. By Sandi Patti. (See 5(b).)
(b) At Calvary. By William R. Newell. Tune, (At Calvary) by Daniel Towner. (See 2(f).)

The Sixth Word: “It is finished.” (John 19:30)
(a) Surely He Has Borne Our Grief. By George Frederick Handel (See 6(h).)
(b) Jesus Paid It All. By Elvina M. Hall. Tune, (All to Christ) by John T. Grape. (See 2(h).)

Dance or Mime Ministry:
(a) Come Sweetest Death. Instrumental. By J. S. Bach. Arr. By Virgil Fox. (See 5(a).)
(b) He Suffered. By Malcolm Williams. (See 6(c).)
(c) The Blood. By Omar Dickenson. (See 7(b).)
(d) Were You There? Traditional. (See 3(c).)

The Seventh Word: “Father into your hands I commend my spirit.” (Luke 23:46)
(a) The Glorious Medley. By Omar Dickenson. (See 6(f).)
(b) Because of the Blood. By Christopher Watkins (See 10(b).)
(c) Agnus Dei (Lamb of God). By Robert Ray. (See 6(e).)
(d) I Stand Amazed in The Presence. By Charles H. Gabriel. Tune, My Savior’s Love. (See 2(g).)

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

1. Invocation or Litany
Location:

“Christ’s Sufferings and Death.” The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. Hagerstown,
MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1985. #734

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) The Old Rugged Cross. By George Bennard. Tune, Old Rugged Cross
Albert Peace
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2001. #244

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. Nashville, TN: The African Methodist Episcopal Church, 1986. #143

National Baptist Publishing Board. The New National Baptist Hymnal. Nashville, TN: National Baptist Pub. Board, 1981. #96

The United Methodist Hymnal: Book of United Methodist Worship. Nashville, TN: The United Methodist Publishing House, 2003. #504

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. #246

(b) Lead Me to Calvary. By Jennie E. Hussey. Tune, (Duncannon) by William J. Kirkpatrick
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #253

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #306

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #81

The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #317

Yes, Lord! Church Of God in Christ Hymnal. #317

African American Heritage Hymnal. #157

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #21

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #23

The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #341

The United Methodist Hymnal. #98

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

(d) Does Jesus Care? By Frank E. Graeff. Tune, (My Savior Cares) by J. Lincoln Hall
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #428

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #442

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #237

The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #181

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #393

(e) My Faith Looks Up to Thee. By Ray Palmer. Tune, (Olivet) by Lowell Mason
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #456

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #415

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #203

The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #517

The United Methodist Hymnal. #452

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #127

(f) At Calvary. By William R. Newell. Tune, (At Calvary) by Daniel Towner
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #246

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #90

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #275

(g) I Stand Amazed In The Presence. By Charles H. Gabriel. Tune, My Savior’s Love
Location:

The United Methodist Hymnal. #371

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #222

(h) Jesus Paid It All. By Elvina M. Hall. Tune, (All To Christ) by John T. Grape
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #357

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #271

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #89

(i) He Will Remember Me. By Eugene Bartlett. Tune, Remember Me
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #240

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #475

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #93

(j) O Sacred Head. Attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux. Tune, (Passion Chorale) by Hans Leo
Hassler. Arr. By J. S. Bach
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #251

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #133

The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #156

The United Methodist Hymnal. #286

(k) Come Ye Disconsolate. By Thomas Moore. Tune, (Consolator) by Samuel Webbe
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #421

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #227

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #228

The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #477

The United Methodist Hymnal. #510

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #287

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) He Never Said a Mumbling Word. Traditional
Location:

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #251

(b) Calvary. Traditional
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #239

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #90

African American Heritage Hymnal. #254

African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal. #136

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #260

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) I Don’t Know Why Jesus Loves Me. By Andraé Crouch
Location:

History Makers: Collection. Brentwood, TN: Sparrow, 2003.

(b) At Calvary. By William R. Newell. Tune by Daniel B. Towner
Location:

Hal Leonard Online
P.O. Box 13819
Milwaukee, WI 53213

Online location: www.halleonard.com

African American Heritage Hymnal. #127

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #289

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Come Sweetest Death. Instrumental. By J. S. Bach. Arr. By Virgil Fox
Location:

Fox, Virgil. Virgil Fox Plays The John Wanamaker Organ. Philadelphia, PA: Bainbridge, 1993.

(b) Via Dolorosa. By Billy Sprague and E. Niles Borop. Arr. By Sandi Patti
Location:

Patti, Sandi. Songs from the Heart. Brentwood, TN: Word, 1990.

Armstrong, Vanessa Bell. Greatest Hits. Muscle Shoals, AL: Muscle Shoals, 1990.

6. Anthems
(a) There Is a Fountain. By Wendell Whalum
Location:

GIA Publications, Inc.
7404 South Mason Avenue
Chicago, IL 60638
Phone: 1-800-GIA-1358

Online location: www.giamusic.com

(b) Worthy Is The Lamb That Was Slain. By George Frederic Handel
Location:

George Frederic Handel. The Messiah. Chorus No. 53
J. W. Pepper & Son, Inc.
2480 Industrial Blvd.
Paoli, PA 19301
Phone: 1-800-345-6296

Online location: www.jwpepper.com

J. W. Pepper & Son, Inc.
Phone: 1-800-345-6296
Online location: www.jwpepper.com

(d) Jesus Paid It All. By Robert Sterling
Location:

J. W. Pepper & Son, Inc.
Phone: 1-800-345-6296
Online location: www.jwpepper.com

(e) Agnus Dei (Lamb of God). By Robert Ray
Location:

Robert Ray. The Gospel Mass.
J. W. Pepper & Son, Inc.
Phone: 1-800-345-6296
Online location: www.jwpepper.com

(f) The Glorious Medley. By Omar Dickenson
Location:

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

(g) God So Loved the World. By John Stainer
Location:

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #514

(h) Surely He Has Borne Our Griefs. By George Frederic Handel
Location:

George Frederic Handel. The Messiah. Chorus No. 24
J. W. Pepper and Sons Inc.
Phone: 1-800-345-6296
Online location: www.jwpepper.com

7. Modern Songs
(a) Why Did He Do It? By John Adams
Location:

Gospel Music Workshop of America, Women of Worship. When Praises Go Up! Indianapolis, IN: ALEHO, 2002.

(b) The Blood. By Omar Dickenson
Location:

McKissick, Rudolph. Because You Are Worthy. Jacksonville, FL: AAMG, 2002.

Renew Me. Evergreen Park, IL. Genesis Music Group, 2002.

(d) If Not For Your Grace. By Israel Houghton
Location:

Israel and New Breed. A Deeper Level. New York, NY: New Integrity Media, Inc., 2007.

(e) I Can’t Hold Back. By Laythan Amar
Location:

Los Angeles Mass Choir. Classic Gold: Can’t Hold Back. Nashville, TN: Light Records, 2003.

(f) There Is a Fountain. Arr. By Anthony Lockett
Location:

Bishop Clarence McClendon. Presents the Harvest Fire Mega Mass Choir Shout Hallelujah! New York, NY: Integrity Incorporated, 2000.

(g) He Cares. By Percy Bady
Location:

Brunson, Milton and The Thompson Community Singers. If I Be Lifted. Brentwood, TN: Word, 1992.

8. Song or Instrumental for the Offertory Period
(a) Nothing but the Blood. By James Hall
Location:

The Voices of Citadel. New York, NY: Music Blend, 2006.

(b) I Know It Was the Blood. Traditional
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #267

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #253

Bryant, Rodney and The Christian Community Mass Choir. He’s A Keepa’. Indianapolis, IN: Tyscot, 1997/2000.

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) O How He Loves You and Me. By Kurt Kaiser
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #228

(b) I Love You Lord Today. By William F. Hubbard
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #580

African American Heritage Hymnal. #422

African Methodist Episcopal Hymnal. #83

The United Methodist Hymnal. #518

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) And He Blessed My Soul. By Anita Watkins Stevens
Location:

Chris and Kyle with True Spirit. Comin’ Out from Under. Detroit, MI: Crystal Rose, 2002.

(b) Because of the Blood. By Christopher Watkins
Location:

Chris and Kyle with True Spirit. Comin’ Out From Under. Detroit, MI: Crystal Rose, 2002.

Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing
Online location: www.brentwood-benson.com
Product #4575702837

(d) Calvary. By Jules Bartholomew
Location:

Jamison, Albert. New York State Mass Choir: Show Yourself Mighty. Nashville, TN: Light Records, 2007.

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Just as I Am. By Fanny Crosby
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #344

African American Episcopal Church Hymnal. #258

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #145

The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #314

The United Methodist Hymnal. #357

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #293

(b) Great Is Your Mercy. By Donnie McClurkin
Location:

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

Mississippi Mass Choir. It Remains To Be Seen. Jackson, MS: Malaco Records, 1993.

African American Heritage Hymnal. #270

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(No Benediction Until Resurrection Sunday)

Closing Music Recommendations:

(a) Redeemed. By Fanny Crosby
Location:

The New National Baptist Hymnal. #261

The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #337

(b) Christ, We Do All Adore Thee. By Theodore Dubois. Note: the sixth and the seventh words
are switched in the oratorio.
Location:

Dubois, Theodore. The Seven Last Words of Christ/Felix Mendelssohn: Hear My Prayer. Seattle, WA: Gothic Records, 2001.