The African American Lectionary

Worship Resources

ECONOMIC JUSTICE SUNDAY

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Michelle Riley Jones, Lectionary Team Liturgist

The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
—President Barack H. Obama

Worship Planning Notes

In his inaugural address President Obama admonished us to choose our better history and reminded us that we are all equal. His words draw our attention to our responsibility to the poor and stewardship of our resources to uplift the poor.

In today’s commentary, Dr. Forrest Elliott Harris makes it plain: a compassionate spirituality relevant to the spiritual and material needs of people is the urgent lifeboat the Black church can provide in today’s economic crisis.

Develop a church covenant statement on economic justice and identify specific actions and goals your church will pursue. This covenant statement should be read by the entire congregation during a service, printed in your church bulletin/order of worship, displayed in a highly visible location in your church, and indicated on your church website.

Know the Signs in Your Community
What are the signs of economic injustice in your local community? How is the Church responding? Economic Justice Day brings to our attention the plight of “the least of these,” and calls congregations to build education and action into their worship and social activities, promoting activism that has global possibilities and definite local impact. A partnership and advocacy approach allows churches to connect congregants to people whose lives are profoundly affected by the struggle for human rights. Meaningful actions can be taken by all congregations. Now is the time for each congregation to be the change it wants to see.

Worship Elicits Response
1. A period for testimonials is appropriate to highlight real-life situations of poverty to build acceptance for the ongoing work of the church in this area and to sensitize persons in your congregation to economic justice work. Be careful when highlighting persons in poverty that you gain written permission before persons at your church speak about them or show their images.

2. Offer a ministry spotlight during worship to profile your church ministries that are focused on issues related to poverty, homelessness, etc. Although ministry members should be appreciated, instead of giving plaques to them, celebrate the individuals whose lives have been impacted by the work of the ministry.

3. Consider having your photographer capture images of local poverty, and project them on screens throughout the service as you read Scripture and sing songs. To complement this (see 13(a) and 13(b).) This day presents an opportunity to help your congregation see what they might otherwise not see, and begin to respond to God’s call for active service on behalf of the poor.

4. Develop a pamphlet of the church’s ministries and programs relative to all justice issues and use this day to host a sign-up for members to get involved in current or projected projects that concern issues related to poverty, homelessness, etc.

Outside of the worship service:

If your church does not have ministries dedicated in these areas, partner with local established and organized efforts that are doing what your church wants to do.
Review the needs of your local community, and develop your own ongoing programs and services to address the needs of poverty. Also, consider other church-based models which may help in the development of your own programs. (See today’s Cultural Resource unit for numerous suggestions for programmatic ideas.)
Friday Night “TRUTH and ACTION” Jazz Vespers. This service could address issues of economic injustice through music, readings, or reflections from Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speeches and the writings of many others; real-life reflections; and/or spoken word or poetry. Highlight the music of jazz musicians who rallied for justice (i.e., Nina Simone, etc.). This service can also serve to introduce people to established programs in your church and to solicit volunteers.

1. Invocation or Litany
Instrumental Prelude
(a) His Eye Is on the Sparrow. By Civilla D. Martin. Tune by Charles H. Gabriel. Arr. by Kathy Smith. For piano

Call to Worship
(b) Call to Worship.

Leader:	It's coming; the Kingdom of God is coming! Let your Reign, O God, be acknowledged among all people.
People:	We stand on the threshold of truth. We are perched on the branches of justice.
Leader:	Across the horizon we see the outline of peace and harmony.
People:	With privilege comes responsibility, With responsibility comes accountability, With accountability comes honesty, With honesty comes faithfulness.
All:	God of Creation and history, equip us to live faithfully in your world!

Music
(c) You’re Welcome Here. By Percy Gray, Jr.

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Christ Is All. Text and Tune, (Christ Is All) by Kenneth Morris

(b) In Christ There Is No East or West. By John Oxenham. Tune, (St. Peter) by Alexander R. Reinagle

(c) Make Me a Blessing. By Ira B. Wilson. Tune, (Schuler) by George S. Schuler

(d) There’s No Me, There’s No You. By Evelyn Reynolds

(e) Heaven Came Down. By John W. Peterson

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Go Down, Moses. African American Spiritual. Tune, Go Down Moses

(b) No, Not One. By Johnson Oatman, Jr. Tune, (Harper Memorial) by George C. Hugg

(c) Plenty Good Room. Negro Spiritual

(d) I’ve Been Buked. Traditional

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Angels Unaware. By Nolan Williams, Jr. For SATB

(b) Help Somebody. By Jeff Majors

(c) It’s Better to Help Somebody. By Michael E. Mathis

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Love’s in Need. By Stevie Wonder

(b) Unto the Least of These. By Mary-Kathryn

(c) Least of These/Put a Little Love in Your Heart. By Jackie DeShannon, Jimmy Holiday, Israel Houghton, Meleasa Houghton, and Randy Myers. Revise the lyrics from “this Christmas Day” to “this Justice Day.”

6. Anthem
Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor. By Emma Lazarus. Arr. by Jay Rouse. Part of “Sweet Land of Liberty” compilation. For SATB. This contemporary version of this familiar anthem also incorporates narration.

7. Modern Songs
(a) He Cares. By Isaac Carree and H. R. Crump

(b) Love Them Like Jesus. By Mark Hall and Bernie Herms

(d) Ordinary Me. By Will Chaplin, Jonathan Crone, Heather Headley, and Liz Rose

8. Song or Instrumental for the Offertory Period
(a) Hunger & Starvation/Satisfy My Soul. By Mark Mohr. Christian Reggae

(b) Lord Jesus Help Me (Help Somebody Else). By Mitchell Jones

(c) Lighthouse. By Percy Gray, Jr. and Jereal Gray, Sr.

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) The Cry of the Poor. By John Michael Talbot

(b) Medley: Poor, Wayfaring Stranger/I’ve Been in the Storm So Long. Spiritual

(c) Spirit of the Living God. By Daniel Iverson

(d) Father, I Stretch My Hands to Thee. By Charles Wesley. Tune, (Martyrdom) by Hugh Wilson

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) If I Can Help Somebody. By Alma Bazel Androzzo. Solo version

(b) Keep the Dream Alive. By Robert Manuel

(c) Help Somebody Today. By Jerri Little

(d) I Need You to Survive. By Hezekiah Walker. This Gospel classical rendition features a male trio.

(e) To Be Like Jesus. By Duranice Pace

(f) Jesus’ Love Is Like a River. By Orrin G. Hatch, Janice Knapp Perry, and Gladys Knight

(g) No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus. By C. F. Weigle

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Jesus Is Love. By Lionel Ritchie. Instrumental or vocal renditions

(b) No Man Is an Island. By John Doone

12. Benediction Spoken, Sung, or Instrumental
Benediction Prayers
*(a) Benediction Prayer for the Poor.

Lord, we go forth into the world as your faithful disciples with a renewed commitment to the poor. “The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.” Grant us the will, the courage, and the fortitude to lift up the poor so that all may have the opportunity to experience the abundant life you have envisioned for us. Amen.

Benediction Music
(b) Yes We Can (Live). By John P. Kee

(c) God Will Take Care of You. By Civilla D. Martin. Tune, (God Cares) by W. Stillman Martin. Instrumental arr. by Todd Ledbetter

13. Audio Visual Suggestions
(a) Develop a “TRUTH and ACTION” Poster Campaign. Take photos of local poverty and develop posters using these images with the following caption:

How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a person in need and yet refuses to help? Children, let us love not in word or speech, but in TRUTH and ACTION. —1 John 3:17-18, NRSV

(b) Develop a “TRUTH and ACTION” video or multimedia presentation featuring photos of poverty, working poor, homelessness, etc. For background audio, use one of the following songs: “The Poor Man Feel It” performed by Peter Tosh or “Help the Poor” performed by B. B. King and Eric Clapton. The last frame should include the following caption:

How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a person in need and yet refuses to help? Children, let us love not in word or speech, but in TRUTH and ACTION. —1 John 3:17-18, NRSV

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

Worship Planning Notes
Excerpt taken from Inaugural Speech of President Barack H. Obama, January 20, 2009.

See Dr. Forest Elliott Harris’s 2009 commentary on Economic Justice for The African American Lectionary. Dr. Harris is the President, American Baptist College. He is also the Director of the Kelly Miller Smith Institute on Black Church Studies, Vanderbilt Divinity School, Nashville, Tennessee, a collaborative partner in The African American Lectionary.

1. Invocation or Litany
Instrumental Prelude
(a) His Eye Is on the Sparrow. By Civilla D. Martin. Tune by Charles H. Gabriel. Arr. by Kathy Smith. For piano
Location:
Smith, Kathy. His Eye is On the Sparrow: (Songs of Faith for the Piano Soloist). Kansas City, MO: Lillenas Publishing, 2004.

Call to Worship
(b) Call to Worship. By Rev. T. Anne Daniel. Copyright 2009. Used with permission.

Music
(c) You’re Welcome Here. By Percy Gray, Jr.
Location:

New Direction. Send the Praise. New York, NY: Zomba Gospel, 2006.

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Christ Is All. Text and Tune. (Christ Is All) by Kenneth Morris
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 2001. #363

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. Nashville, TN: Triad Publications, 2005. #532

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. #225

(b) In Christ There Is No East or West. By John Oxenham. Tune, (St. Peter) by Alexander
R. Reinagle
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #398

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. Nashville, TN: A.M.E. Zion Publishing House, 1996. #231

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. Chicago, IL: GIA Publications, 1987. #301

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #299

The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1985. #587

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #437

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #356

(d) There’s No Me, There’s No You. By Evelyn Reynolds
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #619

(e) Heaven Came Down. By John W. Peterson
Location:

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #152

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #449

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Go Down, Moses. African American Spiritual. Tune, Go Down Moses
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #543

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. #623

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #292

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #490

(b) No, Not One. By Johnson Oatman, Jr. Tune, (Harper Memorial) by George C. Hugg
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #308

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. #258

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #292

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #62

Yes, Lord! Church of God in Christ Hymnal. #221

African American Heritage Hymnal. #352

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #318

(d) I’ve Been Buked. Traditional
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #386

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #53

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Angels Unaware. By Nolan Williams, Jr. For SATB
Location:

Sheet Music Available
NEW-J Publishing
P.O. Box 4599
Washington, DC 20017-9997
Phone: 877-293-9734

Online location: music@newinspiration.us

(b) Help Somebody. By Jeff Majors
Location:

Sacred Major 7th. Washington, DC: Music One, 2008.

Norwood, Dorothy. “Live With the Georgia Mass Choir – Feel Like…. Jackson, MS: Malaco, 1994.

5. Liturgical Dance Music
(a) Love’s in Need. By Stevie Wonder
Location:

Kee, John P. Colorblind. New York, NY: Verity, 1994.

(b) Unto the Least of These. By Mary-Kathryn
Location:

One Spirit. Brentwood, TN: Rhythm House Records, 2001.

(c) Least of These/Put A Little Love in Your Heart. By Jackie DeShannon, Jimmy Holiday, Israel Houghton, Meleasa Houghton, and Randy Myers. Revise the lyrics from “this Christmas Day” to “this Justice Day.”
Location:

Israel & New Breed. A Timeless Christmas. New York, NY: Integrity Gospel, 2006.

Choral Book and CD Trax available
Sweet Land of Liberty compilation
Praise Gathering Music Group
P.O. Box 350
Anderson, IN 46015
Phone: 765-640-4428

Online location: www.praisegathering.com
Product #797242198694

7. Modern Songs
(a) He Cares. By Isaac Carree and H. R. Crump
Location:

Men of Standard. Men of Standard Vol. 3. Muscle Shoals, AL: Muscle Shoals Music, 2002.

(b) Love Them Like Jesus. By Mark Hall and Bernie Herms
Location:

Casting Crowns. Lifesong. Franklin, TN: Beach Street/Reunion, 2005.

Haddon, Deitrick. 7 Days. New York, NY: Zomba Gospel, 2006.

(d) Ordinary Me. By Will Chaplin, Jonathan Crone, Heather Headley, and Liz Rose
Location:

Headley, Heather. Audience of One. New York, NY: EMI Gospel, 2009.

8. Song or Instrumental for the Offertory Period
(a) Hunger & Starvation/Satisfy My Soul. By Mark Mohr. Christian Reggae
Location:

Christafari. To the Foundation. Prescott Valley, AZ: Lion of Zion Entertainment, 2007.

(b) Lord Jesus Help Me (Help Somebody Else). By Mitchell Jones
Location:

Commissioned. The Commissioned Reunion—Live. New York, NY: Zomba Recording, 2002.

New Direction. New Direction. New York, NY: Word Entertainment, 1999.

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) The Cry of the Poor. By John Michael Talbot
Location:

Table of Plenty. Marlo, AR: Troubadour for the Lord, 1997.

(b) Medley: Poor, Wayfaring Stranger/I’ve Been in the Storm So Long. Spiritual
Location:

Cook, Dixon & Young. Cook, Dixon & Young – Volume 1. New York, NY: Sony/BMG, 2005.

Little, Jerri. Help Somebody Today—Live. Chicago, IL: TGB Records, 2006.

(d) Father, I Stretch My Hands to Thee. By Charles Wesley. Tune, (Martyrdom) by Hugh Wilson
Location:

African American Heritage Hymnal. #127

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal. #494

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #223

The New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition. #42

The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. #486

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

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) If I Can Help Somebody. By Alma Bazel Androzzo. Solo version
Location:

Hall, Aaron. Fried Green Tomatoes [Original Soundtrack]. Universal City, CA: MCA, 1992.

(b) Keep the Dream Alive. By Robert Manuel
Location:

Lead Me, Guide Me: The African American Catholic Hymnal. #295

Help Somebody Today—Live. Chicago, IL: TGB Records, 2006.

(d) I Need You to Survive. By Hezekiah Walker. This Gospel-classical rendition features a male trio.
Location:

Cook, Dixon & Young. Cook, Dixon & Young – Volume 1. New York, NY: Sony/BMG, 2005.

(e) To Be Like Jesus. By Duranice Pace
Location:

The Anointed Pace Sisters. My Purpose. Jackson, MS: Savoy, 1995.

(f) Jesus’ Love Is Like a River. By Orrin G. Hatch, Janice Knapp Perry, and Gladys Knight
Location:

Knight, Gladys. Many Different Roads. Las Vegas, NV: Many Roads, 1999.

(g) No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus. By C. F. Weigle
Location:

Phipps, Wintley. “Just As I Am” and Other Favorite Hymns of Billy Graham. Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House Music, 2005.

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Jesus Is Love. By Lionel Ritchie.Instrumental or vocal renditions
Location:

Tankard, Ben. Piano Prophet. New York, NY: Zomba, 2004.

(b) No Man Is an Island. By John Doone
Location:

Reverend Milton Brunson and The Thompson Community Singers: I Thank God. Minnetonka, MN: Liquid 8 Records, 2002.

12. Benediction Spoken, Sung, or Instrumental
Benediction Prayers
*(a) Benediction Prayer for the Poor. By Michelle Riley Jones, with excerpts from the Inaugural Speech of President Barack H. Obama given January 20, 2009.

Benediction Music
(b) Yes We Can (Live). By John P. Kee
Location:

VIP Mass Choir. Live in Miami (Featuring John P. Kee). New York, NY: Zomba Recording, 2008.

(c) God Will Take Care of You. By Civilla D. Martin. Tune, (God Cares) by W. Stillman Martin. Instrumental arr. by Todd Ledbetter
Location:

Ledbetter, Todd. Meditations: Hymns in the Key of Jazz. Laurel, MD: Damaljah Productions, 2007.

13. Audio Visual Suggestions
(a) Images for an Economic Justice worship service or related activity may be found at

www.istockphoto.com.

(b) The Poor Man Feel It. By Peter Tosh
Location:

Wanted Dead and Alive/No Nuclear War. New York, NY: EMI, 2003.

King, B. B. and Eric Clapton. Riding with the King. New York, NY: Reprise Recordings, 2000.