21st Century Africana Liturgy Resources for The Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year B

A Litany of Song and Scripture from John 15: 9-15
People: (Sing) Come and go with me to my Father's house. (1st verse, African American Heritage Hymnal [AAHH], 596)

Leader: As the Father has loved me, so I have I loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. (John 15:9-10, NRSV)

People: (Sing) Peace and love abide in my Father's house. (2nd verse, AAHH, 596)

Leader: I have said these things to you so … that your joy may be complete. (John 15:11)

People: (Sing) Peace and happiness there in my Father's house. (3rd verse, AAHH, 596)

Leader: This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. (John 15:12-13, NRSV)

People: (Sing) No more dying up there in my Father's house. (4th verse, AAHH, 596)

Leader: You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. (John 15:14-15, NRSV)

People: (Sing) Come and go with me to my Father's house. (1st verse AAHH, 596)

Leader: You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another. (John 15:16-17,NRSV )

People: (Sing) Sweet communion up there in my Father's house. (5th verse, AAHH, 596)

An Affirmation of Faith from 1 John 5:1-6
(For 1-3 readers)
I believe that Jesus is the Christ who was born of God and that everyone who loves the parent loves the child. If anybody asks you who I am, tell'em I'm a child of God, that as a child of God, I love God and obey God's commandments. It is not burdensome for me to love myself. It is not burdensome for me to love my neighbor. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

I believe in God the Father. If anybody asks you who I am, tell'em I'm a child of God; and as a child of God, who is born of God, I can conquer the systems of this world. My faith will give me the victory over inadequate schools, drug trafficking in my neighborhoods, drive-by shootings, the criminal justice system, a materialistic culture, and a media that portrays me as less than a child of God. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

I believe in the Holy Spirit. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth. If anybody asks you who I am, tell'em I'm a child of God and I, too, testify about those who came by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, about those who crossed the Delaware and the Ohio Rivers, about those who lived in the swamp waters of Florida and Louisiana, seeking the truth of God's freedom. I testify about those who came through the waters of Katrina and about the systemic poverty and political racism that caused the humiliation and dispersion of my people. I testify about the blood of those who were lynched, about Emmett Till, about the blood of those who lost their lives so that I might have a right to the tree of life. I testify about the one who came by water, blood, and Spirit, Jesus Christ. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

I believe. Amen.
Alternate Affirmation of Faith from 1 John 5:1-6 (Responsive Reading)
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Choral Reading With Instruments and Choir (Psalm 98 and Acts 10:44-48)
(Use organ or people who play various instruments)
Group A: O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things. (Psalm 98:1a, NRSV)
(Musical interlude with choir and organ: one phrase of "He has done marvelous things, Praise the Lord!")

Group B: While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. (Acts 10:44, NRSV)

Group A: The LORD has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. (Psalm 98:2-3, NRSV)

Group B: The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit has been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. (Acts 10:45-46a, NRSV)

Group A: Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. (Psalm 98:4, NRSV)
(Musical interlude with choir and organ: one phrase of "He has done marvelous things, Praise the Lord!")

Group B: Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody. (Psalm 98:5, NRSV)
(Musical interlude with strings sounds)

Group A: With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD. (Psalm 98:6, NRSV)
(Musical interlude with brass winds sounds)

Group B: Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it. (Psalm 98:7, NRSV)
(Musical interlude: Let all the people shout, "Praise the Lord!" 3 times)

Group A: Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the LORD. For he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. (Psalm 98:8-9, NRSV)
(Musical interlude: Choir members clap their hands; instruments play.)

Group B: Then Peter said, "Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. (Acts 10:46b-48a, NRSV)
(Musical interlude: one phrase of "He has done marvelous things, Praise the Lord!")

About the Author: Marilyn E. Thornton is the Associate Pastor for Christian Education at South End UMC and the Lead Editor for African American Resources at the United Methodist Publishing House in Nashville, TN.