Examine Me Cedrick Dent (b. 1962)

Examine me and prove me and try my heart. Be merciful my Father I pray. 

With thee Lord I am blest, my joy and my rest. My life and my salvation!

(Cederic Dent, adapted from scripture)

A Hymn J. Jakari Rush (b. 1990)

Today’s performance is dedicated to the memory of Jason Chukuwa Ogbomoh (1998–2023).

Lead gently, Lord, and slow for oh, my steps are weak and ever as I go some soothing sentence speak.

That I may turn my face through doubt’s obscurity toward thine abiding place, e’en though I cannot see.

For lo the way is dark through mist and cloud I grope, save for that fitful spark:  the little flame of hope.

Lead gently, Lord, and slow for fear that I may fall; I know not where to go unless I hear thy call.

My fainting soul doth yearn for thy green hills afar, so let thy mercy burn: my greater guiding star!

Lead gently, Lord, and slow.

(Paul Lawrence Dunbar, 1872–1906)

I Am Only One     Adolphus Hailstork (b. 1941)

I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something.

And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.

I am only one, but still I am one. I am one.

(Edward Everett Hale, 1822–1909)

United In Purpose Rolo Dilworth (b. 1970)

The onus is upon us all to work to improve the human condition.

Perform good deeds, for that is truly the way to battle the forces of entropy that are at work in this world.

The composite of all our efforts can have an effect.

Good done anywhere is good done everywhere.

When we unite in purpose, we are greater than the sum of our parts.

(Maya Angelou, 1928–2014)

Gospel Mass (1979) Robert Ray (1946–2022)

I. Kyrie  – Lord Have Mercy 

In the name of the Father. 

In the name of the Son.

 In the name of the Holy Spirit, the blessed Three in One.

O Lord have mercy, kyrie eleison. O Lord, have mercy on me.

Send us a Savior, set my soul free. Give us your word and teach us to pray.

I want to praise and serve you always.

Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob look down, have mercy upon us.

O Christ have mercy. Christe eleison. O Christ have mercy on me.

Send us your comfort, grant us your peace. You are the way, the truth, and the light.

I love you more each day and each night. 

Jesus the Rock of salvation the Light of the world, have mercy upon us.

II. Gloria – Glory to God in the Highest Beth Johnson, soloist

Glory to God in the highest, peace to all men of goodwill.

We praise thee, we bless thee, we adore thee, we glorify thee.

We give thanks to thee for thy great glory. 

Lord God, King of heaven, Father Almighty one. 

Glory be to Jesus Christ, Lamb of God, the Father’s only Son.

Thou who takes away all the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Thou who takes away all the sins of the world, receive our prayers.

Thou who sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty in heaven, have mercy on us.

For only thou art holy, only thou art the Lord.

Only thou art holy, only thou art most high.

We come to praise your name today, we want to serve you in every way.

Let the loud hosannas ring, shouting the praises to God our King.

In the name of the Father, the name of the Son, and the Holy Ghost: the blessed Three in One. Amen.

III. Credo – I Believe in God Mary Hyde, soloist

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost.

Born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, crucified, died and was buried,

He descended into hell.

On the third day he arose. He ascended to heaven; from death he was set free.

Now he sits at the right hand and he’s waitin’ for you and me.

He will judge all the world. He will judge you and me.

I believe in the Holy Spirit and the Holy catholic church.

I believe Lord in one baptism for the remission of sin and rebirth.

I believe in the resurrection and the communion of saints in this world.

I believe when my life is over I’m going home just to live with my God.

I believe in God, and in the Holy Ghost. I believe in God.

IV. Acclamation – Praise the Lord

Hallelujah, praise the Lord. Let us praise the Lord. Praise him with stringed instruments.

Praise him with dance. Praise him on the psaltery and harp.

Everything that has breath ought to praise him.

V. Sanctus – Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts Ken Johnson, soloist

Holy, holy, Lord God of hosts. Hosanna be to thee who gave me victory.

There was a man sittin’ by the roadside; he was blind he could not see.

Then the Master of the earth and skies touched his eyes and he looked around saying:

Holy, holy, Lord God of hosts. Hosanna be to thee who gave me victory.

Another man lay by a poolside; thirty-eight years with his infirmity.

Then the Lord troubled the water the man arose and he jumped for joy saying:

Holy, holy, Lord God of hosts. Hosanna be to thee who gave me victory.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

We will always sing, always sing thy praise hosanna in the highest.

Like the blind man and the lame man, I was lost—living in sin.

Then I opened up my heart one day, I let the Savior in. Now I shout saying:

Holy, holy, Lord God of hosts. Hosanna be to thee in the highest who gave me victory.

Holy, holy Lord Jesus. Holy!

VI. Agnus Dei – Lamb of God Logan Burley, soloist

Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

For you came to die for me. Suffered, bled, and died, died on Calvary.

Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

In your word you showed us how. We are trying, Lord, hear our prayer right now.

Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, grant us thy peace. Amen.