Order of Service February 28, 2021 All we need is to experience what we already possess.” — Thomas Merton Rev. Ken Read-Brown, Minister Christopher Nickelson-Mann, Music Director Chloë Briedé, Interim Director of Religious Education Prelude: Billie’s Song Valerie Capers Call to Worship Introit: Lead Me, Guide Me Doris Akers Heather Nolasco, soloist Lighting of the Flaming Chalice Chloë Briedé Hymn: Lean on Me Hymnal No. 1021 Sometimes in our lives we all have pain, we all have sorrow. But if we are wise we know that there’s always tomorrow. Chorus: Lean on me when you’re not strong and I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on, For it won’t be long, ’til I’m gonna need somebody to lean on. Please swallow your pride, if I have things you need to borrow, For no one can fll those of your needs that you won’t let show. Chorus If there is a load you have to bear that you can’t carry I’m right up the road, I’ll share your load if you just call me. Chorus Just call on me brother when you need a hand We all need somebody to lean on I just might have a problem that you’d understand. We all need somebody to lean on Welcome And Announcements Rev. Ken Read-Brown Time For All Ages Chloë Briedé Candles of Joy, Sorrow, and Concern Meditation, Prayer, and Silence Musical response Anthem: Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child arr. Harry T. Burleigh Rich Jensen, soloist Readings: A Blessing For One Who Is Exhausted by John O’Donohue read by Abby Diamond-Kissaday Psalm 23 read by Caryn Schneider Offering We are invited to contribute to our “plate” to support all our shared ministries. We are also invited to make a gift to our monthly outreach offering, this month to Honduras Hope, supporting their work related to health care, education, and entrepreneurship in rural Honduras. There is a “donate” link on our home page, www.oldshipchurch.org. Offertory: Valse Bohémienne Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Sermon: The Only Way Through Rev. Ken Read-Brown Extinguishing of the Chalice Hymn: Precious Lord, Take My Hand Hymnal No. 199

Benediction Choral benediction — Woyaya / We Are Going Osibisa Chris Maher, soloist Postlude: Take Me Back John W. Work III Notes about the music Music Director Christopher Nickelson-Mann this month is choosing works by Black to help observe Black History Month. Composers of this week’s selections are: Valerie Capers (1935 - ) (Prelude) was born in and received her early schooling at the New York Institute for the Education for the Blind. She went on to obtain both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the Julliard School and was the institution's frst blind graduate. Infuenced by her father's ties to Fats Waller, Capers is equally at home in jazz and in classics.

Doris Akers (1923-1995) (Introit) was an African-American and arranger, primarily known for her work in gospel music. She learned to play the by ear at a young age and shortly wrote her own songs. She received musical awards including "Gospel Music Composer of the Year" in both 1960 and 1961. She was posthumously inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2001.

Harry T. Burleigh (1866-1949) (Anthem) is widely regarded as an important infuence on 20th-century American music for bringing African-American spirituals to a wider audience. He was a classically trained baritone and performed frequently as a soloist. Burleigh studied and worked with Czech composer Antonín Dvořák. They both infuenced each other's music; Dvořák later saying that American music should be founded on the African-American spirituals and melodies that Burleigh introduced to him.

Osibisa (founded 1969) (Choral Benediction) is an Afro-fusion rock band that incorporated traditional African and Caribbean sounds into their music. The song Woyaya appeared on an album by the same name in 1971 and translates to “We Are Going” from the Ghanian Ga language. The song has since been covered by numerous musical artists, including Art Garfunkle.

John Wesley Work III (1901-1967) (Postlude) was born in Tennessee to a family of professional musicians. He was a professor, composer, and musicologist who spent much of his professional life teaching and working at in Nashville, a historically Black university. He wrote more than 100 compositions for a range of ensembles but is most widely known for his vocal and choral works.