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Thursday, April 30 2015
Easter came a little earlier this year! Do you have a praise dance ministry and group that is preparing for Easter, Palm Sunday or Passover? We have some key information from Body Wrappers as well as a compilation of what outfits you can put together for your group! Make sure to order early!
Gardens of Gethsemane Travail Dance The Garden of Gethsemane is located on a slope of the Mount of Olives across the Kidron Valley from Jerusalem where, according to the gospels, Jesus took his disciples to pray the night before his Crucifixion; a time of intercession. Jesus with his disciples went to Gethsemane and said to them; Matt 26: 36-39: "Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, 'Sit here while I go over there and pray.' He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.'"(NIV) The Garden of Gethsemane's name literally means "oil press". An oil press squeezes olives with pressure untill all the oil runs out of them. The Garden of Gethsemane is where Jesus was under the press, or "pressure" for his purpose to come forth. Due to Jesus' experience in the Garden of Gethsemane, Travail Dance is the recommended style. Travail means painful or laborious effort, which can be related to feeling pressure. Travail Dance movements include; bowing your face to the ground with prayer hands, reaching and swaying from side to side to show being pulled between two choices. The dancer's expression would show anguish and the deep sorrow Jesus felt during the Garden of Gethsemane experience. Dance clothing for this dance and day are Red, Black or dark colors. Suggested Dance Songs: I Almost Let Go by Kurt Carr I Need You Now by Shekinah Glory Ministries Press in Your Presence by Shana Wilson Celebration Dance Praise Dance Palm Sunday is known as Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem by a procession in which according to the scriptures Jesus was at the center. THe crowds celebrated him by spreading their garments and branches on the road before him and waving branches from palm trees shouting Hosanna in the Highest! The dictionary describes a procession as part of a ceremony or festival. Today many churches celebrate Palm Sunday with ceremonies including singing, liturgical dancing and handing out palm branches to symbolize this day. Jesus' triumphant entry was a celebratory event which can be depicted with Praise Dance. Clapping, leaping, waving hands, twirling, jumping and rejoicing are Praise Dance moves for celebration. Flags, streamers and glory hoops can be used in Praise Dances to symbplize the waving of branches. Clothing and colors worn are very symbolic because people laid down their clothing ahead of Jesus, Isaiah 61:3: He has given us the garment of praise for the spirit of heavenliness. (KJV) Bright colors are used on Palm Sunday for it is a festive occasion and represents joy and happiness. Dance attire for Palm Sunday is traditionally Bright and Colorful. Suggested Dance Songs: Hosanna by Micah Stampley Hosanna by Kirk Franklin Hosanna by Hill Song Maundy Thursday: The Last Supper Worship/Sacrifice Dance Maundy Thursday is the Holy Day, or Holy Thursday and commemorates The Last Supper when Jesus and the disciples shared the Passover Seder. This feast Symbolized Jesus crucifying His body on a cross as a living sacrifice for redemption of sins. Matt 26:26-28: "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread ,blessed it, broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said. 'Take, eat; this is my body.' And he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, 'Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."(KJV) In Western Christianity, Holy Thursday is accompanied by washing of feet, a traditional component in the pre Easter celebration in many church. One has to bow, humble and sacrifice himself to wash another's feet as Jesus washed the disciples' feet; an act of purifying servanthood, humility and sacrifice of self to God for a greater purpose. Worship Dance is the style most frequently used on Holy Thursday. To Worship God, the dancer must have clean hands and a pure heart (Psalms 24:4). The movements for worship involve bowing, hands extended out in surrender, hands outwardly stretched as to sacrifice to God as in reaching upward in adoration to God. Psalms 95:6:"Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our maker."(kJV) Clothing for Maundy Thursday is White; the symbol of purity. Suggested Worship Dance songs to convey the message of The Last Supper sacrifice: Agnus Dei by Pastor Donnie Mcclurkin I Surrender All by various artists Jesus Shekinah by Glory Ministries Remembrance by Matt Maher Revelation by Kari Jobe Witholding Nothing by William McDowell Good Friday Travail/Warfare Dance Good Friday is a symbolic of the day Jesus was crucified. Travail Dance is the style that reflects this day when Jesus faced his final suffering, anguish and travailed for us by going to the cross. Prior to the crucifixion, Jesus was placed in a red garment (Matt 27:28). Red is a symbolic in Travail Dance of the robe, redemption and blood. Some scriptures describe the robe as Purple which is symbolic of Jesus being mocked as a king. Many believe this difference is because Red was visible after his scourging. The Bible says in Isaiah 53:4-5: "Surely he hath bourne our griefs and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquitiesL the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."(KJV) Travail Dance is a prayer dance of intercession. The prevalent move is swaying back and forth demonstratinf an indecision between two choices. Examples include reaching toward God for help by pushing and pulling, as symbolic in a tug of war for a soul or healing from God; and kneeling as in prayer and using prayer hands. Warfare Dance is done to symbolize the war that took place between good and evil spiritually after the crucifixion for redemption of man. Warfare Dance includes forceful, sharp, movements. THe dances of Travail and/or Warfare can be for Good Friday. Dancewear cools for Travail dance are Red, Black, and Dark colors while Army & Dark colors are predominately used for Warfare dance. Suggested Dance songs for Good Friday: Travail Dance: Calvary by Richard Smallwood & Vision They Didn't Know by Kurt Carr Warfare Dance: Break Every Chain by Jesus Culture Break Every Chain by Tasha Cobbs Resurrection Sunday Prophetic Dance "He is not here; he has risen! Remember how Jesus told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'" Luke 24:6-7(NIV) The definition of Prophecy is a statement about an event that will happen in the future and is shared by a process in which one or more messages are communicated to a prophet and then passed on to others. THe resurrection of Christ was the fulfillment of many prophecies from the Old Testament. Prior to Jesus' death and resurrection, sacrifices of rams and goats were necessary for a person to enter into God's presence or his kingdom. However, according to the scriptures, Jesus was the ultimate sacrificefor the sin of man. We can now come boldly to the throne of grace (John 1:17). His word says enter to my gates with thanksgiving enter into my courts with praise (Hebrews 4:16). Many Bible scholars believe David's Tabernacle was a foreshadowing of the testimony of Christ's resurrection described in 2 Samuel 6 and 1 Chronicles 13-16. From these passages it is believed David prepared a place for the Ark (1 Chr. 15:1), and the Levites sanctified themselves for their ministry (1 Chr. 15:14). Which was to carry the Ark and to minister before the Lord (1 Chr. 15:2). Israelites joined in the procession accompanied by joyful musical instruments, vocal music, and dancing (2 Sam, 1 Chr. 15:29) Prophetic Dance is used to dance out a message from God or a revelation and therefore the recommended dance on Resurrection Day emphasizing Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice. According to Rev 19:9-10: " Then the angel said to me, 'Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' " And he added, 'These are the true words of God.' At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me,'Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.' " Suggested colors for a Resurrection/Easter Dance are Royal Blue or Purple with Gold highlights or trim. These colors represent heavenly presence, royalty, kingship, and power. Suggested dance songs for Prohetic Dance Broken But I'm Healed by: Byron Cage Don't Cry by: Kirk Franklin Matthew 28 by: Donald Lawrence When Sunday Comes by: Daryl Coley Passover Messianic-Ceremonial Dance In Hebrew , Passover is called Pesach; meaning the Festival of Deliverance (or Freedom). The Passover celebration commemorates the redemption of the Israelites out of slacery and their Exodus from Egypt. Passover is celebrated on the 15th of the Hebrew month of Nisan and is usually celebrated for eight days and seven nights. The story of Passover is found in Exodus and celebrates the Lord's passing over the homes of the Israselite slaves (Ex 12:13) when the first born son of all the Egyptians were slain and the Isrelites and their families remained safe. Today, in celebration of Passover, a Seder(ritual dinner), is observed with family and friends in remembrance os slavery in Egypt and the freedom that awaited in Israel and for the sorrow suffered for the freedom to worship their God. In Biblical times, Passover festivals and occasions were accompanied with dancing. In the Hebrew tradition, and later in the Messianic tradition, dance became a primary way of celebrating deliverance. The Israelites danced and rejoiced for freedom or deliverance when a battle was won. When the Israelites were freed from bondage in Egypt, the Prophetess Miriam led the woman in the dance to celebrate their freedom for they crossed the Red Sea and had escaped from Pharaoh and his army (ex. 15:20). Historically Messianic Dance is viewed as circle or line dance formations, however, Israeli folk Yemenite and Hasidic styles all had a major influence on the Messianic movements and dance style. Israeli folk dancing is the foundation of the choreography for the Messianic circle dances made up of Yemenite, Hora, Mayim, and Tcherkessia steps. Yemenite steps are bouncy, energetic and assertive. In Hasidic dance, the traditional Kelzmer dance steps are popular. The shuffling steps and movements in and out of the circle help define this style of dance. Arm movements include a hand in a hand, a hand over a shoulder or hands on another's shoulders. Passover Celebration Dance symbolic colors are Royal Blue, White, and Silver. Biblical Dance Movements: Chiyl: To twist or whirl in a circular manner -Judges 21:21 Machowl: A round dance -Psalm 30:11, Jeremiah 31:4 Dalag: To leap or spring -Song of Solomon 2:8, Isaiah 35:6 Chagag: To move in a circle/marchin a sacred procession/celebrate a festival/dance. - Psalm 42:4, Zechariah 14:18 Karar: To dance or whirl - 2 Samuel 6:14 Raqad: To stamp/spring about/dance/jump/leap/skip. - 1 Chronicles 15:29, Eccleslastes 3:4 Pazaz: To spring ot leap - 2 Samuel 6:16 Pacach: To hop/skip over/ to dance - 1 Kings 18:26 Schacah: To worship and to bow down. - Genesis 22:5, Exodus 34:8 Barak: To kneel and to bless - 1 Chronicles 29:20, Nehemiah 8:6 Hallal: Praise and Celebration (from which hallelujah is derived). - 1 Chronicles 16:4, Ezra 3:1 |
