Looking for Season of Creation Resources? There
are a few suggestions on this page if you are following the 2025 theme
of "Peace for Creation" I have highlighted songs that are
particularly appropriate within the Lectionary with a globe of the earth
🌏. If you are using the earlier version of Season
of Creation, or if you're looking for additional Creation-themed songs
click here for Season of Creation 3C- Storm Sunday!
Jeremiah 8:18-9:1
God weeps for the suffering of God's people
- GWA029 In ages past the mighty Lord by prophets spoke the word
(Michael Morgan, USA) This is a song with very many verses; choose at least
verses 1 and 3 this week, and you can sing other verses when you want to
sing about other prophets. Set to the common tune KINGSFOLD. Some lyrics (not the Jeremiah versbalme!). New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / MV78 / CH168 / FFS30 / SFFS 2048 / SP&P069 / StF700 God weeps at love withheld (Shirley Murray, New Zealand)
Pretty full-on lyrics of lamentation, that some may find difficult to
sing simply because of the horrors it names. In the context of this
story, I think this is okay. This is a really powerful story, let’s not
water it down. Lyrics and sheet music.
- Traditional / ATA 124 / SLW42 / UMH494 / GtG472 / PH338 / W&R487 / Cha590 / PfAS079A Kumbaya, my Lord (Unknown, Gullah Geechee (African-Amerian)) I think this song is really beautiful sometimes. Sometimes it’s really
awful too, unfortunately. If we sing this as a song from an enslaved
community seeking the presence of God, it is much more meaningful than
if we sing it as a 1960s folk song. My thoughts and some helpful links.
- Online Resource / TiS 679 God of Jeremiah grieving
(Brian Wren, USA) If you are going to focus on Jeremiah for the next few weeks,
this would be a good hymn to learn. The traditional Scottish
tune KELVIN GROVE is well known as the tune for "The Summons". New words to old tunes. Lyrics and free sheet music PDF.
- Tune In / Online Resource Our God who weeps
(Kate Scull, Australia) Very simple folk-like tune and challenging and hopeful
lyrics. "When death has taken those held dear"... Reference recording, lyrics and free downloadable songbook.
-
NCH553 / UMH375 / VU612 / WoV737 / ELW614 / HPP379 / GtG792 / PH394 /
G(II)460 / GC648 / GC(II)617 / G(3)640 / W&R631 / Cha501 / ZSS114 /
SgTJ1045 / 82Hml-676 There is a balm in Gilead (Unknown, African-American) "If you cannot preach like Peter, if you cannot pray like Paul". This
song is not so meaningful for Australians, but I know it is for
Americans. It's a good one for those who
feel discouraged about anything magnificent happening in their life of
faith. Lyrics and sheet music samples. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- 🌏 Online Resource / Brunswick Music Project Why do we listen and fail to hear / Lament - for a people with a people with a dull heart (Shawn Whelan, Australia) This lament, and its wailing ooooh would fit quite well with this passage. Sheet music and lyrics. Good for kids.
Psalm 79:1-9
A cry for forgiveness and deliverance in the face of destruction
- Traditional / ATA 124 / SLW42 / UMH494 / GtG472 / PH338 / W&R487 / Cha590 / PfAS079A Kumbaya, my Lord (African American Spiritual) I think this song is really beautiful sometimes. Sometimes it’s really
awful too, unfortunately. If we sing this as a song from an enslaved
community seeking the presence of God, it is much more meaningful than
if we sing it as a 1960s folk song. My thoughts and some helpful links.
- MV064 Because you came
(Shirley Murray) Powerful words of confession and
forgiveness, sung to a lovely tune that will need to be taught, but will
not be hard to teach. It has 5 verses, so maybe invite the congregation
to join in as they hear it. Lyrics.
- 🌏 ATFG563 / NCYC'03 / The Red Book How long must we cry out?
(Robin Mann) This is a big Brunswick favourite, great for young people in
particular. "Teach me to do what is right, walk in the darkness, trust
in the light and may love be the path I walk upon".
Good for teenagers. Lyrics. Lyric video.
- PH437 / CP591 / W&R586 Our Cities Cry to You O God (Edith Margaret Clarkson) Good words of helping to heal injustice in the
world. Being the body of Christ. This can be sung to a range of well known hymn tunes. New words to old tunes. Lyrics and sheet music samples.
- Online Resource / Walk as One Grant us your grace and forgive us (Leigh
Newton) A beautiful prayer of confession which would
work on any Sunday. Book (PDF) for purchase here.
- Online Resource / AoVK-29 Remember we are your people (Tony Barr)
Simple three part chant "Remember we are your people, your people O
God". This would work really well as a sung refrain during the prayer of
confession. Sound sample and sheet music preview and purchasing options (I would do it slower). Good for kids.
- 🌏 Online Resource / Tune In / NCYC '07 Forgive us now (Dave Brown). “As we forgive may we be healed, as we reach out….” An excellent ballad seeking forgiveness in a sinful world. Reference recording, lyrics and free downloadable songbook.
- 🌏 Online Resource / Brunswick Music Project Why do we listen and fail to hear / Lament - for a people with a people with a dull heart (Shawn Whelan) This lament, and its wailing ooooh would fit quite well with this passage. Free sheet music and lyrics. Good for kids.
- Iona (LFB) Listen Lord
(John Bell / Graham Maule) Beautiful chant-like chorus, can be used on its own or as
a response, or used with the verses. Good to use for the intercessions. Sound sample (including verses).
- Taizé / TiS
741 / AoV1-017 / ATE 282 / LBW368 / ELW407 / GA431 / SFFS 2200 /
GtG471 / G(II)410 / GC586 / GC(II)566 / G(3)666 / W&R484 / Srce519 / URW390 / Lau929 / PfAS013A / PfAS102A / MP908
O Lord hear my prayer
(Jacques Berthier) A simple and very well known Taizé chant. Works well during
intercessions. You could read the Psalm between repeats of this chant,
or just use as a chant as is. Sheet music samples. Good for kids.
- Online resource May your compassion come quickly (Bruce Harding) A simple Psalm refrain. Free sheet music.
- Emergent Psalter How long O Lord? (Isaac Everett) A simple, but interesting refrain. Sheet music sample.
- Online Resource For those who cannot find a way
(Adam Tice / Sally Ann Morris) A beautiful song that expresses our hope
for the healing of pain that others bear. "Why, O God, why?". Sheet music sample and purchasing options.
Alternate Hebrew Scripture: Amos 8:4-7
The endless grind of commerce; Turning feasting to mourning, a famine of God’s word.
- GWA029 In ages past the mighty Lord by prophets spoke the word
(Michael Morgan) This is a song with very many verses; choose at least
verses 1 and 8 this week, and add whatever other verses make sense in your context. Set to the common tune KINGSFOLD. Some lyrics (not the Amos verse!). New words to old tunes.
- AA085 Let justice roll down like a river (Colin Gibson) Excellent song, and very easy to sing. Lyrics. Sheet music. Good for kids.
- TiS 657 / CH263 / VU700 / A&M559 / AA50 / CP(E) 447 / Cha656 / SP242 God of freedom God of justice (Shirley Murray) Powerful lyrics. Can be sung to either TREDEGAR (new, but not too hard) or PICARDY (very familiar). Lyrics and sheet music sample. New words to old tunes. There is also a nice tune from Douglas Simper in his book if you'd like something quite new, but still hymn-like.
- StS033 / GA515 / G(II)516 / GC716 / GC(II)709 / G(3)810
Let Justice Roll Like a River
(Marty Haugen) Verse 3 of this song is particularly appropriate for this
passage. The song is quite simple, particularly if you use a soloist for
the verses if this is new to you. Sound sample (I don't like this sample much) and sheet music sample and lyrics.
- VU699 / GtG772 / PH332 Live into hope of captives freed (Jane Parker Huber) Excellent wordsto the familiar tune TRURO. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- TiS 674 / Iona (Common Ground, Heaven Shall Not Wait) / A&M562 / CH253 / SP245
Inspired by love and anger (John Bell) Powerful lyrics, simple English folk tune (SALLY GARDENS). Lyric video.
- AoVK-28 / ATOK 376
Faith hope and love
(Trish Watts) "Freedom for all, this is what we long for!" This is so easy, and so cool. If you have some groovy
musicians, this can be a very funky rock song. Very easy, and great
for kids and non-readers. Sound sample. Good for kids
- TiS 689 / ATE 286 / GtB Lord hear my praying, listen to me / Sorrowing song (Robin Mann) Powerful words of prayer to a simple tune. Words are straightforward about asking difficult questions of God. Lyrics. This song will also work for next week, so now is a good time to introduce it.
- ELW710 / CP575 Let streams of living justice (William Whitla) Awesome words of justice. Sung to the familiar tune THAXTED. Lyrics. It could probably work to a different (less pompous) tune too.New words to old tunes.
- NCH593 / UMH519 / LBW562 / ELW841 / HPP304 / GtG339 / PH563 / W&R729 / Cha631 / ZSS113 / 82Hml-599 Lift every voice and sing
(James Weldon Johnson) This suggestion is for those readers in the USA, where this
song speaks about liberation of those who were in slavery in that
country. Lyrics.
- 🌏 Tune In / Online Resource / NCYC '07
Forgive us now (Dave Brown). “As we forgive may we be healed, as we reach out….” An excellent ballad. Free downloadable songbook, lyrics & sound samples.
- LUYH767 / NCH317 / SP&P108 / StB218 Make a gift of your holy word / Send your word / Mikotoba o kudasai
(Yasushige Imakoma) Touching and mournful song seeking God's presence
and the
coming of justice. The tune is Japanese, and very beautiful. There are
two different translations, and I like them both. It would be
best sung, at first, by a soloist with simple accompaniment. Story including lyrics.
- Taizé / AoVNG125 / MV146 / GC(II)637 / G(3)740 / PfAS024D The Kingdom of God is justice and peace and joy in the holy spirit (Taizé Community) "Come, Lord and open in us the gates of your kingdom". A nice joyful Taizé chant. Sheet music and sound samples of parts for practice. Good for kids.
Psalm for the Amos reading: Psalm 113
You could also use an Alleluia as a Psalm refrain.
- 🌏 TiS 179 / NCH273 / VU312 / StJ / GA379 / URW073 Praise with joy the world's Creator (John Bell and Graham Maule, Scotland) It's not a direct fit, but I think it would work well, and it's great. Lyrics.
- CH169 / VU245 / SFFS 2020 / HPP26 / CP309 Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpet (Natalie Sleeth, USA) Fun. Good for kids. Good if you have extra instruments at your worship service. Lyric video.
- SiS??? From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same (Unknown) An old chorus that will be familiar and fun for older congregations; it
is not at all inclusive. This is particularly excellent in churches that
face North or South, because then you can get the whole congregation
doing jazz hands above their heads going East to West. Surely my
childhood church (One Tree Hill Uniting) was not the only church to do
this in the '70s? Rock on to this version on Youtube. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- PfAS113A / MP163 From the rising of the sun to its going down (Kathy Wonson Eddy, USA) This is a lovely response for leader, congregation and choir with cantored verses.
- 🌏 TiS
72 / AHB 42 / NCH27 / CH146 / UMH101 / LBW550 / A&M637 / HPP36 /
GtG327 / PH229 / CP344 / CP(E) 431 / Cha49 / PfAS117C / 82Hml-380 / StF075 / LUYH570 From all that dwell below the skies
(Isaac Watts, England) A very old hymn, known by many, which is entirely inclusive in
its language for God, save for one Lord which you can replace with God
if you like 'cos it's Public Domain! Oldy-but-a-goody. Lyrics and tune samples.
- Online Resource From the rising of the sun (Bruce Harding, Canada) A simple contemporary Psalm refrain. Sheet music.
- ATAR676 Lord, be the rising (Sandra Sears, Australia) This is quite lovely. The tune is simple and the words seek God in all goodness.
1 Timothy 2:1-7
Pray for everyone, including national leaders; Christ our mediator.
- TiS 672 / GA554 Lord of earth and all creation
(Michael Thwaites, Australia) Good Australian words, seeking a better future for all peoples of Australia; can be a little nationalistic, so check the lyrics. Two possible tunes. The newer tune is good, but if your congregation can't do a new tune this week, it
can also be sung to WESTMINSTER ABBEY or PRAISE MY SOUL which are both very well known. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- CH716 / VU374 / FFS10 / SFFS 2128 / W&R477 / Cha575 Come and find the quiet centre
(Shirley Murray, New Zealand) A good song for the beginning of worship. I would prefer to
sing this to one of the more traditional melodies offered (Tune 1 in
FFS) or BEACH SPRING (TiS 493). Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- TiS 285 / VU363 / STB187 Your coming Lord to earth in Bethlehem (Wesley Milgate, Australia) Tricky, but good solid words and images. Verse 4 is particularly good
if you are celebrating communion, and could be omitted if you don’t like
to sing songs about communion when you are not celebrating it. Lyrics (downloads a PDF).
- CH659 / MV173 / StJ / A&M566 / G(3)824 / W&R389 / SP251 / StF712 Put peace into each other’s hands (Fred Kaan, USA) Good words for communion; tune is quite simple and flows nicely. Slow sound sample, sheet music with lyrics. Good for kids.
Luke 16:1-13
The dishonest and shrewd manager; honesty, faithfulness.
- ATW 498 / Iona (T1AU) / MV 196 / SP&P182 / URW438 We will take what you offer (John Bell) An excellent simple short song that works well either as an upbeat chorus or as a reflective chant. "We will take what you offer. We will live by your word. We will love one another. And be fed by you Lord". Good for kids. Sound sample.
- Online Resource / NCH562 / AA127 / Cha381 Take my gifts and let me love you
(Shirley Murray) Good words about giving God ourselves, our goods, our money.
Can be sung either to the set tune by Colin Gibson (TALAVERA TERRACE)
which is a little tricky, or the more well known tune HOLY MANNA (New words to old tunes). A
good offering song. Lyrics and sheet music.
- Online resource To be faithful
(Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) This is a very simple, catchy short song about
being faithful with what you are given. Note to BUC people, I have a
copy of this book. Sound sample and lyrics.
- 🌏 Online resource Forgive us God for all the things we waste (Shirley Murray)
Excellent, tough words. I would prefer this sung to a more reflective
tune as a hymn for forgiveness, but haven't found a better tune than the
one set. Lyrics and sheet music.
- Online resource Where your treasure is (David MacGregor) A very singable song about having hope and doing good with God in your heart. Youtube. Sheet music and lyrics.
- NCH590 / CH621 Spirit of Jesus, if I love my neighbour (Brian Wren) Challenging
words of offering help from a position of privilege and seeking to be
set free from the entrapment of possessions “If I am hugging safety or
possessions, uncurl my spirit as your love prevails, to join my
neighbours, work for liberation, and find my freedom at the mark of
nails”. Could also be sung to the tune PERFECT LOVE if your congregation
would have trouble with the newer tune. Lyrics & sheet music. New words to old tunes,
What ideas do you have? Please share them below!
Looking for Season of Creation Resources? There
are a few suggestions on this page if you are following the 2025 theme
of "Peace for Creation" I have highlighted songs that are
particularly appropriate within the Lectionary with a globe of the earth
🌏. If you are using the earlier version of Season
of Creation, or if you're looking for additional Creation-themed songs
click here for Season of Creation 2C- Fauna Sunday!
Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28
God is lamenting Israel's foolishness and the damage done to the earth.
- GWA029 In ages past the mighty Lord by prophets spoke the word / Song of the Prophets (Michael Morgan, USA) This is a song with very many verses; choose at least
verses 1 and 3 this week, and you can sing other verses when you want to
sing about other prophets. Set to the common tune KINGSFOLD. Some lyrics (not the Jeremiah verse!). New words to old tunes.
- 🌏 Online Resource / MV135 Called by earth and sky (Pat Mayberry) Gentle song about being called to care for the earth. Sheet music.
- Online Resource / TiS 679 God of Jeremiah grieving
(Brian Wren) If you are going to focus on Jeremiah for the next few weeks,
this would be a good hymn to learn. The traditional Scottish
tune KELVIN GROVE is well known as the tune for "The Summons". Lyrics and free sheet music PDF. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource We love to sound your praises (Carolyn Winfrey-Gillette) New words to the very familiar tune O SACRED HEAD. Lyrics and copyright info. New words to old tunes.
- 🌏 Online Resource / CH240 / W&R37 / StF727 / Lau687 / MP832 God in such love for us lent us this planet
(Fred Pratt Green) Really excellent lyrics of caring for creation and a
reminder that the Earth is God's. Not all versions are inclusive (CH
is). Lyrics and sheet music.
- 🌏 Online Resource / TiS
668 / AoVK-34 / ATFG587 / NCH569 / CH243 / VU307 / R254 / ELW739 /
AA143 / A&M553 / GtG713 / G(3)805 / W&R38 / Cha693 /
URW189 / StF729 Touch the earth lightly
(Shirley Murray) Sings of the redemption of creation and our complicity in its
destruction. Sources vary in their set tunes. TiS has a good tune
(TENDERNESS) with a nice minor key change to the relative minor for the
second verse. Can also be sung to BUNESSAN, if you need a familiar tune. Lyrics and sheet music. Youtube video with all lyrics. New words to old tunes (if you want).
- 🌏 VU305 Into the unshaped silence
(S Curtis Tufts) Lovely words of a new day, a day of rest, and care for the
earth. You could choose just one verse and sing it as a round. Lyrics.
- 🌏 Cha658 / URW081 Restless Weaver
(Cricket Harrison) Excellent words of our desire to help build God's new earth -
caring for creation and desiring justice for all. Sung to the familiar
tune HOLY MANNA. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- 🌏 AHB 106 / CH238 / A&M543 / CP(E) 257 Lord bring the day to pass
(Ian Fraser) Excellent words. Care for the earth. New heavens and earth.
Can be sung to one of my favourite hymn tunes (LOVE UNKNOWN), but other
tunes
are also listed. Sound sample. New words to old tunes.
- 🌏 Online Resource / URW080 Great Lover calling us to share (Brian Wren) Challenging and beautiful words to the familiar tune PUER NOBIS. Lyrics and sheet music New words to old tunes.
- 🌏 Online Resource / NCH559 / PH266 / W&R36 Thank You God for Water Soil and Air (Brian Wren) Good words asking God to help us renew the face of the earth by caring for creation. A prayer of confession. Lyrics & sheet music.
- 🌏 TiS 651 Take, take off your shoes (Jim Manley) A
fun slightly silly song for kids; this song is focussed on caring for the earth and
creation. Sound sample. Good for kids.
Psalm 14
Doesn't anyone around here believe in what is true?
- Emergent Psalter Fools say in their heart "There is no God" (Isaac Everett, USA)
An excellent, modern refrain which is very singable, and can be sung
with a second refrain over the top from Psalm 53. Sheet music (refrain only).
- MV31 Pure love (Linnea Good, Canada) A
simple two-part chant that picks up the Psalmist’s idea of the purity
of God’s law “Pure love, pure truth, pure justice, God”. Would be great
if you can teach it to some of the congregation before worship starts. Sound sample. Good for kids.
-
PfAS014B Prone to wander
(Robert Robinson, England) A simple refrain based on an old hymn, sung to
the first two lines of the familiar tune BEACH SPRING. I would sing this quite slowly and
reflectively. Lyrics are simply "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love". Tune sample and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
- VU735 Dear God who loves all humankind
(Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, England) Simple familiar refrain. It's the first line of the old hymn
"Dear Lord and Father of Mankind" with a responsive Psalm setting. This
would be a nice way to do the Psalm this week. Sample sheet music. New words to old tunes.
- 🌏 GC(II)660 / G(3)750 Deliver Us O Lord of Truth
(Hermann Steumpfle, USA) Very challenging words to a good well known American folk
tune (LAND OF REST - TiS 324). "Deliver
us, O Lord of Truth, from speech unbacked by deed, from lives that by
their faithlessness deny our spoken creed" (don't worry, it gets more
positive in the later verses). Lyrics and sheet music sample. Sound sample.
New words to old tunes.
- TiS 469 This is the truth we hold
(Basil Bridge, England) This is a new one for me. It has very positive words about
Christ as our truth through the ages. The tune is also new, but is not
difficult, especially if you play it through once before starting to
sing this. "This is the truth we hold, source of the joy we share, hope
that can make us bold, trusting the name we bear: that "Christ has died"
and "Christ is risen, in Christ shall all be made alive". Lyrics (downloads an order of service).
Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Exodus 32:7-14
The Golden Calf. Who brought the Israelites out of Egypt? A cow? Moses? God?
- Taizé / MV016 / StJ / ELW528 / GA430 / SFFS 2157 / HPP410 / GtG466 /
G(II)398 / GC570 / GC(II)550 / G(3)637 / CP402 / URW378 / Lau701 Come and Fill our hearts/ Confitemini Domino
(Jacques Berthier, France) Can be sun in English as "Come and fill our hearts with your
peace, you
alone O God are holy. Come and fill our hearts with your peace,
Alleluia". A good song of recommitment. Sound samples and sheet music. Recording.
- 🌏 Online Resource / Tune In / NCYC'07 Forgive us now (Dave Brown, Australia) I
think I’ve been suggesting this one a lot lately, but it also fits well
with this reading “Forgive us now, O mother love for all the idols we
have built, For all the time we’ve worshipped there in company of dark
despair. Forgive us mother of all hope”. Lyrics, sound sample and free songbook.
- GWA152 The mind of God is forever changing
(John Bell, Scotland) At the very end of this passage, we hear that God
relents, and does not bring disaster on Israel. God is constant about
somethings, but other things change. This is a little challenging to
sing, but the words are just terrific. Maybe get a soloist to sing it at
first. Lyrics (in an order of service).
- TiS
560 / AHB 465 / NCH408 / CH192 / UMH132 / VU654/655 / WoV782 / ELW757 /
A&M584 / CP529 / CP(E) 368 / Cha088 / Srce2-15 / 82Hml-665 / Lau959 / StF455 / MP016 All my hope on God is founded / is firmly grounded
(Joachim Neander) Most translations of this well known German hymn are not
inclusive, but the translation by Fred Pratt Green in UMH, NCH and WoV are; these are also available online, so use them! A really interesting article about the various translations. Thanks to Mary Ellen for this suggestion. Oldy-but-a-goody.
Psalm for the Exodus reading: Psalm 51:1-10
A Prayer for forgiveness and a new heart
You might like to sing a Kyrie.
- 🌏 GWA185 The Lord will listen to the broken-hearted
(John Bell, Scotland) A very simple chant, which could be used for a time of healing, or lament. Video of John Bell teaching the parts.
- Online Resource Broken (Elaine Loukes, Australia) A gentle song for tired pilgrims. Free sheet music, recording and lyrics.
- Iona (SBL) / MV068 / G(II)405 / GC581 / GtG578 / PfAS009A Kyrie Guarany / On the poor, on the poor / Oré poriajú verekó (Pablo Sosa / Guarani people, Paraguay) A
simple Kyrie from Paraguay; this is a favourite at Brunswick.
The English translation varies depending on the source (we don't sing On the Poor). Sound sample in Guarani. Sound sample in Greek (Hey, that's my family singing!) Good for kids.
- Online Resource Open my heart (Ana Hernandez) A beautiful 3 part chant, which also works as a single part chant. Sheet music. Youtube of the song being taught and sung in 3 parts.
- 🌏 Online Resource / Tune In / NCYC '07 Forgive us now (Dave Brown, Australia) An excellent ballad. "Forgive us now, O mother love for all the idols we have built, For all
the time we’ve worshiped there in company of dark despair. Forgive us
mother of all hope”. Free downloadable songbook and sound samples.
- 🌏 Iona (Sent By the Lord) / MV066 Senzenina? / What have we done?
(South Africa) This beautiful chant from South Africa asks the
question that we often ask when things go wrong beyond belief. It's
important to know what the song means when singing it. If you have some
part-singers in your congregation, this would be particular good. It's
good to let people ask this question. It is also on the soundtrack for
"The Power of One" so you could also play the recorded music if
appropriate. Sound sample. Free sheet music. Maybe this could work as a Psalm response?
- MV015 / GA186 Holy Sacred Spirit
(Monica Brown) Gentle chant, which would work well at the start of the
service. Can be used without the cantor part. "Holy Sacred Spirit,
breathe your breath on us". Youtube (VERY SLOW) Good to help kids settle.
- 🌏 STB043 Lord we did not live up to your teachings / Amra tomar adesh rupe
(Bart Shaha) A Bengali Kyrie. The translation is good, and quite
challenging. This will need to be taught; it could be sung in Bengali,
because (like a Kyrie) it's repetitive. Sample sheet music.
- 🌏 AoV1-158 / GA438 Create a new heart Holy Lord / A new heart for a new world
(Monica O'Brien / Trish Watts, Australia) Very simple melody, excellent words "Create a new heart
Holy Lord, beckon our lives through your word, open our eyes to your
call, United as one for your world". Lyrics and slightly odd sound sample.
- TiS 712 / AoV2-021 / ATE 269 / The tide has turned songbook Create in me / us a clean heart O God (Digby Hannah, Australia) A big favourite in our congregation, and a big favourite of mine. Lyrics & sound sample.
- GA040 Create in Me a Clean Heart O God (Monica O'Brien, Australia) Nice refrain and simple cantor part for this Psalm.
- GtG423 / W&R378 / PfAS051H Create in Me a Clean Heart O God (John Carter) A very simple, and repetitive version of the Psalm. Lyrics and sheet music sample.
- GC(II)409 / G(3)477 Lord Jesus Christ son of the living God (Carol Browning)
A simple chant based on "The Jesus Prayer" with a beautiful (and
optional) cantor which is really worth using. Nice chords! Nice sound sample and
sheet music sample Sound sample Lead sheet.
- Cha743 Create in me a clean heart O God (Carl Mueller) Very simple refrain based on a choral work, with a responsive reading. Here's a recording of the choral work.
- PfAS051I Lord Have Mercy (Kathleen Hart Brumm) A simple call and response Kyrie. Lyrics and Midi sample. Good for kids if you sing it with some energy.
- GtG431 / SFFS 2134 Forgive Us Lord / Perdon Senor
(Jorge Lockward / Raquel Mora Martínez) Call and response prayer of confession. Recording.
- NCH784 Create in Me a clean heart (Emma Lou Diemer) Easy to sing. Nice words.
- Online Resource Create in Me a pure Heart O God (Bruce Harding, Canada) A nice round, with an optional descant part. Good for kids. Free sheet music .
- Iona (Love and Anger) / StS067 / PfAS051G / STB120 Have mercy on us Lord / Khudaya rahem kar
(Pakistan) A nice alternative. It would be nice to get your
congregation to sing something from South Asia. PfAS uses only the first
line as a Psalm refrain, which may be the simplest approach for Anglo
congregations to dip their toes into South Asian melodies. Lyrics also
in Urdhu, but works well in
English too. Youtube.
- Worldmaking.net O Tender God, Have Mercy (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan, USA) A gentle, modern version of the Kyrie. Sound sample, lyrics and theology.
- NCH589 / VU679 Let there be light O God of hosts!
(Frances Wheeler Davis) Hopeful words seeking an end to
war and unity and understanding between nations. Verse two "Open our lips!" Lyrics. History.
- ATOK 399 Holding out your hand (Gerry Holmes) I like this one. Good for kids.
- Psalm Project - Sharing the Road Wash Me Clean (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan, USA) A nice, gentle reworking of the Psalm. Might be good to ask a musician to sing this one. Available here.
- TiS 729 / Iona (HSNW) Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy upon us (John Bell, Scotland) A very simple call and response chant.
- ATOK 354 / ELW801 / SFFS 2152 / GtG695 / SP&P128 / W&R373 / PfAS051A / ZSS178 / Srce95 / MP069 Change my heart O God / Cambiame Senor (Eddie Espinosa) A mushy old favourite. Sound sample.
- Online Resource Create in Me (Tom Keesecker) A lovely choral piece. Listen to the full sound sample, it just gets better and better. Sound sample, PDF sample, and purchasing options.
- Online Resource Make a new heart
(Richard Bruxvoort Colligan) A simple chorus just right for joining in
on, and good choruses that could be sung by a cantor or a leader. Sound sample, lyrics and purchasing options.
- Recorded Music Have mercy on me
(Nick Cave, Australia) Spoken word with backing music. Profound. You might find this useful. Lyrics. Recording.
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Grateful to be chosen; Some Glorias would be good.
- TiS
143 / AHB 80 / NCH1 / CH132 / UMH103 / VU264 / A&M676 / LBW526 / ELW834 / HPP37 /
GtG012 / PH263 / GC507 / CP(E) 474 / W&R48 / Cha066 / ZSS4 /
Srce296 / 82Hml-423 / Lau725 / StF055 / MP327 Immortal invisible God only wise (Walter Chalmers-Smith). An oldy-but-a-goody. "In light inaccessible hid from our eyes". Lyrics, tune sample. Words are mostly inclusive for God's gender, but for the
last verse which our congregation usually sings as "Great Father of
glory, pure Mother of light", except for the last time we sang it. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- CoC20 Gloria (Jillian Bray) A pretty majestic gloria in 4 part harmony.
- TiS 728 Jesuchristo Reina reina ya! (Latin American). Fun! Particularly if someone is brave enough to yell out a "call" at the start of each verse. Sound sample.
- ATOK 318 / Iona (SBL) / CH762 / MV036 / WoV788 / SFFS 2033 / GtG585 / SP&P078 / URW403 / StF753 Glory to God / Gloria di dios (Pablo Sosa / Peru) Good fun. Great for kids - call and response. SFFS has a good Trinitarian formula for it. Good for kids.
- TiS
773 / ATW 431 / NCH756 / CH760 / UMH072 / VU37 / WoV640 / GtG583 / GA291
/ G(II)199 / GC(II)253 / G(3)426 / W&R240 / Cha034 / URW380 / StF752 Glory to God / Gloria Gloria (Jacques Berthier) The refrain is excellent - joyous, simple, a round. Everything. The verses are not great. Sound sample. Good for kids.
- Iona (TI1AU) / MV038 Glory to God / Nzamuranza
(Mozambique / Patrick Matsikenyiri) Simple African call and response song. Sound sample.
- TiS 775 / ATOK 317 / Iona (M&G) / VU895 / GtG584 Glory glory glory glory be to God on high (Pablo Sosa) A simple Gloria. Sheet music sample.
- CoC21 Gloria (Colin Gibson) This Latin Gloria could be sung as a simple chant, a 3-part canon or a four part chorale!
- GC(II)190 Glory to God in the highest (Beneath the Tree of Life)
(Marty Haugen) Communion response A good joyful Gloria. Older versions have "his people", but newer versions have "God's people". Sound sample.
- MV124 Glory to God in the Highest (Trinidad) A good simple Gloria from the Caribbean Conference of Churches.
- TiS
129 / AHB 56 / AoV1-029 / ATA 131 / NCH547 / CH555 / UMH378 / VU266 /
LBW448 / ELW779 / A&M587 / GA437 / HPP334 / GtG649 / PH280 / G(II)434 / GC612 / GC(II)586 / G(3)645 /
CP352 / CP(E) 375 / W&R422 / Cha546 / ZSS202 / Srce25 / Lau846 / StF440 / MP031 Amazing grace how sweet the sound (John Newton) I once was lost... I think you all know this one. Nice youtube of some Sacred Harp singing, and a story. I love the recording of Dr G Yunipingu singing this in Yolngu. Oldy-but-a-goody..
Luke 15:1-10
The lost sheep and the lost coin are found; cause for celebration!
- TiS 179 / NCH273 / VU312 / GA379 / StJ / URW073 Praise with Joy the World's Creator (John Bell / Graham Maule) One of my favourite hymns - strongly Trinitarian lyrics and excellent imagery. I particularly
love the “One God in community” phrase. Some versions change "Son" to
"Christ" to make it more inclusive. Lyrics (scroll down).
- TiS 693 / AoV1-031 / GA212 Come as you are that's how I want you (Deirdre Browne) This song is beautiful, gentle, simple, and very well known. Lyrics and sound sample. A good song to start the service.
- VU360 / Cha074 A woman and a coin / the coin is lost (Jaroslav Vajda)
Very appropriate lyrics, which ask whether we are the lost child or
sheep. Tune is a little tricky so will need to be taught. Choral sound sample.
- GWA194 / Online Resource God in whose memory no-one is lost / Forget-me-not
(Shirley Murray) This could be interpreted as a focus on dementia and
forgetting, but the phrase "Do not forget us when we forget you" is
applicable to many situations. Lyrics and sheet music. Lyric video.
- TiS
129 / AHB 56 / AoV1-029 / ATA 131 / NCH547 / CH555 / UMH378 / VU266 /
LBW448 / ELW779 / A&M587 / GA437 / HPP334 / GtG649 / PH280 / G(II)434 / GC612 / GC(II)586 / G(3)645 /
CP352 / CP(E) 375 / W&R422 / Cha546 / ZSS202 / Srce25 / Lau846 / StF440 / MP031 Amazing grace how sweet the sound (John Newton) I once was lost... I think you all know this one. Nice youtube of some Sacred Harp singing, and a story. I love the recording of Dr G Yunipingu singing this in Yolngu. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- Online Resource God's great love is so amazing(Carolyn Winfrey-Gillette) Good words about this story, to the familiar tune CONVERSE (What a friend we have in Jesus). Lyrics.
- Online Resource ATAR598 / Tune In / NCYC 2009: God has laid a feasting table / Invitation
(Shawn Whelan). Feminine imagery of God gathering her guests to a feasting
table. Fun Cuban rhythm. Particularly good if you are celebrating
communion, but you don't need to be for it to make sense. Sound sample, sheet music and free downloadable songbook.
- MV020 God of still waiting
(Carl P Daw) Good words about God waiting for us and the promise brought by
the Spirit. Tune is quite beautiful, and will need to be taught at least
a little. Lyrics.
- Online Resource At the table all are equal (David
Bjorlin / Benjamin Brody)
A beautiful song of welcome, with a stirring and heartfelt chorus. This
could be sung before communion, and would work during distribution too.
Sound sample. Sheet music and lyrics preview and purchasing options.
- ATN 77 / G(II)542 / GC749 O Welcome All You Noble Saints of Old / In Christ There Is a Table Set for All (Robert Stamps) We
often sing "We and God at Table are sat down" instead of the original
"God and man at table are sat down" from ATN 77, however, the Gather
hymnals use "In Christ there is a table set for all" which I also really
like! Good for celebration of communion Older style lyrics. Good for kids.
- 🌏 Online Resource God is like a foolish farmer
(David Bjorlin) Many images of God as farmer, lover, ruler and
shepherd, all of them "foolish", but all of them more loving and caring
than our usual image of these types of people. Sung to the familiar tune
RESTORATION. Lyrics and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
Please add your suggestions in a comment below. I'd love to hear of any appropriate songs you may know.
