Isaiah 7:10-14
God's sign to Ahaz; a young woman will have a son and call him Immanuel
- Online Resource / ACS902 Come now O God when our love is forsaken
(David Bjorlin) Reflective words of seeking for God to come in the
midst of sadness. Set to a traditional folk tune, which may not be
familiar, so will need to be taught. Or perhaps the congregation could
just listen. Sound sample, sheet music and lyrics sample and purchasing options.
- W&R172 For Ages Women Hoped and Prayed
(Jane Parker Huber) This is one of those "Coming, but already here songs" of
Advent, and could be sung at other times of year, too. Thought-provoking
words about what it may have been like for Mary to bear Christ. Lyrics. Set to VOX DILECTI, but could be sung to other tunes. It fits New Britain (the tune for Amazing Grace) quite nicely.
- NCH107 / LBW633 / ELW242 / GtG107 / GC346 / GC(II)351 / G(3)423 / W&R160 / Cha138 / Lau157 Awake Awake and greet the new morn (Marty Haugen) Although this is usually sung in Advent, I think you could sing it in the Epiphany season. Lyrics, sound samples & sheet music.
- ATFG514 Emmanuel Carol / God of light we are waiting for you
(Gael Berberick) This is a lovely song; you will need to teach it, but once it's known, it's pretty easy. Sample sheet music.
- TiS 265 / AHB 193 / AoV1-174 / NCH116 / CH273 / UMH211 / VU001 / LBW034 /
ELW283 / GA285 / HPP92 / GtG088 / PH009 / GC317 / GC(II)323 / G(3)395 / CP089 / CP(E) 32 /
W&R154 / Cha119 / 82Hml-056 / Lau112 / StF180 / MP493 O come O come Emmanuel (Psaleroilum Cantionum Catholicarum) A very well known ancient Advent carol. Most versions are pretty inclusive. Lyrics and history.
There are also two alternate versions (one by Sue Wickham and one by
John Henson), set to the same tune, but with more modern lyrics and
ideas. Search the Facebook Group for lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- NCH131 / CH303 / UMH218 / VU44 / LBW054
/ ELW282 / HPP128 / PH038 / GtG123 / GC367 / GC(II)379 / G(3)433 /
CP140/1 CP(E) 56 / W&R191 / Cha153 / Srce2-289 / 82Hml-089 / Lau135 / StF205 / MP345 It came upon the midnight clear (Edmund Sears) One of those few carols that is really more of an Advent hymn. Lyrics vary widely across the hymnals, but some are quite inclusive, like NCH, VU, CH, PH. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- TiS 279 / AHB 212 / SFFS 2091 / HPP158 / GC487 / GC(II)494 / CP632 / Lau107 The King of glory comes the nation rejoices (Willard Jabusch) Fun and energetic song to a traditional Israeli folk melody. A good processional. Lyrics. Good for kids.
Psalm 45
A psalm of adoration, with overflowing heart and fragrant robes and judgement...
-
PfAS045B The throne of God is righteousness
(Evangelical Lutheran Worship) A simple Psalm refrain to a familiar
hymn tune (EIN FESTE BURG). Lyrics.
- Taizé
/ TiS 731 / SFFS 2017 / GtG155 / G(II)377 / GC557 /
GC(II)535 / G(3)618 / W&R212 / PfAS100G / URW383 / Lau691 Raise a song of gladness / Jubilate Servite
(Taize) Glorious, fun round. If your congregation balks at singing in
Latin, it can be sung in English as "Raise a song of gladness, all the
earth, Christ has come, bringing peace, joy to every heart, Alleluia
Alleluia, Joy to every heart (x2)". This is not a Gloria, but it has the
feel of one! Sound sample.
- AoV2-068 / VU695 God is passionate life (Colleen Fulmer) Good simple round with a peace / justice focus. Lyrics and a kind of odd sound sample. Good for kids.
- Online Resource / TiS 654 / NCH362 /
UMH643 / VU489 / WoV749 / G(II)628 / GC865 / GC(II)856 / G(3)966 / W&R612 / Cha499 / Lau416 When love is found and hope comes home
(Brian Wren)
Lovely words to the tune O WALY WALY celebrating loving relationships
through all their changes. While this is often sung at weddings, I think
it would also work in the context of a standard service. Lyrics and sample sheet music. New words to old tunes.
- CH115 / MV089 / Iona (Love from Below) / A&M722 / SP292 Love is the touch of intangible joy (Alison
Robertson) Great words of different kinds of love – deep friendship, romantic
love (love is the lilt in a lingering voice), and the love of God, set to a simple tune. Each verse ends with the
affirming phrase: "God is where love is, for love is of God". Lyrics (scroll). Lovely sound sample.
- SgTJ1029 / MV094 Love knocks and waits (Daniel Damon) Lovely words of assurance and a simple lilting melody. Lyrics and sheet music.
- NCH540 We plant a grain of mustard seed
(Mary Bryan Matney) A song about how human love is a taste of divine love. Great words to a
fairly standard-sounding (but new) hymn tune. It would also work well
with MORNING SONG (the tune for “Awake, awake to love and work”). Lyrics (downloads pdf). New words to old tunes.
- VU769 God has blessed you forever and ever
(Russian Orthodox) A lovely simple response to this Psalm. Can be sung
with a responsive reading as set out in VU. Nice if you can build in the
harmonies, but fine if you can't.
- MV085
/ StJ / ELW814 / HPP319 / GtG698 / GC(II)692 / G(3)795 /
SP130 / PfAS045B / URW441 / Lau395a / StF781 / LUYH741 Take O Take Me As I Am (Iona Community) A lovely simple chant. PfAS uses it as a refrain to a reading of the Psalm. Sound sample.
- AoVK-12 God is our shelter truly a friend indeed (Chris O'Hara) Groovy little round / more like a call and response really. Good for kids. Lyrics.
Alternative Psalm: Psalm 40:5-10
God hears and helps.
- Tune In / Online Resource Like the sun upon my skin / God’s Mercy (Sheree Anderson) A beautiful ballad about recognising God's mercy in the everyday. Lyrics, sound sample, free downloadable songbook.
- Online Resource You grow like the moss draping soft sodden logs (Hannah
Brown) Gentle words about God as growing moss, moving mountain and
ebbing ocean, and a call to slow down and trust. Sung to an old shape
note tune which will not be familiar but is very simple. Lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
- Emergent Psalter You are my help and my rescuer (Isaac Everett) A simple and lovely Psalm refrain to Psalm 40. Sample sheet music. You can also alternate between these two refrains as described in the book.
- SP&P155 O God please rescue me (Angela Salvaggione) An upbeat paraphrase of Psalm 40.
- Recorded Music 40
(U2) This classic song from U2 is based on Psalm 40 and would be good
to include in a worship service. Thanks to Peter Champion for this
suggestion. Youtube.
- Online Resource / Iona (Common Ground, Ps PPP) / CH31 / GtG651 / PfAS040B / URW266 I waited patiently for God (John Bell) Surprisingly positive for such a gloomy Psalm (Psalm 40). Lyrics. Can be sung to NEW BRITAIN / AMAZING GRACE as well, but can also be sung to the William Billings tune LEWIS-TOWN. Sheet music for purchase. New words to old tunes.
- Iona (M&G) / CH267 / StB264 Blest be God blest be God for ever
(Salvator Martinez) Beautiful words to a beautiful, but tricky
Philippino melody (unless you have a Philippino congregation, in which
case it's just a familiar folk tune). This would be great to ask a small
group to sing if you have some good singers in your congregation. Works
especially nicely with a guitar. Sound sample & story.
- GA445 / G(II)421 / GC597 / GC(II)581 / G(3)676 I Say "Yes," Lord / Digo "Sí," Señor (Brenda Pena) A simple song which speaks of sticking with God through good times and bad. Lyrics and sample sheet music. Sound sample.
- Cha740a God your mercy is upon us as we place our trust in you Responsive psalm with joyous sung refrain to a familiar hymn tune.
- 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
(including the more recent adaptation by Fred Pratt Green) are not
inclusive, but the NCH and WoV are, so if you have those books (BUC
people, we have NCH and WoV). Updated version of the lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- Taizé / TiS
741 / AoV1-017 / ATE 282 / LBW368 / ELW751 / GA431 / SFFS 2200 /
GtG471 / G(II)410 / GC586 / GC(II)566 / G(3)666 / W&R484 / Srce519 / URW390 / Lau929 / PfAS013A / PfAS102A / MP908O 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
- CH573 / UMH523 / GtG789 / StB059 Jesus Savior Lord lo to thee I fly / Saranam Saranam
(Sri Lankan) I think this would be an excellent song to sing, not only
because the words are good and because the tune is simple and beautiful,
but because we need to keep praying for the people of Sri Lanka. Sound sample (youtube).
- Chalice Praise 9 New Song (Number 40) (Andra
Moran & Elson) This song is a versatile arrangement of this Psalm.
With call-and-response verses and a simple refrain, I think this would
be a big hit in many congregations. Thanks to Laura Kittrell for this
suggestion. Sound sample
(scroll down) - while this recording has a quite distinct pop-country
music style, this is not the only way the song could be used - arrange
it to suit your congregation (e.g. I think our congregation would cringe
at the "La la la la la yeah" final chorus, but others might just love
it)
- CH541 Lord I pray if today (Jean Keegstra-DeBoer) Very simple words, quite childlike, but memorable.
- TiS 23 O Lord do not withold your mercy (Don Saliers) A really lovely and simple refrain.
- ATW 480 On the day I called you answered me Lord (Bernadette Farrell) A simple song.
- Taizé / CH276 / VU22 / GtG090 / ELW262 / GA283 / A&M053 / G(II)256 / GC332 /
GC(II)340 / G(3)406 / CP094 / W&R166 / PfAS037B / SP28 / URW396 / Lau088 Wait for the Lord (Jacques Berthier)
Wait for the Lord whose day is near, wait for the Lord, keep watch,
take heart. A lovely simple Taize chant; some sources have cantor lines,
and some older sources are not inclusive. Sheet music, translations and sound samples.
- TiS 754 / SFFS 2055 / HPP457 / Cha554 / PfAS032B / Srce2-686 / MP793 You are my hiding-place (Michael Ledner) Very mushy, but somehow very satisfying and soothing. Particularly mushy sound sample and lyrics.Good for kids.
- NCH565 / LBW408 / ELW678 / GtG716 / PH422 / CP601 / W&R572 / Cha606 / URW091 God whose giving knows no ending
(Rusty Edwards) Excellent more formal words of thanks for God's many good
gifts to us. Can be sung to a range of tunes including BEACH SPRING,
HYFRYDOL, AUSTRIAN HYMN, RUSTINGTON. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
Hebrews 10:4-10
Christ did God's will.
- Iona
(Common Ground, M&G, T1AU) / CH805 / MV151 / StJ / A&M412 /
ELW741 / G(II)416 / GC592 / SP210 / URW440 / StF760 Your will be done on earth, O Lord / Mayenziwe 'ntando yakho
(South African - Xhosa) This is a really good South African song,
simple to sing, beautiful harmonies and would work well for reflection
for reflection, sung slowly. Maybe it could even be sung in a minor
key? Sound sample. Good for kids.
- Lost resource I delight to do your will
(Dean Spalding) I am a little entranced with this lovely simple chant that
Dean Spalding sent through. It's designed for
repetitive singing, and builds beautifully with a number of (optional)
parts. Unfortunately it's not online anymore and I can't find it. This
is here to remind me to look for it more diligently some day.
- God Comes Tomorrow (Iona) Give us this year
(Iona) Beautiful words seeking a more mature response to Christmas,
sung to an old hymn tune (NEUMARK); suitable for Advent, not so much for the feast of the Annunciation. The tune is not familiar, but
is not difficult to sing, and if you have a choir, sounds particularly
lovely. New words to old tunes. Lyrics.
Luke 1:26-38
The Annunciation
- Online Resource A word went out to Mary (Hannah Brown) Beautiful new poetry, with floral imagery, set to the tune ES IST EIN ROS' ENTSPRUNGEN. Sheet music sample and lyrics and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource Hey Mary!
(Malcolm Gordon & Sam Gordon) A lovely children's song about the annunciation.
It captures the surprise and the universality of God's arrival to each
of us. Youtube and sheet music.
- CH291 When out of poverty is born (Kathy Galloway)
An excellent set of words for Advent that reflects on God's good news
for the poor and the strength of Mary's faith. Set to the familiar tune
KINGSFOLD. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- Seeds of Faith I Bring You Good News (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) This
is a great little song for kids “Mary, Mary do not be afraid. I bring
you good news, good good news!”. Very simple and fun. Nice sound sample (with kids singing!) and lyrics/theology. Good for kids.
- GA445 / G(II)421 / GC597 / GC(II)581 / G(3)676 I Say "Yes," Lord / Digo "Sí," Señor (Brenda Pena) A simple song which speaks of sticking with God through good times and bad. Lyrics and sample sheet music. Sound sample.
- Online Resource / TiS 287 / ACS906 / CH287 / GtG101 / StS011 / GC(II)768 / G(3)876 No wind at the window
(John Bell) Wonderful words to the familiar Celtic tune COLUMCILLE that
focus on Mary's decision to say "Yes" to God. Very easy to sing. Works
well for Advent and Christmas. Sheet music sample (with lyrics) and purchasing options. Sound sample. Lyrics.
- GC(II)781 O Mary of Promise (Steven Warner) A lovely song to a gentle tune. This will probably be too Marian for some. Lyrics and leader sheet. Sound sample..
- TiS
658 / AoV1-090 / ATE 296 / CH251 / UMH593 / VU509 / WoV752 / ELW574 /
GA496 / A&M494 / HPP541 / GtG069 / PH525 / G(II)492 / GC(II)671 / G(3)777 / CP(E) 470 / W&R559 /
Cha452 / Srce328 / Lau865 I the Lord of sea and sky / Here I am Lord (Dan Schutte) Song of God searching for us and our response. Very slow sound sample. Lyrics and sample sheet music. Good for kids.
- G(II)563 / GC781 / GC(II)777 / G(3)458 I Sing a Maid
(Michael Joncas) This telling of the role of Mary would be good sung by a soloist during
part of the service, although some may find it too strongly Marian. The
tune will be known to Australians as “with my swag all on my shoulder”.
Lyrics, sheet music and (slow!) sound sample.
- G(II)506 / GC(II)676 / G(3)794 There Is a Mountain / I am for you
(Rory Cooney) Lovely words, but probably too tricky for a
congregational song. Good words about God speaking through the flame with the words
"I am for you". Could be sung with a few less verses than written, if
you like. Sound sample.
- Poem The angel and the girl are met (Edwin Muir) A beautiful transformative poem about the meeting of Mary and Gabriel. Poem.
- Recorded music / Soloist song I have travelled many moonless nights / Breath of Heaven
(Amy Grant) Yes! Amy Grant! This song beautifully captures some of the
uncertainty that Mary may have faced, feelings that many expectant
mothers could relate to! This could also be a good song for Mother's
Day. Youtube. Thanks to MiMiH for this suggestion.
Isaiah 55:1-9
Come to the waters, God's abundance is free for all, listen and live
- Taizé Let all who are thirsty come (Taizé Community) A lovely simple chant. Sheet music, sound samples for learning.
- BUC Song Project / Online Resource Broken (Elaine Loukes) This song seeking God's open arms at the end of a dry journey fits this reading well. Free sheet music, sound sample, and lyrics.
- Online Resource Dry
(Paul Somerville) An excellent song seeking refreshment from the living
water and grace of Christ. It will need a little time for teaching, or
ask your musicians to sing it. We used this at Brunswick on Ash
Wednesday. Sound sample, and contact details for the author.
- W&R655 / URW202 Come Away from Rush and Hurry (Marva Dawn) Excellent words of resting in a sacred space to the familiar tune BEACH SPRING (TiS 493). Lyric video. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- GtG078 You thirsty ones come to the spring!
(Andrew Donaldson) Pretty tune and a simple paraphrase of this reading. The
tune will need to be taught, but there are 5 verses, so it's worth it. Lyrics.
- G(3)815 The Thirsty Cry for Water Lord
(Herman Stuempfle / Marty Haugen) Excellent words. The
tune is pretty straightforward. Lead sheet. Sound sample.
- AoV1-074 Come To The Water
(Frank Andersen) A beautiful paraphrase of this reading. Familiar to
many, but easy to sing if not. It is not entirely inclusive. Lyrics.
- Online Resource / Tune In / NCYC 2009 / ATAR598 God has laid a feasting table / Invitation
(Shawn Whelan). Feminine imagery of God gathering her guests to a feasting
table. Sample and free downloadable songbook.
- StS060 / G(II)538 / GC743 / GC(II)740 / G(3)842 / URW055 / Online Resource Come to me come to us you who are burdened (Rory Cooney) Very lovely, simple, welcoming song. Sound sample, and music for purchase.
- AoV1-151 / GtG479 / GA400 / G(II)350 / GC504 / GC(II)499 / RS 642 Oh Everyone Who Thirsts (To Everyone That Thirsts) / Come to the feast
(Marty Haugen) Dramatic call and congregational response. This could be
a lot of fun - don't try to do all the verses though... lyrics and sheet music sample. Sound sample (I'd probably do it more energetically than this sample).
- TiS 34 O Lord you are my God for you I long (John Dunn) Quite a nice paraphrase. Tune is not easy, but good once known.
-
ACS955 / AoVNG30 / SP&P016 / Srce2-24 All who are thirsty for justice / Come to the Water
(Ray Makeever) Nice song, and I really like the lyrics. A good song to be
sung by the musicians to welcome the congregation, or before communion.
Could be schmaltzy if you're not careful. Lyrics and sound sample.
- VU870 / CP419 / W&R25 / URW069 Let all creation bless the Lord (Carl P Daw) A very majestic hymn (the to tune MIT FREUDEN ZART). A good opening hymn. Lyric video (instrumental). Lyrics & sheet music. New words to old tunes.
- ATW 435 Like the woman of old / Wellsprings
(Don Stewart) A favourite song in our congregation about going to the "Wellsprings of
life"and finding Jesus there. Picks up themes of tiredness, broken
hearts and weariness, but makes the point that it's worth the effort. Sound sample.
- Taizé / MV102 / GC(II)648 / GC(3)752 Jesus your spirit in us (Taizé Community) "Jesus your spirit in us is a wellspring of life everlasting" Lyrics in English and German. Sheet music sample. Very very slow sound sample.
You know, Taize music is not necessarily slow. When one of the brothers
visited here, he strongly encouraged us not to be so slow!
- Online Resource Come to the waters
(David MacGregor) An excellent new song. Sound sample and sheet music.
- ATW 475 Come to the banquet there’s a place for you (Fay White) An
excellent song by Melbourne singer and songwriter. "Though
you maybe have no money, though you maybe feel unworthy, in your
strength and in your weakness you are welcome, come." Lyrics. Good for kids.
- AoV2-020 / ATAR665 / Lau632 / LUYH808 Come to the feast of Heaven and Earth / Table of Plenty (Dan Schutte)
“God will provide for all that you need, here at the table of plenty”. I
love this song. It’s very straightforward (apart from the tricky turn-around!) and has excellent words. Thanks to Cynthia for this suggestion. Sound sample.
Psalm 63:1-8 Thirst for God, being satisfied. You have been my help, shadow of your wings, my soul clings to you.
A lot of the songs for the Isaiah reading fit with the Psalm this week.
- Online Resource My soul is thirsting
(Rawn Harbor) A simple and very cool blues / gospel refrain and cantored verses; you can use the refrain with a reader
if you don't have a cantor. Sound and sheet music samples and purchasing options.
- CH142 A small thing like a hazelnut
(Rae Whitney) Really nice words and a simple tune. Song about God's love for all
things and all people. Lyrics. Good for kids.
- G(II)59 / GC63 As Morning Breaks / I Long for You (Mike Balhoff / Gary Daigle / Darryl Ducote) A simple cantor and response Psalm. Sound sample.
- BUC Song Project Broken (Elaine Loukes) This song seeking God's open arms at the end of a dry journey fits this reading well. Free sheet music, sound sample, and lyrics.
- URW281 / UMH844b In the shadow of your wings / In the morning I will sing glad songs of praise to you (Michael Joncas) Two nice responses for the Psalm.
- BUC Song Project Searching alone / Safe (Elaine Loukes & Julia Potter) This is a lovely simple and reassuring song. BUC only so far...
- Taizé / MV102 / GC(II)648 / GC(3)752 Jesus your spirit in us (Taizé Community) "Jesus your spirit in us is a wellspring of life everlasting" Lyrics in English and German. Sheet music sample. Very very slow sound sample.
You know, Taize music is not necessarily slow. When one of the brothers
visited here, he strongly encouraged us not to be so slow!
- ATE 216 / Iona (SBL) / CH126 / StJ / ELW555 / PH472 / G(II)365 / GC527 / RS 671 / CP417 / W&R15 / StF042 O sing to the Lord / Cantai ao Senhor / Cantad
al Señor (Traditional Brazilian) A good, fun and simple song that is
easy to learn in Portuguese or Spanish too; note that not all versions
are inclusive. Sheet music samples.
Good for kids!
- CH720 / A&M409 / GtG470 / G(3)653 / SP204 / Lau941 There is a longing in our hearts O Lord
(Anne Quigley) Good words of longing for
God's love, justice, wisdom, healing. A good song for before, during or after
intercessions. Sheet music sample.
- GA043 / G(II)58 / GC62 / GC(II)42 / G(3)058 / URW280 / Lau213 O God I Seek You (Marty Haugen) Nice cantor and refrain. Maybe a bit too mushy for some. Lyrics and sheet music sample. Sound sample.
- Online Resource This is the moment here is the place (Hannah
Brown / Benjamin Brody) A good song of welcome which talks about the
mystery of worship; sung to a lovely new tune in 6/8. There are enough
verses for the congregation to pick it up the first time. Sheet music sample, lyrics and purchasing options.
- MV073 / LBW320 / ELW632 / GC(II)570 / G(3)668 O God Why Are You Silent? (Marty Haugen) Excellent seeking words expressing grief and fear and the absence of God. Sung to the familiar PASSION CHORALE. Lyrics. Sound sample. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / Resounding Voices / VT044 We long to know her the maker of heaven (Jacque
Jones) Rich feminine imagery of God as creator, wisdom and bringer of
justice. Sung to a tune that may be familiar (STAR OF THE EAST). Free book download here. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / Iona (Common Ground, Ps) / CH43 / GtG696 / PfAS063B / URW284 O God You Are My God (John Bell) Good words of longing for God to a strong hymn tune (RESIGNATION). Lyrics (downloads PDF - scroll through). Sheet music for purchase. New words to old tunes.
- TiS
48 / AoV1-153 / ATOK 411 / VU808 / WoV779 / ELW787 / GA452 / HPP385 /
GtG043 / G(II)433 / GC611 / GC(II)593 / G(3)691 / CP531 / W&R438 / PfAS091E / Cha077 / Lau952 You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord / On Eagle's Wings (Michael Joncas)
This is a big favourite all over the place. It has masculine imagery for God. This doesn't have to be sung slowly and meditatively - it also works very well as a more upbeat song. If it is not familiar to you, a cantor can be used for the verses. It is not inclusive. Lyrics.
- TiS
47 / AHB 46 / AoV1-175 / NCH25 / CH161 / UMH117 / VU806 / LBW504 /
ELW806 / GA459 / A&M746 / HPP1 / GtG687 / PH210 / GC614 / GC(II)588 / G(3)688 / CP528 / CP(E) 537 /
W&R84 / Cha067 / Srce2-441 / URW200 / 82Hml-680 / PfAS090B / Lau955 / StF132 / MP498 O God our help in ages past (Isaac Watts) A
good solid very well known hymn! The surprising thing about this one
is that the language is inclusive for God in most sources. Not all
sources are inclusive for humanity, so check. Lyrics and sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- GtG743 / ChaP014 O God you are my God / Step by step (David "Beaker" Strasser) A 1990s classic. Soothing. Lyric video.
- Online Resource My soul thirsts for you
(David MacGregor, Australia) A good local alternative. Smooth and simple. Video. Sheet music and lyrics.
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
You've got to live right.
- Iona (M&G, T1AU) / MV099 / GC(II)673 / G(3)763 / Lau996 Stand O Stand Firm (Unknown, Cameroon) I love having an excuse to sing this simple and powerful song.
Very easy for your congregation. You can make up cantor parts too “Oh my
sisters…. Oh my brothers… Oh my children….” or you can name countries
you are praying for in your intercessions. Good for kids. Scottish sound sample. Lead sheet.
- ATW 505 Whatever you do (John Ylvisaker, USA) Simple and fun.
- TiS 494 / W&R678 / Cha375 In water we grow (Brian Wren, USA) Great words, especially if you have a baptism this week. Tune is quite straightforward. Lyrics.
- Taizé / CH801
/ MV170 / StJ / GtG205 / WoV665 / ELW642 / SFFS 2179 / GC408 /
GC(II)430 / G(3)500 / CP553 / W&R399 / Cha523 / URW394 / StF783 / Lau244b Live in charity / Ubi Caritas (Jacques Berthier, France)
Usually sung in Latin, but can also be sung just as beautifully as "Live in
charity and steadfast love, live in charity; God will dwell with you."
Sheet music and sound samples for practice. Good for kids.
- ATA 169 Doin' it all to the glory of God (Rod Boucher, Australia) Very silly and great fun for kids. Lots of clapping and grooving around. This is still fun. Good for kids.
- Recorded Music Holy boldness (Shirley Caesar, USA) Listen to this!! Cafe at the Gate of Salvation also recorded this.
Luke 13:1-9
Patience and care for the fruitless fig tree; God's patience with us.
- Tune in / Online Resource Jesus is waiting (Dave Brown) An
honest catchy rock song about our hesitation to follow and Jesus not
only waiting, but continuing to work and change the world. A good
sending-out song. Sound sample, lyrics and free downloadable songbook. Good for teenagers.
- The tide has turned songbook Love and joy peace and patience / Fruit of the spirit (Digby Hannah) Good words. Groovy chorus. Straightforward for congregational singing.
- NCH586 Come to tend God's garden (John Dalles) Good words of growing a garden of justice and mercy. Sung to an English tune that will need to be taught (KING'S WESTON) if not familiar to your congregation. Very majestic youtube recording with lyrics listed in the comments.
- StS116 I saw a tree by the riverside / The Tree Song (Ken Medema) A
great kid’s song about roots growing down to the water, and leaves
growing up to the sunshine, and bearing fruit, and all that great stuff. Note that Ken's newer versions of the song use the phrase "Maker of trees" rather than "Lord of trees" which is nice. Good for kids. Older style recording (Evie Tornquist!) Lyrics.
- Online Resource / AoV2-006 / The tide has turned Deeper River / There's a river running deep within the silence of our souls (Digby Hannah). An excellent song of restoration for tired desert-like souls. Short sound sample and purchasing options. Lyrics.
- Online ResourceOne day the news was grim (Carolyn Winfrey Gillette) Excellent lyrics that have a good take on this passage and the way we always ask questions to try and understand what is difficult. Sung to the familiar tune LEONI. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- Recorded Music Though the fig tree may not blossom (Lara George) This is a gorgeous song about having faith that God will not forget us, and one year, our very talented Elaine Loukes Potter sang it during the offering. Lyrics. Recording.
Got any ideas of your own for any of these readings? Please add them in the comments below!
