Amos 7:7-17
Sometimes God leads us to speak the truth and that can get us in trouble.
- 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 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.
- Online Resource Holding up the light (Christopher Grundy)
A great song for all about being brave enough to hold a light, no
matter how small, when all around seems dark and difficult. Sheet music for purchase. Youtube. Good for kids.
- Online Resource / NCH588 / StJ / WoV763 / ELW717 Let justice flow like streams
(Jane Parker Huber) Excellent words to the very familiar tune ST
THOMAS. This must be the only hymn in existence with the words
"plumb-line" in it. I would not have found this without WoV, Pastor Tim -
Thank you! Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / AoV2-102 / GA509 Who will speak if we don't? (Marty Haugen) Excellent challenging words; note that some versions say "Who will speak if you don't?". Sound sample (scroll). Sheet music for purchase. Good for teenagers.
- Iona (M&G, T1AU) / MV099 / GC(II)673 / G(3)763 / Lau996 Stand O Stand Firm (Cameroon) I love having an excuse to sing this simple and powerful song; didn't Elijah have to be pretty brave?
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.
- 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) or RHUDDLAN. 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.
- 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 and sound sample.
- Online Resource Hear the message we now are proclaiming / El mensaje que hoy proclamamos (Eleazar Torregosa, Colombia) This
jubilant song of liberty and new life for the poor and
suffering would fit well with this reading. This
energetic song is not hard to sing, and if the congregation sings only
the chorus, while a cantor sings the rest, they will be able to easily
sing along by the 3rd verse without stress. Free sheet music. Sound sample.
- 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. Free downloadable songbook, lyrics and sound samples.
Psalm 82
God as judge, desiring justice.
- Online Resource / MV028 / StJ / FFS25 / GC(II)507 / G(3)587 / STB255 God of the Bible / Fresh as the morning
(Shirley Murray, New Zealand) Good words. I particularly like the tune by Alonso (MV and Gather hymnals), as the
chorus is really joyous. I think this song would be a really good "fit" for our
congregation. Good for kids (Alonso tune). Lyrics, sheet music sample. Quick lyric video.
- Iona (M&G) / CH267 Blessed be God blessed be God for ever (Salvador Martinez, Philippines) 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 (DANDANSOY). This would be great to ask a small group to
sing, if you have some good singers in your congregation. Works nicely with a guitar. Choral sound sample.
- TiS 657 / CH263 / VU700 / A&M559 / AA50 / CP(E) 447 / Cha656 / SP242 God of freedom God of justice (Shirley Murray, New Zealand) 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.
- Online Resource / AoV1-083 / GA036 / GtG763 / G(II)46 / GC48 / GC(II)33 / G(3)047 / PfAS082B / URW257 / Lau892 The Lord Hears the Cry of the Poor (John Foley, USA) The chorus for this makes a very good refrain for this Psalm, as set in PfAS. Sound samples, sheet music samples and purchasing options.
- Emergent Psalter You are gods all of you (Isaac Everett, USA) A very different verse to focus on in this simple refrain. Sheet music (refrain only).
- Online Resource Real justice for the earth
(Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan, USA) Funky refrain! This would be great - use a
cantor for the verses, or use the refrain on its own. There is also a
call and response section, which is most appropriate for US-based
congregations. Recording, video, lyrics and link for sheet music.
Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:9-14
God's word is very near; follow and prosper.
- G(II)363 / GC518 / URW417 The Word Is Near You / The Word Is in Your Heart (Bob Moore, USA) I would use the chorus of this alone as a reflective chant. Lead sheet. Fast sound sample.
- MV048 I can feel you near me God / Jump for joy
(Pat Mayberry, Canada) Good song for smaller kids about God being with us. I reckon
you could get the kids to Jump in the chorus. Maybe it's a bit too
happy clappy for some? Good for kids. Lyrics (search within page).
- Iona (Enemy of Apathy) / A&M466 / SP223 / StF654 / MP940 The love of God comes close
(John Bell, Scotland) A good song of God's forgiveness. Simple melody. Lyrics.
- URW143 The Grace of God is like a road
(Michael Hudson, USA) Beautiful words of God's presence and call to follow. Sung to a
familiar tune THE GIFT OF LOVE, that is almost the same as O WALY WALY.
Highly recommended. Lyrics (go to p3 of PDF). New words to old tunes.
Psalm for the Deuteronomy reading: Psalm 25:1-10
Make me know your ways, teach me your paths. Trust in God
- GWA111 / HiOS038 God come now to explore my heart (Marnie
Barrell, New Zealand) An honest and moving call for God to help us see
within ourselves. Sung to a lovely hymnlike tune. Sound sample (tune only).
- Online Resource To you, O Lord I lift my soul (Val
Parker) I really like this very simple response (which has only two
notes, but really good chords!). It can be used with a cantor and choir
if you have one, but for many congregations, just the response will be
useful to use with spoken verses. Sound and sheet music samples and purchasing options.
- URW143 The Grace of God is like a road
(Michael Hudson, USA) Beautiful words of God's presence and call to follow. Sung to a
familiar tune THE GIFT OF LOVE, that is almost the same as O WALY WALY.
Highly recommended. Lyrics (go to p3 of PDF). New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / Tune In Like the sun upon my skin / God’s Mercy (Sheree Anderson) A beautiful ballad about identifying God's mercy in the beauty of creation. Free downloadable songbook and sound sample.
- Online Resource I Lay Open (Psalm 25) (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A calm reflective chant that could be used as a responsive refrain, or as a devotional prayer. Sound sample & contact details for sheet music.
- Online Resource / Tune In Dare to Dream (Elaine Loukes)
A great song about having a vision for the future, being lead by the
light of Bethlehem’s star. "Dare to dream of new beginnings, Paths
untried, by faith supplied". Free downloadable songbook and sound sample.
-
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.
- TiS
666 / AoV2-113 / AoVK-126 / ATOK 409 / NCH526 / Iona (Common Ground,
Freedom is Coming) / CH516 / VU646/647 / WoV650 / ELW866 / A&M483 / SFFS 2235 /
HPP153 / GtG853 / G(II)357 / GC513 / GC(II)516 / G(3)594 / Cha442 / SP235 / Srce737 / StF483 / MP954 We are marching in the light of God / Siyahamba / Caminando (South
African) A very popular chorus, with possible alternate verses,
depending on your source. Sometimes people get anxious about the word
"marching", but remember that this song comes from apartheid-era South
Africa, where people were protesting so that they could vote in their
own country. And the marching is toi-toing, much less militaristic than
what you may imagine. Amazing choral sound sample. Sheet music. Good for kids.
- NCH Psalter 25 Your mercy and love have been from of old
(Judy Hunnicutt) A lovely simple Psalm refrain.
- Emergent Psalter Let me know your ways (Isaac Everett) A really good psalm response. I just love this book - I think I like every Psalm in it. Sheet music (refrain only).
- Iona (WWHW) / MV223 We will go with God / Sizohamba naye (Traditional Swaziland) A simple Zulu song from Swaziland. Good for the end of the service. Video with pronunciation and parts.
Note that MV has a different set of English words; neither are a direct translation. Sound sample of a more traditional version. Good for kids.
- Online Resource / VU753 / AA117
/ A&M773 / SP306 Safe in the hands of God / Safe in your hands O God
(Michael Perry) Good paraphrase of the Psalm. Tune will need to be played
through at least once before the congregation join in. Lyrics & Sheet music.
- Online resource Make me know your ways (Bruce Harding) A nice laid back and groovy Psalm response or chant. Can work as a round, too. Sheet music. Good for kids.
- GA280 / GtG089 / G(II)252 / GC328 / GC(II)336 / G(3)415 / Lau111 For you O Lord my soul in stillness waits (Marty Haugen)
Nice refrain, and verses that contain a good range of images of God.
Might be best for the congregation to join in only in the refrain as
verses are long and have lots of words. Sound sample. Lead sheet & Lyrics.
-
ATOK
414 / Iona (LFB, Common Ground) / CH501 / GA485 /
A&M788 / G(II)480 / GC673 / GC(II)655 / SP311 / StF513 / Lau850 Take this moment, sign and space (John Bell) A fairly well known favourite. Simple melody and beautiful words. Lyrics.
- Online Resource / GWA080 / MV045 / SP&P051 Hamba nathi
(Zulu / Xhosa) There are a lot of translations of this South African song, even though the original
language simply means "Go with us our Saviour"! I like "Come with me for the journey is long". Sound sample. Sheet music. Here's how it was sung for the soundtrack of Invictus. Here's another good version, with some great harmonies. Good for kids.
- TIS 624 / W&R453 / StF492 Christ be my leader by night as by day (John Bell) Excellent words of following Christ in times of struggle to a traditional Scottish melody. Lyrics New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / VU752 / G(II)34 / GC36 / GC(II)26 / G(3)039 / PfAS025A / URW248 To you O God I lift my soul (Marty Haugen) Simple lilting cantor and response "To you O Lord I lift my soul, to you I lift my soul". Lead sheet. Sound sample. Purchasing options.
- AoV2-014 To You O God I Lift Up My Soul
(Bob Hurd) I like this; it's pretty groovy, and has good lyrics; you could
also use the chorus on its own, or with a read version of the Psalm. Sound sample and lyrics.
- TiS 14 / GA026 To you, O Lord I lift my soul (Christopher Willcock) Good cantor and response. Sound sample.
- 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 Taizé chant. Some older
versions are not inclusive. Sheet music, translations and sound samples.
Colossians 1:1-14Thanks for the community, thanks to God for forgiveness of sins.
- Online Resource / ATFG561 / Tune In Community (Dave Brown) A song about being welcomed and part of a community. Free downloadable songbook, sound sample and lyrics. Good for kids.
- Online Resource / AoVK-28 / ATOK 376 Faith hope and love, this is what we long for (Trish Watts) A groovy, easy, fun song. Sound sample, sheet music samples and purchasing options. Good for kids and youth.
- Online Resource / MV145 / CP418 / SP&P123 Draw the circle wide (Gordon Light) A great song about welcoming all people. Chorus is “Draw
the circle wide, draw it wider still. Let this be our song, no-one
stands alone, standing side by side, draw the circle wide”. Sheet music.
- Worship and Song 3152Let's walk together for a while / Welcome (Laurie Zelman / Mark Miller) A song of welcome, with a nice chorus. Sound sample. Thanks to thetangobois for this suggestion.
- Iona (Love From Below) / A&M297 / SFFS 2283 / GC(II)786 / G(3)885 / SP114 / StF746/ Lau387 For all the saints who’ve shown your love
(John Bell) These beautiful lyrics are some of the best words about All
Saints' Day that I've come across, and would work for this reading too.
There are two tunes, and two slightly different sets of lyrics.
Love From Below uses the tune "ALL SAINTS" which by John Bell. A nice tune, but not familiar, although not hard to learn at
all. The Gather hymnals publish a slightly different version of the
lyrics, sung to the tune O WALY WALY which is the tune for "The water is
wide", so much more familiar. Lyrics, sound samples and sheet music samples. New words to old tunes.
- TiS 549 / AHB 456 / CH538 / A&M642 / VU430 / CP(E) 439 / 82Hml-694 / Lau914 God be in my head and in my understanding
(Unknown author, Sarum Primer, 13th century) I like these words, but I have never
been able to work out when you might use it in congregational worship.
Perhaps sung just before the sermon, or as a benediction? If new to
your congregation, I
think it would need to be taught, but it is very short so could be sung a
few times. I'm going to
suggest this again next week, so you could sing it two weeks in a row so
people can get to know it better. Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music samples for older style tune. Lyrics and sheet music for a newer tune. Susan Bloomfield, a reader of this site has also offered this fun tune which makes it pretty Good for kids. Please contact her through her website if you use it.
- TiS 470 /
CH742 / UMH708 / WoV689 / LBW26 / ELW264 / A&M308 /
GtG732 / CP(E) 227 / W&R531 / Cha476 / SP116 Rejoice in God’s saints today and all days!
(Fred Pratt Green) Great words about all the different saints and the
importance of remembering them. The 2nd verse which mentions "some carry
the gospel through fire and through flood" may be particularly
appealing. Works well to the tune PADERBORN, but would be even simpler
sung to LAUDATE DOMINUM which would be more familiar. Lyrics and some tune samples.New words to old tunes.
- NCH398 / MV044 / W&R599 / URW072 Shadow and Substance (Daniel Damon) Good clear words of being Christ's community in all our diversity. A simple tune. Sample sheet music.
Luke 10:25-37Love your neighbour, love God. The Good Samaritan.
- TiS 650 / ATA 191 / CH694 / A&M604 / NCH539 / VU595 / ELW659 / AA08 /
SFFS 2222 / HPP442 / GtG727 / G(II)476 / GC683 / GC(II)661 / G(3)751 / CP500 / CP(E) 393 /
W&R391 / Cha490 / SP263 / URW117 / StF611 / Lau924 Brother, sister, let me serve you / Won't you let me be your servant? (Richard Gillard) I think you all know this one. Lyrics. NCH has a nice turn on the lyrics with "Won't you let me be your servant?" as the first line, which also avoids the binary-exclusive imagary of brother and sister. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- NCH541 They asked “Who’s my neigbor and whom should I love?” (Jan Wesson) Great
words, and a simply folkish tune that’s a bit like
Sydney Carter’s hymn tunes. Challenging words that pick up the good
Samaritan reading, but also very appropriate for this week’s reading. Lyrics & sheet music.
- Online Resource / 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
woudl have trouble with the newer tune. Lyrics & sheet music. New words to old tunes.
- ATOK 390 / GGives1 Put on love every day, never hide your love away (Mary Lu Walker)
A fun song for kids; very catchy and it makes everyone smile! Sound sample. Good for kids.
- TiS 629 / AHB 558 / AoV2-136 / ATA 197 / CH544 / VU600 / Lau888 / StF256 When I needed a neighbor were you there
(Sydney Carter) A classic folk church song. Well known and fits well with this
theme. "And the creed and the colour and the name won't matter"... Lyrics. Good for kids.
- ATN 18 / NCH552 From the crush of wealth and power
(Kendyl Gibbons) Good words about stepping out with courage to help those in
pain and "bind all their wounds again". Well known tune (BRIDEGROOM). Lyrics, and a prompt for a lyric change. New words to old tunes
- TiS
640 / AHB 561 / ATE 310 / NCH498 / UMH432 / VU593 / WoV765 / ELW708 /
HPP446 / GtG203 / PH367 / G(II)296 / GC409 / GC(II)429 / G(3)505 / CP504
/ W&R273 / Cha600 / URW116 / 82Hml-602 / Lau241 / StF249 Jesu Jesu fill us with your love / Kneels at the feet of his friends (Tom Colvin & people of Ghana) Lyrics. Good for kidsOldy-but-a-goody.
- CH115 / MV089 / Iona (Love from Below) / A&M722 / SP292 Love is the touch of intangible joy (Alison Robertson) Great words and a simple tune. "God is where love is, for love is of God". Lyrics (scroll). Lovely sound sample.
- ATW 498 / Iona (T1AU) / MV 196 / SP&P182 / URW438We 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". Sound sample.
- MV031 Pure love (Linnea Good) 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.
- TiS 681 Lord let me see see more and more
(Ross Langmead) An excellent song - kind of long with 5 verses, but very
simple lyrics on some quite tricky themes. The tune is very natural to
sing as well. Lyrics.
- Online Resource In this world of strife and anger / Love our neighbour (Catherine MacDonald) Excellent, friendly new words to the familiar tune HOLY MANNA. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / Walk as One Grant us your grace and forgive us (Leigh Newton) A beautiful prayer of confession; it specifically mentions this passage "There were wounded on the road and we passed by", but would work on any Sunday. Book (PDF) for purchase here.
- Online Resource / GA520 / G(II)536 / CG739 / GC(II)729 / G(3)833 / Cha485 / Lau841 Diverse in culture nation race (Ruth Duck) Excellent words of including people from all parts of the world, just as the Samaritan reached across a cultural divide. Can be sung to TALLIS CANON (familiar!) or to a newer tune, which is quite lovely too. Thanks to Rose from Maine for this suggestion. Sound sample, sheet music sample, lyrics and sheet music for purchase here. Sound sample to the Tallis Canon tune. New words to old tunes.
- God Gives 1 Love the Lord your God
with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind and love all
humankind as you would love yourselves and…. I really like this old
Sunday School round, with a groovy 50s feel to it. Lyrics. Great for kids.
- TiS
607 / AoV2-126 / ATN 95 / CH528 / VU684 / StJ / A&M725 / SFFS 2171 / HPP406 /
GtG753 / G(II)524 / GC726 / GC(II)721 / G(3)828 / CP(E)519/ W&R587 / Srce 462 / Lau898 / StF707 / MP456 Make me a channel of your peace (Sebastian Temple). Lovely. Nice if you can just start a capella... Youtube video of Sinead O'Connor singing it and lyrics.
- Online Resource Who is my neighbour, my sister my brother (David MacGregor) A new song which talks about our call to love others. Sound sample and lyrics. Sheet music.
- UMH434 / VU702 / StJ / R249 / ELW725 / GtG762 / PH407 / W&R624 / Cha662 Cuando el Pobre / When a poor one / When the Poor Ones (Miguel Manzano / Jose Antonio Olivar) Wow… This song has a beautiful and interesting
(but easy to sing) tune and really moving words ending with the phrase
"God goes with us on the pathways of our lives" or "Then we know that
God still goes that road with us" in each verse. I prefer the English
translation in Church Hymnary (Bringle). Very highly recommended.The words to this are just wonderful liberation theology. Lyrics.
- Online Resource Let our vocation be love (David
Bjorlin / Randall Sensmeier) Excellent words encouraging us to work for
love; sung to a lovely new tune that is quite intuitive and would not
be difficult. Lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
- ELW341 / SFFS 2187 / G(II)549 / GC759 / GC(II)752 / G(3)857 / W&R627 / Cha471 / Lau675 Now it is evening / At evening
(Fred Pratt Green) A song of justice and caring for others who are lonely,
hungry in the city. The set tune is really good and simple, but it can
also be sung to BUNESSAN New words to old tunes. Mostly makes sense for evening services only,
but maybe it could work in the morning…? Lead sheet. Sound sample.
Please join the conversation and add your suggestion or response below!
2 Kings 5:1-14
Naaman’s healing; he wished it needed something special but really it was very simple.
See also the songs suggested for the Gospel reading.
- TiS
638 / NCH175 / CH717 / A&M518 / GtG793 / PH380 / UMH265 / LBW380 /
ELW675 / PH380 / CP291 / CP(E) 346 / W&R638 / Cha503 / Lau430 / StF653 O Christ the healer we have come (Fred
Pratt Green, England) Beautiful words and simple to sing. Good for
intercessions. I like the tune INVERCARRY best, but it can also be sung
to TALLIS' CANON or WAREHAM. Lyrics and sheet music (of an alternative tune). New words to old tunes.
- AoV2-006 / The tide has turned Deeper River / There's a river running deep within the silence of our souls (Digby Hannah, Australia) An excellent song of restoration for tired desert-like souls. Lyrics and sound sample.
- Online Resource / TiS 414 / NCH294 / CH616 / UMH192 / VU582 / HPP134 / PH433 / GC550 / CP(E) 198 / Cha257 / StF398 There's a Spirit in the Air (Brian
Wren, USA) A good song of getting the business of following Christ done.
Speaking out, caring for others, being changed. A joyful tune (it looks
less so in TiS, but think of it in 6/8 instead of 6/4). Just think how
brave Naaman's servant girl must have been. Seven
verses – you might want to have women sing a verse and men sing another
to keep people going. The TiS suggestion to use INVERCARRY is (in my
opinion) not necessary; it’s easier to the set tune. Lyrics and sheet music.
- MV157 I am a child of God
(Bruce Harding, Canada) A simple song with powerful words. Very easy to learn. I
would just sing the first verse this week, as a round. Lyrics. Good for kids.
- AoV2-085 / Iona (T1AU) / MV115 / A&M328 / SP129 Behold behold I Make All Things New (John Bell, Scotland) A nice hopeful upbeat short song. Highly recommended. Sound sample (scroll down) Good for kids.
- AHB 167 Your arm O Lord in days of old
(Edward Plumptre, England) A much older style of hymn, but would still be fine to sing
"to hands that work and eyes that see give wisdom's heavenly lore, that
whole and sick, and weak and strong may praise you evermore." Lyrics (older style) Oldy-but-a-goody.
Psalm 30
God turns mourning into dancing. Anger is but for a moment; Weeping may linger, but joy comes in the morning.
-
Emergent Psalter You have turned my lament into dancing (Isaac Everett) I really like this simple refrain - the chords really make it work. Sheet music (go to "downloads" tab)
- CH683
/ VU420 / A&M491 / GC(II)469 / G(3)546 / GtG295 /
CP598 / W&R553 / SP156 / URW132 / Lau426 / StF402 Go to the world Go into all the earth (Sylvia
Dunstan) Great words of sending out. Can be sung to a couple of
different tunes. SINE NOMINE is the easiest and best known. Sound sample. Sheet music sample.New words to old tunes.
-
PH181 / GtG805 Come Sing to God O Living Saints
(Fred Anderson) Good, simple, inclusive, humble and realistic
words based specifically on this Psalm. Sung to a well known hymn tune
(I sing the mighty power of God). Many congregations choose to sing only
the first and last verses; the middle two are much more challenging. Lyrics New words to old tunes.
-
NCH433 / CH727 / UMH707 / VU703 / HPP474 / GtG250 / W&R515 / Cha638 In the bulb there is a flower
(Natalie Sleeth) A simple song of hope symbolised in nature. Particularly good
for those churches in colder Northern Hemisphere who have a while to go before
Spring. Lyrics.
- Iona (There is one among us) Lord you can turn all mourning into dancing
(John Bell) An excellent simple refrain. “Lord you can turn all
mourning into dancing, evenings of grief to mornings of great joy”. Sheet music sample (downloads a booklet).
- URW255 You have turned our sadness into a joyful song (Elise Eslinger) A simple and joyful refrain with a read Psalm.
-
TiS 647 / AoV2-012 / ATN 25 Comfort, comfort all my people
(Robin Mann) Easy to sing, beautiful lyrics. Chorus is “Comfort,
comfort all
my people, with the comfort of my word. Speak ye tender to my people,
all your sins are taken away”. Note that most sources only list 2
verses, but there are two additional (more challenging) verses you may
wish to consider using written for the Christmas Bowl in 1988; thanks to
Simon for alerting me to them. Sound sample. Lyrics.
-
PfAS030D O choro pode durar / Though weeping and deepest sorrow
(Simei Monteiro) The chorus is super-cool, with a driving rhythm (and a part
for a triangle!). The verses will be best sung by a soloist, I think. Lyrics (in a powerpoint presentation).
- ATE 253 He turned my mourning into dancing
(Unknown) This is not at all inclusive, but if you change the lyrics to make it
addressed to God “You turned my morning into dancing”, it’s much much
better. Old school video with dance moves.
-
Tune In / Online Resource You in all our worries / All will finish well
(Dave Brown) “In this world where injustice reigns, you are in the midst of pain”.
Excellent words of reassurance in a difficult world. Sound sample and downloadable songbook.
- NCH085 / SFFS 2082 / Cha623 / ZSS105 Woke Up This Morning (African-American Spiritual) A great Spiritual. If you don't have one of these sources, you can just make it up from this video.... This could be a good Sunday to make use of those choir stalls; could even get the kids to write their own lyrics... Surreal version here.
Good for kids.
-
TiS 181 / AoV2-032 / GC(II)497 / G(3)577 / CP589 Come O God of all the earth / Sing Out Earth and Skies
(Marty Haugen) A very joyful song for cantor and congregation, or small group
and congregation; this is a big favourite in our church. Sheet music, lyrics and sound sample.
-
CH683
/ VU420 / A&M491 / GC(II)469 / G(3)546 / GtG295 /
CP598 / W&R553 / SP156 / URW132 / Lau426 Go to the world Go into all the earth
(Sylvia Dunstan) Great words of sending out. Can be sung to a couple of
different tunes. SINE NOMINE is the easiest and best known. New words to old tunes Sound sample. Sheet music sample.
- VU166 / SFFS 2210 Joy Comes with the Dawn
(Gordon Light) Lovely words. The verses are very straightforward; it might be
helpful to teach the chorus because there's a couple of jumps. Lyric slide show.
-
AoVK-125 / ATW 489 Turn our sadness upside down (Leigh Newton) Good for kids, and adults too. Simple tune, but not so simple that it’s boring. Sheet music sample. Good for kids.
-
PfAS030B I will praise you O Lord / Te Ensalzaré, Señor
(John Bell) A lovely simple Psalm response - this one will work well sung as
a response to the Psalm, or sung on its own where appropriate in the
service. Works in Spanish too, and is Good for kids. Sound sample.
-
PfAS030C All with joyful expectation
(Michael Morgan) Good celebratory words of resurrection and hope of new life.
The tune YISRAEL V'ORAITA is very similar to LEONI, but has a
significant change in the last line. Be aware! Lyrics and sound sample.
New words to (almost) old tunes.
- Beneath the Noise You alone are my God (Nick Randall) A lovely simple song with two verses and chorus based on Psalm 62 and Psalm 30. Quiet and reflective.
Alternate Hebrew Scripture: Isaiah 66:10-14
Rejoice (see the Psalm), God as nurturing mother; a flourishing body - like grass!
- AoV1-085 Like a child rests in its mother's arms (Christopher Walker) A very beautiful and simple refrain; works well on its own. Note that
GtG and PfAS have removed the beautiful rest in the 2nd bar of the song,
which is one of the things I love about it! I'm quietly outraged... Sound sample and sheet music for (paid) download (including the "restful rest") Good for kids.
- VU270 Dear Mother God your wings are warm
(Janet Wootton) Good images of God as mother; the tune is not known and will
need to be taught. Could also be sung to PERFECT LOVE, I think. Lyrics.
- Taizé / GtG814 / CP563 / PfAS062DIn God alone my soul can find rest and peace / Mon ame se repose (Jacques Berthier) A beautiful healing chant from Taize. Words and music and sound samples for learning the parts Good for kids.
- VU280 Mother and God
(Miriam Therese Winter) A short song, suitable for before the intercessions or
communion. Beautiful words; some may find the breastfeeding God image a
little challenging. Simple tune. Sound sample.
- Online Resource / MV091 Cradle me in your arms (Bruce Harding) A simple assuring chant in times of suffering. Sheet music.
- NCH467 / CH117 / VU320 / WoV769 / ELW735 / SFFS 2050 / HPP242 / GtG007 / Cha083 Mothering God you gave me birth
(Jean Janzen) Lovely words to the well known tune MARYTON. Feminine
trinitarian imagery. I like the tune MOTHER JULIAN (CH4 117(I)) best. Lyrics.
- Online Resource / VU484 God the all-holy Maker and Mother (Brian Wren) A Trinitarian song, with the first verse focussed on God as Mother. Sung to the familiar tune BUNESSAN. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource As a mother loves her children
(David Bjorlin / Swedish Traditional Tune) Words drawing parallels
between God's love for us and the love of a mother for her children. Sheet music sample, lyrics and purchasing options.
- Online Resource Are you not also a mother? (Christopher Grundy)
I really like this relaxed jazzy rendition of the prayer of St. Anselm
(from around 1100). More for listening than congregational singing. And
yeah, saxophone, right? Live recording. You can find the translation of the prayer here.
Psalm for the Isaiah Reading: Psalm 66:1-9
Make a joyful noise, God’s brought us through some rough stuff.
You could sing an Alleluia!
- Online Resource / GWA009 All creation sings God's greatness
(Jacque Jones / Benjamin Brody) A joyful song of celebration with the
chorus "Grateful souls cannot be silent; in God's presence we must sing.
To the source of all compassion songs of gratitude we bring". The tune
is a little tricky, but once you get the rhythm, it's really catchy. Be
careful not to let it become to "musical theatre"-like in the transition
to the chorus. Sheet music sample, sound sample and purchasing options.
- NCH9 / StJ / ELW791 / SFFS 2001 / CP523 / URW293 We Sing to You O God (Gracia Grindal) Excellent new words to a standard hymn tune (DARWALLS 148th) New words to old tunes. Nice descant part also. Lyrics.
- Tune In / Online Resource Peace In Our Time (Dave Brown) A groovy bossa nova song of peace and action for peace. Not easy for congregational singing. Sound sample and downloadable songbook.
- 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!
- TiS
152 / NCH4 / UMH89 / VU232 / LBW551 / ELW836 / HPP22 / GtG611 / PH464 / GC529 /
GC(II)520 / G(3)614 / CP425 / W&R59 / Cha002 / URW065 / 82Hml-376 Joyful joyful we adore thee
(Henry Van Dyke) Note that this hymn is not always very inclusive. I
prefer more modern translations (e.g. TiS, VU, NCH, GC(II) ). Oldy-but-a-goody. Older version lyrics.
- Taizé / GC(II)533 Sing to God with joyful hearts / Singt dem Herrn (Jacques Berthier)
A joyful round. Works well in English and German, and probably other
languages too. Sound samples, sheet music and lyrics.
- CH171 / A&M568 / SP253 Take up the song and sing the praise of God (Rae Whitney) Simple, upbeat tune, and great words about creation, our choice and responsibility. Nice time signature. Sound sample.
- Tune In / Online Resource You in all our worries / All will finish well
(Dave Brown) “In this world where injustice reigns, you are in the midst of
pain”. Excellent words of reassurance in a difficult world. Sound sample and downloadable songbook.
- Taizé / TiS
739 / AoV2-041 / ATOK 404 / VU290 / GA269 / SFFS 2054 / GtG820 / G(II)451 /
GC639 / GC(II)626 / G(3)733 / CP568 / W&R421 / URW388 / Lau947 / LUYH444/ VF088 Nothing Can Trouble / Nada te turbe (Theresa
of Avila / Taizé) Excellent and quite well known Taizé chant. Spanish
lyrics are not too hard for non-Spanish speakers. Sheet music, sound samples, lyrics and translations. Good for kids.
- MV175 May we but wait upon Love's word
(Will Petricko) A simple refrain which would work well as a response for
prayers of Intercession.
- TiS
720 / AHB 295 / AoVK-85 / AoV2-046 / ATOK 319 / NCH236 / Iona (Many
& Great, There is one among us) / CH345 / VU958 / StJ / A&M836 / SFFS 2026 /
HPP571 / GtG591 / GC(II)261 / G(3)329 / W&R005
/ Cha041 / ZSS76 / SP324 / PfAS150G / URW370 / Lau178 Halle halle hallelujah (Traditional
Caribbean) A good Alleluia would work well for this passage, and I
think this one is particularly excellent – simple, great for kids, good
rhythm. PfAS uses it as a Psalm refrain which would work well for any translation of the Psalm. Good for kids. Sound sample.
- AoVK-30
/ ATW 419 / Iona (Common Ground, CAYP) / CH757 / MV002 / WoV717 /
ELW819 / A&M361 / SFFS 2274 / HPP551 / GC(II)744 / G(3)849 / PfAS066B / SP&P022 / SP179 Come all you people (Uyai mose) (Zimbabwe) Joyful and pretty easy really for the congregation. If
you have WoV or SP&P, they each have a nice Trinitarian version of
this. Come and praise the "Most high" / "Saviour" / "Spirit". Awesome sound sample (much more energetic than what's in the hymnals!). Sound sample. Good for kids.
- TiS 670 / SiS569 / AoVK-138 / ATE 258 / CH692 / Srce385 / MP376 Jesus put this song into our hearts
(Graham Kendrick) A fun Yiddish tune that gets even more fun if you get faster
and faster as you go. Try teaching your congregation a simple side to
side “dance” step; give them an excuse to join in! Good for kids. Youtube .
- Taize / TiS
739 / AoV2-041 / ATOK 404 / VU290 / GA269 / SFFS 2054 / GtG820 / G(II)451 /
GC639 / GC(II)626 / G(3)733 / CP568 / W&R421 / URW388 / Lau947 Nothing Can Trouble / Nada te turbe (Jacques Berthier) Excellent and quite well known Taize chant. Spanish lyrics are not too hard for non-Spanish speakers. Sheet music, sound samples, lyrics and translations. Good for kids.
Galatians 6:(1-6), 7-16
Hmmmm…. if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life – don’t give up!
- TiS 672 / GA554 Lord of earth and all creation
(Honor Mary Thwaites, Australia) A call for renewal of creation and all God's created people
in Australia; it 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 which is very well known. Lyrics (split by words of mission and blessing). New words to old tunes (if you want).
- NCH495 / HPP443 / GtG761 / PH343 / W&R581 / Cha453 Called as partners in Christ's service
(Jane Parker Huber, USA) A good song of commitment - particularly good if you are
commisioning people to new roles this week, and good for any other
service too. Sung to a standard tune (BEECHER). Lyrics.
- TiS 630 / AHB 554 The law of Christ alone can make us free (James McAuley, Australia) Not gender inclusive for God.
The tune may be tricky if not familiar, so you may need to introduce the
melody to your congregation. Lyrics (in a powerpoint presentation).
- TiS 650 / ATA 191 / CH694 / A&M604 / NCH539 / VU595 / ELW659 / AA08 /
SFFS 2222 / HPP442 / GtG727 / G(II)476 / GC683 / GC(II)661 / G(3)751 / CP500 / CP(E) 393 /
W&R391 / Cha490 / SP263 / URW117 / StF611 / Lau924 Brother, sister, let me serve you / Won't you let me be your servant? (Richard Gillard, New Zealand) I think you all know this one. Lyrics. NCH has a nice turn on the lyrics with "Won't you let me be your servant?" as the first line. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- TiS 421 Where the Spirit is there's freedom (Per Harling, Sweden) Fun and good; I don't understand why this is not in more books! Lyrics.
- Online Resource / GC(II)651 / G(3)755 You must never give up / Sizo Bambelela
(JL Zwane Church, South Africa) An excellent song from an amazing church in Capetown,
South Africa. The phrase Bambelela means "Hold on". It would be fun to
get a few singers
together to sing the parts to this. If you purchase the music on this
link, all royalties go to support the JL Zwane Church and their
programs. Sheet music and sound sample, and purchasing options. Good for kids.
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
The 70 sent out with nothing, to be welcomed and to heal. Rejoice that your name is written in heaven.
- MV140 As long as we follow / Na nzela na lola
(Mwenze Kabemba) A simple song from the Congo. "As long as we hope there is a
future for creation. We know this, we know this, God's reign will surely
come". Youtube video of a pretty cool church choir.
- ATOK 348 / Iona (HSNW) / G(II)496 / GC692 / GC(II)697 / StF462 Come with me / Sing hey for the carpenter (John Bell) Excellent. I love this one. Very joyous, and a big favourite in our congregation. Lyrics. Good for kids.
- Online Resource / AoV1-158 / GA438 Create a new heart Holy Lord / A new heart for a new world
(Monica O'Brien / Trish Watts) 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". Sound sample and purchasing options.
- Iona (Heaven Shall Not Wait) When our Lord walked the earth / Gifts of the Spirit
(John Bell) Familiar and easy tune, excellent words.
Chorus is “Power to speak and heal, grace to know what’s real, wisdom,
insight and faith, grace and understanding”. Sound samples.
- ATOK 412 / Iona (SBL, Common Ground) / CH250 / MV212 / A&M482 / GtG747 / SFFS 2184 / Lau855 / StF239 Sent by the Lord am I / Sent out in Jesus name / Enviado soy de Dios (Traditional Cuban) Great rhythm, good words and not too hard to sing
(provided you sing it a little slowly the first time!) I prefer the MV
translation "Sent out in Jesus' name". Good for kids. Lyrics.
- CH683
/ VU420 / A&M491 / GC(II)469 / G(3)546 / GtG295 /
CP598 / W&R553 / SP156 / URW132 / Lau426 / StF402 Go to the world Go into all the earth
(Sylvia Dunstan) Great words of sending out. Can be sung to a couple of
different tunes. SINE NOMINE is the easiest and best known. Sound sample. Sheet music sample. New words to old tunes
- TiS
537 / ATE 297 / NCH347 / CH673 / VU468 / StS123 / WoV754 / ELW674 /
HPP536 / GtG526 / PH514 / W&R698 / Cha422 / ZSS206 /
URW096 Let us talents and tongues employ
(Fred Kaan) Great for kids, excellent Jamaican rhythm which you can have a lot of
fun with. It's also very adaptable and works well with any instruments.
“Loaves abound!”. lyrics and slighty tacky midi sample here. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- TiS
638 / NCH175 / CH717 / A&M518 / GtG793 / PH380 / UMH265 / LBW380 /
ELW675 / PH380 / CP291 / CP(E) 346 / W&R638 / Cha503 / Lau430 / StF653 O Christ the healer we have come(Fred Pratt Green) Beautiful words and simple to sing. Good for intercessions. INVERCARRY is good but not easy to sing. It also works to TALLIS' CANON or WAREHAM if your congregation needs a more familiar tune. Lyrics and sheet music (of an alternative tune). New words to old tunes.
- Tune in / Online Resource We are the dream that's longing / 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 and downloadable songbook.
- ATFG530 Healing is flowing (Norm Habel) Nice words, to tune of Morning is broken (BUNESSAN) Lyrics (search within this website). New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / W&R584 / Cha454 Come Celebrate the Call of God
(Brian Wren) Good words to a lilting intuitive tune. This song is written to
recognise a commissioning or the gift of a particular person's call, but
it can also be sung with "our" instead of "her" to make it a song for a
whole congregation. Sheet music and lyrics.
- TiS
749 / AoV1-154 / AoVK-131 / ATE 305 / NCH360 / Iona (SBL, Freedom is
coming) / CH800 / UMH497 / VU572 / WoV773 / ELW809 / GA493 / A&M481 / HPP340 / GtG746 / G(II)484
/ GC677 / GC(II)674 / G(3)776 / W&R713 / Cha447 / SP234 / StF782 Send me Jesus / Thuma mina (South African) You all know this one, right? If you don't - it's great - simple, repetitive, and meaningful.Good for kids. Sound sample (Youtube).
Please share your ideas in the comments below! I'd love to hear them.
