God’s knowledge of us before birth; Being called – having confidence; God is asking a big thing.
- GWA029 / LUYH053 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 / TiS
417 / AoV2-133 / ATW 448 / VU387 / StJ / WoV683 / ELW397 / AA94 /
HPP237 / GtG293 / PH323 / CP657 / W&R135 / Cha244 / URW203 / StB220 Loving Spirit, Loving Spirit (Shirley Murray, New Zealand)
There are about a zillion tunes set for this. I prefer FELICITY (by
Colin Gibson TiS 417), but also like RESTORATION and OMNI DIE. Sheet music, lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- 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". Lyrics and free sheet music PDF.
- Online Resource / CH145 God made me as I am / I am special (Bernadette Farrell, England) A lovely little song. "God made me as I am, part of
creation's plan. No-one else can ever be the part of God's plan that's
me". Youtube and sign language. Sound sample, sheet music sample, purchasing options. Good for kids.
- Online Resource / 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 Africa) You all know this one, right? If you don't - it's great - simple, repetitive, and meaningful. Good for kids. Sound sample, sheet music sample and purchasing options. Youtube.
- TiS 87 / VU862 / GtG028 / PH248 / PfAS139D You are before me, Lord, you are behind (Ian Pitt-Wilson)
Excellent words, set either to the chant-like tune SURSUM CORDA or the
Scottish tune HIGHLAND CATHEDRAL. The words are very
beautiful. Lyrics.
New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / AoV2-031 / ATW 424 / CH97 / A&M747 / GtG029 / GC(II)509 / SP301 / StF728 / Lau779 O God, you search me and you know me (Bernadette
Farrell). My favourite version of Psalm 139, which fits this reading
too. The tune flows effortlessly and it has a nice little hook at the
end of each verse. Sound sample and music for purchase. Lyrics.
- 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.
- AoV2-070 / ATW 496 / MV090 / StJ Don't be afraid (John Bell)
Excellent. I love this song of reassurance. "Don't be afraid, my love
is stronger. My love is stronger than your fear". This song can be used
as a response to intercessions. Good for kids. Sound sample.
- AoV1-021 / ATOK 402 / StS114 / G(II)488 / GC682 / GC(II)669 / G(3)761 / Lau858 God Has Chosen Me
(Bernadette Farrell) Energetic, and great words of justice. Can be rocky or
smooth, however you like it. Sometimes it seems a bit long. Good for kids. Sound sample and lyrics.
- 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.
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 674 / Iona (Common Ground, Heaven Shall Not Wait) / A&M562 / CH253 Inspired by love and anger (John Bell) Powerful lyrics, simple English folk tune. I love verse three “Don’t query our
position! Don’t criticise our wealth! Don’t mention those exploited by
politics and stealth!”. Sound sample - note the change to the lyrics to make it more inclusive.
Psalm 71:1-6
God our refuge, place of trust when we cause others discomfort; a psalm for those who are greying.- Online Resource / Tune in The God that I Know (Sheree Anderson)
A beautiful ballad with female and male images of a loving, embracing
God. Free downloadable songbook and sound samples.
- ATOK 320 / NCH351 / VU645 / StJ / WoV770 / ELW732 /SFFS 2051 / GtG488 / HPP516 / W&R680 / Cha075 I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry (John Ylvisaker)
A song of God’s presence in all stages of life. Very simple tune to
sing. This always makes me think of Center Church on-the-Green in New
Haven, CT, where I first came across it. Lyrics, and a sound sample of John Ylvisaker singing it.
- BUC Song Project The Promise / Do not worry I am with you (Elaine Loukes) A gentle song of God holding us "you're not alone"... (BUC only so far)
- CP517 / W&R503 O God your constant care and love
(Glen Lanier) Quite good words about God's presence with us through our
lives. Sung to a standard hymn tune (WAREHAM or WINCHESTER NEW). Lyrics.
- Online Resource In You O Lord (Kathy Douglass) A gentle Psalm refrain or devotional chant. Sound sample.
- ATAR669 Be my strength (Robin Mann, Australia) Words about familiar comforting things, and about becoming older and more frail. Excellent. Lyrics and sound sample.
- TiS
613 / AHB 546 / ATOK 405 / CH166 / LBW469 / ELW765 / A&M713 /
SFFS2197 / HPP265 / GtG683 / GC578 / GC(II)560 / G(3)663 / CP506 /
CP(E) 507 /
W&R469 / URW179 / 82Hml-482 / Lau969 / StF526 / MP882 Lord of all hopefulness Lord of all joy
(Jan Struther)
Excellent straightforward Irish tune (SLANE), and beautiful words.
Would be a good choice for the final song. Lyrics & sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- CH570 / UMH512 / W&R495 / ZSS164
When the storms of life are raging (stand by me)
(Charles Tindley) A good gospel song. Hymnals have a range of
translations. Great for kids. Sound sample and lyrics.
- MV092 / SP&P099 Like a Rock (Keri Wehlander / Linnea Good, Canada) A lovely simple song (with actions!). Lyrics. Great for kids.
- VU789 / Cha738 A mighty fortress is our God (Response)
(Martin Luther, Germany) This is not the whole hymn - it's a responsive psalm with sung refrain of the first line of "A
mighty fortress". If you don't have these books, I'm sure you could use
your imagination to work out something similar. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- PfAS071B / GtG813 God my help and hiding place
(Ruth Duck, USA) A sad and beautiful song based on this Psalm. Imagine you are
someone old singing this and it may give you some empathy for what they
may be thinking. It's set to a lovely Japanese tune. Lyrics.
- TiS 506 / AHB 430 / A&M424 / CP064 / CP(E) 281 / StF572 Author of life divine
(Charles Wesley, England) Good inclusive words and a simple traditional tune; mystery of
communion and seeing God's face. There is also a more modern tune from
Carlton Young available from GIA music. Lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- SP&P057 From the sacred waters of my birth / Pour out your spirit (Christopher Grundy, USA) A lovely simple chorus; particularly good if you have a baptism. Sound sample.
- PfAS071A In you O Lord I put my trust (Clarence Walhout) Good inclusive lyrics to this hymn version of this Psalm, set to the well known tune WAREHAM. New words to old tunes
- G(3)150 My God my god come quickly to help me (Paul French) A very simple Psalm refrain.
- PfAS071C Since my mother's womb (Michael Guimont) A nice simple Psalm refrain.
- Emergent Psalter Don't cast me off in my old age (Isaac Everett, USA) A simple, and quite powerful Psalm refrain; can be layered as a round. Sheet music (refrain only).
- Online Resource You were my midwife (Richard
Bruxvoort-Colligan, USA) Great words, and a very singable chorus. I
suggest getting the congregation to join in on the chorus the first
time, while your musicians sing the verse. It's quite lovely. Thanks to
Judy Rigby for this suggestion. Recording and lyrics. I'm not sure how to find the sheet music or chords.
Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Isaiah 58:9b-14
Share with the hungry, bring the poor into your homes, celebrate Sabbath
- CH763 / MV193 God bless to us our bread
(Traditional Argentinian) A lovely simple grace for meals and for
communion. More Voices has Spanish and French lyrics as well as English.
"God bless to us our bread, and give bread to all those who are hungry,
and hunger for justice to those who are fed. God bless to us our
bread". This would be very appropriate if you are celebrating communion
this week. Sound sample (Track 1). Good for kids.
- VU305 Into the unshaped silence
(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; we did
this once - using the first verses as an opening hymn, and
then the last verse as a round during the children's time. The tune is a little mesmerising (it's an
adaptation of a Sacred Harp tune). Lyrics.
- 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.
- CH659 / MV173 / StJ / A&M566 / G(3)824 / W&R389 / SP251 / StF712 Put peace into each other’s hands (Fred Kaan) Good words for communion; tune is quite simple and flows nicely. Slow sound sample, sheet music with lyrics. Good for kids.
- CH195 / StS053 / AA061 Here to the house of God we come
(Shirley Murray) Good honest and challenging words and a simple, but
unusual tune. Lyrics.
- LBW281 / URW190 God who made the earth and heaven
(Reginald Heber / Frederick Hosmer) Better for an evening service. Nice
words for evening and picks up the idea of there being time to rest and time to work. To the familiar tune AR HYD Y NOS; not all versions are inclusive. Old style lyrics. New and old words to old tunes
- CH488 / AA130 Teach us O loving heart of Christ
(Shirley Murray) Good, powerful words seeking forgiveness for those things we
have not done or said. The tune is new, but fairly simple. Lyrics.
- Online Resource For the good of our being / we rest
(David Bjorlin / Sally Ann Morris) An excellent, restful song that takes the call to rest seriously - for ourselves and for our planet. Sound sample. Sheet music sample, lyrics and purchasing options.
- Online Resource Some days / Sabbath Song (Marion St / Gabi Cadenhead) This is great at connecting restful practice with protest and how it's challenging. Recorded music. Sheet music.
- Online Resource Let there be rest (Hannah
Brown / Benjamin Brody / Adam Tice) This song, which focuses on sabbath
as a time of rest is very beautiful and I think would be great if you
choose to focus on the practice of resting. Sheet music sample and purchasing options.
Psalm for the Isaiah reading Psalm 103:1-8
- TiS
706 / Taizé / AoV2-142 / A&M600 / SFFS 2013 / GtG544 / PH224 / GC(II)576 /
G(3)620 / CP360 / PfAS103C / SP194 / Src79 / URW377 / Lau813 Bless the Lord my soul (Jacques Berthier, France) A beautiful and very well known Taizé chant. Sound samples, sheet music. Good for kids.
- NCH174 Hear the voice of God so tender
(Lavon Bayler, USA) Good words of a tender God, with the repeated phrase
"Bless God's holy name together, as the Spirit brings new life". Sung to
a hymn tune that is new, but not difficult. Lyrics.
- Online Resource / GWA080 / MV045 / SP&P051 Hamba nathi
(Unknown Zulu / Xhosa, South Africa) There are a lot of translations of this song, even though the original
language simply means "Go with us our Saviour / Liberator"! 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.
- Emergent Psalter Like the grass that grows and fades (Isaac Everett), USA A simple thoughtful refrain for the Psalm. Sheet music (refrain only).
- GtG619 / URW075 Praise my soul the God of Heaven
(Henry France Lyte, Ireland / England / adapted by Ecumenical Women's Center, USA 1974) This is an inclusive
rewrite of Praise My Soul the King of Heaven. It doesn't really connect with me
personally, but you may still find it useful and appropriate for your
congregation. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- TiS
136 / NCH023 / CH187 / UMH121 / VU271 / LBW290 / ELW587 / HiOS135 /
A&M806 / HPP45,46 / GtG435 / PH298 / GC626 / GC(II)603 /
G(3)644 / CP606 / CP(E) 598 / W&R61 / Cha073 / SP316 /
82Hml-469/70 / StF416 / Lau810 / MP683 There's a Wideness in God's Mercy (Frederick Faber, England) This is a good older style hymn. Not all sources are inclusive, but some (like NCH, GtG, StF) are. Lyrics.
- NCH013 O my soul bless your Creator
(Unknown, USA) An updated version of "Oh my soul bless God the
Father" - a simple paraphrase of the Psalm, to a well known hymn tune
STUTTGART. Older style lyrics. New words to old tunes.
Hebrews 12:18-29 Reverence and awe; Imagery of heaven;
- MV184 / PfAS096E Ay ay salidummay
(Unknown, Philippines) I don't know if this would make any sense to a
non Filipino congregation, but I'm listing it in case you have someone
in your congregation for whom it would have meaning. Here's a sample of a piano teacher playing a more classical version, but it will give you an idea of the tune.
- Online Resource This is the moment here is the place (Hannah
Brown, USA / Benjamin Brody, USA) 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.
- Online Resource God we fear your fire (David
Bjorlin, USA / Sally Ann Morris, USA) A hymn seeking forgiveness, and expressing the shame that we sometimes feel. The tune is not immediately easy to sing, so it may be good to get your musicians to present it to the congregation while they reflect in prayer. Sheet music and sound sample and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
- TiS
569
/ AHB 478 / NCH18/19 / CH167 / UMH127 / VU651 / LBW343 / ELW618 /
StF465 / A&M652 / HPP432 / GtG065 / PH281 / CP565 / CP(E) 455 /
W&R501 / Cha622 / 82Hml690 / StF465 / Lau960 / MP201 Guide me O thou great Jehovah / Redeemer (William Williams, Wales) A rousing hymn of God’s presence and strength and making it to the other side. "Bread of heaven, feed me now and evermore." Lyrics and sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- Online Resource / AoV2-164 / GA475 / G(II)327 / GC467 / GC(II)477 / G(3)557 / StF413 Send down the fire of your justice
(Marty Haugen, USA) This one is usually sung near Pentecost, but I think it could
work quite well with this reading too, particularly if your congregation
already knows it. Sound and sheet music samples and purchasing options.
- AoV1-143 Light Of Christ, light flaming bright
(Rufino Zaragoza, USA) Simple chant. "Light of Christ, light flaming bright, burn
in my heart holy fire"; you could easily make this plural (i.e. burn in our hearts) if you wish. Sound sample and lyrics. Good for kids .
Luke 13:10-17
The woman bent double (osteoporosis?) is healed on the Sabbath
- 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. I like the tune INVERCARRY best, but it can also be sung to TALLIS' CANON if your congregation needs a more familiar tune. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / MV083 / FFS41 Let my spirit always sing (Shirley Murray) Good words about becoming frail and old; this reading may
provide a space to reflect on what it means to live in a
body that doesn't do what it used to, but with a mind and a soul that is
still longing to be active. Sheet music and lyrics.
- TiS 737 / Iona (Common Ground, HSNW, T1AU) / A&M516 / SP142 / URW427 / Lau437 Lord Jesus Christ lover of all
(John Bell) A beautiful and simple chant. Note that some versions (T1AU at
least) has a beautiful 4 part harmony arrangement with excellent moving
parts in the lower registers. Would work well during intercessions. Sound sample.
- Online Resource / In Every Corner Sing / AA039 / GA192 For the bread and wine and blessing (Shirley Murray) Very straightforward tune. Good Eucharist song. Really good song of healing. Lyrics and sheet music.
- TiS 692 Sometimes a healing word is comfort
(Patrick Michaels) A good song about healing. The verses take a little getting
used to and the chorus is very joyous and simple. Perhaps get your
congregation to join in as they become confident - there are 5 verses to
learn on. Lyrics.
- Tune In / Online Resource Our God who weeps
(Kate Scull) Very simple folk-like tune and challenging and hopeful
lyrics. God understands our pain and suffering. Reference recording, lyrics and free downloadable songbook.
- CH350 / UMH263 / VU358 / StS044 When Jesus the healer passed through Galilee
(Peter Smith) A simple song with many verses (you don't have to sing all
of them!), and a simple "Heal us, heal us today" refrain. This would be
good for kids or those who can't read, as they'll be able to join in
easily. Verse 6 is particularly appropriate "The lepers were healed and
the demons cast out, Heal us, heal us today, A bent woman straightened
to laugh and to shout. Heal us, Lord Jesus". Sheet music and lyrics.
Good for kids.
- Online Resource / Full of the Spirit Jesus, barrier breaker / Radical for love
(Heather Price) Gutsy pop song about how Jesus was not a rule maker, but a rule breaker! Highly recommended. Sound sample and music for purchase. Good for kids.
- NCYC ’93 / ATFG586 We will love / We will walk with you at the edges (Graeme Gardener) This is a good little rock number “We will walk with you at the edges, we
will die with you at the cross roads, we will risk with you taking
chances, we will love”. Or something like that. Jesus broke rules, and that's OK sometimes. Lyrics (scroll down). Good for kids.
- VU619 / WoV738 /
ELW612 / SFFS 2213 / GtG795 / G(II)642 / GC882 / GC(II)854 / G(3)960 / RS 958 /
CP612 / W&R630 / Cha506 / URW161 / Lau427 Healer of Our Every Ill
(Marty Haugen) Good straightforward words of healing and simple tune. "Give
us strength to love each other, every sister, every brother". Can get
overly mushy.Lyrics and sheet music sample. Sound sample.
- Iona
(Love From Below / common ground) / CH718 / VU613 / A&M522 / GtG797 / G(II)401 / GC575 /
GC(II)558 / G(3)657 / CP292 / CP(E) 348 / W&R628 / SP140 /
URW146 / Lau433 / StF655 We Cannot Measure How You Heal
(John Bell) Really very excellent words to a very familiar celtic air. Easy
to sing; be careful not to get too fast; it's tempting but the words
need a slower tune. Sheet music sample. Sound sample.
- Iona (Heaven Shall Not Wait) When our Lord walked the earth
(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 sample.
- NCH474 / WoV673 / ELW860 / SFFS 2151 / Cha529 / Srce2-261 I'm So Glad Jesus Lifted Me (African-American) This would fit really well with this story - thanks to Aimee for the suggestion. Also fun! Sound sample. Lyrics. Good for kids.
What ideas do you have? Please share them below! First written in Fitzroy, updated on a train going past Luther Stadt Wittenberg on the way to Berlin, and then again in Fitzroy on a rainy night.
