Micah 6:1-8
- 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 10 this week, and add whichever other verses suit your context. Set to the common tune KINGSFOLD. Some lyrics (not the Hosea verse!). New words to old tunes.
- GWA030 Act justly love mercy
(Iain McLarty) A good three part version with a funky bass part - would work well for camp or kids' club and school settings.
- BUC Song Project Some people spend their lives chasing money / Walk (Matthew Lees) A thoughtful song about how we choose to live. Chorus is "I'm gonna walk humbly with my Lord... with justice and mercy by my side on this road".
- AoV1-050 Act Justly (Monica O'Brien / Trish Watts) Simple chant-like chorus, and strong verses. I love this one. Sound sample.
- SP&P066 Help me do the justice to be done today (Christopher Grundy) A simple and hopeful song. Good for kids, and teenagers. Good for everyone else too! Highly recommended. Sound sample (YouTube).
- Online Resource Dare to live the dream God gives you (David Bjorlin) Words of encouragement and strength, set to the very common hymn tune HOLY MANNA. Book available for purchase and download here. New words to old tunes.
- AoVNG1 / CH685 / FFS17 / GtG769 / G(3)812 / TLUS023 / W&R617 For everyone born / A place at the table
(Shirley Murray, New Zealand) Words of welcome and change to everyone regardless of
sex, age, sexuality. There are four possible tunes! The Lori True tune
is the most common. I like the Colin Gibson tune in FFS. This song is good for a service when
communion is celebrated, but it makes sense without communion, too. DO NOT SING ALL
THE VERSES if you're looking at the Hope Publishing version. Choose the
ones that work for your community. I recommend not using verse 4, which
talks about both the abuser and the abused being welcome at the table,
and places the onus on the abused for forgiveness; it is a verse that
Shirley Murray decided later she would have liked to remove. There is also an optional verse: "For gay and for straight...." Lyrics & sheet music. There is also a rewrite which has even more inclusion, which you may like to explore here.
- AA085 Let justice roll down like a river (Colin Gibson) Excellent song, and very easy to sing. I really like this. Lyrics and sheet music. Good for kids.
- HPP28 / GtG023 / PH285 / W&R24 / URW083 God You Spin the Whirling Planets (Jane Parker Huber) Excellent words to a very familiar tune (TiS 772). Really good for the final hymn or response to the sermon. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- Singing the Journey Act Justly (Douglas Simper) A catchy chorus, and challenging verses about the struggles of the world, including problems like food security, global warming, and the arms race. Two key changes may be excessive, but I think this would be a great song for many congregations. Book available here.
- 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.
- 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.
- HiOS031 From this holy time (Marnie Barrell) Good words about going and serving "Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God". Good for a closing hymn. Straightforward tune. Lyrics (including a typo!).
- UMH729 / VU682 / LBW161 / WoV762 / ELW627 / GtG373 / PH450 / CP573 / W&R539 / Cha711 / URW140 /82Hml-597 O day of peace that dimly shines (Carl P Daw) A song of hoped-for peace. The tune in Chalice hymnal is really nice (CANDLER) or O WALY WALY which is used in URW. Other sources use JERUSALEM, which is a bit too militaristic for me. Lyrics and JERUSALEM sheet music. New words to old tunes.
- ATFG589 / NCYC'99 / VU298 When you Walk From here (Linnea Good) A simple benediction, commissioning or farewell song. Lyrics.
- HiOS146 What does our God require (Bill Wallace) Good simple paraphrase, and development, of this passage. Earth-focussed. Sheet music.
- 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.
- TiS 618 / AHB 568 / UMH441 / PH405 / CP171 / W&R686 / Cha659 / 82Hml-605 What does the Lord require for praise and offering (Albert Bayly) Some versions quite masculine. More modern hymnals are fine. The tune in TiS is SHARPTHORNE, which is quite good. Older lyrics and a different tune. Reader Susan Bloomfield has also written a new tune, available here.
- TiS 751 / VU701 / GtG070 / StS054 / SFFS 2174 / Cha661 What does the Lord require of you? (Jim Strathdee) A good and simple three part song (or a round) that is a paraphrase of this passage. Teaching video.
- Recorded Music You have shown us (Martin Smith) An excellent contemporary version of this passage, written by Paul Baloche. Video. Lyrics.
- Recorded Music God of Justice (Tim Hughes) Not really a congregational song, and not really my style, but this has some great words for the close of the worship service, in a more contemporary soft-pop-rock hands-in-the-air style. I suggest you stop the recording before it gets to the really tacky 80s synthesizer sounds, unless you really like that, of course. Lyrics and sound sample.
- Online Resource We try we fail do too little too late / Forgive us (The
Many) Beautiful, moving song which you could play for your congregation
during a time of reflection, or ask your musicians to present to the
congregation. Youtube. Sheet music sample and purchasing options.
- Online Resource What does the Lord require of thee (Michael Stern) A simple and very singable song based on this passage. Brief sound sample. Sheet music download available here.
Psalm 15
Only those who live right will live with God. Songs for the Micah passage above also fit with this reading.
- Online Resource That's how we walk (Richard
Bruxvoort-Colligan, USA) This very simple chorus would be great to sing with
kids, either during the service or in a Sunday School setting. Good for kids. Sheet music, sound sample and lyrics.
- VU575 / SFFS 2153 / GtG700 / PH369 / SP&P139 / W&R574 / Cha614 I'm Gonna Live So God Can Use Me (Unknown, African-American) Good simple tune and meaningful words. Easy to sing and play around with. Good for kids, non-readers and for people for whom English is a second language. Sound sample.Alternatively: PfAS015C I'm Gonna Live So God Can Use Me (African American traditional) A version of the same song, used as a Psalm refrain. Good for kids Oldy-but-a-goody.
- 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.
- Online Resource We want to be close to your heart (Richard
Bruxvoort-Colligan, USA) This is another song that would be simple enough
for the congregation to sing the first time they hear it. It's great for
kids too. Good for kids. Sheet music, sound sample and lyrics.
- 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,
- PfAS015A Lord who are they that may dwell (James Seddon, England) A hymnlike paraphrase of the Psalm. Fairly formal, but inclusive words. Sheet music.
- PfAS015B Lord who shall be welcome (Steven Warner, USA) A nice contemporary sung paraphrase of the Psalm. Easy to sing. Sound sample.
- CH008 Lord who may enter your house? Whoever leads a blameless life (John Bell, Scotland) A lovely simple psalm response to a chanted or read paraphrase of the Psalm.
- Emergent Psalter Who may abide on your holy hill? (Isaac Everett, USA) Simple response with read Psalm. Sheet music.
- TiS 5 Justice alone is the way of the Lord (S.T. Kimbrough, USA / Carlton Young, USA) Good cantor and response. Also in UMH Psalter.
- Cha729 Let justice roll down like the water (Lon Oliver, USA) Responsive psalm with sung refrain.
- ATW 505 Whatever you do (John Ylvisaker, USA) Simple and fun. Good for kids.
1 Corinthians 1:18-31The foolishness of the cross.
- Online Resource / TiS 356 / CH385 / Cha203 / StF273 Here hangs a man discarded (Brian
Wren, USA) Excellent words, particularly for this reading “Can such a clown
of sorrows still bring a useful word where faith and love seem phantoms
and every hope absurd?”. Also works very well with TiS 339 (Passion
Chorale) if your congregation is scared of new tunes. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
- TiS 422 / CH594 / CP(E) 179 Come Holy Spirit come inflame our souls with love (Michael Lindsay Forster, England) Excellent words to a well known hymn tune. It is not gender-inclusive for God. Lyrics (links to a very impressive pew sheet). New words to old tunes.
- TiS 179 / NCH273 / VU312 / StJ / URW073 Praise with Joy the World's Creator (John Bell, Scotland) One of my favourite hymns - strongly Trinitarian lyrics and excellent imagery. Lyrics (scroll down or search). New words to old tunes.
- ACS1096 / Cha333 / GtG230 / G(II)550 / GC760 / GWA096 / VU284 Joyful Is the Dark (Brian
Wren, USA) I really like these words which summarise the entire story arc of faith. Hymnals vary widely in the tunes they
have set these lyrics to. GtG uses a really difficult key but the tune
is nice. GWA uses GEARY, which I quite like, but will need to be taught. Lyrics and various sheet music samples.
- Online Resource / TiS 262 When pain and terror strike by chance
(Brian Wren, USA) These excellent words may be particularly helpful if you
are in a community where there has been recent loss / disaster. Very
familiar Irish folk tune. Lyrics and sheet music.
- Recorded Music The cross is foolishness (John Michael Talbot, USA) I don't really know this song, but came across a sound sample and the lyrics. I think it would be a good one to listen to, or play if someone has the music.
- Unusual sources It really is a worry / Right side up
(Downie) A good kid's song about how God's world is not upside down,
but right side up. We have this in the folders at church. It's also in a
book called "Praise God Together" and in "Kidsource 2". Good for kids.
- Unknown source Alleluia, the great storm is over
(Bob Franke, USA) lift up your wings and fly! I especially love the image of
the infant sleeping while the mother sang until the bridegroom
returned. The chorus is really catchy and very easy to sing. If not
familiar, you can use a cantor or soloist for the verses and invite the
congregation to join in the chorus. We tend to sing this more like a
gospel anthem, but I don't think we've sung it in quite a while. Lyrics. Video with poor image but good sound.
- Online Resource God is like a foolish farmer
(David Bjorlin, USA) 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.
- MV 157 I am a child of God, I am a glimpse of God’s new creation (Bruce Harding, USA) This is a really lovely song, and very easy to learn. Thanks to Belinda for this suggestion. Sound sample.
Matthew 5:1-12
Oh, the Beatitudes...
- Online Resource Blessed are those who bury their grief / Salt and Light (Gabi Cadenhead, Australia) A powerful rethinking of the Beatitudes. Not so much a congregational song, but well worth exploring. Sound sample, sheet music sample and purchasing options.
- GWA032 You poor in spirit blessed are you / Blessed are you (Ali Figueroa, Philippines) A satisfyingly schmaltzy song. You may like to use a soloist for the verses, and encourage the congregation to join in on the chorus. Lyric video.
- Online Resource / Resounding Voices Blesséd how blesséd (Susan Palo Cherwien, USA) Good new lyrics about the beatitudes, set to a traditional Scottish lament (FLOWERS OF THE FOREST). Free book download here.
- Online Resource / Iona (L&A) / ATW 436 / MV112 Amen amen it shall be so! (John Bell, Scotland) A beautiful chant with verses. Works well with a cantor or small choir leading the verses and the congregation joining in on the “Amen, amen it shall be so, amen, it shall be so”. You could do this song instead of reading the passage. I guarantee it will be remembered! Sheet music sample, sound sample and purchasing options.
- Online Resource Holy is the refugee (Hannah
Brown, USA / Mark Miller, USA) Excellent words and joyful affirming chorus
recognising the holiness in all, particularly people who are refugees,
queer or people of colour. Lyrics, sheet music preview and purchasing options.
- HiOS074 If you shut your eyes (Colin Gibson, New Zealand) Powerful words to a lovely tune (SONG OF THE POOR) calling us to wake up and stand with the poor.
- NCH164 / VU79 / StS030 / WoV652 / LBW652 / ELW314 / PH411 / GtG744 / W&R231 / URW138 Arise your light is come! (Ruth Duck, USA) Good general words of Christ coming to bring justice; I like it sung to the familiar tune ST. THOMAS (TiS 271). Lyrics and video (to a different tunes). New words to old tunes.
- StS041 / GC(II)515 / G(3)592 / Lau817 Blessed are they who are poor in spirit / We are the light of the world (Jean Anthony Greif, USA) Would be best with a cantor, or small choir and the congregation can respond with the chorus. You could even do this instead of the reading. Sheet music and lyrics. Sound sample.
- Online Resource Blessed are the poor in spirit (Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, USA) Good words based on this passage to a familiar hymn tune (NETTLETON). Thanks for this suggestion Susan Malthouse. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- TiS 697 All the sleepy should have a place to sleep (Rusty Edwards, USA) Great chorus "Make love happen by God's grace and by God's power. Let God move you on this day and in this hour. New creations will then blossom like a flower for together we can be the hands of God". Lyrics.
- A Singing Faith God teach us peacemaking, justice and love (Jane Parker Huber, USA) Set to the familiar tune SLANE. This is more appropriate for congregations in the USA, I think, based on what fragments I have seen. I do not have a copy of this book, so am not sure.
- STB260 Hope for the children in our midst (Douglas Clark, USA) Lovely hopeful words for peace and justice for the world's children. Sung to a simple Taiwanese-style tune. Lyrics (downloads a PDF).
- Online Resource / GWA220 Peacemaker Jesus (Shirley
Murray, New Zealand) Excellent words with a range of images of the way
that Jesus brought peace, and continues to bring peace. Lyrics and sheet music.
- Taizé How blessed are you who are poor the kingdom of God is yours (Taizé Community, France) A lovely simple chant. Sheet music sample.
- Iona (I will not sing alone) Blessed are the ones I call the poor / Hey my love (John Bell, USA / Graham Maule, USA) A lovely lilting tune (LADY MAISY). This gentle song would be good for a reflection. Sound sample.
- Online Resource Blessed are the poor (Adam Tice, USA / Kate Williams, USA) A lovely song. Not so much a congregational
song, but you may find a good way to use it in your congregation. The
chorus is very moving, and if you will be focusing on the salt and light
readings next week, it would be a good time to
introduce a new song. Sheet music sample, lyrics, sound sample, and purchasing options.
- 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, South Africa / USA). Lovely. Nice if you can just start a capella... Youtube video of Sinead O'Connor singing it and lyrics. Original recording.
- TiS 288 / Iona Not the powerful not the privileged (John Bell, Scotland) I think it is close enough to Christmas that this song can still be sung. Lyrics (PPT).
- Online Resource Blessings whenever you are poor (Richard Bruxvoort Colligan, USA) A gentle jazzy song. Not quite sure how to use it with a congregation - perhaps musicians can sing it for the congregation? "You're in holy company".... it's lovely. Sound sample, lyrics and purchasing options.
- Cha185 Blessed are the poor in spirit (Unknown) A simple response to the Beatitudes which can be read responsively with this refrain.
- Tune In / Online Resource Kingdom Come (Matthew Lees, Australia) A song about how things are not what we expect in God’s kingdom. Lots of words and good images including "there's no blacklist or admission fee" Sound samples, lyrics and free downloadable songbook
.
Do you have ideas that you could add? I would love to hear them! Please add a comment below...
Isaiah 9:1-4
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; the rod of the oppressor is broken.
- Taizé / TiS 725 / ATE 275 / AoV2-167 / ATE 275 / StJ / GA538 / GtG678 / G(II)553 / GC763 / URW391 La ténèbre / In our darkness there is no darkness in your sight, the deepest night is clear as the daylight. (Jacques Berthier) Also translated as "Our darkness is never darkness". Sample music and lyrics.
- TiS 263 / CH607 The bright wind is blowing the bright wind of heaven
(Cecily Taylor) Excellent words of the changes brought about by a "bright
wind" that blows away the chaff of our hating, and fans the flames of
love. Joyful tune. Really appropriate in the current political climate! Sample sheet music. Sound samples / backing tracks.
- Online Resource / CH348 / StS001 / LBW196 / ELW843 / A&M762 / G(3)625 / CP397 / W&R93 / SP304 / URW090 Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness
(Rusty Edwards) Good words of Christ's ministry to all. Can be sung to the
familiar tune NETTLETON, or the less familiar and very lovely tune JOEL.
Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / AoV2-003
/ ATOK 313 / CH543 / StJ / GA404 / A&M042 / ELW715 / GtG314 /
GC(II)512 / G(3)590 / SP13 / URW114 / Lau883 / StF706 Longing for light we wait in darkness / Christ, be our light
(Bernadette Farrell) One of my favourites, especially if someone can sing or
play the descant line in the later verses. Sound samples, sheet music samples, purchasing options.
Good for kids.
- 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". Lyric video.
Good for teenagers.
- Online Resource / AoV1-057 / G(II)485 / GC678 / GC(II)663 / G(3)766 / Lau824 Awake from your slumber / City of God
(Dan Schutte) I love the joyousness and sense of mission in this one. A really
positive song “Let us build the city of God, let us turn our morning to
dancing, for the Lord, our light and our love, has turned the night into
day”. There is a little bit of
non-inclusiveness in the middle "bridge" section (and it confuses the congregation because it's so different). We just omit it (that's probably a bad thing to admit)! Sound samples, sheet music samples, purchasing options.
- TiS 690 / CH259 / A&M557 / StS115 / SP237 / Srce54 / StF693 / MP806 Beauty for brokenness hope for despair (Graham Kendrick) Themes of healing from personal and universal suffering and an emotive
chorus. “Refuge from cruel wars, havens from fear, cities for sanctuary, freedoms to share, peace to the killing-fields, scorched earth to
green; Christ for the bitterness, his cross for the pain”. It's a bit schmaltzy. Lyrics.
- SoG 790 / ATW
463 / Iona (T1AU) / ELW721 / SFFS 2219 / A&M835 / GtG750
/ GC(II)451 / G(3)528 / W&R296 / URW436 Goodness is stronger than evil (Desmond Tutu / John Bell) Words from Archbishop Desmond Tutu. "Victory is ours, victory
is ours, through him who loves us". Some congregations change the last
line to "Compassion is ours, compassion is ours...". It depends on the
context in which you sing it, I suppose. Lyric video. Good for kids. There is also a very moving choral version of these words and more from Desmond Tutu, arranged by Tom Keesecker. Available here (sound sample there too).
- TiS474 / AoV1-012
/ ATE 295 / CH623 / SFFS 2236 / HPP553 / A&M363 / GtG401 / G(II)539 / GC839 / GC(II)743 / G(3)848 /
CP465 / W&R649 / Cha284 / SP175 / URW054 / Lau475 Here in this place new light is streaming / Gather us in (Marty Haugen).
Excellent words, very well known. “Nourish us well and teach us to
fashion lives that are holy and hearts that are true”. Lyrics, sheet music and sound samples.
- 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, sheet music & sound sample.
Psalm 27:1, 4-9
God is our strength in times of trouble; longing for God- GWA063 Here as we meet, let there now be light
(John Bell) This is a good call and response, which could be used
multiple times in the service. The response is: "Let there now be light.
In love and mercy, come Holy Spirit come". Very simple.
- ATE 212 Hush now for I am your God (Carol Littlemore) Lyrics (links to a PowerPoint presentation).
- Online Resource God is our light my heart will not fear
(Richard Bruxvoort Colligan) A beautiful and simple affirmation of God
as our light, love and home. Very simple and quite delightful. Thanks to
Judy Rigby for this suggestion. Sound sample, lyrics and purchasing options.
- PfAS027E My God is my light (Julie Howard) A nice and very simple Psalm refrain.
- Online Resource Be the light / Be our light (Craig Mitchell / David MacGregor) I really like these words - the
chorus is "Christ be our light Whom shall we fear? Deep in the night,
Spirit, draw near". I think this would be quite straightforward for a
congregation to pick up. Lyrics and sheet music.
- BUC Song Project Searching alone / Safe (Julia Potter & Elaine Loukes) This is a lovely simple and reassuring song. BUC only so far...
- Online Resource The Lord is my light
(Rawn Harbor) Big gospel style refrain, which could be used on its own
with spoken verses, or cantored (if you have a gospel singer!). Sound and sheet music samples, and purchasing options.
- CH487 Come let us seek our God’s protection
(Tom Colvin & the people of Ghana) A lovely call and response;
would work well after a prayer of confession. Sheet music & lyrics.
- MV217 Hey ney yana
(Brooke Medicine Eagle) This Native American song could be great, sung accompanied with
just a drum "I walk in beauty, yes I do, yes I do". Sounds nice on flute too, I think. Sound sample. Good for kids.
- TiS 16 / AoV2-073 / GA028 / Sing Allelulia 28 Do not be afraid I am with you (Christopher Willcock) Excellent cantor and refrain. Refrain would work well with a reader also. GA has a nice descant line. Lyrics and sound sample.
- NCH Psalter 27 Do not forsake me O God of my salvation (Lee Dengler) A very simple, and pretty cool Psalm refrain.
- GWA003 The Lord is my light / When the powers of evil overtake me
(John Bell) This is a simple chorus, but the verse is best sung by a
cantor (or read). The chorus would also work well on its own. Sound sample (very quick!).
- Online Resource / Walk as one God will not forget you (Robin Mann) A simple melody with comforting and heartfelt lyrics. Songbook (PDF) for purchase.
- URW252 Find us, searching God, wherever we hide (Larry Peacock) A beautiful prayer based on the Psalm. No music. Maybe you could write some.
- Protest and Praise / Online Resource In our deepest grief / We wait for you (David
Bjorlin / Randall Sensmeier) A beautiful song of waiting, even in
sorrow and fear; not so easy to sing - I would use a soloist. Songbook for purchase. Sound sample (I prefer it to be a little more tentative than this).
- TiS 611 / AHB 543 / NCH436 / UMH577 / VU686 / LBW415 / ELW705 / A&M648 /
HPP456 / PH420 / GtG307 / CP577 / CP(E) 448 / W&R569 / Cha464 /
82Hml-594 / StF682 / MP192 God of Grace and God of Glory (Harry Fosdick) A song about being courageous and wise. There are many
possible tunes and many sets of words to this hymn. NCH has the most
inclusive words, but TiS and AHB are okay too. They don’t hold back in
verse 3. Chorus: “Grant us wisdom, Grant us courage, for the facing of
this hour”. Don’t know about everyone else, but I know best the tune
AHB 543 (ii). One version of the lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- CH573 / UMH523 / GtG789 / StB059 Jesus Savior Lord lo to thee I fly / Saranam Saranam
(Daniel Niles) 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. Sheet music.
- G(II)406 / GC482 I Need You to Listen (Marty Haugen / Francis Patrick Sullivan) A simple and very beautiful Psalm and response. The words to this are very lovely. Lead sheet. Sound sample.
- MV175 May we but wait
(Will Petricko) Beautiful and simple two line song: "May we but wait
upon Love's word, knowing our prayer is heard". Would be good as a
response to the Intercessions.
- AoV1-139 O God Nothing Can Take Us from your love (Christopher Walker) Good refrain. Good verses. Cantor and congregational response. Sound sample.
- Worldmaking.net Open unto me light for my darkness (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan). Good for a more contemplative service. Sound sample and lyrics.
- Taizé / TiS 747 / ATE 214 / Iona (M&G) / GtG842 / PfAS027A / URW393 The Lord is my light, my light and salvation
(Taizé Community) A simple and very popular Taizé chant. Note that this is really easy on
recorder if you have a kid in your congregation who is learning it. Good for kids. Youtube.
- 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. Sheet music, translations and sound samples.
- Taizé / AoVNG71 / G(3)682 I am Sure I Shall See (Jacques Berthier) One of the more upbeat Taize chants. Sheet music, translations and sound samples.
- 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.
- Psalm Project (Sharing the Road) / SP&P140 All of My Life (Richard Bruxvoort Colligan) Lovely chant-like verses and chorus. I think this would be good to do. Available here.
- 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.
- VU754 God is my light and saving health (Jeremiah Clarke) Quite straightforward psalm response (just part of the very long original song) and responsive psalm. Older version of whole song.
- 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
547 / AHB 455 / AoV1-009 / NCH451 / CH465 / A&M595 / UMH451 / VU642 / WoV776 /
ELW793 / HPP353 / GtG450 / PH339 / CP505 / CP(E) 386 / W&R502 / Cha595 /
Srce70 / URW180 / 82Hml-488 / Lau970 / StF545 / MP051 Be thou my vision O Lord of my heart (8th
century Irish) Most recent hymnals are fairly inclusive for this. Note that the High King phrase has been changed in some
hymnals because it is masculine, but the hymn is based on an ancient
story of St. Patrick refusing to follow the High King Logaire, and choosing instead the "High King of Heaven". Lyrics and tune.
- New Zealand Praise Saviour I heard your voice gently say (David
Burt) Lovely words. I do not have a copy, so I cannot comment on the
tune. Thanks to Margaret Garland for suggesting this. Lyrics are below
in the comments, or here (scroll down).
- Online Resource In the shadow of your wings I will sing your praises O Lord
(Roc O'Connor) This is really beautiful and the congregation could be
taught the chant. Unfortunately, it's only available in hard copy, but
you may enjoy the sound sample anyway.
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Unity in the face of division
- ATAR616 In my father's house (Paul Somerville, Australia) This is a great song of unity, with an inspiring, and very singable chorus. Lyrics. Good for older kids & teenagers.
- A&M504 / GC(II)644 / W&R577 / G(3)743 / SP167 / StF689 / Lau836 Summoned by the God who made us / Sing a New Church (Dolores Dufner, USA)
Excellent words of Christian unity and justice to the well-known tune
NETTLETON (TiS 392). Would be a good final hymn. Lyric video. New words to old tunes.
- TiS 411 / AHB 328 / NCH266 / UMH537 / VU194 / A&M633 / CP658 / CP(E) 425 / W&R331 Filled with the Spirit's power (John Peacey, England) Excellent inclusive words to a very well known hymn tune. I prefer it sung to WOODLANDS. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
- FFS08 Broken the body (Shirley Murray, New Zealand) Good words of a broken body of Christ and a broken Church seeking healing, unity and courage. Lyrics and sheet music.
- Online Resource / AoV1-129 / CH665 / UMH620 / VU467 / ELW701 / HPP525 / A&M461 / GtG530 / G(II)599 /
GC830 / GC(II)813 / CP073 / W&R689 / Cha393 / Lau832 One bread, one body (Bob Hurd, USA) A classic. Don't play it too slow or it takes forever!! Particularly appropriate if you are celebrating communion. Sound sample (kinda slow), and purchasing options.
- NCH291 / PH273 O God the Creator
(Elizabeth Thunderbird Haile, Shinnecock Nation / Cecil Corbett, Cherokee Nation) Unusual, but good tune, and good words of our unity
as God's created children. Written by two Native American songwriters. Chorus is "And we're brothers and
sisters in God's love". Lyrics.
- AoV1-130 / SFFS 2223 / HPP495 / GtG300 / G(II)533 / GC735 / GC(II)728 / G(3)835 / W&R595 / Cha494 We are one in the Spirit / They’ll know we are Christians by our love (Peter Scholtes, USA)
A
classic 60's song of unity and being an example to others. It's still
pretty groovy, I reckon. Older version are really masculine. We often
syncopate it a bit at Brunswick. Lyrics and options for listening. Good for kids.
- MV174 Soil of God you and I (jim hannah, USA) Good lyrics of inclusion, unity and growth. Fairly straightforward tune. Lyric video.
- MV053 God who spread the boundless prairie (Herbert O'Driscoll, Ireland/Canada) A good hymn seeking unity, for those in the prairies. Lyrics (scroll down).
- SFFS 2221 In Unity We Lift Our Song (Ken Medema, USA) Excellent words to a well known hymn tune (EIN FESTE BURG). Celebrates the life of a church. Good for a church anniversary too. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- TiS 440 / AHB 364 / UMH550 / StF676 Christ from whom all blessings flow (Charles Wesley, England) Surprisingly modern lyrics about living and working together as a community of Christ. Oldy-but-a-goody. Lyrics.
Matthew 4:12-23
John arrested, and Jesus starts his ministry. The calling of James and John.
Songs for the Isaiah reading, above will also be suitable.
- Online Resource I come to you (Hannah
Brown, USA) Thoughtful and repetitive words about leaving all to follow. Sung to the traditional American folk tune WAYFARING STRANGER, which may be familiar. Sheet music sample, lyrics, and purchasing options. New words to old tunes..
- SFFS 2101 / G(II)301 / GC688 / GC(II)693 / G(3)798 Two Fishermen (Suzanne Toolan, USA) A nice medieval / minstrelly sounding tune and good words. This would be fun. Lead sheet. Sound sample.
- ATOK 348 / Iona (HSNW) / G(II)496 / GC692 / GC(II)697 / StF462 Come with me / Sing hey for the carpenter (Iona Community, Scotland) Excellent. I love this one. Very joyous, and a big favourite in our congregation. Lyrics. Good for kids.
- NCH504 / StJ / HPP545 / GtG170 / GC(II)679 You Walk along Our Shoreline (Sylvia Dunstan, Canada) Good words to a very familiar hymn tune (AURELIA). Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- ATOK
413 / Iona (HSNW) / CH533 / VU567 / StS039 / A&M510 / ELW798 / GA502 /
SFFS 2130 / HPP317 / GtG726 / G(II)510 / GC700 / GC(II)687 / G(3)790 / CP430 / CP(E) 622 /
W&R350 / URW060 / Lau877 / StF673 Will you come and follow me / The Summons
(Iona Community, Scotland) A classic.
Don't sing it too slowly or it really drags and takes forever! Lyrics and sound sample.
- FFS62 The Lord God walked in Paradise / Callings
(Colin Gibson, New Zealand) This tune is quite tricky, but
the words for verse 3 are very appropriate for this reading, which it
weaves into remembering Adam and Eve in the garden and Moses with the burning bush. Lyrics and sheet music.
- CH340 When Jesus saw the fishermen (Edith Agnew, USA) Simple words about the calling of the fishermen, set to a
traditional carol tune (THE SEVEN JOYS OF MARY). Sound sample. New words to old tunes.
- 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
(Unknown, Cuba) 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.
- Tune in / Online Resource We are the dream that's longing / Jesus is waiting (Dave Brown, Australia) 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 songbook.
- TiS
589 / AHB 505 / NCH171 / CH509 / UMH398 / VU562 / LBW494 / ELW696 /
A&M324 / HPP314 / GtG720 / CP432 / CP(E) 233 / W&R345 / Cha337 / 82Hml-550 / StF250 / LUYH121 / MP359 / VF128 / VF129 Jesus calls us; o'er the tumult (Cecil Frances Alexander, Ireland)
Great words. TiS sets it to ST CATHERINE, but it could be sung to other
tunes (like STUTTGART or RESTORATION) if this is not familiar to your congregation (it’s not hard
though). Lyrics and sheet music samples. New words to old tunes.
- Recorded Music Bring 'em all in (Mike Scott Scotland) Thanks to Jonathan Evans for this suggestion. This song could work well as a call to inclusive and welcoming evangelism. Youtube.
- Online Resource / Tune In Hail the fisherfolk (Dave Brown, Australia) A bluesy litany of the saints, including the fishermen of yesterday and the fisherfolk of today. Sound sample and lyrics and free songbook.
- SFFS 2129 / HPP322 / W&R344 / Cha344 / Srce2-244 / MP272 I Have Decided to Follow Jesus / Jisuni jaman anga jarigken (Nokseng, Garo people / Sadhu Sundar Singh, India) Good simple chorus, based on the words of an
indigenous Garo martyr in the Assam region of India. My reflection on the origins of this song. You could sing it in its original language (Garo). Lyric video here. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- Online Resource Christ you stand before us all / You keep calling me (David MacGregor, Australia) This simple, boppy, catchy song is good for young and old. Good for kids. Sound sample. Sheet music.
- Iona (T1AU) / URW428 / Lau395 In love you summon in love I follow (John Bell, Scotland) This is really beautiful and could be taught to the congregation, or sung by a choir. Sample sheet music.
Do you have ideas that you could add? I would love to hear them! Please add a comment below...
