Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7
Live
where you are, work for justice where you are and with whom you live.
Our salvation is tied to the salvation of the oppressed.
- Online Resource / Tune in A vision strong (Shawn
Whelan) A rock song about being strong in vision and courage, including
an optional verse about women's empowerment. "The victims of oppression
call to us to sing their song". Lyrics, sound sample and free downloadable songbook. Cooler sound sample. Good for teenagers.
- Online Resource / TiS 473 / NCH314 / W&R615 / Cha655 / StF681 Community of Christ (Shirley Murray) Beautiful words to a traditional Hebrew synagogue melody (LEONI). Easy to sing. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / Tune In Father of Earth, Mother of Sea (Brown)
A latinesque song about the Spirit being with those who are victims,
prisoners and the sick, as well as present in our prayers. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook.
- AoV2-068 / VU695 God is passionate life
(Colleen Fulmer) Good simple round with a peace / justice focus. Lyrics and a very washy sound sample.
Good for kids.
- TiS 665 / AoV2-008 / Iona (Common Ground) / CH360 / A&M563 / VU117 / StJ / SP246 / Lau889 / StF251 Jesus Christ is waiting (John Bell) A good and well known hymn. Lyrics here (scroll down just a little bit). New words to old tunes.
- 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. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / TiS 468 / NCH309 / PH436 We are your people Spirit of grace
(Brian Wren) I really like the lyrics to this one. The tune is a bit funny
and the hymn is quite long - needs something to stop people plodding
through it; maybe split the singing into different sides
of the congregation for a verse or two. Lyrics and sheet music.
- 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.
- GWA192 Crimson whispers of the dawning / Lord of this Hurried Heart (David
Lyon, Scotland / Yvonne Lyon, Scotland / Tony Wood, USA) This song is
more appropriate for a soloist, or to listen to it. Recording.
- 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.
Psalm 66:1-12
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.
- TiS 545 / Iona (LFB) / CH676 / VU482 / StF598 Shout for joy! The Lord has let us feast (John Bell) Particularly appropriate if you are celebrating communion. Energetic and quite simple to sing; would be a great song to end with. Thanks to Fay Magee for this suggestion. Lyrics.
- 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 / ELW822 / 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 .
Alternate reading: 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c
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 /
ELW610 / 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 tunes INVERCARRY or DISTRESS best, but it can also be sung
to TALLIS' CANON or WAREHAM if you'd like something more well known. 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 for the 2 Kings reading: Psalm 111
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
It would be worth looking for an inclusive translation of this Psalm.
-
PfAS111C The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Jay Weldon Wilkey) A simple Psalm refrain.
-
PH274 O God of Earth and Space (Jane Parker Huber) Terrific
words to a well known Jewish hymn tune (LEONI).
"Wherever freedom reigns, where sin is overthrown, Where justice fused
with mercy rules, there you are known. Give us the courage clear, to
make the earth a home, For all to live in harmony, in Christ’s shalom.
Highly recommended. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
-
Emergent Psalter With my whole heart (Lacey Brown) A really nice refrain for this Psalm; cool rhythm... Accompaniment sheet music.
- Online Resource / 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 Emerson 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). Lyrics, sheet music samples, and a purchasing option. New words to old tunes.
- ACS971 / MV010 / GtG174 / URW099 / VF060 Come and seek the ways of wisdom
(Ruth Duck) This song is more about the personification of Wisdom, but would work
very well as a gathering song in the context of this reading. The tune in ACS, MV and GtG is
a joyful 6/8 tune, but not familiar, so if it seems difficult, you could sing the
same words to PICARDY (TiS 497). VF has a more challenging tune, which may be a bit tricky for a congregation. Sheet music (to the 6/8 tune).
- NCH Psalter (Psalm 111) Great, great, great are the works of God (Marty Haugen) An excellent refrain with an inclusive Psalm for reading / cantoring.
- NCH510 Grant us wisdom to perceive you (Rae E Whitney)
A hymn with great words seeking wisdom in perception, faithfulness in
prayer, diligence in action, courage in evangelism. Sung to an old
German carol tune which is not too hard. Could also be sung to other
tunes if you like. Lyric video. Lyrics and sheet music.
- FFS32 God who sets us on a journey (Joy Dine)
Good words about discernment. I think it would be easy to sing this to
HYFRYDOL or BLAENWERN. Lyrics (in comments of a Youtube video). New words to old tunes.
- CH604 Holy wisdom lamp of learning
(Ruth Duck) Great words seeking wisdom, judgement, and celebrating
a searching faith. Sung to a good joyful and easy hymn tune (IN
BABILONE). Could also be sung to BEACH SPRING.
Sample music and lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- TiS 68 God established an eternal covenant (Jane Marshall)
A good inclusive and simple refrain with non-inclusive cantor part /
reading. Reading can easily be adapted to make it inclusive.
2 Timothy 2:8-15
Persecution is okay; “avoid wrangling over words”, “a worker who has no need to be ashamed”… interesting mix here.
- ATOK 322 / Iona (HSNW) Lord where have we left you
(Iona Community, Scotland) This song, sung to a simple tune, is about leaving Christ behind
at Christmas, and then just messing up for the rest of the year (or
something like that). Sound sample.
- Online Resource / TIS 624 / W&R453 / StF492 Christ be my leader by night as by day (Timothy Dudley-Smith, England) Excellent words of following Christ in times of struggle to a traditional Scottish melody. Lyrics and sheet music New words to old tunes.
- NCH437 We shall not give up the fight
(Unknown, South Africa) A great song for congregations standing with those in a
struggle for freedom. That should be all of our congregations
really. Be sure to put the song in historical context so
it doesn't seem inappropriately militaristic. I like the version by this choir in France! Good for kids.
- TiS 279 / AHB 212 / SFFS 2091 / HPP158 / GC487 / GC(II)494 / G(3)572 / CP632 / Lau107 The King of glory comes the nation rejoices (Willard Jabusch, USA) Fun and energetic song to a traditional Israeli folk melody. A good processional. Lyrics (scroll down). Watch Stephen Colbert crack some fancy dance moves to this song. Good for kids.
Luke 17:11-19
Ten lepers healed, just one is thankful.
- GTG179 Ten lepers facing constant scorn (John Thornburg) A simple retelling of this story, sung to a fairly standard hymn tune. Thanks Shaun C for this suggestion. Lyrics (scroll down).
- 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, USA) 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.
- Medical Mission Sisters Ten unclean and nowhere to go (Miriam Therese Winter, USA) Good catchy chorus for kids. Verses could be sung by a leader. Sound sample (very 1970s!) Probably in this book.
Good for kids..
- TiS 737 / Iona (Common Ground, HSNW, T1AU) / A&M516 / SP142 / URW427 / Lau437 Lord Jesus Christ lover of all
(John Bell, Scotland) 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.
- TiS 692 Sometimes a healing world is comfort
(Patrick Michaels, USA) 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.
- TiS 531 / NCH76 / UMH664 / VU481 / R171 / ELW547 / HPP578 / W&R712 Sent forth by God's blessing (Omer Westendorf, USA)
Lovely joyful folk tune (THE ASH GROVE), and the analogy of the vine
and fruit is paramount in the first verse. NCH has a descant part
written in, so look at that if you have some good high singers. Slow sound sample. New words to old tunes.
Do you have suggestions you would like to add? Please put a comment below. Updated in 2022 in Austin, Texas, and in 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia, after the 120th Union Sacred Harp Convention!
