Hosea 11:1-11
God’s
care and kindness even when rejected. Strong parenting images. God as a
lion roaring, and his children returning with trembling. God's longing
for us.
- Tune in / Online Resource The God that I Know (Sheree Anderson) A beautiful ballad with female and male images of a loving, embracing God. Free sound samples, sheet music and lyrics.
- 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 6 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 Hosea verse!). New words to old tunes.
- TiS 693 / AoV1-031 / GA212 Come as you are that's how I want you (Deidre Browne) This song is beautiful, gentle, simple, and very well known. Lyrics and sound sample. A good song to start the service.
- NCH583 / GtG044 / StJ Like a mother who has borne us (Daniel Bechtel) This has very appropriate lyrics. The tune is gentle, soothing and simple. Sound sample.
- 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).
There are about a zillion tunes set for this. I prefer FELICITY (by
Colin Gibson TiS 417), but also like RESTORATION and OMNI DIE. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes (depending on the tune you choose).
- 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.
- AoVNG55 / Taizé / G(3)959 / SP323 / Lau221 God is forgiveness / Bóg jest miłością (Taize)
"God is forgiveness, love and do not fear". A simple Taize chant which seems to suit this reading quite well. Sheet music, lyrics in many languages, sound samples.
- 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.
- ATW 459 I don't believe in a God up in the sky / God Version 1.0 (Robin Mann) An excellent rock song about how we think about God, or not! Lyrics and sound sample. Good for kids.
- AoV1-030 / GA213 / G(II)282 / GC386 / GC(II)405 / G(3)484 / Lau842 Come back to me / Hosea (Gregory Norbet) Quite beautiful song of return to God. Nice sung sound sample. Lead sheet.
Psalm 107:1-9, 43
God’s steadfast love, satisfying the thirsty and filling the hungry with good things. Provider.
- Online Resource / GWA061 Whoever you are your prayer is welcome / Open your heart (Chris Shelton) Words of radical inclusion, emphasising God as provider who satisfies our hunger. Sheet music sample and purchasing options.
- ATW 475 Come to the banquet there’s a place for you (Faye White) An excellent song by Melbourne singer and songwriter. Lyrics (scroll quite a bit). Good for kids.
- AoV1-074 Come To The Water
(Frank Andersen) A beautiful song about God providing (from Isaiah 55).
Familiar to many, but easy to sing if not. Works well for communion
also. Lyrics and sound sample.
- Tune In / Online Resource / ATAR598 / NCYC 2009 God has laid a feasting table / Invitation (Shawn Whelan). Feminine imagery of God gathering her guests to a feasting table. Fun Cuban rhythm. Sample and free songbook.
- AoV2-020 / ATAR665 Come to the feast of Heaven and Earth / Table of Plenty (Dan Schutte)
“God will provide for all that you need, here at the table of plenty”. I
love the positive joy in this song. Lyrics.
- Emergent Psalter / PfAS107C May those who are wise (Isaac Everett) A good Psalm refrain, with two possible options for alternate refrains. Will need to be taught. Sheet music
(refrains only).
- Tune In / Online Resource Kingdom Come (Matthew Lees). A song about what the kingdom might be like, with plentiful images from the parables. Sound samples, free sheet music and lyrics.
- Online resource Your New Shalom (Bruce Harding) A
simple song with 4 verses, including “your desert will bloom again”,
with a last verse of “We bring in your new Shalom”. This would work
well at any point in the service, including the final song.... or even
interspersed throughout. Free sheet music.
- Online resource Hear the message we now are proclaiming / El mensaje que hoy proclamamos (Eleazar Torregoza) This jubilant Colombian song of liberty and new life for the poor and suffering would fit well with this reading. Good for kids. Free sheet music.
- PfAS107A Give thanks to God who hears our cries
(Ruth Duck) Excellent words of God hearing those in despair. Sung to the
familiar tune MORNING SONG. It's got 6 verses, so it may be nice to have
half the congregation sing to the other half, or alternate men and
women for the central 4 verses. Lyrics. New words to old tunes..
- Global Praise 3 / StS094 Sithi Bonga / Give thanks (George Mxadana) A joyful song of thanks from South Africa. Lyrics. Sound sample.
- CH568 When I’m feeling down and sad
(Joy Webb) A great song for kids to remember when they are sad; speaks
of God always being with us. Good for adults too! CH has two possible
tunes, and both are very good, and quite different. The 2nd is easier to
sing; the 1st is better for soloists, or if you have time to teach it. Slightly odd sound sample.
Good for kids.
- NCH Psalter Consider the steadfast love of God (Marty Haugen) A simple refrain and good inclusive words for the cantor / reader.
- UMH416 / AAHH367 Tell me how did you feel when you come out the wilderness / I am leaning on the Lord
(African American traditional) There are many versions of this song
and it's great to improvise on. I like how it asks questions too! Partial sheet music and lyrics.
- TiS 67 Give thanks Give thanks to the Lord
(Jenny O'Brien) A cantored Psalm with a response that is actually fun
and happy! The verses could also be read, rather than cantored.
- Taizé
/ MV016 / StJ / ELW528 / GA430 / SFFS 2157 / HPP410 / GtG466 /
G(II)398 / GC570 / GC(II)550 / G(3)637 / CP402 / URW378 / Lau701 Come and Fill our hearts/ Confitemini Domino
(Jacques Berthier) Can be sun in English as "Come and fill our hearts with your
peace, you
alone O God are holy. Come and fill our hearts with your peace,
Alleluia". A good song of recommitment. Obviously if you don't sing
Alleluias during Lent, this is not for you. You could replace the
Alleluia with Hosanna if you really want to sing it. Sound samples and sheet music.
- Taizé / TiS
741 / AoV1-017 / ATE 282 / LBW368 / ELW407 / GA431 / SFFS 2200 /
GtG471 / G(II)410 / GC586 / GC(II)566 / G(3)666 / W&R484 / Srce519 / URW390 / Lau929 / PfAS013A / PfAS102A / MP908
O Lord hear my prayer
(Jacques Berthier) A simple and very well known Taizé chant. Works well during
intercessions. You could read the Psalm between repeats of this chant,
or just use as a chant as is. Sheet music samples. Good for kids.
Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23
The vanity of human toil, and passing on one's work to the next generation.
I just don't know what to suggest for this reading, except what I've listed for the Psalm!
Psalm for the Ecclesiastes Reading: Psalm 49:1-12
- PfAS049B Come one and all from near and far
(Martin Leckebusch, England) I think this would be best sung, slowly, by a soloist (or
two), with no accompaniment, or very simple rhythm on xylophone. Can also be sung to WINDHAM (a Sacred Harp tune); Sounds great. Sheet music and lyrics.
- Emergent Psalter When the rich die they take nothing (Isaac Everett, USA) A simple Psalm refrain. Sheet music (refrain only).
Colossians 3:1-11
Focus on things above, put to death earthly sins. Neither Jew nor Greek….
- TiS
398 / AHB 310 / AoV1-118 / NCH289 / CH489 / UMH475 / VU367 / GA375 /
A&M238 / LBW508 / ELW804 / GtG282 / PH313 / GC465 / GC(II)471 / G(3)556 / RS617 / CP645 / CP(E)
175 / W&R330 / Cha582 / Srce100 / Lau303 / StF372 / MP089 Come down O Love divine (Ralph Vaughan Williams) Old fashioned, but still inclusive and very well known. Lyrics. Hymnals vary a lot in the lyrics with respect to thees and thys and words like "vesture". Oldy-but-a-goody.
- TiS 610 / VU310 / CP422 / Cha514 / LUYH736 God you touch the earth with beauty / God who touches earth with beauty (Mary Susanne Edgar) A bit mushy, but nice. Lyrics and sheet music samples.
- Online Resource / TiS
387 / CH416 / UMH318 / VU158 / LBW363 / ELW389 /
A&M199 / GtG246 / PH108 / CP(E) 140 / W&R312 / 82Hml-182 / Lau272 / StF297 Christ is alive Let Christians sing
(Brian Wren) Excellent words of Christ's saving, and still relevant grace. A
couple of tunes are offered in different hymn books. I prefer TRURO. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
-
ACS954 / CH355 / VU210 / HPP81 / GtG274 / GC(II)525 / G(3)628 / CP630 / W&R99 / URW098 You Lord Are Both Lamb and Shepherd
(Sylvia Dunstan) Beautiful words. Can be sung to many tunes. I like it to
PICARDY or WESTMINSTER ABBEY. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- MV 162 Christ within us hidden, Christ in all and each (Michael Leunig) Very simple tune with quite remarkable
words. Funny that this in a Canadian
song book and not any Australian song books. Verse 4 and 5 are
particularly appropriate for this week’s reading “Christ, in bodies
broken, Love new crucified. Christ, the Word new spoken, death by love
defied; Christ, in love recovered. Christ, in hope revealed. Christ, in
faith discovered. Christ in tombs unsealed”.
- Tune In / Free Online Resource Making things new (Sheree Anderson). A groovy one. Great for kids, and lots of fun. Reference recording, lyrics and free songbook. Good for kids.
- Worldmaking.net Hidden with Christ
(Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) "Hidden with Christ, hidden with Christ, all of us
deep within God’s love". Tune is simple enough for first-time singers. Sample, songbook and lyrics.
- TiS 179 / NCH273 / VU312 / GA379 / StJ / URW073 Praise with Joy the World's Creator (John Bell) One of my favourite hymns - strongly Trinitarian lyrics and excellent imagery. I particularly
love the “One God in community” phrase. Some versions change "Son" to
"Christ" to make it more inclusive. Lyrics (scroll down). New words to old tunes.
- 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 (John Foley) A classic. Don't play it too slow or it takes forever! Particularly appropriate if you are celebrating communion. Lyrics and sound sample.
- Online Resource / 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. Sheet music, sound sample and purchasing options. 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).
Luke 12:13-21
Greed is bad; losing sight of God while hoarding.
- Online resource If only I had known (Carolyn Winfrey-Gillette, USA) Powerful lyrics to the familiar Hebrew tune LEONI. Sheet music and lyricsNew words to old tunes.
- 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 Nothing Can Trouble / Nada te turbe (Jacques Berthier, France) 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.
- Online resource Bigger Barns
(Carolyn Winfrey-Gillette, USA). Really good lyrics, and the tune, a standard, but
unfamiliar hymn tune (TiS 211(i) is a really straightforward
alternative). Lyrics.
- GtB / On the Road God is love and love is giving (Ross Langmead, Australia)
A simple kids' song about God's love. A round. Sound sample. Good for kids.
- Online Resource / NCH562 / AA127 / Cha381 Take my gifts and let me love you
(Shirley Murray, New Zealand) Good words about giving God ourselves, our goods, our money.
Can be sung either to the set tune by Colin Gibson (TALAVERA TERRACE)
which is quite straightforward, or the more well known tune HOLY MANNA. Lyrics and sheet music.New words to old tunes.
- AoV2-065 Returning Our Gifts to the giver of life (Phil Porter and Elaine Kirkland, USA) Good as an offering song. Lyrics and sound sample.
- TiS 599 / AHB 520 / NCH448 /
CH502 / UMH399 / VU506 / LBW406 / ELW685 / A&M787 / HPP349 / GtG697 / PH391
/ CP435 / CP(E) 581 / W&R466 / Cha609 / Srce633 / 82Hml-707 / Lau874 / StF566 / LUYH863 / MP624 Take my life and let it be (Frances Havergal, England) An oldy but a goody. Lyrics and sheet music. Thanks for this suggestion Heather.
Oldy-but-a-goody.
- Online Resource / NCH590 / CH621 Spirit of Jesus, if I love my neighbour (Brian Wren, USA) 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
would have trouble with the newer tune. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
What will you be singing for these readings? Please join in and add your comments below!
First written in Hong Kong Airport (2016), and updated at home in Fitzroy thrice.
Songs for those being commissioned into special service / ordinations / inductions:
- Online Resource Made in God's image / We are God's Children
(David Busch) Excellent words to the familiar tune BUNESSAN. The words
are so welcoming of all, and would be easy for visitors to the
congregation to sing. It also has a verse that makes it useful for
Commissionings and Ordinations too. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- NCH357 / CH680 / G(II)487 / GC680 / GC(II)675 You are called to tell the story
(Ruth Duck) This ordination-specific song
can be sung to a range of tunes. It is a song from the congregation to
the ordinand. Lyric video.
- NCH355 / UMH648 / VU514 / PH523 / W&R149 / Cha450 God the Spirit guide and guardian (Carl Daw) Suitable for Ordination or Commissioning. Excellent, inclusive Trinitarian lyrics of God's guidance and blessing on leaders in the church community. Set to a variety of well known hymn tunes including HYFRYDOL (my favourite!). Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- CH677 / AA069 / CP299 / SP159 In the name of Christ we gather (Shirley Murray) Quite formal words for an ordination of a Minister of the Word; a range of tunes are possible. Sound sample. New words to old tunes.
- NCH356 God who summons through all ages (Edith Sinclair Downing) An ordination song. Includes men and women - a very personalised hymn for ministry and for an individual.
- Online Resource Called and gifted for Christ's service
(David Bjorlin) Excellent words sung to ODE TO JOY so easy for everyone to sing with passion! Sheet music and lyrics sample, purchasing options.
- ATFG589 / NCYC'99 / VU298 When you walk from here (Linnea Good) A simple benediction, that would be appropriate for a commissioning. Recording (probably too slow for congregational singing!).
- Online Resource For all who craft their words with skill (David
Bjorlin) A song originally written to farewell a beloved pastor, but it would also work well to welcome one! Set to
the familiar tune RESIGNATION. Sheet music sample and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource Draw us together and make us one (Mary Louise Bringle and Sally Ann Morris) A very fun tune (will need
confidence to lead it!) and excellent words written for a convocation ceremony, recognising many people's ministries at once. Lyrics, sheet music sample, purchasing options.
- Online Resource / MV161 I have called you by your name (Daniel Damon) Commitment, confirmation, ordination, commissionings, but also ordinary Sundays. Easy, natural tune and good words about having courage to follow where God leads. Sheet music and lyrics.
- 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. Lyrics and sheet music sample.
- MV211 Go now in peace guided by the light / Vayan en Paz
(Pedro Rubalcava) Lovely English / Spanish benediction or comissioning prayer
with an excellent rhythm. "Go now in peace guided by hte light of
Christ, so you may be nourished by the Word of Life". Obligato by Allan Baer. Sound sample.
- Online Resource At the pulpit font and table (Adam Tice) Excellent words for ordination into "priesthood". Set to
the familiar tune LAUDA ANIMA or could be sung to PICARDY. Sheet music sample, lyrics and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
- MV 202 Bread for the Journey / Pain pour la route (Bruce Harding) A simple chant for the distribution of communion; would work well for a group of people being commisioned to go out and do something who are celebrating communion before they go. Lyric video.
- CH175 / GtG628 Praise I will praise you Lord with all my heart / Je Louerai L’éternel
(Claude Fraysse) Good words; tune is a little schmaltzy, but easy to sing once
heard. Excellent words of serving God in the years to come. Lyrics.
- Online Resource Be a blessing
(Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A song of encouragement based on this Psalm. This
would be a wonderful song to sing at someone's commissioning, or as a
benediction song to your congregation. It would be tricky for a
congregation at first, so I would get your musicians to present it as a
gift to the congregation. Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music.
- Online Resource We say yes to you
(Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A simple joyful affirmation from the congregation to the person being ordained or commissioned. Simple, and lovely. Lyrics, sound sample and purchasing options.
General Commissioning type songs:
- TiS 749 / AoV1-154 / AoVK-131 / ATE 305 / NCH360 / Iona (SBL, Freedom is coming) / CH800 / UMH497 / VU572 / WoV773 / ELW809 / HPP340 / G(II)484 / GC677 / GC(II)674 Send me Jesus / Thuma mina A simple favourite from South Africa. Lyrics.
- TiS 658 / AoV1-090 / ATE 296 / CH251 / UMH593 / VU509 / WoV752 / ELW574 / HPP541 / HPSS525 / G(II)492 / GC(II)671 / CP(E) 470 / W&R559 / Cha452 / Srce328 I the Lord of sea and sky / Here I am Lord (Dan Schutte). Song of God searching for us and our response. Good for any sort of commissioning! Very slow sound sample. Lyrics and sample sheet music.
- Online Resource Be a blessing
(Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A song of encouragement based on this Psalm. This
would be a wonderful song to sing at someone's commissioning, or as a
benediction song to your congregation. It would be tricky for a
congregation at first, so I would get your musicians to present it as a
gift to the congregation. Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music.
- Online Resource We say yes to you
(Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A simple joyful affirmation from the
congregation to the person being ordained or commissioned. Simple, and
lovely. Lyrics, sound sample and purchasing options.
- FFS65 / SFFS 2185 This thread I weave / For one great peace
(Shirley Erena Murray) Lovely simple song about how all our
actions can be part of a prayer for peace. Lyrics. Sound sample.
Good for kids.
Commissioning of Sunday School Teachers:
- NCH359 O God who teaches us to live (Tom Hunter) A song for the commissioning of Sunday School and School Teachers! Lyric video.
Commissioning of Musicians, Poets, Actors and Writers:
- TiS 190 / NCH030 / HPP296 / W&R643 / Cha457 Colorful Creator God of mystery (Ruth Duck)
Good words, I think this would be a good song to recognise the life of a
painter, a musician, a poet, actor or writer. Excellent tune with nice
twist at the end. Wonderful images of what God is like, too. Lyrics.
- FFS65 / SFFS 2185 This thread I weave / For one great peace
(Shirley Erena Murray) Lovely simple song about how all our
actions can be part of a prayer for peace. Lyrics. Sound sample.
Good for kids.
