Song, hymn and music suggestions for June 11th 2023 (Proper 5A / Ordinary 10A / Pentecost +2)

Genesis 12:1-9

Abram and Sarah’s travels and the promise of the future.

• Online Resource Awake with timbrel and with dance (Mary Louise Bringle) A joyful celebration of many women of the Scriptures (including Sarah), sung to AZMON. Sheet music sample, lyrics,
• ATA 200 / CH530 / VU639 / A&M757 / CP(E) 548 / URW109 / StF476 One more step along the world I go (Sydney Carter) A good fun kid's song which many of their (grand)parents will remember. "And it's from the old I travel to the new, keep me travelling along with you". Sheet music and lyrics. Good for kids. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• AoV1-137 / ATOK 403 / GA306 / G(II)286 God Of Abraham lead us (Bernadette Farrell) This one is great. Just don't try to sing all 17 verses! Choose what you like… I love this energetic call and response with the response "Lead us to your kingdom". You can sing with a cantor and response, or you could split your congregation in the middle doing half and half, or you could just have people singing all the way through. Lyrics (and a slow sound sample). Sound sample (listen to the whole thing and see how they build it up).  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. Sheet music and sound samples (scroll down).  Good for kids.
• FFS14 / HPP57 Faith has set us on a journey (Shirley Murray) Good lyrics of trusting God and taking risks in our faith. Lyrics & sheet music. 
• NCYC07 Labyrinth (Paul Chalson / Andrew Winton) A beautiful song about walking with God through all times. "To the heart of all that's sacred and to the margins we will walk the path with you". Excellent words. Not easy for a congregation, but if you have good musicians, they can sing it as a prayer for the congregation.
• NCH501 We are dancing Sarah's circle (Carole Etzler) Set to the familiar tune of "We are climbing Jacob's ladder", with positive imagery of increasing the size of the circle of inclusion. Good for kids. New words to old tunes. One version of the lyrics.
• NCH020 God of Abraham and Sarah, God of Moses, Miriam's Guide (James Gertmenian) Salvation history in one song with a focus on justice, healing, courage. I suggested this for Transfiguration as well, so it might be good to sing it again. Fits well with all themes for this week. Could also be sung to NETTLETON if you want something familiar. Lyric video (kind of quick for a congregation (not to NETTLETON!). New words to old tunes.
• MV148 Hope of Abraham and Sarah (Ruth Duck) This song is simple to sing and speaks of unity for the Abrahamic faiths (Islam, Judaism and Christianity). Lyrics.
• Iona (LFB) / G(II)503 / GC701 / RS818 / StF464 God It Was who said to Abraham (John Bell) Easy tune. Good story words, which includes God's call to Joseph, along with a canon of others who were called by God. Note that God is masculine; I think this has been changed in more recent editions of Love From Below. Lyrics and sheet music. Slow sound sample.
• VU634 / GtG051 / CP468 To Abraham and Sarah (Judith Fetter) A good interfaith hymn, and excellent words of being a pilgrim people. Sung to the familiar tune THORNBURY. Lyrics (about half way through the article) New words to old tunes.
• TiS 125 / AHB 53 / NCH24 / HPP24 / GC544 / CH162 / UMH116 / LBW544 / ELW831 / A&M791 / HPP24 / GtG049 / PH488 / CP347 / W&R016 / Cha024 / 82Hml-401 / Lau712 / StF091 / MP645 The God of Abr’am praise / The God of Abraham Praise (Daniel ben Judah / paraphrased Thomas Olivers) A very well known hymn based on the Yigdal. NOTE: The lyrics are quite masculine in most hymnals, which vary widely in which verses they include. The words are inclusive, yet still old-fashioned and poetic in the NCH; or even better, sing the new version listed below. Oldy-but-a-goody. Lyrics and sheet music.
• VU255 / CP348 The living God be praised (Daniel ben Judah) A new translation of "The God of Abraham praise". Excellent words, and of course, a familiar tune (LEONI).New words to old tunes. Lyrics and sheet music.
• Tune In / Online Resource Cover us with love (Elaine Loukes) Challenging lyrics to listen, and see where God is leading us. Sound sample, sheet music sample and free downloadable songbook
• 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, translated Eleanor Hull) 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 it simply means Chieftan (which these days is male or female). Maybe you could change the words to "Chieftan of Heaven"? Lyrics and sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• 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. Thanks to Magnus for this suggestion. Lyrics (in comments of a Youtube video). New words to old tunes.
• Tune in / Online Resource May you go well into paths still unknown (Dave Brown) Mostly easy tune, and strong words. Would work well as a benediction. Lyrics, sound sample and free downloadable songbook.
• AoVNG125 / MV146 / GC(II)637 / G(3)740 / PfAS024D / Taize The Kingdom of God is justice and peace and joy in the holy spirit (Taize) "Come, Lord and open in us the gates of your kingdom". A nice joyful Taize chant. Sheet music and sound samples of parts for practice. Good for kids..
• TiS 671 / AoV2-121 Made in God's Likeness (Alister Lewis / Patricia Spence) Excellent Australian imagery. This is one of my very favourite songs. It is not difficult if you have a good musician at the helm. If it is new to your congregation, they will be able to join in on the verses by the time you get to the 3rd one. The change in tone with the verse really lifts this song. Lyrics & a sound sample. I had an interesting discussion with a friend at church who doesn't like the line "Called to create a new world for the Lord", and I realised that I was interpreting the line quite differently to her. I think of it as a world being created that is for God, like when you vote for someone.
• 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) A rousing hymn of God’s presence and strength and making it to the other side. "Bread of heaven, feed me now and evermore." Sheet music and lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• W&R584 / Cha454 Come Celebrate the Call of God (Brian Wren) Good words to a lilting intuitive tune. This song is written to recognise a commissioning or the gift of a particular person's call, but it can also be sung with "our" instead of "her" to make it a song for a whole congregation. New words to old tunes. Lyrics & sheet music.

Psalm 33:1-12  

Praise God. God is just. God created the earth, sea and heavens. Happy are those who trust in God. 

• AoVK-18 Clap your hands our God is good! (Brown) Good for kids.
• CH141 / A&M548 / SP250 / URW077 Oh the life of the world is a joy and a treasure (Kathy Galloway) Good inclusive words about God's presence in "the life of the world" (nature, seasons, childbirth, justice). The tune is a simple Celtic-style melody. Lyrics.
• AoVNG1 / CH685 / FFS17 / GtG769 / G(3)812 / W&R617 For everyone born / A place at the table (Shirley Murray) Words of welcome and change to everyone regardless of sex, age, sexuality. There are three possible tunes. The Lori True tune is the most common. I like the Colin Gibson tune in FFS (and on the Hope Publishing website that follows). Use whatever you have! This song is good for a service when communion is celebrated, but it makes sense without communion, too. There is also an optional verse: "For gay and for straight..." Lyrics & sheet music.
• Iona / CH788 / MV104 / GtG659 Know that God is Good / Mungu ni mwema (Traditional Congo) This traditional African refrain is just lots of fun and very simple to sing. Good for kids and adults! Sheet music sample. Sound sample. Sound sample in Kenyan languages.
• GA031 / G(II)43 / GC45 / GC(II)32 / G(3)044 Let Your Mercy Be on Us (Marty Haugen) Three possible responses to this cantor-lead reading of the Psalm. Quite simple. Sound sample.
  
• Online Resource / AoVK-58 We wait in hope for the Lord (Nathaniel Ford) Simple a cappella round; also good for kids "We wait in hope for the Lord, God is our help and our shield. And so our hearts rejoice, for we trust in God's holy name". I think this could work as a refrain for this Psalm. Less inclusive sound sample and purchasing options. Good for kids.
• TiS 47 / AHB 46 / AoV1-175 / NCH25 / CH161 / UMH117 / VU806 / LBW504 / ELW806 / GA459 / A&M746 / HPP1 / GtG687 / PH210 / GC614 / GC(II)588 / G(3)688 / CP528 / CP(E) 537 / W&R84 / Cha067 /  Srce2-441 / URW200 / 82Hml-680 / PfAS090B / Lau955 / StF132 / MP498 O God our help in ages past (Isaac Watts) A good solid very well known hymn! The surprising thing about this one is that the language is inclusive for God in most sources. Not all sources are inclusive for humanity, so check. Lyrics and sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• GtG040 God's word is upright / La palabra del Senor (Juan Luis Garcia) This song with a Spanish chorus (or English) is quite fun once you get to know the tune. Would be best with guitar if you have one. Chords and Spanish lyrics.
  
• ATE 216 / Iona (SBL) / CH126 / StJ / ELW555 / PH472 / G(II)365 / GC527 / RS 671 / CP417 / W&R15 / StF190 / MP035 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. Sound sample. Good for kids!

Alternate reading: Hosea 5:15-6:6 

• Online Resource / Tune In / NCYC'07Forgive us now (Dave Brown) An excellent ballad.  "Forgive us now, O mother love for all the idols we have built, For all the time we’ve worshiped there in company of dark despair. Forgive us mother of all hope”. Free downloadable songbook, sound samples & lyrics.
• FFS19 For the hurt that I create (Shirley Murray) Beautiful tunes (there are two) and words. Tune (ii) is most simple, so use that if you will sing it as a congregation, but tune (i) is also worth using if you have some good musicians who can sing it for your congregation. If using tune (ii) you may like to suggest to your congregation that they simply join in on the "forgive me, Lord, forgive" line, but make sure you teach it to them first, because the third one is different to the other three. "For the hurt that I create.... for the evil I condone... for works of peace I do not do... for hope and help that I refuse... forgive me Lord, forgive"
• Online Resource / Brunswick Uniting Music Why do we listen and fail to hear / Lament - for a people with a people with a dulled heart (Shawn Whelan) This lament, and its wailing ooooh would fit quite well with this passage. Free sheet music and sound samples.  Good for kids 
• FFS20 Forgive forgive us Holy God (Shirley Murray) Very easy tune for a congregation to sing (and there are 5 verses to learn it in!). The words focus on our desensitisation to violence and our greed, so a nice fit for this week's reading. The final verse has a focus on communion, but still makes sense if you are not celebrating the eucharist this week. Lyrics and free sheet music. 
• AoVNG55 / Taizé / G(3)959 / SP323 / Lau221 God is forgiveness / Bóg jest miłością (Jacques Berthier) "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.

Alternate Psalm for the Hosea reading: Psalm 50:7-15 

God the creator; Those who practice thanksgiving and righteousness will be saved.

• TiS 30 Be exalted O God above the earth (Jane Marshall) A simple and beautiful refrain, with an inclusive cantor line. If you have no cantor, it will work well with the Psalm read as verses between the refrains.
• AoV1-003 / HPP258 / GA394 / G(II)342 / GC497 / GC(II)495 / G(3)576 / Lau693 / StF803 / MP648 The heavens are telling the glory of God / Canticle of the Sun (Marty Haugen) Energetic waltz of cosmic praise with great lyrics "Come dance in the forest, come play in the field, and sing, sing to the glory of the Lord". Sound sample. Lyrics and sheet music sample.
• VU775 The mighty one God the Sovereign (Eleanor Daley) Good refrain and responsive reading
• Emergent Psalter To the wicked God says (Isaac Everett) Powerful words in this refrain. Nice 3/4 rhythm. Sheet music
• TiS 743 / AoVK-31 / CH170 / GGives1 Praise and thanksgiving let everyone bring (Edith Lovell Thomas) A simple round. Note that most versions have a masculine God; AoVK has inclusive language. Sample sheet music. Good for kids.
• Iona (T1AU) Give thanks worship and praise (John Bell) A four part short song of thanks. Can be used as a processional. Sound sample.
• Music by Heart 79 Out of Zion (Judith Dodge) A simple chant for congregational singing and improvisation. Sheet music sample.
  
• / AoV2-109 / CH772 / GA429 / GtG654 / A&M334 / SFFS 2195 / G(II)396 / GC566 / GC(II)546 / G(3)639 / SP128 / URW381 / Lau944 / W&R448 / StF776 / MP865 In the Lord I'll Be Ever Thankful / El Senyor (Jacques Berthier) A joyful and bouncy short song. Works well in English, German and Spanish at least. Good for kids. Sheet music, translations into many other languages, sound samples.
• NCH565 / LBW408 / ELW678 / GtG716 / PH422 / CP601 / W&R572 / Cha606 / URW091 God whose giving knows no ending (Rusty Edwards) Excellent more formal words of thanks for God's many good gifts to us. Can be sung to a range of tunes including BEACH SPRING, HYFRYDOL, AUSTRIAN HYMN, RUSTINGTON. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
• TiS 458 / AHB 388 / NCH095 / CH220 / UMH690 / VU437 / Songs for Liturgy / LBW274 / ELW569 / GA539 / A&M24 / GtG677 / PH546 / CP029 / CP(E) 22 / 82Hml-024 / Lau679 / StF147 / MP641 The day you gave us God is ended (John Ellerton) A lovely older hymn. Suitable only for evening services. Old school lyrics & sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.

Romans 4:13-25 

The promise to Abraham came through his faith. Belief even in the face of impossibility.

• Online Resource / AoVK-28 / ATOK 376 Faith hope and love (Trish Watts) This is so easy, and so cool. If you have some groovy musicians, this can even be a very funky rock song. Very easy, and great for kids and non-readers. Sound sample and purchasing options. Good for kids.
• NCH461 Let us hope when hope seems hopeless (David Beebe) A lilting tune and good words of hope in the face of difficulty. A song of a maturing faith. Sound sample (long introduction). 
• TiS 691 Faith will not grow from words alone (Elizabeth Smith) This is an excellent hymn about doubting and struggling in faith. The tune is familiar and I find the words very helpful for thinking and doubting Christians. Lyrics
• AoV1-137 / ATOK 403 / GA306 / G(II)286 God of Abraham lead us (Bernadette Farrell) I love this energetic call and response with the response "Lead us to your kingdom". Don't try to sing all 17 verses! Choose what you like... You can sing with a cantor and response, or you could split your congregation in the middle doing half and half, or you could just have people singing all the way through. Lyrics. Good for kids.
• Online Resource / GC(II)651 / G(3)755 You must never give up / Sizo Bambelela (South African) An excellent song from an amazing church in Capetown, South Africa. The phrase Bambelela means "Hold on". It would be fun to get a few singers together to sing the parts to this. If you purchase the music on this link, all royalties go to support the JL Zwane Church and their programs. Sheet music and sound sample, and purchasing options.  Good for kids.
• NCH501 We are dancing Sarah's circle (Carole Etzler) Set to the familiar tune of "We are climbing Jacob's ladder", with positive imagery of increasing the size of the circle of inclusion. Good for kids. New words to old tunes. One version of the lyrics.
• NCH020 God of Abraham and Sarah, God of Moses, Miriam's Guide (James Gertmenian) Salvation history in one song with a focus on justice, healing, courage. I suggested this for Transfiguration as well, so it might be good to sing it again. Fits well with all themes for this week. Could also be sung to NETTLETON if you want something familiar. Lyric video (kind of quick for a congregation (not to NETTLETON!). New words to old tunes.
• MV148 Hope of Abraham and Sarah (Ruth Duck) This song is simple to sing and speaks of unity for the Abrahamic faiths (Islam, Judaism and Christianity). Lyrics.
• Iona (LFB) / G(II)503 / GC701 / RS818 / StF464 God It Was who said to Abraham (John Bell) Easy tune. Good story words, which includes God's call to Joseph, along with a canon of others who were called by God. Note that God is masculine; I think this has been changed in more recent editions of Love From Below. Lyrics and sheet music. Slow sound sample.
• VU634 / GtG051 / CP468 To Abraham and Sarah (Judith Fetter) A good interfaith hymn, and excellent words of being a pilgrim people. Sung to the familiar tune THORNBURY. Lyrics (about half way through the article) New words to old tunes.
• TiS 125 / AHB 53 / NCH24 / HPP24 / GC544 / CH162 / UMH116 / LBW544 / ELW831 / A&M791 / HPP24 / GtG049 / PH488 / CP347 / W&R016 / Cha024 / 82Hml-401 / Lau712 / StF091 / MP645 The God of Abr’am praise / The God of Abraham Praise (Daniel ben Judah / paraphrased Thomas Olivers) A very well known hymn based on the Yigdal. NOTE: The lyrics are quite masculine in most hymnals, which vary widely in which verses they include. The words are inclusive, yet still old-fashioned and poetic in the NCH; or even better, sing the new version listed below. Oldy-but-a-goody. Lyrics and sheet music.
• VU255 / CP348 The living God be praised (Daniel ben Judah) A new translation of "The God of Abraham praise". Excellent words, and of course, a familiar tune (LEONI). New words to old tunes. Lyrics and sheet music.

Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

Jesus calls Matthew and dines with tax collectors and sinners. Healing of the centurion’s daughter and the bleeding woman. 

• 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. Slow and mushy youtube. A good song to start the service.
  
• 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.
• Online Resource Awake with timbrel and with dance (Mary Louise Bringle) A joyful celebration of many women of the Scriptures (including Jairus' daughter), sung to AZMON. Sheet music sample, lyrics, and purchasing options. New words to old tunes. 
• 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.
• TiS 749 / AoV1-154 / AoVK-131 / ATE 305 / NCH360 / Iona (SBL, Freedom is coming) / CH800 / UMH497 / VU572 / WoV773 / ELW809 / GA493 / A&M481 / HPP340 / GtG746 / G(II)484 / GC677 / GC(II)674 / G(3)776 / W&R713 / Cha447 / SP234 / StF782 Send me Jesus / Thuma mina (South African) You all know this one, right? If you don't - it's great - simple, repetitive, and meaningful.Good for kids. Sheet music sample and lyrics. Youtube
• ATOK 413 / Iona (HSNW) / CH533 / VU567 / StS039 / R276 / ELW798 / GA502 / SFFS 2130 / HPP317 / G(II)510 / GC700 / GC(II)687 / CP430 / CP(E) 622 / W&R350 / URW060 Will you come and follow me / The Summons (Iona / KELVINGROVE) A classic. Don't sing it too slowly or it really drags and takes forever! Lyrics.
• Online Resource / TiS 477 / Iona (LFB, Common Ground) / CH510 / StJ / GA529 / A&M450 / CP059 / SP218 / URW056 Jesus calls us here to meet him (John Bell) Good words and a rollicking or gentle Celtic tune (depending on how you play it!). Lyrics and sheet music sample with purchasing options.
  
• ATA 200 / CH530 / VU639 / A&M757 / CP(E) 548 / URW109 / StF476 One more step along the world I go (Sydney Carter) A good fun kid's song from Sydney Carter which many of their parents will remember. "And it's from the old I travel to the new, keep me travelling along with you". Sheet music and lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• Online Resource / ATAR598 / Tune In / 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. Particularly good if you are celebrating communion, but you don't need to be for it to make sense. Sound sample, sheet music and free downloadable songbook.
• Recorded music Hem of his garment (Sam Cooke) This song is a fun way of hearing this story. Lyrics. Sound sample.
• Online Resource Christ is for losers (Adam Tice / John Bell) A thoughtful song, although kind of strange, it might be appropriate depending on your sermon. Sung to the familiar tune DREAM ANGUS. Sheet music sample, lyrics, and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.