This page has been updated for 2012.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
2nd Sunday after Christmas (Christmas 2C) January 3rd 2010
Jeremiah 31:7-14
God gathers the chosen people, they rejoice and are comforted
AoV1-071 / GC(II)742 Gather Your People (Hurd) Excellent words and eucharistic theology. Lyrics, sheet music and sound sample.
TiS 474 / AoV1-012 / ATE 295 / CH623 / GA526 / SFFS 2236 / HPP553 / G(II)539 / GC839 / GC(II)743 / CP465 / W&R649 / Cha284 Here in this place new light is streaming / Gather us in (Haugen) Excellent. Surely everyone knows how great this song is.
TiS 647 / AoV2-012 / ATN 25 Comfort comfort all my people (Mann) This is one of my all time favourite songs. Easy to sing, beautiful lyrics. Chorus is“Comfort, comfort all my people, with the comfort of my word. Speak ye tender to my people, all your sins are taken away”. Lyrics and mp3.
AoVK-125 / ATW 489 Turn our sadness upside down (Leigh Newton) Good for kids, and adults too. Simple tune, but not so simple that it’s boring. Lyrics (search in the page for "sadness").
Iona (There is one among us) Lord you can turn all mourning into dancing An excellent simple refrain from John Bell “Lord you can turn all mourning into dancing, evenings of grief to mornings of great joy”
ATE 253 He turned my mourning into dancing This is not at all inclusive, but if you change the lyrics to make it addressed to God “You turned my morning into dancing”, it’s much much better.
Tune In: You in all our worries / All will finish well “In this world where injustice reigns, you are in the midst of pain”. Excellent words of reassurance in a difficult world. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook available here.
TiS 670 / AoVK-138 / ATE 258 / CH692 Jesus put this song into our hearts (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. If you teach them and make it clear that it’s okay, you’ll be surprised how many people dance to God. Great for kids, too.
Psalm 147:12-20
God of peace and interesting weather
Taize / AoV2-142 / SFFS 2013 / GC(II)576 / CP360 Bless the Lord my soul Berthier A beautiful and very well known Taize chant. Sound samples, sheet music.
TiS 181 / AoV2-032 / GC(II)497 / CP589 Come O God of all the earth / Sing Out Earth and Skies (Haugen). A big favourite of our congregation. Sheet music, lyrics and a nice sound sample.
AoVK-24 / Iona (T1AU) / CH756 / GC141 / GC(II)77 Bless the Lord (Kenyan) Simple and fun Kenyan call and response. "Bless the Lord there is no other God" Kids would really enjoy this, and with some African drumming, it would really be excellent.
MV037 Each blade of grass / Circle of God (Wehlander) Lovely words set to a familiar-feeling folk tune. Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
VU888 / LBW558 / ELW731 / HPSS458 / RS681 / CP358 Earth and All Stars (Dexter) Fun words of cosmic praise. An easy hymn-like tune. I really like the "loud boiling test tubes" bit, although this verse is not in all hymnals. Sheet music, lyrics and a keyboard tune sample (search for Ritual Song 681)
MV095 How deep the peace (Bauman / Good) Simple song. Would work particularly well as words of assurance after the prayers of confession. Lyrics (downloads a pdf - go to the words of assurance!)
Iona (SBL) / CH140 / MV181 / WoV727 / ELW554 / G(II)341 / GC495 Lord Your Hands Have Formed This World / The Earth is the Lord's (Oliano) Good words of creation to a lovely, and not too difficult, Phillippino melody. Lyrics (first verse only) Tune.
ATE 216 / Iona (SBL) / CH126 / StJ / ELW555 / HPSS472 / G(II)365 / GC527 / RS 671 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.
Ephesians 1:3-14
Adopted children with the inheritance of forgiveness
TiS 303 / AHB 227 / AoV1-171 / NCH144 / CH301 / UMH240 / VU48 / LBW60 / ELW270 / HPP123 / HPSS031 / GC348 / GC(II)356 / CP138 Hark, the herald angels sing (or any Christmas carol really). This is just a reminder - Don’t forget to sing carols after Christmas Day!!
MV157 I am a child of God (Harding) A simple song with powerful words. Good for kids and adults alike. Very easy to learn.
ATE 284 / VU395 Come in come in and sit down A good welcoming song for kids.
TiS 465 / AHB 399 / ATA 115 / Iona (SBL) / CH116 / GA381 Our God in heaven / Father in heaven / Loving Creator grant to your children (Niles) I really like this hymn, especially the Philippino folk melody to which it's set. Newer versions of the hymn from the Christian Conference of Asia have altered the lyrics to "Our God in heaven / Creator God" in the first verse. Other versions, such as CH4 have "Loving Creator / Parent and God".
TiS 163 / AHB 112 / NCH556 / UMH150 / LBW463 / ELW771 / HPSS268 God who stretched the spangled heavens There are many possible tunes to these excellent words. I like HOLY MANNA best (NCH 376). A particularly good hymn for the start of a new year, too. “May our dreams prove rich with promise, each endeavour, well begun: great Creator, give us guidance till our goals and yours are one”. Lyrics and midi sample of HOLY MANNA.
TiS 428 / AHB 340 Help us O Lord to learn Great challenging (but quite formal) words about being committed to learning the faith. Good for a New Year message. Boring tune though. I would sing it to ST THOMAS (TiS 271 / AHB 198) Lyrics (with thees and thys, which are not in TiS).
Tune In: Community (Brown) A song about being welcomed and part of a community. Sound sample and lyrics here.
TiS 164 / AHB 105 / CH358 The great love of God (Niles) A simple creed song from the Christian Conference of Asia. The tune is really beautiful.
TiS 417 / AoV2-133 / ATW 448 / CH597 / VU387 / StJ / WoV683 / ELW397 / AA94 / HPP237 / HPSS323 / CP657 / W&R135 / Cha244 Loving Spirit loving Spirit There are about a zillion tunes set for this. I prefer FELICITY (by Colin Gibson TiS 417), but also like RESTORATION. Lyrics are here.
John 1:(1-9), 10-18
In the beginning was the Word…. Jesus, the light and the word
Well, of course you can sing lots of Christmas carols and I won't list them because you probably have your favourites!
TiS 156 / AHB 91 / AoV1-135 / ATA 123 / CH212 / UMH145 / VU409 / ELW556 / HPP267 / HPSS469 / G(II)546 / GC756 / GC(II)748 / CP003 Morning has broken
TiS 447 / AHB 61 God your almighty word chaos and darkness heard. 2nd verse is about the coming of Chirst to give healing and sight. An excellent hymn tune too. Lyrics. Some books have "Lord, your almighty word, chaos and darkness heard".
TiS 477 / Iona (LFB, Common Ground) / CH510 / StJ Jesus calls us here to meet him. Good words and a rollicking or gentle Celtic tune (depending on how you play it!). Lyrics. 4th verse (not in TiS, but in Iona sources) leads to communion.
G(II)445 / GC629 / GC(II)608 God Is Love and all who live in love live in God (Haas) This is a nice cantor and refrain piece. The refrain is very simple and the cantor part is inclusive. The words are really good. Sound sample, but it's pretty achingly slow and schmaltzy.
TiS 666 / AoV2-113 / AoVK-126 / ATOK 409 / NCH526 / Iona (Common Ground, Freedom is Coming) / CH516 / VU646/647 / WoV650 / ELW866 / SFFS 2235 / HPP153 / G(II)357 / GC513 / GC(II)516 We are marching in the light of God / Siyahamba / Caminando
Iona / CH317 / CP621 Before the world began (Bell/Maule) Excellent words from John Bell.
AoV2-060 / SFFS 2172 / HPP307 / G(II)518 / GC718 / GC(II)710 Come live in the light / We Are Called (Haas) Joyful song of mission. I love this. Lyrics, sheet music sample and painfully slow sound sample here. I would double the speed of this (almost).
VU886 / SFFS 2005 Arise Shine for your light has come (Smith) A simple call and response. Good for an intro to worship. This would be great for the whole Christmas season.
Epiphany - Matthew 2:1-12
The wise men! If you need a change from "We three kings of Orient are", there are many Christmas carols you can sing instead. Or you could sing one of these songs....
GC(II)386 Every nation sees the glory (O'Brien) BEACH SPRING (TiS 493) Beautiful words and very familiar tune. “Every nation sees the glory of a star that pierced the night. As we tell the wondrous story we are bathed in radiant light. Star sent forth from highest heaven, dancing light of God’s design, Shine upon the gift that’s given; Word made flesh now born in time.” Highly recommended! Lyrics, sample sheet music and nice sound sample.
TiS 281 / AHB 214 When God Almighty came to be one of us This is a great Christmas and Epiphany song. It’s also set to a very easy (and fun) tune to sing (URQUHART). I especially love verse 3 "Wise men, they called them, earnest astrologers, watching for meaning in the moving stars, science or fancy, learned or laughable, theirs was a vision that was brought to pass. Sing all you wise men, dance all the scientists whether your theories are false or true. God uses knowledge, God uses ignorance. God at his coming had a need of you". Lyrics.
AoVK-60 / AA04 And did you see him little star? (Clyde / Gibson) I quite like this song. It's very imaginative and good for kids.
GC(II)386 Every nation sees the glory (O'Brien) Beautiful words sung to the very familiar folk hymn tune BEACH SPRING, so it's easy to sing. Lyrics, sound sample and sample sheet music (search for Epiphany Carol).
SFFS 2094 I sought him dressed in finest clothes (Bell) Excellent words that speak of the search for a king in high places, and finding him among the poor. Sung to a celtic folkish tune. Lyrics.
TiS 307 / AHB 232 / CH300 / VU73 / SFFS 2098 / G(II)264 / GC345 / GC(II)378 The Virgin Mary had a baby boy Thought I should at least list one carol.
URW??? What gift can we bring? (Marshall) This song has great words for the offering, and seems appropriate to both Epiphany and New Year
Recorded Music Heavenly Child (Mayer) This is a great song from the viewpoint of one of the wise men. A great song for those who have travelled far in their spiritual journey but hold on to the image of the heavenly child. Lyrics and sound sample
New Year's Day
TiS 653 / NCH417 / CH526 / UMH383 / GC(II)453 This is a day of new beginnings. "This is a day of new beginnings, time to remember and move on, time to believe what love is bringing, laying to rest the pain that's gone." Excellent words of reconciliation from Brian Wren. A good New Year's Day hymn. There are two possible tunes. I prefer the more simple hymn-like tune by Carlton Young which is in most resources (including TiS). There is an optional final verse that can be used for Communion. Lyrics.
LBW222 / WoV778 / ELW480 / W&R433 O Christ the Same (Dudley-Smith) A bit more formal than I would usually suggest, but it's worth letting you know that this song is out there. Could be sung to RED or LONDONDERRY AIR. Lyrics
CP(E) 82 O God whom neither time nor space (Smith) An older style hymn casting away the old year, and committing to the new. I'm sure the lyrics could be modernised and it would still sound good (and be easier for those not inclined to thees and thous). Lyrics.
Iona (Love From Below) / GA555 / G(II)648 / GC894 / GC(II)877 The God of All Eternity unbound by time and space (Bell) Sung to the familiar tune O WALY WALY. Some non-inclusive language in the Gather hymnals.
URW430: Akekho Ofana no Jesu I found this song the other night while learning about the low life expectancy in Swaziland. The life expectancy there is only 31 years due to an incredibly high death rate from HIV/AIDS. I wanted to find a song to sing in prayer for Swaziland. This song is from Swaziland and is about searching for a saviour, so seemed kind of appropriate for Epiphany. Here are the lyrics and some good Youtube videos to help you learn the song. I particularly like the first one because it shows some simple dance steps and how to sing the English translation. Please join me in praying for Swaziland.
God gathers the chosen people, they rejoice and are comforted
AoV1-071 / GC(II)742 Gather Your People (Hurd) Excellent words and eucharistic theology. Lyrics, sheet music and sound sample.
TiS 474 / AoV1-012 / ATE 295 / CH623 / GA526 / SFFS 2236 / HPP553 / G(II)539 / GC839 / GC(II)743 / CP465 / W&R649 / Cha284 Here in this place new light is streaming / Gather us in (Haugen) Excellent. Surely everyone knows how great this song is.
TiS 647 / AoV2-012 / ATN 25 Comfort comfort all my people (Mann) This is one of my all time favourite songs. Easy to sing, beautiful lyrics. Chorus is“Comfort, comfort all my people, with the comfort of my word. Speak ye tender to my people, all your sins are taken away”. Lyrics and mp3.
AoVK-125 / ATW 489 Turn our sadness upside down (Leigh Newton) Good for kids, and adults too. Simple tune, but not so simple that it’s boring. Lyrics (search in the page for "sadness").
Iona (There is one among us) Lord you can turn all mourning into dancing An excellent simple refrain from John Bell “Lord you can turn all mourning into dancing, evenings of grief to mornings of great joy”
ATE 253 He turned my mourning into dancing This is not at all inclusive, but if you change the lyrics to make it addressed to God “You turned my morning into dancing”, it’s much much better.
Tune In: You in all our worries / All will finish well “In this world where injustice reigns, you are in the midst of pain”. Excellent words of reassurance in a difficult world. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook available here.
TiS 670 / AoVK-138 / ATE 258 / CH692 Jesus put this song into our hearts (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. If you teach them and make it clear that it’s okay, you’ll be surprised how many people dance to God. Great for kids, too.
Psalm 147:12-20
God of peace and interesting weather
Taize / AoV2-142 / SFFS 2013 / GC(II)576 / CP360 Bless the Lord my soul Berthier A beautiful and very well known Taize chant. Sound samples, sheet music.
TiS 181 / AoV2-032 / GC(II)497 / CP589 Come O God of all the earth / Sing Out Earth and Skies (Haugen). A big favourite of our congregation. Sheet music, lyrics and a nice sound sample.
AoVK-24 / Iona (T1AU) / CH756 / GC141 / GC(II)77 Bless the Lord (Kenyan) Simple and fun Kenyan call and response. "Bless the Lord there is no other God" Kids would really enjoy this, and with some African drumming, it would really be excellent.
MV037 Each blade of grass / Circle of God (Wehlander) Lovely words set to a familiar-feeling folk tune. Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
VU888 / LBW558 / ELW731 / HPSS458 / RS681 / CP358 Earth and All Stars (Dexter) Fun words of cosmic praise. An easy hymn-like tune. I really like the "loud boiling test tubes" bit, although this verse is not in all hymnals. Sheet music, lyrics and a keyboard tune sample (search for Ritual Song 681)
MV095 How deep the peace (Bauman / Good) Simple song. Would work particularly well as words of assurance after the prayers of confession. Lyrics (downloads a pdf - go to the words of assurance!)
Iona (SBL) / CH140 / MV181 / WoV727 / ELW554 / G(II)341 / GC495 Lord Your Hands Have Formed This World / The Earth is the Lord's (Oliano) Good words of creation to a lovely, and not too difficult, Phillippino melody. Lyrics (first verse only) Tune.
ATE 216 / Iona (SBL) / CH126 / StJ / ELW555 / HPSS472 / G(II)365 / GC527 / RS 671 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.
Ephesians 1:3-14
Adopted children with the inheritance of forgiveness
TiS 303 / AHB 227 / AoV1-171 / NCH144 / CH301 / UMH240 / VU48 / LBW60 / ELW270 / HPP123 / HPSS031 / GC348 / GC(II)356 / CP138 Hark, the herald angels sing (or any Christmas carol really). This is just a reminder - Don’t forget to sing carols after Christmas Day!!
MV157 I am a child of God (Harding) A simple song with powerful words. Good for kids and adults alike. Very easy to learn.
ATE 284 / VU395 Come in come in and sit down A good welcoming song for kids.
TiS 465 / AHB 399 / ATA 115 / Iona (SBL) / CH116 / GA381 Our God in heaven / Father in heaven / Loving Creator grant to your children (Niles) I really like this hymn, especially the Philippino folk melody to which it's set. Newer versions of the hymn from the Christian Conference of Asia have altered the lyrics to "Our God in heaven / Creator God" in the first verse. Other versions, such as CH4 have "Loving Creator / Parent and God".
TiS 163 / AHB 112 / NCH556 / UMH150 / LBW463 / ELW771 / HPSS268 God who stretched the spangled heavens There are many possible tunes to these excellent words. I like HOLY MANNA best (NCH 376). A particularly good hymn for the start of a new year, too. “May our dreams prove rich with promise, each endeavour, well begun: great Creator, give us guidance till our goals and yours are one”. Lyrics and midi sample of HOLY MANNA.
TiS 428 / AHB 340 Help us O Lord to learn Great challenging (but quite formal) words about being committed to learning the faith. Good for a New Year message. Boring tune though. I would sing it to ST THOMAS (TiS 271 / AHB 198) Lyrics (with thees and thys, which are not in TiS).
Tune In: Community (Brown) A song about being welcomed and part of a community. Sound sample and lyrics here.
TiS 164 / AHB 105 / CH358 The great love of God (Niles) A simple creed song from the Christian Conference of Asia. The tune is really beautiful.
TiS 417 / AoV2-133 / ATW 448 / CH597 / VU387 / StJ / WoV683 / ELW397 / AA94 / HPP237 / HPSS323 / CP657 / W&R135 / Cha244 Loving Spirit loving Spirit There are about a zillion tunes set for this. I prefer FELICITY (by Colin Gibson TiS 417), but also like RESTORATION. Lyrics are here.
John 1:(1-9), 10-18
In the beginning was the Word…. Jesus, the light and the word
Well, of course you can sing lots of Christmas carols and I won't list them because you probably have your favourites!
TiS 156 / AHB 91 / AoV1-135 / ATA 123 / CH212 / UMH145 / VU409 / ELW556 / HPP267 / HPSS469 / G(II)546 / GC756 / GC(II)748 / CP003 Morning has broken
TiS 447 / AHB 61 God your almighty word chaos and darkness heard. 2nd verse is about the coming of Chirst to give healing and sight. An excellent hymn tune too. Lyrics. Some books have "Lord, your almighty word, chaos and darkness heard".
TiS 477 / Iona (LFB, Common Ground) / CH510 / StJ Jesus calls us here to meet him. Good words and a rollicking or gentle Celtic tune (depending on how you play it!). Lyrics. 4th verse (not in TiS, but in Iona sources) leads to communion.
G(II)445 / GC629 / GC(II)608 God Is Love and all who live in love live in God (Haas) This is a nice cantor and refrain piece. The refrain is very simple and the cantor part is inclusive. The words are really good. Sound sample, but it's pretty achingly slow and schmaltzy.
TiS 666 / AoV2-113 / AoVK-126 / ATOK 409 / NCH526 / Iona (Common Ground, Freedom is Coming) / CH516 / VU646/647 / WoV650 / ELW866 / SFFS 2235 / HPP153 / G(II)357 / GC513 / GC(II)516 We are marching in the light of God / Siyahamba / Caminando
Iona / CH317 / CP621 Before the world began (Bell/Maule) Excellent words from John Bell.
AoV2-060 / SFFS 2172 / HPP307 / G(II)518 / GC718 / GC(II)710 Come live in the light / We Are Called (Haas) Joyful song of mission. I love this. Lyrics, sheet music sample and painfully slow sound sample here. I would double the speed of this (almost).
VU886 / SFFS 2005 Arise Shine for your light has come (Smith) A simple call and response. Good for an intro to worship. This would be great for the whole Christmas season.
Epiphany - Matthew 2:1-12
The wise men! If you need a change from "We three kings of Orient are", there are many Christmas carols you can sing instead. Or you could sing one of these songs....
GC(II)386 Every nation sees the glory (O'Brien) BEACH SPRING (TiS 493) Beautiful words and very familiar tune. “Every nation sees the glory of a star that pierced the night. As we tell the wondrous story we are bathed in radiant light. Star sent forth from highest heaven, dancing light of God’s design, Shine upon the gift that’s given; Word made flesh now born in time.” Highly recommended! Lyrics, sample sheet music and nice sound sample.
TiS 281 / AHB 214 When God Almighty came to be one of us This is a great Christmas and Epiphany song. It’s also set to a very easy (and fun) tune to sing (URQUHART). I especially love verse 3 "Wise men, they called them, earnest astrologers, watching for meaning in the moving stars, science or fancy, learned or laughable, theirs was a vision that was brought to pass. Sing all you wise men, dance all the scientists whether your theories are false or true. God uses knowledge, God uses ignorance. God at his coming had a need of you". Lyrics.
AoVK-60 / AA04 And did you see him little star? (Clyde / Gibson) I quite like this song. It's very imaginative and good for kids.
GC(II)386 Every nation sees the glory (O'Brien) Beautiful words sung to the very familiar folk hymn tune BEACH SPRING, so it's easy to sing. Lyrics, sound sample and sample sheet music (search for Epiphany Carol).
SFFS 2094 I sought him dressed in finest clothes (Bell) Excellent words that speak of the search for a king in high places, and finding him among the poor. Sung to a celtic folkish tune. Lyrics.
TiS 307 / AHB 232 / CH300 / VU73 / SFFS 2098 / G(II)264 / GC345 / GC(II)378 The Virgin Mary had a baby boy Thought I should at least list one carol.
URW??? What gift can we bring? (Marshall) This song has great words for the offering, and seems appropriate to both Epiphany and New Year
Recorded Music Heavenly Child (Mayer) This is a great song from the viewpoint of one of the wise men. A great song for those who have travelled far in their spiritual journey but hold on to the image of the heavenly child. Lyrics and sound sample
New Year's Day
TiS 653 / NCH417 / CH526 / UMH383 / GC(II)453 This is a day of new beginnings. "This is a day of new beginnings, time to remember and move on, time to believe what love is bringing, laying to rest the pain that's gone." Excellent words of reconciliation from Brian Wren. A good New Year's Day hymn. There are two possible tunes. I prefer the more simple hymn-like tune by Carlton Young which is in most resources (including TiS). There is an optional final verse that can be used for Communion. Lyrics.
LBW222 / WoV778 / ELW480 / W&R433 O Christ the Same (Dudley-Smith) A bit more formal than I would usually suggest, but it's worth letting you know that this song is out there. Could be sung to RED or LONDONDERRY AIR. Lyrics
CP(E) 82 O God whom neither time nor space (Smith) An older style hymn casting away the old year, and committing to the new. I'm sure the lyrics could be modernised and it would still sound good (and be easier for those not inclined to thees and thous). Lyrics.
Iona (Love From Below) / GA555 / G(II)648 / GC894 / GC(II)877 The God of All Eternity unbound by time and space (Bell) Sung to the familiar tune O WALY WALY. Some non-inclusive language in the Gather hymnals.
URW430: Akekho Ofana no Jesu I found this song the other night while learning about the low life expectancy in Swaziland. The life expectancy there is only 31 years due to an incredibly high death rate from HIV/AIDS. I wanted to find a song to sing in prayer for Swaziland. This song is from Swaziland and is about searching for a saviour, so seemed kind of appropriate for Epiphany. Here are the lyrics and some good Youtube videos to help you learn the song. I particularly like the first one because it shows some simple dance steps and how to sing the English translation. Please join me in praying for Swaziland.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Song and hymns for Christmas 1C (December 27 2009)
1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26Hannah's gift of the child Samuel.
SFFS 2189 A Mother Lined a Basket This song has good words about Mary, Hannah and the mother of Moses sending their sons to become leaders of God's people. The tune WEST MAIN is a simple traditional-style hymn tune which would not be hard to sing. I've not been able to find a well-known alternative. Lyrics.
WoV692 / ELW419 / RS885 For all the faithful women (Steumpfle) Great words of the faithfulness of women, including Hannah, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Deborah and Miriam. You could choose just the verses you want so it's not too long, (but all the verses are good). Some words are a bit odd (like the bit about saving "our race" could unfortunately be easily misconstrued). Lyrics, tune and sound sample (search "For all the faithful"). Would also be good for Mother's Day / Mothering Sunday.
NCH015 My heart is overflowing (Winter) Excellent words to a simple flowing tune. This song is one of very few written specifically based on Hannah's song. If your congregation sang it in November, it might be good to sing it again. The tune is new, but would not take too long to learn.
Psalm 148All creation sings God's praise
TiS 268 / AHB 224 / AoV1-170 / NCH132 / CH320 / UMH246 / VU59 / LBW39 / ELW267 / GA295 / HPP107 / HPSS040 / GC343 / GC(II)353 / CP154 / CP(E) 57 / W&R179 / Cha143 / Srce399 Joy to the world The Lord is come It's Christmas! Sing Christmas carols! This one is especially good.
VU888 / LBW558 / ELW731 / HPSS458 / RS681 / CP358 / W&R642 Earth and All Stars Fun words of cosmic praise. An easy hymn-like tune. I really like the "boiling test tubes" bit, although this verse is not in all hymnals. Note that not all hymnals are inclusive. Inclusive lyrics and organ midi sample.
TiS 187 / AoV2-130 / CH149 / StS122 Let all creation dance I just love the imagery of this one, and it's a very joyous and familiar hymn tune too. Lyrics (downloads pdf).
AoV1-019 / CH151 / GA397 / G(II)340 / GC493 / GC(II)498 / W&R39 All You Works of God (Haugen) Joyful call, response and chorus. This will take a little work to get your congregation into the rhythm of how this song works, but I really think it would be worth it. Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music (search for "all you works").
HPSS274 O God of Earth and Space (LEONI) Terrific words by Jane Parker Huber to a well known Jewish hymn tune. "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.
ATW 422 And you sun and moon and stars / Canticle of Daniel (Stewart) This is a big favourite in our congregation. It has wonderful energy and excellent lyrics.
TiS 181 / AoV2-032 / GC(II)497 / CP589 Come O God of all the earth / Sing Out Earth and Skies (Haugen). Another big favourite. Sheet music, lyrics and a nice sound sample Sheet music, lyrics, sound sample (search for "Sing out earth").
TiS 72 / AHB 42 / NCH27 / CH146 / UMH101 / HPP36 / HPSS229 / CP344 / CP(E) 431 / Cha49 From all that dwell below the skies (Watts) A very old hymn, known by many, which is entirely inclusive in its language for God, save for one Lord which you can replace with God if you like. Lyrics and tune samples.
AoV1-019 / CH151 / G(II)340 / GC493 / GC(II)498 All You Works of God (Haugen) Joyful cantor and response. If your musicians have any energy left after Christmas, they might enjoy playing with this. Sheet music, lyrics and a slightly silly sound sample with lots of kids singing (search for "All you works").
AoV2-120 / AoVK-9 God Is Good let the sun and moon and stars say "God is Good" (Chan) Fun. Not easy, but probably worth the effort if you feel like learning something new, or giving your musicians a New Year’s challenge.
TiS 281 / AHB 214 When God Almighty came to be one of us This is a great Christmas season song, particularly for Epiphany next week also. It’s also set to a very easy (and fun) tune to sing (URQUHART). I especially love verse 3 "Wise men, they called them, earnest astrologers, watching for meaning in the moving stars, science or fancy, learned or laughable, theirs was a vision that was brought to pass. Sing all you wise men, dance all the scientists whether your theories are false or true. God uses knowledge, God uses ignorance. God at his coming had a need of you".
TiS 152 / NCH4 / UMH89 / VU232 / LBW551 / ELW836 / HPP22 / HPSS464 / GC529 / GC(II)520 / CP425 / W&R59 / Cha002 Joyful joyful we adore thee Note that this hymn is not always very inclusive. I prefer more modernt translations. Older version lyrics and tune sample.
ATE 216 / Iona (SBL) / CH126 / StJ / ELW555 / HPSS472 / G(II)365 / GC527 / RS 671 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.
TiS 755 / ATA 196 / CH804 / VU884 / SFFS 2278 / HPP219 You shall go out with joy / The trees of the field This is a good hand clappy foot stomping song. Fun.
Colossians 3:12-17Good solid advice on living well. Clothe yourself with love, may Christ's peace and word dwell in you.
ATOK 390 / God Gives 1.0 Put on love ev’ry day (never hide your love away). A great song for littler kids (Walker).
Iona (LFB) / G(II)407 / GC583 God give us peace that lasts (Bell) Lovely words and a simple hymn tune. Prayer for peace, hope and love. This can also be sung to LOVE UNKNOWN. "God give us peace that lasts, not through the fear of might, but through the force of love, and love of life and right. Where costly wars and weapons lure, Show us our Lord among the poor". Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music (search for "Gifts that Last")
AoV1-091 / AoVK-68 / StS016 / G(II)527 / GC(II)720 Peace before us peace behind us (Haas) love this one. Reflective. Careful not too get too schmaltzy because it's long. Less is more. Lyrics, sound sample, and melody line sheet music here (search for "prayer of peace").
AoV1-190 / UMH431 / HPP308 / G(II)529 / GC731 / GC(II)723 / W&R614 / Cha677 Let There Be Peace on Earth and let it begin with me (Miller/Jackson) Well known, and great for older kids. AoV changes "Brothers all are we, let me walk with my brother" to "We are family. Let us walk with each other".
GC(II)722 Jesus give us your peace (Mahler) Gospel song. It kind of merges personal peace with global peace. "Jesus bring us your peace, bring us together, let all the fighting cease…" Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music (search for "Give us your peace")
AoV1-106 / UMH376 / WoV774 / ELW753 / G(II)528 / GC730 / GC(II)724 / CP562 / Cha297 Dona Nobis Pacem (American folk) Fun, old round.
TiS 398 / AHB 310 / AoV1-118 / NCH289 / CH489 / UMH475 / VU367 / LBW508 / ELW804 / GA375 / HPSS313 / GC465 / GC(II)471 / RS617 / CP645 / CP(E) 175 / W&R330 / Cha582 Come down O Love divine Down Ampney/Vaughan Williams Old, but still inclusive and good. Lyrics, tune sample.
ATW 494 For you deep stillness Mann/Perrin. This homegrown favourite is just excellent. Lyrics and mp3 sample. Might be nice to sing this at the end of the service.
Iona (M&G) / CH359 / StJ / TF37 / ELW253 / GA293 / SFFS 2085 / G(II)276 / GC370 / GC(II)364 / CP368 / W&R402 He came down that we may have love (Traditional Cameroons) A simple, repetitive song. Make sure you sing the triplets or it gets boring. Great for kids and for some drumming, too. Sound sample, sheet music (search for "He Came Down")
TiS 477 / Iona (LFB, Common Ground) / CH510 / StJ / CP059 Jesus calls us here to meet him (Iona / Lewis Folk Melody) Good words and a rollicking or gentle Celtic tune (depending on how you play it!). Lyrics.
R137 / ELW341 / SFFS 2187 / G(II)549 / GC759 / GC(II)752 / W&R627 / Cha471 Now it is evening (Pratt Green) A song of justice and caring for others who are lonely, hungry in the city. The set tune is really good and simple, but it can also be sung to BUNESSAN. Good for evening services (obviously!). Lyrics, sheet music and slow, warbly sound sample (search for "At evening")
NCH401 / W&R388 O god in whom all life begins (Daw) Excellent words of living as a community of faith. Sung to a simple English melody. Lyrics can be found in this church bulletin (downloads a pdf).
TiS 465 / AHB 399 / ATA 115 / Iona (SBL) / CH116 / GA381 Our God in heaven / Father in heaven / Loving Creator grant to your children (Niles) I really like this hymn, especially the Philippino folk melody to which it's set. Newer versions of the hymn from the Christian Conference of Asia have altered the lyrics to "Our God in heaven / Creator God" in the first verse. Other versions, such as CH4 have "Loving Creator / Parent and God".
GC(II)644 / W&R577 Summoned by the God who made us / Sing a New Church (Dufner) Excellent words of Christian unity and justice to the well-known tune NETTLETON (TiS 392). Would be a good final hymn. Lyrics and sheet music here.
Recorded music If this thing should spill (Born in the Flood) A plea for peace to dwell in us and overflow. Sounds kind of like U2. Lyrics. Slideshow (this might give you some ideas)
Luke 2:41-5212 year old Jesus teaching in the temple.
I couldn't find any songs specifically about this passage, but you can certainly sing some carols that allude to Christ's interesting childhood, e.g. Once in Royal David's City, or sing some Christmas songs, which work with similar themes.
SFFS 2189 A Mother Lined a Basket This song has good words about Mary, Hannah and the mother of Moses sending their sons to become leaders of God's people. The tune WEST MAIN is a simple traditional-style hymn tune which would not be hard to sing. I've not been able to find a well-known alternative. Lyrics.
WoV692 / ELW419 / RS885 For all the faithful women (Steumpfle) Great words of the faithfulness of women, including Hannah, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Deborah and Miriam. You could choose just the verses you want so it's not too long, (but all the verses are good). Some words are a bit odd (like the bit about saving "our race" could unfortunately be easily misconstrued). Lyrics, tune and sound sample (search "For all the faithful"). Would also be good for Mother's Day / Mothering Sunday.
NCH015 My heart is overflowing (Winter) Excellent words to a simple flowing tune. This song is one of very few written specifically based on Hannah's song. If your congregation sang it in November, it might be good to sing it again. The tune is new, but would not take too long to learn.
Psalm 148All creation sings God's praise
TiS 268 / AHB 224 / AoV1-170 / NCH132 / CH320 / UMH246 / VU59 / LBW39 / ELW267 / GA295 / HPP107 / HPSS040 / GC343 / GC(II)353 / CP154 / CP(E) 57 / W&R179 / Cha143 / Srce399 Joy to the world The Lord is come It's Christmas! Sing Christmas carols! This one is especially good.
VU888 / LBW558 / ELW731 / HPSS458 / RS681 / CP358 / W&R642 Earth and All Stars Fun words of cosmic praise. An easy hymn-like tune. I really like the "boiling test tubes" bit, although this verse is not in all hymnals. Note that not all hymnals are inclusive. Inclusive lyrics and organ midi sample.
TiS 187 / AoV2-130 / CH149 / StS122 Let all creation dance I just love the imagery of this one, and it's a very joyous and familiar hymn tune too. Lyrics (downloads pdf).
AoV1-019 / CH151 / GA397 / G(II)340 / GC493 / GC(II)498 / W&R39 All You Works of God (Haugen) Joyful call, response and chorus. This will take a little work to get your congregation into the rhythm of how this song works, but I really think it would be worth it. Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music (search for "all you works").
HPSS274 O God of Earth and Space (LEONI) Terrific words by Jane Parker Huber to a well known Jewish hymn tune. "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.
ATW 422 And you sun and moon and stars / Canticle of Daniel (Stewart) This is a big favourite in our congregation. It has wonderful energy and excellent lyrics.
TiS 181 / AoV2-032 / GC(II)497 / CP589 Come O God of all the earth / Sing Out Earth and Skies (Haugen). Another big favourite. Sheet music, lyrics and a nice sound sample Sheet music, lyrics, sound sample (search for "Sing out earth").
TiS 72 / AHB 42 / NCH27 / CH146 / UMH101 / HPP36 / HPSS229 / CP344 / CP(E) 431 / Cha49 From all that dwell below the skies (Watts) A very old hymn, known by many, which is entirely inclusive in its language for God, save for one Lord which you can replace with God if you like. Lyrics and tune samples.
AoV1-019 / CH151 / G(II)340 / GC493 / GC(II)498 All You Works of God (Haugen) Joyful cantor and response. If your musicians have any energy left after Christmas, they might enjoy playing with this. Sheet music, lyrics and a slightly silly sound sample with lots of kids singing (search for "All you works").
AoV2-120 / AoVK-9 God Is Good let the sun and moon and stars say "God is Good" (Chan) Fun. Not easy, but probably worth the effort if you feel like learning something new, or giving your musicians a New Year’s challenge.
TiS 281 / AHB 214 When God Almighty came to be one of us This is a great Christmas season song, particularly for Epiphany next week also. It’s also set to a very easy (and fun) tune to sing (URQUHART). I especially love verse 3 "Wise men, they called them, earnest astrologers, watching for meaning in the moving stars, science or fancy, learned or laughable, theirs was a vision that was brought to pass. Sing all you wise men, dance all the scientists whether your theories are false or true. God uses knowledge, God uses ignorance. God at his coming had a need of you".
TiS 152 / NCH4 / UMH89 / VU232 / LBW551 / ELW836 / HPP22 / HPSS464 / GC529 / GC(II)520 / CP425 / W&R59 / Cha002 Joyful joyful we adore thee Note that this hymn is not always very inclusive. I prefer more modernt translations. Older version lyrics and tune sample.
ATE 216 / Iona (SBL) / CH126 / StJ / ELW555 / HPSS472 / G(II)365 / GC527 / RS 671 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.
TiS 755 / ATA 196 / CH804 / VU884 / SFFS 2278 / HPP219 You shall go out with joy / The trees of the field This is a good hand clappy foot stomping song. Fun.
Colossians 3:12-17Good solid advice on living well. Clothe yourself with love, may Christ's peace and word dwell in you.
ATOK 390 / God Gives 1.0 Put on love ev’ry day (never hide your love away). A great song for littler kids (Walker).
Iona (LFB) / G(II)407 / GC583 God give us peace that lasts (Bell) Lovely words and a simple hymn tune. Prayer for peace, hope and love. This can also be sung to LOVE UNKNOWN. "God give us peace that lasts, not through the fear of might, but through the force of love, and love of life and right. Where costly wars and weapons lure, Show us our Lord among the poor". Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music (search for "Gifts that Last")
AoV1-091 / AoVK-68 / StS016 / G(II)527 / GC(II)720 Peace before us peace behind us (Haas) love this one. Reflective. Careful not too get too schmaltzy because it's long. Less is more. Lyrics, sound sample, and melody line sheet music here (search for "prayer of peace").
AoV1-190 / UMH431 / HPP308 / G(II)529 / GC731 / GC(II)723 / W&R614 / Cha677 Let There Be Peace on Earth and let it begin with me (Miller/Jackson) Well known, and great for older kids. AoV changes "Brothers all are we, let me walk with my brother" to "We are family. Let us walk with each other".
GC(II)722 Jesus give us your peace (Mahler) Gospel song. It kind of merges personal peace with global peace. "Jesus bring us your peace, bring us together, let all the fighting cease…" Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music (search for "Give us your peace")
AoV1-106 / UMH376 / WoV774 / ELW753 / G(II)528 / GC730 / GC(II)724 / CP562 / Cha297 Dona Nobis Pacem (American folk) Fun, old round.
TiS 398 / AHB 310 / AoV1-118 / NCH289 / CH489 / UMH475 / VU367 / LBW508 / ELW804 / GA375 / HPSS313 / GC465 / GC(II)471 / RS617 / CP645 / CP(E) 175 / W&R330 / Cha582 Come down O Love divine Down Ampney/Vaughan Williams Old, but still inclusive and good. Lyrics, tune sample.
ATW 494 For you deep stillness Mann/Perrin. This homegrown favourite is just excellent. Lyrics and mp3 sample. Might be nice to sing this at the end of the service.
Iona (M&G) / CH359 / StJ / TF37 / ELW253 / GA293 / SFFS 2085 / G(II)276 / GC370 / GC(II)364 / CP368 / W&R402 He came down that we may have love (Traditional Cameroons) A simple, repetitive song. Make sure you sing the triplets or it gets boring. Great for kids and for some drumming, too. Sound sample, sheet music (search for "He Came Down")
TiS 477 / Iona (LFB, Common Ground) / CH510 / StJ / CP059 Jesus calls us here to meet him (Iona / Lewis Folk Melody) Good words and a rollicking or gentle Celtic tune (depending on how you play it!). Lyrics.
R137 / ELW341 / SFFS 2187 / G(II)549 / GC759 / GC(II)752 / W&R627 / Cha471 Now it is evening (Pratt Green) A song of justice and caring for others who are lonely, hungry in the city. The set tune is really good and simple, but it can also be sung to BUNESSAN. Good for evening services (obviously!). Lyrics, sheet music and slow, warbly sound sample (search for "At evening")
NCH401 / W&R388 O god in whom all life begins (Daw) Excellent words of living as a community of faith. Sung to a simple English melody. Lyrics can be found in this church bulletin (downloads a pdf).
TiS 465 / AHB 399 / ATA 115 / Iona (SBL) / CH116 / GA381 Our God in heaven / Father in heaven / Loving Creator grant to your children (Niles) I really like this hymn, especially the Philippino folk melody to which it's set. Newer versions of the hymn from the Christian Conference of Asia have altered the lyrics to "Our God in heaven / Creator God" in the first verse. Other versions, such as CH4 have "Loving Creator / Parent and God".
GC(II)644 / W&R577 Summoned by the God who made us / Sing a New Church (Dufner) Excellent words of Christian unity and justice to the well-known tune NETTLETON (TiS 392). Would be a good final hymn. Lyrics and sheet music here.
Recorded music If this thing should spill (Born in the Flood) A plea for peace to dwell in us and overflow. Sounds kind of like U2. Lyrics. Slideshow (this might give you some ideas)
Luke 2:41-5212 year old Jesus teaching in the temple.
I couldn't find any songs specifically about this passage, but you can certainly sing some carols that allude to Christ's interesting childhood, e.g. Once in Royal David's City, or sing some Christmas songs, which work with similar themes.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Songs and Hymns for Advent 2C (December 6th 2009)
As well as the songs listed below, you may wish to sing a more "general" Advent type song. Here is a list of general Advent suggestions.
Malachi 3:1-4
One will come to prepare a way; One who purifies will come. See suggestions for Gospel readings below.
MV11 /StS007 / GC(II)338 Come, come Emmanuel / Advent gathering song (Chepponis) The simple chant is quite lovely, and the cantor soars beautifully. It could be quite formal if you like. Can work as a chant without the cantor part; you could choose particular cantor verses for each week, or even make up your own, which is what we did last year at Brunswick. At other times of year it can be used with the Cantor for confession. There is a sound and sheet music sample here (search for Advent gathering song), but it is about half the speed that we sung it last year.
W&R374 / Srce573 Purify My Heart / Refiner's fire (Doerksen) This song is not really a style that I like much; a little bit too individualistic and hand-wavy for me personally, but I think that it would be a perfect fit for this reading. For people like me, I think that using just the first four lines would make a beautiful reflective chant for personal purity "Purify my heart, Let me be as gold and precious silver, Purify my heart Let me be as gold, pure gold". Not sure if the reading is about personal purity so much as communal purity, but I digress... lyrics, video
Tune In / NCYC '07: Forgive us now (Brown). “As we forgive may we be healed, as we reach out….” An excellent ballad about healing and forgiveness for a whole community. Lyrics and sound sample.
TiS 712 / AoV2-021 / ATE 269 / The tide has turned songbook Create in us a clean heart O God (Hannah) Good. A big favourite in our congregation.
StJ / GA432 / GC800 / GC(II)800 O Breathe on Me O Breath of God (Murray) Good words seeking the spirits gifts of new life, purity and unity with Christ. Sung to a lovely simple, and quite intuitive Celtic tune (COLUMCILLE). Sheet music, sound sample and lyrics (search for "O Breathe On Me")
AoV1-143 Light Of Christ, light flaming bright (Zaragoza) Simple chant. "Light of Christ, light flaming bright, burn in my heart holy fire"; you could easily make this plural if you wish.
AoV2-164 / GA475 / G(II)327 / GC467 / GC(II)477 Send down the fire of your justice (Haugen) This one is usually sung near Pentecost, but I think it could work quite well with this reading too, particularly if your congregation already knows it. Lyrics, sound and sheet music sample (search for "Send down").
Recorded music: Over the Rhine: The Trumpet Child (from the album The Trumpet Child). We used this song a fair bit last Advent. For those who have not heard it, it's really worth a couple of listens. You can watch a video and read lyrics of the song here.
Luke 1:68-79
Song of Zechariah. See also suggestions for final gospel reading, below.
Tune in: Jesus is waiting. 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 songbook available here.
Iona (M&G) / CH359 / StJ / TF37 / ELW253 / GA293 / SFFS 2085 / G(II)276 / GC370 / GC(II)364 / CP368 / W&R402 He came down that we may have love (Traditional Cameroons) A simple, repetitive song. Make sure you sing the triplets or it gets boring. Great for kids and for some drumming, too. Sound sample, sheet music (search for "He Came Down")
TiS 688 Come to be our hope O Jesus (Marachin) This is a really fun Latin American song from the World Council of Churches Assembly in Canberra. It's not easy the first time, but once you've heard it, it's very catchy. The words are really excellent, despite a slightly clunky translation. It would be worth teaching to your congregation!
NCH110 / G(II)561 / GC775 / GC(II)5 Now bless the God of Israel who comes in love and power (Duck) Excellent words of salvation and sung to the familiar tune FOREST GREEN. Lyrics (search for "now bless")
VU901 / HPSS601 Blest be the God of Israel (Song of Zechariah) (Daw) A simple and inclusive paraphrase to the well-known hymn tune KINGSFOLD (TiS 262). Lyrics and tune sample.
AoV2-089 / Taize / MV086 / SFFS 2156 Give peace to every heart / Da Pacem Cordium (Berthier) A good, simple Taize chant. Sound samples, sheet music (not cantor lines though).
Philippians 1:3-11
See suggestions for Malachi reading above.
ATOK 320 / NCH351 / VU645 / StJ / WoV770 / ELW732 / SFFS 2051 / HPP516 / W&R680/ Cha75 I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry (Ylvisaker) A song of God’s presence in all stages of life. Very simple tune to sing. Lyrics, and a slow sound sample.
CH159 / CP(E) 81 / W&R70 / Srce439 Lord for the years your love has kept and guided (Dudley-Smith) Very traditional, but good words. Some lack of inclusive language that could easily be fixed. Sung to a well-known hymn tune (O PERFECT LOVE). Lyrics and sound sample.
TiS 217 / AHB 148 / NCH43 / CH519 / UMH384 / VU333 / LBW315 / ELW631 / GA463 / HPP48 / HPSS376 / GC622 / GC(II)613 / CP485/6 / CP(E) 516 / W&R358 / Cha517 / Srce457 Love divine all loves excelling A beautiful classic song and most hymnals use a very inclusive version of this hymn, even the AHB! Lyrics and sound sample.
AoV2-055 / G(II)513 / GC711 / GC(II)716 May we find richness / Harvest of Justice Simple to sing, and good words. Sample sheet music, lyrics and a plodding tune sample.
Luke 3:1-6
John the Baptist. I love the start of Luke's version of this story. It's like "Here's all these important men, but the word of God came to this ordinary guy out in the wilderness".
TiS 647 / AoV2-012 / ATN 25 Comfort comfort all my people (Mann) This is one of my all time favourite songs. Easy to sing, beautiful lyrics. Chorus is“Comfort, comfort all my people, with the comfort of my word. Speak ye tender to my people, all your sins are taken away”. It’s largely a paraphrase of this passage and well worth looking at if you are not familiar with it. Lyrics here, mp3 sample here.
TiS 270 / AHB 199 / NCH115 / CH334 / VU20 / LBW548 / ELW842 / HPPS010 / G(II)260 / GC321 / 322 / GC(II)344 / CP103 / CP(E) 34 / W&R156 On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry. If you would like inclusive lyrics (and who wouldn’t!), have a look at the New Century Hymnal’s version. If you’d like a groovy tune, check out AHB 199(ii) / GC322 – ST JOHN BAPTIST by Gary Lewis Miles and Betty Pulkingham. This is an excellent, fun tune. You can even combine the words of NCH115 with AHB199(ii) for the best of both worlds. But WINCHESTER NEW is also very good, and easy to sing if you don’t have a congregation full of people who grew up in the 60s and 70s. Lyrics and tune sample (Winchester New).
Seeds of Faith Prepare the Way For Love (Bruxvoort-Colligan). A good song for kids. Sound sample and lyrics here
Online resource: Prepare, prepare the way of the Lord (Kleinheksel). A simple round, particularly appropriate for kids. Adults mind find it a bit simple, but it’s quite effective. Worth a look. Available here.
UMH207 / VU10 / StS014 / GC336 / GC(II)330 / W&R174 / Cha121 Prepare the way of the Lord (Berthier) A lovely simple round. Great for kids. Sound sample, lyrics, sheet music (search for Prepare the way of the Lord).
Online resource: Down by the Jordan (Winfrey-Gillette). Good inclusive words to the familiar tune LOBE DEN HERREN. Available here.
Taize / UMH207 / VU10 / StS014 / GC336 / GC(II)330 Prepare the way of the Lord (Berthier) A lovely simple round. Sheet music and sound sample here.
TiS 447 / AHB 61 / CP(E) 267 Lord your almighty word chaos and darkness heard (Marriott) A well known Trinitarian hymn which generally fits this reading; each verse ends with "Let there be light!". Lyrics here.
TiS 288 / Iona Not the powerful not the privileged (Bell) Note that the lyrics are masculine for God in one instance in the 4th verse. The lyrics are great though, so perhaps balance this song with some feminine imagery elsewhere in the service! The tune is not difficult. Lyrics.
AoVK-50 / ATW 430 Come let us praise our God / A voice is heard (Trisha Watts) Excellent and energetic.
Tune In: Dare to Dream. A great song about having a vision for the future, being lead by the light of Bethlehem’s star. If you don’t have a copy of Tune In yet, there’s time to get it before Advent! Sorry about that shameless promotion there.... Sound sample and lyrics here.
Malachi 3:1-4
One will come to prepare a way; One who purifies will come. See suggestions for Gospel readings below.
MV11 /StS007 / GC(II)338 Come, come Emmanuel / Advent gathering song (Chepponis) The simple chant is quite lovely, and the cantor soars beautifully. It could be quite formal if you like. Can work as a chant without the cantor part; you could choose particular cantor verses for each week, or even make up your own, which is what we did last year at Brunswick. At other times of year it can be used with the Cantor for confession. There is a sound and sheet music sample here (search for Advent gathering song), but it is about half the speed that we sung it last year.
W&R374 / Srce573 Purify My Heart / Refiner's fire (Doerksen) This song is not really a style that I like much; a little bit too individualistic and hand-wavy for me personally, but I think that it would be a perfect fit for this reading. For people like me, I think that using just the first four lines would make a beautiful reflective chant for personal purity "Purify my heart, Let me be as gold and precious silver, Purify my heart Let me be as gold, pure gold". Not sure if the reading is about personal purity so much as communal purity, but I digress... lyrics, video
Tune In / NCYC '07: Forgive us now (Brown). “As we forgive may we be healed, as we reach out….” An excellent ballad about healing and forgiveness for a whole community. Lyrics and sound sample.
TiS 712 / AoV2-021 / ATE 269 / The tide has turned songbook Create in us a clean heart O God (Hannah) Good. A big favourite in our congregation.
StJ / GA432 / GC800 / GC(II)800 O Breathe on Me O Breath of God (Murray) Good words seeking the spirits gifts of new life, purity and unity with Christ. Sung to a lovely simple, and quite intuitive Celtic tune (COLUMCILLE). Sheet music, sound sample and lyrics (search for "O Breathe On Me")
AoV1-143 Light Of Christ, light flaming bright (Zaragoza) Simple chant. "Light of Christ, light flaming bright, burn in my heart holy fire"; you could easily make this plural if you wish.
AoV2-164 / GA475 / G(II)327 / GC467 / GC(II)477 Send down the fire of your justice (Haugen) This one is usually sung near Pentecost, but I think it could work quite well with this reading too, particularly if your congregation already knows it. Lyrics, sound and sheet music sample (search for "Send down").
Recorded music: Over the Rhine: The Trumpet Child (from the album The Trumpet Child). We used this song a fair bit last Advent. For those who have not heard it, it's really worth a couple of listens. You can watch a video and read lyrics of the song here.
Luke 1:68-79
Song of Zechariah. See also suggestions for final gospel reading, below.
Tune in: Jesus is waiting. 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 songbook available here.
Iona (M&G) / CH359 / StJ / TF37 / ELW253 / GA293 / SFFS 2085 / G(II)276 / GC370 / GC(II)364 / CP368 / W&R402 He came down that we may have love (Traditional Cameroons) A simple, repetitive song. Make sure you sing the triplets or it gets boring. Great for kids and for some drumming, too. Sound sample, sheet music (search for "He Came Down")
TiS 688 Come to be our hope O Jesus (Marachin) This is a really fun Latin American song from the World Council of Churches Assembly in Canberra. It's not easy the first time, but once you've heard it, it's very catchy. The words are really excellent, despite a slightly clunky translation. It would be worth teaching to your congregation!
NCH110 / G(II)561 / GC775 / GC(II)5 Now bless the God of Israel who comes in love and power (Duck) Excellent words of salvation and sung to the familiar tune FOREST GREEN. Lyrics (search for "now bless")
VU901 / HPSS601 Blest be the God of Israel (Song of Zechariah) (Daw) A simple and inclusive paraphrase to the well-known hymn tune KINGSFOLD (TiS 262). Lyrics and tune sample.
AoV2-089 / Taize / MV086 / SFFS 2156 Give peace to every heart / Da Pacem Cordium (Berthier) A good, simple Taize chant. Sound samples, sheet music (not cantor lines though).
Philippians 1:3-11
See suggestions for Malachi reading above.
ATOK 320 / NCH351 / VU645 / StJ / WoV770 / ELW732 / SFFS 2051 / HPP516 / W&R680/ Cha75 I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry (Ylvisaker) A song of God’s presence in all stages of life. Very simple tune to sing. Lyrics, and a slow sound sample.
CH159 / CP(E) 81 / W&R70 / Srce439 Lord for the years your love has kept and guided (Dudley-Smith) Very traditional, but good words. Some lack of inclusive language that could easily be fixed. Sung to a well-known hymn tune (O PERFECT LOVE). Lyrics and sound sample.
TiS 217 / AHB 148 / NCH43 / CH519 / UMH384 / VU333 / LBW315 / ELW631 / GA463 / HPP48 / HPSS376 / GC622 / GC(II)613 / CP485/6 / CP(E) 516 / W&R358 / Cha517 / Srce457 Love divine all loves excelling A beautiful classic song and most hymnals use a very inclusive version of this hymn, even the AHB! Lyrics and sound sample.
AoV2-055 / G(II)513 / GC711 / GC(II)716 May we find richness / Harvest of Justice Simple to sing, and good words. Sample sheet music, lyrics and a plodding tune sample.
Luke 3:1-6
John the Baptist. I love the start of Luke's version of this story. It's like "Here's all these important men, but the word of God came to this ordinary guy out in the wilderness".
TiS 647 / AoV2-012 / ATN 25 Comfort comfort all my people (Mann) This is one of my all time favourite songs. Easy to sing, beautiful lyrics. Chorus is“Comfort, comfort all my people, with the comfort of my word. Speak ye tender to my people, all your sins are taken away”. It’s largely a paraphrase of this passage and well worth looking at if you are not familiar with it. Lyrics here, mp3 sample here.
TiS 270 / AHB 199 / NCH115 / CH334 / VU20 / LBW548 / ELW842 / HPPS010 / G(II)260 / GC321 / 322 / GC(II)344 / CP103 / CP(E) 34 / W&R156 On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry. If you would like inclusive lyrics (and who wouldn’t!), have a look at the New Century Hymnal’s version. If you’d like a groovy tune, check out AHB 199(ii) / GC322 – ST JOHN BAPTIST by Gary Lewis Miles and Betty Pulkingham. This is an excellent, fun tune. You can even combine the words of NCH115 with AHB199(ii) for the best of both worlds. But WINCHESTER NEW is also very good, and easy to sing if you don’t have a congregation full of people who grew up in the 60s and 70s. Lyrics and tune sample (Winchester New).
Seeds of Faith Prepare the Way For Love (Bruxvoort-Colligan). A good song for kids. Sound sample and lyrics here
Online resource: Prepare, prepare the way of the Lord (Kleinheksel). A simple round, particularly appropriate for kids. Adults mind find it a bit simple, but it’s quite effective. Worth a look. Available here.
UMH207 / VU10 / StS014 / GC336 / GC(II)330 / W&R174 / Cha121 Prepare the way of the Lord (Berthier) A lovely simple round. Great for kids. Sound sample, lyrics, sheet music (search for Prepare the way of the Lord).
Online resource: Down by the Jordan (Winfrey-Gillette). Good inclusive words to the familiar tune LOBE DEN HERREN. Available here.
Taize / UMH207 / VU10 / StS014 / GC336 / GC(II)330 Prepare the way of the Lord (Berthier) A lovely simple round. Sheet music and sound sample here.
TiS 447 / AHB 61 / CP(E) 267 Lord your almighty word chaos and darkness heard (Marriott) A well known Trinitarian hymn which generally fits this reading; each verse ends with "Let there be light!". Lyrics here.
TiS 288 / Iona Not the powerful not the privileged (Bell) Note that the lyrics are masculine for God in one instance in the 4th verse. The lyrics are great though, so perhaps balance this song with some feminine imagery elsewhere in the service! The tune is not difficult. Lyrics.
AoVK-50 / ATW 430 Come let us praise our God / A voice is heard (Trisha Watts) Excellent and energetic.
Tune In: Dare to Dream. A great song about having a vision for the future, being lead by the light of Bethlehem’s star. If you don’t have a copy of Tune In yet, there’s time to get it before Advent! Sorry about that shameless promotion there.... Sound sample and lyrics here.
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