Jeremiah 8:18-9:1
God weeps for the suffering of God's people
TiS 679 God of Jeremiah grieving (Wren) If you are going to focus on Jeremiah for the next few weeks, this would be a good hymn to learn. Unfortunately, I do not know of USA-based resources for this excellent song. The traditional Scottish tune KELVIN GROVE is well known as the tune for "The Summons". Lyrics (with an alternate tune).
NCH553 / UMH375 / VU612 / WoV737 / ELW614 / HPP379 / PH394 / G(II)460 / GC648 / GC(II)617 / W&R631 / Cha501 / ZSS114 / SgTJ1045 There is a balm in Gilead (African-American Spiritual) This beautiful song, while not steeped in layers of meaning for non-Americans is absolutely worth singing wherever you live. Lyrics and sheet music. Sound sample.
Tune In: Our God who weeps (Kate Scull) Very simple folk-like tune and challenging and hopeful lyrics. "When death has taken those held dear"... Reference recording, lyrics and songbook available here.
MV78 / CH168 / FFS30 / SFFS 2048 God weeps at love withheld. Pretty full-on lyrics of lamentation, that some may find difficult to sing simply because of the horrors it names. In the context of this story, I think this is okay. Lyrics can be found here (search for "God weeps"). For the service this links to, they imaginatively used the words as a responsive prayer. Nice idea.
Psalm 79:1-9
A cry for forgiveness and deliverance in the face of destruction
ATFG563 How long must we cry out? (Mann) This is a big Brunswick favourite, and we've not sung it for quite some time. "Teach me to do what is right, walk in the darkness, trust in the light and may love be the path I walk upon".
AoVK-29 Remember we are your people (Barr) Simple three part chant "Remember we are your people, your people O God". This would work really well as a sung refrain during the prayer of confession. Sound sample (search for the song, then click on the music symbol)
Tune In / NCYC '07: Forgive us now (Brown). “As we forgive may we be healed, as we reach out….” An excellent ballad seeking forgiveness in a sinful world. Lyrics and sound sample.
Iona (LFB) Listen Lord (Iona / Bell) Beautiful chant-like chorus, can be used on its own or as a response, or used with the verses. Good to use for the intercessions.
TiS 741 / AoV1-017 / ATE 282 / LBW368 / ELW407 / GA431 / SFFS 2200 / G(II)410 / GC586 / GC(II)566 / Taize / W&R484 / Srce519 O Lord hear my prayer (Berthier) A simple and very well known Taize chant
HPSS437 / CP591 / W&R586 Our Cities Cry to You O God (Clarkson) Good words of helping to heal injustice in the world. Being the body of Christ. Sung to a very amiliar hymn tune. Lyrics and tune sample.
Online resource May your compassion come quickly (Harding) A simple Psalm refrain. Sheet music sample. Purchase here.
Emergent Psalter How long O Lord? (Everett) A simple, but interesting refrain. Sheet music sample.
Amos 8:4-7 and Psalm 113 (alternate readings)
Recommendations for Amos 8.
1 Timothy 2:1-7
Pray for everyone, including national leaders; Christ our mediator.
TiS 672 / GA554 Lord of earth and all creation (Thwaites) A call for renewal of creation and all God's created people in Australia. Two possible tunes. The newer tune is very good, but if your congregation can't do a new tune this week, it can also be sung to WESTMINSTER ABBEY which is very well known. Lyrics (split by words of mission and blessing).
TiS 285 / VU363 Your coming Lord to earth in Bethlehem Tricky, but good solid words and images. Verse 4 is particularly good if you are celebrating communion, and could be omitted if you don’t like to sing songs about communion when you are not celebrating it.
TiS 742 / ATA 120 / SFFS 2240 One God, one living God (Schlenker) A quite well known responsive song.
Luke 16:1-13
The dishonest and shrewd manager; honesty, faithfulness.
ATW 498 / Iona (T1AU) / MV 196 We will take what you offer. An excellent simple short song that works well either as an upbeat chorus or as a reflective chant. "We will take what you offer. We will live by your word. We will love one another. And be fed by you Lord". Sound sample here.
Online resource To be faithful (Bruxvoort-Colligan) This is a very simple, catchy short song about being faithful with what you are given. Note to BUC people, I have a copy of this book. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Springtime songs and hymns
We're heading to Spring in the Southern Hemisphere!
NCH34 / Iona (SL) / CH138 / SgTJ1065 Nourished by the rainfall the earth can come alive / Flowers of every colour now raise their heads in pride / As the rain is falling / Alabanza (Badillo) Complex words, but a simple repetitive tune. Inclusive, earthy. Great for a temperate Springtime. There are quite a few different English translations of this Puerto Rican song. I particularly like the version in Church Hymnary / Hymns of Glory Songs of Praise. midi sample.
VU632 / StS100 / WoV695 / ELW447 / SFFS 2076 O blessed spring where word and sign (Cherwien) Imagery of Christ the vine and the changes that the seasons bring, this song speaks of all four seasons. Hymnals vary in the tune selected. I like it best to O WALY WALY. Springtime song. Lyrics.
SgTJ1005 Praise In Springtime (Profetiza) To be honest, I don't know what this song is like, but thought I'd list it for those who have this hymnal to tell me what the lyrics are like. I like the 7/8 tune.
FFS59 Spirit of springtime in creation's garden (Murray) Good tune and words, and very Antipodean. "Beauty will break through rotted leaves and ashes, joy will erupt and life will leap free!".
NCH402 Sing of colours (De Colores) I love this traditional Mexican song. Not too hard in Spanish, really easy and catchy in English. Partial lyrics and sheet music. Lyrics and midi. Slightly silly version on youtube.
NCH433 / CH727 / UMH707 / VU703 / HPP474 / W&R515 / Cha638 In the bulb there is a flower (Sleeth) A simple song of hope symbolised in nature. Good for kids. Lyrics.
FFS51 O spring in the desert (David Adam/Gibson) Christ's presence in water and light; Christ as guide. Excellent imagery, good tune.
CH224 / VU187 / AA140 The spring has come (Murray / Gibson) Joyful tune and words. Fun rhythms.
UMH508 / VU644 / Cha535 Faith while trees are still in blossom (Frostenson) Excellent words of faith when things seem a bit hopeless. Sings of Noah and Moses. Lyrics.
*Tune In: Making things new (Anderson). A groovy one. Great for kids, and lots of fun. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook. Good for kids.
Songs with a focus on all seasons
Unknown Source We'll weave a love / Song of Community (McDade) A song of all seasons. It's a little bit tricky to learn, but once learned, you will not forget it "We'll weave a love that greens sure as spring, then deepens in summer to the fall autumn brings". Lyrics.
NCH34 / Iona (SL) / CH138 / SgTJ1065 Nourished by the rainfall the earth can come alive / Flowers of every colour now raise their heads in pride / As the rain is falling / Alabanza (Badillo) Complex words, but a simple repetitive tune. Inclusive, earthy. Great for a temperate Springtime. There are quite a few different English translations of this Puerto Rican song. I particularly like the version in Church Hymnary / Hymns of Glory Songs of Praise. midi sample.
VU632 / StS100 / WoV695 / ELW447 / SFFS 2076 O blessed spring where word and sign (Cherwien) Imagery of Christ the vine and the changes that the seasons bring, this song speaks of all four seasons. Hymnals vary in the tune selected. I like it best to O WALY WALY. Springtime song. Lyrics.
SgTJ1005 Praise In Springtime (Profetiza) To be honest, I don't know what this song is like, but thought I'd list it for those who have this hymnal to tell me what the lyrics are like. I like the 7/8 tune.
FFS59 Spirit of springtime in creation's garden (Murray) Good tune and words, and very Antipodean. "Beauty will break through rotted leaves and ashes, joy will erupt and life will leap free!".
NCH402 Sing of colours (De Colores) I love this traditional Mexican song. Not too hard in Spanish, really easy and catchy in English. Partial lyrics and sheet music. Lyrics and midi. Slightly silly version on youtube.
NCH433 / CH727 / UMH707 / VU703 / HPP474 / W&R515 / Cha638 In the bulb there is a flower (Sleeth) A simple song of hope symbolised in nature. Good for kids. Lyrics.
FFS51 O spring in the desert (David Adam/Gibson) Christ's presence in water and light; Christ as guide. Excellent imagery, good tune.
CH224 / VU187 / AA140 The spring has come (Murray / Gibson) Joyful tune and words. Fun rhythms.
UMH508 / VU644 / Cha535 Faith while trees are still in blossom (Frostenson) Excellent words of faith when things seem a bit hopeless. Sings of Noah and Moses. Lyrics.
*Tune In: Making things new (Anderson). A groovy one. Great for kids, and lots of fun. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook. Good for kids.
Songs with a focus on all seasons
Unknown Source We'll weave a love / Song of Community (McDade) A song of all seasons. It's a little bit tricky to learn, but once learned, you will not forget it "We'll weave a love that greens sure as spring, then deepens in summer to the fall autumn brings". Lyrics.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Songs and Hymns for Proper 19C / Ordinary 24C / Pentecost +16 (September 12th 2010)
Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28
God is lamenting Israel's foolishness and the damage done to the earth.
TiS 679 God of Jeremiah grieving (Wren) If you are going to focus on Jeremiah for the next few weeks, this would be a good hymn to learn. Unfortunately, I do not know of USA-based resources for this excellent song. The traditional Scottish tune KELVIN GROVE is well known as the tune for "The Summons". Lyrics (with an alternate tune). Also look here for USA source (thanks Ed!).
Online Resource We love to sound your praises (Winfrey Gillette) New words to the very familiar tune O SACRED HEAD. Lyrics and copyright info.
TiS 668 / AoVK-34 / ATFG587 / NCH569 / CH243 / VU307 / R254 / ELW739 / AA143 / W&R38 / Cha693 / URW189 Touch the earth lightly (Murray) Sings of the redemption of creation and our complicity in its destruction. Sources vary in their set tunes. TiS has a good tune (TENDERNESS) with a nice minor key change to the relative minor for the second verse. Youtube video with all lyrics.
CH240 / W&R37 God in such love for us lent us this planet (Pratt Green) Really excellent lyrics of caring for creation and a reminder that the Earth is God's. Lyrics (scroll down, and enjoy the other harvest songs listed as you do).
AHB 106 / CH238 / CP(E) 257 Lord bring the day to pass (Fraser) Excellent words. Care for the earth. New heavens and earth. Sung to one of my favourite hymn tunes (LOVE UNKNOWN), but other tunes are also listed. Lyrics and a tune sample.
Psalm 14
Doesn't anyone around here believe in what is true?
Emergent Psalter Fools say in their heart "There is no God" (Everett) An excellent, modern refrain which is very singable, and can be sung with a second refrain over the top from Psalm 53. Podcast on this Psalm, including sound sample. Sheet music (refrain only).
GC(II)660 Deliver Us O Lord of Truth (Steumpfle) Very challenging words to a well known American folk tune (LAND OF REST - TiS 324). Lyrics and sheet music sample. Sound sample. "Deliver us, O Lord of Truth, from speech unbacked by deed, from lives that by their faithlessness deny our spoken creed" (don't worry, it gets more positive in the later verses).
VU735 Dear God who loves all humankind (Parry) Simple familiar refrain. It's the first line of the old hymn "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind" with a responsive Psalm setting. This would be a nice way to do the Psalm this week.
TiS 469 This is the truth we hold (Bridge) This is a new one for me. It has very positive words about Christ as our truth through the ages. The tune is also new, but is not difficult, especially if you play it through once before starting to sing this. "This is the truth we hold, source of the joy we share, hope that can make us bold, trusting the name we bear: that "Christ has died" and "Christ is risen, in Christ shall all be made alive".
Exodus 32:7-14 and Psalm 51:1-10 (alternate readings for this week)
Here are previous entries with suggestions for Exodus 32 and Psalm 51.
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Grateful to be chosen
TiS 143 / AHB 80 / NCH1 / CH132 / UMH103 / VU264 / LBW526 / ELW834 / HPP37 / HPSS263 / GC507 / CP(E) 474 / W&R48 Immortal invisible God only wise (St. Denio) Words are mostly inclusive for God's gender, but for the last verse which our congregation usually sings as "Great Father of glory, pure Mother of light". Lyrics, sheet music sample and tune sample here (search for Immortal).
TiS 728 Jesuchristo Reina reina ya! A fun Latin American song. It's particularly fun if someone is brave enough to yell out a "call" at the start of each verse.
ATOK 318 / Iona (SBL) / CH762 / MV036 / WoV788 / SFFS 2033 / URW403 Glory to God / Gloria di dios (Peru) Good fun. Great for kids - call and response. SFFS has a good Trinitarian formula for it. Sheet music. Lyrics and a slightly strange sound sample. Imagine pan pipes.
TiS 773 / ATW 431 / CH760 GA291 / G(II)199 / GC(II)253 / W&R240 / Cha034 / URW380 Glory to God / Gloria Gloria (Taize) The refrain is excellent - joyous, simple, a round. Everything. The verses aren't so fabulous, but it can easily be sung without the verses. Sheet music and sound samples.
Iona (TI1AU) / MV038 Glory to God / Nzamuranza (Mozambique / Matsikenyiri) Simple African call and response song. Great harmonies. Sound sample. A cool video.
MV124 Glory to God in the Highest (Trinidad) A good simple Gloria from the Carribean Conference of Churches.
Luke 15:1-10
The lost sheep and the lost coin are found; cause for celebration!
TiS 179 / NCH273 / VU312 / StJ / URW073 Praise with Joy the World's Creator One of my favourite hymns - strongly Trinitarian lyrics and excellent imagery. Lyrics (scroll down or search).
VU360 / Cha074 A woman and a coin / the coin is lost (Vajda) Very appropriate lyrics, which ask whether we are the lost child or sheep. Tune is a little tricky so will need to be taught. lyrics
TiS 129 / AHB 56 / AoV1-029 / ATA 131 / NCH547 / CH555 / UMH378 / VU266 / LBW448 / ELW779 / GA437 / HPP334 / PH280 / G(II)434 / GC612 / GC(II)586 / CP352 / CP(E) 375 / W&R422 / Cha546 / ZSS202 / Srce25 Amazing grace how sweet the sound (NEW BRITAIN/Newton) I once was lost... I think you all know this one.
TiS 693 / AoV1-031 / GA212 Come as you are that's how I want you (Browne) This song is beautiful, gentle, simple, and very well known. Lyrics here (search for "come as you are"). Slow and mushy sound sample here. I'm trying to track down a USA distributor for this song, but no luck yet.
ATE 284 / VU395 Come in come in and sit down (Manley) This song borders on tacky, but it's very catchy and happy. Good for kids.
Tune In / NCYC 2009: God has laid a feasting table / Invitation (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. Sample and songbook here.
MV020 God of still waiting (Daw) Good words about God waiting for us and the promise brought by the Spirit. Tune is quite beautiful, and will need to be taught at least a little. Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
TiS 233 / AHB 173 / Srce2-319 I will sing the wondrous story (Rowley) I've listed this because it's such an old favourite. The lyrics are a bit turn of the last century, but it's very well loved by older congregations. Caro, this one is for you! Verse 2 is particularly appropriate. I actually quite like the "companion Christ" imagery. Lyrics and tune sample.
ATN 77 / G(II)542 / GC749 O Welcome All You Noble Saints of Old / In Christ There Is a Table Set for All (Stamps) We often sing "We and God at Table are sat down" instead of the original "God and man at table are sat down" from ATN 77, however, the Gather hymnals use "In Christ there is a table set for all" which I also really like! Good for celebration of communion. Lyrics and sheet music sample. Clunky sound sample.
And something extra: A cool youtube stop motion animation of this story. Unfortunately the resolution is not good enough to project it...
God is lamenting Israel's foolishness and the damage done to the earth.
TiS 679 God of Jeremiah grieving (Wren) If you are going to focus on Jeremiah for the next few weeks, this would be a good hymn to learn. Unfortunately, I do not know of USA-based resources for this excellent song. The traditional Scottish tune KELVIN GROVE is well known as the tune for "The Summons". Lyrics (with an alternate tune). Also look here for USA source (thanks Ed!).
Online Resource We love to sound your praises (Winfrey Gillette) New words to the very familiar tune O SACRED HEAD. Lyrics and copyright info.
TiS 668 / AoVK-34 / ATFG587 / NCH569 / CH243 / VU307 / R254 / ELW739 / AA143 / W&R38 / Cha693 / URW189 Touch the earth lightly (Murray) Sings of the redemption of creation and our complicity in its destruction. Sources vary in their set tunes. TiS has a good tune (TENDERNESS) with a nice minor key change to the relative minor for the second verse. Youtube video with all lyrics.
CH240 / W&R37 God in such love for us lent us this planet (Pratt Green) Really excellent lyrics of caring for creation and a reminder that the Earth is God's. Lyrics (scroll down, and enjoy the other harvest songs listed as you do).
AHB 106 / CH238 / CP(E) 257 Lord bring the day to pass (Fraser) Excellent words. Care for the earth. New heavens and earth. Sung to one of my favourite hymn tunes (LOVE UNKNOWN), but other tunes are also listed. Lyrics and a tune sample.
Psalm 14
Doesn't anyone around here believe in what is true?
Emergent Psalter Fools say in their heart "There is no God" (Everett) An excellent, modern refrain which is very singable, and can be sung with a second refrain over the top from Psalm 53. Podcast on this Psalm, including sound sample. Sheet music (refrain only).
GC(II)660 Deliver Us O Lord of Truth (Steumpfle) Very challenging words to a well known American folk tune (LAND OF REST - TiS 324). Lyrics and sheet music sample. Sound sample. "Deliver us, O Lord of Truth, from speech unbacked by deed, from lives that by their faithlessness deny our spoken creed" (don't worry, it gets more positive in the later verses).
VU735 Dear God who loves all humankind (Parry) Simple familiar refrain. It's the first line of the old hymn "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind" with a responsive Psalm setting. This would be a nice way to do the Psalm this week.
TiS 469 This is the truth we hold (Bridge) This is a new one for me. It has very positive words about Christ as our truth through the ages. The tune is also new, but is not difficult, especially if you play it through once before starting to sing this. "This is the truth we hold, source of the joy we share, hope that can make us bold, trusting the name we bear: that "Christ has died" and "Christ is risen, in Christ shall all be made alive".
Exodus 32:7-14 and Psalm 51:1-10 (alternate readings for this week)
Here are previous entries with suggestions for Exodus 32 and Psalm 51.
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Grateful to be chosen
TiS 143 / AHB 80 / NCH1 / CH132 / UMH103 / VU264 / LBW526 / ELW834 / HPP37 / HPSS263 / GC507 / CP(E) 474 / W&R48 Immortal invisible God only wise (St. Denio) Words are mostly inclusive for God's gender, but for the last verse which our congregation usually sings as "Great Father of glory, pure Mother of light". Lyrics, sheet music sample and tune sample here (search for Immortal).
TiS 728 Jesuchristo Reina reina ya! A fun Latin American song. It's particularly fun if someone is brave enough to yell out a "call" at the start of each verse.
ATOK 318 / Iona (SBL) / CH762 / MV036 / WoV788 / SFFS 2033 / URW403 Glory to God / Gloria di dios (Peru) Good fun. Great for kids - call and response. SFFS has a good Trinitarian formula for it. Sheet music. Lyrics and a slightly strange sound sample. Imagine pan pipes.
TiS 773 / ATW 431 / CH760 GA291 / G(II)199 / GC(II)253 / W&R240 / Cha034 / URW380 Glory to God / Gloria Gloria (Taize) The refrain is excellent - joyous, simple, a round. Everything. The verses aren't so fabulous, but it can easily be sung without the verses. Sheet music and sound samples.
Iona (TI1AU) / MV038 Glory to God / Nzamuranza (Mozambique / Matsikenyiri) Simple African call and response song. Great harmonies. Sound sample. A cool video.
MV124 Glory to God in the Highest (Trinidad) A good simple Gloria from the Carribean Conference of Churches.
Luke 15:1-10
The lost sheep and the lost coin are found; cause for celebration!
TiS 179 / NCH273 / VU312 / StJ / URW073 Praise with Joy the World's Creator One of my favourite hymns - strongly Trinitarian lyrics and excellent imagery. Lyrics (scroll down or search).
VU360 / Cha074 A woman and a coin / the coin is lost (Vajda) Very appropriate lyrics, which ask whether we are the lost child or sheep. Tune is a little tricky so will need to be taught. lyrics
TiS 129 / AHB 56 / AoV1-029 / ATA 131 / NCH547 / CH555 / UMH378 / VU266 / LBW448 / ELW779 / GA437 / HPP334 / PH280 / G(II)434 / GC612 / GC(II)586 / CP352 / CP(E) 375 / W&R422 / Cha546 / ZSS202 / Srce25 Amazing grace how sweet the sound (NEW BRITAIN/Newton) I once was lost... I think you all know this one.
TiS 693 / AoV1-031 / GA212 Come as you are that's how I want you (Browne) This song is beautiful, gentle, simple, and very well known. Lyrics here (search for "come as you are"). Slow and mushy sound sample here. I'm trying to track down a USA distributor for this song, but no luck yet.
ATE 284 / VU395 Come in come in and sit down (Manley) This song borders on tacky, but it's very catchy and happy. Good for kids.
Tune In / NCYC 2009: God has laid a feasting table / Invitation (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. Sample and songbook here.
MV020 God of still waiting (Daw) Good words about God waiting for us and the promise brought by the Spirit. Tune is quite beautiful, and will need to be taught at least a little. Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
TiS 233 / AHB 173 / Srce2-319 I will sing the wondrous story (Rowley) I've listed this because it's such an old favourite. The lyrics are a bit turn of the last century, but it's very well loved by older congregations. Caro, this one is for you! Verse 2 is particularly appropriate. I actually quite like the "companion Christ" imagery. Lyrics and tune sample.
ATN 77 / G(II)542 / GC749 O Welcome All You Noble Saints of Old / In Christ There Is a Table Set for All (Stamps) We often sing "We and God at Table are sat down" instead of the original "God and man at table are sat down" from ATN 77, however, the Gather hymnals use "In Christ there is a table set for all" which I also really like! Good for celebration of communion. Lyrics and sheet music sample. Clunky sound sample.
And something extra: A cool youtube stop motion animation of this story. Unfortunately the resolution is not good enough to project it...
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Songs and Hymns for Proper 18C / Ordinary 23C / Pentecost +15 (September 5th 2010)
Jeremiah 18:1-11
God as the potter who can break down Israel; it's quite a threatening image. Repentence called for.
Tune In / NCYC '07: Forgive us now (Brown). “As we forgive may we be healed, as we reach out….” An excellent ballad seeking forgiveness in a sinful world. Lyrics and sound sample.
Brunswick UCA New Songs: Broken (Loukes) This simple song would fit well this week as it talks about being broken (like that pot!) and leads into communion, which we'll be celebrating. It's probably not too hard to be sung the first time, particularly if the congregation are just invited to join in the chorus.
Online Resource We are clay (Harding) A simple chorus which could be used prayerfully or in an upbeat style. Sound sample and PDF for download.
NCH263 / UMH539 O Spirit of the living God (Tweedy) Excellent words of hope for a church that needs to turn to God and do things right. The tune in NCH (ST MATTHEW) is not one I'm familiar with, but it's pretty straightforward. UMH uses FOREST GREEN which is much better konwn. Lyrics and sound sample.
Iona (Sent By the Lord) / MV066 Senzenina? / What have we done? (South African) This beautiful chant from South Africa asks the question that we often ask when things go wrong beyond belief. It's important to know what the song means when singing it. If you have some part-singers in your congregation, this would be particularly good. It's good to let people ask this question. It is also on the soundtrack for "The Power of One" so you could also play the recorded music if appropriate. Free sheet music (loads a pdf).
ATOK 354 / ELW801 / W&R373 / ZSS178 / Srce95 Change my heart O God (Espinosa) An old and familiar slightly mushy favourite. I'm not really sure that it goes with the emotion of the Jeremiah reading, but it's an image you may want to work with. Lyrics and chords.
CH252 / VU578 / GA481 / SFFS 2237 / G(II)471 / GC663 / GC(II)643 / W&R551 As a Fire Is Meant for Burning (Duck) Excellent lyrics of unity across all nations set to the familiar tune BEACH SPRING. Lyrics.
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
God's intimate knowledge of us
AoV2-031 / ATW 424 / CH97 / GC(II)509 O God, you search me and you know me (Farrell). My favourite version of this Psalm. The tune flows effortlessly and it has a nice little hook at the end of each verse. Sample music and lyrics here.
NCH Psalter has a very simple refrain for this Psalm from Jane Marshall, which is worth a look.
TIS 605 I am alone, yet not alone. This hymn has very beautiful words, but is not very well known. The traditional style tune is not hard, but will probably need to be taught as the metre is unusual.
TiS 87 / VU862 / HPPS248 You are before me, Lord, you are behind. A beautiful chant setting to this psalm; sung to SURSUM CORDA. The words are directly from the Psalm and are very beautiful. lyrics.
ATOK 320 / NCH351 / VU645 / StJ / WoV770 / ELW732 / SFFS 2051 / HPP516 I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry. A song of God’s presence in all stages of life. Very simple tune to sing. Lyrics, and a nice (slow) sound sample.
Worldmaking.net God of My Breathing (Bruxvoort-Colligan). Excellent words to a well-known hymn tune. Sample and lyrics.
MV 131 You, Creator God, have searched me (Mulrain) Get out the maracas for this one! This joyous calypso chorus for this Psalm is so refreshing. I think it’s really good fun, and very catchy!
ATW 487 Make your home in me A simple beautiful invitation. Written by Melbourne songwriter and teacher, Fay White. “If you fly to the point of the day’s sunrise or westward across the sea, if you travel to the uttermost ends of the earth, there I will be; Make your home in me as I make my home in you. I am everywhere that you can be. Make your home in me”. This is quite different to the Vineyard / Josh Young version you can find all over the internet. I can't find a sample of this one, unfortunately.
ATW 423 Examine my heart, explore my mind (Mann). This is a bit tricky, but if familiar to your congregation would be great to sing. Lyrics.
Linnea Good: Psalm 139: Where Can I Go? “Where can I hide from your Spirit? Where can I run from your presence? Where can I go, when you are always there?” A simple refrain.
TiS 725 / ATE 275 / TiS 725 / AoV2-167 / ATE 275 / StJ / GA538 / G(II)553 / GC763 / In our darkness there is no darkness in your sight, the deepest night is clear as the daylight. (La tenebre). Also translated as "Our darkness is never darkness"). Sample music and lyrics.
VU384 / SFFS 2052 / HPP229 / HPSS320 The Lone Wild Bird in lofty flight (Haugen / PROSPECT) Familiar tune and excellent words. First 3 verses and tune sample.
NCH274 / SFFS 2046 / CP390 Womb of Life and source of being (Duck / LADUE CHAPEL) Excellent words. The tune is unlikely to be familiar, and is just a little bit tricky.
AoV2-079 / GA081 How Rich Are The Depths (Willcock) A good Cantor and refrain version of the Psalm.
ATFG511 There are lots of things that I can do / I'm the only one like me (Kirkland) OK. Adults think this is stupid. Little kids like it a lot. So it's a good song if you want to teach something to your sunday school class.
Philemon 1:1-21
Paul's words of greetings and words on Onesimus' return, no longer a slave.
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. Great for kids, too. "Jesus taught us how to be a family..."
CH348 / StS001 / LBW196 / ELW544 / CP397 / W&R93 Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness (Edwards) Good words of Christ's ministry to all. Can be sung to the familiar tune NETTLETON, or the less familiar and very lovely tune JOEL. Lyrics.
AoV1-130 / NCH444 / SFFS 2223 / HPP495 / G(II)533 / GC735 / GC(II)728 / We are one in the Spirit / They’ll know we are Christians by our love A classic 60's song of unity and being an example to others. It's still pretty groovy, I reckon. We often syncopate it a bit at Brunswick. Lyrics and chords here.
AoVK-21 Weave one heart (Haugen) Excellent song, with call and response verses "many colours woven into one"
Luke 14:25-33
In case you didn't hear him the first time, the gospel writer is reminding you that Jesus told his followers to give up their possessions.
NCH590 / CH621 Spirit of Jesus, if I love my neighbour. 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.
Taize / TiS 739 / AoV2-041 / ATOK 404 / VU290 / GA269 / SFFS 2054 / G(II)451 / GC639 / GC(II)626 / CP568 / W&R421 / URW388 Nothing Can Trouble / Nada te turbe (Berthier) Excellent and quite well known Taize chant. Spanish lyrics are not too hard for non-Spanish speakers. Sheet music, sound samples, lyrics and translations.
NCH562 / AA127 / Cha381 Take my gifts and let me love you (Murray) 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. A good offering song. Lyrics.
TiS 583 / AHB 496 / NCH204 / CH402 / UMH415 / VU561 / LBW398 / ELW667 / PH393 / GC698 / GC(II)690 / CP431 / CP(E) 582 / W&R351 Take up thy cross the Savior said (Everest) I don't actually like this hymn, mainly because I don't know it very well, but lots of other people do. Some versions are quite masculine in their language, but TiS, NCH, Gather hymnals and others are OK. Lyrics with one of many possible tunes (not the TiS tune).
NCYC ’95 We will love / We will walk with you at the edges. 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.
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 Will you come and follow me / The Summons (Iona / KELVINGROVE) A classic, but it has been overdone sometimes. Don't sing it too slowly or it really drags and takes forever!
God as the potter who can break down Israel; it's quite a threatening image. Repentence called for.
Tune In / NCYC '07: Forgive us now (Brown). “As we forgive may we be healed, as we reach out….” An excellent ballad seeking forgiveness in a sinful world. Lyrics and sound sample.
Brunswick UCA New Songs: Broken (Loukes) This simple song would fit well this week as it talks about being broken (like that pot!) and leads into communion, which we'll be celebrating. It's probably not too hard to be sung the first time, particularly if the congregation are just invited to join in the chorus.
Online Resource We are clay (Harding) A simple chorus which could be used prayerfully or in an upbeat style. Sound sample and PDF for download.
NCH263 / UMH539 O Spirit of the living God (Tweedy) Excellent words of hope for a church that needs to turn to God and do things right. The tune in NCH (ST MATTHEW) is not one I'm familiar with, but it's pretty straightforward. UMH uses FOREST GREEN which is much better konwn. Lyrics and sound sample.
Iona (Sent By the Lord) / MV066 Senzenina? / What have we done? (South African) This beautiful chant from South Africa asks the question that we often ask when things go wrong beyond belief. It's important to know what the song means when singing it. If you have some part-singers in your congregation, this would be particularly good. It's good to let people ask this question. It is also on the soundtrack for "The Power of One" so you could also play the recorded music if appropriate. Free sheet music (loads a pdf).
ATOK 354 / ELW801 / W&R373 / ZSS178 / Srce95 Change my heart O God (Espinosa) An old and familiar slightly mushy favourite. I'm not really sure that it goes with the emotion of the Jeremiah reading, but it's an image you may want to work with. Lyrics and chords.
CH252 / VU578 / GA481 / SFFS 2237 / G(II)471 / GC663 / GC(II)643 / W&R551 As a Fire Is Meant for Burning (Duck) Excellent lyrics of unity across all nations set to the familiar tune BEACH SPRING. Lyrics.
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
God's intimate knowledge of us
AoV2-031 / ATW 424 / CH97 / GC(II)509 O God, you search me and you know me (Farrell). My favourite version of this Psalm. The tune flows effortlessly and it has a nice little hook at the end of each verse. Sample music and lyrics here.
NCH Psalter has a very simple refrain for this Psalm from Jane Marshall, which is worth a look.
TIS 605 I am alone, yet not alone. This hymn has very beautiful words, but is not very well known. The traditional style tune is not hard, but will probably need to be taught as the metre is unusual.
TiS 87 / VU862 / HPPS248 You are before me, Lord, you are behind. A beautiful chant setting to this psalm; sung to SURSUM CORDA. The words are directly from the Psalm and are very beautiful. lyrics.
ATOK 320 / NCH351 / VU645 / StJ / WoV770 / ELW732 / SFFS 2051 / HPP516 I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry. A song of God’s presence in all stages of life. Very simple tune to sing. Lyrics, and a nice (slow) sound sample.
Worldmaking.net God of My Breathing (Bruxvoort-Colligan). Excellent words to a well-known hymn tune. Sample and lyrics.
MV 131 You, Creator God, have searched me (Mulrain) Get out the maracas for this one! This joyous calypso chorus for this Psalm is so refreshing. I think it’s really good fun, and very catchy!
ATW 487 Make your home in me A simple beautiful invitation. Written by Melbourne songwriter and teacher, Fay White. “If you fly to the point of the day’s sunrise or westward across the sea, if you travel to the uttermost ends of the earth, there I will be; Make your home in me as I make my home in you. I am everywhere that you can be. Make your home in me”. This is quite different to the Vineyard / Josh Young version you can find all over the internet. I can't find a sample of this one, unfortunately.
ATW 423 Examine my heart, explore my mind (Mann). This is a bit tricky, but if familiar to your congregation would be great to sing. Lyrics.
Linnea Good: Psalm 139: Where Can I Go? “Where can I hide from your Spirit? Where can I run from your presence? Where can I go, when you are always there?” A simple refrain.
TiS 725 / ATE 275 / TiS 725 / AoV2-167 / ATE 275 / StJ / GA538 / G(II)553 / GC763 / In our darkness there is no darkness in your sight, the deepest night is clear as the daylight. (La tenebre). Also translated as "Our darkness is never darkness"). Sample music and lyrics.
VU384 / SFFS 2052 / HPP229 / HPSS320 The Lone Wild Bird in lofty flight (Haugen / PROSPECT) Familiar tune and excellent words. First 3 verses and tune sample.
NCH274 / SFFS 2046 / CP390 Womb of Life and source of being (Duck / LADUE CHAPEL) Excellent words. The tune is unlikely to be familiar, and is just a little bit tricky.
AoV2-079 / GA081 How Rich Are The Depths (Willcock) A good Cantor and refrain version of the Psalm.
ATFG511 There are lots of things that I can do / I'm the only one like me (Kirkland) OK. Adults think this is stupid. Little kids like it a lot. So it's a good song if you want to teach something to your sunday school class.
Philemon 1:1-21
Paul's words of greetings and words on Onesimus' return, no longer a slave.
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. Great for kids, too. "Jesus taught us how to be a family..."
CH348 / StS001 / LBW196 / ELW544 / CP397 / W&R93 Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness (Edwards) Good words of Christ's ministry to all. Can be sung to the familiar tune NETTLETON, or the less familiar and very lovely tune JOEL. Lyrics.
AoV1-130 / NCH444 / SFFS 2223 / HPP495 / G(II)533 / GC735 / GC(II)728 / We are one in the Spirit / They’ll know we are Christians by our love A classic 60's song of unity and being an example to others. It's still pretty groovy, I reckon. We often syncopate it a bit at Brunswick. Lyrics and chords here.
AoVK-21 Weave one heart (Haugen) Excellent song, with call and response verses "many colours woven into one"
Luke 14:25-33
In case you didn't hear him the first time, the gospel writer is reminding you that Jesus told his followers to give up their possessions.
NCH590 / CH621 Spirit of Jesus, if I love my neighbour. 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.
Taize / TiS 739 / AoV2-041 / ATOK 404 / VU290 / GA269 / SFFS 2054 / G(II)451 / GC639 / GC(II)626 / CP568 / W&R421 / URW388 Nothing Can Trouble / Nada te turbe (Berthier) Excellent and quite well known Taize chant. Spanish lyrics are not too hard for non-Spanish speakers. Sheet music, sound samples, lyrics and translations.
NCH562 / AA127 / Cha381 Take my gifts and let me love you (Murray) 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. A good offering song. Lyrics.
TiS 583 / AHB 496 / NCH204 / CH402 / UMH415 / VU561 / LBW398 / ELW667 / PH393 / GC698 / GC(II)690 / CP431 / CP(E) 582 / W&R351 Take up thy cross the Savior said (Everest) I don't actually like this hymn, mainly because I don't know it very well, but lots of other people do. Some versions are quite masculine in their language, but TiS, NCH, Gather hymnals and others are OK. Lyrics with one of many possible tunes (not the TiS tune).
NCYC ’95 We will love / We will walk with you at the edges. 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.
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 Will you come and follow me / The Summons (Iona / KELVINGROVE) A classic, but it has been overdone sometimes. Don't sing it too slowly or it really drags and takes forever!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Songs and Hymns for Proper 17C / Ordinary 22C / Pentecost +14 (August 29th 2010)
Jeremiah 2:4-13
God is forsaken by the Israelites and grieves. See also the songs suggested for the Psalm.
TiS 679 God of Jeremiah grieving (Wren) If you are going to focus on Jeremiah for the next few weeks, this would be a good hymn to learn. Unfortunately, I do not know of USA-based resources for this excellent song. The traditional Scottish tune KELVIN GROVE is well known as the tune for "The Summons". Lyrics (with an alternate tune).
ATOK 322 / HSNW Lord where have we left you (Iona) This song, sung to a simple tune, is about leaving Christ behind at Christmas, so I'm merging the Hebrew Scriptures with the gospel, but I think it's a direction that you could take.
Tune In / NCYC '07: Forgive us now (Brown). “As we forgive may we be healed, as we reach out….” An excellent ballad. Lyrics and sound sample.
Online Resource We love to sound your praises (Winfrey Gillette) New words to the very familiar tune O SACRED HEAD. Lyrics and copyright info.
Tune In: Our God who weeps (Kate Scull) Very simple folk-like tune and challenging and hopeful lyrics. "When death has taken those held dear"... Reference recording, lyrics and songbook available here.
MV78 / CH168 / FFS30 / SFFS 2048 God weeps at love withheld. Pretty full-on lyrics of lamentation, that some may find difficult to sing simply because of the horrors it names. In the context of this story, I think this is okay. Lyrics can be found here (search for "God weeps"). For the service this links to, they imaginatively used the words as a responsive prayer. Nice idea.
Psalm 81:1, 10-16
God provided Israel with everything, but they didn't listen; God still offers finest wheat and honey from the rock.
Emergent Psalter I hear a voice I had not known (Everett) A simple bluesy refrain.
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 (Schutte). "Finest wheat I will provide..." Song of God searching for us. Very slow sound sample. Lyrics and sample sheet music.
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
Lots of good advice on hospitality, relationships, doing good, praising continously, Christ's constancy - some of the songs listed for the Gospel reading would also work.
ATOK 412 / Iona (SBL, Common Ground) / CH250 / MV212 / SFFS 2184 Sent by the Lord am I / Sent out in Jesus name / Enviado soy de Dios (Traditional Cuban) Great rhythm, good words and not too hard to sing (provided you sing it a little slowly the first time!) I prefer the MV translation "Sent out in Jesus' name, my hands are ready now". Music sample (click on "preview").
Iona / AoV2-070 / ATW 496 / MV090 / StJ Don't be afraid (Bell) Excellent song, especially if you are able to bring in some of the harmonies written for it. Sound sample (gives you a hint for how it could be used in intercessions).
TiS 137 / AHB 77 / AoV1-123 / NCH28 / CH181 / UMH92 / VU226 / LBW561 / ELW879 / GA427 / HPP259 / HPSS473 / GC572 / GC(II)548 / RS697 / CP429 / CP(E) 253 / W&R40 / Cha56 For the beauty of the earth (Pierpont) "Christ our God to thee we raise this our sacrifice of praise". Sources vary in how inclusive this hymn is, so check. NCH is fully inclusive. The two most common tunes are probably DIX (TiS 314) and LUCERNA LAUDONIAE. I prefer DIX. Lyrics (including some more obscure verses) and tune samples here.
Iona (TI1AU) / MV038 Glory to God / Nzamuranza (Mozambique / Matsikenyiri) Simple African call and response song. Great harmonies. Sound sample. A cool video.
NCH565 / LBW408 / ELW678 / PH422 / CP601 / W&R572 / Cha606 / URW091 God whose giving knows no ending (Edwards) Excellent 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.
ATN 18 / NCH552 From the crush of wealth and power (Gibbons) Good words about stepping out with courage to help those in pain and "bind all their wounds again". Well known tune (BRIDEGROOM). Lyrics (scroll down).
ATOK 390 Put on love every day, never hide your love away. A groovy song for kids!
TiS 640 / AHB 561 / ATE 310 / NCH498 / UMH432 / VU593 / WoV765 / ELW708 / HPP446 / HPPS367 / G(II)296 / GC409 / GC(II)429 Kneels at the feet of his friends / Jesu, Jesu, Fill us with your love.
TiS 629 / AHB 558 / AoV2-136 / ATA 197 / CH544 / VU600 When I needed a neighbor were you there (Carter) A classic folk church song. Well known and fits well with this theme. My son has been singing this a lot since we last sang it. Obviously it's catchy. "And the creed and the colour and the name won't matter"... Lyrics.
W&R104 / URW102 Hidden Christ Alive for Ever (Wren) Wonderful and inspiring words of Christ in all things. Can be sung to HYFRYDOL or HOLY MANNA, so would be easily sung by most congregations. A good song for just after the sermon. Lyrics in this article (downloads a pdf) - search for "orbits" to find the lyrics.
CH656 / VU477 / PH507 / CP060 / CP(E) 305 / W&R706 / Cha420 / URW120 I come with joy a child of God (Wren) A good and jubilant communion hymn.
TiS 623 Lord Christ true peace of all above (Moore) A lovely, simple inclusive song. The tune will probably need to be taught.
R137 / ELW341 / SFFS 2187 / G(II)549 / GC759 / GC(II)752 / W&R627 / Cha471 Now it is evening / At 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. Mostly makes sense for evening services only, but maybe it could work in the morning…?
TiS 595 / AHB 514 / NCH493 / CH644 / UMH396 / VU120 / LBW220 / ELW541 / HPP367 / PH388/389 / CP438 / CP(E) 538 / W&R458 / Cha612 / Srce516 O Jesus I have promised (Bode) Lots of different tunes. An oldy but a goody. Lyrics (scroll right down).
TiS 468 / NCH309 / PH436 We are your people Spirit of grace (Wren) I really like the lyrics to this one. The tune is a bit funny and the hymn is quite long - needs something to stop people plodding through it. Lyrics.
TiS 227 / AHB 151 / NCH86 / UMH185 / VU339 / LBW546 / ELW853 / HPP60 / PH487 / CP002 / CP(E) 619 / W&R111 / Cha100 / Srce2-656 / URW184 When morning gilds the skies (German hymn) Good old words. Lyrics and sound sample.
TiS 650 / AoV2-169 / ATA 191 / CH694 / VU595 / ELW659 / AA08 / SFFS 2222 / HPP442 / G(II)476 / GC683 / GC(II)661 Brother, sister, let me serve you. I think you all know this one.
Luke 14:1, 7-14
Christ's new rules of hospitality
ATW 475 Come to the banquet there’s a place for you. An excellent song by Melbourne singer and songwriter Faye White. "Though you maybe have no money, though you maybe feel unworthy, in your strength and in your weakness you are welcome, come."
TiS 474 / AoV1-012 / ATE 295 / CH623 / SFFS 2236 / HPP553 / G(II)539 / GC839 / GC(II)743 / CP465 / W&R649 / Cha284 / URW054 Here in this place new light is streaming / Gather us in (Haugen) Excellent. Surely everyone knows how great this song is. Sample here.
G(II)632 / GC869 As for me and my house / We Will Serve the Lord (Haas) Quite nice song of hospitality and serving all people as guests. Clunky sound sample. Sheet music and lyrics.
Tune In: Community (Brown) A song about being welcomed and part of a community. Sound sample and lyrics. "a glass of water shared with the thirsty".
CH763 / MV193 God bless to us our bread (Traditional Argentinian) A lovely simple grace for meals and for communion. More Voices has Spanish and French lyrics as well as English. "God bless to us our bread, and give bread to all those who are hungry, and hunger for justice to those who are fed. God bless to us our bread". This would be very appropriate if you are celebrating communion or a shared meal this week.
ATE 284 / VU395 Come in come in and sit down (Manley) This song borders on tacky, but it's very catchy and happy. Good for kids.
Tune In: Community (Brown) A song about being welcomed, welcoming strangers, and working as part of a community. Sound sample and lyrics.
TiS 686 / ATE 292 Lord Jesus we belong to you / Because we bear your name (Robin Mann). A straightforward and practical song asking God to help us to follow Christ well, with a refrain of "because we bear your name". Lyrics.
TiS 650 / AoV2-169 / ATA 191 / CH694 / VU595 / ELW659 / AA08 / SFFS 2222 / HPP442 / G(II)476 / GC683 / GC(II)661 Brother, sister, let me serve you. I think you all know this one.
God is forsaken by the Israelites and grieves. See also the songs suggested for the Psalm.
TiS 679 God of Jeremiah grieving (Wren) If you are going to focus on Jeremiah for the next few weeks, this would be a good hymn to learn. Unfortunately, I do not know of USA-based resources for this excellent song. The traditional Scottish tune KELVIN GROVE is well known as the tune for "The Summons". Lyrics (with an alternate tune).
ATOK 322 / HSNW Lord where have we left you (Iona) This song, sung to a simple tune, is about leaving Christ behind at Christmas, so I'm merging the Hebrew Scriptures with the gospel, but I think it's a direction that you could take.
Tune In / NCYC '07: Forgive us now (Brown). “As we forgive may we be healed, as we reach out….” An excellent ballad. Lyrics and sound sample.
Online Resource We love to sound your praises (Winfrey Gillette) New words to the very familiar tune O SACRED HEAD. Lyrics and copyright info.
Tune In: Our God who weeps (Kate Scull) Very simple folk-like tune and challenging and hopeful lyrics. "When death has taken those held dear"... Reference recording, lyrics and songbook available here.
MV78 / CH168 / FFS30 / SFFS 2048 God weeps at love withheld. Pretty full-on lyrics of lamentation, that some may find difficult to sing simply because of the horrors it names. In the context of this story, I think this is okay. Lyrics can be found here (search for "God weeps"). For the service this links to, they imaginatively used the words as a responsive prayer. Nice idea.
Psalm 81:1, 10-16
God provided Israel with everything, but they didn't listen; God still offers finest wheat and honey from the rock.
Emergent Psalter I hear a voice I had not known (Everett) A simple bluesy refrain.
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 (Schutte). "Finest wheat I will provide..." Song of God searching for us. Very slow sound sample. Lyrics and sample sheet music.
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
Lots of good advice on hospitality, relationships, doing good, praising continously, Christ's constancy - some of the songs listed for the Gospel reading would also work.
ATOK 412 / Iona (SBL, Common Ground) / CH250 / MV212 / SFFS 2184 Sent by the Lord am I / Sent out in Jesus name / Enviado soy de Dios (Traditional Cuban) Great rhythm, good words and not too hard to sing (provided you sing it a little slowly the first time!) I prefer the MV translation "Sent out in Jesus' name, my hands are ready now". Music sample (click on "preview").
Iona / AoV2-070 / ATW 496 / MV090 / StJ Don't be afraid (Bell) Excellent song, especially if you are able to bring in some of the harmonies written for it. Sound sample (gives you a hint for how it could be used in intercessions).
TiS 137 / AHB 77 / AoV1-123 / NCH28 / CH181 / UMH92 / VU226 / LBW561 / ELW879 / GA427 / HPP259 / HPSS473 / GC572 / GC(II)548 / RS697 / CP429 / CP(E) 253 / W&R40 / Cha56 For the beauty of the earth (Pierpont) "Christ our God to thee we raise this our sacrifice of praise". Sources vary in how inclusive this hymn is, so check. NCH is fully inclusive. The two most common tunes are probably DIX (TiS 314) and LUCERNA LAUDONIAE. I prefer DIX. Lyrics (including some more obscure verses) and tune samples here.
Iona (TI1AU) / MV038 Glory to God / Nzamuranza (Mozambique / Matsikenyiri) Simple African call and response song. Great harmonies. Sound sample. A cool video.
NCH565 / LBW408 / ELW678 / PH422 / CP601 / W&R572 / Cha606 / URW091 God whose giving knows no ending (Edwards) Excellent 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.
ATN 18 / NCH552 From the crush of wealth and power (Gibbons) Good words about stepping out with courage to help those in pain and "bind all their wounds again". Well known tune (BRIDEGROOM). Lyrics (scroll down).
ATOK 390 Put on love every day, never hide your love away. A groovy song for kids!
TiS 640 / AHB 561 / ATE 310 / NCH498 / UMH432 / VU593 / WoV765 / ELW708 / HPP446 / HPPS367 / G(II)296 / GC409 / GC(II)429 Kneels at the feet of his friends / Jesu, Jesu, Fill us with your love.
TiS 629 / AHB 558 / AoV2-136 / ATA 197 / CH544 / VU600 When I needed a neighbor were you there (Carter) A classic folk church song. Well known and fits well with this theme. My son has been singing this a lot since we last sang it. Obviously it's catchy. "And the creed and the colour and the name won't matter"... Lyrics.
W&R104 / URW102 Hidden Christ Alive for Ever (Wren) Wonderful and inspiring words of Christ in all things. Can be sung to HYFRYDOL or HOLY MANNA, so would be easily sung by most congregations. A good song for just after the sermon. Lyrics in this article (downloads a pdf) - search for "orbits" to find the lyrics.
CH656 / VU477 / PH507 / CP060 / CP(E) 305 / W&R706 / Cha420 / URW120 I come with joy a child of God (Wren) A good and jubilant communion hymn.
TiS 623 Lord Christ true peace of all above (Moore) A lovely, simple inclusive song. The tune will probably need to be taught.
R137 / ELW341 / SFFS 2187 / G(II)549 / GC759 / GC(II)752 / W&R627 / Cha471 Now it is evening / At 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. Mostly makes sense for evening services only, but maybe it could work in the morning…?
TiS 595 / AHB 514 / NCH493 / CH644 / UMH396 / VU120 / LBW220 / ELW541 / HPP367 / PH388/389 / CP438 / CP(E) 538 / W&R458 / Cha612 / Srce516 O Jesus I have promised (Bode) Lots of different tunes. An oldy but a goody. Lyrics (scroll right down).
TiS 468 / NCH309 / PH436 We are your people Spirit of grace (Wren) I really like the lyrics to this one. The tune is a bit funny and the hymn is quite long - needs something to stop people plodding through it. Lyrics.
TiS 227 / AHB 151 / NCH86 / UMH185 / VU339 / LBW546 / ELW853 / HPP60 / PH487 / CP002 / CP(E) 619 / W&R111 / Cha100 / Srce2-656 / URW184 When morning gilds the skies (German hymn) Good old words. Lyrics and sound sample.
TiS 650 / AoV2-169 / ATA 191 / CH694 / VU595 / ELW659 / AA08 / SFFS 2222 / HPP442 / G(II)476 / GC683 / GC(II)661 Brother, sister, let me serve you. I think you all know this one.
Luke 14:1, 7-14
Christ's new rules of hospitality
ATW 475 Come to the banquet there’s a place for you. An excellent song by Melbourne singer and songwriter Faye White. "Though you maybe have no money, though you maybe feel unworthy, in your strength and in your weakness you are welcome, come."
TiS 474 / AoV1-012 / ATE 295 / CH623 / SFFS 2236 / HPP553 / G(II)539 / GC839 / GC(II)743 / CP465 / W&R649 / Cha284 / URW054 Here in this place new light is streaming / Gather us in (Haugen) Excellent. Surely everyone knows how great this song is. Sample here.
G(II)632 / GC869 As for me and my house / We Will Serve the Lord (Haas) Quite nice song of hospitality and serving all people as guests. Clunky sound sample. Sheet music and lyrics.
Tune In: Community (Brown) A song about being welcomed and part of a community. Sound sample and lyrics. "a glass of water shared with the thirsty".
CH763 / MV193 God bless to us our bread (Traditional Argentinian) A lovely simple grace for meals and for communion. More Voices has Spanish and French lyrics as well as English. "God bless to us our bread, and give bread to all those who are hungry, and hunger for justice to those who are fed. God bless to us our bread". This would be very appropriate if you are celebrating communion or a shared meal this week.
ATE 284 / VU395 Come in come in and sit down (Manley) This song borders on tacky, but it's very catchy and happy. Good for kids.
Tune In: Community (Brown) A song about being welcomed, welcoming strangers, and working as part of a community. Sound sample and lyrics.
TiS 686 / ATE 292 Lord Jesus we belong to you / Because we bear your name (Robin Mann). A straightforward and practical song asking God to help us to follow Christ well, with a refrain of "because we bear your name". Lyrics.
TiS 650 / AoV2-169 / ATA 191 / CH694 / VU595 / ELW659 / AA08 / SFFS 2222 / HPP442 / G(II)476 / GC683 / GC(II)661 Brother, sister, let me serve you. I think you all know this one.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)