Songs for Ordinations and Commissionings

Songs for those being commissioned into special service / ordinations / inductions:

• Online Resource Made in God's image / We are God's Children (David Busch) Excellent words to the familiar tune BUNESSAN. The words are so welcoming of all, and would be easy for visitors to the congregation to sing. It also has a verse that makes it useful for Commissionings and Ordinations too. Lyrics. New words to old tunes. 
  
• NCH357 / CH680 / G(II)487 / GC680 / GC(II)675 You are called to tell the story (Ruth Duck) This ordination-specific song can be sung to a range of tunes. It is a song from the congregation to the ordinand. Lyric video.
  
• NCH355 / UMH648 / VU514 / PH523 / W&R149 / Cha450 God the Spirit guide and guardian (Carl Daw) Suitable for Ordination or Commissioning. Excellent, inclusive Trinitarian lyrics of God's guidance and blessing on leaders in the church community. Set to a variety of well known hymn tunes including HYFRYDOL (my favourite!). Lyrics. New words to old tunes. 
  
• CH677 / AA069 / CP299 / SP159 In the name of Christ we gather (Shirley Murray) Quite formal words for an ordination of a Minister of the Word; a range of tunes are possible. Sound sample. New words to old tunes. 
• NCH356 God who summons through all ages (Edith Sinclair Downing) An ordination song. Includes men and women - a very personalised hymn for ministry and for an individual.
• Online Resource Called and gifted for Christ's service (David Bjorlin) Excellent words sung to ODE TO JOY so easy for everyone to sing with passion! Sheet music and lyrics sample, purchasing options.
  
• ATFG589 / NCYC'99 / VU298 When you Walk From here (Linnea Good) A simple benediction, that would be appropriate for a commissioning. Lyrics.
  
• Online Resource For all who craft their words with skill (David Bjorlin) A song originally written to farewell a beloved pastor, but it would also work well to welcome one! Set to the familiar tune RESIGNATION. Sheet music sample and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.   
  
• Online Resource Draw us together and make us one (Mary Louise Bringle and Sally Ann Morris) A very fun tune (will need confidence to lead it!) and excellent words written for a convocation ceremony, recognising many people's ministries at once. Lyrics, sheet music sample, purchasing options.
• MV161 I have called you by your name (Daniel Damon) Commitment, confirmation, ordination, commissionings, but also ordinary Sundays. Easy, natural tune and good words about having courage to follow where God leads. Sheet music and lyrics.
• W&R584 / Cha454 Come Celebrate the Call of God (Brian Wren) Good words to a lilting intuitive tune. This song is written to recognise a commissioning or the gift of a particular person's call. Lyrics and sheet music sample.
• MV211 Go now in peace guided by the light / Vayan en Paz (Pedro Rubalcava) Lovely English / Spanish benediction or comissioning prayer with an excellent rhythm. "Go now in peace guided by hte light of Christ, so you may be nourished by the Word of Life". Obligato by Allan Baer. Sound sample.
  
• Online Resource At the pulpit font and table (Adam Tice) Excellent words for ordination into "priesthood". Set to the familiar tune LAUDA ANIMA or could be sung to PICARDY. Sheet music sample, lyrics and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.    
  
• MV 202 Bread for the Journey / Pain pour la route (Bruce Harding) A simple chant for the distribution of communion; would work well for a group of people being commisioned to go out and do something who are celebrating communion before they go. Lyric video.
  
• CH175 / GtG628 Praise I will praise you Lord with all my heart / Je Louerai L’éternel (Claude Fraysse) Good words; tune is a little schmaltzy, but easy to sing once heard. Excellent words of serving God in the years to come. Lyrics.
• Online Resource Be a blessing (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A song of encouragement based on this Psalm. This would be a wonderful song to sing at someone's commissioning, or as a benediction song to your congregation. It would be tricky for a congregation at first, so I would get your musicians to present it as a gift to the congregation. Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music.
• Online Resource We say yes to you (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A simple joyful affirmation from the congregation to the person being ordained or commissioned. Simple, and lovely. Lyrics, sound sample and purchasing options. 
  

General Commissioning type songs:

• TiS 749 / AoV1-154 / AoVK-131 / ATE 305 / NCH360 / Iona (SBL, Freedom is coming) / CH800 / UMH497 / VU572 / WoV773 / ELW809 / HPP340 / G(II)484 / GC677 / GC(II)674 Send me Jesus / Thuma mina A simple favourite from South Africa. Lyrics.
  
• TiS 658 / AoV1-090 / ATE 296 / CH251 / UMH593 / VU509 / WoV752 / ELW574 / HPP541 / HPSS525 / G(II)492 / GC(II)671 / CP(E) 470 / W&R559 / Cha452 / Srce328 I the Lord of sea and sky / Here I am Lord (Dan Schutte). Song of God searching for us and our response. Good for any sort of commissioning! Very slow sound sample. Lyrics and sample sheet music.
• Online Resource Be a blessing (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A song of encouragement based on this Psalm. This would be a wonderful song to sing at someone's commissioning, or as a benediction song to your congregation. It would be tricky for a congregation at first, so I would get your musicians to present it as a gift to the congregation. Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music.
• Online Resource We say yes to you (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A simple joyful affirmation from the congregation to the person being ordained or commissioned. Simple, and lovely. Lyrics, sound sample and purchasing options.  
• FFS65 / SFFS 2185 This thread I weave / For one great peace (Shirley Erena Murray) Lovely simple song about how all our actions can be part of a prayer for peace. Lyrics. Sound sample. Good for kids. 

Commissioning of Sunday School Teachers:

• NCH359 O God who teaches us to live (Tom Hunter) A song for the commissioning of Sunday School and School Teachers! Lyric video.
  

Commissioning of Musicians, Poets, Actors and Writers: 

• TiS 190 / NCH030 / HPP296 / W&R643 / Cha457 Colorful Creator God of mystery (Ruth Duck) Good words, I think this would be a good song to recognise the life of a painter, a musician, a poet, actor or writer. Excellent tune with nice twist at the end. Wonderful images of what God is like, too. Lyrics.
  
• FFS65 / SFFS 2185 This thread I weave / For one great peace (Shirley Erena Murray) Lovely simple song about how all our actions can be part of a prayer for peace. Lyrics. Sound sample. Good for kids.