Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
Joshua tells the Israelites their history and asks for their allegiance to God. “Choose this day whom you will serve; as for me and my household we will serve the Lord”. The Israelites choose God despite Joshua trying to talk them out of it.
*TiS 687 God gives us a future (Smith) Great words to a very easy hymn tune. Careful not to let it get the tune get too pompous; the words are not! "God gives us a future, daring us to go into dreams and dangers on a path unknown. We will face tomorrow in the Spirit's power, we will let God change us for new life starts now!". Lyrics here (scroll down). The hymn has been split into to two parts to include the blessing and words of mission.
*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.
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.
*TiS 560 / AHB 465 / NCH408 / CH192 / UMH132 / VU654/655 / WoV782 / ELW757 / CP529 / CP(E) 368 / Cha088 / Srce2-15 All my hope on God is founded / is firmly grounded (Neander) Most translations of this well known German hymn are not inclusive, but the NCH and WoV are, so if you have those books (BUC people, we have NCH, and I have WoV). Older version of the lyrics.
Psalm 78:1-7
Keeping the history alive; telling it to the children.
TiS 41 / United Methodist Psalter We shall listen, Lord, to your teaching (Kimbrough). A fairly formal cantor and response Psalm. It requires a confident leader as the response is not completely intuitive. The verses can be read or sung by a leader.
*TiS 182 / AoV2-010 / VU268 / SFFS 2047 / HPP13 Bring many names This is a beautiful song, but it's very long. Try singing one verse unison, then one women, one men, then all together again, to keep people interested in what they are singing. Lyrics can be found here.
*Emergent Psalter Give your ears my people to the lessons of the past (Everett) A good, slightly solemn Psalm refrain. Sheet music (refrain only).
Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Wisdom of Solomon 6:12-16 and 6:17-20
Words about Wisdom
*MV010 / URW099 Come and seek the ways of wisdom (Duck) This song is about the personification of Wisdom, and would work very well as a gathering song in the context of this reading. Tune is joyful, but not familiar, so if it seems difficult, you could sing the same words to PICARDY (TiS 497). Lyrics.
*CH604 Holy wisdom lamp of learning (Duck) Great words seeking wisdom, judgement, and celebrating a searching faith. Sung to a good joyful and easy hymn tune (IN BABILONE). Could also be sung to BEACH SPRING. Sample music and lyrics.
*URW206 In her house there is a table / Wisdom's Table (Gay) Sung to BEACH SPRING, this song has great words of being welcomed by Wisdom at her table through times of trouble.
*MV063 / StJ / GC(II)500 Long before my journey’s start / Wisdom my road (Warner) Song for Wisdom. Pretty straightforward.
*HiOS156 Wisdom be our guide (Murray) Inspiring lyrics of peace and being grounded and inspired by Wisdom. The tune is quite simple, and the chorus will be easy to follow.
Alternative to the Alternative: Amos 5:18-24
God's cranky, and wants to see justice roll down like rivers
StS033 / GA515 / G(II)516 / GC716 / GC(II)709 Let Justice Roll Like a River (Haugen) The song is quite simple, particularly if you use a soloist for the verses if this is new to you. Sound sample (I don't like this sample much) and sheet music sample and lyrics.
*ATFG563 / NCYC'03 / The Red Book How long? (Mann) How long must we cry out till justice rolls down like a river? I really like this song, it's very catchy.
Psalm for the Amos reading: Psalm 70
Help me God! Note that this is the same as Psalm 40:13-17 with elohim instead of YHWH (I learned this from the Emergent Psalter). After the first two suggestions, these suggestions are also good for Psalm 40.
*Online resource O God come to my aid (Harding) Prayer response or Taizé-style chant. Very simple and short. Sample music and website for purchase.
*Emergent Psalter Be pleased and deliver me (Everett) A simple refrain which would work with a spoken reading of the Psalm. Sample sheet music. Emergent Psalter You are my help and my rescuer (Everett) A simple and lovely Psalm refrain to Psalm 40. Sample sheet music. You can also alternate between these two refrains as described in the book.
*Iona (Common Ground, Ps PPP) / CH31 / URW266 I waited patiently for God (Bell) Surprisingly positive for such a gloomy Psalm (Psalm 40). Lyrics. Can be sung to NEW BRITAIN / AMAZING GRACE as well.
*Iona (M&G) / CH267 Blest be God blest be God for ever (Martinez / DANDASOY) Beautiful words to a beautiful, but tricky Philippino melody (unless you have a Philippino congregation, in which case it's just a familiar folk tune). This would be great to ask a small group to sing if you have some good singers in your congregation. Works especially nicely with a guitar.
Cha740a God your mercy is upon us as we place our trust in you Responsive psalm with joyous sung refrain to a familiar hymn tune.
SP&P155 O God please rescue me (Salvaggione) An upbeat paraphrase of Psalm 40.
*TiS 560 / AHB 465 / NCH408 / CH192 / UMH132 / VU654/655 / WoV782 / ELW757 / CP529 / CP(E) 368 / Cha088 / Srce2-15 All my hope on God is founded / is firmly grounded (Neander) Most translations of this well known German hymn are not inclusive, but the NCH and WoV are, so if you have those books (BUC people, we have NCH, and I have WoV). Older version of the lyrics.
GA445 / G(II)421 / GC597 / GC(II)581 I Say "Yes," Lord / Digo "Sí," Señor (Pena) A simple song which speaks of sticking with God through good times and bad. Lyrics and sample sheet music. Sound sample. *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
CH573 / UMH523 Jesus Savior Lord lo to thee I fly / Saranam Saranam (Sri Lankan) I think this would be an excellent song to sing, not only because the words are good (although language is old-fashioned), and because the tune is simple and beautiful, but because we need to keep praying for the people of Sri Lanka. Lyrics (scroll down).
CH541 Lord I pray if today (Keegstra-DeBoer) Very simple words, quite child like, but memorable.
*TiS 23 O Lord do not withold your mercy (Saliers) A really lovely and simple refrain.
*ATW 480 On the day I called (Farrell) A simple song. Sound sample.*CH276 / VU22 / ELW262 / GA283 / G(II)256 / GC332 / GC(II)340 / CP094 / W&R166 / URW396 Wait for the Lord (Berthier) Very well known Taize chant. This will get us thinking about Advent... Sound samples and sheet music.*TiS 754 / HPP457 / Cha554 You are my hiding-place (Ledner) Very mushy, but somehow very satisfying and soothing. Sound sample and lyrics.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Prediction of the return of Christ; See also the songs listed below for Matthew 25.
*Tune in: We are the dream that's longing / Jesus is waiting (Brown) 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. Come, be our liberator, bless and make us free. Come be the light upon the shore. Come be the freedom for the prison of our time. Come now and open up the door”. Lyrics, sound sample, video and songbook.
*TiS 123 / AHB 48 / NCH488 / CH691 / UMH534 / VU652 / CP(E) 384 / W&R451 / Cha 566 Be still my soul Sometimes this can be a bit mushy, but the words are really very strong and helpful. Lyrics and sound sample.
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.
*StS121 / FFS50 Nothing is lost on the breath of God (Colin Gibson) A beautiful song and very easy to sing even if new. "Nothing is lost on the breath of God, nothing is lost for ever; God's breath is love, and that love will remain, holding the world for ever. No feather too light, no hair too fine, no flower too brief in its glory; no drop in the ocean, no dust in the air, but is counted and told in God's story." Words and full sheet music. Sound sample.
*NCH599 / UMH704 / HPP469 / G(II)559 / GC773 / GC(II)766 / CP(E) 579 / W&R527 / Cha644 Steal Away to Jesus (African-American) This is a beautiful song which could fit with this passage well. May not be terribly well known in Australian congregations. They may be more familiar with the version recorded by Cafe at the Gate of Salvation. But here's a video of Mahalia Jackson and Nat King Cole singing it.
*Recorded music: Meet me in the middle of the air (Paul Kelly) It's mainly based on Psalm 23 except for that "middle of the air" bit. It's a beautiful song. Listen to a nice a cappella rendition here. Lyrics are here. It's on Paul Kelly's 2005 album "Foggy Highway"
Matthew 25:1-13
The parable of the ten bridesmaids. Keep awake. Be always ready
*TiS 280 When he comes back, our lamps will be burning to welcome him when he comes back. I really like this song, and wish for excuses to sing it more often. The words are particularly appropriate for this reading and the tune has a simple lilting joy to it.
*Unknown source Alleluia, the great storm is over (Franke) lift up your wings and fly! I especially love the image of the infant sleeping while the mother sang until the bridegroom returned. The chorus is really catchy and very easy to sing. If not familiar, you can use a cantor or soloist for the verses and invite the congregation to join in the chorus. We tend to sing this more like a gospel anthem. Lyrics. Video with poor image but good sound.
*Taize / AoV2-088 / ATOK 395 / CH793 / VU950 / ELW348 Stay with me / Bleibet hier (Berthier) A very well known chant. Sheet music and sound samples.
*World Council of Churches / GC(II)651 You must never give up / Sizo bambelela/Never Give Up This African acapella song is just excellent. Sound sample, Free sheet music.
*ATN 85 Give me oil in my lamp (traditional) A little bit of silly happy-clappy stuff is sometimes good fun. The littler kids will like this, and the older ones may even stop looking too cool for school for a moment.
*AoV2-003 / ATOK 313 / CH543 / StJ / R127 / ELW715 / GC(II)512 Longing for light we wait in darkness / Christ, be our light (Farrell). One of my favourites, especially if someone can sing or play the descant line in the later verses. Sound and sheet music sample here.
*NCH369 / StS118 / Traditional Keep your lamp trimmed and burning (African-American) Bob Franke has an excellent post on this song here including a great recording of Willie Johnson playing and singing this old song.
*Iona (Many & Great, There is One Among Us) /MV99 / GC(II)673 Stand O Stand Firm (Cameroon) I love having an excuse to sing this simple song from Cameroon. Very easy for your congregation. You can make up cantor parts too “Oh my sisters…. Oh my brothers… Oh my children….” or you can name countries you are praying for in your intercessions. Good for kids. Free sheet music.
*AoV1-057 / G(II)485 / GC678 / GC(II)663 / RS799 Awake from your slumber / City of God (Schutte) I love the joyousness and sense of mission in this one. A really positive song “Let us build the city of God, let us turn our morning to dancing, for the Lord, our light and our love, has turned the night into day”. Not simple, but catchy once you have it nailed. There is a little bit of non-inclusiveness in the middle. Sound sample. Sheet music sample.
ATA 187 Help us Lord to wait for you (Trad / Simper) Simple short song
Joshua tells the Israelites their history and asks for their allegiance to God. “Choose this day whom you will serve; as for me and my household we will serve the Lord”. The Israelites choose God despite Joshua trying to talk them out of it.
*TiS 687 God gives us a future (Smith) Great words to a very easy hymn tune. Careful not to let it get the tune get too pompous; the words are not! "God gives us a future, daring us to go into dreams and dangers on a path unknown. We will face tomorrow in the Spirit's power, we will let God change us for new life starts now!". Lyrics here (scroll down). The hymn has been split into to two parts to include the blessing and words of mission.
*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.
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.
*TiS 560 / AHB 465 / NCH408 / CH192 / UMH132 / VU654/655 / WoV782 / ELW757 / CP529 / CP(E) 368 / Cha088 / Srce2-15 All my hope on God is founded / is firmly grounded (Neander) Most translations of this well known German hymn are not inclusive, but the NCH and WoV are, so if you have those books (BUC people, we have NCH, and I have WoV). Older version of the lyrics.
Psalm 78:1-7
Keeping the history alive; telling it to the children.
TiS 41 / United Methodist Psalter We shall listen, Lord, to your teaching (Kimbrough). A fairly formal cantor and response Psalm. It requires a confident leader as the response is not completely intuitive. The verses can be read or sung by a leader.
*TiS 182 / AoV2-010 / VU268 / SFFS 2047 / HPP13 Bring many names This is a beautiful song, but it's very long. Try singing one verse unison, then one women, one men, then all together again, to keep people interested in what they are singing. Lyrics can be found here.
*Emergent Psalter Give your ears my people to the lessons of the past (Everett) A good, slightly solemn Psalm refrain. Sheet music (refrain only).
Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Wisdom of Solomon 6:12-16 and 6:17-20
Words about Wisdom
*MV010 / URW099 Come and seek the ways of wisdom (Duck) This song is about the personification of Wisdom, and would work very well as a gathering song in the context of this reading. Tune is joyful, but not familiar, so if it seems difficult, you could sing the same words to PICARDY (TiS 497). Lyrics.
*CH604 Holy wisdom lamp of learning (Duck) Great words seeking wisdom, judgement, and celebrating a searching faith. Sung to a good joyful and easy hymn tune (IN BABILONE). Could also be sung to BEACH SPRING. Sample music and lyrics.
*URW206 In her house there is a table / Wisdom's Table (Gay) Sung to BEACH SPRING, this song has great words of being welcomed by Wisdom at her table through times of trouble.
*MV063 / StJ / GC(II)500 Long before my journey’s start / Wisdom my road (Warner) Song for Wisdom. Pretty straightforward.
*HiOS156 Wisdom be our guide (Murray) Inspiring lyrics of peace and being grounded and inspired by Wisdom. The tune is quite simple, and the chorus will be easy to follow.
Alternative to the Alternative: Amos 5:18-24
God's cranky, and wants to see justice roll down like rivers
StS033 / GA515 / G(II)516 / GC716 / GC(II)709 Let Justice Roll Like a River (Haugen) The song is quite simple, particularly if you use a soloist for the verses if this is new to you. Sound sample (I don't like this sample much) and sheet music sample and lyrics.
*ATFG563 / NCYC'03 / The Red Book How long? (Mann) How long must we cry out till justice rolls down like a river? I really like this song, it's very catchy.
Psalm for the Amos reading: Psalm 70
Help me God! Note that this is the same as Psalm 40:13-17 with elohim instead of YHWH (I learned this from the Emergent Psalter). After the first two suggestions, these suggestions are also good for Psalm 40.
*Online resource O God come to my aid (Harding) Prayer response or Taizé-style chant. Very simple and short. Sample music and website for purchase.
*Emergent Psalter Be pleased and deliver me (Everett) A simple refrain which would work with a spoken reading of the Psalm. Sample sheet music. Emergent Psalter You are my help and my rescuer (Everett) A simple and lovely Psalm refrain to Psalm 40. Sample sheet music. You can also alternate between these two refrains as described in the book.
*Iona (Common Ground, Ps PPP) / CH31 / URW266 I waited patiently for God (Bell) Surprisingly positive for such a gloomy Psalm (Psalm 40). Lyrics. Can be sung to NEW BRITAIN / AMAZING GRACE as well.
*Iona (M&G) / CH267 Blest be God blest be God for ever (Martinez / DANDASOY) Beautiful words to a beautiful, but tricky Philippino melody (unless you have a Philippino congregation, in which case it's just a familiar folk tune). This would be great to ask a small group to sing if you have some good singers in your congregation. Works especially nicely with a guitar.
Cha740a God your mercy is upon us as we place our trust in you Responsive psalm with joyous sung refrain to a familiar hymn tune.
SP&P155 O God please rescue me (Salvaggione) An upbeat paraphrase of Psalm 40.
*TiS 560 / AHB 465 / NCH408 / CH192 / UMH132 / VU654/655 / WoV782 / ELW757 / CP529 / CP(E) 368 / Cha088 / Srce2-15 All my hope on God is founded / is firmly grounded (Neander) Most translations of this well known German hymn are not inclusive, but the NCH and WoV are, so if you have those books (BUC people, we have NCH, and I have WoV). Older version of the lyrics.
GA445 / G(II)421 / GC597 / GC(II)581 I Say "Yes," Lord / Digo "Sí," Señor (Pena) A simple song which speaks of sticking with God through good times and bad. Lyrics and sample sheet music. Sound sample. *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
CH573 / UMH523 Jesus Savior Lord lo to thee I fly / Saranam Saranam (Sri Lankan) I think this would be an excellent song to sing, not only because the words are good (although language is old-fashioned), and because the tune is simple and beautiful, but because we need to keep praying for the people of Sri Lanka. Lyrics (scroll down).
CH541 Lord I pray if today (Keegstra-DeBoer) Very simple words, quite child like, but memorable.
*TiS 23 O Lord do not withold your mercy (Saliers) A really lovely and simple refrain.
*ATW 480 On the day I called (Farrell) A simple song. Sound sample.*CH276 / VU22 / ELW262 / GA283 / G(II)256 / GC332 / GC(II)340 / CP094 / W&R166 / URW396 Wait for the Lord (Berthier) Very well known Taize chant. This will get us thinking about Advent... Sound samples and sheet music.*TiS 754 / HPP457 / Cha554 You are my hiding-place (Ledner) Very mushy, but somehow very satisfying and soothing. Sound sample and lyrics.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Prediction of the return of Christ; See also the songs listed below for Matthew 25.
*Tune in: We are the dream that's longing / Jesus is waiting (Brown) 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. Come, be our liberator, bless and make us free. Come be the light upon the shore. Come be the freedom for the prison of our time. Come now and open up the door”. Lyrics, sound sample, video and songbook.
*TiS 123 / AHB 48 / NCH488 / CH691 / UMH534 / VU652 / CP(E) 384 / W&R451 / Cha 566 Be still my soul Sometimes this can be a bit mushy, but the words are really very strong and helpful. Lyrics and sound sample.
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.
*StS121 / FFS50 Nothing is lost on the breath of God (Colin Gibson) A beautiful song and very easy to sing even if new. "Nothing is lost on the breath of God, nothing is lost for ever; God's breath is love, and that love will remain, holding the world for ever. No feather too light, no hair too fine, no flower too brief in its glory; no drop in the ocean, no dust in the air, but is counted and told in God's story." Words and full sheet music. Sound sample.
*NCH599 / UMH704 / HPP469 / G(II)559 / GC773 / GC(II)766 / CP(E) 579 / W&R527 / Cha644 Steal Away to Jesus (African-American) This is a beautiful song which could fit with this passage well. May not be terribly well known in Australian congregations. They may be more familiar with the version recorded by Cafe at the Gate of Salvation. But here's a video of Mahalia Jackson and Nat King Cole singing it.
*Recorded music: Meet me in the middle of the air (Paul Kelly) It's mainly based on Psalm 23 except for that "middle of the air" bit. It's a beautiful song. Listen to a nice a cappella rendition here. Lyrics are here. It's on Paul Kelly's 2005 album "Foggy Highway"
Matthew 25:1-13
The parable of the ten bridesmaids. Keep awake. Be always ready
*TiS 280 When he comes back, our lamps will be burning to welcome him when he comes back. I really like this song, and wish for excuses to sing it more often. The words are particularly appropriate for this reading and the tune has a simple lilting joy to it.
*Unknown source Alleluia, the great storm is over (Franke) lift up your wings and fly! I especially love the image of the infant sleeping while the mother sang until the bridegroom returned. The chorus is really catchy and very easy to sing. If not familiar, you can use a cantor or soloist for the verses and invite the congregation to join in the chorus. We tend to sing this more like a gospel anthem. Lyrics. Video with poor image but good sound.
*Taize / AoV2-088 / ATOK 395 / CH793 / VU950 / ELW348 Stay with me / Bleibet hier (Berthier) A very well known chant. Sheet music and sound samples.
*World Council of Churches / GC(II)651 You must never give up / Sizo bambelela/Never Give Up This African acapella song is just excellent. Sound sample, Free sheet music.
*ATN 85 Give me oil in my lamp (traditional) A little bit of silly happy-clappy stuff is sometimes good fun. The littler kids will like this, and the older ones may even stop looking too cool for school for a moment.
*AoV2-003 / ATOK 313 / CH543 / StJ / R127 / ELW715 / GC(II)512 Longing for light we wait in darkness / Christ, be our light (Farrell). One of my favourites, especially if someone can sing or play the descant line in the later verses. Sound and sheet music sample here.
*NCH369 / StS118 / Traditional Keep your lamp trimmed and burning (African-American) Bob Franke has an excellent post on this song here including a great recording of Willie Johnson playing and singing this old song.
*Iona (Many & Great, There is One Among Us) /MV99 / GC(II)673 Stand O Stand Firm (Cameroon) I love having an excuse to sing this simple song from Cameroon. Very easy for your congregation. You can make up cantor parts too “Oh my sisters…. Oh my brothers… Oh my children….” or you can name countries you are praying for in your intercessions. Good for kids. Free sheet music.
*AoV1-057 / G(II)485 / GC678 / GC(II)663 / RS799 Awake from your slumber / City of God (Schutte) I love the joyousness and sense of mission in this one. A really positive song “Let us build the city of God, let us turn our morning to dancing, for the Lord, our light and our love, has turned the night into day”. Not simple, but catchy once you have it nailed. There is a little bit of non-inclusiveness in the middle. Sound sample. Sheet music sample.
ATA 187 Help us Lord to wait for you (Trad / Simper) Simple short song
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