Songs for Confirmation Services

This will grow over time, so check it when you need it; it's really only just a draft at the moment

NCH350 Now in the days of youth (Mathams) Sung to the familiar tune DIADEMATA, this song has great words for young people being confirmed, asking for knowledge to use their lives wisely and to love truthfully.
ATOK 320 / NCH351 / VU645 / StJ / WoV770 / ELW732 / SFFS 2051 / HPP516 / W&R680 / Cha075 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.
NCH354 God, when I came into this life (Kaan) Excellent words of commitment to a well known shape note tune (LAND OF REST).
ATOK 348 / Iona (HSNW) / G(II)496 / GC692 / GC(II)697 Come with me / Sing hey for the carpenter (Iona) Excellent. I love this one. Very joyous, and a big favourite in our congregation. Lyrics. I think its strange that some have changed it to "sing yes for the carpenter".
ATOK 413 / Iona (HSNW) / CH533 / VU567 / StS039 / R276 / ELW798 / GA502 / SFFS 2130 / HPP317 / G(II)510 / GC700 / GC(II)687 / CP430 / CP(E) 622 / W&R350 / URW060 Will you come and follow me / The Summons (Iona / KELVINGROVE) A classic. Don't sing it too slowly or it really drags and takes forever! Lyrics and tune sample.
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". Lyrics.
Cha373 Be In Our Midst O Christ (Cartwright) Good for the end of a baptism of some adults, or confirmation, particularly of young adults; it's the same tune as "This is a day of new beginnings" so will be familiar to some congregations.

G(3)897 You Have Been Enlightened (Cuddy) Slightly mushy blessing for a confirmation class who have worked carefully towards confirmation / rite of Christian initiation. Sound sample. Melody line and lyrics.

Songs and Hymns for Epiphany 6A (February 13th 2011)

Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Love God, follow God's commandments and hold fast to God - it's the best way, really.
*God Gives 1: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind and love all humankind as you would love yourselves and…. I really like this old Sunday School round, with a groovy 50s feel to it. Great for the kids.
Iona (We walk his way) We walk his way / Ewe Thina A joyful, simple African song. I'm guessing it's from South Africa. Sound sample.
CH115 / MV089 / Iona (Love from Below) Love is the touch of intangible joy (Robertson / Bell) Great words and a simple tune. "God is where love is, for love is of God". Lyrics here (loads a pdf).
VU250 / GA415 / G(II)372 / GC546 O God of Matchless Glory (Duck) Good song, simple tune (HASTINGS). Lyrics and sheet music. Sound sample.
TiS 430 / AHB 337 / Cha324 Your words to me are life and health (Martin) I really like this old hymn. It’s a bit old fashioned, but it still works, I think. Sound sample and lyrics.
CP447 / W&R671 Lord we hear your word with gladness (Clarkson) Good words honouring the word and the Word of God, set to a well known hymn tune (NETTLETON). Lyrics and tune sample.

Psalm 119:1-8
Happy are they who walk in God's way
Iona (We walk his way) We walk his way / Ewe Thina A joyful, simple African song. I'm guessing it's from South Africa. Sound sample.
NCH Psalter p701 (at the back of NCH) has a very good arrangement of Psalm 119 by Elaine Kirkland. The refrain is “Teach me, O God, the way of your statutes” and can be sung in 4 parts. Note that there are three sections. This week's reading is on p701.
*MV 108 I know your word (Tua Palavra). A simple Brazillian rhythm and a catchy tune. Great for kids, and a good song for adults too. “I know your word, your word is a lamp to my feet O God. I know your word is a lamp, O God, to light my path forever”.
TIS 430 / AHB 337 Your words to me are life and health I really like this old hymn. It’s a bit old fashioned, but it still works, I think. Maybe it’s a sentimental favourite – I think maybe Mum likes it. Lyrics and tune here.
AHB 341 A lamp for our feet has been given (CRUGYBAR). Solid words and a great old Welsh tune. I wouldn’t be desperate to sing this one, but if all you have is the AHB, it’s worth it.
Cha326 / Cha759 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet (Smith / Grant) Cha326 has this arranged as a simple chorus, and 759 as a sung response, and responsively read passage. Neither version has the verses, but really, the chorus is probably all you need. Video & longish introduction from Amy Grant, lacking her curly 80s hair.
*ATW 498 / Iona (T1AU) / MV 196 / SP&P182 / URW438 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.

1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Trouble in the ranks; it's God who waters us so we shouldn't argue about who's got the best leader
*MV154 Deep in our hearts (Oldham) A good song about having a common vision and purpose. Easy to sing to a lovely flowing 6/8 tune. Would work well after the sermon. Sound sample, sheet music and lyrics. I think of it a little quicker than this, but this is the composer playing, so this is clearly his intention!
*AoV1-129 / CH665 / UMH62o / VU467 / WoV710 / ELW701 / HPP525 / G(II)599 / GC830 / GC(II)813 / W&R689 / Cha393 / SP221 One bread, one body. A classic. Don't play it too slow or it takes forever!! Particularly appropriate if you are celebrating communion. Lyrics.
NCH370 / W&R685 / URW127 What gift can we bring? A good offering song. Also good for a church anniversary. Lyrics.

Matthew 5:21-37
Sins of the heart and head; importance of reconciliation; let your word be enough; good solid advice.
*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.
*NCH544 / MV076 If I have been the source of pain, O God (Sosa). A song in English and Spanish seeking forgiveness “If I have spoken words of cruelty; If I have left some suffering unrelieved; Condemn not my insensitivity, Forgive me God". This is a rewrite in both tune and words of an older song "If I have wounded any soul today". Lyrics.
*AA036 Every day I will offer you (Murray) “Everyday, in your Spirit, I’ll find the love and energy”… Good song of commitment. Might be good as closing song. This is also in other books of songs by Shirley Murray.
*MV 145 / CP418 Draw the circle wide (Light) A great song about welcoming all people. “Christ the still point of the circle” fits well with the reading this week. Lyrics (downloads a Word document).
*Brunswick UCA resource: Love is the Power (Anderson). Suggestion for the congregation at Brunswick as this is not published yet, but it is in our church folders; it would work well if following the theme of reconciliation. It’s a while since we've sung it, but it went down well last time. It's a little bit tricky.

Songs and Hymns for Epiphany 5A (February 6th 2011)

Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12)
Hypocrisy; the fast that matters to God is justice, generosity, hospitality, etc...
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).
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 this week. Sound sample.
TiS 657 / CH263 / VU700 / AA50 / CP(E) 447 / Cha656 God of freedom God of justice (Murray / Guthrie Foote) Powerful lyrics. Can be sung to either TREDEGAR (new, but not too hard) or PICARDY (very familiar). Lyrics and midi.
TiS 416 Great God your Spirit like the wind (Gaunt) Excellent words asking for God to shake us out of our complacency and give us compassion. I really wish it was set to a different tune - it is set to JERUSALEM and this seems too pompous for me. It works with MAGNIFICAT (TiS173) which is fairly straightforward so I would try that if it's not too confusing for the congregation.
CH195 / StS053 / AA061 Here to the house of God we come (Murray / Gibson) Good honest words and a simple, but unusual tune. Sound sample. Final verse is: "We are all tenants of your love; gather us round a common fire, warm us in company with Christ, give us the heart to feel, to share, table and lodging with free hand, space in our living, in our land".
CH488 / AA130 Teach us O loving heart of Christ (Murray) Good, powerful words seeking forgiveness for those things we have not done or said. The tune is new, but fairly simple. Lyrics (downloads pdf).
Iona (Enemy of Apathy) The love of God comes close (Iona) A good song of God's forgiveness; God is masculine (at least in the version I have). Simple melody. Lyrics (downloads a pdf). Very slow music sample.

Psalm 112:1-9 (10)
It will be well for those who follow God's commands, like giving to the poor etc
TiS 69 Light rises in darkness when justice rules our lives (Kimbrough/ Young) A lovely Psalm response. Could be used with a sung or read version of the Psalm. The TiS translation is quite inclusive. It's from the United Methodist Liturgical Psalter (1989).
WCC website: Hear the message we now are proclaiming / El mensaje que hoy proclamamos. This jubilant Colombian song of liberty and new life for the poor and suffering would fit well with this reading. It is the joy of the tune that makes me think of people being happy while working for justice. The musicians sung this recently at Brunswick, so it would be good to get the congregation to sing it this time. Free sheet music!
ATOK 354 / ELW801 / W&R373 / ZSS178 / Srce95 Change my heart O God (Espinosa) An old and familiar slightly mushy favourite. Thanks to Sylvia Griffiths for this and the next few suggestions. Lyrics and chords.
TiS 712 / AoV2-021 / ATE 269 / The tide has turned songbook Create in me 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 Spirit's gifts of new life, purity and unity with Christ. Sung to a lovely simple, and quite intuitive Celtic tune
SFFS 2129 / HPP322 / W&R344 / Cha344 / Srce2-244 I Have Decided to Follow Jesus (Traditional) Good simple traditional chorus. This Australian video (maybe it's Hillsong, sounds like it) uses some nice chords.

1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16)
God's secret wisdom revealed by the Spirit
TiS 417 / AoV2-133 / ATW 448 / VU387 / StJ / WoV683 / ELW397 / AA94 / HPP237 / PH323 / CP657 / W&R135 / Cha244 / URW203 Loving Spirit, Loving Spirit (Murray). There are about a zillion tunes set for this. I prefer FELICITY (by Colin Gibson TiS 417), but also like RESTORATION and OMNI DIE. Lyrics.TiS 626 / AHB 557 / CH500 / GA423 Lord of creation to you be all praise! (Winslow) A wonderful traditional and quite inclusive hymn to the familiar tune SLANE. Lyrics.
TiS 418 / AoV2-075 / Iona (EoA, Common Ground) / CH593 / GA372 / Cha255 / SP94 / URW165 She sits like a bird brooding on the waters (Bell/THAINAKY) My favourite holy spirit song. Beautiful words and very easy to sing, provided it is not played too quickly The Iona recordings are generally very quick, but there are a lot of words to fit in, so keep it elegantly moderate in speed! Lyrics (scroll down).
VU380 / SFFS 2122 / CP656 She Comes Sailing on the Wind / She flies on (Light) Excellent feminine imagery. The verses are quite tricky if your congregation is not familiar with them. You can suggest that they just join in on the chorus if you are concerned. In Australia, this must have been sung at an NCYC at some stage, and certainly at ASCM gatherings, so there are versions of it about. This is a big favourite at our church. Lyrics (with lots of other good feminine songs - scroll down).
NCH286 / ATE 218 / VU375 / WoV684 / ELW396 / HPP239 / W&R326 Spirit spirit of gentleness (Manley) Lovely, gentle song. Very easy to sing, but can get slow and ponderous if you're not careful. Lyrics and kind of odd sound sample.
TiS 414 / CH616 / UMH192 / VU582 / HPP134 / PH433 / GC550 / CP(E) 198 / Cha257 There's a Spirit in the Air (Wren) A good song of getting the business of following Christ done. Speaking out, caring for others, being changed. Good, joyful tune too. Sheet music sample. Keyboard sound sample.

Matthew 5:13-20My favourite: you are salt of the earth, and light of the world 
Recorded music Light by light (Frencham) This is a lovely song by Melbourne musician Liz Frencham. One version here. BUC people, I have a gospel-style arrangement of this. Liz' group "Red Velvet" also sing it, but I can't get their media player to work....

Online resource You are the light of the world (Pino) This is a lovely catchy refrain; if you have the CD you could play it. If not, and you have a clever musician, they could work out the chords. I don't think the sheet music is available. It's not directly based on this reading but I think it would be great. Listen. Here's another version. You can purchase from those links too.
MV209 / GC(II)664 Go Make a Difference (Angrisano)
Groovy sending out song. "We are the salt of the earth, called to let the people see the love of God for you and me". Sheet music. Sound sample.
AoV2-004 / NCH181 / GA478 / G(II)468 / GC658 / GC(II)640 / RS772 You are a salt for the earth O People / Bring forth the kingdom (Haugen) Joyful song. "Bring forth the reign of justice, bring forth the reign of peace...". Sheet music. Sound sample.
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. Sound sample. I have always played this song about twice the speed of this sound sample which sounds more folky than this slower, anthemic version which I quite like too.
Godspell You are the light of the world (Schwartz / Tebelak) Godspell is a pretty daggy musical (non-Australians will need to look up that word), but this song is cool. This Youtube video of a high school musical is impressive! You'll have to listen to the rap before the song, which is not, but it's worth the wait. If any of your church choirs do these dance moves, let me know! Sheet music available.
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.
TiS 474 / AoV1-012 / ATE 295 / CH623 / SFFS 2236 / HPP553 / G(II)539 / GC839 / GC(II)743 / CP465 / W&R649 / Cha284 / URW054 / SP175 Here in this place new light is streaming / Gather us in (Haugen) Excellent and very well known. Sample. 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.
AoVK-40 / NCH524 / UMH585 / ELW677 / HPP466 / G(II)358 / GC514 / GC(II)514 This little light of mine. I know a little boy who would be happy to sing this on just about any Sunday! The AoVK version has excellent verses that actually make the chorus make sense. Check them out if you have a copy. In the meantime, watch Bruce Springsteen sing it here. It's amazing... Nice children's choir arrangement available here.
AoV1-114 / HPP376 / G(II)430 / GC608 / GC(II)596 / RS 734 / W&R430 You shall cross the barren desert / Be not afraid (Dufford) Beautiful words. Well known (at least, the chorus). Verses may be tricky. Lyrics here.

Songs and Hymns for Epiphany 4A (January 30th 2011)

Micah 6:1-8
AoV1-050 Act Justly (O'Brien/Watts) Simple chant-like chorus, and strong verses. I love this one.
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).
AoVNG1 / CH685 / FFS17 / W&R617 For everyone born / A place at the table (Murray, True) Words of welcome and change to everyone regardless of sex, age, sinfulness. There are two possible tunes. The Lori True tune is the most common, but the Colin Gibson tune in FFS is also good. Use whatever you have! This song is good for a service when communion is celebrated, but it makes sense without communion, too. Lyrics.
HPP28 / PH285 / W&R24 God You Spin the Whirling Planets (Jane Parker Huber / AUSTRIAN HYMN) Good words to a very familiar tune (TiS 772). Really good for the final hymn or response to the sermon. Lyrics.
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.
CH115 / MV089 / Iona (Love from Below) Love is the touch of intangible joy (Robertson / Bell) Great words and a simple tune. "God is where love is, for love is of God". Lyrics here (loads a pdf).
UMH729 / VU682 / LBW161 / WoV762 ELW627 / HPSS450 / CP573 / W&R539 / Cha711 / URW140 O day of peace that dimly shines (Daw) A song of hoped-for peace. The tune in Chalice hymnal is really nice (CANDLER) or O WALY WALY which is used in URW. Other sources use JERUSALEM, which is a bit too militaristic for me. Lyrics and JERUSALEM sample.
Iona (WWHW) / MV223 We will go with God / Sizohamba naye (Traditional Swaziland) A simple song from Swaziland. Good for the end of the service. Video with pronunciation and parts.
TiS 618 / AHB 568 / UMH441 / PH405 / CP171 / W&R686 / Cha659 / 82Hml-605 What does the Lord require for praise and offering (Bayly) Some versions quite masculine. More modern hymnals are fine. The tune in TiS is SHARPTHORNE, which is quite good. Older lyrics and a different tune.
TiS 751 / VU701 / StS054 / SFFS 2174 / Cha661 What does the Lord require of you? (Strathdee) A good and simple round that is a paraphrase of this passage.
ATFG589 / NCYC'99 / VU298 When you Walk From here (Good) A simple benediction, commissioning or farewell song.

Psalm 15
Who may dwell on God's holy hill?
Songs for the Micah passage above also fit with this reading.
G(II)21 / GC22 / GC(II)17 They Who Do Justice (Haas) Simple cantor and response "They who do justice will live in the presence of God". Sound sample. Sheet music and lyrics.
Emergent Psalter Who may abide on your holy hill? (Everett) Simple response with read Psalm. Sheet music.

1 Corinthians 1:18-31
The foolishness of the cross (this is where you find out I don't like many hymns about crosses)
TiS 356 / CH385 / Cha203 Here hangs a man discarded (Wren / SHRUB END) Excellent words, particularly for this reading “Can such a clown of sorrows still bring a useful word where faith and love seem phantoms and every hope absurd?”. Also works very well with TiS 339 (Passion Chorale) if your congregation is scared of new tunes.
TiS 422 / CH594 / CP(E) 179 Come Holy Spirit come inflame our souls with love (Forster / DIADEMATA) Excellent words to a well known hymn tune. It is not gender-inclusive for God. Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
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).
TiS 262 When pain and terror strike by chance (Wren) These excellent words may be particularly helpful given the recent flooding in Queensland. Very familiar Irish folk tune.

Matthew 5:1-12
Oh, the Beatitudes... my favourite...
Iona (L&A) / ATW 436 / MV112 Amen amen it shall be so! A beautiful chant from John Bell. Works well with a cantor or small choir leading the verses and the congregation joining in on the “Amen, amen it shall be so, amen, it shall be so”. Sound sample (look for the green button). You could do this song instead of reading the passage. I guarantee it will be remembered!
StS041 / GC(II)515 Blessed are they who are poor in spirit / We are the light of the world (Greif) Yep. Okay! Would be best with a cantor, or small choir and the congregation can respond with the chorus. You could even do this instead of the reading. Sheet music and lyrics. Sound sample.
TiS 697 All the sleepy should have a place to sleep (Edwards / PITNEY) Great chorus "Make love happen by God's grace and by God's power. Let God move you on this day and in this hour. New creations will then blossom like a flower for together we can be the hands of God".
NCH164 / VU79 / StS030 / WoV652 / LBW652 / ELW314 / PH411 / W&R231 / URW138 Arise your light is come! (Duck) Good general words of Christ coming to bring justice to the familiar tune ST. THOMAS (TiS 271).
Taize? How blessed are you who are poor the kingdom of God is yours I can't find this. Anyone else got any ideas where to find it?
Iona (I will not sing alone) Blessed are the ones I call the poor / Hey my love (Bell / Maule) A lovely lilting tune (Lady Maisy). This gentle song would be good for a reflection. Sound sample.
TiS 607 / AoV2-126 / ATN 95 / CH528 / VU684 / StJ / SFFS 2171 / HPP406 / G(II)524 / GC726 / GC(II)721 / CP(E)519/ W&R587 / Srce 462 Make me a channel of your peace (Temple) Youtube video of Sinead O'Connor singing it and lyrics and MIDI file.
TiS 288 / Iona Not the powerful not the privileged (Bell) I think it is close enough to Christmas that this song can still be sung in January!
StJ / GA432 / GC800 / GC(II)800 O Breathe on Me O Breath of God (Murray) Good words seeking the Spirit's gifts of new life, purity and unity with Christ. Sung to a lovely simple, and quite intuitive Celtic tune

Songs and Hymns for Epiphany 3A (January 23rd 2011)

Isaiah 9:1-4
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; the rod of the oppressor is broken.
Taize / 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, Taize). Also translated as "Our darkness is never darkness"). Sample music and lyrics.
CH348 / StS001 / LBW196 / ELW544 / CP397 / W&R93 / SP304 / URW090 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.
ATFG563 / NCYC'03 How long must we cry out? (Mann) This is a big Brunswick favourite, great for young people in particular. "Teach me to do what is right, walk in the darkness, trust in the light and may love be the path I walk upon".
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.
ATW 463 / Iona (T1AU) / ELW721 / SFFS 2219 / W&R296 Goodness is stronger than evil Words from Archbishop Desmond Tutu. "Victory is ours, victory is ours, through him who loves us". Some congregations change the last line to "Compassion is ours, compassion is ours...". It depends on the context in which you sing it, I suppose.
TiS 474 / AoV1-012 / ATE 295 / CH623 / SFFS 2236 / HPP553 / G(II)539 / GC839 / GC(II)743 / CP465 / W&R649 / Cha284 / URW054 / SP175 Here in this place new light is streaming / Gather us in (Haugen) Excellent and very well known. Sample.
AoV2-003 / ATOK 313 / CH543 / StJ / R127 / ELW715 / GC(II)512 Longing for light we wait in darkness (Christ be our light) (Farrell). This song is just excellent.

Psalm 27:1, 4-9
God is our strength in times of trouble; longing for God
TiS 16 / AoV2-073 / GA028 / Sing Allelulia 28 Do not be afraid I am with you (Willcock) Excellent cantor and refrain. Refrain would work well with a reader also. GA has a nice descant line.
G(II)406 I Need You to Listen (Sullivan) A simple and very beautiful Psalm and response. The words to this are very lovely. Sheet music and lyrics. Keyboard sound sample.
Worldmaking.net Open unto me light for my darkness (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan). Good for a more contemplative service. Sample here.
Taize / TiS 747 / ATE 214 / Iona (M&G) URW393 The Lord is my light my light and salvation (Berthier)
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 might be a bit peculiar so soon after Advent... Sound samples and sheet music.
URW252 Find us, searching God, wherever we hide (Peacock) A beautiful prayer based on the Psalm. No music. Maybe you could write some.
TiS 611 / AHB 543 / NCH436 / UMH577 / VU686 / LBW415 / ELW705 / HPP456 / HPSS420 / CP577 / CP(E) 448 / W&R569 / Cha464 God of Grace and God of Glory A song about being courageous and wise. There are many possible tunes and many sets of words to this hymn. NCH has the most inclusive words, but TiS and AHB are okay too. They don’t hold back in verse 3. Chorus is “Grant us wisdom, Grant us courage, for the facing of this hour”. Don’t know about everyone else, but I know best the tune AHB 543 (ii).
MV217 Hey ney yana (Eagle) This Native American song could be great, sung accompanied with just a drum "I walk in beauty, yes I do, yes I do". Especially great for kids. Sounds nice on flute too, I think.
ATE 212 Hush now for I am your God (Littlemore)
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).
MV175 May we but wait (Petricko) Beautiful and simple two line song. Would be good as a response to the Intercessions.
AoV1-139 O God Nothing Can Take Us from your love (Walker) Good refrain. Good verses. Cantor and congregational response. Sound sample.
NCH370 / W&R685 / URW127 What gift can we bring? A good offering song.
AoVNG71 / Taize I am Sure I Shall See (Taize) One of the more upbeat Taize chants. Sound sample, sheet music.
Iona (M&G, T1AU) / MV99 / GC(II)673 Stand O Stand Firm An excellent, strong, and simple chorus from Cameroon. Free sheet music.
TiS 547 / AHB 455 / AoV1-009 / NCH451 / CH465 / UMH451 / VU643 / WoV776 / ELW793 / HPP353 / PH339 / CP505 / CP(E) 386 / W&R502 / Cha595 / Srce70 / URW180 / 82Hml-488 Be thou my vision O Lord of my heart (8th century Irish) Most recent hymnals are fairly inclusive in their language for this. Please note that the High King imagery is quite important in terms of Irish history. This has been changed in some hymnals because it is masculine, but the hymn is based on an ancient story of St. Patrick refusing to follow the High King Logaire, but choosing instead the "High King of Heaven". Probably worth telling this story to your congregation if you choose this song. Lyrics, tune and a little of the story.
VU754 God is my light and saving health (Clarke) Quite straightforward psalm response and responsive psalm.
VU753 / AA117 / SP306 Safe in the hands of God / Safe in your hands O God (Perry) Good paraphrase of the Psalm. Tune will need to be played through at least once before the congregation join in.
G(II)435 / GC613 The Lord Is My Hope (Ridge) Quite good paraphrase of this Psalm. Easy to sing. Sheet music. Sound sample.
TiS 754 / HPP457 / Cha554 You are my hiding-place (Ledner) Very mushy, but somehow very satisfying and soothing. Sound sample and lyrics.

1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Unity
TiS 411 / AHB 328 / NCH266 / UMH537 / VU194 / LBW160 / CP658 / CP(E) 425 / W&R331 Filled with the Spirit's power (Peacey) A rollicking hymn; a classic and the lyrics are still good to sing today. I prefer the tune WOODLANDS for this hymn.
AoV1-129 / CH665 / UMH62o / VU467 / WoV710 / ELW701 / HPP525 / G(II)599 / GC830 / GC(II)813 / W&R689 / Cha393 / SP221 One bread, one body. A classic. Don't play it too slow or it takes forever!! Particularly appropriate if you are celebrating communion. Lyrics.
GC(II)644 / W&R577 / SP167 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.
FFS08 Broken the body (Murray / Bray). Good words of a broken body of Christ and a broken Church seeking healing, unity and courage.
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. Lyrics and chords.
MV174 Soil of God you and I (Hannah) Good lyrics of inclusion, unity and growth. Fairly straightforward tune.
MV053 God who spread the boundless prairie (O'Driscoll) A good hymn for those in the prairies seeking unity.
SFFS 2221 In Unity We Lift Our Song (Medema) Excellent words to a well known hymn tune (EIN FESTE BURG). Celebrates the life of a church. Good for a church anniversary too.
StJ / GA432 / GC800 / GC(II)800 O Breathe on Me O Breath of God (Murray) Good words seeking the Spirit's gifts of new life, purity and unity with Christ. Sung to a lovely simple, and quite intuitive Celtic tune (COLUMCILLE). Sheet music and lyrics. Slow sound sample of an alternative tune (ST COLUMBA).
PH273 O God the Creator (Haile / Corbett) Unusual, but good tune, and good words of our unity as God's created children. Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
GA396 We are a part of all creation (Haugen) One Ohana / One great family. A good song to start a service. Simple tune. Simple enough language for kids to appreciate, too

Matthew 4:12-23
John arrested, and Jesus starts his ministry. The calling of James and John.
Songs for the Isaiah reading, above will also be suitable.
Tune In II There's A Fish In The Sea (Lees) BUC resource only so far. A good song for kids. We haven't used this yet, and it would be good to do so.
ATOK 348 / Iona (HSNW) / G(II)496 / GC692 / GC(II)697 Come with me / Sing hey for the carpenter (Iona) Excellent. I love this one. Very joyous, and a big favourite in our congregation. Lyrics. I think its strange that some have changed it to "sing yes for the carpenter".
ATOK 413 / Iona (HSNW) / CH533 / VU567 / StS039 / R276 / ELW798 / GA502 / SFFS 2130 / HPP317 / G(II)510 / GC700 / GC(II)687 / CP430 / CP(E) 622 / W&R350 / URW060 Will you come and follow me / The Summons (Iona / KELVINGROVE) A classic. Don't sing it too slowly or it really drags and takes forever! Lyrics and tune sample.
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". Lyrics.
Tune In: Hail the fisherfolk. A bluesy litany of the saints, including the fishermen of yesterday and the fisherfolk of today. Sound sample and lyrics.
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
NCH173 / CH532 / UMH344 / VU563 / WoV784 / ELW817 / HPP324 / HPSS377 / G(II)500 / GC696 / GC(II)678 / W&R347 / Cha342 Lord, you have come to the seashore / You have come down to the lakeshore / Pescador de Hombres There are many translations of this song. I like the NCH version best as it's most inclusive. The song can get a bit shmaltzy, but the tune is a nice lilting one and the words are great. “On the sand I have abandoned my small boat; now with you I will seek other seas”. Sound sample. Lyrics and sheet music.
SFFS 2101 / G(II)301 / GC688 / GC(II)693 Two Fishermen (Toolan) A nice medieval / minstrelly sounding tune and good words. This would be fun. Sound sample and sheet music sample here (search for fishermen)
NCH504 / StJ / HPP545 / GC(II)679 You Walk along Our Shoreline (Dunstan) Good words to a very familiar hymn tune (AURELIA). Lyrics. Sound sample.
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.
SFFS 2129 / HPP322 / W&R344 / Cha344 / Srce2-244 I Have Decided to Follow Jesus (Traditional) Good simple traditional chorus. This Australian video (maybe it's Hillsong, sounds like it) uses some nice chords.
TiS 589 / AHB 505 / NCH171 / CH509 / UMH398 / VU562 / LBW494 / ELW696 / HPP314 Jesus calls us; o'er the tumult. Great words. TiS sets it to ST CATHERINE, but it could be sung to other tunes if this is not familiar to your congregation (it’s not hard though).