Songs for Season of Creation 4A - River Sunday (September 25 2011)

Genesis 8:20-22; 9:12-17
God establishes a covenant with Noah, leaving a rainbow as a sign
Unknown source: Remember the rainbow, God’s promise in the sky. I know this is not very helpful, but I know that at Brunswick we have a copy of the words and chords in our folders. Maybe your church has it filed away somewhere too.
NCH032 / UMH122 / VU229 / HPP32 / PH272 / CP414 / W&R29 / Cha070 God of the sparrow God of the whale (Vajda) This is a beautiful song, but for some reason it sounds kind of odd with an Australian accent. Works especially well this week with the lyric: “God of the rainbow, God of the cross, God of the empty grave”. I like this version from the River's Voice album Namaste.
*Tune In: Tune in (Sims) A simple kid’s song. “Tune in, tune in, there’s a message coming in.” Encourages kids to look for signs of God’s love. Lyrics, sample and songbook available Lyrics, sample, songbook.
Online resource: It’s a sign of God’s love (Bruxvoort-Colligan) Not a congregational song – needs someone to sing this to the kids, really. Sample and lyrics available on this website.
*Recorded Music: "Just look up" by Eric Bibb and Michael Jerome Browne. On Eric Bibb's album "Friends" and on Putumayo's "Folk Playground". "There's a rainbow waiting for you, just look up". Sound sample.
NCH391 / SFFS 2238 / Cha458 In the midst of new dimensions (Rush) "Now and ever, now and ever, now and evermore". I quite like this one. Good for this week: "God of rainbow, fiery pillar". Hymnals vary in which verses they include.
*MV135 Called by earth and sky (Mayberry) Gentle song about the blessings of water, air, soil and fire. While it doesn't explicitly mention baptism, it is really beautiful and would work well.
*TiS 418 / AoV2-075 / Iona (EoA, Common Ground) / CH593 / GA372 / Cha255 / SP94 / URW165 She sits like a bird brooding on the waters / Enemy of Apathy (Thainaky) One of my all time favourite hymns. If you do not know this, you should really take a look at it! Very easy to sing if it is not sung too fast. Lyrics (scroll down).
*ATA 142 / UMH134 / Traditional If I could I surely would / O Mary don’t you weep. Lots of fun, and good for kids, but I’m not quite sure where Mary weeping fits into Pharoah’s army getting (clap) drowned dead… Here's Bruce Springsteen's version, which I love. Some of us at BUC played with this version in our 2 songs series. I've suggested it this week because of the verse "God gave Noah the rainbow sign - no more water but fire next time".

Psalm 104:27-33
All the great multitudes of the earth point to God's glory
*TiS 135 / AHB 70 / AoVK-110 / NCH31 / CH137 / UMH147 / VU291 / WoV767 / HPP35 / HPSS267 / RS 635 / CP415/6 / CP(E) 251 / W&R30 / Cha61 / Srce21 All things bright and beautiful The TiS version has beautiful Australian imagery. If your congregation only has the AHB or other versions of the music, it is worth making copies of the TiS lyrics; the congregation will know the tune. Verse 2 and 5 have masculine language for God.
*Taize / AoV2-142 / SFFS 2013 / GC(II)576 / CP360 Bless the Lord my soul (Berthier) A beautiful and very well known Taize chant. Sound samples, sheet music.
TiS 175 / GtB Did you ever see a kookaburra laugh A fun kid's song. "Where do all the good things come from?"
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) Acknowledges that all these things are gifts from God. Sources vary in how inclusive this hymn is. Check your own source. NCH is fully inclusive. The two most common tunes are probably DIX (TiS 314) and LUCERNA LAUDONIAE. I prefer DIX. Lyrics (including verses not found in many hymnals) and tune samples here. There is also the choral version by John Rutter, which is quite nice (albeit quite mushy!)
*TiS 571 / AHB 480 / CH529 / UMH438 / VU416 / CP467 / CP(E) 430 / W&R718 Forth in thy name O Lord I go A nice old minstrelly tune, and timeless words about committing all our works to God. Lyrics.
*TiS 163 / AHB 112 / NCH556 / UMH150 / LBW463 / ELW771 / HPPS268 / W&R644 / Cha651 God who stretched the spangled heavens Good words of creation of nature and cities and creative possibilities for the future. AHB has old masculine language, but it works okay; TiS and other sources are better. There are many possible tunes. I like it best to HOLY MANNA as in the link. Lyrics and sound sample.
*MV015 / GA186 Holy Sacred Spirit (Brown) Gentle chant. Can be used without the cantor part. "Holy Sacred Spirit, breathe your breath on us"
*TiS 152 / NCH4 / UMH89 / VU232 / LBW551 / ELW836 / HPP22 / HPSS464 / GC529 / GC(II)520 / CP425 / W&R59 / Cha002 / URW065 Joyful joyful we adore thee Note that this hymn is not always very inclusive. I prefer more modern translations. Older version lyrics and tune sample.
*TiS 187 / AoV2-130 / CH149 / StS122 Let all creation dance I just love the imagery of this one, and it's a very joyous and familiar hymn tune too. Lyrics (downloads pdf).
G(II)90 / GC101 / GC(II)60 Lord Send Out Your Spirit (Lisicky) Could be fun to use just the refrain as a round. I would sing it much quicker than the sample. Sheet music sample. Sound sample.
AoVK-123 / NCH3 / Iona (M&G) / UMH148 / VU308 / WoV794 / ELW837 / HPSS271 / G(II)338 / GC499 / CP407 / W&R26 / Cha58 / URW232 Many and Great O God are your works / Wakantanka Taku Nitawa (Lacquiparle) Good words. Simple tune. Needs a good Native American-style drum beat. Lyrics.
TiS 65 Send forth your spirit o Lord and renew the face of the earth (Murray) Cantored Psalm. Refrain is simple and inclusive. Verses do not use inclusive language for God.
*TiS 166 / AHB 102 / StB 35 Sing a new song sing a new song Excellent inclusive words from Australian poet James McAuley. The last verse annoys me a bit, but the rest is excellent. Lyrics.
AoVK-113 Thank you O Lord for this world of ours (Barr) A good kids song in two parts.
*AoV2-051 / G(II)325 / GC463 / GC(II)481 Spirit Blowing through Creation (Haugen) Excellent. Don't rush or it's hard to get all the words out.
*TiS 188 Where wide sky rolls down and touches red sand (Smith) Great Australian imagery sung to a familiar hymn tune. Lyrics (scroll down).

Revelation 22:1-5
The river of life and the tree of life
*AoV2-006 / The tide has turned Deeper River / There's a river running deep within the silence of our souls (Digby Hannah). An excellent song of restoration for tired desert-like souls. Lyrics.
Unknown source There's a river of life flowing out from me I have found the lyrics to this, but I can't remember the second part at all. I think I only know the chorus. Maybe it's in a scripture in song book. It's a happy clappy.
MV160 There's a river of life that's flowing from God's throne (Maracle) This simple chorus will need to be taught as it is Native American (Mohawk) and makes use of vocables (!). It would work best with some percussion.
AoVNG138 Tune our hearts / Tree of Life (Thompson) A lovely chant for the chorus, which would work with or without the verses. I'm not sure of all the lyrics for this as I don't have a copy.
NCH576 / CH706 / UMH428 / VU678 / GA513 / GC719 / GC(II)712 / RS823 / CP576 / CP(E) 427 / W&R621 / Cha668 For the healing of the nations (Kaan) Excellent words seeking peaceful coexistence of the nations. Can be sung to a range of tunes including the very familiar WESTMINSTER ABBEY. Lyrics and another tune.

Matthew 28:1-10
The resurrection.
Just look at Easter Day, please!

General River-type songs
VU267 / W&R20 / SP288 Like a mighty river flowing (Perry) Lovely words of the presence of God in nature. Some of them are here.
*MV144 / SP&P073 Like a healing stream (Harding) Gentle folksy ballad with a lot of water imagery - healing stream, gentle rain, river strong and mighty sea. Would need to be introduced, but would catch on pretty quickly, I think. Sound sample, sheet music sample, and pdf for purchase.
MV163 River running in you and me (Macdonald / Light) Terrific words with lots of river imagery, a song of the spirit, and of challenge when times are hard. If this is not familiar, just get a soloist to sing it while the congregation joins in the last line "River run deep, river run free". The verses are not metrical, so it will take more time to sing them with confidence. AoV2-058 Pulsing Spirit rippling river (Dufner) I've just written down in my notes that this is excellent but I can't remember why and I don't have the book this week. Lyrics.
G(II)526 / GC728 / GC(II)725 / URW419 Peace Is Flowing Like a River (Anon) A simple chorus. Great for kids and older people. You won't need to provide words for this after the first couple of verses, because only the first word changes. If you don't provide all the words, sometimes people look around them and notice each other.
*Traditional / StJ / GC(II)567 As I went down to the river to pray (Folk song) Dunno about the "Good old way" bit, but the encouragement to pray together with each other is a good theme, and the song is a favourite in our congregation. I'm not sure if we've ever sung it as a congregation, but it would be good to do so. Here's the clip from O Brother Where art thou, which made it so popular.
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.
NCH438 / UMH377 / LBW346 / ELW785 / HPP390 / W&R428 / Cha561 / Srce784 When peace like a river (Spafford) An older American hymn. Hymnals vary in how old fashioned the lyrics are, and only some include the chorus. Lyrics and tune (really terrible old lyrics).
ATFG563 How long? (Mann) How long must we cry out till justice rolls down like a river?
NCH478 / VU577 / SFFS 2145 / HPP394 / PH368 / GGives1 / Cha530 I've got peace like a river (African-American) I really like this old song!

Songs and Hymns for Proper 21A / Ordinary 26A / Pentecost +20 (September 25th 2011)

Exodus 17:1-7
God delivers water from the rock to the grumbling Israelites.
*Tune In: Save us in the time of trial (Whelan) Reflective Taize-style chorus and verses about trying to follow Christ in the face of temptation. Chorus is particularly straightforward and chantlike. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook
*AoV2-006 / The tide has turned Deeper River / There's a river running deep within the silence of our souls (Digby Hannah). An excellent song of restoration for tired desert-like souls. Lyrics.
*ATW 435 Wellsprings / Like the woman of old. Another song of seeking water in the desert. A favourite of our congregation. Lyrics.
*NCH 45 Christ is the Mountain of Horeb which is flowing / Cristo es la pena Puerto Rican pasodoble folk melody. Very repetitive and easy. Can start slow and get fast, which is always a winner move. Youtube of some cool pianist doing a groovy jazzy version.
*TiS 569 / AHB 478 / NCH18/19 / CH167 / UMH127 / VU651 / LBW343 ELW618 / HPP432 / HPSS281 / CP565 / CP(E) 455 / W&R501 / Cha622 / 82Hml690 Guide me O thou great Jehovah / Redeemer (Williams) A rousing hymn of God’s presence and strength and making it to the other side. Sound sample and lyrics.
*Tune In: We will sing a new song to the world (Brown) It makes me think of being joyous when everyone around you sounds like a grumbling Israelite in the desert. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook.
*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. Sheet music.

Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16
See above and:
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).

Alternate Hebrew Scripture Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
Israel is grumbling again. God says to "turn, then, and live".
*Tune In: We will sing a new song to the world (Brown) It makes me think of being joyous when everyone around you sounds like a grumbling Israelite in the desert. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook.
*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.

Alternate Psalm Psalm 25:1-9
*MV45 Hamba nathi (Zulu). There are a lot of translations of this song. I like this version best, (Come walk with us, the journey is long) but the sound sample is a bit funny. There's only so much you can do with an electronic keyboard.
*ATFG563 / NCYC'03 / The Red Book 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".
*TiS 666 / AoV2-113 / AoVK-126 / ATOK 409 / NCH526 / Iona (Common Ground, Freedom is Coming) / CH516 / VU646/647 / WoV650 / ELW866 / SFFS 2235 / HPP153 / G(II)357 / GC513 / GC(II)516 / Cha442 / SP235 / Srce737 We are marching in the light of God / Siyahamba / Caminando An excellent and very popular song for kids and grown-ups. Lyrics and sound 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. It would be good to sing this at Brunswick again. Note that MV has a different translation.
*Tune In: Dare to Dream (Loukes) A great song about having a vision for the future, being lead by the light of Bethlehem’s star. "Dare to dream of new beginnings, Paths untried, by faith supplied". We tend to sing this only in Advent / Christmas, but there's no reason why it couldn't be used at this time of year. Sound sample, lyrics, song book
*Tune In: Like the sun upon my skin / God’s Mercy (Anderson) A beautiful ballad about identifying God's mercy in the beauty of creation. Lyrics, sound sample, songbook
*TiS 624 / W&R453 Christ be my leader by night as by day. Excellent words of following Christ in times of struggle to a traditional Scottish melody. Lyrics
G(II)252 / GC328 / GC(II)336 For you O Lord my soul in stillness waits (Haugen) Nice refrain, and verses that contain a good range of images of God. Might be best for the congregation to join in only in the refrain? Sound and sheet music sample (search for stillness)
TiS 554 / AHB 459 / ATOK 384 / NCH410 / UMH142 / LBW453 / ELW769 / HPP383 / HPSS282 If thou but trust in God to guide thee / If you but trust in God to guide you If your congregation is familiar with this hymn, I highly recommend looking at the NCH version which, unlike most others, has inclusive words.
AoV2-014 To You O God I Lift Up My Soul (Hurd)
GC(II)26 To You O Lord (Haugen) Simple refrain and inclusive cantor part. Sample sheet music and sound sample (search for Psalm 25).
TiS 14 / GA026 To you, O Lord I lift my soul (Willcock) Good cantor and response.
NCH 531 / CH542 / UMH463 / VU589 / LBW403 / ELW676 / HPP372 / HPSS426 Lord speak to me that I may speak / God speak to me that I may speak (Havergal) An old fashioned hymn. If this is familiar to your congregation, I recommend using the words from the New Century Hymnal, which are modernised and inclusive but retain the spirit of the original. Some sources also have “Lord speak to us that we may speak” which is worth considering also.
*Online resource: Make me know your ways (Harding). Simple two part round "Make me know your ways O God, teach me your paths...". Sheet music, sample pdf and groovy mp3.
*Taize / CH276 / VU22 / ELW262 / G(II)256 / GC332 / GC(II)340 / CP94 Wait for the Lord (Berthier). "Wait for the Lord, whose day is near, Wait for the Lord, keep watch, take heart!" for singing practice available Sheet music, translations and sound samples

Philippians 2:1-13
Servanthood of Christ, Unity
*TiS 650 / AoV2-169 / ATA 191 / CH694 / NCH539 / VU595 / ELW659 / AA08 / SFFS 2222 / HPP442 / G(II)476 / GC683 / GC(II)661 / CP500 / CP(E) 393 / W&R391 / Cha490 / SP263 / URW117 Brother, sister, let me serve you / Won't you let me be your servant? (Gillard) I think you all know this one. Lyrics. NCH has a nice turn on the lyrics with "Won't you let me be your servant?" as the first line.
TiS 236 / AHB 178 / CH351 / UMH273 / VU570 / HPP157 Jesus' hands were kind hands. Good old fashioned children's song. Lots of kids learn to play this on piano, so if you have some budding piano students in your congregation, it may be nice to invite one to play.
*TiS 640 / AHB 561 / ATE 310 / NCH498 / UMH432 / VU593 / WoV765 / ELW708 / HPP446 / HPSS367 / G(II)296 / GC409 / GC(II)429 / CP504 / W&R273 / Cha600 / URW116 / 82Hml-602 Jesu Jesu fill us with your love / Kneels at the feet of his friends (Colvin & people of Ghana) Lyrics
*ATE 216 / Iona (SBL) / CH126 / StJ / ELW555 / PH472 / G(II)365 / GC527 / RS 671 / CP417 / W&R15O sing to the Lord / Cantai ao Senhor / Cantad al Señor (Traditional Brazilian) A good, fun and simple song that is easy to learn in Portuguese or Spanish too.
TiS 174 / UMH194 Morning glory starlit sky (Vanstone). Quite amazing words and a very singable tune. There are six verses so everyone will know the tune by the end – still, it would be good to play it through to the congregation before singing. Very challenging yet still poetic words. May be a bit old-fashioned for some? Lyrics can be found here.
*TiS 691 Faith will not grow from words alone (Smith) This is an excellent hymn about doubting and struggling in faith. The tune is familiar and I find the words very helpful for thinking and doubting Christians. Lyrics and melody line
*TiS 721 / Iona (LFB) / URW431 He became poor that we may be rich (Iona) A simple chant. Timing is a little bit tricky, so you will need to take a little time to teach it initially.
*TiS 178 / G(II)335 / GC478 / GC(II)487 Praise the God who changes places (Wren) I like the joy of the tune written by William Rowan (BOE) for this song. Lyrics and sign language here (scroll to the bottom for the lyrics). Sample here, to a different tune

Matthew 21:23-32
Who gave Jesus authority? The disobedient and obedient sons
Many of the songs suggested for the Philippians reading will also work here in terms of following the theme of servanthood.
*NCH400 / CH200 / VU325 / HPP481 / HPPS417 Christ is made the sure foundation Some versions of this have lyrics that don’t translate well any more. NCH has good lyrics “Here renew your servants’ vision, that by faith they may attain peace and hope, renewed compassion, strength to comfort those in pain, tears and grief transformed to gladness in your everlasting reign.” I would like to sing it to ST THOMAS, because it's a Sacred Harp tune and I love it.
*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
*TiS 259 / Iona (Love From Below) Among us and before us Lord you stand (Bell). Good words. The set tune (GATEHOUSE) will need to be taught. It can also be sung to SURSUM CORDA. Lyrics (downloads a word document).

Songs for Season of Creation 3A (Outback / Wilderness Sunday)

Joel 1:8-10, 17-20
Lamentation; fire has destroyed the wilderness
FFS02 As the sun beats down (Bennett) Good words. Simple tune. A lamentation in times of drought. Maybe drought is like fire destroying the land too. I just thought this might be appropriate in some places.
Online resource O mighty God of wind and flame (Winfrey-Gillette) For some communities, this reading might call to mind recent bushfires, and this song may be appropriate. Lyrics here.

Psalm 18:6-19
The Psalmist calls on God who answered (in a very dramatic way) with deliverance
MV017 / FFS24 /Srce2-145 God in the darkness (Smith) Great words which would work well at the beginning of a service of worship. Set to a fairly simple hymn-like tune by Colin Gibson. Verse 1: "God in the darkness, God beyond our knowing, patient creator, seed in secret growing, rock of the living, water ever flowing, come and renew us"
SiS635 / StJ / SFFS2002 / W&R653 I Will Call upon the Lord (O'Shields) Fun. Don't take it too seriously; break into a round if you feel like it. I always imagine crazy 80s hair metal drums and guitars for the chorus. There is a second verse in some sources which really isn't needed (or good). Lyrics and chords. I'm just now realising that I may have listened (accidentally, of course!) to Petra in the 80s - like this.

Romans 8:18-27
The spirit intercedes for us.
FFS11 Come teach us Spirit of our God (Murray/Jillian Bray) Excellent words and a good tune.
Worldmaking.net / CP086 More Than We Can Ask A great chant for use during intercessions. Very simple and genuine. Sample here.
TiS 406 / AHB 377 / CH583 / VU385 / HPP223 / HPSS325 / CP646 / CP(E) 195 Spirit divine attend our prayers Old, but inclusive words. Tune is not very familiar but is very straightforward.
Music by Heart 19 The groaning of the spirit (Law) A round with an ostinato (a higher part) and an optional drum part. Would need to be taught during worship, or shortly before.
*Tune In: Spirit of the Father / Alive in me (Anderson) Catchy song about God’s spirit living in us. "Take hold of the hope that I give, trust in me, reach out for the love you can live, eternally”. Lyrics and sound sample.
*Tune In: Father of earth, Mother of sea (Brown) A Latinesque song about the Spirit being with those who are victims, prisoners and the sick, as well as present in our prayers. Note particularly the phrase “Spirit who prays with us while war goes on… pray with us Lord”. Lyrics and sample.
*AoV1-061 / ATOK 355 / SFFS 2194 / G(II)521 / GC723 / GC(II)707 / ZSS110 / SgTJ1035 Freedom is coming (South African) Excellent and lots of fun, especially if you have a keen African-style drummer in your congregation. It's really worth teaching the parts to your congregation before the service. It can get a bit boring if the congregation don't know they get to listen to the other parts! Partial sheet music, sound sample (search for Freedom is coming).
VU619 / WoV738 / ELW612 / SFFS 2213 / G(II)642 / GC882 / GC(II)854 / RS 958 / CP612 / W&R630 / Cha506 / URW161 Healer of Our Every Ill (Haugen) Good straightforward words of healing and simple tune. "Give us strength to love each other, every sister, every brother". Can get overly mushy. Lyrics and sheet music sample. Sound sample.
URW154 Holy holy holy you are whole and holy (Harling) Very simple tune. Would be a nice Sanctus to use during communion this week if you like, even if you just used the chorus.
*TiS 417 / AoV2-133 / ATW 448 / VU387 / StJ / WoV683 / ELW397 / AA94 / HPP237 / HPPS323 / 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. Lyrics are here.
*TiS 421 Where the Spirit is there's freedom (Harling) Fun and good; excellent fun for the pianist! Lyrics.
NCH520 / LBW441 / ELW402 / AA033 / CP557 / W&R475 / 82Hml-698 Eternal Spirit of the living Christ (von Christierson) There are many tunes to these very honest and realistic words. For a more modern alternative, Gibson's tune in AA (ARGYLE STREET) is quite good. Lyrics.
*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.
*VU379 / LBW459 / ELW786 / SFFS 2121 O Holy Spirit root of life Good words from Hildegard of Bingen. Simple known tune. You can see the sheet music here (doesn't always work).

Matthew 3:13 – 4:2 or Mark 1:9-13
Christ is baptised and driven into the wilderness
*CH338 / VU115 / StS036 / SFFS 2105 Jesus tempted in the desert (Stuempfle) Excellent story-telling hymn, sung to the familiar tune EBENEZER. Sheet music sample including lyrics. Tune sample.
*Tune In Save us in the time of trial (Whelan) A song with a reflective almost-Taize-like chorus. We have sung this a couple of different ways, it's quite flexible. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook available.
*MV118 Me alone (Jamaican traditional) A very simple repetitive call-and-response song. Could work well as a reflective song. Could work as a prayer response, and fits with the other readings this week too.
*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.
*?SP&P097 The spirit led Jesus to the wilderness (Scheffler) A good catchy verse and chorus song for kids. The story of Jesus going into the wilderness. You might need to have a conversation about what it means to be tempted by the devil with the kids before singing this. We don't often talk about "The Devil".
*MV065 When we are tested and wrestle alone (Duck) Excellent words paralleling our struggles with those of Christ in the wilderness. The set tune WHEN WE ARE TESTED is not difficult, but it can also be sung to SLANE (TiS 547) if you need a familiar tune. First verse is "When we are tested and wrestle alone, famished for bread when the world offers stone, nourish us God, by your word and your way, food that sustains us by night and by day".
*Taize In God alone my soul can find rest and peace. A beautiful healing chant from Taize. Words and music and sound samples for learning the parts are here.
*Tune In: You in all our worries / All will finish well “In this world where injustice reigns, you are in the midst of pain”. Excellent words of reassurance in a difficult world. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook available here.
Online resource: Jesus in the Desert (Damon) A simple hymn-like song. Sheet music.
*Online resource: Out in the Wilderness (Beech) A groovy song that I think kids will like. Sheet music.
Cha455 You Have Called Me (Edwards) A simple song, about being called from silence or the wilderness to serve. "Here I am, send me, here I am"
*Iona (Heaven Shall not Wait) / VU19 Kindle a flame to lighten the dark and take all fear away. A good chant, useful as a response for intercessions. Sometimes a bit tricky to sing - there's a strangely large jump at the start.
Worldmaking.net Open unto me light for my darkness (Bruxvoort-Colligan) Good for a more contemplative service. Sample
Worldmaking.net O Christ, Lamb of God (Bruxvoort-Colligan) A more modern Agnus Dei, with Christ sharing our weakness. Lyrics and sound sample.
*TiS 745 / AoV1-048 / ATN 34 / SiS96 / CH641 / UMH405 / VU356 / WoV783 / GA456 / HPP370 / PH333 / GC615 / GC(II)600 / CP458 / W&R349 / Cha354 / Srce593 / 82Hml-711 Seek ye first the kingdom of God (Lafferty) A classic. Versions vary widely in the inclusiveness of their versions. A tip: GA, WoV and VU have all made this gender inclusive for God by simply replacing "his righteousness" with "God's righteousness". Easy, really. And, "We do not live by bread alone". Words from St. Theresa of Avila.

Songs and Hymns for Proper 20A / Ordinary 25A / Pentecost +19 (September 18th 2011)

Exodus 16:2-15
The Israelites complain; God sends manna and quails. Enough to eat without hoarding.
*Recorded music Then the quail came (Blanchard) I love this song, and the words really bring the story of the quail and manna to tired travellers. Written by Michael Kelly Blanchard and recorded by Noel Paul Stookey (the Paul in Peter, Paul and Mary). I like the recording by Australian folk singer Peter Campbell about 13 years ago on his album “Rear View Mirror”. I'm not sure if this album is still available anywhere - track it down if you can! I think songs like this are really worth playing at church, with the lyrics projected or printed for people in the congregation to read while they listen. Lyrics. Sound sample (and check out the 70s album cover!)
*ATW 474 You're like the sun that warms me / Bread of angels (Mann) This is a nice ballad, a favourite of many in our congregation. It may not be easy for a congregation without some introduction because the structure is a little tricky. Lyrics.
*Online Resource Manna for all (Bruce Harding). A simple chant “God of abundance, call us to action, trusting your promise, manna for all!”. Sample available, and option to purchase Sample and online purchase
*TiS 569 / AHB 478 / NCH18/19 / CH167 / UMH127 / VU651 / LBW343 ELW618 / HPP432 / HPSS281 / CP565 / CP(E) 455 / W&R501 / Cha622 / 82Hml690 Guide me O thou great Jehovah / Redeemer (Williams) A rousing hymn of God’s presence and strength and making it to the other side. Sound sample and lyrics. VU460 / R181 / ELW461 / *SFFS 2126 / G(II)589 / GC820 / GC(II)817 / RS 845 / Cha419 All who hunger gather gladly (Dunstan) The words are great; I would sing it to the tune HOLY MANNA. There is a contemporary tune (by Bob Moore) is also very nice, but may need to be introduced to your congregation. “All who hunger gather gladly, holy manna is our bread. Come from wilderness and wand’ring, here, in truth, we will be fed. You that yearn for days of fullness, all around us is our food. Taste and see the grace eternal, Taste and see that God is good”. Lyrics (scroll down).
GC840 / GC(II)818 CP085 / 82Hml-343 Shepherd of Souls. An old-fashioned inclusive eucharistic hymn to a familiar tune. Lyrics, sheet music and sound sample here.
*TiS 156 / AHB 91 / AoV1-135 / ATA 123 / CH212 / UMH145 / VU409 / ELW556 / HPP267 / HPSS469 / G(II)546 / GC756 / GC(II)748 / CP003 / CP(E) 260 / W&R35 / Cha053 / URW186 / 82Hml-008 Morning has broken (BUNESSAN) Still good.

Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45
A song of thanks, including references to the Israelites coming out of Egypt and God providing food and water.
*TiS 755 / ATA 196 / CH804 / VU884 / SFFS 2278 / HPP219 / CP662 / W&R710 / Srce830 / URW449 You shall go out with joy / The trees of the field (Dauerman) This is a good hand clappy foot stomping song. Fun. Can't get enough of this song, really. Chords and lyrics.
*Online Resource 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 God's care for the Israelites. Free sheet music here.
TiS 66 Sing to God, sing praises. A good cantor and refrain. The refrain will also work well with the Psalm being read from the verses.
*NCH Psalter Let the hearts of those who seek God rejoice! Good joyous refrain, which could be used with the sung or read Psalm.
*AoVK-24 / Iona (T1AU) / CH756 Bless the Lord (Kenyan). A good call and response chant – would make a good processional. Words are: Bless the Lord (my sisters), Bless the Lord (my brothers) Bless the Lord there is no other God. I think our congregation would really enjoy this. The tune is identical to Reamo Leboga. Sound sample of Reamo leboga (scroll to the 3rd album).
*Iona / MV104 Know that God is good (Mungu ni mwema). A simple joyous chant from Africa. It’s been a while since we’ve sung this. Sheet music and melody line sample.
*ATW 457 / Iona (T1AU) / CH751 / MV050 / StS017 / GC(II)260 / URW402 Alleluia (Duncan) A simple Alleluia. Gather version has a descant cantor part. Here are some nice notes on how to teach it to your congregation. Sound sample.
*ATW 460 / Iona (M&G) / CH752 / VU717 / WoV610 Alleluia (South Africa) (Mxadana) Beautiful and peaceful, especially if you can work all the harmonies in.
*ATN 51 / SFFS 2258 / SiS Sing alleluia to the Lord A simple and familiar song to many. It has nice soaring Alleluias and is not too hard. Substitute “Our God” if you like, as some hymnals do.
*MV187 We give our thanks / Reamo leboga (Traditional Botswana) A great song to sing for the offering. Sound sample (scroll to the 3rd album). We usually sing it much more quickly than this sample.
*ATE 216 / Iona (SBL) / CH126 / StJ / ELW555 / PH472 / G(II)365 / GC527 / RS 671 O sing to the Lord / Cantai ao Senhor / Cantad al Señor (Traditional Brazilian) A good, fun and simple song that is easy to learn in Portuguese or Spanish too.

Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Jonah 3:10-4:11
Jonah sulks; the withered bush
*TiS 674 / Iona (Common Ground, Heaven Shall Not Wait) / CH253 Inspired by love and anger Powerful lyrics, simple English folk tune. Lyrics (search for "inspired"). I love verse three “Don’t query our position! Don’t criticise our wealth! Don’t mention those exploited by politics and stealth!”. It’s easy for us to be judgemental on these things.

Alternative Psalm to go with Jonah: Psalm 145:1-8
*TiS 100 / AHB 3 / NCH17 / CH147 / UMH62 / VU217 / LBW527 / ELW835 / GA395 / HPP261 / HPSS455 / GC534 / GC(II)523 / RS 670 / CP(E) / 250 / W&R23 / Cha022 All creatures of our God and King (Francis of Assissi) A good classic sing! Hymnals vary in how inclusive (or not) the lyrics are. Hymnals do this by using only "Alleluia Alleluia" or "Sing your praises", instead of the masculine "Oh praise him". NCH has "To you, O God, all creatures sing" and eliminates all kingly language. ELW has "All creatures worship God most high". Lyrics and sound sample.
*TiS 132 / AHB 65 / NCH277 / CH111 / UMH64 / VU315 / LBW165 / ELW413 / HPP243 / HPSS138 / G(II)332 / GC474 / GC(II)483 / CP001 / CP(E) 202 Holy Holy Holy Lord God Almighty (Heber / NICAEA) Many sources have good inclusive language for people and God (e.g. CH4 and TiS, but others don't so check your source!)
*TiS 152 / NCH4 / UMH89 / VU232 / LBW551 / ELW836 / HPP22 / HPSS464 / GC529 / GC(II)520 / CP425 / W&R59 / Cha002 / URW065 Joyful joyful we adore thee Note that this hymn is not always very inclusive. I prefer more modern translations (e.g. TiS, VU, NCH, GC(II) ). Older version lyrics and tune sample.
*VU267 / W&R20 / SP288 Like a mighty river flowing (Perry) Lovely words of the presence of God in nature. Some of them are here.
MV176 Three things I promise (Wren / Damon) Beautiful words of seeking to live faithfully from Brian Wren. The set tune is unfamiliar, but very beautiful, and if not familiar to your congregation would make a good reflective piece (for the congregation to sing in later weeks). You could also sing it to one of the suggested alternate tunes PROSPECT and WAREHAM if you like.

Philippians 1:21-30
Living right. Or something.
*AoV2-055 / G(II)513 / GC711 / GC(II)716 May we find richness / Harvest of Justice “Gather with patience for those who have nothing. Leave them your riches, and you will receive.” Also picks up the Exodus theme. Sample sheet music, lyrics and a plodding tune sample here.
*TiS 468 / NCH309 We are your people, Spirit of Grace (Wren). A bit long, but if you vary verses between men and women it's a bit more refreshing. The sudden high note at the end can throw newcomers to the tune a little, so if it's new, it's good to warn people about it. Lyrics can be found here.
*MV154 Deep in our hearts (Oldham) A good song about having a common vision and purpose. Easy to sing.
CH159 / CP(E) 81 / W&R70 / SP289 / Srce439 Lord for the years your love has kept and guided (Dudley-Smith) Very traditional, but good words. Some lack of inclusive language in some versions. Sung to a well-known hymn tune (O PERFECT LOVE). Lyrics and sound sample.
NCH398 / MV044 / W&R599 / URW072 Shadow and Substance (Damon) Good clear words of being Christ's community in all our diversity. A simple tune. Lyrics (downloads a pdf).

Matthew 20:1-16
The parable of equal pay to the workers in the vineyard who all started at different times.
*MV127 I saw the rich ones (Mayberry) This is simple to sing and a great song for kids “The men in the vineyards were grumbling one day, I knew they weren’t happy with what they’d been paid… But with God the world is turned upside down. The poor are embraced and the lost they are found. Let’s work for a world where all people are free. Where it’s good to feel good about God loving you and me”.
VU457 / R183 / ELW522 / SFFS 2268 / HPP528 / GC(II)738 / CP061 / W&R695 As We Gather at Your Table (Daw) Beautiful, honest, encouraging words. Could be sung to HOLY MANNA, BEACH SPRING or NETTLETON, all very popular hymn tunes (did I mention that two of them are Sacred Harp tunes?), particularly good if you are celebrating communion this week. Lyrics.

Songs for Season of Creation 2A - Land Sunday (September 11, 2011)

Genesis 3:14-19; 4:8-16
God's words to the serpent, Eve and Adam post-Fall; the murder of Abel and the mark of Cain
Online resource From Dust to Dust (Harding) A simple song which can be sung as a chant or a round. Includes Kyries. It's written for Ash Wednesday, but it would work on this Sunday too. Sound sample. Sample sheet music. Available here.
Recorded Music The Garden (Bobby McFerrin) This song is about the Garden, and the Fall, and I think the lyrics fit well for this reading. Video and lyrics.

Psalm 139:7-12
God knows us better than we know ourselves. We cannot hide.
*AoV2-031 / ATW 424 / CH97 / GC(II)509 / SP301 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 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.
*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.
*TiS 725 / ATE 275 / TiS 725 / AoV2-167 / ATE 275 / StJ / GA538 / G(II)553 / GC763 / URW391 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.
*Music by Heart 15 Darkness is not dark (Law) A simple round, with optional cantor part. Good to teach to your congregation without lyric sheets or projections.
*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.
TiS 87 / VU862 / HPPS248 You are before me, Lord, you are behind. A beautiful chant-like setting to this psalm; sung to SURSUM CORDA. The words are directly from the Psalm and are very beautiful. lyrics.
*Worldmaking.net Open unto me light for my darkness (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan). Sample here.
*MV 131 You, Creator God, have searched me. 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 423 Examine my heart, explore my mind (Mann). This is a bit tricky, but if familiar to your congregation would be great to sing.
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.

Romans 5:12-17
Complex; free grace through Christ seems to be the main message.
*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. Nice youtube of some Sacred Harp singing, and a story.
*Tune In: A grain of wheat (Sheree Anderson) Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it won't form roots and grow. A boppy song with deeply meaningful lyrics. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook.
TiS 211 / AHB 139 / NCH546 / CH490 / UMH479 / VU669 / HPP380 / PH303 / CP533 / CP(E) 96 / W&R439 / Cha542 / Srce383 / 82Hml-699 Jesus lover of my soul (Wesley) A classic with much beauty. I prefer singing it to ABERYSTWYTH. Not all versions are great; VU has good lyrics. Old school lyrics.
*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. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook available here.
*Tune In: In the shape of a cross (Dave Brown) A cry to God for help and a call for God to enter our world. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook available here.

Matthew 12:38-40
Jonah was in the whale for 3 days, Christ will be in the earth for 3 days
Not quite sure what to suggest for this.

General songs of an earth / soil theme
*MV 174 Soil of God (Holy Ground) This is probably most appropriate for last week’s reading, but would also fit for this week. The tune is quite siple and the words are good “Soil of God, you and I, stand ready to bear seeds of faith nourished by God’s tender care”.
*WoV658 / ELW506 / URW078 The word of God is source and seed "The Word of God is source and seed; It comes to die and sprout and grow. So make your dark earth welcome warm; Root deep the grain God bent to sow." The words also fit with the Psalm, so you might want to sing this song if you have access to it. There's a very helpful commentary including the lyrics of the hymn here.
AoVNG129 / Iona (Common Ground, T1AU) / CH798 / StJ / ELW646 / URW446 The peace of the earth be with you (Guatemalan) I really like the energy and the words of this one. Easy to sing. Some versions have "The peace of the Lord be with you" instead. Which is not the same. It would sound really good if you got that guy in your congregation who plays Andean pan-pipes to join in. Yeah. It's late...

Songs and Hymns for Proper 19A / Ordinary 24A / Pentecost +18 (September 11, 2011)

Exodus 14:19-31
The crossing of the red sea
*NCH326 / VU449 / R158 / ELW455 / SFFS 2247 / CP042 / URW105 Crashing waters at creation (Dunstan) Excellent words to the familiar hymn tune STUTTGART that cover all those great water images of creation, the red sea, and baptism. The song is not baptism-specific though. It would be great to sing on any Sunday “Living water, never ending, quench the thirst and flood the soul. Wellspring, Source of life eternal, drench our dryness, make us whole”. Sound sample. Lyrics. Sheet music sample. Can also be sung to the tune RESTORATION, which is a great Sacred Harp melody. Lyrics, sheet music and sound samples. There is also a version of this in "Music by Heart" (number 56) where a cantor sings the verses, while the congregation sings a simple refrain "To the bath and the table, to the prayers and the word, come, every seeking soul".
*TiS 569 / AHB 478 / NCH18/19 / CH167 / UMH127 / VU651 / LBW343 ELW618 / HPP432 / HPSS281 / CP565 / CP(E) 455 / W&R501 / Cha622 / 82Hml690 Guide me O thou great Jehovah / Redeemer (Williams) A rousing hymn of God’s presence and strength and making it to the other side. Sound sample and lyrics.
*Iona (LFB) / G(II)503 / GC701 / RS818 God It Was who said to Abraham (Bell) Easy Celtic style tune. Good story words. Familiar tune, words of Abraham, Sarah and others in salvation history. "God it was who said to Moses “Save my people, part the sea!” God it was who said to Miriam “Sing and dance to show you’re free!"". Note that God is masculine; John Bell may have addressed that in more recent editions of Love From Below. Lyrics and sheet music. Slow sound sample.
*NCH002 / ZSS117 Glory, glory, hallelujah, since I laid my burdens down Easy African-American upbeat gospel song. Includes the verse “We are dancing Miriam’s dance now”. We had a lot of fun last time we sang this at Brunswick.
*VU131 If our God had simply saved us (traditional Hebrew Passover song) This is a simple song, with a catchy Israeli melody and a one word refrain of "Dadayeinu", which kids could have a lot of fun with. Dadayeinu means "it would have been enough". It's quite long, so you may choose to sing only a couple of verses, and sing more in the weeks to come as the story continues to unfold.
*TiS 47 / AHB 46 / AoV1-175 / NCH25 / CH161 / UMH117 / VU806 / LBW504 / ELW806 / HPP1 / HPSS210 / GC614 / GC(II)588 / CP528 / CP(E) 537 / W&R84 O God our help in ages past A good solid very well known hymn! The surprising thing about this one is that the language is inclusive for God in most sources. Not all sources are inclusive for humanity, so check. Lyrics and sound sample.
*ATA 142 / UMH134 / Traditional If I could I surely would / O Mary don’t you weep. Lots of fun, and good for kids, but I’m not quite sure where Mary weeping fits into Pharoah’s army getting (clap) drowned dead… Here's Bruce Springsteen's version, which I love. Some of us at BUC played with this version in our 2 songs series.
NCH230 / CH414 / UMH315 / VU165 / LBW132 / ELW363 Come you faithful raise the strain / come ye faithful raise the strain Most sources have quite a masculine version of this. NCH has an inclusive version, but retains the old-fashioned poetic style “Come you faithful raise the strain of triumphant gladness, God has brought all Israel into joy from sadness. Loosed from Pharaoh’s bitter yoke Jacob’s sons and daughters; Led them with unmoistened foot through the Red sea waters”. If the old version is familiar to your congregation, it might be good to try this newer version.
*World Council of Churches Hear the message we now are proclaiming / El mensaje que hoy proclamamos. While not directly related to crossing the Red Sea, this jubilant Colombian song of liberty and new life for the poor and suffering would fit well with the release of the Israelites. Free sheet music here.
Seeds of Faith Miriam’s Song (Bruxvoort-Colligan) A fun kid's song, where they can repeat the lines after a singer. Good for the children's address, if you can sing, or for Sunday School. Sound sample and lyrics.
*Iona (Many & Great, There is One Among Us) /MV99 / GC(II)673 Stand O Stand Firm (Cameroons) I love having an excuse to sing this simple song from the Cameroons. 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.
*NCH572 / UMH448 / woV670 / HPP453 / PH334 / G(II)515 / GC715 / W&R618 / Cha663 / 82Hml-648 When Israel was in Egypt's land (African-American) Traditional song, quite familiar, and great to sing. Here's Louis Armstrong (and a few others) singing it.

Psalm 114
God’s power over earthly things in the context of the parting of the red sea
See above and below - I think there's enough ideas!

Alternative to the Psalm: Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21
The song of Moses and the song of Miriam (See suggestions above for Exodus 14 also)
*AoVK-36 / VU649 / SFFS 2242 / URW118 Walk with me I will walk with you (Rice) Nice simple words about being sent to do God's work. Good for kids I think. Also mentions Moses' call.
*TiS 709 Chuyo chuyo (Berthier) A Korean hymn, appropriate for an intercession response. Not hard for non-Koreans! It means "Lord hear us"
*WoV692 / ELW419 / RS885 For all the faithful women (Steumpfle) Great words of the faithfulness of women, including Hannah, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Deborah and Miriam. Sung to a very familiar tune (AURELIA). You could choose just the verses you want so it's not too long, (but all the verses are good). Some words are a bit odd (like the bit about saving "our race" could unfortunately be easily misconstrued). Sheet music sample. Would also be good for Mother's Day / Mothering Sunday.
*VU876 For you my God my strength my song Simple sung refrain based on the Israeli folk tune Tzena Tzena, to be sung with a responsive reading of Exodus 15:1-13.
*ATOK 318 / Iona (SBL) / CH762 / MV036 / WoV788 / SFFS 2033 / SP&P078 / URW403 Glory to God / Gloria di dios Good fun. Great for kids - call and response. This is one of those songs that you can do without projecting the words. We sometimes sing this at church camp.
*TiS 180 / UMH105 / W&R58 / Cha013 God of many names (Wren) If this is new it will need to be taught to your congregation as the tune is not intuitive, but it is worth knowing. The chorus is particularly appealing to kids. Lyrics (downloads a pdf)
ATN35 / Traditional I will sing unto the Lord for he has triumphed gloriously the horse and rider thrown into the sea. I’m listing it here to get advice. I love the tune for this and it’s an excellent complex round. If anyone has worked out a way of singing the last bit in an inclusive manner “The Lord is God and I will praise him, My father’s God and I will exalt him” please let me know. It’s such a cool tune (Tzena Tzena!). Lyrics and chords.
NCH593 / UMH519 / LBW562 / ELW841 / HPP304 / PH563 / W&R729 / Cha631 / ZSS113 / 82Hml-599 Lift every voice and sing (Johnson) This suggestion is for those readers in the USA, where this song speaks about liberation of those who were in slavery in that country. Lyrics and tune sample.
*TiS 367 / AHB 287 / NCH242 / CH412 / UMH306 / VU159 / LBW135 / ELW366 / HPSS119 / GC446 / GC(II)459 / CP212 The strife is o'er the battle done There are two possible tunes for this traditional Advent hymn, which would also work here. I prefer to sing this hymn to the tune by James Minchin (THE STRIFE IS O’ER), which is found in the Australian Hymn Book, rather than the more traditional minstrellish VULPIUS. The newer tune is pretty groovy (I loved it as a kid!), and has lots and lots of alleluias. The words also vary a lot between hymnals. So, the best would be a combination of the TiS words and the AHB tune 287 (ii).
Recorded Music Moses Don't Get Lost There are lots of versions of this, including one by The Duhks, which I quite like. Not sure how it could be used, but wanted to get it out there.

Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Genesis 50:15-21
Joseph forgives his brothers
*TiS 653 / NCH417 / CH526 / UMH383 / GC(II)453 / W&R355 / Cha518 This is a day of new beginnings. Excellent words of reconciliation from Brian Wren. There are two possible tunes. I prefer the more simple hymn-like Carlton Young tune which is in TiS. There is an optional final verse that can be used for Communion. "This is a day of new beginnings, time to remember and move on, time to believe what love is bringing, laying to rest the pain that's gone." Lyrics.
*NCH429 God bless our homes (von Christierson) A song to the easy tune CHARTERHOUSE seeking harmoniuos relationships and forgiveness within our households. 3rd verse "Forgive the hurts our selfishness inflicted on those we love and those who love us best. Christ, heal the scars, and draw us all together in God whose will is peace and joy and rest."
SFFS 2169 God How Can We Forgive? (Duck) Good words of healing broken relationships that once were loving to the tune of LEONI. It references the story of the woman caught in adultery, but could also be useful for this passage. Lyrics.
*TIS 683 / WoV735 / ELW603 / W&R416 God! When human bonds are broken. Words focussed on the healing of relationships. The tune is quite beautiful, simple, and should not be too difficult if a little time is taken to introduce it to your congregation.
VU619 / WoV738 / ELW612 / SFFS 2213 / G(II)642 / GC882 / GC(II)854 / RS 958 / CP612 / W&R630 / Cha506 / URW161 Healer of Our Every Ill (Haugen) Good straightforward words of healing and simple tune. "Give us strength to love each other, every sister, every brother". Can get overly mushy. Lyrics and sheet music sample. Sound sample.
*CH198 / MV001 / GC753 / GC(II)741 / RS 846 Let Us Build a House / All are welcome (Haugen / TWO OAKS) This song has wonderful lyrics of hope for what a Christian community can be like, and a chorus that joyfully says “All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place”. Sheet music sample. Sound sample. Lyrics (scroll down a little).

Psalm for the Genesis Reading: Psalm 103:(1-7), 8-13
*Taize / TiS706 / AoV2-142 / SFFS 2013 / GC(II)576 / CP360 / SP194 / Srce79 / URW377 Bless the Lord my soul (Berthier) A beautiful and very well known Taize chant. Sound samples, sheet music.
*MV45 You are holy you show us the way / Hamba nathi (Zulu) This is the song we sang during the (usually silent) procession at the start of our worship service for Advent in 2009. There are a lot of other translations and variations of this song. I like this version best, (Come walk with us, the journey is long) but the sound sample is a bit funny. There's only so much you can do with an electronic keyboard.
*Emergent Psalter Like the grass that grows and fades (Everett) A simple thoughtful refrain for the Psalm. Sheet music (refrain only).

Romans 14:1-12
Do not judge each other; we are each accountable to God for our own way of living
*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 136 / NCH023 / CH187 / UMH121 / VU271 / LBW290 / ELW587 / HiOS135 / HPP45,46 / PH298 / GC626 / GC(II)603 / / CP606 / CP(E) 598 / W&R61 / Cha073 / SP316 / 82Hml-469/70 There's a Wideness in God's Mercy (Faber) Not all sources of this are inclusive, and there are a lot of tunes. For some reason the TiS version doesn't click with me, but it might for you. I quite like the NCH and UMH versions. Lyrics.
ATFG540 / NCH499 / CH726 / UMH356 / VU581 / R205 / ELW639 / HPP342 / PH400 / G(II)474 / GC666 / GC(II)650 / W&R415 / Cha536 / URW174 / URW175 / URW176 In all our living / When We Are Living / Pues Si Vivimos (Mexican traditional) ATFG translates "We are in the Lord" to "We belong to God". Whatever situation we are in we belong to God.
*ATW 459 I don't believe in a God up in the sky / God Version 1.0 An excellent rock song about how we think about God. Lyrics and mp3.
TiS 453 / AHB 335 / NCH 316 / HPP253 / 83HML-629 We limit not the truth of God (Rawson / ELLACOMBE). Again, the lyrics in the New Century Hymnal are good. The main change is the refrain, which becomes “O God, grant yet more light and truth to break forth from your Word” for each verse. The first verse is very challenging.
*TiS 674 / Iona (Common Ground, Heaven Shall Not Wait) / CH253 Inspired by love and anger Powerful lyrics, simple English folk tune. Lyrics (search for "inspired"). I love verse three “Don’t query our position! Don’t criticise our wealth! Don’t mention those exploited by politics and stealth!”. It’s easy for us to be judgemental on these things. Also fits with the Gospel reading.
*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.

Matthew 18:21-35
Forgive as you are forgiven. Spread God’s grace.
*Tune In / NCYC '07: Forgive us now (Brown). “As we forgive may we be healed, as we reach out….” An excellent ballad; may need to be introduced to your congregation as a solo if it is new. Lyrics and sound sample here.
*NCH544 / MV076 If I have been the source of pain, O God (Sosa). A song seeking forgiveness “If I’ve insisted on a peaceful life, far from the struggles that the gospel brings, when you prefer to guide me to the strife, Forgive me God". Lyrics can be found here.
*SFFS 2169 God How Can We Forgive? (Duck) Good words of healing broken relationships that once were loving to the tune of LEONI. It references the story of the woman caught in adultery, but could also be useful for this passage. Lyrics.
*TiS 648 / NCH388 / UMH560 / HPP289 / HPSS358 / W&R596 / Cha487 Help us accept each other (Kaan) Very nice simple words about acceptance and love for all people. The tune varies in each hymn book. I like the lilting tune RUNNYMEDE in TiS, but if a more standard hymn is needed for your congregation, it can also be sung to AURELIA (The church's one foundation). Lyrics.