General Advent Songs and Hymns (Updated for 2012)

Advent Candle-lighting songs and other songs you make like to start looking at as you think about Advent… Updated November 2012. I will keep adding to these as the weeks go by, so check back from time to time. There will also songs for each week of Advent 2012 - see the panel on the right hand side for links as they are updated.

Specific Candle-Lighting songs
*Online Resource Light a candle bright and tall (Wood) Excellent words to the tune for "As with Gladness"; a new verse for each week and one for Christmas day. I'm thinking we might sing this at home when we light our candles! Lyrics and free sheet music.  Good for older kids.
*CH284 / StS015 Hope is a candle once lit by the prophets (Leach) Excellent words for candle lighting, including a verse for each candle and one for Christmas Day. Sung to a nice Scottish folk tune (GALLOWAY TAM). Lyrics (downloads a Word document)
*Online Resource Shine a candle (Graham) A simple and quite lovely song that could be sung each week of Advent. Free sheet music and notes for bringing the song to life. 
*Iona (M&G) / CH359 / MV033 / ZSS54 / StJ / ELW253 / GA293 / SFFS 2085 / G(II)276 / GC370 / GC(II)364 / G(3)429 / CP368 / W&R402 He came down that we may have love/ Jesus came bringing us hope (Traditional Cameroon) The translation in "More Voices" (Jesus came bringing...) seems particularly appropriate for Advent and it could easily work as an Advent Candle lighting song. Just sing hope, love, peace or joy, depending on the week. Would be more exciting and energetic with some African drums, rather than a quiet reflective candle lighting song. Good for kids.
*VU7 / HPP109 / W&R165 / Cha132 Hope is a star that shines in the night / When God is a child (Wren) A candle lighting song with a chorus sung each week "When God is a child there's joy in our song. The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid". Lyrics.
TiS 289 / AoVK-55 / CH282 Christmas is coming the Church is glad to sing (Bell) I imagine most people will be familiar with this. I find it a little bit annoying, but it’s really fine. I’m just picky.
Online resource The Advent candle shines with hope (Padgett) New words for each week of Advent to a nice traditional hymn tune (MARYTON). This would go very easily in most congregations. Best sung fairly slowly. Free sheet music.
Online resource Kindle this flame of peace (Dillensnyder) A set of songs for Advent candle-lighting from the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist church. The first line is the same each weeek, and the second line changes. The tune is the same as the very familiar song "Breathe on me Breath of God". Free sheet music.
AoV2-123 / AoVK-59 Twilight then darkness (Porter) A lovely Advent candle song, which could be good for Northern Hemisphere people. In the Southern Hemisphere, you could possibly use this at dinner time, if you live closer to the equator than me. Darkness comes pretty late in a Melbourne Summer.
Linnea Good Hope is a candle This is a more upbeat song. Specific for Wintry Christmas places.
Online Resource Awaken us God (Garnaas-Holmes) A set of candle-lighting songs set to what my mum calls "The American tune" for Away in a Manger. Probably good for Americans who will recognise it. Free sheet music. 
Online Resource Hope is a light (Damon) A simple and quite nice Advent candle lighting song. Free sheet music.

Anytime in Advent songs (some could also be used for candle-lighting)
*Music by Heart 59 Come light of lights (Cunningham) A lovely two-part chant that would be a nice meditative song for any week of Advent (and other times in the church year) "Come light of lights into my heart. Come wisdom of spirit into my heart". It can be sung quite slowly and meditatively, or more energetically and joyfully, depending on your context; it can also be split into a round! Two videos: A quick version and a slow version.  Sound sample.
*AoVK-52 O Emmanuel, come into our hearts” with 3 verses. In 2008 we sang just the chorus on Advent 1, then added one verse for each week. Verse 1 “We your people are waiting for you..” Verse 2 “ We, your people are longing for you”. Verse 3 “ We your people are ready for you”. Could use a cantor for the verse and congregation join in the chorus. Would be great with good Latin or African percussion. We sang this last year during Advent, and it worked well. Good for kids.
*Online Resource:  Prepare the way of the Lord (King / Lowery) An upbeat song, good for kids and teenagers, I think. The verses are kind of wordy, but they're good words. Free sheet music. The verses follow the traditional advent themes of peace, hope, joy and love, so you could also sing it every Sunday of Advent. Good for kids.
*Taize / 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. "Wait for the Lord, whose day is near, Wait for the Lord, keep watch, take heart!" Some sources have good cantor lines. Sound samples and sheet music.
*CH784 Come light light of God / Lumière de Dieu (Grandchamp Community) A lovely simple chant. Would be beautiful for Advent candle lighting. Simple harmonies. Sheet music. 
*MV45 Hamba nathi (Zulu) This is the song we sang during Advent 2009 for the (usually silent) procession at the start of our worship service for Advent, and we wrote verses for each week. We sang it in Zulu followed by one line in English on the repeat. Week 1: You are holy, you show us the way. Week 2: Justice is coming, prepare the way. Week 3: Singing and shouting, we're walking the way. Week 4: We're walking to freedom, come join in the song. 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. Good for kids.
*MV11 /StS007 / GC(II)338 Come, come Emmanuel / Advent gathering song (Chepponis) The simple chant is quite lovely, and the cantor soars beautifully. It could be quite formal if you like. Can work as a chant without the cantor part; you could choose particular cantor verses for each week, or even make up your own, which is what we've done at Brunswick. At other times of year it can be used with the Cantor for confession. Slow sound sample. Sheet music sample.
Iona (HSNW) / VU19 / SP326 Kindle a flame to lighten the dark and take all fear away (Iona) This song would also work well as a simple candle lighting chant during Advent in the Northern Hemisphere. Sound sample.
GC(II)352 / G(3)442 Gift of God O Emmanuel (Haugen) A nice chant-like refrain and Cantor line. Note that this one needs a cantor. Would be excellent for Advent and then Christmas day. Many verses which can be sung, so choose the most appropriate for your congregation or write your own. Sound sample. Sheet music sample.
MV19 Maranatha This simple chant, simply “Maranatha, Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus, come” might work well if you are having a more meditative approach to the Advent season.
*ATFG 514 Emmanuel Carol / God of light we are waiting for you This is probably not one to  sing every week, but is definitely worth looking at as a general resource for Advent.
GC324 / RS 492 Here in this world where darkness surrounds us / Come O Hope of your people / Advent Gathering (Cooney) Excellent questioning words. Cantor and response. Simple to sing, and quite beautiful "Show us your face, O promise of dawn". It's in 7/8 so it immediately appeals to me.... Sheet music sample.
AoVK-58 We wait in hope for the Lord (Ford) Simple a cappella round "We wait in hope for the Lord, God is our help and our shield. And so our hearts rejoice, for we trust in God's holy name". Good for kids.
MV028 / StJ / FFS25 / GC(II)507 God of the Bible / Fresh as the morning (Murray) Good words. I particularly like the tune by Alonso, as the chorus is really very wonderful. This is a song worth learning for Advent, but can be sung all through the year. I think this song would be a really good "fit" for our congregation. Lyrics, sheet music sample sound sample.
*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.
*Tune In: Come O God and visit us sick we pray / Your abundant life (Brown) A joyful song "Lead us into your abundant life". This has been sung frequently by the musicians at BUC, but not by the congregation! Lyrics and sound sample.
*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".  Sound sample, lyrics, song book
Online resource: Gather your people to comfort and love (Garland). New words to the well-known hymn tune SLANE. Verse two: "Salvation comes now to those who will hear, Righteousness shines forth, forgiveness draws near. Call forth repentence, O Covenant Lord, that justice and peace may to us be restored". Free sheet music.
PsalmBody list: It's a wonder (Good). A lovely 2009 anthem from Linnea Good, which would go well in any Christmas pageant, or special choral music. Very simple to sing and with only 2 parts, so not too challenging for older kids or a mixed choir of less experienced singers. Soloist mp3 sample and download. The song is from her newest album: Momentary Saints.  
URW424 Come Lord Jesus (Landry) An extremely simple chant that could be used in Advent. *CoC30 Look toward Christmas! (Murray) I particularly like tune (i); very joyous! A fun song looking forward to Christmas. I don’t know if it would last the distance of singing it every week before Christmas, but it might. Quite good for kids. I like the image of the angels flexing their wings! GA272 Maranatha Maranatha Come Lord Jesus Come (Wood) A good, simple Advent chant with some nice vereses and prayers to go with each week.  
*Iona / VU33 Watch watch and pray (Iona) A very short Advent chant; could be used at various times during the service, maybe even during intercessions. Also has lyrics specific for Maundy Thursday.
*GC(II)326 Lead Us to Your Light (Browning) Good advent song. You could sing one verse each week, concluding with the final verse on Christmas day.  
GC(II)339 When the wind of winter blows (Duck) Northern Hemisphere-specific Advent song. Best if you live somewhere that actually snows.
NCH782 To God all glorious heavenly light (Coffin) An Advent doxology. Can be sung to OLD HUNDRED or any other standard doxological tune. 

Songs and Hymns for Proper 28A/Ordinary 33A/Pentecost +22 (November 13, 2011)

Judges 4:1-7
The Israelites turn against God and are oppressed. Deborah promises Barak victory over their oppressors.
*UMH81 Mother of Israel, leader of her armies / Sing Deborah Sing / Canta Debora Canta (Cruz) I think this song would be fun; I get uncomfortable about singing of glorious victory in battle, but it’s quite clear that the people who sing this song are the ones who are oppressed… Lyrics
*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.

Songs from people who have struggled for freedom would also be good to sing. For example:
*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).
*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 We are marching in the light of God / Siyahamba / Caminando Don't forget to jump around a lot when singing this.
*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 the release of the Israelites. Free sheet music here.

Psalm 123 
Have mercy on us. We’re tired of people looking down at us.
You might like to sing a Kyrie.
Linnea Good: Ps 123: To you I lift up my eyes (Good) A simple response.
*Taizé / 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.
 *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.
Emergent Psalter The snare is broken (Everett) A simple refrain to a read Psalm with backing music. Sample sheet music. 

Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18 
God punishes the rich and complacent, and soon.
 *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.   

Psalm for the Zephaniah reading: Psalm 90:1-8, (9-11), 12 
 *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.
*NCH Psalter (at the back of the NCH hymnal) has a really nice refrain for a read or chanted Psalm. The words are simply “From everlasting to everlasting you are God”.
G(II)77 / GC83 In every age, O God, you have been our refuge (Guimont) A nice simple refrain and good translation of the verses. Lyrics and sheet music sample. Sound sample.
*ATW 427 Heat haze shimmering on the horizon / In God’s time (Holmes) I like this. Very Australian. Very kid-friendly.
*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.
CH054 Lord you have always been our home (Church Hymnary) Good words. I like the tune ATHCHUINGE for this.  
Cha746 Sing praise to God our rock in whom we take our refuge Sung response, and responsively read passage.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 
Keep awake, support each other 
*Taizé / 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
*Taizé / AoV2-088 / ATOK 395 / CH793 / VU950 / ELW348 Stay with me / Bleibet hier (Berthier) A very well known chant. Sheet music and sound samples.
*TiS 642 / AHB 570 / VU410 / GA536 / G(II)547 / GC757 / GC(II)749 / CP(E) 205 / URW185 This day God gives me strength of high heaven These beautiful lyrics by James Quinn, based on St. Patrick’s breastplate can be sung to BUNESSAN (Morning has broken) or to the set tune in TiS (MANY MANSIONS). Lyrics.
*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 (Fosdick) 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).
*TiS 561 / AHB 467 / NCH494 / CH535 / CP(E) 621 Who would true valor see / valour see (Bunyan) A lovely old hymn, with old-world imagery. I think it still works OK. TiS and NCH have inclusive language throughout. CH and CP(E) do not have inclusive language, even for humanity. I really like the tune MONK'S GATE. Particularly nice with light instrumentation. A violin / flute and a drum may be all you need for this. Inclusive lyrics (loads a Word document).

Matthew 25:14-30
The parable of the talents / the parable of the angry master. 
*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
*ATOK 414 / Iona (LFB, Common Ground) / CH501 / GA485 / G(II)480 / GC673 / GC(II)655 Take this moment, sign and space (Bell) A fairly well known favourite. Simple melody and beautiful words. Lyrics (includes a very skinny picture of Jesus).
*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.
NCH565 / LBW408 / ELW678 / PH422 / CP601 / W&R572 / Cha606 / URW091 God whose giving knows no ending (Edwards) Excellent more formal words of thanks for God's many good gifts to us. Can be sung to a range of tunes including BEACH SPRING, HYFRYDOL, AUSTRIAN HYMN, RUSTINGTON. Lyrics.
*TiS 599 / AHB 520 / NCH448 / CH502 / UMH399 / VU506 / LBW406 / ELW685 / HPP349 / HPSS391 / CP435 / CP(E) 581 / W&R466 / Cha609 / Srce633 Take my life and let it be (Havergal) An oldy but a goody. Lyrics and tune sample.
*TiS 537 / ATE 297 / NCH347 / CH673 / VU468 / StS123 / WoV754 / ELW674 / HPP536 / HPPS514 / PH514 / W&R698 / Cha422 / ZSS206 / URW096 Let us talents and tongues employ Great for kids, excellent Jamaican rhythm which you can have a lot of fun with. It's also very adaptable and works well with any instruments. “Loaves abound!”. lyrics and slighty tacky midi sample here. 

SFFS 2175 Together We Serve (Damon) Good hymn about service.

Songs and Hymns for Proper 27A / Ordinary 32A / Pentecost +21 (November 6, 2011)

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

Songs and Hymns for Proper 26A/Ordinary 31A/Pentecost +20 (October 30 2011)

Joshua 3:7-17
Joshua leads the Israelites across the Jordan into the Promised Land.
*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.
*God Gives 1 We will walk together into the Promised Land (Coates) A fun repetitive gospel-type song. Great for kids.
NCH598 / UMH724 / LBW36 / ELW249 / W&R519 On Jordan's Stormy Bank I Stand / On River Jordan's Bank I stand Sound sample and lyrics. Here's a great gospel version (youtube). Actually, I don’t think there will be many more progressive congregations interested in singing this, but the Sacred Harp singer in me thinks it’s the perfect song for this reading. I think we find it hard to sing of Heaven, even if we only mean a better land. “I am bound for the Promised Land, I’m bound for the Promised Land, O who will come and go with me, I am bound for the Promised Land”. The chorus is excellent fun. Perhaps there is some way of using this.

Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37
The promise of a fruitful land for a people who have come through the desert. A vision for a new world.
*Tune In: Kingdom Come (Lees). A song about what the kingdom might be like, with plentiful images from the parables. Sample and lyrics.
*Online resource: Your New Shalom (Harding) A simple song with 4 verses, including “your desert will bloom again”, with a last verse of “We bring in your new Shalom”. This would work well at any point in the service, including the final song.... or even interspersed throughout. Sheet music sample available, and you can purchase a pdf here.
Scripture in Song 79 Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return. A quite over the top happy clappy chorus, but imagine how happy they would have been to cross the Jordan! I’ve always thought this would work well as a hair metal song, but I digress…
*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 the release of the Israelites. Free sheet music here.
TiS 67 Give thanks Give thanks to the Lord (O'Brien) A cantored Psalm with a response that is actually fun and happy! The verses could also be read, rather than cantored.
*Taize / MV016 / StJ / ELW528 / GA430 / SFFS 2157 / HPP410 / G(II)398 / GC570 / GC(II)550 / RS710 / CP402 / URW378 Come and Fill our hearts/ Confitemini Domino Can be sun in English as "Come and fill our hearts with your peace, you alone O God are holy. Come and fill our hearts with your peace, Alleluia". Sound samples and sheet music.
AoV1-074 Come To The Water (Andersen) A beautiful song about God providing (from Isaiah 55). Familiar to many, but easy to sing if not. Works well for communion also.

Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Micah 3:5-12
Bad prophets and the destruction of Jerusalem - no suggestions for this one (sorry!)

Psalm for the Micah reading: Psalm 43 
NCH469 O grant us light (Tuttiett) Lovely oldish words to a simple tune. Older style lyrics and tune sample.
*Music by Heart 09 O Send your light forth (McClellan) The rhythm is quite tricky and needs to be taught, but once you have it, it's a lot of fun, and sounds pretty cool with both parts going. It's listed as difficult, but I'm not sure that it is.
*AHB 393 Send forth your light and your truth (Murray) Cantored Psalm. Antiphon II is best in my opinion, and could be used with a read Psalm, or lead by a cantor as written.  
TiS 027 Send out your light and your truth let them lead me (Gounod) A more plain psalm response to use with a read or cantored Psalm.  
*ATFG585 Send out your light Lord (Iona) Nice simple chant which could be used at any point in the service. Maybe good for intercessions?
VU768 Why restless why cast down my soul? / will go to the altar of God (Wilson / Daley) I'm not sure why Psalm 42 and 43 are together in this hymnal, but I really like the first refrain, and the translation of both Psalms.

1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 
I have no idea what to suggest for this reading.

Matthew 23:1-12
Humility
*ATOK 390 Put on love every day, never hide your love away (Walker) A groovy song for kids!
*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 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
W&R383 If My People’s Hearts Are Humbled (Cloniger) Quite formal words, but appropriate. Lyrics.

Songs and Hymns for Proper 25A / Ordinary 30A / Pentecost +19 (October 23, 2011)

Deuteronomy 34:1-12  
Moses sees the Promised Land but cannot pass into it. The death of Moses, and appointment of Joshua as the new leader.
*God Gives 1 We will walk together into the Promised Land (Coates) A fun repetitive gospel-type song. Great for kids.
*Tune In: All will finish well (Brown) If you want to take the perspective of Moses who is missing out, this song might be useful "You in all our darkness, you offer peace"... maybe. Lyrics and sound sample here.
ATA 114 Come my brother come my sister (McCarthy) Nice and easy to sing. Has a repeated line of "come, my brother, come", which would be better alternated with "come, my sister, come". Great words of hope about the Promised Land.

Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 
*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.
*NCH Psalter (at the back of the NCH hymnal) has a really nice refrain for a read or chanted Psalm. The words are simply “From everlasting to everlasting you are God”.
G(II)77 / GC83 In every age, O God, you have been our refuge (Guimont) A nice simple refrain and good translation of the verses. Lyrics and sheet music sample. Sound sample.
*ATW 427 Heat haze shimmering on the horizon / In God’s time (Holmes) I like this. Very Australian. Very kid-friendly.
*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.
CH054 Lord you have always been our home (Church Hymnary) Good words. I like the tune ATHCHUINGE for this.  
Cha746 Sing praise to God our rock in whom we take our refuge Sung response, and responsively read passage.

Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18 
*TiS 657 / CH263 / VU700 / AA50 / CP(E) 447 / Cha656 / SP242 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 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. 
*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.” Sample sheet music, lyrics and a plodding tune sample here.
*TiS 629 / AHB 558 / AoV2-136 / ATA 197 / CH544 / VU600 When I needed a neighbor were you there? (Carter) A classic folk church song. Well known and fits well with this theme. "And the creed and the colour and the name won't matter"... Lyrics.
*Tune In: Community (Brown) A song about being welcomed and how to work together as part of a community. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook
NCH590 / CH621 Spirit of Jesus, if I love my neighbour. Challenging words of offering help from a position of privilege and seeking to be set free from the entrapment of possessions “If I am hugging safety or possessions, uncurl my spirit as your love prevails, to join my neighbours, work for liberation, and find my freedom at the mark of nails”. Could also be sung to the tune PERFECT LOVE if your congregation woudl have trouble with the newer tune.
*AoV1-050 Act Justly (O'Brien/Watts) Simple chant-like chorus, and strong verses. I love this one. We sang this recently at Brunswick and it would be good to sing it again.
*ATOK 390 Put on love every day, never hide your love away (Walker) A groovy song for kids!
Hope is our song Love is your way (Murray / Harling) Great tune and good lyrics for a prayer of confession about losing our way and being accountable to each other. Easy energetic tune.

Psalm for the Leviticus Reading: Psalm 1
Those that trust in the Lord shall be like a tree planted by the water with roots in the stream and will fruit even in drought. 
*StS116 I saw a tree by the riverside / The Tree Song (Ken Medema) A great kid’s song about roots growing down to the water, and leaves growing up to the sunshine, and bearing fruit, and all that great stuff. Video of Ken singing this song. Lyrics.
*Linnea Good Strong as living Trees A lovely haunting chant. Good for kids and adults alike.
NCH313 Like a tree beside the waters (Martin) Good congregational words of richness from the waters. Tune is a little bit tricky, so will need to be introduced. It can also be sung to the more familiar HYFRYDOL. Lyrics (downloads a pdf)
CP462 The hidden stream that feeds (Troeger) Good for the end of the service "We leave this watered place to work on rocky ground, Yet even there the streams of grace sustain our daily round. Lord, through our lives may others hear your living waters drawing near."
*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.
*URW223 Happy are they who delight (Hopson) One option is to use an African-American spiritual refrain "Like a tree that's planted by the water, we shall not be moved". I like it.


1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
The love of the early church leaders for the people? Not sure where to go with this one.
*ATW 498 / Iona (T1AU) / MV196 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". Sample here.
AoVK-148 / ATOK 388 There is one body (Watts/O'Brien) Good for kids.


Matthew 22:34-46

Love God and love your neighbour as yourself. Whose son is the Messiah?
*ATW 498 / Iona (T1AU) / MV196 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". Sample here.
*StS055 / SFFS 2168 / 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.
*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 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 
*TiS 699 / AHB 571 / ATN 65 / WoV664 / GA318 / Srce35 A new commandment I give unto you (Westwood) Note that older sources do not have inclusive words, but more recent publications use "others" rather than "all men" to make it inclusive for all people. 

TiS 774 / W&R684 For the life that you have given (Daw) A nice short song for the receipt of the offering.

W&R27 God of Creation All-Powerful (Clarkson) Good solid words to a well known tune (SLANE).

Songs to welcome new church members

At Brunswick Uniting we have a special service twice a year to welcome new people to our community. Those who want to be part of the community (but who may not necessarily be seeking membership by baptism, confirmation or a confession of faith) are invited to name Brunswick as their community of faith.


*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).
*MV 145 / CP418 / SP&P123 Draw the circle wide (Light) A great song about welcoming all people. Lyrics (downloads a Word document). Chorus is “Draw the circle wide, draw it wider still. Let this be our song, no-one stands alone, standing side by side, draw the circle wide”.
*Online Resource: Welcome to this circle (Bruxvoort-Colligan) A lovely song of “radical inclusivity” which is kind of what our welcoming service is about. This song is more a promise coming from the congregation that welcomes all regardless of their level of faith. We’ve sung this a couple of times at welcoming services already. Lyrics available here.
*Tune In: Community (Brown) “Part of a fam’ly, interconnected, this is community”. A big favourite at Brunswick. Excellent words and very easy to sing; really good for a welcoming service. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook available here.