Epiphany 1B / Baptism of Christ (January 8, 2011)

A song you might want to include this week:
Online Resource When the song of the angel is stilled (Thurman / Alexander) A good choral arrangement, or you could read the poem. Sheet music. Youtube. Thanks to Rev Geary for bringing this to my attention! 


All four readings this week have some similar themes, particularly the role of the Holy Spirit. The scripture-based divisions of each of these songs is somewhat arbitrary, so please look at all readings, even if you are only focussing on one or two.
 
Genesis 1:1-5

The creation of day and night. “Let there be light”
*TiS 447 / AHB 61 / CH112 / VU313 / LBW400 / ELW673 / CP560 / CP(E) 267 God whose almighty word / Lord your almighty word chaos and darkness heard / Thou, whose almighty word A good hymny hymn, very familiar, with the memorable “Let there be light” line at the end of each verse. TiS lyrics are fairly inclusive, but VU is better. Older style lyrics and sound sample.

*TiS 156 / AHB 91 / AoV1-135 / ATA 123 / CH212 / UMH145 / VU409 / ELW556 / HPP267 / HPSS469 / G(II)546 / GC756 / GC(II)748 / CP003 / W&R35 / Cha053 / URW186 / 82Hml-008 Morning has broken (Farjeon) This song makes me smile every time. Here's Yusuf Islam (when he was Cat Stevens) in 1976 (love those green boots).
*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 favourites. Very easy to sing if it is not sung too fast. Lyrics, slow sound sample and lead sheet.
*VU380 / SFFS 2122 / CP656 She Comes Sailing on the Wind (Light) Excellent feminine imagery. The verses are quite tricky if your congregation is not familiar with them. This is a big favourite at our church. Lyrics (scroll down).
SSSL31 (Songs from the Still Strange Land) From the beginning / Let the light shine
(Quintrell/Simper) Good song, tricky accompaniment, but once you get it it's okay. Will need to be taught to most congregations, or could be presented by the musicians at some point in the service.
*ATW 469 Wind is moving on the waters (Holmes) Nice earthy round. Very simple.
*Online Resource Let There Be Light (Harding) A simple Taize-style chant "God said let there be light, and there was light, and there was light". This can also be used as a round, and would work well with kids as you tell the creation story. Very easy and available for download (with free sample) here. 
*CP408 Wind upon the waters (Haugen) I really love the words to this song. “Wind upon the waters, voice upon the deep, rouse your sons and daughters, wake us from our sleep, breathing life into all flesh, breathing love into all hearts, living wind upon the waters of my soul.” Note to our liturgists, I have a copy of this at home if you would like to use it.
*TiS 392 / NCH308 At the dawning of salvation Good hymn words of Easter theology and Christ’s presence at Creation to a fun standard American folk tune (NETTLETON)
*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.
*TiS 671 / AoV2-121 Made in God's Likeness (Lewis/Spence) "Called to create a new world for the Lord". Excellent Australian imagery. This is one of my very favourite songs and it also picks up the Great Commissioning in Matthew. It is not difficult if you have a good musician at the helm. If it is new to your congregation, they will be able to join in on the verses by the time you get to the 3rd one. The change in tone with the verse really lifts this song. Lyrics (search for "Made in").
*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).
*TiS 182 / AoV2-010 / NCH11 / CH134 / VU268 / SFFS 2047 / HPP13 / CP395 Bring many names beautiful and good (Wren) This is a beautiful song, but it's very long (especially if sung too slowly). Try singing one verse unison, then one women, one men, then all together again, to keep people interested in what they are singing. Lyrics.*TiS 179 / NCH273 / VU312 / StJ / URW073 Praise with Joy the World's Creator One of my favourite hymns - strongly Trinitarian lyrics and excellent imagery. Lyrics (scroll down or search).
*Online resource Creator of this great land we adore you / Doxology (Langmead) A strong favourite in our congregation. Sheet music and sound sample.
*TiS 242 / AHB 183 / AoV1-018 / ATN 27 / CH404 / UMH261 / VU352 / HPP163 / HPSS302 / G(II)481 / GC708 / GC(II)689 I danced in the morning (Carter / SIMPLE GIFTS) Well known and very easy to sing. Lyrics and tune sample.
*L4tWC100 Creation (Bock) A poem with drum beat and occasional responses.
L4tWC102 Creation (Bock) A responsive reading.
*CH144 I love the sun Very simple kid's song, that somehow avoids being tacky despite being really really simple. Little kids would especially like this.
*NCH467 / CH117 / VU320 / WoV769 / ELW735 / SFFS 2050 / HPP242 / Cha083 Mothering God you gave me birth (Janzen) Lovely words to the well known tune MARYTON. Feminine trinitarian imagery. I like the tune MOTHER JULIAN (CH4 117(I)) best.
*NCH058 / CH618 / AA125 Spirit of love you move within creation (Murray) Good words with a theme of the Spirit working a loom. A range of tunes for this, both familiar and new. I like the Colin Gibson tune (WEAVER), but it can also be sung to PERFECT LOVE.
*TiS 668 / AoVK-34 / ATFG587 / NCH569 / CH243 / VU307 / R254 / ELW739 / AA143 / W&R38 / Cha693 / URW189 Touch the earth lightly (Murray) Sings of the redemption of creation and our complicity in its destruction. Sources vary in their set tunes. TiS has a good tune (TENDERNESS) with a nice minor key change to the relative minor for the second verse. Can also be sung to BUNESSAN, if you need a familiar tune. Youtube video with all lyrics.
*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.
*SP81 Word that formed creation (Haugen) Really lovely words of creation to the familiar tune NOEL NOUVELET. Note to BUC: I have a copy of this.

Psalm 29
Quite a thunderous Psalm! Wind and flame, earthquakes and floods.

Many of the suggestions for the Genesis reading will work with this Psalm also.

*NCH Psalter 29: The voice of God is full of majesty (Hurd). A very simple and beautiful refrain with a paraphrase of the Psalm that is inclusive without losing any of the majesty of this Psalm. Can be used with a reader or cantor. Highly recommended.
*AoVK-123 / NCH3 / Iona (M&G) / UMH148 / VU308 / WoV794 / ELW837 / PH271 / G(II)338 / GC499 / CP407 / W&R26 / Cha58 / URW232 / 82Hml-385 Many and Great O God are your works / Wakantanka Taku Nitawa (Lacquiparle) Good words. Simple tune. Needs a good Native American-style drum beat. This could work well with kids, especially if you get them to drum. Lyrics.
*TiS 447 / AHB 61 / CH112 / VU313 / LBW400 / ELW673 / CP560 / CP(E) 267 God whose almighty word / Lord your almighty word chaos and darkness heard / Thou, whose almighty word A good hymny hymn, very familiar, with the memorable “Let there be light” line at the end of each verse. TiS lyrics are fairly inclusive, but VU is better. Older style lyrics and sound sample.
*TiS 392 / NCH308 At the dawning of salvation Good hymn words of Easter theology and Christ’s presence at Creation to a fun standard American folk tune (NETTLETON)
*TiS 753 / StS034 / R185 / ELW525 You are holy you are whole (Harling) A fun and joyous latin-rhythmed song; can also be sung with two parts at the same time. Lyrics in English, Spanish, Swedish and a sound sample. 
*NCH462 / UMH109 / VU265 / WoV757 / ELW684 / HPSS134 / GC580 / RS711 / CP410 / W&R32 / Cha335 Creating God Your Fingers Trace (Rowthorn) A good Trinitarian hymn about Creating, Sustaining and Redeeming God. There are many possible tunes. I like the Presence tune better. Lyrics and a sound sample.
AoV2-089 / Taize / MV086 / SFFS 2156 Give peace to every heart / Da Pacem Cordium (Berthier) A good, simple Taize chant. Sound samples, sheet music (not cantor lines though).
*AoV1-190 / UMH431 / HPP308 / G(II)529 / GC731 / GC(II)723 / W&R614 / Cha677 Let There Be Peace on Earth and let it begin with me (Miller/Jackson) Well known, and great for older kids. AoV changes "Brothers all are we, let me walk with my brother" to "We are family. Let us walk with each other". Lyrics.
*UMH729 / VU682 / LBW161 / WoV762 ELW627 / HPSS450 / CP573 / W&R539 / Cha711 / URW140 / 82Hml-597 O day of peace that dimly shines (Daw) A song of hoped-for peace. The tune in Chalice hymnal is really nice (CANDLER) or O WALY WALY which is used in URW is very straightforward. Other sources use JERUSALEM, which is a bit too militaristic for me. Lyrics and JERUSALEM sample
*TiS 210 / AHB 141 / NCH42 / CH352 / UMH57 / VU326 / LBW42 / ELW295 / HPP74 / PH466 / CP306 / CP(E) 534 / W&R96 / Cha005 / Srce506 O for a thousand tongues to sing (Wesley) A classic. I particularly love NATIVITY for these words, and it's such a fun tune. My son, who is 8, loves it. In the AHB, Christ is masculine, but I think that's okay. Lyrics and one possible tune.

Acts 19:1-7
Paul baptises and the Holy Spirit comes 
*Unusual Source: Blow through me Breath of God (Miriam Therese Winter) This chant is very beautiful. It takes a few listens for the congregation to pick it up, or you could ask the musicians to play it as a prayer for the congregation. "Like a pipe, like a flute, like a reed making melody". This can be found in "Songlines, Hymns, Songs, Rounds and Refrains for Prayer and Praise,Crossroad, New York, 1996" or "Womantalk Woman Prayer" (1987)
*AoV1-043 Breathing now the life of God / Warm Our Hearts (Marshall) Simple round. "Breathing now the life of God the Spirit in us singing, come light up our hearts with joy! Heal and clear our eyes to see! Warm our hearts with peace. Warm our hearts with peace.” Short songs like this are great for kids. When teaching a song that breaks into a round, it’s best to work with as little accompaniment as possible; no accompaniment is best. 
*TiS 710 / CH758 / Iona (Enemy of Apathy) Come Holy Spirit gracious heavenly dove A beautiful and simple chant.

Mark 1:4-11
The Baptism of Christ
Most of the above songs would be quite suitable 
*URW106 Here at Jordan's river (Duck) Sung to NOEL NOUVELET, this song is just perfect for our congregation. I really love this. Great for Baptism of Christ or any baptism.
*TiS 270 / AHB 199 / NCH115 / CH334 / VU20 / LBW548 / ELW842 / PH010 / G(II)260 / GC321 / 322 / GC(II)344 / CP103 / CP(E) 34 / W&R156 / 82Hml-076 On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry If you would like inclusive lyrics, have a look at the New Century Hymnal’s version. If you’d like a groovy tune, check out AHB 199(ii) / GC322 – ST JOHN BAPTIST by Gary Lewis Miles and Betty Pulkingham. This is an excellent, fun tune. You can even combine the words of NCH115 with AHB199(ii) for the best of both worlds. But WINCHESTER NEW is also very good, and easy to sing if you don’t have a congregation full of people who grew up in the 60s and 70s. Lyrics and tune sample (Winchester New).
*Online resource Down by the Jordan (Winfrey Gillette) Good words based on this reading, set to the well known hymn tune LOBE DEN HERREN or could be sung to AURELIA (Thanks, Ben!). Free sheet music (loads a pdf)
PH071 Lord When You Came to Jordan (Wren) I like the questioning words which ask what it might have been like. Would sing it to Llangllofan or ELLACOMBE (TiS 361) “Lord, bring us to our Jordan Of newly opened eyes, Through love, immersed in living, As You were once baptized. Lyrics (scroll down)
*TiS 710 / CH758 / Iona (Enemy of Apathy) Come Holy Spirit gracious heavenly dove A beautiful and simple chant.
*TiS 419 / AHB 596 / NCH270 / CH592 / UMH544 / VU205 / WoV685 / ELW403 / HPP222 / PH314 / CP635 / CP(E) 185 / W&R327 Like the murmur of the dove's song Excellent words and a simple tune. Each verse ends with "Come holy spirit, come". Lyrics and organ sample.
*NCH285 / CH591 / SFFS 2123 / URW164 O Holy Dove of God descending / Spirit now live in me (Leech) Lovely simple tune, and beautiful words. Lyrics.
NCH168 / VU084 O radiant christ incarnate word (Duck) Good words; a little formal. WAREHAM is the easier tune.
*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.
UMH252 / WoV647 / LBW647 / ELW305 / PH072 / CP(E) 93 / W&R241 When Jesus Came to Jordan (Pratt Green) Good words to a simple English folk tune. A bit formal.
*StS008 / SFFS 2089 / HPSS409 Wild and Lone the Prophet's Voice (Daw) Excellent, challenging words. I prefer this sung to ABERYSTWYTH which is well known and easily accessible. Lyrics
ATOK 344 You who puzzle on the Saviour's deeds (Beavis) A good song for older kids. Especially for Australian older kids. Lyrics (scroll down - maybe more verses than you need!).
*VU380 / SFFS 2122 / CP656 / SP&P006 She Comes Sailing on the Wind (Light) Of course. Excellent feminine imagery. The verses are quite tricky if your congregation is not familiar with them."As he rose up from the water, she swept down from the sky, and she carried him away in her embrace".

Songs and Hymns for Blue Christmas / Longest Night

Our congregation has a small Blue Christmas service every year on an evening before Christmas itself. It's specifically for people who are mourning, or have other reasons for not feeling particularly joyful at Christmas. It's small, and quiet, and for that reason, we sometimes don't sing together - people feel more fragile when their voices feel small. But sometimes we do. And sometimes the musicians just play some music that might help. Here are some ideas that might work for small or large gatherings, and either sung by the congregation, or by a soloist or group of singers.

*TiS 693 / AoV1-031 / GA212 Come as you are that's how I want you (Browne) This song is beautiful, gentle, simple, and very well known. Lyrics (search for "come as you are"). Slow and mushy sound sample. A good song to start the service.   
*AoV1-192 / NCH092 / VU433 / GA540 / PH544 / GC758 / GC(II)751 / RS 862 / CP020 / URW191 Day is done but love unfailing (Quinn) This is specific for evening services; I think the words for this are really beautiful, the tune very familiar (AR HYD NOS) and the image of unending Light in the midst of death and darkness is full of hope. Lyrics.
*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.
*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. "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.
*TiS 647 / AoV2-012 / ATN 25 Comfort, comfort all my people (Mann) Easy to sing, beautiful lyrics; largely a paraphrase of this passage. Chorus is “Comfort, comfort all my people, with the comfort of my word. Speak ye tender to my people, all your sins are taken away”. Lyrics, mp3 sample.
*ATW 475 / NCYC'01 / SP&P008 Come to the banquet there’s a place for you. An excellent song by Melbourne singer and songwriter Faye White. "Though you maybe have no money, though you maybe feel unworthy, in your strength and in your weakness you are welcome, come." If you are celebrating communion, this might be an appropriate choice - sung in a more meditative way.  
*Iona (Heaven Shall not Wait) / VU19 Kindle a flame to lighten the dark and take all fear away. A good chant to use if you will include candle lighting in the service. Sometimes a bit tricky to sing - there's a strangely large jump at the start.
*Tune In: God's Mercy. A beautiful ballad of healing: "Like the sun upon my skin, I can smile and take it in, and my wounds begin to heal, that's God's mercy". Lyrics and sound sample. 
Iona (Enemy of Apathy): Sing my soul when hope is sleeping. "Sing, my soul, when hope is sleeping. Sing when faith gives way to fears; Sing to melt the ice of sadness Making way for joy through tears." Simple to sing.
*AoV2-043 / ATFG520 / CoC40 / NCH538 / SFFS 2095 / GC(II)355 / SP&P174 / W&R223 / ZSS63 Star-Child (Murray) A lovely lovely carol. Very easy to sing. A big favourite. This might work well to end the service. Lyrics and sample sheet music. 
*CoC28 I didn't hear the angels sing (McCoy) Lovely statement of faith despite not having witnessed the Christmas events. Simple tune.
*AA141 / CoC44 The wind blew keen (Gibson) A beautiful carol, with simple straightforward Celtic type tune. I hope this becomes popular, because it's really lovely, but also acknowledges pain and discomfort.
Recorded music Like Mary and Joseph (Coleman) A song about a man whose family is broken in a Summer Christmas. Worth a look, particularly if there has been a recent break-up in your congregation. Sound sample and lyrics.

Sometimes it also works to sing a standard carol, just slowly and quietly. Some good ones:
*TiS 321 / AHB 245 Coldly the night winds winging I think this is one of the most beautiful carols in existence.
*TiS 317 / AHB 243 / NCH165 / CH316 / UMH242 / HPP95 / CP131 / CP(E) 59 / W&R210 / 82Hml-084 Love came down at Christmas (Rossetti) Needs one small change in AHB to make it gender inclusive for people. NCH does this by replacing "all men" with "neighbour" in the last verse. I prefer the tune in TiS / AHB. Lyrics and odd-looking angels.

Longest Night / Winter songs

Recorded music Longest Night (Mayer) This is a lovely and very appropriate song, which you might like to play. Lyrics and source. Sound sample.
NCH128 / CH305 / UMH221 / VU055 / R044 / ELW294 / HPP115 / PH036 / CP122 / CP(E) 55 / W&R196 / Srce2-275 / 82Hml-112 / Lau144 In the bleak midwinter (Rossetti) Beautiful. Very Northern-hemispherific though. Lyrics and warbly sound sample. 
TiS 321 / AHB 245 Coldly the night winds winging I think this is one of the most beautiful carols in existence.

NCH434 / VU530 / HPP275 / PH292 / CP427 All beautiful the march of days (Wile)

URW418 God comes to us (Damonte) Very lovely simple song. Could be used as a chant, or at various points during the service.   
HiOS139 Through winter cold (Murray) Lilting Celtic tune and lyrics of hope in the depths of Winter.

Songs and Hymns for Christmas 1B (January 1st 2012)

New Year's Day songs and hymns are here. 
Don't forget to sing some Christmas Songs!


Isaiah 61:10-62:3
A song of rejoicing - you could really sing just about anything....
SFFS 2005 Arise Shine for your light has come (Smith) A simple call and response. Good for an intro to worship. This would be great for the whole Christmas season.
NCH164 / VU79 / StS030 / WoV652 / LBW652 / ELW314 / PH411 / W&R231 / URW138 Arise your light is come! (Duck) Good general words of Christ coming to bring justice to the familiar tune ST. THOMAS (TiS 271). 
TiS 224 / AHB 159 / CH457 / UMH154/5 / VU334 / LBW328 / ELW634 / HPP215 / HPSS142/3 / GC485 / GC(II)490 / RS 632 / CP321/2 All hail the power of Jesus' name (Diadem / Miles Lane) I've listed this only because it's a great sing, especially to the tune DIADEM, even though we sing it to MILES LANE at Sacred Harp Singings. It's not remotely inclusive, but I still like singing it because the tune is so much fun and I don't mind tradition sometimes.

Psalm 148
*PH274 O God of Earth and Space (LEONI) Terrific words by Jane Parker Huber to a well known Jewish hymn tune. "Wherever freedom reigns, where sin is overthrown, Where justice fused with mercy rules, there you are known. Give us the courage clear, to make the earth a home, For all to live in harmony, in Christ’s shalom." Highly recommended. lyrics.
*ATW 422 / NCYC'99 And you sun and moon and stars (Canticle of Daniel) (Stewart) This is a big favourite in our congregation. It has wonderful energy and excellent lyrics.
*VU888 / LBW558 / ELW731 / HPSS458 / RS681 / CP358 / W&R642 Earth and All Stars Fun words of cosmic praise. An easy hymn-like tune. I really like the "boiling test tubes" bit, although this verse is not in all hymnals. Note that not all hymnals are inclusive. Inclusive lyrics and organ midi 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).
*TiS 181 / AoV2-032 / GC(II)497 / CP589 Come O God of all the earth / Sing Out Earth and Skies (Haugen) Another big favourite. Sheet music, lyrics. Sound sample.
*TiS 72 / AHB 42 / NCH27 / CH146 / UMH101 / HPP36 / HPSS229 / CP344 / CP(E) 431 / Cha49 From all that dwell below the skies (Watts) A very old hymn, known by many, which is entirely inclusive in its language for God, save for one Lord which you can replace with God if you like 'cos it's Public Domain! Lyrics and tune samples.
AoV1-019 / CH151 / G(II)340 / GC493 / GC(II)498 All You Works of God (Haugen) Joyful cantor and response. If your musicians have any energy left after Christmas, they might enjoy playing with this. Probably good for kids. Lead sheet and lyrics. Silly sound sample.
AoV2-120 / AoVK-9 God Is Good let the sun and moon and stars say "God is Good" (Chan) Fun. Not easy, but probably worth the effort if you feel like learning something new, or giving your musicians a challenge. Good for kids.
*TiS 152 / NCH4 / UMH89 / VU232 / LBW551 / ELW836 / HPP22 / HPSS464 / GC529 / GC(II)520 / CP425 / W&R59 / Cha002 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.
*ATE 216 / Iona (SBL) / CH126 / StJ / ELW555 / HPSS472 / 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. Some versions also have multiple verses (e.g. CH). Sheet music sample. Sound sample (click on the play button).
*TiS 755 / ATA 196 / CH804 / VU884 / SFFS 2278 / HPP219 You shall go out with joy / The trees of the field This is a good hand clappy foot stomping song. Fun.

*TiS 281 / AHB 214 When God Almighty came to be one of us This is a great Christmas season song, particularly for Epiphany next week also. It’s also set to a very easy (and fun) tune to sing (URQUHART). I especially love verse 3 "Wise men, they called them, earnest astrologers, watching for meaning in the moving stars, science or fancy, learned or laughable, theirs was a vision that was brought to pass. Sing all you wise men, dance all the scientists whether your theories are false or true. God uses knowledge, God uses ignorance. God at his coming had a need of you".

Galatians 4:4-7
Being adopted children of God
*TiS 465 / AHB 399 / ATA 115 / NCH279 / Iona (SBL) / CH116 / GA381 Our God in heaven / Father in heaven / Loving Creator grant to your children (Maquiso / Niles) I really like this hymn, especially the Philippino folk melody to which it's set. Newer versions of the hymn from the Christian Conference of Asia have altered the lyrics to "Our God in heaven / Creator God" in the first verse. Other versions, such as CH4 have "Loving Creator / Parent and God".
*MV157 I am a child of God (Harding) A simple song with powerful words. Good for kids and adults alike. Very easy to learn.
*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. 
*CH329 / AA108 / CoC33 O little Love who comes again (Murray) A lovely gentle and thoughtful Christmas song, which would also work for Epiphany and the Christmas season. It fits well with this reading. 


Luke 2:22-40
Jesus presented to Anna and Simeon
*Peter Gador-Whyte Nunc Dimitis This Uniting church minister based in Melbourne has written a really nice setting of the Nunc Dimittis – it has a cantor line and a very simple refrain, which congregations will pick up very easily. If you don't have a singer who can act as cantor, a reader can also be used, with the congregation joining together in the refrain after each line is read. Christopher Willcock has written a nice accompaniment. I encourage you to contact Peter for a copy. You can contact him through his church website here.
*G(II)562 / GC776 / GC(II)767 / URW027 Now Let Your Servant Go (CONDITOR ALME SIDERUM / Ruth Duck) Excellent words from Ruth Duck present the Nunc Dimittis to a familiar chant tune. If you have a non-chanting congregation, just use the tune for "Creator of the stars of night" (NCH 111) which is an adapted chant and no-one will ever suspect that they were chanting.
*Online Resource Holy One, Now Let Your Servants A nice sending out song that picks up the song of Simeon. Probably too tricky for a congregation to sing the first time they hear it, but perhaps your musicians can play it. Sound sample, lyrics and source.
*AoV2-125 / ATA 132 Lift this child to the sun (Anna's song) / Habel/Mann / We sing this a fair bit at baptisms. It would be nice to sing it for this story too (even more appropriate, really). Lyrics here.
*TiS 324 / AHB 248 / HPSS 603 Lord bid your servant go in peace (LAND OF REST) Inclusive save for the last verse which is a Trinitarian blessing. Familiar American folk tune. Lyrics can be found here in an order of worship. It could also be sung to the tune MORNING SONG (Awake awake to love and work) - just the first four lines of the tune.

Taize / URW385 Let your servant now go in peace / Nunc Dimittis (Berthier) Very simple and straightforward.  
*TiS 733 / VU903 / PH604 / 82Hml-499 Lord God you now have set your servant free (Whitney) A very straightforward and traditional blessing based on this reading.  
*URW024 Now bid your servant go in peace (Quinn) Lk 2:29-32 A lovely paraphrase to a familiar American folk tune (LAND OF REST)