Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
God’s covenant with Abraham
*AoV1-137 / ATOK 403 / GA306 / G(II)286 God Of Abraham lead us (Farrell) This one is great. Just don't try to sing all 17 verses! Choose what you like... I love this energetic call and response with the response "Lead us to your kingdom". You can sing with a cantor and response, or you could split your congregation in the middle doing half and half, or you could just have people singing all the way through. Lyrics (downloads a pdf). Good for kids.
*NCH20 God of Abraham and Sarah, God of Moses, Miriam's Guide (Gertmenian) Salvation history in one song with a focus on justice, healing, courage. I suggested this for Transfiguration as well, so it might be good to sing it again. Fits well with all themes for this week. Could also be sung to NETTLETON if you want something familiar. Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
*VU255 / CP348 The living God be praised (ben Judah) A new translation of "The God of Abraham praise". Excellent words, and of course, a familiar tune (LEONI).
NCH501 We are dancing Sarah's circle (Etzler) Set to the familiar tune of "We are climbing Jacob's ladder", with positive imagery of increasing the size of the circle of inclusion. Good for kids.
*TiS 125 / AHB 53 / NCH24 / HPP24 / GC544 / CH162 / UMH116 / LBW544 / ELW831 / HPP24 / HPSS488 / GC544 / CP347 / HPPS 488 The God of Abr’am praise / The God of Abraham Praise (ben Judah) A very well known hymn to an ancient Jewish Synagogue melody. The lyrics are quite masculine in most hymnals, which vary widely in which verses they include. The words are inclusive, yet still old-fashioned and poetic in the NCH. Lyrics and sound sample.
*MV 148 Hope of Abraham and Sarah. This song is simple to sing and speaks of unity for the Abrahamic faiths (Islam, Judaism and Christianity).
*VU634 / CP468 To Abraham and Sarah (Fetter) A good interfaith hymn, and excellent words of being a pilgrim people. Sung to the familiar tune THORNBURY. Lyrics (about half way through the article)
Psalm 22:23-31
God’s constant care
Most settings of Psalm 22 focus on the first part of the Psalm (My God, my God, why have you abandoned me). Here are some that pick up the latter part of the Psalm.
TiS 59 / AHB 10 / AoV1-025 / NCH7 / CH63 / UMH75 / VU822 / LBW245 / ELW883 / HPP8 / HPSS220 /HPSS221 / GC747 / GC(II)746 / RS 849 / CP349 All people that on earth do dwell (OLD 100TH). Almost every hymnal has quite masculine words for this classic hymn. I thoroughly recommend you look at the NCH adaptation. It is joyous and very lovely. "All people that on earth do dwell, sing out your faith with cheerful voice; Delight in God whose praise you tell, whose presence calls you to rejoice". Sound sample and lyrics.
*AoV1-073 / G(II)467 / GC657 I Will Not Die before I've lived to see that land (Conry) really quite like this one. The verses may be best sung by a small group, but a congregation who likes singing will do fine with it. Some funny he / shes about God in there (in AoV), which kind of work. Chorus is “For your right hand has delivered us from death. You have regarded our tears, you who are goodness and grace”. Lyrics. Clunky sound sample.
*TiS 727 / ATE 208 / CH121 / VU745 / AA70 In the presence of your people (Chambers) A good Yiddish tune - lots of fun for kids and adults. Good to get fast and dance around on this one. Good for kids.
AoVK-44 / GGives1 God loves you and I love you (Traditional Togo and Ghana) Old kid's song. AoV version is good. I think this song is reclaimable if you funk it up a bit. Maybe? Good for kids.
*VU745 In the presence of your people (Chambers) This version uses the first line only as a Psalm refrain.
Online resource All the Ends of the Earth Shall Turn to you, O God (Harding) A very simple one-line refrain or chant. Sheet music for purchase (and preview).
Linnea Good So while I live my soul is yours A very simple refrain or chant. A little longer than the above.
*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.
*Tune in The God that I Know (Anderson) A beautiful ballad with female and male images of a loving, embracing God. “He comes with his arms open wide, a sheltering place I can hide”. If this is not familiar to your congregation it would be a good song for a soloist. Sound sample, sheet music sample and songbook.
*Tune In: Shepherd of the night (Loukes) "Have you ever felt the velvet night wrap you in her warmth". A lovely song with a theme of God’s protection. This is tricky for a congregation, so you might want to ask the musicians to play this. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook.
VU618 / CP558 God when I stand (O'Driscoll) Good words; the tune will probably need to be taught, or at least played through before the congregation sings it. The 4th verse focuses on Thomas, but don't omit it, or you won't have the happy ending.
Romans 4:13-25
The promise to Abraham came through his faith. Belief even in the face of impossibility.
*AoVK-28 / ATOK 376 Faith hope and love (Watts) This is so easy, and so cool. If you have some groovy musicians, this can even be a very funky rock song. Very easy, and great for kids and non-readers. Good for kids.
*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
*GC(II)651 / Online Resource You must never give up / Sizo Bambelela (South African) An excellent song! Would be fun to get a few singers together to sing the parts to this, though maybe not as many times through as in the sound sample. Free sheet music. Sound sample. Good for kids.
*NCH461 Let us hope when hope seems hopeless (Beebe) A lilting tune and good words of hope in the face of difficulty. A song of a maturing faith. Sound sample (long introduction).
Mark 8:31-38
Jesus predicts his death, Peter rebukes him, those who lose their lives…
TiS 583 / AHB 496 / NCH204 / CH402 / UMH415 / VU561 / LBW398 / ELW667 / PH393 / GC698 / GC(II)690 / CP431 / CP(E) 582 / W&R351 Take up thy cross the Savior said (Everest) I don't actually like this hymn, mainly because I don't know it very well, but lots of other people do. Some versions are quite masculine in their language, but TiS, NCH, Gather hymnals and others are OK., so I encourage you to look them up. Lyrics with one of many possible tunes (not the TiS tune).
*TiS 473 / NCH314 / W&R615 / Cha655 Community of Christ (Murray) Beautiful words to a traditional Hebrew synagogue melody (LEONI). Easy to sing. Lyrics (downloads a pdf of an excellent service of lamentation - scroll to the end).
CP075 / W&R691 With the body that was broken (Daw) A more traditional hymn. I'm struggling to find hymns that fit this passage well and that I like, but this one is pretty good. The tune is not familiar to me, and is OK, but I think I would prefer it sung to ST THOMAS. Lyrics and tune sample.
CH401 / VU121 / R139 / ELW334 / GA307 / HPP174 / G(II)288 / GC397 / GC(II)401 / CP179 Tree of life and awesome mystery (Haugen) Great words about the suffering of Christ, that is really very positive. "Tree of life and awesome mystery, in your death we are reborn; though you die in all of history, still you rise with every morn". Lyrics. Sound sample.
*ATOK 413 / Iona (HSNW) / CH533 / VU567 / StS039 / R276 / ELW798 / GA502 / SFFS 2130 / HPP317 / G(II)510 / GC700 / GC(II)687 / CP430 / CP(E) 622 / W&R350 Will you come and follow me / The Summons (Iona / KELVINGROVE) A classic, but it has been overdone sometimes. Don't sing it too slowly or it really drags and takes forever!
Alternate Gospel reading: Mark 9:2-9
Transfiguration story
*ATFG 555 / NCYC03 Open your eyes / See Yourself (Mann) “see yourself in the one who’s shining on the hill”. Puts the transfiguration in the context of a whole lot of other New Testament stories. Excellent newer song.
*AoV1-012 / ATE 295 / CH623 / SFFS 2236 / HPP553 / G(II)539 / GC839 / GC(II)743 / CP465 / W&R649 / Cha284 / SP175 / URW054 Here in this place new light is streaming / Gather us in (Haugen). Excellent words, very well known. “Nourish us well and teach us to fashion lives that are holy and hearts that are true”. Lyrics and sound sample.
*GC(II)770 / Cha182 Transform Us as you transfigured (Dunstan) Good words to the familiar and quite meditative hymn tune PICARDY (TiS 497). Lyrics and sign language.
NCH182 / VU104 / SFFS 2103 / HPP147 / CP166 / W&R245 We have come at Christ's own bidding (Daw Jr) Excellent lyrics that bring the images of the transfiguration to the faith of today. Sung to the familiar tune HYFRYDOL (TiS 517). Lyrics (scroll down). Tune sample.
ATFG 541 What is this scene? good story telling song. Not too difficult for the congregation to sing on a first attempt, but it will need a brief “teaching time” for the melody. You could also ask the musicians to present as part of the offering. The words are great.
*Bruce Harding Seeing Jesus A simple chant, needs at least 2 of the parts. Sample PDF, and available for purchase here.
NCH183 Jesus take us to the mountain (Vajda) A very positive transfiguration hymn that asks good questions and provides some good challenges and clearly looks onward to Good Friday. Lyrics.
TiS 234 / AHB 390 / GC778 / GC(II)771 / CP167 / CP(E)248 / VU103 / LBW89 / ELW315 How good Lord to be here / Tis Good Lord to Be Here (Robinson / SWABIA) Good solid words and a good solid tune (I like CARSLISLE best). I like the ending “But since you bid us leave the mount, come with us to the plain”.
*NCYC07 You shine (Crawford) A good song, with an excellent chorus "You shine over us, you shine through us, so let your light shine on around the world". Definitely for the more youthful congregation. It would also work to play the CD from NCYC07 if you don't have a band of musicians.*AoV2-103 / AoVK-115 / G(II)514 / GC712 / GC(II)715 Holy Ground (Brenda Pena) I love the energy and passion in this song and the vision of the heavens embracing the earth. I especially like the “Do you believe in freedom? Yes we do Lord! Do you believe in justice? Justice for all!” call in the middle. Bilingual English/Spanish song. Good for kids. Sample here.
Srce87 / Srce293 Can I ascend? / I'm Coming Up The Mountain (Redman) A bit "me me me" for my liking, but the youth in some congregations would probably like it, and I maybe shouldn't find these songs as embarrassing as I do. Lyrics and chords.
*CH355 / VU210 / SFFS 2102 / HPP81 / GC(II)525 / RS699 / CP630 / W&R99 / URW098 You Lord Are Both Lamb and Shepherd (Dunstan) Beautiful words. Can be sung to many tunes. I like it to WESTMINSTER ABBEY or PICARDY. Hymnals vary with what they have for verse 2. I like this version (scroll down).
*Recorded Song: Transfiguration (Sufjan Stevens) I love this song. Lyrics. Here’s a video of him performing it live here on youtube, which is a bit more eclectic than the studio recording. Note: if playing recorded songs in worship, it's a really good idea to provide lyrics to the congregation either in a hand out or using projection.
Liturgy for the Whole Church (p69) The transfiguration (Bock) A narrated skit. If you have this book, or access to it, this would be good to do.
God’s covenant with Abraham
*AoV1-137 / ATOK 403 / GA306 / G(II)286 God Of Abraham lead us (Farrell) This one is great. Just don't try to sing all 17 verses! Choose what you like... I love this energetic call and response with the response "Lead us to your kingdom". You can sing with a cantor and response, or you could split your congregation in the middle doing half and half, or you could just have people singing all the way through. Lyrics (downloads a pdf). Good for kids.
*NCH20 God of Abraham and Sarah, God of Moses, Miriam's Guide (Gertmenian) Salvation history in one song with a focus on justice, healing, courage. I suggested this for Transfiguration as well, so it might be good to sing it again. Fits well with all themes for this week. Could also be sung to NETTLETON if you want something familiar. Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
*VU255 / CP348 The living God be praised (ben Judah) A new translation of "The God of Abraham praise". Excellent words, and of course, a familiar tune (LEONI).
NCH501 We are dancing Sarah's circle (Etzler) Set to the familiar tune of "We are climbing Jacob's ladder", with positive imagery of increasing the size of the circle of inclusion. Good for kids.
*TiS 125 / AHB 53 / NCH24 / HPP24 / GC544 / CH162 / UMH116 / LBW544 / ELW831 / HPP24 / HPSS488 / GC544 / CP347 / HPPS 488 The God of Abr’am praise / The God of Abraham Praise (ben Judah) A very well known hymn to an ancient Jewish Synagogue melody. The lyrics are quite masculine in most hymnals, which vary widely in which verses they include. The words are inclusive, yet still old-fashioned and poetic in the NCH. Lyrics and sound sample.
*MV 148 Hope of Abraham and Sarah. This song is simple to sing and speaks of unity for the Abrahamic faiths (Islam, Judaism and Christianity).
*VU634 / CP468 To Abraham and Sarah (Fetter) A good interfaith hymn, and excellent words of being a pilgrim people. Sung to the familiar tune THORNBURY. Lyrics (about half way through the article)
Psalm 22:23-31
God’s constant care
Most settings of Psalm 22 focus on the first part of the Psalm (My God, my God, why have you abandoned me). Here are some that pick up the latter part of the Psalm.
TiS 59 / AHB 10 / AoV1-025 / NCH7 / CH63 / UMH75 / VU822 / LBW245 / ELW883 / HPP8 / HPSS220 /HPSS221 / GC747 / GC(II)746 / RS 849 / CP349 All people that on earth do dwell (OLD 100TH). Almost every hymnal has quite masculine words for this classic hymn. I thoroughly recommend you look at the NCH adaptation. It is joyous and very lovely. "All people that on earth do dwell, sing out your faith with cheerful voice; Delight in God whose praise you tell, whose presence calls you to rejoice". Sound sample and lyrics.
*AoV1-073 / G(II)467 / GC657 I Will Not Die before I've lived to see that land (Conry) really quite like this one. The verses may be best sung by a small group, but a congregation who likes singing will do fine with it. Some funny he / shes about God in there (in AoV), which kind of work. Chorus is “For your right hand has delivered us from death. You have regarded our tears, you who are goodness and grace”. Lyrics. Clunky sound sample.
*TiS 727 / ATE 208 / CH121 / VU745 / AA70 In the presence of your people (Chambers) A good Yiddish tune - lots of fun for kids and adults. Good to get fast and dance around on this one. Good for kids.
AoVK-44 / GGives1 God loves you and I love you (Traditional Togo and Ghana) Old kid's song. AoV version is good. I think this song is reclaimable if you funk it up a bit. Maybe? Good for kids.
*VU745 In the presence of your people (Chambers) This version uses the first line only as a Psalm refrain.
Online resource All the Ends of the Earth Shall Turn to you, O God (Harding) A very simple one-line refrain or chant. Sheet music for purchase (and preview).
Linnea Good So while I live my soul is yours A very simple refrain or chant. A little longer than the above.
*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.
*Tune in The God that I Know (Anderson) A beautiful ballad with female and male images of a loving, embracing God. “He comes with his arms open wide, a sheltering place I can hide”. If this is not familiar to your congregation it would be a good song for a soloist. Sound sample, sheet music sample and songbook.
*Tune In: Shepherd of the night (Loukes) "Have you ever felt the velvet night wrap you in her warmth". A lovely song with a theme of God’s protection. This is tricky for a congregation, so you might want to ask the musicians to play this. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook.
VU618 / CP558 God when I stand (O'Driscoll) Good words; the tune will probably need to be taught, or at least played through before the congregation sings it. The 4th verse focuses on Thomas, but don't omit it, or you won't have the happy ending.
Romans 4:13-25
The promise to Abraham came through his faith. Belief even in the face of impossibility.
*AoVK-28 / ATOK 376 Faith hope and love (Watts) This is so easy, and so cool. If you have some groovy musicians, this can even be a very funky rock song. Very easy, and great for kids and non-readers. Good for kids.
*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
*GC(II)651 / Online Resource You must never give up / Sizo Bambelela (South African) An excellent song! Would be fun to get a few singers together to sing the parts to this, though maybe not as many times through as in the sound sample. Free sheet music. Sound sample. Good for kids.
*NCH461 Let us hope when hope seems hopeless (Beebe) A lilting tune and good words of hope in the face of difficulty. A song of a maturing faith. Sound sample (long introduction).
Mark 8:31-38
Jesus predicts his death, Peter rebukes him, those who lose their lives…
Sorry, hard to find a good kid's song for this passage!
*TiS
607 / AoV2-126 / ATN 95 / CH528 / VU684 / StJ / SFFS 2171 / HPP406 /
G(II)524 / GC726 / GC(II)721 / CP(E)519/ W&R587 / Srce 462 Make me a channel of your peace (Temple) Youtube video of Sinead O'Connor singing it and lyrics and MIDI file.TiS 583 / AHB 496 / NCH204 / CH402 / UMH415 / VU561 / LBW398 / ELW667 / PH393 / GC698 / GC(II)690 / CP431 / CP(E) 582 / W&R351 Take up thy cross the Savior said (Everest) I don't actually like this hymn, mainly because I don't know it very well, but lots of other people do. Some versions are quite masculine in their language, but TiS, NCH, Gather hymnals and others are OK., so I encourage you to look them up. Lyrics with one of many possible tunes (not the TiS tune).
*TiS 473 / NCH314 / W&R615 / Cha655 Community of Christ (Murray) Beautiful words to a traditional Hebrew synagogue melody (LEONI). Easy to sing. Lyrics (downloads a pdf of an excellent service of lamentation - scroll to the end).
CP075 / W&R691 With the body that was broken (Daw) A more traditional hymn. I'm struggling to find hymns that fit this passage well and that I like, but this one is pretty good. The tune is not familiar to me, and is OK, but I think I would prefer it sung to ST THOMAS. Lyrics and tune sample.
CH401 / VU121 / R139 / ELW334 / GA307 / HPP174 / G(II)288 / GC397 / GC(II)401 / CP179 Tree of life and awesome mystery (Haugen) Great words about the suffering of Christ, that is really very positive. "Tree of life and awesome mystery, in your death we are reborn; though you die in all of history, still you rise with every morn". Lyrics. Sound sample.
*ATOK 413 / Iona (HSNW) / CH533 / VU567 / StS039 / R276 / ELW798 / GA502 / SFFS 2130 / HPP317 / G(II)510 / GC700 / GC(II)687 / CP430 / CP(E) 622 / W&R350 Will you come and follow me / The Summons (Iona / KELVINGROVE) A classic, but it has been overdone sometimes. Don't sing it too slowly or it really drags and takes forever!
Alternate Gospel reading: Mark 9:2-9
Transfiguration story
*ATFG 555 / NCYC03 Open your eyes / See Yourself (Mann) “see yourself in the one who’s shining on the hill”. Puts the transfiguration in the context of a whole lot of other New Testament stories. Excellent newer song.
*AoV1-012 / ATE 295 / CH623 / SFFS 2236 / HPP553 / G(II)539 / GC839 / GC(II)743 / CP465 / W&R649 / Cha284 / SP175 / URW054 Here in this place new light is streaming / Gather us in (Haugen). Excellent words, very well known. “Nourish us well and teach us to fashion lives that are holy and hearts that are true”. Lyrics and sound sample.
*GC(II)770 / Cha182 Transform Us as you transfigured (Dunstan) Good words to the familiar and quite meditative hymn tune PICARDY (TiS 497). Lyrics and sign language.
NCH182 / VU104 / SFFS 2103 / HPP147 / CP166 / W&R245 We have come at Christ's own bidding (Daw Jr) Excellent lyrics that bring the images of the transfiguration to the faith of today. Sung to the familiar tune HYFRYDOL (TiS 517). Lyrics (scroll down). Tune sample.
ATFG 541 What is this scene? good story telling song. Not too difficult for the congregation to sing on a first attempt, but it will need a brief “teaching time” for the melody. You could also ask the musicians to present as part of the offering. The words are great.
*Bruce Harding Seeing Jesus A simple chant, needs at least 2 of the parts. Sample PDF, and available for purchase here.
NCH183 Jesus take us to the mountain (Vajda) A very positive transfiguration hymn that asks good questions and provides some good challenges and clearly looks onward to Good Friday. Lyrics.
TiS 234 / AHB 390 / GC778 / GC(II)771 / CP167 / CP(E)248 / VU103 / LBW89 / ELW315 How good Lord to be here / Tis Good Lord to Be Here (Robinson / SWABIA) Good solid words and a good solid tune (I like CARSLISLE best). I like the ending “But since you bid us leave the mount, come with us to the plain”.
*NCYC07 You shine (Crawford) A good song, with an excellent chorus "You shine over us, you shine through us, so let your light shine on around the world". Definitely for the more youthful congregation. It would also work to play the CD from NCYC07 if you don't have a band of musicians.*AoV2-103 / AoVK-115 / G(II)514 / GC712 / GC(II)715 Holy Ground (Brenda Pena) I love the energy and passion in this song and the vision of the heavens embracing the earth. I especially like the “Do you believe in freedom? Yes we do Lord! Do you believe in justice? Justice for all!” call in the middle. Bilingual English/Spanish song. Good for kids. Sample here.
Srce87 / Srce293 Can I ascend? / I'm Coming Up The Mountain (Redman) A bit "me me me" for my liking, but the youth in some congregations would probably like it, and I maybe shouldn't find these songs as embarrassing as I do. Lyrics and chords.
*CH355 / VU210 / SFFS 2102 / HPP81 / GC(II)525 / RS699 / CP630 / W&R99 / URW098 You Lord Are Both Lamb and Shepherd (Dunstan) Beautiful words. Can be sung to many tunes. I like it to WESTMINSTER ABBEY or PICARDY. Hymnals vary with what they have for verse 2. I like this version (scroll down).
*Recorded Song: Transfiguration (Sufjan Stevens) I love this song. Lyrics. Here’s a video of him performing it live here on youtube, which is a bit more eclectic than the studio recording. Note: if playing recorded songs in worship, it's a really good idea to provide lyrics to the congregation either in a hand out or using projection.
Liturgy for the Whole Church (p69) The transfiguration (Bock) A narrated skit. If you have this book, or access to it, this would be good to do.
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