General Trinitarian hymns (reading-based selections follow)
*TiS 179 / NCH273 / VU312 / GA379 / StJ / URW073 Praise with Joy the World's Creator One of my favourite hymns - strongly Trinitarian lyrics and excellent imagery. I particularly love the “One God in community” phrase. Some versions change "Son" to "Christ" to make it more inclusive. Lyrics (scroll down).
NCH278 / Cha062 / URW198 Creator God creating still (Parker Huber) Excellent hymn of hope for the future sung to a well known tune (ST ANNE). Lyrics and a critique.
*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, or not! Lyrics and mp3. Good for kids.
*TiS 182 / AoV2-010 / NCH11 / CH134 / VU268 / SFFS 2047 / HPP13 / CP395 / Cha010 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.
PH135 / G(II)333 / GC476 / W&R139 God Is One Unique and Holy (Wren) Good words focussed on God's unity although many-faceted. Inclusive and great imagery. The tune is quite simple. Lyrics, sheet music sample and tune sample.
AoV2-084 Father and Mother Creator And Poet (Sears) Trinitarian song with a Creation focus. Sound sample and lyrics.
*NCH355 / UMH648 / VU514 / HPSS523 / W&R149 God the Spirit guide and guardian (Daw) Excellent, inclusive Trinitarian lyrics of God's guidance and blessing on leaders in the church community. Set to a variety of well known hymn tunes including HYFRYDOL (my favourite!), JEFFERSON, BLAENWERN and BETHANY. Lyrics.
CP(E) 463 Holy Trinity of Love (Gaunt) Good solid words. Lyrics.
*G(II)331 / GC472 / GC(II)488 / G(3)563 How Wonderful the Three-in-One (Wren) Stunning words sung to an old American Shape Note melody. Melody line, chords and lyrics.
*FFS47 Maker of mystery (Marnie Barrell/Gibson) Feminine trinitarian imagery. Tune is not hard, but can also be sung to the more familiar DOWN AMPNEY.
*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. Lyrics and one tune.
*CH114 / AA110 O threefold God of tender unity (Wallace) Excellent inclusive Trinitarian words to a simple Celtic air. Lyrics (scroll down).
*MV043 / GC(II)484 The play of the godhead (Bringle / Batastini) Lovely words and a very simple, intuitive tune. "The play of the Godhead, the Trinity's dance, embraces the earth in a sacred romance". Lyrics, sheet music sample and fairly plain and slow tune sample.
*NCH274 / CH118 / SFFS 2046 / CP390 / Cha014 Womb of Life and source of being (Duck / LADUE CHAPEL) Feminine trinitarian imagery. An easier tune, listed in some hymnals is IN BABILONE. Others have LADUE CHAPEL which is a little less intuitive. Lyrics.
PH136 Sovereign Lord of All Creation (Cross) Good standard words to a good standard tune. Nice images.
*AoVK-30 / ATW 419 / Iona (Common Ground, CAYP) / CH757 / MV002 / WoV717 / ELW819 / SFFS 2274 / HPP551 / GC(II)744 / SP&P022 / SP179 Come all you people (Uyai mose) Joyful and pretty easy really for the congregation. If you have WoV or SP&P, they each have a nice Trinitarian version of this. Come and praise the "Most high" / "Saviour" / "Spirit". Sound sample. Good for kids.
*URW126 Give thanks to the Source (Duck) Excellent words to a lovely lilting tune.
MV056 O Come let us praise (Shwe) A good song From Burma. Quite beautiful - will need to be carefully taught to Western ears.
Isaiah 6:1-8
God on the throne surrounded by the seraphim. Angels call God Holy. They bring release from sin; God asks who will go. The prophet is unworthy, but says “Send me”.
*TiS 693 / AoV1-031 / GA212 Come as you are that's how I want you (Browne) Isaiah didn't feel particularly worthy either... 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.
Taize / MV075 / StS079 / SFFS 2118 / GC(II)479 / SP99 / URW395 Holy Spirit Come to Us / Veni sancte spiritus / Tui amoris (Berthier) Best if you have a cantor, but works well if you don't, too. Sheet music, translations, sound samples.
AoV2-015 / Iona (M&G) / CH773 / MV189 / StJ / TFF140 / ELW529 / SFFS 2273 / G(II)502 / GC705 / RS 806 / W&R659 / ZSS148 Jesus we are here / Jesu Tawa Pano (Matsikenyiri / Zimbabwe) Simple and fun. Much better in the original Shona text (rhythmically speaking) but works OK in English. Good for kids.
VU575 / SFFS 2153 / HPSS369 / W&R574 / Cha614 I'm Gonna Live So God Can Use Me (African American traditional) Good simple tune and meaningful words. Easy to sing and play around with. Good for kids, non-readers and for people for whom English is a second language.
TiS 658 / AoV1-090 / ATE 296 / CH251 / UMH593 / VU509 / WoV752 / ELW574 / HPP541 / HPSS525 / G(II)492 / GC(II)671 / CP(E) 470 / W&R559 / Cha452 / Srce328 I the Lord of sea and sky / Here I am Lord (Schutte). Lyrics, sheet music sample and tune sample here (search for Here I am Lord). Good for kids.
W&R584 / Cha454 Come Celebrate the Call of God (Wren) Good words to a lilting intuitive tune. This song is written to recognise a commissioning or the gift of a particular person's call, but it can also be sung with "our" instead of "her" to make it a song for a whole congregation. Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
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")
HPSS135 / G(II)333 / GC476 / W&R139 God Is One Unique and Holy (Wren) Good words focussed on God's unity although many-faceted. Inclusive and great imagery. The tune is quite simple. Lyrics, sheet music sample and tune sample here (search for Unique).
TiS 132 / AHB 65 / NCH277 / CH111 / UMH64 / VU315 / LBW165 / ELW413 / HPP243 / HPSS138 / G(II)332 / GC474 / GC(II)483 / CP001 / CP(E) 202 Holy Holy Holy Lord God Almighty (Heber / NICAEA) Many sources have good inclusive language for people and God (e.g. CH4 and TiS, but others don't so check your source!)
TiS 180 / UMH105 / W&R58 / Cha013 God of many names (Wren) If this is new it will need to be taught to your congregation as the tune is not intuitive, but it is worth knowing. The chorus is particularly appealing to kids. Lyrics (downloads a pdf)
*TiS 749 / AoV1-154 / AoVK-131 / ATE 305 / NCH360 / Iona (SBL, Freedom is coming) / CH800 / UMH497 / VU572 / WoV773 / ELW809 / HPP340 / G(II)484 / GC677 / GC(II)674 Send me Jesus / Thuma mina You all know this one, right? Good for kids.
*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".
TiS 753 / StS034 / R185 / ELW525 You are holy you are whole A fun and joyous latin-rhythmed song; can also be sung with two parts at the same time. Lyrics here in English, Spanish and Swedish (and a sound sample). Good for kids.
Some Holy Holies (If you are looking for a new one, this might be a good Sunday to introduce it for the Pentecost Season)
FFS33 Holy Holy Holy (responses for communion) Simple tune and good words. An inclusive Holy Holy that's not jarring at all.
MV203 O Holy holy holy god (Kervin) A set of communion responses to a simple and well known English tune (Kingsfold) which is really similar to another English tune (Star of the County Down).
TiS 723 / AoV2-092 / ATOK 381 / Iona (M&G, Common Ground) / CH769 / UMH65 / VU944, VU951 / StJ / R176 / ELW473 / SFFS 2007 / G(II)395 / GC563 / W&R737 / Cha111 / ZSS48 Holy holy holy / Santo santo santo (Argentinian folk song) Better in Spanish, would make BUC people uncomfortable in English, but that may not be a bad thing. We are not so good at devotional worship sometimes.
*TiS 764 / ATOK 380 / SFFS 2256 Holy holy holy Lord (Iona community) Holies and Hosannas in an excellent two part call and response. The two parts overlap a little bit, so will need to be familiar, or introduced carefully if not familiar to your congregation; this has become a favourite at Brunswick. Good for kids.
AoV1-173 Holy Holy Holy Lord (Chung Ham) Simple chant. "Holy holy holy Lord; praise and honour are yours, for you alone are worthy to receive the glory and praise."
TiS 722 Holy holy holy Lord / Sanctus Dominus II (Taize) A good opportunity to use a cantor and invite the congregation to chant the ostinato. This would be a simple way of bringing some of the "wonder" to your congregation if you have a capable cantor (it's not that hard really!)
Worldmaking.net Holy Holy Holy One A more energetic Holy holy. Sound sample, lyrics and theology here.
TiS 763 Holy holy holy Lord God of power (Farrell) A nice quiet variation.
*TiS 761 / GA124 Holy holy holy Lord God of power and might (Smith) This is the Holy Holy we normally sing for Communion at Brunswick.
GC(II)192 Holy Holy Holy Lord (Beneath the Tree of Life) (Haugen) (Communion response) A good Holy holy. Sheet music and sound sample (search for "beneath the tree")
GC(II)198 Holy Holy Holy Lord (Do this in memory of me) (Haas) (Communion response) Another good Holy holy holy Sheet music and sound sample (search for "do this in memory")
*AoV1-196 / GA097 / GC(II)288 / GC166 / G(II)144 / GC(II)147 Holy Holy Holy Lord, God of power (Haugen) (Communion response) My favourite Holy Holy, from the Mass of Creation Sheet music and sound sample (search for the song number).
AoV2-081 Holy Holy Holy Lord of power and might (Bell/Maule) Communion responses. Thes are also good, but I can't remember what I liked about them.
GC(II)182 Holy holy holy Lord, God of power and might (Janco) Communion responses A nice joyful (or majestic) Sanctus depending on how you do it. Sheet music and sound sample
*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. Good for kids.
*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". Good for kids. 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.
Romans 8:12-17
Being led by the Spirit and God’s adopted children.
Tune In: Father of Earth, Mother of Sea. A latinesque song about the Spirit being with those who are victims, prisoners and the sick, as well as present in our prayers. Sample here.
AoV1-012 / ATE 295 / SFFS 2236 / HPP553 / G(II)539 / GC839 / GC(II)743 Here in this place new light is streaming / Gather Us In (Haugen) Sample here.
TiS 410 / AHB 323 / NCH59 / LBW523 / ELW582 Holy Spirit, ever dwelling I like these words best to the tune NETTLETON (TiS 392). Lyrics here.
TiS 178 / G(II)335 / GC478 / GC(II)487 Praise the God who changes places I like the joy of the tune written by William Rowan (BOE) for this song. Lyrics and sign language here (scroll to the bottom for the lyrics). Sample here, to a different tune.
TIS 415 Praise the Spirit in creation. Amazing words. Tune is unfamiliar, but good.
Tune In: All things new (Anderson). A simple pop/rock song. “Take hold of the hope that I give, trust in me, reach out for the love you can live, eternally”. Good for kids. Lyrics and sample here.
TiS 417 / AoV2-133 / ATW 448 / VU387 / StJ / WoV683 / ELW397 / AA94 / HPP237 / HPPS323 Loving Spirit, Loving Spirit (Murray). There are about a zillion tunes set for this. I prefer FELICITY (by Colin Gibson TiS 417), but also like RESTORATION. Lyrics are here.
TiS 465 / AHB 399 / Iona (SBL) / CH116 Our God in heaven / Father in heaven / Loving Creator grant to your children (Niles) I really like this hymn, especially the Philippino folk melody to which its set. Newer versions of the hymn from the Christian Conferenc eof 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. Very easy to learn. I would just sing the first verse this week, as a round. It's important to remember that God speaks through children. Good for kids.
John 3:1-17
Nicodemus and the famous John 3:16
*GtB God is love and love is giving (Langmead) A simple kids' song about God's love. A round. Good for kids.
TiS 721 / Iona (LFB) / URW431 He became poor that we may be rich (Iona) A simple chant. Timing is a little bit tricky, so you will need to take a little time to teach it initially.
*Iona (M&G) / CH359 / StJ / TF37 / ELW253 / SFFS 2085 / G(II)276 / GC370 / GC(II)364 / CP368 / W&R402 He came down that we may have love A simple chorus from Cameroon. Great for adults and kids alike. Verses are for love, peace and joy. Good for kids.
*Tune In: In the shape of a cross (Dave Brown) A cry to God for help and a call for God to enter our world. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook available here.
*TiS 242 / AHB 183 / AoV1-018 / ATN 27 / CH404 / UMH261 / VU352 / HPP163 / HPSS302 / G(II)481 / GC708 / GC(II)689 / CP(E) 468 / W&R118 I danced in the morning (Carter / SIMPLE GIFTS)
ATOK 316 From the air and from the light (Mann)
*Taize / CP530 By night we hasten in darkness (Berthier) One of my favourite Taize chants. Sheet music, lyrics, translations and sound samples.
*NCH297 / CH736 / VU706 / StJ / AA45 / HPSS528 / W&R518 / Cha649 Give thanks for life the measure of our days (Murray) This song is also good for funerals and is sung to the familiar tune SINE NOMINE. "Give thanks for life, the measure of our days, mortal we pass through beauty that decays, yet sing to God our hope, our love, our praise: Alleluia, Alleluia!". Lyrics (scroll down).
* Worldmaking.net Holy Holy Holy One (Bruxvoort-Colligan) An energetic rocky song about God's love. Sound sample, lyrics etc.
*TiS 494 / W&R678 / Cha375 In water we grow (Wren) Great words, especially if you have a baptism this week. Tune is quite straightforward. Lyrics here (loads a pdf).
ATW 451 Jesus Saviour of the world (Schubert) Simple chant-like song.
*Taize / MV100 Lord God you love us, source of compassion (Berthier) A very simple refrain, which would work well as a response during prayers of confession or of intercession. Sound sample, sheet music and translations.
TiS 174 / UMH194 / CP(E)259 / 82Hml-585 Morning glory starlit sky (Vanstone / KENOSIS) Quite formal words, but very very beautiful song of God's boundless love "Drained is love in making full, bound in setting others free, poor in making many rich, weak in giving power to be". The tune is not difficult, but will need to be taught to a congregation if not familiar. The lyrics could also be read as a poem, and challenges the image of Christ as monarch, but also affirms God's reign. Lyrics.
*AoV1-003 / HPP258 / GA394 / G(II)342 / GC497 / GC(II)495 / RS638 The heavens are telling the glory of God / Canticle of the Sun (Haugen) Energetic waltz of cosmic praise with great lyrics "Come dance in the forest, come play in the field, and sing, sing to the glory of the Lord". Sound sample. Lyrics and sheet music sample.
*TiS 179 / NCH273 / VU312 / GA379 / StJ / URW073 Praise with Joy the World's Creator One of my favourite hymns - strongly Trinitarian lyrics and excellent imagery. I particularly love the “One God in community” phrase. Some versions change "Son" to "Christ" to make it more inclusive. Lyrics (scroll down).
NCH278 / Cha062 / URW198 Creator God creating still (Parker Huber) Excellent hymn of hope for the future sung to a well known tune (ST ANNE). Lyrics and a critique.
*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, or not! Lyrics and mp3. Good for kids.
*TiS 182 / AoV2-010 / NCH11 / CH134 / VU268 / SFFS 2047 / HPP13 / CP395 / Cha010 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.
PH135 / G(II)333 / GC476 / W&R139 God Is One Unique and Holy (Wren) Good words focussed on God's unity although many-faceted. Inclusive and great imagery. The tune is quite simple. Lyrics, sheet music sample and tune sample.
AoV2-084 Father and Mother Creator And Poet (Sears) Trinitarian song with a Creation focus. Sound sample and lyrics.
*NCH355 / UMH648 / VU514 / HPSS523 / W&R149 God the Spirit guide and guardian (Daw) Excellent, inclusive Trinitarian lyrics of God's guidance and blessing on leaders in the church community. Set to a variety of well known hymn tunes including HYFRYDOL (my favourite!), JEFFERSON, BLAENWERN and BETHANY. Lyrics.
CP(E) 463 Holy Trinity of Love (Gaunt) Good solid words. Lyrics.
*G(II)331 / GC472 / GC(II)488 / G(3)563 How Wonderful the Three-in-One (Wren) Stunning words sung to an old American Shape Note melody. Melody line, chords and lyrics.
*FFS47 Maker of mystery (Marnie Barrell/Gibson) Feminine trinitarian imagery. Tune is not hard, but can also be sung to the more familiar DOWN AMPNEY.
*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. Lyrics and one tune.
*CH114 / AA110 O threefold God of tender unity (Wallace) Excellent inclusive Trinitarian words to a simple Celtic air. Lyrics (scroll down).
*MV043 / GC(II)484 The play of the godhead (Bringle / Batastini) Lovely words and a very simple, intuitive tune. "The play of the Godhead, the Trinity's dance, embraces the earth in a sacred romance". Lyrics, sheet music sample and fairly plain and slow tune sample.
*NCH274 / CH118 / SFFS 2046 / CP390 / Cha014 Womb of Life and source of being (Duck / LADUE CHAPEL) Feminine trinitarian imagery. An easier tune, listed in some hymnals is IN BABILONE. Others have LADUE CHAPEL which is a little less intuitive. Lyrics.
PH136 Sovereign Lord of All Creation (Cross) Good standard words to a good standard tune. Nice images.
*AoVK-30 / ATW 419 / Iona (Common Ground, CAYP) / CH757 / MV002 / WoV717 / ELW819 / SFFS 2274 / HPP551 / GC(II)744 / SP&P022 / SP179 Come all you people (Uyai mose) Joyful and pretty easy really for the congregation. If you have WoV or SP&P, they each have a nice Trinitarian version of this. Come and praise the "Most high" / "Saviour" / "Spirit". Sound sample. Good for kids.
*URW126 Give thanks to the Source (Duck) Excellent words to a lovely lilting tune.
MV056 O Come let us praise (Shwe) A good song From Burma. Quite beautiful - will need to be carefully taught to Western ears.
Isaiah 6:1-8
God on the throne surrounded by the seraphim. Angels call God Holy. They bring release from sin; God asks who will go. The prophet is unworthy, but says “Send me”.
*TiS 693 / AoV1-031 / GA212 Come as you are that's how I want you (Browne) Isaiah didn't feel particularly worthy either... 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.
Taize / MV075 / StS079 / SFFS 2118 / GC(II)479 / SP99 / URW395 Holy Spirit Come to Us / Veni sancte spiritus / Tui amoris (Berthier) Best if you have a cantor, but works well if you don't, too. Sheet music, translations, sound samples.
AoV2-015 / Iona (M&G) / CH773 / MV189 / StJ / TFF140 / ELW529 / SFFS 2273 / G(II)502 / GC705 / RS 806 / W&R659 / ZSS148 Jesus we are here / Jesu Tawa Pano (Matsikenyiri / Zimbabwe) Simple and fun. Much better in the original Shona text (rhythmically speaking) but works OK in English. Good for kids.
VU575 / SFFS 2153 / HPSS369 / W&R574 / Cha614 I'm Gonna Live So God Can Use Me (African American traditional) Good simple tune and meaningful words. Easy to sing and play around with. Good for kids, non-readers and for people for whom English is a second language.
TiS 658 / AoV1-090 / ATE 296 / CH251 / UMH593 / VU509 / WoV752 / ELW574 / HPP541 / HPSS525 / G(II)492 / GC(II)671 / CP(E) 470 / W&R559 / Cha452 / Srce328 I the Lord of sea and sky / Here I am Lord (Schutte). Lyrics, sheet music sample and tune sample here (search for Here I am Lord). Good for kids.
W&R584 / Cha454 Come Celebrate the Call of God (Wren) Good words to a lilting intuitive tune. This song is written to recognise a commissioning or the gift of a particular person's call, but it can also be sung with "our" instead of "her" to make it a song for a whole congregation. Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
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")
HPSS135 / G(II)333 / GC476 / W&R139 God Is One Unique and Holy (Wren) Good words focussed on God's unity although many-faceted. Inclusive and great imagery. The tune is quite simple. Lyrics, sheet music sample and tune sample here (search for Unique).
TiS 132 / AHB 65 / NCH277 / CH111 / UMH64 / VU315 / LBW165 / ELW413 / HPP243 / HPSS138 / G(II)332 / GC474 / GC(II)483 / CP001 / CP(E) 202 Holy Holy Holy Lord God Almighty (Heber / NICAEA) Many sources have good inclusive language for people and God (e.g. CH4 and TiS, but others don't so check your source!)
TiS 180 / UMH105 / W&R58 / Cha013 God of many names (Wren) If this is new it will need to be taught to your congregation as the tune is not intuitive, but it is worth knowing. The chorus is particularly appealing to kids. Lyrics (downloads a pdf)
*TiS 749 / AoV1-154 / AoVK-131 / ATE 305 / NCH360 / Iona (SBL, Freedom is coming) / CH800 / UMH497 / VU572 / WoV773 / ELW809 / HPP340 / G(II)484 / GC677 / GC(II)674 Send me Jesus / Thuma mina You all know this one, right? Good for kids.
*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".
TiS 753 / StS034 / R185 / ELW525 You are holy you are whole A fun and joyous latin-rhythmed song; can also be sung with two parts at the same time. Lyrics here in English, Spanish and Swedish (and a sound sample). Good for kids.
Some Holy Holies (If you are looking for a new one, this might be a good Sunday to introduce it for the Pentecost Season)
FFS33 Holy Holy Holy (responses for communion) Simple tune and good words. An inclusive Holy Holy that's not jarring at all.
MV203 O Holy holy holy god (Kervin) A set of communion responses to a simple and well known English tune (Kingsfold) which is really similar to another English tune (Star of the County Down).
TiS 723 / AoV2-092 / ATOK 381 / Iona (M&G, Common Ground) / CH769 / UMH65 / VU944, VU951 / StJ / R176 / ELW473 / SFFS 2007 / G(II)395 / GC563 / W&R737 / Cha111 / ZSS48 Holy holy holy / Santo santo santo (Argentinian folk song) Better in Spanish, would make BUC people uncomfortable in English, but that may not be a bad thing. We are not so good at devotional worship sometimes.
*TiS 764 / ATOK 380 / SFFS 2256 Holy holy holy Lord (Iona community) Holies and Hosannas in an excellent two part call and response. The two parts overlap a little bit, so will need to be familiar, or introduced carefully if not familiar to your congregation; this has become a favourite at Brunswick. Good for kids.
AoV1-173 Holy Holy Holy Lord (Chung Ham) Simple chant. "Holy holy holy Lord; praise and honour are yours, for you alone are worthy to receive the glory and praise."
TiS 722 Holy holy holy Lord / Sanctus Dominus II (Taize) A good opportunity to use a cantor and invite the congregation to chant the ostinato. This would be a simple way of bringing some of the "wonder" to your congregation if you have a capable cantor (it's not that hard really!)
Worldmaking.net Holy Holy Holy One A more energetic Holy holy. Sound sample, lyrics and theology here.
TiS 763 Holy holy holy Lord God of power (Farrell) A nice quiet variation.
*TiS 761 / GA124 Holy holy holy Lord God of power and might (Smith) This is the Holy Holy we normally sing for Communion at Brunswick.
GC(II)192 Holy Holy Holy Lord (Beneath the Tree of Life) (Haugen) (Communion response) A good Holy holy. Sheet music and sound sample (search for "beneath the tree")
GC(II)198 Holy Holy Holy Lord (Do this in memory of me) (Haas) (Communion response) Another good Holy holy holy Sheet music and sound sample (search for "do this in memory")
*AoV1-196 / GA097 / GC(II)288 / GC166 / G(II)144 / GC(II)147 Holy Holy Holy Lord, God of power (Haugen) (Communion response) My favourite Holy Holy, from the Mass of Creation Sheet music and sound sample (search for the song number).
AoV2-081 Holy Holy Holy Lord of power and might (Bell/Maule) Communion responses. Thes are also good, but I can't remember what I liked about them.
GC(II)182 Holy holy holy Lord, God of power and might (Janco) Communion responses A nice joyful (or majestic) Sanctus depending on how you do it. Sheet music and sound sample
*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. Good for kids.
*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". Good for kids. 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.
Romans 8:12-17
Being led by the Spirit and God’s adopted children.
Tune In: Father of Earth, Mother of Sea. A latinesque song about the Spirit being with those who are victims, prisoners and the sick, as well as present in our prayers. Sample here.
AoV1-012 / ATE 295 / SFFS 2236 / HPP553 / G(II)539 / GC839 / GC(II)743 Here in this place new light is streaming / Gather Us In (Haugen) Sample here.
TiS 410 / AHB 323 / NCH59 / LBW523 / ELW582 Holy Spirit, ever dwelling I like these words best to the tune NETTLETON (TiS 392). Lyrics here.
TiS 178 / G(II)335 / GC478 / GC(II)487 Praise the God who changes places I like the joy of the tune written by William Rowan (BOE) for this song. Lyrics and sign language here (scroll to the bottom for the lyrics). Sample here, to a different tune.
TIS 415 Praise the Spirit in creation. Amazing words. Tune is unfamiliar, but good.
Tune In: All things new (Anderson). A simple pop/rock song. “Take hold of the hope that I give, trust in me, reach out for the love you can live, eternally”. Good for kids. Lyrics and sample here.
TiS 417 / AoV2-133 / ATW 448 / VU387 / StJ / WoV683 / ELW397 / AA94 / HPP237 / HPPS323 Loving Spirit, Loving Spirit (Murray). There are about a zillion tunes set for this. I prefer FELICITY (by Colin Gibson TiS 417), but also like RESTORATION. Lyrics are here.
TiS 465 / AHB 399 / Iona (SBL) / CH116 Our God in heaven / Father in heaven / Loving Creator grant to your children (Niles) I really like this hymn, especially the Philippino folk melody to which its set. Newer versions of the hymn from the Christian Conferenc eof 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. Very easy to learn. I would just sing the first verse this week, as a round. It's important to remember that God speaks through children. Good for kids.
John 3:1-17
Nicodemus and the famous John 3:16
*GtB God is love and love is giving (Langmead) A simple kids' song about God's love. A round. Good for kids.
TiS 721 / Iona (LFB) / URW431 He became poor that we may be rich (Iona) A simple chant. Timing is a little bit tricky, so you will need to take a little time to teach it initially.
*Iona (M&G) / CH359 / StJ / TF37 / ELW253 / SFFS 2085 / G(II)276 / GC370 / GC(II)364 / CP368 / W&R402 He came down that we may have love A simple chorus from Cameroon. Great for adults and kids alike. Verses are for love, peace and joy. Good for kids.
*Tune In: In the shape of a cross (Dave Brown) A cry to God for help and a call for God to enter our world. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook available here.
*TiS 242 / AHB 183 / AoV1-018 / ATN 27 / CH404 / UMH261 / VU352 / HPP163 / HPSS302 / G(II)481 / GC708 / GC(II)689 / CP(E) 468 / W&R118 I danced in the morning (Carter / SIMPLE GIFTS)
ATOK 316 From the air and from the light (Mann)
*Taize / CP530 By night we hasten in darkness (Berthier) One of my favourite Taize chants. Sheet music, lyrics, translations and sound samples.
*NCH297 / CH736 / VU706 / StJ / AA45 / HPSS528 / W&R518 / Cha649 Give thanks for life the measure of our days (Murray) This song is also good for funerals and is sung to the familiar tune SINE NOMINE. "Give thanks for life, the measure of our days, mortal we pass through beauty that decays, yet sing to God our hope, our love, our praise: Alleluia, Alleluia!". Lyrics (scroll down).
* Worldmaking.net Holy Holy Holy One (Bruxvoort-Colligan) An energetic rocky song about God's love. Sound sample, lyrics etc.
*TiS 494 / W&R678 / Cha375 In water we grow (Wren) Great words, especially if you have a baptism this week. Tune is quite straightforward. Lyrics here (loads a pdf).
ATW 451 Jesus Saviour of the world (Schubert) Simple chant-like song.
*Taize / MV100 Lord God you love us, source of compassion (Berthier) A very simple refrain, which would work well as a response during prayers of confession or of intercession. Sound sample, sheet music and translations.
TiS 174 / UMH194 / CP(E)259 / 82Hml-585 Morning glory starlit sky (Vanstone / KENOSIS) Quite formal words, but very very beautiful song of God's boundless love "Drained is love in making full, bound in setting others free, poor in making many rich, weak in giving power to be". The tune is not difficult, but will need to be taught to a congregation if not familiar. The lyrics could also be read as a poem, and challenges the image of Christ as monarch, but also affirms God's reign. Lyrics.
*AoV1-003 / HPP258 / GA394 / G(II)342 / GC497 / GC(II)495 / RS638 The heavens are telling the glory of God / Canticle of the Sun (Haugen) Energetic waltz of cosmic praise with great lyrics "Come dance in the forest, come play in the field, and sing, sing to the glory of the Lord". Sound sample. Lyrics and sheet music sample.
4 comments:
Well done
it's a fantastic listing.
lots of the songs are familiar but there are dozens more
I mostly needed the reminder of good ones I already knew and your listing hit the right spot.
thanks
Richard
Just wanted to say THANK YOU for all the great ideas week to week, I choose the music every week for our contemporary Anglican service (in BC, Canada)... we don't have the same hymn books, and I often don't know your songs, but you have had some links that have been very helpful. Sometimes even just reading your titles prompts me to think of something in our files.
Am happy to post some of our song picks if you are interested....
Karen
Thanks Richard and Karen,
Would love to know what books you are using Karen.... and it would be fun to know your song picks.
very best,
Natalie
Finally settled on June 3 songs.... bear in mind we do a contemporary service prior to the traditional choral service. For the latter they mostly use Common Praise hymnbook (anglican church of canada) and I pick from it occasionally.
For this sunday we will be doing Revelation Song (Riddle), and Here I Am Lord (Dan Shutte) and Meekness and Majesty (Kendrick) among others.
Karen
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