2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19
A celebratory procession with the Ark of the Covenant; David dancing and Michal is displeased
Some simple celebratory dancing songs would go well with this passage:
*TiS 670 / AoVK-138 / ATE 258 / CH692 / Srce385 Jesus put this song into our hearts (Kendrick) A fun Yiddish tune that gets even more fun if you get faster and faster as you go. Try teaching your congregation a simple side to side “dance” step. If you teach them and make it clear that it’s okay, you’ll be surprised how many people dance to God. Good for kids. Lyrics.
*Srce Teach me to dance (Kendrick) Thanks to David MacGregor for suggesting this to the facebook group and on his website. The chorus of this is just great, and can be used on its own, or with the verses. Good for kids. Lyrics Sound sample (youtube) Chords (not all the lyrics are correct)
*VU128 / World Council of Churches Assembly 1991 Canberra Sanna sannanina An excellent African processional. Great for drumming and dancing as the Bible is brought forward; that would be pretty cool to do with any song really, especially if it's adults dancing, not just the kids! Good for kids
*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 / G(3)594 / Cha442 / SP235 / Srce737 We are marchhe light of God / Siyahamba / Caminando. A very well known South African protest song; you can add a verse "we are dancing in the light of God". Lyrics (multiple translations). Good for kids.
*Singing the Living Tradition (Unitarian Universalist Hymnal) 220 Bring out the festal bread Somehow I've ended up with a photocopy of this song to a traditional Hebrew melody. If you happen to be celebrating communion this Sunday, this song would fit well; imagine dancing down the aisle to bring the bread forward (don't spill the wine though...). The lyrics are about "sister Miriam", but you could sing "brother David" as well. Lyrics here (loads a pdf).
SP&P205 So dance into joy with hands upraised (Camp) I have written that this song is good, but I can't remember why, and I'm in Houston, TX while my books are in Melbourne, Australia, so I can't tell you.... apologies!
PH484 Sing with Hearts (Malicsi) Sung to a traditional Kalinga melody, this song is a good one for celebrating music and dance in worship. It is quite simple, even if unfamiliar to Western ears.
AoVK-94 / MV156 Dance with the Spirit early in the morning (Strathdee) I have a love-hate relationship with this song, but it is a good song for kids. "Dance with the Spirit early in the morning. Walk with the Spirit throughout the long day. Work and hope for a new life a bornin’. Listen to the Spirit to show you the way." Good for kids
*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 181 / AoV2-032 / GC(II)497 / G(3)577 / CP589 Come O God of all the earth / Sing Out Earth and Skies (Haugen) A big favourite of our congregation. "Dance to the life around you". Sheet music, lyrics. Sound sample. Good for kids.
The earth is God's; importance of purity; God wins battles
*VU750 / CH020 / PH177 Lift up the gates eternal (Duba / Jabusch) Good words based on this Psalm; the Israeli Folk melody makes this fun. This would fit well with the dancing theme in the Samuel reading too. Good for kids.
*CH289 / GC(II)341 Lift up your heads eternal gates (Weissel / Bell) I like how this reworking of the old standard turns the violent battle God image on its head and points to Christ instead. The tune is a lovely old medieval-style tune, which should not be difficult. The chorus has been written in 4 parts which would be great if you can get some singers to sing the parts, or teach your congregation the chorus before the service starts. The parts for the chorus are very simple. Sound sample. Lyrics and lead sheet.
*TiS 181 / AoV2-032 / GC(II)497 / G(3)577 / CP589 Come O God of all the earth / Sing Out Earth and Skies (Haugen) A big favourite of our congregation. "Dance to the life around you". Sheet music, lyrics. Sound sample. Good for kids.
*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.
ATW 462 When I consider God's design (Hand in hand) Good words of all creation celebrating together. Tune is okay, too. Lyrics here.
*MV027 Creator God you gave us life (Snowdon) A lovely song, with a stirring chorus. I think it would be quite straightforward to sing: "Through hands that paint majestic skies, and voices chanting melody, with words that reach beyond the page, we comprehend your mystery. Lyrics (loads a pdf).
Iona (SBL) / CH140 / MV181 / WoV727 / ELW554 / G(II)341 / GC495 Lord Your Hands Have Formed This World / The Earth is the Lord's (Oliano) Good words of creation to a lovely, and not too difficult, Phillippino melody; it will need to be taught. Lyrics (first verse only) Tune.
G(II)32 / GC34 / GC(II)25 / G(3)37 O God this is the people that longs to see your face (Keil) Simple cantor and response. "O God this is the people that longs to see your face". Kind of strange construction. I'd rather sing "O God we are the people who long to see your face". Lead sheet and lyrics.
*NCH559 / PH266 / W&R36 Thank You God for Water Soil and Air (Wren) Good words asking God's forgiveness for the way we have damaged the planet we have been entrusted with, and a plea to help us renew the face of the earth by caring for creation. A prayer of confession. Can't tell you much about the tune, because I don't have these hymnals and can't find it on the internet anywhere. Lyrics.
Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Amos 7:7-15
Sometimes God leads us to speak the truth and that can get us in trouble.
NCH588 / StJ / WoV763 / ELW717 Let justice flow like streams (Parker Huber) Excellent words to the very familiar tune ST THOMAS. This must be the only hymn in existence with the words "plumb-line" in it. I would not have found this without WoV, Pastor Tim - Thank you! Lyrics (downloads a pdf of a pretty amazing service - lyrics are on p3)
AoV2-102 / GA509 Who will speak if we don't (Haugen) Excellent challenging words. Good for teenagers.
*Iona (M&G, T1AU) / MV099 / GC(II)673 / G(3)763 / Lau996 Stand O Stand Firm (Cameroon) I love having an excuse to sing this simple and powerful song. 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. Scottish sound sample. Lead sheet.
*TiS 689 / ATE 286 / GtB Lord hear my praying, listen to me / Sorrowing song (Mann) Powerful words of lamentation to a simple tune. Words are straightforward about asking difficult questions of God. Lyrics.
*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.
*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 this reading. This energetic song is not hard to sing, and if the congregation sings only the chorus, while a cantor sings the rest, they will be able to easily sing along by the 3rd verse without stress. Free sheet music.
*Tune In / NCYC '07: Forgive us now (Brown) This is one of the best songs seeking forgiveness that I know. Lyrics, sound sample, and songbook.
Psalm for the Amos reading: Psalm 85:8-13
God will speak peace; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. God’s forgiveness and steadfastness.
AoV1-106 / UMH376 / WoV774 / ELW753 / G(II)528 / GC730 / GC(II)724 / G(3)822 / CP562 / Cha297 / URW443 / 82Hml-712 / Lau904 Dona Nobis Pacem (American folk song) This is very well known, and would fit well with this reading. Good for kids
Taizé / TiS 713 Dona nobis pacem domine / cordium (Berthier) There is a specific cantor line for Psalm 85 to go with this prayer of peace. Sound sample and sheet music for the refrain here.
*TiS 409 / AHB 322 / CH595 / UMH543 / VU202 / StJ / Cha250 O Breath of life come sweeping through us (Elizabeth Porter Head) This is a really wonderful older style hymn with inclusive lyrics. Lyrics and sound sample. Not all verses are in all hymnals
AoVNG55 / Iona (WWHW) / G(II)74 / CP113 Come O Lord and Set Us Free (Ducote / Daigle/ Balhoff) Good simple, inclusive refrain with a pretty groovy cantor line; could work for the younger set. Sample sheet music. Sound sample.
G(II)254 / GC330 Let Me Taste Your Mercy Like Rain (Cooney) Good words of both personal and communal redemption. Simple contemporary tune. Lyrics & lead sheet. Clunky sound sample.
*CH198 / MV001 / GC753 / GC(II)741 / RS 846 Let Us Build a House / All are welcome (Haugen / TWO OAKS) This song has wonderful lyrics of hope for what a Christian community can be like, and a chorus that joyfully says “All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place”. Sheet music sample. Sound sample. Lyrics (scroll down a little).
*TiS 217 / AHB 148 / NCH43 / CH519 / UMH384 / VU333 / LBW315 / ELW631 / GA463 / HPP48 / HPSS376 / GC622 / GC(II)613 / CP485/6 / CP(E) 516 / W&R358 / Cha517 / Srce457 / URW100 Love divine all loves excelling A beautiful classic song and most hymnals use a very inclusive version of this hymn, even the AHB! Lyrics and sound sample.
MV222 May the peace of God be your peace (McLaren) A lovely benediction. Will need to be taught first.
CH659 / MV173 / StJ / W&R389 Put peace into each other’s hands (Kaan) Good words for communion; tune is quite simple and flows nicely. Good for kids Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
*Emergent Psalter Show us your mercy O God (Everett) A simple refrain and read Psalm.
CH720 / SP204 There is a longing in our hearts O Lord (Quigley) Good words of longing for God's love, justice, wisdom, healing. A good song for before or after intercessions.
Ephesians 1:3-14
Adopted children with the inheritance of forgiveness
God as our loving adoptive parent and our new inheritance
Online resource Children of God (Harding) A simple two part chant. Will need to be taught. Sheet music sample (note that the sound sample on this site is for a different song!)
AoV2-037 Children Of God in one family (Walker) Great for kids. Sometimes we mess up, but God forgives. Good for kids.
AoVK-119 We're God's family God's children (Watts/O'Brien) Good words. Catchy tune. Good for kids.
*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. Good for kids (just the first verse probably).
*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.
ATE 284 / VU395 Come in come in and sit down A good welcoming song for kids; not so well-loved by adults. Good for kids
*TiS 163 / AHB 112 / NCH556 / UMH150 / LBW463 / ELW771 / HPPS268 / W&R644 / Cha651 / URW084 / 82Hml-580 God who stretched the spangled heavens (Cameron) Good words of creation of nature and cities and creative possibilities for the future. Some sources do not have inclusive language. There are many possible tunes. I like it best to HOLY MANNA as in the link. Lyrics and sound sample.
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
NCH072 / UMH552 / VU362 / ELW530 / PH465 / CP534 / W&R597 / Cha278 Here O Lord Your Servants Gather / Sekai no Tomo (Yamaguchi) Beautiful song about being a community of faith seeking strength and courage. Lovely simple Japanese tune. Sound sample and lyrics.
TiS 428 / AHB 340 Help us O Lord to learn Great challenging (but quite formal) words about being committed to learning the faith. Good for a New Year message. Boring tune though. I would sing it to ST THOMAS (TiS 271 / AHB 198) Lyrics (with thees and thys, which are not in TiS).
Tune In: Community (Brown) A great and very easy-to-sing contemporary song about being welcomed and part of a community. Sound sample and lyrics here.
TiS 417 / AoV2-133 / ATW 448 / CH597 / VU387 / StJ / WoV683 / ELW397 / AA94 / HPP237 / PH323 / CP657 / W&R135 / Cha244 / URW203 Loving Spirit loving Spirit There are about a zillion tunes set for this. I prefer FELICITY (by Colin Gibson TiS 417), but also like RESTORATION. Lyrics are here.
Mark 6:14-29
The death of John the baptist
Sorry, but I don't have any song suggestions for this reading!
A celebratory procession with the Ark of the Covenant; David dancing and Michal is displeased
Some simple celebratory dancing songs would go well with this passage:
*TiS 670 / AoVK-138 / ATE 258 / CH692 / Srce385 Jesus put this song into our hearts (Kendrick) A fun Yiddish tune that gets even more fun if you get faster and faster as you go. Try teaching your congregation a simple side to side “dance” step. If you teach them and make it clear that it’s okay, you’ll be surprised how many people dance to God. Good for kids. Lyrics.
*Srce Teach me to dance (Kendrick) Thanks to David MacGregor for suggesting this to the facebook group and on his website. The chorus of this is just great, and can be used on its own, or with the verses. Good for kids. Lyrics Sound sample (youtube) Chords (not all the lyrics are correct)
*VU128 / World Council of Churches Assembly 1991 Canberra Sanna sannanina An excellent African processional. Great for drumming and dancing as the Bible is brought forward; that would be pretty cool to do with any song really, especially if it's adults dancing, not just the kids! Good for kids
*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 / G(3)594 / Cha442 / SP235 / Srce737 We are marchhe light of God / Siyahamba / Caminando. A very well known South African protest song; you can add a verse "we are dancing in the light of God". Lyrics (multiple translations). Good for kids.
*Singing the Living Tradition (Unitarian Universalist Hymnal) 220 Bring out the festal bread Somehow I've ended up with a photocopy of this song to a traditional Hebrew melody. If you happen to be celebrating communion this Sunday, this song would fit well; imagine dancing down the aisle to bring the bread forward (don't spill the wine though...). The lyrics are about "sister Miriam", but you could sing "brother David" as well. Lyrics here (loads a pdf).
SP&P205 So dance into joy with hands upraised (Camp) I have written that this song is good, but I can't remember why, and I'm in Houston, TX while my books are in Melbourne, Australia, so I can't tell you.... apologies!
PH484 Sing with Hearts (Malicsi) Sung to a traditional Kalinga melody, this song is a good one for celebrating music and dance in worship. It is quite simple, even if unfamiliar to Western ears.
AoVK-94 / MV156 Dance with the Spirit early in the morning (Strathdee) I have a love-hate relationship with this song, but it is a good song for kids. "Dance with the Spirit early in the morning. Walk with the Spirit throughout the long day. Work and hope for a new life a bornin’. Listen to the Spirit to show you the way." Good for kids
*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 181 / AoV2-032 / GC(II)497 / G(3)577 / CP589 Come O God of all the earth / Sing Out Earth and Skies (Haugen) A big favourite of our congregation. "Dance to the life around you". Sheet music, lyrics. Sound sample. Good for kids.
The earth is God's; importance of purity; God wins battles
*VU750 / CH020 / PH177 Lift up the gates eternal (Duba / Jabusch) Good words based on this Psalm; the Israeli Folk melody makes this fun. This would fit well with the dancing theme in the Samuel reading too. Good for kids.
*CH289 / GC(II)341 Lift up your heads eternal gates (Weissel / Bell) I like how this reworking of the old standard turns the violent battle God image on its head and points to Christ instead. The tune is a lovely old medieval-style tune, which should not be difficult. The chorus has been written in 4 parts which would be great if you can get some singers to sing the parts, or teach your congregation the chorus before the service starts. The parts for the chorus are very simple. Sound sample. Lyrics and lead sheet.
*TiS 181 / AoV2-032 / GC(II)497 / G(3)577 / CP589 Come O God of all the earth / Sing Out Earth and Skies (Haugen) A big favourite of our congregation. "Dance to the life around you". Sheet music, lyrics. Sound sample. Good for kids.
*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.
ATW 462 When I consider God's design (Hand in hand) Good words of all creation celebrating together. Tune is okay, too. Lyrics here.
*MV027 Creator God you gave us life (Snowdon) A lovely song, with a stirring chorus. I think it would be quite straightforward to sing: "Through hands that paint majestic skies, and voices chanting melody, with words that reach beyond the page, we comprehend your mystery. Lyrics (loads a pdf).
Iona (SBL) / CH140 / MV181 / WoV727 / ELW554 / G(II)341 / GC495 Lord Your Hands Have Formed This World / The Earth is the Lord's (Oliano) Good words of creation to a lovely, and not too difficult, Phillippino melody; it will need to be taught. Lyrics (first verse only) Tune.
G(II)32 / GC34 / GC(II)25 / G(3)37 O God this is the people that longs to see your face (Keil) Simple cantor and response. "O God this is the people that longs to see your face". Kind of strange construction. I'd rather sing "O God we are the people who long to see your face". Lead sheet and lyrics.
*NCH559 / PH266 / W&R36 Thank You God for Water Soil and Air (Wren) Good words asking God's forgiveness for the way we have damaged the planet we have been entrusted with, and a plea to help us renew the face of the earth by caring for creation. A prayer of confession. Can't tell you much about the tune, because I don't have these hymnals and can't find it on the internet anywhere. Lyrics.
Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Amos 7:7-15
Sometimes God leads us to speak the truth and that can get us in trouble.
NCH588 / StJ / WoV763 / ELW717 Let justice flow like streams (Parker Huber) Excellent words to the very familiar tune ST THOMAS. This must be the only hymn in existence with the words "plumb-line" in it. I would not have found this without WoV, Pastor Tim - Thank you! Lyrics (downloads a pdf of a pretty amazing service - lyrics are on p3)
AoV2-102 / GA509 Who will speak if we don't (Haugen) Excellent challenging words. Good for teenagers.
*Iona (M&G, T1AU) / MV099 / GC(II)673 / G(3)763 / Lau996 Stand O Stand Firm (Cameroon) I love having an excuse to sing this simple and powerful song. 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. Scottish sound sample. Lead sheet.
*TiS 689 / ATE 286 / GtB Lord hear my praying, listen to me / Sorrowing song (Mann) Powerful words of lamentation to a simple tune. Words are straightforward about asking difficult questions of God. Lyrics.
*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.
*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 this reading. This energetic song is not hard to sing, and if the congregation sings only the chorus, while a cantor sings the rest, they will be able to easily sing along by the 3rd verse without stress. Free sheet music.
*Tune In / NCYC '07: Forgive us now (Brown) This is one of the best songs seeking forgiveness that I know. Lyrics, sound sample, and songbook.
Psalm for the Amos reading: Psalm 85:8-13
God will speak peace; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. God’s forgiveness and steadfastness.
AoV1-106 / UMH376 / WoV774 / ELW753 / G(II)528 / GC730 / GC(II)724 / G(3)822 / CP562 / Cha297 / URW443 / 82Hml-712 / Lau904 Dona Nobis Pacem (American folk song) This is very well known, and would fit well with this reading. Good for kids
Taizé / TiS 713 Dona nobis pacem domine / cordium (Berthier) There is a specific cantor line for Psalm 85 to go with this prayer of peace. Sound sample and sheet music for the refrain here.
*TiS 409 / AHB 322 / CH595 / UMH543 / VU202 / StJ / Cha250 O Breath of life come sweeping through us (Elizabeth Porter Head) This is a really wonderful older style hymn with inclusive lyrics. Lyrics and sound sample. Not all verses are in all hymnals
AoVNG55 / Iona (WWHW) / G(II)74 / CP113 Come O Lord and Set Us Free (Ducote / Daigle/ Balhoff) Good simple, inclusive refrain with a pretty groovy cantor line; could work for the younger set. Sample sheet music. Sound sample.
G(II)254 / GC330 Let Me Taste Your Mercy Like Rain (Cooney) Good words of both personal and communal redemption. Simple contemporary tune. Lyrics & lead sheet. Clunky sound sample.
*CH198 / MV001 / GC753 / GC(II)741 / RS 846 Let Us Build a House / All are welcome (Haugen / TWO OAKS) This song has wonderful lyrics of hope for what a Christian community can be like, and a chorus that joyfully says “All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place”. Sheet music sample. Sound sample. Lyrics (scroll down a little).
*TiS 217 / AHB 148 / NCH43 / CH519 / UMH384 / VU333 / LBW315 / ELW631 / GA463 / HPP48 / HPSS376 / GC622 / GC(II)613 / CP485/6 / CP(E) 516 / W&R358 / Cha517 / Srce457 / URW100 Love divine all loves excelling A beautiful classic song and most hymnals use a very inclusive version of this hymn, even the AHB! Lyrics and sound sample.
MV222 May the peace of God be your peace (McLaren) A lovely benediction. Will need to be taught first.
CH659 / MV173 / StJ / W&R389 Put peace into each other’s hands (Kaan) Good words for communion; tune is quite simple and flows nicely. Good for kids Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
*Emergent Psalter Show us your mercy O God (Everett) A simple refrain and read Psalm.
CH720 / SP204 There is a longing in our hearts O Lord (Quigley) Good words of longing for God's love, justice, wisdom, healing. A good song for before or after intercessions.
Ephesians 1:3-14
Adopted children with the inheritance of forgiveness
God as our loving adoptive parent and our new inheritance
Online resource Children of God (Harding) A simple two part chant. Will need to be taught. Sheet music sample (note that the sound sample on this site is for a different song!)
AoV2-037 Children Of God in one family (Walker) Great for kids. Sometimes we mess up, but God forgives. Good for kids.
AoVK-119 We're God's family God's children (Watts/O'Brien) Good words. Catchy tune. Good for kids.
*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. Good for kids (just the first verse probably).
*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.
ATE 284 / VU395 Come in come in and sit down A good welcoming song for kids; not so well-loved by adults. Good for kids
*TiS 163 / AHB 112 / NCH556 / UMH150 / LBW463 / ELW771 / HPPS268 / W&R644 / Cha651 / URW084 / 82Hml-580 God who stretched the spangled heavens (Cameron) Good words of creation of nature and cities and creative possibilities for the future. Some sources do not have inclusive language. There are many possible tunes. I like it best to HOLY MANNA as in the link. Lyrics and sound sample.
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
NCH072 / UMH552 / VU362 / ELW530 / PH465 / CP534 / W&R597 / Cha278 Here O Lord Your Servants Gather / Sekai no Tomo (Yamaguchi) Beautiful song about being a community of faith seeking strength and courage. Lovely simple Japanese tune. Sound sample and lyrics.
TiS 428 / AHB 340 Help us O Lord to learn Great challenging (but quite formal) words about being committed to learning the faith. Good for a New Year message. Boring tune though. I would sing it to ST THOMAS (TiS 271 / AHB 198) Lyrics (with thees and thys, which are not in TiS).
Tune In: Community (Brown) A great and very easy-to-sing contemporary song about being welcomed and part of a community. Sound sample and lyrics here.
TiS 417 / AoV2-133 / ATW 448 / CH597 / VU387 / StJ / WoV683 / ELW397 / AA94 / HPP237 / PH323 / CP657 / W&R135 / Cha244 / URW203 Loving Spirit loving Spirit There are about a zillion tunes set for this. I prefer FELICITY (by Colin Gibson TiS 417), but also like RESTORATION. Lyrics are here.
Mark 6:14-29
The death of John the baptist
Sorry, but I don't have any song suggestions for this reading!
6 comments:
Hi Natalie. Thanks for this wonderful resource.
For David's dance I'm playing Duke Ellington's "David danced before the Lord". Some good Youtube clips of this wonderful piece of jazz from his Sacred Concerts. Adds a different dimension to worship!
A hymn suggestion for the Mark reading: "Heads" words by Brenton Prigge. Pssible alternative tune: Regents Square.
http://www.newhymn.com/136Heads.htm
Hymn suggestion for the Mark reading: "Heads" words by Brenton Prigge. Alternative tune I have used is REgents Square.
http://www.newhymn.com/136Heads.htm
How about "Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates" for Psalm 24? I love the line about making the heart a "temple set apart."
Just found your blog, and only think it's a pity that almost none of your suggestions are in our hymnal (Hymns Old & New: One Church, One Faith, One Lord by Kevin Mayhew). I'm searching for hymns to fit with the theme of Eph 1:5 (or vv 3-6). Another suggestion I came across elsewhere (not in my hymnal either, unfortunately, but you might consider it for your list) is John Bell's "Before the world began". It's more obviously linked with the opening of John's Gospel but I think would also fit well here.
All the best to you!
Thanks all for these suggestions. I had a great time looking up the Duke Ellington piece. Ruth, I'm sorry, but don't have a copy of that hymnal. If you are able to provide me with a table of contents, I could easily include songs from that book as time goes on. thanks,
Natalie
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