Songs and Hymns for Epiphany 6B (February 12 2012)

2 Kings 5:1-14  
The healing of Naaman. God speaking through a girl. Naaman didn’t have to do anything so amazing to get healed, either.

Other songs about healing that may be appropriate are listed for the gospel reading (below).  

 *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. 
*AoV2-006 / The tide has turned Deeper River / There's a river running deep within the silence of our souls (Digby Hannah). An excellent song of restoration for tired desert-like souls. Lyrics.
*TiS 414 / CH616 / UMH192 / VU582 / HPP134 / HPSS433 / GC550 / CP(E) 198 There's a Spirit in the Air (Wren) Great words, to a joyful tune (it looks less so in TiS, but think of it in 6/8 instead of 6/4). Just think how brave Naaman's servant girl must have been. Seven verses – you might want to have women sing a verse and men sing another to keep people going. The TiS suggestion to use INVERCARRY is (in my opinion) not necessary; it’s easier to the set tune. Lyrics and tune sample.
*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.
*AoV2-085 / Iona (T1AU) / MV115 Behold behold I Make All Things New (Bell) A nice hopeful upbeat short song. Picks up the theme of Naaman being restored to health. Lyrics (downloads a pdf). Good for kids.

Psalm 30
PH181 Come Sing to God O Living Saints (Anderson / ELLACOMBE) Good, simple, inclusive, humble and realistic words based specifically on this Psalm. Sung to a well known hymn tune (I sing the mighty power of God). Many congregations choose to sing only the first and last verses; the middle two are much more challenging. Lyrics for 1st & last verse (search for “come sing”). 
Iona (There is one among us) Lord you can turn all mourning into dancing An excellent simple refrain from John Bell “Lord you can turn all mourning into dancing, evenings of grief to mornings of great joy”
*TiS 647 / AoV2-012 / ATN 25 Comfort, comfort all my people (Mann) Easy to sing, beautiful lyrics. 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.
ATE 253 He turned my mourning into dancing This is not at all inclusive, but if you change the lyrics to make it addressed to God “You turned my morning into dancing”, it’s much much better. 
Tune In: You in all our worries / All will finish well “In this world where injustice reigns, you are in the midst of pain”. Excellent words of reassurance in a difficult world. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook available here.
*NCH085 / SFFS 2082 / Cha623 / ZSS105 Woke Up This Morning (African-American Spiritual) A great Spiritual. If you don't have one of these sources, you can just make it up from this video.... This could be a good Sunday to make use of those choir stalls; could even get the kids to write their own lyrics... Surreal version here.  Good for kids. 
*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.   
*CH683 / VU420 / GC(II)469 / CP598 / W&R553 / SP156 / URW132 Go to the world Go into all the earth (Dunstan) Great words of sending out. Can be sung to a couple of different tunes. SINE NOMINE is the easiest and best known. Sound sample. Sheet music sample. 
NCH433 / CH727 / UMH707 / VU703 / HPP474 / W&R515 / Cha638 In the bulb there is a flower (Sleeth) A simple song of hope symbolised in nature. Particularly good for those churches in colder Northern Hemisphere who have a while to go before Spring. Lyrics.
VU166 / SFFS 2210 Joy Comes with the Dawn (Light) Lovely words. The verses are very straightforward; it might be helpful to teach the chorus because there's a couple fof jumps. Lyric slide show!
*AoVK-125 / ATW 489 Turn our sadness upside down (Leigh Newton) Good for kids, and adults too. Simple tune, but not so simple that it’s boring. Lyrics (search in the page for "sadness"). Good for kids.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27  
Run the race to win it, even if it hurts   
*Tune In: A grain of wheat (Sheree Anderson) Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it won't form roots and grow. A boppy song with deeply meaningful lyrics. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook. Good for kids. 
*AoV2-033 / VU648 Travel on travel on (Sydney Carter). I think this old folk song would work well to pick up the theme of "pressing on". Lyrics and chords here.
*NCH497 / SFFS 2208 / HPPS354 / G(II)508 / GC707 / GC(II)684 Guide my feet while I run this race An excellent civil rights song. Would work well as a meditative prayer for guidance or as an uplifting call to action at the end of the service. If you don't have the music, you could work off this video. Good for kids.Worldmaking.net O Author of Faith yet at work in our hearts (Bruxvoort-Colligan) New words to an old tune “O Jesus our Christ, lead the way for our faith to give perseverance for running the race. You’ve gone on ahead for to stake out a claim. We trust in the journey and look for your footsteps. O Jesus our Christ, lead the way for our faith!” Lyrics and sound sample here.
*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 / Cha442 / SP235 / Srce737 We are marching in the light of God / Siyahamba / Caminando. A very well known South African protest song. Lyrics (multiple translations)  
*TiS 571 / AHB 480 / CH529 / UMH438 / VU416 / CP467 / CP(E) 430 / W&R718 Forth in thy name O Lord I go A nice old minstrelly tune, and timeless words about committing all our works to God. Lyrics.
*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. 
*NCH437 We shall not give up the fight (South African) A great song for congregations standing with those in a struggle for freedom. Be sure to put the song in historical context so it doesn't seem to militaristic. That should be all of our congregations really. I like the version by this choir in France! Good for kids.

Mark 1:40-45
Jesus heals a leper and unwittingly becomes famous
*Iona (HSNW) Sitting next to no-one / The Saviour (Bell / SAVIOUR) The verses to this are not easy, but the chorus is. If it’s not familiar you may like to have a soloist or small group sing the verses, and the congregation join the chorus. Verse 2 is particularly appropriate: “No-one going near him, most folk turn and walk away; eaten by diseases, he grows weaker every day; just a social leper, seeking someone in the street; one of life’s untouchables who no-one wants to meet”
*Iona (Love From Below / common ground) / CH718 / VU613 / G(II)401 / GC575 / GC(II)558 / CP292 We Cannot Measure How You Heal (Bell) Really very excellent words to a very familiar celtic air. Easy to sing; be careful not to get too fast; it's tempting but the words need a slower tune. Sheet music sample. Sound sample.
*Iona (Heaven Shall Not Wait) When our Lord walked the earth (Bell / PERSONENT HODIE) Familiar and easy tune, excellent words. Chorus is “God became our neighbour, granting with his favour, Power to speak and heal, grace to know what’s real, wisdom, insight and faith, love and understanding.” 
*Tune In: Come O God and visit us sick we pray / Your abundant life (Brown) A joyful song "Lead us into your abundant life". This has been sung frequently by the musicians at BUC, but not by the congregation! Lyrics and sound sample.
*Seeds of Faith Jesus’ hands are Healing Hands (Bruxvoort-Colligan). A simple and fun kid’s song. "Jesus hands are healing hands, full of love and grace”. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook available here. Good for little kids. 
*TiS 638 / NCH175 / CH717 / UMH265 / LBW380 / ELW675 / HPSS380 O Christ the healer we have come Beautiful words and simple to sing. Good to sing during intercessions.
*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.

Songs of Farewell

People are always leaving, and it's good to send them on their way with a sung blessing. Here are some - this list will grow.

*SFFS 2281 / URW451 May you run and not be weary (Hanson / Murakami) A nice blessing song. Good for the ending of the service, but also good if you need to farewell someone. 
*Tune in: May you go well into paths still unknown (Brown) Mostly easy tune, and strong words. Would work well as a benediction. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook.
*ATW 494 For you deep stillness (Mann/Perrin) A peaceful and powerful homegrown favourite. Lyrics and mp3 sample. Might be nice to sing this at the end of the service.
ATFG589 / NCYC'99 / VU298 When you Walk From here (Good) A simple benediction, commissioning or farewell song.
BUC Resource May the feet of many walk beside you (Robson) A beautiful, flowing blessing; much loved by our congregation, both for its beauty and for the person who wrote it.

Songs and Hymns for Epiphany 5B (February 5 2012)

Isaiah 40:21-31 
*AoV2-061 / ATE 249 As a dream receive your hist'ry (Tanner) A big favourite by a South Australian guy. There are actions too! The chorus is particularly excellent “We will rise up on wings like eagles, run and not be tired, show us your dreams and visions, warm our hearts with tongues of fire, tongues of fire”. Good for kids and teenagers. Lyrics
*NCH497 / SFFS 2208 / HPPS354 / G(II)508 / GC707 / GC(II)684 Guide my feet while I run this race An excellent civil rights song. Would work well as a meditative prayer for guidance or as an uplifting call to action at the end of the service.
*TiS 48 / AoV1-153 / ATOK 411 / VU808 / WoV779 / ELW787 / GA452 / HPP385 / G(II)433 / GC611 / GC(II)593 / CP531 / W&R438 / Cha077 You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord / On Eagle's Wings (Joncas) This is a big favourite all over the place. It has masculine imagery for God. This doesn't have to be sung slowly and meditatively - it also works very well as a more upbeat song. If it is not familiar to you, a cantor can be used for the verses. 
*AoV1-057 / G(II)485 /  GC678 / GC(II)663 / RS799 Awake from your slumber / City of God (Schutte) I love the joyousness and sense of mission in this one. A really positive song “Let us build the city of God, let us turn our morning to dancing, for the Lord, our light and our love, has turned the night into day”. There is a little bit of non-inclusiveness in the middle. Sample sheet music & lyrics. Sound sample.*AoVK-47 / HPP51 / W&R80 He's Got the Whole World in His Hand / God's Got the whole world in safe hands (Traditional) It’s hard to make this inclusive. I’ve seen “God’s got the whole world in safe hands”, which is a little clumsy. AoVK has "The whole world is in God's hands" which works OK. Good for kids.
*TiS 253 / AoV2-119 / AoVK-103 / GA419 O Lord Jesus Marrkapmirr This simple song from an Aboriginal community in Arnhem land is easy to sing and talks of the timelessness of God’s love. “O Lord Jesus Marrkapmirr, all the power belongs to you”. There is some king and power language in this which may not work for some. Lyrics (scroll down)
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). 
ATOK 416 We will rise up on eagles wings (Trish Watts) I have marked down that I like this one, but can’t tell you why as I don’t have the book right now… 
*MV175 May we but wait (Petricko) A simple refrain which would work well as a response for prayers of Intercession, or a responsive reading of this passage.

*SFFS 2281 / URW451 May you run and not be weary (Hanson / Murakami) A nice blessing song. Good for the ending of the service, but also good if you need to farewell someone.


Psalm 147:1-11, 20c
God provides for people and animals. God doesn’t take pleasure in the runner. Eric Liddell had it wrong after all.  
*NCH Psalter (Psalm 147) Great is our God, and abundant in power (Kirkland). A simple and effective refrain. Can be used to a read or sung cantor part.
Iona (M&G) / CH267 Blest be God blest be God for ever (Dandasoy) Beautiful words to a beautiful, but quite tricky Philippino melody. This would be great to ask a small group to sing, if you have some good singers in your congregation. 
*AoVK-24 / Iona (T1AU) / CH756 Bless the Lord (Kenyan) Simple and fun Kenyan call and response. "Bless the Lord there is no other God" Kids would really enjoy this, and with some African drumming, it would really be excellent. The tune is identical to Reamo Leboga. Sound sample of Reamo leboga (scroll to the 3rd album). Good for kids.
*Taize / AoV2-142 / SFFS 2013 / PH224 / GC(II)576 / CP360 / SP194 / Src79 / URW377  Bless the Lord my soul (Berthier) A beautiful and very well known Taize chant. Sound samples, sheet music. 
*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.
ATN 66 / GGives1 If I were a butterfly (Howard) This is such a cute kid's song; I can't work out how to make it gender-inclusive for God when it gets to "But I just thank you Father for making me me!" Lyrics, chords and sound sample. Good for kids.
*MV037 Each blade of grass / Circle of God (Wehlander) Lovely words set to a familiar-feeling folk tune. Lyrics (downloads a pdf). Good images for kids.
In Every Corner Sing / AA039 / GA192 For the bread and wine and blessing (Murray) Very straightforward tune. Good eucharist song. Really good song of healing.
MV095 How deep the peace (Bauman / Good) Simple song. Would work particularly well as words of assurance after the prayers of confession. And excellent if you have some bass singers in your congregation.  
Linnea Good It sings the majesty of God (Bauman / Good) Simple Psalm refrain.
*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).

1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Paul becomes as those he wishes to save. A call to stand alongside others. A call to evangelism.
*Recorded music Walk with me (Akasa / Shanahan) Achingly beautiful song from Melbourne vocal group Akasa. This song was written by Melanie Shanahan. BUC people: I have this CD, and the vocal arrangement. Even though it's a slow song, it's good for kids. Listen.
*NCH437 We shall not give up the fight (South African) A great song for congregations standing with those in a struggle for freedom. That should be all of our congregations really. Good for kids. I like the version by this choir in France!
*Seeds of Faith Do you know that I am your friend? / I’m Gonna Stick With You (Bruxvoort-Colligan) An excellent and fun song for kids. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook available here. Good for kids.
*AoVK-36 / VU649 / SFFS 2242 / URW118 Walk with me I will walk with you (Rice) Nice simple words about being sent to do God's work. Also mentions Moses' call.  Good for kids.
*ATW 507 Where you tread (Beavis) A beautiful and simple song based on the story of Ruth, but quite appropriate to the idea of standing alongside others. Very simple for a congregation to sing first time.
 *NCH357 / CH680 / G(II)487 / GC680 / GC(II)675 You are called to tell the story (Duck) Excellent words. The simplest tune would be REGENT SQUARE. Different sources use a range of tunes. This song, while written for ordination would work very well as a call to a whole congregation. You could change the first line to “We are called to tell the story” and eliminate verse 3 (unless you welcome lay people presiding over communion, of course!). Lyrics here (loads pdf – scroll down).  
SFFS 2175 Together We Serve (Damon) Good hymn about service. 
*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. 


Mark 1:29-39
Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law, lots of others, and prays before proclaiming the message and casting out demons 
*ATW 443 She was in bed with a fever / Like an angel (Mann) Nice to sing. Not too hard. Lyrics, and an excellent introduction to the theme of this story and song here. 
*Seeds of Faith Jesus’ hands are Healing Hands (Bruxvoort-Colligan). A simple and fun kid’s song. "Jesus hands are healing hands, full of love and grace”. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook available here. Good for kids.

*TiS 638 / NCH175 / CH717 / UMH265 / LBW380 / ELW675 / HPSS380 O Christ the healer we have come Beautiful words and simple to sing. Good to sing during intercessions.
*CH348 / StS001 / LBW196 / ELW544 / CP397 / W&R93 Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness (Edwards) Good words of Christ's ministry to all. Can be sung to the familiar tune NETTLETON, or the less familiar and very lovely tune JOEL. Lyrics.

W&R640 From Miles Around the sick ones came (Marshall) Good song calling us back to our purpose to stand with the suffering.
TiS 236 / AHB 178 / CH351 / UMH273 / VU570 / HPP157 Jesus' hands were kind hands. Good old fashioned children's song. Lots of kids learn to play this on piano, so if you have some budding piano students in your congregation, it may be nice to invite one to play.  .Good for kids
*Iona (Love From Below / common ground) / CH718 / VU613 / G(II)401 / GC575 / GC(II)558 / CP292 We Cannot Measure How You Heal (Bell) Really very excellent words to a very familiar celtic air. Easy to sing; be careful not to get too fast; it's tempting but the words need a slower tune. Sheet music sample. Sound sample.

Songs and Hymns for Epiphany 4B (January 29, 2011)

Deuteronomy 18:15-20
The promise of a true prophet
Sorry, I couldn’t think of many particularly good suggestions for this reading.
*ATN 77 / G(II)542 / GC749 O Welcome All You Noble Saints of Old / In Christ There Is a Table Set for All (Stamps) Radical hospitality. A song about the foretold one who is now with us. Gather hymnals use "In Christ there is a table set for all" which is much more inclusive than the old "God and man at table are sat down". Good for celebration of communion, but is fine without it, too. Lyrics (scroll down). Clunky sound sample. 

Psalm 111
God is reliable and excellent (!)

Just about any familiar song of praise or simple Alleluias could be sung to reflect this Psalm, or as a response to the Psalm. Simple Alleluias are great for kids, especially if they have a good rhythm.

*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.
*Emergent Psalter Praise the Lord whose love is eternal (Everett) A lovely gentle refrain with the Psalm read over an instrumental background. 

NCH Psalter (Psalm 111) Great, great, great are the works of God (Haugen). An excellent refrain with an inclusive Psalm for reading / cantoring.
TiS 68 God established an eternal covenant (Marshall) A good inclusive and simple refrain with non-inclusive cantor part / reading. Reading can easily be adapted to make it inclusive.
Linnea Good For we remember well (Good) A simple Psalm refrain.

1 Corinthians 8:1-13 
Take care that your liberty doesn’t become a stumbling block to others. Know your limits, and don’t wound the conscience of others if their limits are different.
*TiS 650 / AoV2-169 / ATA 191 / CH694 / NCH539 / VU595 / ELW659 / AA08 / SFFS 2222 / HPP442 / G(II)476 / GC683 / GC(II)661 / CP500 / CP(E) 393 / W&R391 / Cha490 / SP263 / URW117 Brother, sister, let me serve you / Won't you let me be your servant? (Gillard) I think you all know this one. Lyrics. NCH has a nice turn on the lyrics with "Won't you let me be your servant?" as the first line.
*ATFG561 / Tune In: Part of a fam'ly interconnected / Community (Brown) A song about being welcomed and how to work together as part of a community. "Part of a family interconnected, this is community; Welcoming strangers, visiting neighbours, this gives us dignity". Very singable song about building community. Works well for kids as well. A big favourite at Brunswick Uniting. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook.
CH801 / MV170 / StJ / WoV665 / ELW642 / SFFS 2179 / GC408 / GC(II)430 / CP553 Live in charity / Ubi Caritas (Taize) Usually sung in Latin, but can be sung just as beautifully as "Live in charity and steadfast love, live in charity; God will dwell with you." Sheet music and sound samples for practice here.
*TiS 686 / ATE 292 Lord Jesus we belong to you / Because we bear your name (Robin Mann). A straightforward and practical song asking God to help us to follow Christ well, with a refrain of "because we bear your name". Lyrics.
MV141 We are all one people (Naytowhow) A simple Native American song.


Mark 1:21-28 
Jesus drives out an unclean spirit; the spirit names Jesus as the Holy One
*Unpublished: Love is the Power (Anderson) Suggestion for the congregation at Brunswick as this is not published yet, but it is in our church folders. It’s a while since we sang it, but it went down well last time. It's a little bit tricky, but the chorus is really catchy and great for kids "We are love. Made in the image".
*TiS 725 / AoV2-167 / ATE 275 / StJ / G(II)553 / GC763 In our darkness there is no darkness / La tenebre (Berthier) Also translated as "Our darkness is never darkness". Sample music, lyrics in many languages (English is below the sheet music), and sound samples of parts for practice here.
*NCH176 / UMH264 / VU620 / HPP159 Silence frenzied unclean spirit (Troeger / AUTHORITY) Storytelling hymn. Not easy to sing, but can be sung to the more familiar (and easier) tune JEFFERSON (NCH 530). The words are quite powerful - particularly if you choose to reflect on mental health issues, and are relevant to our tendency to have busy overcrowded minds. Lyrics (scroll down).
*TiS 638 / NCH175 / CH717 / UMH265 / LBW380 / ELW675 / HPSS380 O Christ the healer we have come Beautiful words and simple to sing. Good to sing during intercessions. 
*Tune In / NCYC '07: Forgive us now (Brown) This is one of the best songs seeking forgiveness that I know. Let’s not forget that sometimes we are the ones waging war against the poor. “Forgive us now, O holy one For crimes committed in your name For all the holy wars we wage For all the children we enslave, Forgive us now O holy one”. I think this could fit if you want to focus on how we label people as unclean. It also picks up the "Holy One" language of the reading. Lyrics, sound sample, and songbook.

Songs and Hymns for Epiphany 3B (January 22 2012)

Jonah 3:1-5, 10  
God gets made with Nineveh, but doesn't destroy them when they repent.
*Tune In / NCYC '07: Forgive us now (Brown) This is one of the best songs seeking forgiveness that I know. Let’s not forget that sometimes we are the ones waging war against the poor. “Forgive us now, O holy one For crimes committed in your name For all the holy wars we wage For all the children we enslave, Forgive us now O holy one”. Lyrics, sound sample, and songbook.
*Tune In: You in all our worries / All will finish well “In this world where injustice reigns, you are in the midst of pain”. Excellent words of reassurance in a difficult world. Lyrics, sound sample, and songbook.  
*Tune In II (BUC resource) There's a fish in the sea (Lees) This fun song for kids and teenagers works well for both this reading, and the Gospel reading this week. BUC only.
*TiS 674 / Iona (Common Ground, Heaven Shall Not Wait) / CH253 Inspired by love and anger Powerful lyrics, simple English folk tune. Lyrics (search for "inspired"). I love verse three “Don’t query our position! Don’t criticise our wealth! Don’t mention those exploited by politics and stealth!”. It’s easy for us to be judgemental on these things.
*TiS 690 / CH259 / StS115 Beauty for brokenness hope for despair (Kendrick) Themes of healing from personal and universal suffering and an emotive chorus. “Refuge from cruel wars, havens from fear, cities for sanctuary, freedoms to share, peace to the killing-fields, scorched earth to green; Christ for the bitterness, his cross for the pain”.. Lyrics.
*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. Free sheet music. 
*TiS 665 / AoV2-008 / Iona (Common Ground) / CH360 / VU117 / StJ / SP246 Jesus Christ is waiting (Bell) A good and well known hymn. Lyrics here (scroll down just a little bit)
*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. 
ATFG537 Jonah was a prophet who lived many years ago (Pfeffer) Fun. Good for kids. Sung to the tune of "John Brown's body". Has more of the book of Jonah than just this reading...

Psalm 62:5-12 
For God alone my soul waits in silence
*Taize / CP563 In God alone my soul can find rest and peace / Mon Ame Se Repose (Berthier) A very beautiful chant from Taize. Music and sound samples for practice here.
*Iona (T1AU) / URW408 On God alone I wait silently (Bell) Ps 62 Simple and lovely chant or psalm refrain. Could work well with kids to help them to be calm and still and waiting-like.  
*TiS 33 / VU779 Rest in God alone (Batastini) A lovely simple and inclusive refrain that could be used on its own or with a sung or read cantor part. Lead sheet. Sound sample.
GA280 / G(II)252 / GC328 / GC(II)336 For you O Lord my soul in stillness waits (Haugen) Nice refrain, and verses that contain a good range of images of God. Might be best for the congregation to join in only in the refrain as verses are long and have lots of words. Sound and sheet music sample here (search for stillness)
*Linnea Good Alone my soul awaits you God (Good) Very simple psalm refrain.
*ELW466 / FFS38 / SFFS 2255 In the singing in the silence (Murray) Lovely words, simple tune in FFS; there are quite a few tunes to this. Sheet music and sound sample of a choral version (not the tune in FFS). Lyrics (downloads a pdf).

1 Corinthians 7:29-31
The present form of this world is passing away; do not be as you are (married, rich, mourning, rejoicing).
*TiS 547 / AHB 455 / AoV1-009 / NCH451 / CH465 / UMH451 / VU643 / WoV776 / ELW793 / HPP353 / PH339 / CP505 Be thou my vision O Lord of my heart (Byrne/Hull/SLANE). A classic. I really don’t know what else to suggest for this passage.

Mark 1:14-20 
John declares the coming of the kingdom. Jesus calls Simon and Andrew, James and John. “Follow me and fish for people!”
Some of the songs suggested last week for the calling of Philip and Nathaniel may also be useful. *Tune In: Hail the fisherfolk (Brown) A bluesy litany of the saints, including the fishermen of yesterday and the fisherfolk of today. This song celebrates the many people who have followed God’s call through the ages. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook.
*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!
*ATOK 348 / Iona (HSNW) / G(II)496 / GC692 / GC(II)697 Come with me / Sing hey for the carpenter (Iona) Excellent. I love this one. Very joyous, and a big favourite in our congregation. The chorus is fun for kids too. Lyrics.
*TiS 242 / AHB 183 / AoV1-018 / ATN 27 / CH404 / UMH261 / VU352 / HPP163 / PH302 / G(II)481 / GC708 / GC(II)689 / CP(E) 468 / W&R118 I danced in the morning / Lord of the Dance (Carter / SIMPLE GIFTS). Lyrics and tune sample.“I danced to the fishermen, to James and John….”. You all know this one, right?
*Tune In II There's A Fish In The Sea (Lees) BUC resource only so far. A good song for kids and teenagers. Fits the Jonah reading too. We haven't used this yet, and it would be good to do so. 
*NCH173 / CH532 / UMH344 / VU563 / WoV784 / ELW817 / HPP324 / HPSS377 / G(II)500 / GC696 / GC(II)678 / W&R347 / Cha342 Lord, you have come to the seashore / You have come down to the lakeshore / Pescador de Hombres There are many translations of this song. I like the NCH version best as it's most inclusive. The song can get a bit shmaltzy, but the tune is a nice lilting one and the words are great. “On the sand I have abandoned my small boat; now with you I will seek other seas”. Sound sample. Lyrics and sheet music.
SFFS 2101 / G(II)301 / GC688 / GC(II)693 Two Fishermen (Toolan) A nice medieval / minstrelly sounding tune and good words. This would be fun. Lead sheet. Sound sample.
*NCH504 / StJ / HPP545 / GC(II)679 You Walk along Our Shoreline (Dunstan) Good words to a very familiar hymn tune (AURELIA). Lyrics. Sound sample.
*TiS 589 / AHB 505 / NCH171 / CH509 / UMH398 / VU562 / LBW494 / ELW696 / HPP314 / CP432 / CP(E) 233 / W&R345 / Cha337 / 82Hml-550 Jesus calls us; o'er the tumult (Alexander) Great words. TiS sets it to ST CATHERINE, but it could be sung to other tunes (like STUTTGART) if this is not familiar to your congregation (it’s not hard though).

Songs and Hymns for Epiphany 2B (January 15th, 2011)

1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20)   
Samuel is called by God
*Tune In: Tune in (Sims) A simple kid’s song. “Tune in, tune in, there’s a message coming in.” Encourages kids to look and listen for signs of God’s love. Lyrics, sample and songbook available Lyrics, sample, songbook.
*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?
*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). Song of God searching for us and our response. Very slow sound sample. Lyrics and sample sheet music.
NCH 531 / CH542 / UMH463 / VU589 / LBW403 / ELW676 / HPP372 / HPSS426 Lord speak to me that I may speak / God speak to me that I may speak (Havergal) An old fashioned hymn. If this is familiar to your congregation, I recommend using the words from the New Century Hymnal, which are modernised and inclusive but retain the spirit of the original. Some sources also have “Lord speak to us that we may speak” which is worth considering also.
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 to recognise their own call. Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
NCH604 / MV167 Hush hush somebody's calling my name (Traditional African-American) I really like this song. I'm not sure how it would work as a congregational song, though, since I've never been in a congregation that has sung it. I know some musicians who would love to sing it though - especially that deep "Hush" bit. Youtube version from a Ry Cooder album.
*MV161 I have called you by your name (Damon) This is a great song for confirmations, ordinations, commissionings, but also ordinary Sundays. Easy, natural tune and good words about having courage to follow where God leads.

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
God knows us better than we know ourselves. We cannot hide.
*AoV2-031 / ATW 424 / CH97 / GC(II)509 / SP301 O God, you search me and you know me (Farrell). My favourite version of this Psalm. The tune flows effortlessly and it has a nice little hook at the end of each verse. Sample music and lyrics here.  
NCH Psalter has a very simple refrain for this Psalm from Jane Marshall, which is worth a look.  
TiS 87 / VU862 / HPPS248 You are before me, Lord, you are behind. A beautiful chant setting to this psalm; sung to SURSUM CORDA. The words are directly from the Psalm and are very beautiful. lyrics.  
*ATOK 320 / NCH351 / VU645 / StJ / WoV770 / ELW732 / SFFS 2051 / HPP516 I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry. A song of God’s presence in all stages of life. Very simple tune to sing. Lyrics, and a nice (slow) sound sample.  
*Worldmaking.net God of My Breathing (Bruxvoort-Colligan). Excellent words to a well-known hymn tune. Sample and lyrics.  
*ATW 487 Make your home in me A simple beautiful invitation. Written by Melbourne songwriter and teacher, Fay White. “If you fly to the point of the day’s sunrise or westward across the sea, if you travel to the uttermost ends of the earth, there I will be; Make your home in me as I make my home in you. I am everywhere that you can be. Make your home in me”. This is quite different to the Vineyard / Josh Young version you can find all over the internet. I can't find a sample of this one, unfortunately.
*TiS 725 / ATE 275 / TiS 725 / AoV2-167 / ATE 275 / StJ / GA538 / G(II)553 / GC763 / URW391 In our darkness there is no darkness in your sight, the deepest night is clear as the daylight (La tenebre). Also translated as "Our darkness is never darkness". Sample music and lyrics.
*Music by Heart 15 Darkness is not dark (Law) A simple round, with optional cantor part. Good to teach to your congregation without lyric sheets or projections. Would be appreciated by kids, as it is simple.
*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.
*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.
AoV2-079 / GA081 How Rich Are The Depths (Willcock) A good Cantor and refrain version of the Psalm.
ATFG511 There are lots of things that I can do / I'm the only one like me (Kirkland) Adults think this is stupid. Little kids like it a lot. So it's a good song if you want to teach something to your sunday school class. 
 TiS 87 / VU862 / HPPS248 You are before me, Lord, you are behind. A beautiful chant-like setting to this psalm; sung to SURSUM CORDA. The words are directly from the Psalm and are very beautiful. lyrics.
*Worldmaking.net Open unto me light for my darkness (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan). Sample here.
*MV 131 You, Creator God, have searched me. Get out the maracas for this one! This joyous calypso chorus for this Psalm is so refreshing. I think it’s really good fun, and very catchy! Good fun for kids. 
ATW 423 Examine my heart, explore my mind (Mann). This is a bit tricky, but if familiar to your congregation would be great to sing.  
Linnea Good: Psalm 139: Where Can I Go? “Where can I hide from your Spirit? Where can I run from your presence? Where can I go, when you are always there?” A simple refrain.

1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Glorify God with your body. Self-discipline.
*SFFS 2228 / Online Resource Sacred the Body (Duck / RUDDLE) This is just the song I was seeking for this passage! Excellent words - and it's not easy to find good songs for this passage. The tune is new, but very simple and beautiful. It will be picked up very quickly by most congregations. "Sacred the body God has created, temple of Spirit that dwells deep inside. Cherish each person; nurture relation. Treat flesh as holy, that love may abide." Tune and lyrics from Baylor University Christian Ethics Hymns Library (an excellent resource!).
*ATA 169 Doin' it all to the glory of God (Boucher) A fun song for kids. It probably has too many verses for a mixed ages congregation though. At least, it has too many verses for me!!

John 1:43-51
Jesus calls Philip and Nathaniel. See also the 1 Samuel passage above
*Tune In / NCYC 2009: God has laid a feasting table / Invitation (Whelan) Feminine imagery of God gathering her guests to a feasting table. Fun Cuban rhythm. Lyrics, sound sample, songbook.
*Tune in: We are the dream that's longing / Jesus is waiting (Brown) An honest catchy rock song about our hesitation to follow and Jesus not only waiting, but continuing to work and change the world. A good sending-out song. Come, be our liberator, bless and make us free. Come be the light upon the shore. Come be the freedom for the prison of our time. Come now and open up the door”. Lyrics, sound sample, video and songbook.
*TiS 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?
*TiS 477 / Iona (LFB, Common Ground) / CH510 / StJ Jesus calls us here to meet him (Bell) Good words and a rollicking or gentle Scottish tune LEWIS FOLK MELODY (depending on how you play it!). Lyrics. 4th verse (not in TiS, but in Iona sources) leads to communion. Tune PDF and sound samples.
*TiS 589 / AHB 505 / NCH171 / CH509 / UMH398 / VU562 / LBW494 / ELW696 / HPP314 / CP432 / CP(E) 233 / W&R345 / Cha337 / 82Hml-550 Jesus calls us; o'er the tumult (Alexander) Great words. TiS sets it to ST CATHERINE, but it could be sung to other tunes if this is not familiar to your congregation (it’s not hard though).
*SFFS 2129 / HPP322 / W&R344 / Cha344 / Srce2-244 I Have Decided to Follow Jesus (Traditional) Good simple traditional chorus. This Australian video from Perth has some nice chords. Maybe that gospel choir could sing this too (but not like the video).
*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!
*ATOK 348 / Iona (HSNW) / G(II)496 / GC692 / GC(II)697 Come with me / Sing hey for the carpenter (Iona) Excellent. I love this one. Very joyous, and a big favourite in our congregation. The chorus is fun for kids too. Lyrics.