Songs and Hymns for Lent 5B (March 25 2012)

Jeremiah 31:31-34  
Promise of a new covenant – God’s law written on Israel’s hearts. Promise of forgiveness
*TiS 679 God of Jeremiah grieving (Wren) Last chance for Jeremiah! In the USA this song is available in "New Beginnings" and "Piece Together Praise". The traditional Scottish tune KELVIN GROVE is well known as the tune for "The Summons". Lyrics (with an alternate tune).
*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. Lyrics and mp3. Good for kids & teenagers.
*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.
*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
*Worldmaking.net O Holy One (Bruxvoort-Colligan) A very simple song for the start of worship. It could be sung altogether as a congregation or responsively. We sang this once every week of Lent; I think it would be safe to come back to it now. Sound sample and lyrics. 

ATA 184 Spring follows winter (love is the law) (Mann) Lovely words to a familiar traditional English (?) melody. There is a Father in the last verse, but is inclusive other than that. Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
TiS 560 / AHB 465 / NCH408 / CH192 / UMH132 / VU654/655 / WoV782 / ELW757 / CP529 / CP(E) 368 / Cha088 / Srce2-15 All my hope on God is founded / is firmly grounded (Neander) Most translations of this well known German hymn are not inclusive, but the NCH and WoV are, so if you have those books (BUC people, we have NCH, and I have WoV). Older version of the lyrics.
TiS 90 / AHB 44 / UMH60 / VU867 / PH253 / CP346 / CP(E) 473 / W&R79 / Cha20 I'll praise my Maker while I've breath (Watts) A great classic hymn. Most sources are not inclusive; Voices United is! Lyrics and sound sample.

Psalm 51:1-12 
A Prayer for forgiveness
You might like to sing a Kyrie.
*Tune In / NCYC '07: Forgive us now (Brown) This is one of the best songs seeking forgiveness that I know, and suitably laid back for a quiet Ash Wednesday service. Lyrics, sound sample, and songbook.
GA041 / G(II)53 / GC56 / GC(II)41 Be Merciful O Lord (Haugen) Good refrain which could be used with or without the cantor part. Sound sample, sheet music sample and lyrics (search for "Merciful").
AoV1-034 Create in me O Lord a heart that is pure / I'll Sing Your Song (Marshall) Good honest song. Simple to sing.
*TiS 712 / AoV2-021 / ATE 269 / The tide has turned songbook Create in me a clean heart O God (Hannah) Good. A big favourite in our congregation. We're singing this every week of Lent this year.
AoV1-158 / GA438 Create a new heart Holy Lord / A new heart for a new world (O'Brien/Watts) Very simple melody, excellent words "Create a new heart Holy Lord, beckon our lives through your word, open our eyes to your call, United as one for your world".
GA040 Create in Me a Clean Heart O God (O'Brien) Nice refrain and simple cantor part for this Psalm.
TiS 31 / HPSS195 / CP257 Have mercy on us living Lord (Hopson) Solid inclusive words (if you replace "Lord" with "God") and a simple hymn tune (PTOMEY)
Iona (Love and Anger) / StS067 Have mercy on us Lord / Khudaya rahem kar (Pakistan) A nice alternative. It would be nice to get your congregation to sing something from South Asia. Also works well in English. Sound sample
ATOK 399 Holding out your hand (Holmes) I like this one. Good for kids.
GC(II)409 Lord Jesus Christ son of the living God (Browning) A simple chant based on "The Jesus Prayer" with a beautiful (and optional) cantor which is really worth using. Nice sound sample and sheet music sample Sound sample and sheet music sample (search for "Lord Jesus Christ" (sorry about all this searching. Hymnprint have changed their site again....
*Worldmaking.net O Tender God, Have Mercy A gentle, modern version of the Kyrie. Sound sample, lyrics and theology here.
*TiS 729 / Iona (HSNW) Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy upon us A very very simple call and response chant.
Psalm Project Wash Me Clean A nice, gentle reworking of the Psalm. Might be good to ask a musician to sing this one. Lyrics, theology and sound sample here.
*? TiS 744 Refresh my heart Lord (Bullock) I'm surprised at myself for suggesting this song, but I think it could work very well for an Ash Wednesday service. Especially if played in a laid back sort of way. Lyrics and chords.


Alternative Psalm: Psalm 119:9-16
A prayer for purity and focussed commitment to God
*Taize / TiS 747 / ATE 214 / Iona (M&G) / URW393 The Lord is my light, my light and salvation A simple and very popular Taize chant. Note that this is really easy on recorder if you have a kid in your congregation who is learning it. Good for kids. Youtube.
*Iona (WWHW) / MV223 We will go with God / Sizohamba naye (Traditional Swaziland) A simple song from Swaziland. Good for the end of the service. Video with pronunciation and parts. It would be good to sing this at Brunswick again, it was introduced a couple of weeks ago. Note that MV has a different translation. Good for kids.
Iona (We walk his way) We walk his way / Ewe Thina A joyful, simple African song. I'm guessing it's from South Africa. Sound sample.
*MV45 You are holy you show us the way / Hamba nathi (Zulu) There are a lot of other translations and variations of this song. I like this version best (Come walk with us, the journey is long) but the sound sample is a bit funny. There's only so much you can do with an electronic keyboard. Good for kids.
*Linnea Good / MV008 And on this path (Good) An energetic gospel style song. Here's a youtube video. We sing it much slower than this and as a gospel style song with big chords and a groovy bass part. I thought I'd never say that we sing something slower than anyone!
Linnea Good You are the centre of my heart (Good) Simple refrain. Good for kids.
TiS 407 / AHB 320 / NCH292 / CH596 / UMH420 / VU382 / StJ / LBW488 / GA432 / HPP227 / PH316 / GC800 / GC(II)800 / CP649 / CP(E) 174 / W&R461 / Cha254 / Srce81 / URW167 / 82Hml-508 Breathe on me Breath of God (Hatch) An older style hymn which is inclusive. Good words seeking the spirits gifts of new life, purity and unity with Christ. If you sing this version, it can be sung to a lovely simple, and quite intuitive Celtic tune (ST COLUMBA). If you sing this version, it can also be sung to HAMPTON, TRENTHAM, or DURHAM. That was a little bit complicated.

Hebrews 5:5-10 
Christ, the perfect high priest
*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. Some hymnals also list IN BABILONE which is easier and more familiar.
*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 228 / AHB 163 / NCH301 / CH459 / UMH327 / VU211 / LBW170 / ELW855 / HPP58 / HPSS151 / GC486 / GC(II)489 / RS626 / CP378 Crown him with many crowns Many versions are gratingly masculine. It's a good sing, though. Look at other translations, including the New Century Hymnal. TiS is also pretty good, and I love that “Potentate of time” line, whatever it means.

John 12:20-33
Jesus predicts his death.
*Tune In: He left his home, fam'ly, friends / 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 & teenagers. 
*Tune In: O Spirit God / In the shape of a cross (Dave Brown) Puts our forgiveness in a global context. A cry to God for help and a call for God to enter our world. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook. 
*Tune In: Our God who weeps (Kate Scull) Very simple folk-like tune and challenging and hopeful lyrics. Reference recording, lyrics, songbook. A beautiful song and easy to sing.
*CH348 / StS001 / LBW196 / ELW843 / 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. 
WoV768 / ELW737 / CP456 He comes to us as one unknown (Repton) Great words to a very standard sounding hymn tune. Lyrics and tune here
*CH401 / VU121 / R139 / ELW334 / GA307 / HPP174 / G(II)288 / GC397 / GC(II)401 / CP179 Tree of life and awesome mystery (Haugen) Great words about the suffering of Christ, that is really very positive. "Tree of life and awesome mystery, in your death we are reborn; though you die in all of history, still you rise with every morn". Lyrics. Sound sample.
ATA 145 / NCH223 / CH395 / UMH292 / VU147 / VU148 / LBW385 / ELW666 / HPP192 / HPSS085 / G(II)295 / GC627 / GC(II)614 / CP400 / W&R257 / Cha200 What wondrous love is this? I just really like this old hymn. Versions vary widely in their inclusiveness; if you want inclusive language, use the New Century Hymnal. Here's an awesome bluegrass version.
TiS 248 When Christ was lifted from the earth (Wren) Powerful words of Christ's sacrifice and acceptance of all people, without the cultural imperialism of some similar hymns. New hymn tune is not too hard, but could be replaced with many others if required. I think WILTSHIRE would work (TiS 112), but LAND OF REST is perhaps too jolly. Lyrics.
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 are heading into Spring. Lyrics.
*WoV658 / ELW506 / URW078 The word of God is source and seed "The Word of God is source and seed; It comes to die and sprout and grow. So make your dark earth welcome warm; Root deep the grain God bent to sow." There's a very helpful commentary including the lyrics of the hymn here.

MV125 When a grain of wheat / Hitotsubu no (Kagawa) Would be good for musicians to sing for the congregation. Sheet music.

Songs and Hymns for Lent 4B (March 18 2012)

Numbers 21:4-9  
The Israelites grumble, God sends serpents to bite them, they repent and are healed.

You might like to sing a Kyrie. 

*TiS 569 / AHB 478 / NCH18/19 / CH167 / UMH127 / VU651 / LBW343 ELW618 / HPP432 / HPSS281 / CP565 / CP(E) 455 / W&R501 / Cha622 / 82Hml690 Guide me O thou great Jehovah / Redeemer (Williams) A rousing hymn of God’s presence and strength and making it to the other side. Sound sample and lyrics.
*MV45 Hamba nathi (Zulu). There are a lot of translations of this song. I like this version best, (Come walk with us, the journey is long) but the sound sample is a bit funny. There's only so much you can do with an electronic keyboard. Good for kids
*Tune In: Save us in the time of trial (Whelan) Reflective chorus and verses about trying to follow Christ in the face of difficulties. Chorus is particularly straightforward and chantlike. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook
*Tune In / NCYC '07: Forgive us now (Brown) This is one of the best songs seeking forgiveness that I know, and suitably laid back for a quiet Ash Wednesday service. Lyrics, sound sample, and songbook.

Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
A psalm about the Israelites coming through the wilderness and God hearing their distress 
See suggestions listed above for the Numbers reading.
*AoV1-017 / ATE 282 / LBW368 / ELW407 / GA431 / SFFS 2200 / G(II)410 / GC586 / GC(II)566 / Taize / W&R484 / Srce519 O Lord hear my prayer (Berthier) A simple and very well known Taize chant. You could read the Psalm between repeats of this chant, or just use as a chant as is. Good for kids
*NCH Psalter Consider the steadfast love of God (Haugen) A simple refrain and good inclusive words for the cantor / reader.
TiS 67 Give thanks Give thanks to the Lord (O'Brien) A cantored Psalm with a response that is actually fun and happy! The verses could also be read, rather than cantored.
*Taize / MV016 / StJ / ELW528 / GA430 / SFFS 2157 / HPP410 / G(II)398 / GC570 / GC(II)550 / RS710 / CP402 / URW378 Come and Fill our hearts/ Confitemini Domino Can be sun in English as "Come and fill our hearts with your peace, you alone O God are holy. Come and fill our hearts with your peace, Alleluia". Sound samples and sheet music.
*TiS474 / AoV1-012 / ATE 295 / CH623 / SFFS 2236 / HPP553 / G(II)539 / GC839 / GC(II)743 / CP465 / W&R649 / Cha284 / SP175 / URW054 Here in this place new light is streaming / Gather us in (Haugen). Excellent words, very well known. “Nourish us well and teach us to fashion lives that are holy and hearts that are true”. Lyrics and sound sample.
Global Praise 3 (Cokesbury Press) Sithi Bonga / Give thanks (Mxadana) A joyful song of thanks from South Africa.

Ephesians 2:1-10
Dead, but now alive in Christ 
*Tune In Like the sun upon my skin / God's Mercy. A beautiful ballad of healing: "Like the sun upon my skin, I can smile and take it in, and my wounds begin to heal, that's God's mercy". Lyrics and sound sample. 
*Tune In: Spirit of the Father / Alive in me (Anderson) Catchy song about God’s spirit living in us. "Take hold of the hope that I give, trust in me, reach out for the love you can live, eternally”. Lyrics and sound sample.  Good for kids
*NCH581 /  HPP310 / G(II)523 / GC(II)718 Lead us from death to life / World Peace Prayer (Kumar / Haugen) A different take on Christ's power over the forces of death. This Anthem for peace has a really simple and stirring chorus, which would be excellent on its own, and for kids. Verses could be sung by a soloist or the whole congregation if you want to use them. For Lent, I would just use the chorus. Quite simple to sing. Sheet music sample. Slow keyboard sample.Good for kids
Iona (Love From Below) / CH317 / CP621 Before the world began (Bell / Incarnation) It annoys me a bit that this uses exclusively masculine language for Christ when it speaks of the presence of Christ in creation, but if this won't bother your congregation, it is a very beautiful song. Lyrics
NCH565 / LBW408 / ELW678 / PH422 / CP601 / W&R572 / Cha606 / URW091 God whose giving knows no ending (Edwards) Excellent more formal words of thanks for God's many good gifts to us. Can be sung to a range of tunes including BEACH SPRING, HYFRYDOL, AUSTRIAN HYMN, RUSTINGTON. Lyrics.  
*CH401 / VU121 / R139 / ELW334 / GA307 / HPP174 / G(II)288 / GC397 / GC(II)401 / CP179 Tree of life and awesome mystery (Haugen) Great words about the suffering of Christ, that is really very positive. "Tree of life and awesome mystery, in your death we are reborn; though you die in all of history, still you rise with every morn". Lyrics. Sound sample. *GC(II)644 / W&R577 / SP167 Summoned by the God who made us / Sing a New Church (Dufner) Excellent words of Christian unity and justice to the well-known tune NETTLETON (TiS 392). Would be a good final hymn or suitable for the offering. Lyrics.
*TiS 382 / AoV2-131 / ATN 15 / NCH238 / CH417 / UMH311 / VU186 / LBW280 / ELW570 / HPP210 / G(II)318 / GC444 / GC(II)456 Now the green blade riseth This is maybe a bit Easter-ish, but could be good to sing. One version of the lyrics is here.
AoVK-79 / G(II)573 / GC799 Alive in Christ Jesus (Haas) This song could work really well, but will take some imagination to run the Cantor parts. Could be sung just as the chorus, which would make it Good for kids. I like the arrangement in AoVK better. Lyrics.

John 3:14-21
Christ died to save the world. Yes, well…. you can sing lots of hymns for this one! 
*Tune In: He left his home, fam'ly, friends / 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 & teenagers. 
*Tune In: O Spirit God / In the shape of a cross (Dave Brown) Puts our forgiveness in a global context. A cry to God for help and a call for God to enter our world. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook. 
*Tune In: Our God who weeps (Kate Scull) Very simple folk-like tune and challenging and hopeful lyrics. Reference recording, lyrics, songbook. A beautiful song and easy to sing.
*CH348 / StS001 / LBW196 / ELW843 / 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.

*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. "He became poor, that we may be rich, loving the world and leaving his throne; King of all kings, and Lord of all Lords, flesh of our flesh and bone of our bone".
*Iona (M&G) / CH359 / MV033 / ZSS54 / StJ / ELW253 / GA293 / SFFS 2085 / G(II)276 / GC370 / GC(II)364 / CP368 / W&R402 He came down that we may have love/ Jesus came bringing us hope (Cameroon) Would be more exciting and energetic with some African drums, rather than a quiet reflective candle lighting song. Good for kids especially if with drums.
ATW 451 Jesus Saviour of the world (Schubert) Simple chant-like song.TiS 174 / UMH194 Morning glory starlit sky (Vanstone). Quite amazing words and a very singable tune. There are six verses so everyone will know the tune by the end – still, it would be good to play it through to the congregation before singing. Very challenging yet still poetic words. May be a bit old-fashioned for some? Lyrics can be found here. The lyrics could also be read as a poem.
ATA 145 / NCH223 / CH395 / UMH292 / VU147 / VU148 / LBW385 / ELW666 / HPP192 / HPSS085 / G(II)295 / GC627 / GC(II)614 / CP400 / W&R257 / Cha200 What wondrous love is this? I just really like this old hymn. Versions vary widely in their inclusiveness; if you want inclusive language, use the New Century Hymnal. Here's an awesome bluegrass version.

Songs and Hymns for Lent 3B (March 11 2012)

Exodus 20:1-17 
The ten commandments 
*Iona / ATOK 311 / CH754 / GA401 Be still and know that I am God and there is none beside me (Iona) A simple song reflecting on the 1st commandment. Some versions have a 2nd verse.
Seeds of Faith: Ten Commandments (because God loves us) (Bruxvoort-Colligan) A fun song for musicians to lead and for kids to join in the counting. Could be a good way of helping kids learn the 10 commandments in a Sunday School setting. Good for kids. Lyrics and sound sample.
AoVK-41 Moses climbed the mountain high Another good song to help kids learn the 10 commandments, probably better for Sunday School than congregational worship. There are other versions of this out there too, but this one is better. Good for kids.
NCH20 God of Abraham and Sarah. A great newish but very singable hymn tune with words that pick up the history of our faith, as well as some of the Psalm and Gospel themes this week. Excellent words. Could also be sung to NETTLETON if you want a familiar tune.

Psalm 19
Heavenly praise; God's commands are sweeter than honey; Let the words of my mouth...
Cosmic praise. God's laws are perfect.
*TiS 187 / AoV2-130 / CH149 / StS122 / SP247 Let all creation dance I just love the imagery of this one, and it's a very joyous and familiar hymn tune too. Lyrics (downloads pdf).
*CH172 / URW062 Sing for God’s glory that colours the dawn of creation (Galloway) Beautiful poetic words of creation (first verse), release (2nd verse), justice (3rd verse) and saints (4th verse). Would be a good song to open worship. Sung to a very familiar hymn tune, LOBE DEN HERREN (TiS 111). Lyrics (loads a pdf).
GC(II)21 Words of Everlasting Life / Palabras de vida Eterna Simple bilingual (English / Spanish refrain) and cantored verses in either English or Spanish (or I guess you could alternate if you have a bilingual congregation). Sound sample. Sheet music sample.
*TiS 7 The sky tells the glory of God (Hughes) Excellent and simple cantor and refrain. could easily use the refrain with the Psalm being read also. Don't forget that these Psalm refrains are also great for smaller kids - they can join in without reading.
*MV31 / Linnea Good Pure love A simple two-part chant that picks up the Psalmist’s idea of the purity of God’s law “Pure love, pure truth, pure justice, God”. Would be great if you can teach it to some of the congregation before worship starts. Good for kids.
*AoVK-113 Thank you O Lord for this world of ours I like this kid's song. Really fun and interesting with two parts! 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 (Mann) Good words of all creation celebrating together. Tune is good, too. Lyrics.
*TiS 156 / AHB 91 / AoV1-135 / ATA 123 / CH212 / UMH145 / VU409 / ELW556 / HPP267 / HPSS469 / G(II)546 / GC756 / GC(II)748 / CP003 / W&R35 / Cha053 / URW186 / 82Hml-008 Morning has broken (Farjeon) This song makes me smile every time. Here's Yusuf Islam (when he was Cat Stevens) in 1976 (love those green boots).
*TiS 166 / AHB 102 / StB 35 Sing a new song sing a new song Excellent inclusive words from Australian poet James McAuley. The last verse annoys me a bit, but the rest is excellent. Lyrics.
*TiS 163 / AHB 112 / NCH556 / UMH150 / LBW463 / ELW771 / HPPS268 / W&R644 / Cha651 / URW084 / 82Hml-580 God who stretched the spangled heavens Good words of creation of nature and cities and creative possibilities for the future. AHB has a Father and old language, but it works okay; TiS and other sources are better. There are many possible tunes. I like it best to HOLY MANNA as in the link. Lyrics and sound sample.
*AoVK-50 / ATW 430 / NCYC'99 Come let us praise our God / A voice is heard (Trisha Watts) Excellent and energetic. Good for kids.
*HPP28 / HPSS285 / W&R24 God You Spin the Whirling Planets (Jane Parker Huber / AUSTRIAN HYMN) Excellent words to a very familiar tune (TiS 772). Really good for the final hymn or response to the sermon. Lyrics.
AoV1-019 / CH151 / GA397 / G(II)340 / GC493 / GC(II)498 / W&R39 / URW097 All You Works of God (Haugen) Joyful call, response and chorus. This will take a little work to get your congregation into the rhythm of how this song works, but I really think it would be worth it. Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music (search for "all you works").
VU888 / LBW558 / ELW731 / HPSS458 / RS681 / CP358 / W&R642 Earth and All Stars Fun words of cosmic praise. An easy hymn-like tune. I really like the "boiling test tubes" bit, although this verse is not in all hymnals. Sheet music, lyrics and a keyboard tune sample (search for Ritual Song 681)

1 Corinthians 1:18-25 
The foolishness of the cross
*TiS 356 / CH385 / Cha203 Here hangs a man discarded (Wren) Excellent words, particularly for this reading “Can such a clown of sorrows still bring a useful word where faith and love seem phantoms and every hope absurd?”. Also works very well with TiS 339 (Passion Chorale) if your congregation is scared of new tunes. Lyrics (first verse only)
TiS 422 / CH594 / CP(E) 179 Come Holy Spirit come inflame our souls with love (Forster / DIADEMATA) Excellent words to a well known hymn tune. It is not gender-inclusive for God. Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
*TiS 179 / NCH273 / VU312 / StJ / URW073 Praise with Joy the World's Creator One of my favourite hymns - strongly Trinitarian lyrics and excellent imagery. Lyrics (scroll down or search).
*TiS 262 When pain and terror strike by chance (Wren) These excellent words may be particularly helpful if you are in a community where there has been recent loss / disaster. Very familiar Irish folk tune.
Recorded Music The cross is foolishness (John Michael Talbot) I don't really know this song, but came across a sample and the lyrics. I think it would be a good one to listen to, or play if someone has the music. 
Unusual source It really is a worry / Right side up (Downie) A good kid's song about how God's world is not upside down, but right side up. Lyrics (downloads a pdf). We have this in the folders at church. It's also in a book called "Praise God Together" and in "Kidsource 2". Good for kids.

John 2:13-22
Jesus casts out the money-changers from the temple
*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").
*FFS48 May the anger of Christ be mine (Gibson) Excellent words and very singable tune. Free sheet mucis and lyrics.
*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). Includes the verse "Jesus Christ is raging, raging in the streets" which makes it particularly appropriate this week.
*MV157 I am a child of God (Harding) A simple song with powerful words. Verse 3 is especially suitable for this week "I am an angry voice, I am compassion and consternation, I am an angry voice. I am an angry voice". Good for kids?

Songs and Hymns for Lent 2B (March 4th, 2012)

Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 
God’s covenant with Abraham
*AoV1-137 / ATOK 403 / GA306 / G(II)286 God Of Abraham lead us (Farrell) This one is great. Just don't try to sing all 17 verses! Choose what you like... I love this energetic call and response with the response "Lead us to your kingdom". You can sing with a cantor and response, or you could split your congregation in the middle doing half and half, or you could just have people singing all the way through. Lyrics (downloads a pdf). Good for kids.
*NCH20 God of Abraham and Sarah, God of Moses, Miriam's Guide (Gertmenian) Salvation history in one song with a focus on justice, healing, courage. I suggested this for Transfiguration as well, so it might be good to sing it again. Fits well with all themes for this week. Could also be sung to NETTLETON if you want something familiar. Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
*VU255 / CP348 The living God be praised (ben Judah) A new translation of "The God of Abraham praise". Excellent words, and of course, a familiar tune (LEONI).
NCH501 We are dancing Sarah's circle (Etzler) Set to the familiar tune of "We are climbing Jacob's ladder", with positive imagery of increasing the size of the circle of inclusion. Good for kids.
*TiS 125 / AHB 53 / NCH24 / HPP24 / GC544 / CH162 / UMH116 / LBW544 / ELW831 / HPP24 / HPSS488 / GC544 / CP347 / HPPS 488 The God of Abr’am praise / The God of Abraham Praise (ben Judah) A very well known hymn to an ancient Jewish Synagogue melody. The lyrics are quite masculine in most hymnals, which vary widely in which verses they include. The words are inclusive, yet still old-fashioned and poetic in the NCH. Lyrics and sound sample.
*MV 148 Hope of Abraham and Sarah. This song is simple to sing and speaks of unity for the Abrahamic faiths (Islam, Judaism and Christianity).
*VU634 / CP468 To Abraham and Sarah (Fetter) A good interfaith hymn, and excellent words of being a pilgrim people. Sung to the familiar tune THORNBURY. Lyrics (about half way through the article)

Psalm 22:23-31
God’s constant care
Most settings of Psalm 22 focus on the first part of the Psalm (My God, my God, why have you abandoned me). Here are some that pick up the latter part of the Psalm. 
TiS 59 / AHB 10 / AoV1-025 / NCH7 / CH63 / UMH75 / VU822 / LBW245 / ELW883 / HPP8 / HPSS220 /HPSS221 / GC747 / GC(II)746 / RS 849 / CP349 All people that on earth do dwell (OLD 100TH). Almost every hymnal has quite masculine words for this classic hymn. I thoroughly recommend you look at the NCH adaptation. It is joyous and very lovely. "All people that on earth do dwell, sing out your faith with cheerful voice; Delight in God whose praise you tell, whose presence calls you to rejoice". Sound sample and lyrics.
*AoV1-073 / G(II)467 / GC657 I Will Not Die before I've lived to see that land (Conry) really quite like this one. The verses may be best sung by a small group, but a congregation who likes singing will do fine with it. Some funny he / shes about God in there (in AoV), which kind of work. Chorus is “For your right hand has delivered us from death. You have regarded our tears, you who are goodness and grace”. Lyrics. Clunky sound sample.
*TiS 727 / ATE 208 / CH121 / VU745 / AA70 In the presence of your people (Chambers) A good Yiddish tune - lots of fun for kids and adults. Good to get fast and dance around on this one. Good for kids.
AoVK-44 / GGives1 God loves you and I love you (Traditional Togo and Ghana) Old kid's song. AoV version is good. I think this song is reclaimable if you funk it up a bit. Maybe? Good for kids.
*VU745 In the presence of your people (Chambers) This version uses the first line only as a Psalm refrain.
Online resource All the Ends of the Earth Shall Turn to you, O God (Harding) A very simple one-line refrain or chant. Sheet music for purchase (and preview).
Linnea Good So while I live my soul is yours A very simple refrain or chant. A little longer than the above. 
*Tune In: God's Mercy. A beautiful ballad of healing: "Like the sun upon my skin, I can smile and take it in, and my wounds begin to heal, that's God's mercy". Lyrics and sound sample.
*Tune in The God that I Know (Anderson) A beautiful ballad with female and male images of a loving, embracing God. “He comes with his arms open wide, a sheltering place I can hide”. If this is not familiar to your congregation it would be a good song for a soloist. Sound sample, sheet music sample and songbook.
*Tune In: Shepherd of the night (Loukes) "Have you ever felt the velvet night wrap you in her warmth". A lovely song with a theme of God’s protection. This is tricky for a congregation, so you might want to ask the musicians to play this. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook.
VU618 / CP558 God when I stand (O'Driscoll) Good words; the tune will probably need to be taught, or at least played through before the congregation sings it. The 4th verse focuses on Thomas, but don't omit it, or you won't have the happy ending.

Romans 4:13-25
The promise to Abraham came through his faith. Belief even in the face of impossibility.
*AoVK-28 / ATOK 376 Faith hope and love (Watts) This is so easy, and so cool. If you have some groovy musicians, this can even be a very funky rock song. Very easy, and great for kids and non-readers. Good for kids.
*TiS 691 Faith will not grow from words alone (Smith) This is an excellent hymn about doubting and struggling in faith. The tune is familiar and I find the words very helpful for thinking and doubting Christians. Lyrics and melody line
*GC(II)651 / Online Resource You must never give up / Sizo Bambelela (South African) An excellent song! Would be fun to get a few singers together to sing the parts to this, though maybe not as many times through as in the sound sample. Free sheet music. Sound sample.  Good for kids.
*NCH461 Let us hope when hope seems hopeless (Beebe) A lilting tune and good words of hope in the face of difficulty. A song of a maturing faith. Sound sample (long introduction).  

Mark 8:31-38
Jesus predicts his death, Peter rebukes him, those who lose their lives…

Sorry, hard to find a good kid's song for this passage!

*TiS 607 / AoV2-126 / ATN 95 / CH528 / VU684 / StJ / SFFS 2171 / HPP406 / G(II)524 / GC726 / GC(II)721 / CP(E)519/ W&R587 / Srce 462 Make me a channel of your peace (Temple) Youtube video of Sinead O'Connor singing it and lyrics and MIDI file.
TiS 583 / AHB 496 / NCH204 / CH402 / UMH415 / VU561 / LBW398 / ELW667 / PH393 / GC698 / GC(II)690 / CP431 / CP(E) 582 / W&R351 Take up thy cross the Savior said (Everest) I don't actually like this hymn, mainly because I don't know it very well, but lots of other people do. Some versions are quite masculine in their language, but TiS, NCH, Gather hymnals and others are OK., so I encourage you to look them up. Lyrics with one of many possible tunes (not the TiS tune).
*TiS 473 / NCH314 / W&R615 / Cha655 Community of Christ (Murray) Beautiful words to a traditional Hebrew synagogue melody (LEONI). Easy to sing. Lyrics (downloads a pdf of an excellent service of lamentation - scroll to the end).
CP075 / W&R691 With the body that was broken (Daw) A more traditional hymn. I'm struggling to find hymns that fit this passage well and that I like, but this one is pretty good. The tune is not familiar to me, and is OK, but I think I would prefer it sung to ST THOMAS. Lyrics and tune sample.
CH401 / VU121 / R139 / ELW334 / GA307 / HPP174 / G(II)288 / GC397 / GC(II)401 / CP179 Tree of life and awesome mystery (Haugen) Great words about the suffering of Christ, that is really very positive. "Tree of life and awesome mystery, in your death we are reborn; though you die in all of history, still you rise with every morn". Lyrics. Sound sample.
*ATOK 413 / Iona (HSNW) / CH533 / VU567 / StS039 / R276 / ELW798 / GA502 / SFFS 2130 / HPP317 / G(II)510 / GC700 / GC(II)687 / CP430 / CP(E) 622 / W&R350 Will you come and follow me / The Summons (Iona / KELVINGROVE) A classic, but it has been overdone sometimes. Don't sing it too slowly or it really drags and takes forever!
Alternate Gospel reading:  Mark 9:2-9
Transfiguration story
*ATFG 555 / NCYC03 Open your eyes / See Yourself (Mann) “see yourself in the one who’s shining on the hill”. Puts the transfiguration in the context of a whole lot of other New Testament stories. Excellent newer song. 
*AoV1-012 / ATE 295 / CH623 / SFFS 2236 / HPP553 / G(II)539 / GC839 / GC(II)743 / CP465 / W&R649 / Cha284 / SP175 / URW054 Here in this place new light is streaming / Gather us in (Haugen). Excellent words, very well known. “Nourish us well and teach us to fashion lives that are holy and hearts that are true”. Lyrics and sound sample.
*GC(II)770 / Cha182 Transform Us as you transfigured (Dunstan) Good words to the familiar and quite meditative hymn tune PICARDY (TiS 497). Lyrics and sign language.
NCH182 / VU104 / SFFS 2103 / HPP147 / CP166 / W&R245 We have come at Christ's own bidding (Daw Jr) Excellent lyrics that bring the images of the transfiguration to the faith of today. Sung to the familiar tune HYFRYDOL (TiS 517). Lyrics (scroll down). Tune sample.
ATFG 541 What is this scene? good story telling song. Not too difficult for the congregation to sing on a first attempt, but it will need a brief “teaching time” for the melody. You could also ask the musicians to present as part of the offering. The words are great. 
*Bruce Harding Seeing Jesus A simple chant, needs at least 2 of the parts. Sample PDF, and available for purchase here.
NCH183 Jesus take us to the mountain (Vajda) A very positive transfiguration hymn that asks good questions and provides some good challenges and clearly looks onward to Good Friday. Lyrics.
TiS 234 / AHB 390 / GC778 / GC(II)771 / CP167 / CP(E)248 / VU103 / LBW89 / ELW315 How good Lord to be here / Tis Good Lord to Be Here (Robinson / SWABIA) Good solid words and a good solid tune (I like CARSLISLE best). I like the ending “But since you bid us leave the mount, come with us to the plain”.
*NCYC07 You shine (Crawford) A good song, with an excellent chorus "You shine over us, you shine through us, so let your light shine on around the world". Definitely for the more youthful congregation. It would also work to play the CD from NCYC07 if you don't have a band of musicians.*AoV2-103 / AoVK-115 / G(II)514 / GC712 / GC(II)715 Holy Ground (Brenda Pena) I love the energy and passion in this song and the vision of the heavens embracing the earth. I especially like the “Do you believe in freedom? Yes we do Lord! Do you believe in justice? Justice for all!” call in the middle. Bilingual English/Spanish song. Good for kids. Sample here.
Srce87 / Srce293 Can I ascend? / I'm Coming Up The Mountain (Redman) A bit "me me me" for my liking, but the youth in some congregations would probably like it, and I maybe shouldn't find these songs as embarrassing as I do. Lyrics and chords.
*CH355 / VU210 / SFFS 2102 / HPP81 / GC(II)525 / RS699 / CP630 / W&R99 / URW098 You Lord Are Both Lamb and Shepherd (Dunstan) Beautiful words. Can be sung to many tunes. I like it to WESTMINSTER ABBEY or PICARDY. Hymnals vary with what they have for verse 2. I like this version (scroll down).

*Recorded Song: Transfiguration (Sufjan Stevens) I love this song. Lyrics. Here’s a video of him performing it live here on youtube, which is a bit more eclectic than the studio recording. Note: if playing recorded songs in worship, it's a really good idea to provide lyrics to the congregation either in a hand out or using projection.

Liturgy for the Whole Church (p69) The transfiguration (Bock) A narrated skit. If you have this book, or access to it, this would be good to do. 

Songs and Hymns for Lent 1B (February 26 2012)

Genesis 9:8-17  
God establishes a covenant with Noah, leaving a rainbow as a sign
*Unknown source When things go wrong and you're feeling blue / Remember the rainbow, God’s promise in the sky. I know this is not very helpful, but I know that at Brunswick we have a copy of the words and chords in our folders. Maybe your church has it filed away somewhere too.
NCH 32 / HPP 32 / VU 229 / HPSS 272 God of the sparrow, God of the whale. This is a beautiful song. Works especially well this week with the lyric: “God of the rainbow, God of the cross, God of the empty grave”.
*Tune In: Tune in (Sims) A simple kid’s song. “Tune in, tune in, there’s a message coming in.” Encourages kids to look for signs of God’s love. Good for kids. Lyrics, sample and songbook.
Seeds of Faith: It’s a sign of God’s love (Bruxvoort-Colligan) Not a congregational song – needs someone to sing this to the kids, really. Good for kids. Sound sample, lyrics and music.
*Recorded Music: "Just look up" by Eric Bibb and Michael Jerome Browne. On Eric Bibb's album "Friends" and on Putumayo's "Folk Playground". "There's a rainbow waiting for you, just look up". Sound sample.
NCH391 / SFFS 2238 / Cha458 In the midst of new dimensions (Rush) "Now and ever, now and ever, now and evermore". I quite like this one. Good for this week: "God of rainbow, fiery pillar". Hymnals vary in which verses they include.

Psalm 25:1-10
Trust in God 
*Tune In: God's Mercy. A beautiful ballad of healing: "Like the sun upon my skin, I can smile and take it in, and my wounds begin to heal, that's God's mercy". Lyrics and sound sample. 
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 sample. Lead sheet & Lyrics
*Emergent Psalter Let me know your ways (Everett) A really good psalm response. I just love this book - I think I like every Psalm in it. Sheet music (refrain only).  
*Linnea Good Make me know the path (Good) A lovely simple psalm response. Good for kids.
*Online resource Make me know your ways (Harding) A nice laid back and groovy Psalm response or chant. Can work as a round, too. Sound sample, sample PDF and purchasing options. VU753 AA117 / SP306 Safe in the hands of God / Safe in your hands O God (Perry) Good paraphrase of the Psalm. Tune will need to be played through at least once before the congregation join in.
*ATOK 414 / Iona (LFB, Common Ground) / CH501 / GA485 / G(II)480 / GC673 / GC(II)655 Take this moment, sign and space (Bell) A fairly well known favourite. Simple melody and beautiful words. Lyrics (includes a very skinny picture of Jesus).
GA210 / G(II)33 / GC35 / GC(II)27 / Srce635 Teach me your ways O Lord (Haas) Some hymnals have the other setting for Psalm 25 by David Haas (Remember your mercies O Lord), but I think the language in the cantored part of this version is more inclusive.
VU752 / G(II)34 GC36 GC(II)26 / URW248 To you O God I lift my soul (Haugen) Simple lilting cantor and response "To you O Lord I lift my soul, to you I lift my soul". Lead sheet. Sound sample. 
AoV2-014 To You O God I Lift Up My Soul (Hurd) I like this, but I can't remember why and I don't have the book with me... sorry.
TiS 14 / GA026 To you, O Lord I lift my soul (Willcock) Good cantor and response.
*Taizé / CH276 / VU22 / ELW262 / GA283 / G(II)256 / GC332 / GC(II)340 / CP094 / W&R166 / URW396 Wait for the Lord (Berthier) Very well known Taize chant. "Wait for the Lord, whose day is near, Wait for the Lord, keep watch, take heart!" Some sources have good cantor lines; some sources are not inclusive. Sound samples and sheet music. Good for kids.

1 Peter 3:18-22
Suffering to do good; Jesus’ ascent into hell; Baptism.
*Tune In: He left his home, fam'ly, friends / 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 & teenagers. 
*Tune In: O Spirit God / 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. 
*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).
*TiS 590 / AHB 165 / AoVK-117 / NCH506 / UMH526 / VU663 / LBW439 / ELW742 / HPP408 / PH403 / CP532 / W&R473 / Cha585 / Srce 776 What a Friend we have in Jesus There is a bit of masculine language, but the song has so many other good things about it. I like both tunes. AOVK has different lyrics, written specifically for kids, which I think are worth singing. Good for kids.
NCH575 / VU697 / PH386 / Cha683 O for a world where everyone respects (Winter) A song with good words sung to a well known hymn tune (AZMON). The words are a prayer for a world of peace and the reign of Christ. 

Mark 1:9-15
Baptism of Christ – Look, there’s that dove again – a little more than we read a few weeks ago. John is arrested and Jesus proclaims that the time is fulfilled….
*URW106 Here at Jordan's river (Duck) Sung to NOEL NOUVELET, this song is just perfect for our congregation. I really love this. Great for Baptism of Christ or any baptism.
*TiS 270 / AHB 199 / NCH115 / CH334 / VU20 / LBW548 / ELW842 / PH010 / G(II)260 / GC321 / 322 / GC(II)344 / CP103 / CP(E) 34 / W&R156 / 82Hml-076 On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry If you would like inclusive lyrics, have a look at the New Century Hymnal’s version. If you’d like a groovy tune, check out AHB 199(ii) / GC322 – ST JOHN BAPTIST by Gary Lewis Miles and Betty Pulkingham. This is an excellent, fun tune. You can even combine the words of NCH115 with AHB199(ii) for the best of both worlds. But WINCHESTER NEW is also very good, and easy to sing if you don’t have a congregation full of people who grew up in the 60s and 70s. Lyrics and tune sample (Winchester New). Good for kids (if you use the Miles/Pulkingham tune).
*Online resource Down by the Jordan (Winfrey Gillette) Good words based on this reading, set to the well known hymn tune LOBE DEN HERREN or could be sung to AURELIA (Thanks, Ben!). Free sheet music (loads a pdf)
PH071 Lord When You Came to Jordan (Wren) I like the questioning words which ask what it might have been like. Would sing it to Llangllofan or ELLACOMBE (TiS 361) “Lord, bring us to our Jordan Of newly opened eyes, Through love, immersed in living, As You were once baptized. Lyrics (scroll down)
*TiS 710 / CH758 / Iona (Enemy of Apathy) Come Holy Spirit gracious heavenly dove A beautiful and simple chant.
*TiS 419 / AHB 596 / NCH270 / CH592 / UMH544 / VU205 / WoV685 / ELW403 / HPP222 / PH314 / CP635 / CP(E) 185 / W&R327 Like the murmur of the dove's song Excellent words and a simple tune. Each verse ends with "Come holy spirit, come". Lyrics and organ sample.
*NCH285 / CH591 / SFFS 2123 / URW164 O Holy Dove of God descending / Spirit now live in me (Leech) Lovely simple tune, and beautiful words. Lyrics.
NCH168 / VU084 O radiant christ incarnate word (Duck) Good words; a little formal. WAREHAM is the easier tune.
*VU384 / SFFS 2052 / HPP229 / HPSS320 The Lone Wild Bird in lofty flight (Haugen / PROSPECT) Familiar tune and excellent words. First 3 verses and tune sample.
UMH252 / WoV647 / LBW647 / ELW305 / PH072 / CP(E) 93 / W&R241 When Jesus Came to Jordan (Pratt Green) Good words to a simple English folk tune. A bit formal.
*StS008 / SFFS 2089 / HPSS409 Wild and Lone the Prophet's Voice (Daw) Excellent, challenging words. I prefer this sung to ABERYSTWYTH which is well known and easily accessible. Lyrics
ATOK 344 You who puzzle on the Saviour's deeds (Beavis) A good song for older kids. Especially for Australian older kids. Lyrics (scroll down - maybe more verses than you need!). Good for kids.
*VU380 / SFFS 2122 / CP656 / SP&P006 She Comes Sailing on the Wind (Light) Of course. Excellent feminine imagery. The verses are quite tricky if your congregation is not familiar with them."As he rose up from the water, she swept down from the sky, and she carried him away in her embrace".