Songs, Hymns and Music for Easter 5B (6 May 2012)

Acts 8:26-40  
Philip and the conversion and baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch. The inclusion of outsiders.
You might like to use a song about baptism. 
*CH198 / MV001 / HPP550 / GC753 / GC(II)741 / G(3)850 / SP176 / URW058 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).
*MV 145 / CP418 / SP&P123 Draw the circle wide (Light) A great song about welcoming all people. Chorus is “Draw the circle wide, draw it wider still. Let this be our song, no-one stands alone, standing side by side, draw the circle wide”. Lyrics (downloads a Word document).
*TiS 691 Faith will not grow from words alone Excellent strong words of a questioning faith to a familiar hymn tune. I think it's important to note that the Ethiopian, while clearly a questioning sort of fellow, needed the guidance of another to gain understanding. 
AoV1-074 Come To The Water (Andersen) I love the words to this and it picks up the theme of baptism. It is not entirely inclusive. You may also have favourites within your congregation that relate to baptism that may be broadly applicable and good to ponder with this reading. Lyrics.

Psalm 22:25-31 
God’s constant care. Everyone will worship God.
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 / G(3)853 / CP349 / CP(E) 369 / W&R661 / Cha018 / Srce17 / 82Hml-377 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".
*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.
*VU745 In the presence of your people (Chambers - refrain only) Refrain only for singing with a reading of this Psalm.  
Online resource All the Ends of the Earth Shall Turn to you, O God (Harding) A very simple one-liner from Bruce Harding. Sheet music available for purchase here.
Linnea Good So while I live my soul is yours A very simple refrain or chant. A little longer than the above. 
*Tune In: Like the sun upon my skin / God’s Mercy A beautiful ballad about identifying God's mercy in the beauty of creation. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook available here.
*Tune In: The God that I know. A ballad drawing on God’s strength and comfort; not easy if unfamiliar. Lyrics and sample available here.
*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. 

1 John 4:7-21
God is love. Love each other. 
*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.
*TiS 217 / AHB 148 / NCH43 / CH519 / UMH384 / VU333 / LBW315 / ELW631 / GA463 / HPP48 / HPSS376 / GC622 / GC(II)613 / G(3)641 / CP485/6 / CP(E) 516 / W&R358 / Cha517 / Srce457 / URW100 / 82Hml-657 Love divine all loves excelling (Wesley) A beautiful classic song and most hymnals use a very inclusive version of this hymn, even the AHB! Lyrics and sound sample.
*TiS 697 All the sleepy should have a place to sleep (Edwards / PITNEY) Great chorus "Make love happen by God's grace and by God's power. Let God move you on this day and in this hour. New creations will then blossom like a flower for together we can be the hands of God".
*TiS 693 / AoV1-031 / GA212 Come as you are that's how I want you (Browne) This song is beautiful, gentle, simple, and very well known. Lyrics (search for "come as you are"). Slow and mushy sound sample. A good song to start the service. 

*AoV2-070 / ATW 496 / MV090 / StJ / G(3)719 Don't be afraid (Bell) Excellent. I love this song of reassurance. "Don't be afraid, my love is stronger. My love is stronger than your fear". This song can be used as a response to intercessions. Good for kids.
*GtB God is love and love is giving (Langmead) A simple kids' song about God's love. A round. Good for kids. Sound sample.
*CH115 / MV089 / Iona (Love from Below) Love is the touch of intangible joy (Robertson / Bell) words of different kinds of love – deep friendship, romantic love (Love is the lilt in a lingering voice), and the love of God. Each verse ends with "God is where love is, for love is of God". Tune is simple enough for a congregation to sing first go, and it has gorgeous chords. Lyrics (loads a pdf).

AoVK-44 God loves you and I love you (Trad) Good old Sunday School song. AoV version is not too tacky. Good for kids.
*Iona (M&G) / CH359 / MV033 / ZSS54 / StJ / ELW253 / GA293 / SFFS 2085 / G(II)276 / GC370 / GC(II)364 / G(3)429 / CP368 / W&R402 / ZSS54 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.
*TiS 640 / AHB 561 / ATE 310 / NCH498 / UMH432 / VU593 / WoV765 / ELW708 / HPP446 / HPSS367 / G(II)296 / GC409 / GC(II)429 / G(3)505 / CP504 / W&R273 / Cha600 / URW116 / 82Hml-602 Jesu Jesu fill us with your love / Kneels at the feet of his friends (Colvin & people of Ghana) Lyrics. Good for kids
*TiS 152 / NCH4 / UMH89 / VU232 / LBW551 / ELW836 / HPP22 / HPSS464 / GC529 / GC(II)520 / G(3)614 / CP425 / W&R59 / Cha002 / URW065 / 82Hml-376 Joyful joyful we adore thee Note that this hymn is not always very inclusive. I prefer more modern translations (e.g. TiS, VU, NCH, GC(II) ). Older version lyrics and tune sample.
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. Good for kids.

John 15:1-8
Christ as the vine. We are the branches that need to bear fruit, and remain on the vine. 
*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.
*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 393 / GA635 Christ is alive with joy we sing (Stotter) Joyful alleluias, and Easter images of Christ as grain of wheat, rising sun, vine and bread. Sung to the familiar tune VULPIUS.
FFS35 I am the vine and you are the branches (Murray/Render) Fun tune and good words. Lyrics here, and a different tune, which also looks pretty good.
G(II)479 / GC672 I am the vine and you the branches (Hurd) Simple and good words. Lead sheet and lyrics. Sound sample.
*TiS 419 / AHB 596 / NCH270 / CH592 / UMH544 / VU205 / WoV685 / ELW403 / HPP222 / PH314 / CP635 / CP(E) 185 / W&R327 / SP92 / 82Hml-513 Like the murmur of the dove's song (Daw) Excellent words and a simple tune about Christian unity. Each verse ends with "Come holy spirit, come". Lyrics and organ sample.   
TiS 531 / NCH76 / UMH664 / VU481 / R171 / ELW330 / HPP578 / W&R712 Sent forth by God's blessing (Westendorf) Lovely joyful folk tune (THE ASH GROVE), and the analogy of the vine and fruit is paramount in the first verse. NCH has a descant part written in, so look at that if you have some good high singers.
*ATOK 413 / Iona (HSNW) / CH533 / VU567 / StS039 / R276 / ELW798 / GA502 / SFFS 2130 / HPP317 / G(II)510 / GC700 / GC(II)687 / G(3)790 / CP430 / CP(E) 622 / W&R350 / URW060 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!

URW107 You are the vine and we are the branches (Garnaas-Holmes) This is quite good, and can be sung as a round. The lyrics might not work for Australian congregations.

Songs, Hymns and Music for Easter 4B (April 29 2012)

Acts 4:5-12   
Christ the cornerstone, through which healing and salvation come - you could really sing just about any hymn to this passage!
*NCH387 / HPSS443 / GC(II)646 / CP524 O Christ the great foundation (Lew) Excellent words of salvation and justice from Timothy Tingfang Lew, sung to the tune of "The church's one foundation" (AURELIA). There is a second possible tune (ABREU), which is more challenging. Lyrics. Note that the translation in the NCH is slightly different, and more inclusive. 
TiS 457 / AHB 385 / NCH386 / CH739 / UMH545 / VU331 / LBW369 / ELW654 / HPP484 / HPSS442 / GC661 / CP525 / 82Hml-525 The Church's one foundation (AURELIA) This is not my favourite hymn, but I have listed it so you know that alternative lyrics are available that don’t have that image of bride and groom that really annoys me. Maybe it’s just me, anyway. The lyrics I prefer to sing are in NCH386. But really, I like “O Christ the great foundation” (above) much better.
ATE 213 I go to the rock (Rambo) This just has the chorus, which is slightly, but I think it still works OK. I didn't know there were verses until typing this; and I think I like it better without the verses! Good for kids. Lyrics. Dottie Rambo herself singing it!
G(3)767 Called by Christ (Duck) A lovely song with a joyous chorus that feels like a good one to build community. "Built on the bedrock". Lyrics and lead sheet. Sound sample.
*TiS 669 / GGives2 Well Jesus is the rock (Dyson) Fun song for kids. Good for kids  Lyrics, melody line and chords.

Psalm 23   
The Lord is my shepherd. Again.
*TiS 10 / AHB 16 / AoV1-144 / NCH479 / Iona (Common Ground) / CH14/16 / UMH136 / VU747/8 / StS099 / LBW451 / ELW778 / GA473 / HPP55 / HPSS170 / CP519 / CP(E) 594 / W&R86 / Cha0789 / Srce662 The Lord's my Shepherd I'll not want / God is my shepherd It's not inclusive, but I think it's more than a sentimental favourite. Good to sing to a different tune every now and then, e.g. Brother James' Air. NCH, VU and Chalice all have an inclusive language version. You know, we've only sung this twice at Brunswick in the last 5 years.
*MV126 Are you a shepherd? (Duck) Good and joyous. Lots of images of God: shepherd, teacher, mother, father. A catchy chorus. Good for kids.
*Tune In: Like the sun upon my skin / God’s Mercy A beautiful ballad about identifying God's mercy in the beauty of creation. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook available here.
*Tune In: The God that I know. A ballad drawing on God’s strength and comfort; not easy if unfamiliar. Lyrics and sample available here.
*NCYC2007 Lead me on (Gioia) A pretty cool gospel rock song from the NCYC before last.
*Recorded Music 23rd Psalm (Bobby McFerrin) A beautiful feminine rendering of the Psalm. From the album Medicine Man. Listen to it here on Youtube. Gave people some challenging images of God last year when we played it. If you'd like to sing it, it's also in the Unitarian Universalist book "Singing the Journey" and "Music for Liturgy" from St. Gregory of Nyssa.
*Recorded music I am your true shepherd (Meet me in the middle of the air) - Paul Kelly. A beautiful song mainly based on Psalm 23 except for that "middle of the air" bit. Listen to a nice a cappella rendition here. Lyrics. It's on Paul Kelly's 2005 album "Foggy Highway".
*ATN 84 / NCH490 / CH539 / UMH521 / LBW660 / WoV660 / ELW325 / HPP433 / HPSS363 / CP512 / W&R506 / Cha627 / ZSS69 / URW110 I want Jesus to walk with me An excellent simple song. There are also many good recordings of this song. A few years ago we listened to an Eric Bibb recording of this song (from his album Roadworks) during the distribution of communion. I think it worked very well.
TiS 233 / AHB 173 I will sing the wondrous story A good old fashioned sing (HYFRYDOL). Note that it uses masculine language for Christ, which may bother some. “I was lost but Jesus found me, found the sheep that went astray, raised me up and gently led me back into the narrow way”.
AoV1-033 / WoV690 / ELW423 / SFFS 2058 / G(II)29 / GC31 / GC(II)23 Shepherd Me O God (Haugen) A nice reworking of the 23rd Psalm. The chant could also be used on its own: “Shepherd me O God beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life”. Sheet music, lyrics and a fairly unhelpful sound sample here.
G(II)458 / GC654 / GC(II)628 With a Shepherd's Care (Chepponis) Very nice words with feminine and masculine images for God. Would be very straightforward to sing. Painfully slow sound sample, lyrics and sheet music sample here.
*CH355 / VU210 / HPP81 / GC(II)525 / RS699 / CP630 You Lord Are Both Lamb and Shepherd (Dunstan) Beautiful words. Can be sung to many tunes. I like it to PICARDY or WESTMINSTER ABBEY. Sound sample, lyrics and sheet music sample here.
*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. Good for kids.
FFS39 It all depends on where I'm going (Gibson) Good words of God's constant presence through all of life's travels, sung to a simple Celtic-style tune (TE HORO). Full music and lyrics here.
*CH716 / VU374 / FFS10 / SFFS 2128 / W&R477 / Cha575 Come and find the quiet centre (Murray) A good song for the beginning of worship. I would prefer to sing this to one of the more traditional melodies offered (Tune 1 in FFS) or BEACH SPRING (TiS 493).
*W&R655 / URW202 Come Away from Rush and Hurry (Dawn) Excellent words of resting in a sacred space to the familiar tune BEACH SPRING (TiS 493).
*Cha734 (I) / URW244 My shepherd you supply my need and holy is your name Responsive psalm with sung refrain to the tune of the first line of Brother James' Air.
Here in this place Breathe in the morning air (Wiltshire) Lovely words for a soloist to sing at the start of a morning service to welcome the congregation. Sung to LOVE UNKNOWN. Free sheet music.

1 John 3:16-24
The importance of love and generous living.
*GtB God is love and love is giving (Langmead) A simple kids' song about God's love. A round. Good for kids. Sound sample.
*CH115 / MV089 / Iona (Love from Below) Love is the touch of intangible joy (Robertson / Bell) words of different kinds of love – deep friendship, romantic love (Love is the lilt in a lingering voice), and the love of God. Each verse ends with "God is where love is, for love is of God". Tune is simple enough for a congregation to sing first go, and it has gorgeous chords. Lyrics (loads a pdf).

*TiS 699 / AHB 571 / ATN 65 / WoV664 / GA318 / Srce35 A new commandment I give unto you (Westwood) Note that older sources do not have inclusive words, but more recent publications use "others" rather than "all men" to make it inclusive for all people. 
UMH710 / VU580 / LBW500 / ELW812 / ELW813 / HPP505 / GC600 / GC(II)579 / RS 726 Faith of Our Fathers living still / A Living Faith (Faber) Good words and a simple, standard hymn tune. Words include fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers. Sound sample, lyrics and sheet music sample.
G(II)445 / GC629 / GC(II)608 God Is Love and all who live in love live in God (Haas) This is a nice cantor and refrain piece. The refrain is very simple and the cantor part is inclusive. The words are really good. Lyrics and lead sheet. Slow sound sample.
*TiS 657 / CH263 / VU700 / AA50 / CP(E) 447 / Cha656 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.
Taize / MV075 / StS079 / SFFS 2118 / GC(II)479 / SP99 / URW395 Holy Spirit Come to Us / Veni sancte spiritus / Tui amoris (Berthier) Good if you have a cantor, but works equally well if you don't. Sheet music, translations, sound samples.
*MV094 Love knocks and waits (Damon) Lovely words and a simple lilting melody. Groovy bossa nova mp3 sample here. I reckon I would play it faster for our congregation.
TiS 630 / AHB 554 The law of Christ alone can make us free Great words by Australian poet James McAuley. Lyrics are not gender inclusive for God. The tune may be tricky if not familiar, so you may need to introduce the melody to your congregation.
UMH592 / HPP548 / W&R555 / Cha470 When the Church of Jesus shuts its outer door (Pratt Green) Sung to tune KING'S WESTON, this hymn has strong words of reproach and mission. Could work as a confession, sending out, or offering song. Lyrics.

John 10:11-18
Christ as the good shepherd who gathers the flock
In addition to those suggested for Psalm 23 above, you could also sing:
*MV126 Are you a shepherd? (Duck) Good and joyous. Lots of images of God: shepherd, teacher, mother, father. A catchy chorus. Good for kids. 

TiS 420 Holy Spirit go before us (Elizabeth Smith) Great words of evangelism and justice to a simple lilting melody. If you think your congregation can't cope with a new tune this week, it can be sung to AUSTRIA (TiS 93).
TiS 239 / AHB 185 / ATE 236 / NCH48 Jesus the Christ said "I am the bread" Note verse 4 “The one good shepherd of the sheep am I”. This simple Urdu song is quite good for kids. Some books have “Jesus the Lord said...” and some say "for mankind", but some change that to "for the world"
*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.

Songs, Hymns and Music for Intercessory Prayer

Sometimes it's good to have a short refrain for the Prayers of the People / Intercessions.

Here are a few ideas.

*TiS 741 / AoV1-017 / ATE 282 / LBW368 / ELW407 / GA431 / SFFS 2200 / G(II)410 / GC586 / GC(II)566 / Taize / W&R484 / Srce519 / URW390 O Lord hear my prayer (Berthier) A simple and very well known Taize chant. Works well during intercessions. Good for kids.
URW311 I love you Lord you hear my cry (Watts) A simple song with two verses, or you could use it as a Psalm refrain with the text read by a leader. It would be pretty amazing if you can sing it in 4 parts, I reckon. The 2nd verse could be quite appropriate on its own during intercessions.
Online resource Come in your fullness / Lord hear our prayer (Langmead) A good and quite simple response. Sheet music and sound sample.

*AoV2-078 / VU952 / GA151 / SP206 Through Our Lives And by Our prayers Bell An excellent chant for use in Intercessory prayers (or anytime really). Not super easy, but once known, it's very memorable.
GC(II)554 / G(3)664 Lord hear our prayer (Lawton) A very simple prayer response. Good if you'd like an alternative to the Taize "O Lord hear my prayer". Could be used as a response during intercessory prayers. Lead sheet. Sound sample (is that an accordion?).
Worldmaking.net / CP086 / SP&P More Than We Can Ask A great chant for use during intercessions. Very simple and genuine. Sound sample and lyrics.
*AoV2-070 / ATW 496 / MV090 / StJ / G(3)719 Don't be afraid (Bell) Excellent. I love this song of reassurance. "Don't be afraid, my love is stronger. My love is stronger than your fear". This song can be used as a response to intercessions. Good for kids.
GC(II)753 / G(3)860 Watch O Lord (St. Augustine / Haugen) Lovely gentle prayers of intercession for an evening service. A bit schmaltzy, but worth it. The verses have a cantor and response.
Iona (LFB) / Lau930 Listen Lord (Iona / Bell) Beautiful chant-like chorus, can be used on its own or as a response, or used with the verses. Good to use for the intercessions.
MV096 And when you call for me (Bauman / Good) This simple chant "And when you call for me I have already answered... I am already there" might work nicely during the prayers of intercession. Tune is not immediately easy, so teach your congregation first. Good for kids.
AoV2-137 / Iona (SBL) / CH262 For the world and all its people (Somos Pueblo) This is a beautiful, haunting song. It will need to be taught, but once your congregation gets it, I'm sure they'll love it. Particularly good to use during intercessions. 

Kyries are also very useful as prayer responses.

Songs, Hymns and Music for Easter 3B (April 22 2012)

Acts 3:12-19  
Peter preaches the gospel. Christ was rejected but faith in Christ brings healing. Christ the fulfiller of the prophets.
You could really sing just about anything for this reading.
*TiS 178 / G(II)335 / GC478 / GC(II)487 Praise the God who changes places (Wren) I like the joy of the tune written by William Rowan (BOE) for this song. Lyrics and sign language here (scroll to the bottom for the lyrics). Sound sample.
*TiS 210 / AHB 141 / NCH42 / CH352 / UMH57 / VU326 / LBW42 / ELW295 / HPP74 / PH466 / CP306 / CP(E) 534 / W&R96 / Cha005 / Srce506 / 82Hml-493 O for a thousand tongues to sing (Wesley) A classic. I particularly love NATIVITY for these words, and it's such a fun tune. My son, who is 8, loves it. In the AHB, Christ is masculine, but I think that's okay. Lyrics and one possible tune.
*TiS 242 / AHB 183 / AoV1-018 / ATN 27 / CH404 / UMH261 / VU352 / HPP163 / PH302 / G(II)481 / GC708 / GC(II)689 I danced in the morning (Carter / SIMPLE GIFTS) Well known and very easy to sing. Lyrics and tune sample. Good for kids.
*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.
*TiS 382 / AoV2-131 / ATN 15 / NCH238 / CH417 / UMH311 / VU186 / LBW280 / ELW570 / HPP210 / G(II)318 / GC444 / GC(II)456 / CP237 Now the green blade riseth (NOEL NOUVELET) I love these words and this simple French folk tune. I particularly like this played to guitar, but TiS has an excellent piano arrangement too. Lyrics and tune sample. 

Psalm 4
Answer when I call; when you are disturbed ponder it on your beds. God brings safety and hears.
Church folders Turn an ear to me O Lord / Answer when I call (Foley) This is actually a setting of Psalm 102, but the refrain will work for this Psalm as well. It's in the folders at Brunswick UCA. Sound sample.
*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. 
*Emergent Psalter Answer me (Everett) A simple refrain for a psalm read over improvised music. Sheet music for refrain.  
*AoV1-056 / CH217 / GA541 / G(II)551 / GC761 / GC(II)750 / URW201 God of Day and God of Darkness (Haugen) This song is specific for evening services, but lovely words and set to a familiar tune (BEACH SPRING). Lyrics and sign language (scroll to bottom for lyrics).   
*Linnea Good When I lie down (Bauman / Good) Simple refrain.  
*TiS 613 / AHB 546 / ATOK 405 / CH166 / LBW469 / ELW765 / SFFS 2197 / HPP265 / GC578 /  GC(II)560 / CP506 / CP(E) 507 / W&R469 / URW179 / 82Hml-482 Lord of all hopefulness Lord of all joy (Struther) Good words for an all-rounder. This has been set to a number of tunes, but I prefer it to SLADE.

VU727 In the night I can take my rest (Wright) Simple refrain to a responsive setting of the Psalm. PH160 In the night I can take my rest (Teague) A simple refrain to the Psalm.  
*AoV2-091 When The Night becomes dark your love O Lord is a fire (Toolan) A lovely simple chant. Sound sample. 
*Taize When The Night becomes dark your love O Lord is a fire (Berthier) Lovely Taize chant to the same words. Sound sample.  
NCH553 / UMH375 / VU612 / WoV737 / ELW614 / HPP379 / PH394 / G(II)460 / GC648 / GC(II)617 / W&R631 / Cha501 / ZSS114 / SgTJ1045 There is a balm in Gilead (African-American Spiritual) This beautiful song, while not steeped in layers of meaning for non-Americans is worth singing wherever you live. Lyrics and sheet music. Sound sample. 
*GC(II)618 / G(3)729 Only You O God (Briehl) A nice alternative to "Balm in Gilead", sung to the same tune. Verse 2 is particularly touching.  Lyrics and sheet music. Sound sample. 
*Recorded music: Trish Watts In the stillness This beautiful chant would fit well with the Psalm; from her album "Invokation". "In the stillness, there is a sweet gentle voice, calming the storm in the night". Available here.
*AoV2-054 Iona (T1AU, LFB) MV077 SFFS 2057 G(II)438 GC618 RS 736 SP&P111 URW409 Be still and know that I am God (Chant) (Bell / Maule) Beautiful. I'd much rather sing this than the more well known version. Works as a round or in unison. I think this might be a good way for kids to understand some of this Psalm. Good for kids.
*ATOK 311 CH754 GA401 Be still and know that I am God and there is none beside me (Iona) A good alternative. I like the 2nd verse especially "I am the one who calls you my friends, and there is none beside me". CH doesn't have the 2nd verse.  Again, while not directly related to the Psalm, it is related and Good for kids.


1 John 3:1-7
We are God’s children. In Christ there is no more sin.
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.
*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-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.  


Luke 24:36b-48
Christ revealed in the breaking of bread and he eats some fish. Christ as the fulfillment of the prophets.
*TiS 382 / AoV2-131 / ATN 15 / NCH238 / CH417 / UMH311 / VU186 / LBW280 / ELW570 / HPP210 / G(II)318 / GC444 / GC(II)456 / CP237 Now the green blade riseth (NOEL NOUVELET) I love these words and this simple French folk tune. I particularly like this played to guitar, but TiS has an excellent piano arrangement too. Lyrics and tune sample.
ATW 437 I have seen the Lord (Mann) I like this one. Lyrics here.
*Iona (Love From Below) / CH434 / CP232 Jesus is risen from the grave (CHILDER) Good, simple rhythm and tune. You can even make up some verses if you like. Good for kids.
GC(II)722 Jesus give us your peace (Mahler) Gospel song. It kind of merges personal peace with global peace. "Jesus bring us your peace, bring us together, let all the fighting cease…" Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music (search for "Give us your peace")
*AoV1-091 / AoVK-68 / StS016 / G(II)527 / GC(II)720 Peace before us peace behind us (Haas) love this one. Reflective. Careful not too get too schmaltzy because it's long. Less is more. Lyrics, sound sample, and melody line sheet music here (search for "prayer of peace"). Good for kids.
TiS 361 / AHB 277 / NCH245 / CH413 / UMH303 / VU164 / LBW141 / ELW361 / HPP197 / HPSS118 / CP205 The day of Resurrection (ELLACOMBE) Ancient words; inclusive yet old fashioned. Can also be sung to Lancashire, but I prefer Ellacombe.
*TiS 380 / AHB 303 / NCH253 / CH419 / UMH308 / VU173 / LBW145 / ELW376 / HPP203 / HPSS122 / CP210 / CP(E)160 / W&R310 / Cha218 / Srce694 Thine be the glory risen conquering Son One of the few older hymns that doesn't require updating. A great classic hymn! Lyrics and tune.
*Tune In: Making things new (Anderson). A groovy one. Great for kids, and lots of fun. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook. Good for kids.

*MV168 May peace be with you / Salamun Kullaheen (Traditional Lebanese) Simple chant in English and Arabic. I reckon this would be a good one for our congregation to learn.
*NCH249 / GA517 Peace I leave with you my friends (Norbert) Slow, simple and excellent words. A congregation will pick this up the first time through, I think.