Songs, Hymns & Music for Proper 10B/Ordinary 15B/Pentecost 7 (15 July 2012)

2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19  
A celebratory procession with the Ark of the Covenant; David dancing and Michal is displeased
Some simple celebratory dancing songs would go well with this passage: 
*TiS 670 / AoVK-138 / ATE 258 / CH692 / Srce385 Jesus put this song into our hearts (Kendrick) A fun Yiddish tune that gets even more fun if you get faster and faster as you go. Try teaching your congregation a simple side to side “dance” step. If you teach them and make it clear that it’s okay, you’ll be surprised how many people dance to God. Good for kids. Lyrics.
*Srce Teach me to dance (Kendrick) Thanks to David MacGregor for suggesting this to the facebook group and on his website. The chorus of this is just great, and can be used on its own, or with the verses. Good for kids.  Lyrics Sound sample (youtube) Chords (not all the lyrics are correct)
*VU128 / World Council of Churches Assembly 1991 Canberra Sanna sannanina An excellent African processional. Great for drumming and dancing as the Bible is brought forward; that would be pretty cool to do with any song really, especially if it's adults dancing, not just the kids! Good for kids 
*TiS 666 / AoV2-113 / AoVK-126 / ATOK 409 / NCH526 / Iona (Common Ground, Freedom is Coming) / CH516 / VU646/647 / WoV650 / ELW866 / SFFS 2235 / HPP153 / G(II)357 / GC513 / GC(II)516 / G(3)594 / Cha442 / SP235 / Srce737 We are marchhe light of God / Siyahamba / Caminando. A very well known South African protest song; you can add a verse "we are dancing in the light of God". Lyrics (multiple translations). Good for kids.
*Singing the Living Tradition (Unitarian Universalist Hymnal) 220 Bring out the festal bread Somehow I've ended up with a photocopy of this song to a traditional Hebrew melody. If you happen to be celebrating communion this Sunday, this song would fit well; imagine dancing down the aisle to bring the bread forward (don't spill the wine though...). The lyrics are about "sister Miriam", but you could sing "brother David" as well. Lyrics here (loads a pdf).
SP&P205 So dance into joy with hands upraised (Camp) I have written that this song is good, but I can't remember why, and I'm in Houston, TX while my books are in Melbourne, Australia, so I can't tell you.... apologies!
PH484 Sing with Hearts (Malicsi) Sung to a traditional Kalinga melody, this song is a good one for celebrating music and dance in worship. It is quite simple, even if unfamiliar to Western ears. 
AoVK-94 / MV156 Dance with the Spirit early in the morning (Strathdee) I have a love-hate relationship with this song, but it is a good song for kids. "Dance with the Spirit early in the morning. Walk with the Spirit throughout the long day. Work and hope for a new life a bornin’. Listen to the Spirit to show you the way."  Good for kids
*AoV1-003 / HPP258 / GA394 / G(II)342 / GC497 / GC(II)495 / RS638 The heavens are telling the glory of God / Canticle of the Sun (Haugen) Energetic waltz of cosmic praise with great lyrics "Come dance in the forest, come play in the field, and sing, sing to the glory of the Lord". Sound sample. Lyrics and sheet music sample. 
*TiS 181 / AoV2-032 / GC(II)497 / G(3)577 / CP589 Come O God of all the earth / Sing Out Earth and Skies (Haugen) A big favourite of our congregation. "Dance to the life around you". Sheet music, lyrics. Sound sample. Good for kids.  

Psalm 24 
The earth is God's; importance of purity; God wins battles
*VU750 / CH020 / PH177 Lift up the gates eternal (Duba / Jabusch) Good words based on this Psalm; the Israeli Folk melody makes this fun. This would fit well with the dancing theme in the Samuel reading too. Good for kids.
*CH289 / GC(II)341 Lift up your heads eternal gates (Weissel / Bell) I like how this reworking of the old standard turns the violent battle God image on its head and points to Christ instead. The tune is a lovely old medieval-style tune, which should not be difficult. The chorus has been written in 4 parts which would be great if you can get some singers to sing the parts, or teach your congregation the chorus before the service starts. The parts for the chorus are very simple. Sound sample. Lyrics and lead sheet.
*TiS 181 / AoV2-032 / GC(II)497 / G(3)577 / CP589 Come O God of all the earth / Sing Out Earth and Skies (Haugen) A big favourite of our congregation. "Dance to the life around you". Sheet music, lyrics. Sound sample. Good for kids. 
*AoV1-003 / HPP258 / GA394 / G(II)342 / GC497 / GC(II)495 / RS638 The heavens are telling the glory of God / Canticle of the Sun (Haugen) Energetic waltz of cosmic praise with great lyrics "Come dance in the forest, come play in the field, and sing, sing to the glory of the Lord". Sound sample. Lyrics and sheet music sample.
ATW 462 When I consider God's design (Hand in hand) Good words of all creation celebrating together. Tune is okay, too. Lyrics here.
*MV027 Creator God you gave us life (Snowdon) A lovely song, with a stirring chorus. I think it would be quite straightforward to sing: "Through hands that paint majestic skies, and voices chanting melody, with words that reach beyond the page, we comprehend your mystery. Lyrics (loads a pdf).
Iona (SBL) / CH140 / MV181 / WoV727 / ELW554 / G(II)341 / GC495 Lord Your Hands Have Formed This World / The Earth is the Lord's (Oliano) Good words of creation to a lovely, and not too difficult, Phillippino melody; it will need to be taught. Lyrics (first verse only) Tune.
G(II)32 / GC34 / GC(II)25 / G(3)37 O God this is the people that longs to see your face (Keil)  Simple cantor and response. "O God this is the people that longs to see your face". Kind of strange construction. I'd rather sing "O God we are the people who long to see your face". Lead sheet and lyrics.
*NCH559 / PH266 / W&R36 Thank You God for Water Soil and Air (Wren) Good words asking God's forgiveness for the way we have damaged the planet we have been entrusted with, and a plea to help us renew the face of the earth by caring for creation. A prayer of confession. Can't tell you much about the tune, because I don't have these hymnals and can't find it on the internet anywhere. Lyrics.


Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Amos 7:7-15 
Sometimes God leads us to speak the truth and that can get us in trouble.
NCH588 / StJ / WoV763 / ELW717 Let justice flow like streams (Parker Huber) Excellent words to the very familiar tune ST THOMAS. This must be the only hymn in existence with the words "plumb-line" in it. I would not have found this without WoV, Pastor Tim - Thank you! Lyrics (downloads a pdf of a pretty amazing service - lyrics are on p3)
AoV2-102 / GA509 Who will speak if we don't (Haugen) Excellent challenging words. Good for teenagers.
*Iona (M&G, T1AU) / MV099 / GC(II)673 / G(3)763 / Lau996 Stand O Stand Firm (Cameroon) I love having an excuse to sing this simple and powerful song. Very easy for your congregation. You can make up cantor parts too “Oh my sisters…. Oh my brothers… Oh my children….” or you can name countries you are praying for in your intercessions. Good for kids. Scottish sound sample. Lead sheet.
*TiS 689 / ATE 286 / GtB Lord hear my praying, listen to me / Sorrowing song (Mann) Powerful words of lamentation to a simple tune. Words are straightforward about asking difficult questions of God. Lyrics.
*TiS 657 / CH263 / VU700 / AA50 / CP(E) 447 / Cha656 / SP242 God of freedom God of justice (Murray / Guthrie Foote) Powerful lyrics. Can be sung to either TREDEGAR (new, but not too hard) or PICARDY (very familiar). Lyrics and midi.
*Online Resource Hear the message we now are proclaiming / El mensaje que hoy proclamamos. This jubilant Colombian song of liberty and new life for the poor and suffering would fit well with this reading. This energetic song is not hard to sing, and if the congregation sings only the chorus, while a cantor sings the rest, they will be able to easily sing along by the 3rd verse without stress.  Free sheet music.
*Tune In / NCYC '07: Forgive us now (Brown) This is one of the best songs seeking forgiveness that I know. Lyrics, sound sample, and songbook.

Psalm for the Amos reading:  Psalm 85:8-13 
God will speak peace; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. God’s forgiveness and steadfastness.
AoV1-106 / UMH376 / WoV774 / ELW753 / G(II)528 / GC730 / GC(II)724 / G(3)822 / CP562 /  Cha297 / URW443 / 82Hml-712 / Lau904 Dona Nobis Pacem (American folk song) This is very well known, and would fit well with this reading. Good for kids
 Taizé / TiS 713 Dona nobis pacem domine / cordium (Berthier) There is a specific cantor line for Psalm 85 to go with this prayer of peace. Sound sample and sheet music for the refrain here.
*TiS 409 / AHB 322 / CH595 / UMH543 / VU202 / StJ / Cha250 O Breath of life come sweeping through us (Elizabeth Porter Head) This is a really wonderful older style hymn with inclusive lyrics. Lyrics and sound sample. Not all verses are in all hymnals
AoVNG55 / Iona (WWHW) / G(II)74 / CP113 Come O Lord and Set Us Free (Ducote / Daigle/ Balhoff) Good simple, inclusive refrain with a pretty groovy cantor line; could work for the younger set. Sample sheet music. Sound sample.
G(II)254 / GC330 Let Me Taste Your Mercy Like Rain (Cooney) Good words of both personal and communal redemption. Simple contemporary tune. Lyrics & lead sheet. Clunky sound sample.  
*CH198 / MV001 / GC753 / GC(II)741 / RS 846 Let Us Build a House / All are welcome (Haugen / TWO OAKS) This song has wonderful lyrics of hope for what a Christian community can be like, and a chorus that joyfully says “All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place”. Sheet music sample. Sound sample. Lyrics (scroll down a little).
*TiS 217 / AHB 148 / NCH43 / CH519 / UMH384 / VU333 / LBW315 / ELW631 / GA463 / HPP48 / HPSS376 / GC622 / GC(II)613 / CP485/6 / CP(E) 516 / W&R358 / Cha517 / Srce457 / URW100 Love divine all loves excelling A beautiful classic song and most hymnals use a very inclusive version of this hymn, even the AHB! Lyrics and sound sample.
MV222 May the peace of God be your peace (McLaren) A lovely benediction. Will need to be taught first.
CH659 / MV173 / StJ / W&R389 Put peace into each other’s hands (Kaan) Good words for communion; tune is quite simple and flows nicely. Good for kids Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
*Emergent Psalter Show us your mercy O God (Everett) A simple refrain and read Psalm.
CH720 / SP204 There is a longing in our hearts O Lord (Quigley) Good words of longing for God's love, justice, wisdom, healing. A good song for before or after intercessions.

Ephesians 1:3-14
Adopted children with the inheritance of forgiveness 
God as our loving adoptive parent and our new inheritance
Online resource Children of God (Harding) A simple two part chant. Will need to be taught. Sheet music sample (note that the sound sample on this site is for a different song!)
AoV2-037 Children Of God in one family (Walker) Great for kids. Sometimes we mess up, but God forgives. Good for kids.
AoVK-119 We're God's family God's children (Watts/O'Brien) Good words. Catchy tune.  Good for kids.
*TiS 465 / AHB 399 / ATA 115 / NCH279 / Iona (SBL) / CH116 / GA381 Our God in heaven / Father in heaven / Loving Creator grant to your children (Maquiso / Niles) I really like this hymn, especially the Philippino folk melody to which it's set. Newer versions of the hymn from the Christian Conference of Asia have altered the lyrics to "Our God in heaven / Creator God" in the first verse. Other versions, such as CH4 have "Loving Creator / Parent and God".
*MV157 I am a child of God (Harding) A simple song with powerful words. Good for kids and adults alike. Very easy to learn. Good for kids (just the first verse probably).
*TiS 417 / AoV2-133 / ATW 448 / VU387 / StJ / WoV683 / ELW397 / AA94 / HPP237 / HPPS323 / URW203 Loving Spirit, Loving Spirit (Murray). There are about a zillion tunes set for this. I prefer FELICITY (by Colin Gibson TiS 417), but also like RESTORATION. Lyrics are here.  
ATE 284 / VU395 Come in come in and sit down A good welcoming song for kids; not so well-loved by adults. Good for kids
*TiS 163 / AHB 112 / NCH556 / UMH150 / LBW463 / ELW771 / HPPS268 / W&R644 / Cha651 / URW084 / 82Hml-580 God who stretched the spangled heavens (Cameron) Good words of creation of nature and cities and creative possibilities for the future. Some sources do not have inclusive language. There are many possible tunes. I like it best to HOLY MANNA as in the link. Lyrics and sound sample.
TiS 180 / UMH105 / W&R58 / Cha013 God of many names (Wren) If this is new it will need to be taught to your congregation as the tune is not intuitive, but it is worth knowing. The chorus is particularly appealing to kids. Lyrics
NCH072 / UMH552 / VU362 / ELW530 / PH465 / CP534 / W&R597 / Cha278 Here O Lord Your Servants Gather / Sekai no Tomo (Yamaguchi) Beautiful song about being a community of faith seeking strength and courage. Lovely simple Japanese tune. Sound sample and lyrics.
TiS 428 / AHB 340 Help us O Lord to learn Great challenging (but quite formal) words about being committed to learning the faith. Good for a New Year message. Boring tune though. I would sing it to ST THOMAS (TiS 271 / AHB 198) Lyrics (with thees and thys, which are not in TiS).
Tune In: Community (Brown) A great and very easy-to-sing contemporary song about being welcomed and part of a community. Sound sample and lyrics here.
TiS 417 / AoV2-133 / ATW 448 / CH597 / VU387 / StJ / WoV683 / ELW397 / AA94 / HPP237 / PH323 / CP657 / W&R135 / Cha244 / URW203 Loving Spirit loving Spirit There are about a zillion tunes set for this. I prefer FELICITY (by Colin Gibson TiS 417), but also like RESTORATION. Lyrics are here.


Mark 6:14-29
The death of John the baptist
Sorry, but I don't have any song suggestions for this reading!

Songs, Hymns & Music for Proper 9B/Ordinary 14B/Pentecost 6 (8 July 2012)

2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10
David gets more powerful and God was with him.
*AoV1-137 / ATOK 403 / GA306 / G(II)286 God Of Abraham lead us (Farrell) I love this energetic call and response with the response "Lead us to your kingdom". Strangely, it doesn't mention David. Perhaps you could make up a "God of David be with us" verse.  Don't try to sing all 17 verses! Choose what you like... 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. 
*MV45 / SP&P051 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
MV048 I can feel you near me God / Jump for joy (Mayberry) Good song for smaller kids about God being with us. I reckon you could get the kids to Jump in the chorus. Maybe it's a bit too happy clappy for some? Good for smaller kids.
*NCYC2007 Lead me on (Gioia) A pretty cool gospel rock song from the NCYC before last about God leading us through difficult times.  Good for kids & teenagers.

Psalm 48
God is steadfast and eternal and victorious.
*TiS 626 / AHB 557 / CH500 / GA423 Lord of creation to you be all praise! (Winslow) This song fits most of the readings this week quite well. A wonderful traditional and quite inclusive hymn to the familiar tune SLANE. Lyrics.
Iona (M&G) / CH379 Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal (Murray: Agios o Theos) I think a version of the Trisangion "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Eternal, Have Mercy On Us" is the only honest response I can make to this reading. I have found only one in the sources I have, which may work well for prayers of confession. You may like to simply use the refrain, the rest is a bit difficult to make accessible.
NCH Psalter We ponder your steadfast love O God (McMane) A lovely simple refrain and a cantor part which may be read or sung. 
*TiS 569 / AHB 478 / NCH18/19 / CH167 / UMH127 / VU651 / LBW343 ELW618 / HPP432 / HPSS281 / CP565 / CP(E) 455 / W&R501 / Cha622 / 82Hml690 / Lau960 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.

Emergent Psalter  Tell the next generation that this is our God (Everett) A good chant with a psalm read over improvised chords. Sheet music.
SiS635 / StJ / SFFS2002 / W&R653 I Will Call upon the Lord (O'Shields) Fun. Don't take it too seriously; break into a round if you feel like it. I always imagine crazy 80s hair metal drums and guitars for the chorus. There is a second verse in some sources which really isn't needed (or good). Lyrics and chords here. I may have listened (accidentally, of course... ahem) to Petra in the 80s.
*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. You could also use this as a Psalm refrain. Good for kids.
GC(II)615 / G(3)704 My Song Will Be for You Forever (Haas) Lovely words and a simple chorus. The sound sample makes it sound like a musical theatre piece, but I think it's good for a congregation, or a choir, or at least for the congregation to join in the chorus. Sound sample. Sheet music sample. Or purchase here.

Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Ezekiel 2:1-5
God sends Ezekiel
*TiS 658 / AoV1-090 / ATE 296 / CH251 / UMH593 / VU509 / WoV752 / ELW574 / HPP541 / HPSS525 / G(II)492 / GC(II)671 / CP(E) 470 / W&R559 / Cha452 / Srce328 I the Lord of sea and sky / Here I am Lord (Schutte). Lyrics, sheet music sample and tune sample here (search for Here I am Lord). Good for kids.

*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")
*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 / G(3)776 / W&R713 / Cha447 / SP234 Send me Jesus / Thuma mina You all know this one, right? Good for kids.
*ATOK 412 / Iona (SBL, Common Ground) / CH250 / MV212 / SFFS 2184 / Lau855 Sent by the Lord am I / Sent out in Jesus name / Enviado soy de Dios (Traditional Cuban) / Great rhythm, good words and not too hard to sing (provided you sing it a little slowly the first time!) I prefer the MV translation "Sent out in Jesus' name".


Psalm for the Ezekiel reading Psalm 123
Have mercy on us. We’re tired of people looking down at us.
You might like to sing a Kyrie.
Linnea Good To you I lift up my eyes (Good) A simple response.
*Taizé / 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.
 *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.
Emergent Psalter The snare is broken (Everett) A simple refrain to a read Psalm with backing music. Sample sheet music. 

2 Corinthians 12:2-10  
A near death experience of a friend.... When we are weak, God is strong.
*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.
*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.
*CH655 / URW082 For your generous providing (Fisher) Lovely words to the well-known hymn tune HOLY MANNA. Particularly good if you celebrate communion this week. "Through the depths of joy and sorry, though the road be smooth or rough, fearless we can face tomorrow, for your grace will be enough". BUC people: I have a copy of this.
*TiS 626 / AHB 557 / CH500 / GA423 Lord of creation to you be all praise! (Winslow) This song fits most of the readings this week quite well. A wonderful traditional and quite inclusive hymn to the familiar tune SLANE. Lyrics.
*Iona (M&G) / CH524 Jesus Christ our living Lord (Sandor) This is a new one to me. Quite simple, and encouraging words of service and simplicity. I think this would be a good one to learn and remember again and again.
*TiS 129 / AHB 56 / AoV1-029 / ATA 131 / NCH547 / CH555 / UMH378 / VU266 / LBW448 / ELW779 / GA437 / HPP334 / PH280 / G(II)434 / GC612 / GC(II)586 / CP352 / CP(E) 375 / W&R422 / Cha546 / ZSS202 / Srce25 Amazing grace how sweet the sound (NEW BRITAIN/Newton) I once was lost... I think you all know this one. Nice youtube of some Sacred Harp singing, and a story. 


Mark 6:1-13
Jesus goes home and is largely ignored. He sends the disciples out
*TiS 626 / AHB 557 / CH500 / GA423 Lord of creation to you be all praise! (Winslow) This song fits most of the readings this week quite well. A wonderful traditional and quite inclusive hymn to the familiar tune SLANE. Lyrics.
*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 / G(3)776 / W&R713 / Cha447 / SP234 Send me Jesus / Thuma mina You all know this one, right? Good for kids.
*ATOK 412 / Iona (SBL, Common Ground) / CH250 / MV212 / SFFS 2184 / Lau855 Sent by the Lord am I / Sent out in Jesus name / Enviado soy de Dios (Traditional Cuban) Great rhythm, good words and not too hard to sing (provided you sing it a little slowly the first time!) I prefer the MV translation "Sent out in Jesus' name".
 *TiS 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.
CH350 / UMH263 / VU358 / StS044 When Jesus the healer passed through Galilee (Smith) A simple song with many verses (you don't have to sing all of them!), and a simple "Heal us, heal us today" refrain. This would be good for kids or those who can't read, as they'll be able to join in easily. Verse 5 is particularly appropriate "The twelver were commissioned and sent out in twos, Heal us, heal us today, to make the sick whole and to spread the good news, Heal us, Lord Jesus". Good for kids.
*CH683 / VU420 / GC(II)469 / CP598 / W&R553 / SP156 / URW132 / Lau426 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. 

G(3)759 God Sends Us Forth (Alonso) A folksy 6/8 minor key song of sending out. Sheet music sample.
*TiS 541 / CH674 / WoV722 / ELW535 / G(II)394 / GC562 / GC(II)529 / G(3)626 / CP082 / SP&P190 / W&R709 / ZSS198 / URW400 Hallelujah we sing your praises / Haleluyah! Pelo Tsa Rona. Joyous and simple song. Sound sample. Sheet music sample. Good for kids.