Songs, Hymns & Music for Proper 6C / Ordinary 11C / Pentecost +3 (June 12, 2016)

1 Kings 21:1-10, (11-14), 15-21a
Jezebel and Ahab kill Naboth, take his land, and Elijah prophesies against Ahab
A Kyrie would work well - there are lots to choose from - here's a long list!  
  • Tune In / NCYC'07 Forgive us now (Brown). “As we forgive may we be healed, as we reach out….” An excellent ballad. Lyrics and sound sample.
  • Iona (SBL) / MV068 / G(II)405 / GC581 / GtG578 / PfAS009A  Kyrie Guarany / On the poor, on the poor  (Sosa) A simple Kyrie from Paraguay; This is our current favourite at Brunswick. The English translation varies depending on the source (we don't sing On the Poor). Sound sample (track 12). Good for kids. 
  • Tune In Cover us with love (Loukes) This song may not be easy for congregations to sing, but it is great to listen to. “Be our vision Lord, in a world that’s filled with greed”. We have not sung this in a while... Lyrics, sound sample, and songbook
  • Tune In Our God who weeps (Kate Scull) Very simple folk-like tune and challenging and hopeful lyrics. "When death has taken those held dear"... Reference recording, lyrics and songbook.
  • FFS13 E te Ariki (Lord have mercy) (Render) A Maori Kyrie to a beautiful relaxed tune. Needs to be sung in Maori, and this would not be hard.
A good Sunday to acknowledge the violence by which land was taken from Native peoples in Australian and American history (Australian song suggestions follow).
  • Online ResourceCreator God you made this land (Pearson) Words of reconciliation from the United Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress. "Great Spirit in this ancient land, speak in the stillness deep within. Remove all prejudice and fear, give life to all, new hope begin. Then help us gently walk as friends, while on this land your peace descends". Sung to the familiar tune ST PETERSBURG (TiS375). Lyrics (downloads a pdf). New words to old tunes.
  • Recorded Music Special treatment (Paul Kelly) This song could work well during a prayer of confession; Archie Roach has recorded it too; I like his version better. Youtube. Lyrics
Psalm 5:1-8
A cry for God to listen and lead; God's hatred for deceit
  • PfAS005B Give ear to our words O Lord (Hyder) Excellent chorus which works on its own or as a response to the Psalm. Highly recommended. Sound sample 
  • PfAS005C Hear my words O Lord (Scheer)  Quite simple, but longish, Psalm refrain, which would work well on its own. 
  • PfAS005A Hear O Lord my urgent prayer (Post) Straightforward metrical hymn-like Psalm.
  • Taizé / TiS 741 / AoV1-017 / ATE 282 / LBW368 / ELW407 / GA431 / SFFS 2200 / GtG471 / G(II)410 / GC586 / GC(II)566 / G(3)666 / W&R484 / Srce519 / URW390 / Lau929 / PfAS013A / PfAS102A / MP908 O Lord hear my prayer (Berthier) A simple and very well known Taizé chant. Works well during intercessions. You could read the Psalm between repeats of this chant, or just use as a chant as is. Sheet music samples. Good for kids 
  • SiS Give ear to my words, O Lord An old chorus, which may be familiar to many. A basic paraphrase with old language. I'm not sure of a source for this - I suspect it's in Scripture in Song. Chords and lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
  • 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 (and a slow sound sample). Sound sample (listen to the whole thing and see how they build it up).
  • Online resource In the Morning You Hear My Voice (Harding) Simple and quite lovely Psalm refrain. Sample pdf.
  • VU728 / URW226 As morning dawns, God hear my cry (Marrier) or Lead me God, lead me in your righteousness (Wesley) Two simple and quite different refrains which can be used with a responsively read Psalm.
  • StJ / WoV777 / HPP346 / Srce308 / URW111 In the morning when I rise (Give me Jesus) (African-American Spiritual) I don't normally suggest "Jesus" songs to go with Psalms, but I think this one is worth bending the rules for. There are many possible ways of singing this. I like this version by Myrna Summers. But it's also often sung like this (Fernando Ortega). 
  • Online Resource Give ear to my words, O Lord (Kohlhase) Just stumbled on this on Youtube and thought some of you might like it. Very catchy and quite lovely. I'm not sure if he has sheet music available. 
  • NCH Psalter005 Lead me O God in your righteousness (McMane) A very simple refrain and chanted Psalm.
Alternative Hebrew Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:26-12:10, 13-15
Nathan confronts David about his greed. David confesses.
You might like to sing a Kyrie, or see the suggestions for Psalm 32, below.
  • Tune In / NCYC '07 Forgive us now (Brown) An excellent ballad. Lyrics and sound sample. "Forgive us now, O mother love for all the idols we have built, For all the time we’ve worshiped there in company of dark despair. Forgive us mother of all hope”.
  • FFS19 For the hurt I create (Murray) Beautiful tunes (there are two) and words. Tune (ii) is most simple, so use that if you will sing it as a congregation, but tune (i) is also worth using if you have some good musicians who can sing it for your congregation. If using tune (ii) you may like to suggest to your congregation that they simply join in on the "forgive me, Lord, forgive" line, but make sure you teach it to them first, because the third one is different to the other three. "For the hurt that I create.... for the evil I condone... for works of peace I do not do... for hope and help that I refuse... forgive me Lord, forgive"
  • FFS20 Forgive forgive us Holy God (Murray / Gibson) Very easy tune for a congregation to sing (and there are 5 verses to learn it in!). The words focus on our desensitisation to violence and our greed, so a nice fit for this week's reading. The final verse has a focus on communion, but still makes sense if you are not celebrating the eucharist this week. Lyrics and free sheet music. 
  • 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 Youtube sample. A good song to start the service. 
  • AoVNG55 / Taizé / G(3)959 / SP323 / Lau221 God is forgiveness / Bóg jest miłością (Taize) "God is forgiveness, love and do not fear". A simple Taize chant which seems to suit this reading quite well. Sheet music, lyrics in many languages, sound samples
  • BUC Song Project Why do we listen and fail to hear / Lament - for a people with a people with a dulled heart (Whelan) This lament, and its wailing ooooh would fit quite well with this passage. Sorry this is not available outside the congregation yet.  Good for kids
Psalm for the Samuel reading: Psalm 32
Honest confession forgiven by God. Identity.
You could sing a Kyrie (lots listed here). Some of them are good for kids.
  • Tune In / NCYC '07: Forgive us now (Brown). “As we forgive may we be healed, as we reach out….” An excellent ballad. Lyrics and sound sample.
  • Tune In: Making things new (Sheree Anderson). A groovy one. Great for kids, and lots of fun. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook.
  • BUC Song Project Broken (Loukes) This song seeking God's open arms at the end of a dry journey fits this reading well.  
  • Cha739 Be glad in God and rejoice (Smith) Responsive psalm with joyous sung refrain.
  • MV095 How deep the peace (Bauman / Good) Simple song. Would work particularly well as words of assurance after the prayers of confession.
  • G(II)42 / GC44 I Turn to You in time of trouble (Cooney) A quite nice inclusive cantor and response. Lyrics and sheet music. Sound sample.
  • TiS 417 / AoV2-133 / ATW 448 / VU387 / StJ / WoV683 / ELW397 / AA94 / HPP237 / GtG293 / PH323 / CP657 / W&R135 / Cha244 / URW203 / StB220 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 and OMNI DIE. Free sheet music and lyrics
  • Emergent Psalter Show me which way to go (Everett) Simple refrain. Sheet music (refrain only).
  • StS066 / PfAS032C While I keep silence (Wright) A very mournful song based on this Psalm. Best for a meditative service; this will not suit all congregations, but there is something quite compelling about it, and maybe particularly good for Lent.
  • TiS 754 / SFFS 2055 / HPP457 / Cha554 / PfAS032B / Srce2-686 / MP793 You are my hiding-place (Ledner) Very mushy, but somehow very satisfying and soothing. Particularly mushy sound sample and lyrics.Good for kids.
  • SoG 790 / ATW 463 / Iona (T1AU) / ELW721 / SFFS 2219 / A&M835 / GtG750 / GC(II)451 / G(3)528 / W&R296 / URW436 Goodness is stronger than evil (Desmond Tutu / John Bell) Words from Archbishop Desmond Tutu. "Victory is ours, victory is ours, through him who loves us". Some congregations change the last line to "Compassion is ours, compassion is ours...". It depends on the context in which you sing it, I suppose. Sound sample. Good for kids. There is also a very moving choral version of these words and more from Desmond Tutu, arranged by Tom Keesecker. Available here (sound sample there too).
Galatians 2:15-21
Justification through faith, not law. An implication that if you sin by trying to follow Christ then it’s really not so bad. A call to live by faith.
  • NCYC ’95 We will love / We will walk with you at the edges. This is a good little rock number “We will walk with you at the edges, we will die with you at the cross roads, we will risk with you taking chances, we will love”. Or something like that. Good for kids & teenagers.
  • TiS 691 Faith will not grow from words alone Excellent strong words of a questioning faith to a familiar hymn tune.
  • TiS 414 / NCH294 / CH616 / UMH192 / VU582 / HPP134 / PH433 / GC550 / CP(E) 198 / Cha257 / StF398 There's a Spirit in the Air (Wren) A good song of getting the business of following Christ done. Speaking out, caring for others, being changed. Good, joyful tune too. Lyrics and a sample of one tune that you could use.  
  • 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. This remains my son's favourite church song. Good for kids 
  • God Gives 2: Faith is like a muscle use it and it will grow This is a great song for kids. And grown ups who like to be silly. Good for kids 
  • GGives 2 Don't just think about faith / Do it, do it, do it, do it (Boucher) Groovy kid's song about taking action. Lots of repetition so great for kids and non-readers. Good for kids
  • AoV2-023 / GA393 / G(II)339 / GC492 / StF496 / Lau686God beyond all names (Farrell). Excellent words. The verse can be tricky – lots of words to fit in, so don’t take it too fast. You may like to use a cantor, soloist or small group for the verses and ask the congregation to join in the chorus “All around us we have known you, all creation longs to hold you, in our living and our dying we are bringing you to birth”. Lyrics.
Luke 7:36-8:3
The woman bathes Jesus' feet at the Pharisee's house, and a listing of many faithful women.
  • NCH206 A woman came who did not count Tune is tricky, but quite beautiful and haunting when you know it. It's worth the effort. Terribly out of focus video, but the sound is good. 
  • Online Resource As evening fragrance fills the air (Mary Louise Bringle) Beautiful words reflecting on the women who bore witness to Jesus' anointing and death. Particularly apt for an evening service. Sheet music sample, lyrics and purchasing options. 
  • TiS 748 / GtB There once was a man as mean as could be (Digby Hannah) Good song for kids and great for this passage. Good for kids
  • TiS 696 / VU590 / CP463 / W&R585 A prophet-woman broke a jar (Brian Wren) Celebrates many women's stories in the Bible. Tune is not immediately singable, but worth learning. Lyrics.  I also quite like the setting of these words to a lovely folk-like tune by Douglas Simper, available in his book Singing the Journey.
  • TiS 693 / AoV1-031 / GA212 Come as you are that's how I want you (Deidre Browne) This song is beautiful, gentle, simple, and very well known. Lyrics (search for "come as you are"). 
  • Tune In: God’s Mercy A beautiful ballad about recognising God's mercy in the everyday. Lyrics, sound sample, songbook.
  • WoV692 / ELW419 / GtG324 / RS885 For all the faithful women (Hermann Steumpfle) Great words of the faithfulness of women, including Hannah, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Deborah and Miriam. Sung to a very familiar tune (AURELIA). You could choose just the verses you want so it's not too long, (but all the verses are good). Some words are a bit odd (like the bit about saving "our race" could unfortunately be easily misconstrued). Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
  • Online Resource Nothing is wasted (David Bjorlin) A simple gospel-style chorus, which fits well with the idea that even pouring a rich oil on someone's feet is not a waste. Sheet music sample and purchasing options. Sound sample. This could be sung much more slowly if you are looking for something more meditative. 
  • Online Resource A woman knelt where Jesus sat to eat (Adam Tice) Excellent words to a contemporary tune which is quite straightforward to sing. This particularly focuses on the imagery in Luke's version of this story. Sheet music sample, lyrics, and purchasing options.  
  • Online Resource / Recorded Music For our mothers of faith (Malcolm Gordon) A good song about mothers and other women who have "mothered" us in the faith. Very simple chorus which would be great to sing along to. Sound sample, lyrics, and lead sheet available here.  
Got an idea? Share it in a comment below!

Songs, Hymns & Music for Proper 5C / Ordinary 10C / Pentecost +2 (June 5, 2016)

1 Kings 17:8-16 or 1 Kings 17:17-24
Elijah and the poor widow. God provides if we listen to God’s messenger. Hospitality. The resuscitation of the widow's son (if you continue the reading).
  • UMH434 / VU702 / StJ / R249 / ELW725 / GtG762 / PH407 / W&R624 / Cha662 Cuando el Pobre / When a poor one / When the Poor Ones Wow… This song has a beautiful and interesting (but easy to sing) tune and really moving words ending with the phrase "God goes with us on the pathways of our lives" or "Then we know that God still goes that road with us" in each verse. I prefer the English translation in Church Hymnary (Bringle). Very highly recommended.The words to this are just wonderful liberation theology. Lyrics
  • Seeds of Faith Always Enough (Bruxvoort-Colligan) A cool and bluesy song that tells the story. This is not a congregational song, but could be sung by your musicians, or if you are a musical Sunday school teacher, you could use this to tell the story. Lyrics and sound sample.
  • Tune In: You in all our worries / All will finish well “In this world where injustice reigns, you are in the midst of pain”. Excellent words of reassurance in a difficult world. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook available here.
  • Tune In: Community (Brown) A song about being welcomed and part of a community. Sound sample and lyrics. "a glass of water shared with the thirsty". Good for kids.
  • CH763 / MV193 God bless to us our bread (Traditional Argentinian) A lovely simple grace for meals and for communion. More Voices has Spanish and French lyrics as well as English. "God bless to us our bread, and give bread to all those who are hungry, and hunger for justice to those who are fed. God bless to us our bread". This would be very appropriate if you are celebrating communion this week. Good for kids.  Short video.
  • 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.  New words to old tunes
Psalm for the first part of the 1 Kings reading: Psalm 146
God is great and cares for the widow, and brings justice etc.
  • Cha766 Blessed are the poor and needy for God's justice surely is theirs Simple, very familiar sung response, and responsive reading.
  • TiS 90 / AHB 44 / UMH60 / VU867 / GtG806 / PH253 / A&M673 / CP346 / CP(E) 473 / W&R79 / Cha20 / 82Hml-429 / StF079 / MP320 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.  Oldy-but-a-goody.
  • URW357 Praise to the One who sets prisoners free (Eslinger) A great tune, and the response can be sung in three parts, or as a round. Can be sung with one or two cantors / readers or without the cantors. The refrain alone as a round could be good for kids.
  • WCC website 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. Good for kids. Free sheet music! 
  • Linnea Good Hallelujah my heart sings (Good) A nice version of this Psalm. 
  • Psalm Project (2010) Hallelujah Hallelujah The god of Jacob (Bruxvoort-Colligan) A nice way to present this Psalm to the congregation; this would work during the offering for our congregation, or have the congregation (including the kids) sing the Hallelujah bits as a Psalm refrain. Note to BUC: I have this! Sound sample and lyrics. 
  • G(3)093 I will praise the Lord all my days (Joncas) A lovely Psalm refrain, very straightforward. The verses could be sung or read. 
  • TiS 702 / NCH768 / SFFS 2014 / GC257 / GC(II)263 / G(3)331 / PfAS146B / Lau539 Alleluia 7 (Taize) A very straightforward Alleluia that builds with energy. PfAS uses this as a refrain to a cantored (or read) version of Psalm 146.  
  • WoV609 / GtG034 / SP&P055 / W&R735 / PfAS146B Hallelujah / Heleluyan (Muscogee / Webb) Native American Hallelujah. I like it. It's simple and straightforward. It can also be used as a round (come in on each bar), and with a strong drum beat on 1 and 3. PfAS146 uses it as a refrain to Psalm 146. 
  • PfAS146B Hallelujah / Puji Tuhan (Tamaela) A simple Bahasa Indonesian Alleluia set as a Psalm refrain for Psalm 146. It will need to be taught.
Psalm for the latter part of the 1 Kings reading: Psalm 30
God heals. Turns mourning into dancing. Weeping may linger, but joy comes in the morning.

  • Emergent Psalter: You have turned my lament into dancing (Everett) I really like this simple refrain - the chords really make it work. Sheet music (go to "downloads" tab) 
  • PH181 / GtG805 Come Sing to God O Living Saints (Anderson / ELLACOMBE) Good, simple, inclusive, humble and realistic words based specifically on this Psalm. Sung to a well known hymn tune (I sing the mighty power of God). Many congregations choose to sing only the first and last verses; the middle two are much more challenging. Lyrics for 1st & last verse (search for “come sing”). New words to old tunes
  • Iona (There is one among us) Lord you can turn all mourning into dancing An excellent simple refrain from John Bell “Lord you can turn all mourning into dancing, evenings of grief to mornings of great joy”
  • TiS 647 / AoV2-012 / ATN 25 Comfort, comfort all my people (Robin Mann) Easy to sing, beautiful lyrics. Chorus is “Comfort, comfort all my people, with the comfort of my word. Speak ye tender to my people, all your sins are taken away”. Note that most sources only list 2 verses, but there are two additional (more challenging) verses you may wish to consider using; they were written for the Christmas Bowl in 1988. Thanks to Simon for alerting me to them. Lyrics (including additional verses), mp3 sample.
  • ATE 253 He turned my mourning into dancing This is not at all inclusive, but if you change the lyrics to make it addressed to God “You turned my morning into dancing”, it’s much much better.
  • Tune In: You in all our worries / All will finish well “In this world where injustice reigns, you are in the midst of pain”. Excellent words of reassurance in a difficult world. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook available here.
  • NCH085 / SFFS 2082 / Cha623 / ZSS105 Woke Up This Morning (African-American Spiritual) A great Spiritual. If you don't have one of these sources, you can just make it up from this video.... This could be a good Sunday to make use of those choir stalls; could even get the kids to write their own lyrics... Surreal version here.  Good for kids.
  • TiS 181 / AoV2-032 / GC(II)497 / G(3)577 / CP589 Come O God of all the earth / Sing Out Earth and Skies (Haugen) A very joyful song for cantor and congregation, or small group and congregation; this is a big favourite in our church. Sheet music, lyrics and sound sample.
  • CH683 / VU420 / A&M491 / GC(II)469 / G(3)546 / GtG295 / 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. New words to old tunes Sound sample. Sheet music sample.
  • NCH433 / CH727 / UMH707 / VU703 / HPP474 / GtG250 / W&R515 / Cha638 In the bulb there is a flower (Sleeth) A simple song of hope symbolised in nature. Particularly good for those churches in colder Northern Hemisphere who have a while to go before Spring. Lyrics.
  • VU166 / SFFS 2210 Joy Comes with the Dawn (Light) Lovely words. The verses are very straightforward; it might be helpful to teach the chorus because there's a couple fof jumps. Lyric slide show!
  • AoVK-125 / ATW 489 Turn our sadness upside down (Leigh Newton) Good for kids, and adults too. Simple tune, but not so simple that it’s boring. Lyrics (search in the page for "sadness"). Good for kids.
  • URW255 You have turned our sadness into a joyful song (Eslinger) A simple and joyful refrain with a read Psalm.
  • PfAS030B I will praise you O Lord (Bell) A lovely simple Psalm response - this one will work well sung as a response to the Psalm, or sung on its own where appropriate in the service. Works in Spanish too, and is Good for kids. 
  • PfAS030C All with joyful expectation (Morgan)  Good celebratory words of resurrection and hope of new life. The tune YISRAEL V'ORAITA is very similar to LEONI, but has a significant change in the last line. Be aware!  New words to (almost) old tunes
  • PfAS030D Though weeping and deepest sorrow (Monteiro) The chorus is super-cool, with a driving rhythm (and a part for a triangle!). The verses will be best sung by a soloist, I think.
  • Beneath the Noise You alone are my God (Randall) A lovely simple song with two verses and chorus based on Psalm 62 and Psalm 30. Quiet and reflective.
Galatians 1:11-24Paul was a persecutor, but then experienced God and was lead to change and proclaim Christ.
  • TiS 210 / AHB 141 / NCH42 / CH352 / UMH57 / VU326 / LBW42 / ELW295 / A&M742 / HPP74 / GtG610 / PH466 / CP306 / CP(E) 534 / W&R96 / Cha005 / Srce506 / 82Hml-493 / StF364 / MP496 O for a thousand tongues to sing (Wesley) A classic. I particularly love NATIVITY for these words, and it's such a fun tune. Be careful with the words "ye dumb". Voices United has "Hear him you deaf, you voiceless ones, your tongues again employ" which is more respectful. Lyrics and one possible tune. Oldy-but-a-goody.
  • TIS 624 / W&R453 / StF492 Christ be my leader by night as by day Excellent words of following Christ in times of struggle to a traditional Scottish melody. Lyrics New words to old tunes.
  • TiS 727 / ATE 208 / CH121 / VU745 / AA70 / PfAS022F 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!
  • TiS 129 / AHB 56 / AoV1-029 / ATA 131 / NCH547 / CH555 / UMH378 / VU266 / LBW448 / ELW779 / A&M587 / GA437 / HPP334 / GtG649 / PH280 / G(II)434 / GC612 / GC(II)586 / G(3)645 / CP352 / CP(E) 375 / W&R422 / Cha546 / ZSS202 / Srce25 / Lau846 / StF440 / MP031 Amazing grace how sweet the sound (Newton) I once was lost... I think you all know this one. Nice youtube of some Sacred Harp singing, and a story. I love the recording of Dr G Yunipingu singing this in Yolngu.Oldy-but-a-goody.
  • ATOK 413 / Iona (HSNW) / CH533 / VU567 / StS039 / A&M510 / ELW798 / GA502 / SFFS 2130 / HPP317 / GtG726 / G(II)510 / GC700 / GC(II)687 / G(3)790 / CP430 / CP(E) 622 / W&R350 / URW060 / Lau877 / StF673 Will you come and follow me / The Summons (Iona / KELVINGROVE) A classic. Don't sing it too slowly or it really drags and takes forever!
Luke 7:11-17
Jesus resuscitates the widow’s son.
  • Tune In: Our God who weeps (Kate Scull) Very simple folk-like tune and challenging and hopeful lyrics. "When death has taken those held dear"... Reference recording, lyrics and songbook.
  • TiS 737 / Iona (Common Ground, HSNW, T1AU) / A&M516 / SP142 / URW427 / Lau437  Lord Jesus Christ lover of all (Bell) A beautiful and simple chant. Note that some versions (T1AU at least) has a beautiful 4 part harmony arrangement with excellent moving parts in the lower registers.
  • TiS 638 / NCH175 / CH717 / A&M518 / GtG793 / PH380 / UMH265 / LBW380 / ELW675 / PH380 / CP291 / CP(E) 346 / W&R638 / Cha503 / Lau430 / StF653 O Christ the healer we have come Beautiful words and simple to sing. Good for intercessions. I like the tune INVERCARRY best, but it can also be sung to TALLIS' CANON if your congregation needs a more familiar tune. Lyrics and sound sample (of an alternative tune). New words to old tunes.
  • TiS 690 / CH259 / A&M557 / StS115 / SP237 / Srce54 / StF693 / MP806 Beauty for brokenness hope for despair (Kendrick) Themes of healing from personal and universal suffering and an emotive chorus. “Refuge from cruel wars, havens from fear, cities for sanctuary, freedoms to share, peace to the killing-fields, scorched earth to green; Christ for the bitterness, his cross for the pain”. It's a bit schmaltzy, but that never hurt anyone. Lyrics.
  • TiS 665 / AoV2-008 / Iona (Common Ground) / CH360 / A&M563 / VU117 / StJ / SP246 / Lau889 / StF251 Jesus Christ is waiting (Bell) A good and well known hymn. Lyrics here (scroll down just a little bit).  New words to old tunes
  • TiS 341 / AHB 257 / NCH222 / CH399 / VU143 / A&M147 / WoV661 / LBW094 / ELW782 / SFFS 2083 / HPP329 / GtG209 / PH076 / CP184 / CP(E) 112 / Srce2-426 / 82Hml-458 / Lau752 / StF277 / MP478 My song is love unknown (Crossman) I really love this old and beautiful song. I prefer it sung to LOVE UNKNOWN. Lyrics. Oldy but a goodyIt doesn't have to be saved up for Good Friday / Maundy Thursday. Lyrics.
  • TiS 728 Jesucristo reina reina ya! A fun Puerto Rican song. It's particularly fun if someone is brave enough to yell out a "call" at the start of each verse.Good for kids.
 Do you have some ideas that others may find helpful? Please add a comment below!

Songs, Hymns & Music for Proper 4C / Pentecost 2C (May 29 2016)

1 Kings 18:20-21, (22-29), 30-39 
Elijah beats the pants off the prophets of Baal, and the Israelites get the point
  • AoV1-173 Holy Holy Holy Lord (Ham) Simple chant. "Holy holy holy Lord; praise and honour are yours, for you alone are worthy to receive the glory and praise."  Lyrics and electronic sound sample, and a great story in the comments on how this song came to be written.
  • Taizé / GtG814 / CP563 / PfAS062DIn God alone my soul can find rest and peace / Mon ame se repose (Berthier) A beautiful healing chant from Taize. Words and music and sound samples for learning the parts Good for kids.
  • 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; didn't Elijah have to be pretty brave? 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.
  • AoV2-070 / ATW 496 / MV090 / StJ 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. Sound sample 
Psalm 96  
Sing a new song!
  • Recorded Music New Song (Audrey Assad) A lovely song about needing to find a new song to sing, and still praising God as well. Catchy. Youtube. 
  • BUC Song Project >Sing, Sing with me (Potter) A fun song for kids about being part of God's family.  Good for kids.
  • Tune In: We will sing a new song to the world (Brown) An energetic song about the gospel. Sound sample and lyrics.
  • PfAS096C Let the heavens rejoice (TenClay) A joyous Psalm refrain. Would work well on its own as an acclamation or call to worship as well.
  • PfAS096G Sing to the Lord no threadbare song (Daw) Just lovely words and a joyful 6/8 tune. "Sing to the Lord no threadbare song, no time-worn, toothless hymn!". I really quite like this one. 
  • PfAS096F Sing to the Lord a new song (Soper) Good simple and inclusive words to the familiar tune ES IST EIN ROS ENTRSPRUNGEN. Fairly plain, but good.New words to old tunes.
  • TiS 54 O praise the Lord all you nations (Willcock) Cantored version of the Psalm. 
  • TiS 704 / AoV2-090 / NCH760 / Iona (M&G) / CH824 / VU431 / WoV786 / ELW846 / SFFS 2067 / GtG598 / G(II)369 / GC536 / W&R741 / ZSS56 / URW398 / StF770 Amen We Praise Your Name O God / Siakudumisa (South African) A simple and popular Amen. Not wild about the GIA hymnals English version. Sheet music sample. A choral version, which is very nice, but not very gutsy. 
  • TiS 166 / AHB 102 / GA398 / 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. 
  • NCH009 / StJ / ELW791 / SFFS 2001 / CP523 We Sing to You O God (Proulx) Good hymny hymn with inclusive lyrics of praise. A good opening hymn. Nice descant part also.
  • MV 180 Sing, Sing Out! Sing a new song (Hannah) An excellent two-part round. It’s worth teaching it to your congregation so they can sing it with confidence and break into two parts. Alternately, you could have a small group sing it in canon with the rest of the congregation.
  • Taizé / GC(II)533 Sing to God with joyful hearts / Singt dem Herrn (Berthier) A joyful round. Works well in English and German, and probably other languages too. Sound samples, sheet music and lyrics here. 
  • URW293 We Sing to You O God (Grindal) Good words to a standard hymn tune (DARWALL'S 148th).  New words to old tunes.
  • CH207 Grant now your blessing upon this offering (Tinio) Simple short song for receipt of the offering to a familiar tune (HALAD) that alludes to this Psalm. New words to old tunes.
  • ATE 216 / Iona (SBL) / CH126 / StJ / ELW555 / PH472 / G(II)365 / GC527 / RS 671 / CP417 / W&R15 / StF042 O sing to the Lord / Cantai ao Senhor / Cantad al Señor (Traditional Brazilian) A good, fun and simple song that is easy to learn in Portuguese or Spanish too; note that not all versions are inclusive. Sheet music samplesGood for kids! 
Alternative Hebrew Scripture: 1 Kings 8:22-23, 41-43  
Solomon has built a house for God. Prays that all who pray “toward the house” be forgiven, fed, welcomed, healed including foreigners.
  • CH198 / MV001 / HPP550 / A&M365 / GtG301 / GC753 / GC(II)741 / G(3)850 / SP176 / URW058/ Lau458 / StF409 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. New words to old tunes.
  • Brunswick UCA Songs Take this space (Brown / Lees / McKinnon) This song was written for the opening of our renovated church space and it would be good to sing it again.
  • Taizé / GtG814 / CP563 / PfAS062DIn God alone my soul can find rest and peace / Mon ame se repose (Berthier) A beautiful healing chant from Taize. Words and music and sound samples for learning the partsGood for kids.
  • 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. “Listen Lord, Listen Lord, not to our words but to our prayers. You alone, you alone, understand and care.”
  • Iona (SBL) / CH140 / MV181 / WoV727 / ELW554 / G(II)341 / GC495 / StB178 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)
  • Taizé / TiS 741 / AoV1-017 / ATE 282 / LBW368 / ELW407 / GA431 / SFFS 2200 / GtG471 / G(II)410 / GC586 / GC(II)566 / G(3)666 / W&R484 / Srce519 / URW390 / Lau929 / PfAS013A / PfAS102A / MP908 O Lord hear my prayer (Berthier) A simple and very well known Taizé chant. Works well during intercessions. You could read the Psalm between repeats of this chant, or just use as a chant as is. Sheet music samples. Good for kids
  • Online Resource In my father's house (Somerville) A great new song, with an inspiring, and very singable chorus. Lyrics, sound sample, and source.
  • ACS947 / CH133 / UMH113 / GtG011 / GC(II)563 / G(3)667 / Cha012 Source and sovereign rock and cloud (Troeger / ABERYSTWYTH) Excellent words of many names for God / I AM. Can be sung to BIRINUS, but I would sing it to the more familiar ABERYSTWYTH. Sheet music and lyrics. New words to old tunes
Galatians 1:1-12 
Paul reminds the Galatians that they should be interested only in the true Gospel
  • NCH387 / GtG361 / PH443 / GC(II)646 / RS782 / CP524 / Lau829 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) which is in all standard hymnals. Lyrics There is a second possible tune (ABREU), which is more challenging. Note that the lyrics in the NCH are slightly different, and more inclusive.New words to old tunes.
  • STB066 Joy found in Truth Will Set the World free (Korea) (Kim) John 8:32 Simple words of seeking and living by truth. Fairly simple tune, but will need to be taught.
  • 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, or not! Lyrics and mp3. Good for kids
  • MV031 Pure Love (Good) I think this song would be good for reflecting on truth. Very simple and beautiful. Good for kids.
Luke 7:1-10
The faithful Centurion; Christ's mission extends to the Gentiles.
  • CH348 / StS001 / LBW196 / ELW843 / G(3)625 / CP397 / W&R93 / SP304 / URW090 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. New words to old tunes.
  • Iona (Love From Below / common ground) / CH718 / VU613 / A&M522 / GtG797 / G(II)401 / GC575 / GC(II)558 / G(3)657 / CP292 / CP(E) 348 / W&R628 / SP140 / URW146 / Lau433 / StF655 We Cannot Measure How You Heal (Bell) Really very excellent words to a very familiar celtic air. Easy to sing; be careful not to get too fast; it's tempting but the words need a slower tune. Sheet music sample. Sound sample.
  • Iona (Heaven Shall Not Wait) When our Lord walked the earth (Bell / PERSONET HODIE) Familiar and easy tune, excellent words. Chorus is “Power to speak and heal, grace to know what’s real, wisdom, insight and faith, grace and understanding”New words to old tunes.
  • TiS 638 / NCH175 / CH717 / A&M518 / GtG793 / PH380 / UMH265 / LBW380 / ELW675 / PH380 / CP291 / CP(E) 346 / W&R638 / Cha503 / Lau430 / StF653 O Christ the healer we have come Beautiful words and simple to sing. Good for intercessions. I like the tune INVERCARRY best, but it can also be sung to TALLIS' CANON if your congregation needs a more familiar tune. Lyrics and sound sample (of an alternative tune). New words to old tunes.
  • AoVK-28 / ATOK 376 Faith hope and love, this is what we long for (Watts) A groovy, easy, fun song. Good for kids. 
I'd love to hear your ideas, especially if you know of songs that I have not included. Please join the discussion by adding a comment below!