Songs, Hymns & Music for Lent 4C (27 March 2022)

Joshua 5:9-12
No more manna; food provided from the land. New relationship with God. Arrival. Settlement. Safety.

• URW061 Bring us home on love's renewing tide (Rodney Romney) A lovely gentle song, that is very very easy to sing. Lyrics (scroll to bottom).
• ATW 487 Make your home in me (Fay White) A simple beautiful invitation. “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”.  Lyrics.
• TiS 627 / AHB 569 / ATN 8 / LBW409 / ELW689 / GC764 / GC(II)754 / G(3)861 / CP(E) 272 / W&R722 / URW188 / StF125 Praise and thanksgiving Father we offer / Praise and thanksgiving now we would offer (Albert Bayly) Most versions of this are not inclusive, as it is based on quite old words. However, the imagery of a parent makes sense, so even though it is masculine, it doesn't need to be avoided. URW has an inclusive version. Sung to the familiar tune BUNESSAN. Lyrics (downloads a pdf) Old words to old tunes.
• Liturgy for the Whole Church p86 When life is dry and hot like a desert / God's love will bring you home (Susan Bock) A simple song. Lyric video.
• TiS 569 / AHB 478 / NCH18/19 / CH167 / UMH127 / VU651 / LBW343 / ELW618 / StF465 / A&M652 / HPP432 / GtG065 / PH281 / CP565 / CP(E) 455 / W&R501 / Cha622 / 82Hml690 / StF465 / Lau960 / MP201 Guide me O thou great Jehovah / Redeemer (William Williams) A rousing hymn of God’s presence and strength and making it to the other side. "Bread of heaven, feed me now and evermore." Sheet music and lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• STB268 The grain is ripe (Shirley Murray) Good words about harvest and peace sung to a simple hymnlike tune. Lyrics.  
• NCH424 / SFFS 2061 / PH480 Praise Our God Above source of boundless love (Chao Tzu-chen) Lovely words; traditional Chinese tune will need some practice, but is worth it. Lyrics and sound sample.
• CH230 / VU517 / StF126 Praise God for the harvest of orchard and field (Brian Wren) A thoroughly modern harvest thanksgiving hymn, which would work for any service, not just a harvest thanksgiving. I would actually sing this to BONNIE GEORGE CAMPBELL (TiS 624), by just adding a single note anacrusis at the start of each line. LyricsNew words to old tunes.
• 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. Sound sample (Track 1). Good for kids.

Psalm 32
Honest confession forgiven by God. Identity.
You could sing a Kyrie (lots listed here). Some of them are good for kids.

• Online Resource / Tune In / NCYC '07: Forgive us now (Dave Brown). “As we forgive may we be healed, as we reach out….” An excellent ballad. Reference recording, lyrics and free downloadable songbook.
• Online Resource / Tune In Making things new (Sheree Anderson) A groovy one. Great for kids, and lots of fun. Reference recording, lyrics and free downloadable songbook.
• Online Resource / BUC Song Project Broken (Elaine Loukes) This song seeking God's open arms at the end of a dry journey fits this reading well. Sheet music, lyrics and sound sample.
  
• Cha739 Be glad in God and rejoice (Gary Smith) Responsive psalm with joyous sung refrain.
• MV095 How deep the peace (Lynn Bauman / Linea 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 (Rory 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 (Shirley 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.  New words to old tunes
• Emergent Psalter Show me which way to go (Isaac Everett) Simple refrain. Sheet music (refrain only).
• Online Resource Blessed are all those whose sins are forgiven (Douglas Gay) A setting of the Psalm set to the familiar tune WAS LEBET WAS SCHWEBET. Thanks to Doug for sharing this with us all. Lyrics. New words to old tunes 
• StS066 / PfAS032C While I keep silence (David 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. Sound sample (Spotify).
  
• TiS 754 / SFFS 2055 / HPP457 / Cha554 / PfAS032B / Srce2-686 / MP793 You are my hiding-place (Michael 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. Lyrics and a range of sound samples. 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).

2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Everything old has passed away. Ministry of reconciliation. Haven’t made it yet.
Note that I will suggest some of these songs again for the Isaiah reading next week. This may be a good time to introduce a new song, because the theme will still fit next week.

• Online Resource / AA019 / GA354 Church of the living Christ (Shirley Murray) Good words, and interesting call and response for most of the song. It would need to be learned before singing it. An alternative is to sing it to DARWALL'S 148th which is in most standard hymnals (Thanks to Margaret Ann for the suggestion). Lyrics and sheet music.New words to old tunes.
• AoV2-085 / Iona (T1AU) / MV115 / A&M328 / SP129 Behold behold I Make All Things New (John Bell) A nice hopeful upbeat short song. Highly recommended. Sound sample (scroll down) Good for kids.
• Tune In / Online Resource The desert will spring to life / Making things new (Sheree Anderson). A groovy one. Great for kids, and lots of fun. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook.
• Online Resource / Hosanna (Ecumenical Songs for Justice and Peace) Murassalat (We are all Ambassadors) (taught by Beatrice Mukhtar) This song from Sudan is very fun to sing and picks up very strongly on verse 20 of this reading. Video. Unfortunately, this book is very expensive, but perhaps you have it. 
  
• TiS 683 / WoV735 / ELW603 / W&R416 / StF649 God when human bonds are broken (Fred Kaan) These words pick up an unusual theme, and fit really well with this reading. There are a couple of possible tunes, none of which are immediately familiar, but they are not difficult either. Lyrics.
• TiS 671 / AoV2-121 Made in God's Likeness (Patricia Lewis / Alister Spence) Excellent Australian imagery. This is one of my very favourite songs. It is not difficult if you have a good musician at the helm. If it is new to your congregation, they will be able to join in on the verses by the time you get to the 3rd one. The change in tone with the verse really lifts this song. Good for kids. Lyrics and sound sample.
• ACS904 / TiS 688 Come to be our hope O Jesus / Tú Jesús, nuestra esperanza (Jaci Marachin) This is a really fun Latin American song from the World Council of Churches Assembly in Canberra. It's not easy the first time, but once you've heard it, it's very catchy. The words are really excellent, despite a slightly clunky translation. It would be worth teaching to your congregation! We sang this a couple of times during Advent. Sound sample with a great guitar line.
• TiS 687 God gives us a future (Elizabeth Smith) Great words to a very easy hymn tune. Careful not to let it get the tune get too pompous; the words are not! "God gives us a future, daring us to go into dreams and dangers on a path unknown. We will face tomorrow in the Spirit's power, we will let God change us for new life starts now!". Lyric video. New words to old tunes.
• ATA 200 / CH530 / VU639 / A&M757 / CP(E) 548 / URW109 One more step along the world I go (Sydney Carter) A good fun kid's song from Sydney Carter which many of their parents will remember. "And it's from the old I travel to the new, keep me travelling along with you". Lyrics and sound samples (including karaoke tracks!).Good for kids.
• Online Resource An open hand a willing heart (Adam Tice) Excellent thoughtful words about our call, together as a church, to follow. There are three possible tunes. I like this one by Sally Ann Morris best. Sheet music, lyrics and purchasing options (GIA has multiple versions of this song).
  
• NCH387 / GtG361 / PH443 / GC(II)646 / RS782 / CP524 / Lau829 O Christ the great foundation (Timothy Tingfang Lew) Excellent words of salvation and justice, 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. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• TiS 217 / AHB 148 / NCH43 / CH519 / UMH384 / VU333 / A&M721 / LBW315 / ELW631 / A&M721 / GA463 / HPP48 / GtG366 / PH376 / GC622 / GC(II)613 / G(3)641 / CP485/6 / CP(E) 516 / W&R358 / Cha517 / Srce457 / URW100 / 82Hml-657 / Lau801 / StF503 Love divine all loves excelling (Charles Wesley) Can't possibly sing this song too often! A beautiful classic song and most hymnals use a very inclusive version of this hymn, even the AHB! "Joy of heaven" *sigh*, so lovely! Lyrics and sheet music.Oldy-but-a-goody.
  

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Prodigal Son. I came to call sinners. Jesus heals. Which is easier, to heal or forgive sins?

• 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 (John 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; so sad that he is no longer singing on this earth.Oldy-but-a-goody.
• 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 (in Australia, at least!). "I came to call sinners, not just the virtuous". Lyrics. Slow and mushy sound sample. A good song to start the service.
• NCH583 / StJ / GtG044 Like a mother who has borne us (Daniel Bechtel)  Very easy and intuitive tune. Beautiful words of the way that God comforts us as mother and father, and how God walks with us when we help others. Lyric video.
  
• BUC Song Project Broken (Elaine Loukes) This song seeking God's open arms at the end of a dry journey fits this reading well. Sheet music, lyrics and sound sample. 
• ATE 284 / VU395 Come in, come in and sit down (James Manley) A fun song. Great for kids. Teenagers think it's tacky, and sometimes I agree with them, because it's not very sophisticated. Lyrics. Good for kids.
• Online Resource / Tune In / NCYC 2009 / ATAR598 God has laid a feasting table / Invitation (Shawn Whelan). Feminine imagery of God gathering her guests to a feasting table. Fun Cuban rhythm. Particularly good if you are celebrating communion, but you don't need to be for it to make sense. Lyrics, sound sample and free songbook. Good for teenagers.
• Online Resource / Walk as one Many nights I wandered / Welcome me back home (Paul Somerville) A beautiful song about returning home to God. Sound sample. Book (PDF) available for purchase. 
  
• MV020 God of still waiting (Carl P Daw) Good words about God waiting for us and the promise brought by the Spirit. Tune is quite beautiful, and will need to be taught at least a little. Lyrics.
• ATN 77 / G(II)542 / GC749 O Welcome All You Noble Saints of Old / In Christ There Is a Table Set for All (Robert Stamps) The Gather hymnals use "In Christ there is a table set for all" which is much more inclusive than "God and man at table are sat down". Good for celebration of communion Older style lyrics. Good for kids.
• NCH202 / VU112 / StS058 O God how we have wandered (Kevin Nichols) This song is particularly suited to this reading. The words are difficult, and would require some sensitivity to those who would "the evil that we do" so condemning that they would find it hard to get to the beautiful words of compassion in the third verse. Each source has a different tune. It fits particularly nicely to PASSION CHORALE. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• TiS 179 / NCH273 / VU312 / StJ / GA739 / URW073 Praise with Joy the World's Creator (John Bell) One of my favourite hymns - strongly Trinitarian lyrics and excellent imagery. Lyrics (scroll down or search). New words to old tunes.
• Online resource Joy in the Presence (Bruce Harding) A very simple little refrain. Could work well at a couple of points in the service. Sheet music.
• Online resource All we asked you gave and more (Colin Gibson) Excellent words sung to a simple American folk tune. Lyrics and sheet music. 
• Recorded Music Our Father is Waiting (Malcolm Gordon) A nurturing song of welcome from a loving father. Sound sample and purchase options. 
• Recorded Music How can we be at home? (Malcolm Gordon) A searching song asking how we can find peace when our family (either church or biological) is incomplete. Sound sample and purchase options.  
• Iona (1ITB) I will arise (John Bell) A good story-telling song, with a simple chorus. Thanks to TaizeFreak for this suggestion. This could be good to use if you choose to spend time telling the story. Sound sample. 
• VU360 / GtG173 / Cha074 A woman and a coin / the coin is lost (Jaroslav Vajda) Will need to be taught, but it is quite lovely. thank you Rev Sarah for this suggestion. Lyrics.
• Protest of Praise When we have wandered far from our homeland (David Bjorlin) Excellent new words to the tune BUNESSAN focussed on reconciliation. Sheet music sample, and book available to purchase and download. New words to old tunes.
• Singing the Journey (Douglas Simper) When the son came home they had a party (David Pill / Douglas Simper) A joyful song about the prodigal son and the resurrection of Christ. Book available here.
  

Have I missed a song you would like to share? Please join the conversation by adding a comment.