Songs, Hymns & Music for Season of Creation 4C - Cosmos Sunday (September 25, 2022)

Proverbs 8:22-31
Wisdom, there from Creation

• Online Resource / Tune In / ATAR598 / NCYC 2009 God has laid a feasting table / Invitation (Shawn Whelan). Feminine imagery of God gathering her guests to a feasting table. Fun Cuban rhythm. Free downloadable songbook and sound samples.
• NCH057 / VU379 / WoV688 / LBW459 / ELW399 / SFFS 2121 / CP(E) 188 / Cha251 / URW079 / VF055 O Holy Spirit root of life (Jean Janzen, based on Hildegard) Good words of "Holy Spirit","Eternal Vigour" and "Holy Wisdom". I like the phrase "encompass us with wings unfurled". Simple known tune (PUER NOBIS). Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• TiS 418 / AoV2-075 / Iona (EoA, Common Ground) / CH593 / GA372 / A&M259 / Cha255 / SP94 / URW165 / StF393 / Lau305 She sits like a bird brooding on the waters / Enemy of Apathy (John Bell) My favourite Holy Spirit song. Beautiful words and very easy to sing, provided it is not played too quickly The Iona recordings are generally very quick, but there are a lot of words to fit in, so keep it elegantly moderate in speed! Sound sample. Lyrics.  
• ACS971 / MV010 / GtG174 / URW099 / VF060 Come and seek the ways of wisdom (Ruth Duck) This song is more about the personification of Wisdom, but would work very well as a gathering song in the context of this reading. The tune in ACS, MV and GtG is a joyful 6/8 tune, but not familiar, so if it seems difficult, you could sing the same words to PICARDY (TiS 497). VF has a more challenging tune, which may be a bit tricky for a congregation. Lyrics.
• MV 145 / CP418 / SP&P123 Draw the circle wide (Gordon 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”. Lyric video.
• CH604 Holy wisdom lamp of learning (Ruth Duck) Great words seeking wisdom, judgement, and celebrating a searching faith. Sung to a good joyful and easy hymn tune (IN BABILONE). Could also be sung to BEACH SPRING. Sheet music and lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource / GA183 Come Holy Spirit, the spirit of Wisdom / Gifts of the Spirit (Christopher Willcock) Good song. It's in 7/8 so you can't go wrong. The words are also excellent about God-with-us and the coming of the Spirit. This is also in New Song in an Ancient Land Vol 1 (in the Liturgy Library at BUC). Sound sample and purchasing options.
• HiOS156 Wisdom be our guide (Shirley Murray) Inspiring lyrics of peace and being grounded and inspired by Wisdom. The tune is quite simple, and the chorus will be easy to follow. Lyrics.
  
• VU892 / CP392 / Cha258 Who comes from God as word and breath, Holy Wisdom (Patrick Michaels) Solid words about the place of wisdom in the Godhead. "Who lifts her voice for all to hear? Joyful Wisdom.Who shapes a thought and makes it clear? Truthful Wisdom: Teacher, drawing out our best, magnifies what we invest, names our truth, directs our quest. Wisest one, radiant one, welcome, holy Wisdom!". Lyrics and sheet music.
• URW206 In her house there is a table / Wisdom's Table (Douglas Gay) Sung to BEACH SPRING (or to BLAENWERN), this song has great words of being welcomed by Wisdom at her table through times of trouble. Lyrics. There is also a choral version set by John Bell.  New words to old tunes. 
• MV063 / StJ / GC(II)500 / G(3)583 Long before my journey’s start / Wisdom my road (Steven Warner) Song for Wisdom. Pretty straightforward. Sheet music and sound sample preview.

Psalm 148
All creation sings God's praise

You might want to consider finding an inclusive language version of this Psalm for the reading! NCH has good inclusive texts for all Psalms in their Psalter. 

• NCH766 / CH767 / CP324 / PfAS148G Hallelujah hallelujah (Dumisani Maraire) A simple and joyful Alleluia in 3/4 in 3 parts. This one is particularly good if you can get all three parts going. It's pretty straight forward, and catchy. PfAS uses it as a Psalm refrain for Psalm 148, or you can just continue the joy of the Easter season and sing some Alleluias somewhere else in the service. Or, you could choose an Alleluia that your congregation knows as a refrain for this Psalm. So many options... Good for kids Sound sample
• PH274 O God of Earth and Space (Jane Parker Huber) Terrific words to a well known Jewish hymn tune. "Wherever freedom reigns, where sin is overthrown, Where justice fused with mercy rules, there you are known. Give us the courage clear, to make the earth a home, For all to live in harmony, in Christ’s shalom." Highly recommended. Lyrics. New words to old tunes
• ATW 422 / NCYC'99 And you sun and moon and stars (Canticle of Daniel) (Don Stewart) This is a big favourite in our congregation. It has wonderful energy and excellent lyrics. Lyric video.
• CH169 / VU245 / SFFS 2020 / HPP26 / CP309 Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpet (Natalie Sleeth) Fun. Good if you have extra instruments at your worship service. Careful not to let it get clunky. Sound sample and lyrics. Good for kids
• GtG017 Sing praise to God you heavens (Hermann Stuempfle) A fairly standard paraphrase of the Psalm. I just love the singing planets, and the mountains thrusting skywards. Ah, it's a good'un. Oh, and the sheep. I like those singing sheep. Sheet music sample and lyrics.
  
• NCH033 / UMH151 / VU251 / ELW738 / PH290 God created heaven and earth (Traditional Taiwanese hymn translated by Boris and Clare Anderson)  Excellent words of creation, sung to a Pi-po (Taiwanese) melody. It will need to be taught, but it is not too hard. Inspiring story of this hymn. Lyrics.
  
• CH174 / GtG019 God of great and God of small (Natalie Sleeth) Nice simple, children's song. Might work well with a cantor and response on the chorus. Kids could then sing it without having to read lots of words. Sound sample. Good for kids.
• TiS 715 / Srce2-112 Everything that has breath (Traditional Czech) A lovely simple round, set to the tune of "Ah poor bird". "Everything that has breath, praise the Lord of Hosts forever, praise the Lord". Would be a really nice relaxing start to worship. Good for kids. New words to old tunes
• AoV2-120 / AoVK-9 God Is Good let the sun and moon and stars say "God is Good" (Kathy Chan) Fun. Not easy, but probably worth the effort if you feel like learning something new, or giving your musicians a challenge. Lyrics and sound sample.  Good for kids.
• TiS 187 / AoV2-130 / CH149 / StS122 / A&M539 / SP247 Let all creation dance (Brian Wren) I just love the imagery of this one, and it's a very joyous and familiar hymn tune too. Lyrics and sheet music.
• TiS 181 / AoV2-032 / GC(II)497 / G(3)577 / CP589 Come O God of all the earth / Sing Out Earth and Skies (Marty 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.
• Online Resource Creation opens up her heart / Creation's Hallelujah (Richard Bruxvoort Colligan) Not so much a congregational song, but one where the congregation can respond with the chorus. Sound sample and reflection (Youtube). Lyrics and music for download.  Thanks to Bob Paterson-Watt for this suggestion.
• Online Resource / AoV1-019 / CH151 / GA397 / G(II)340 / GC493 / GC(II)498 / G(3)575 / W&R039 All You Works of God (Marty Haugen) Joyful cantor and response with a rousing chorus. Also good for kids. Lead sheet and lyrics. Lyric video. Sheet music available.
• TiS 72 / AHB 42 / NCH27 / CH146 / UMH101 / LBW550 / A&M637 / HPP36 / GtG327 / PH229 / CP344 / CP(E) 431 / Cha49 / PfAS117C / 82Hml-380 / StF075 From all that dwell below the skies (Isaac Watts) A very old hymn, known by many, which is entirely inclusive in its language for God, save for one Lord which you can replace with God if you like 'cos it's Public Domain! Oldy-but-a-goody. Lyrics and tune samples.
• VU888 / LBW558 / ELW731 / PH458 / RS681 / CP358 / W&R642 / 82Hml-412 Earth and All Stars (Herbert Brokering) Fun words of cosmic praise - great for the start of a school year or term. I thought this tune was pretty straightforward, but my congregation struggled a bit with it. I really like the "boiling test tubes" bit, although this verse is not in all hymnals; the lyrics vary between sources, and not all are inclusive. One example of the lyrics. Good for kids, especially if sung with some humour.
• All Creation Sings 1091 / GtG018 / PfAS148E Hallelujah sing praise to your creator (Tilly Lubis-Nainggolan)  Joyful words set to a traditional Indonesian melody (NYANYIKANLAH NYANYIAN BARU). GtG is more inclusive than PfAS. Sound sample.
  
• TiS 152 / NCH4 / UMH89 / VU232 / LBW551 / ELW836 / HPP22 / GtG611 / PH464 / GC529 / GC(II)520 / G(3)614 / CP425 / W&R59 / Cha002 / URW065 / 82Hml-376 Joyful joyful we adore thee (Henry van Dyke) 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.Oldy-but-a-goody.
• Online Resource Creation sing out! (David MacGregor) A new song about all of creation joining in praise of God. Lyric video. Lead sheet.
  
• TiS 755 / ATA 196 / CH804 / VU884 / SFFS 2278 / A&M484 / HPP219 / GTG080 / CP662 / W&R710 / SP82 / Srcs830 / URW449 / Lau878 / STF487 / MP796  You shall go out with joy / The trees of the field (Stuart Dauerman) This is a good hand clappy foot stomping song. Fun to get faster. Lyrics and sound sample. Good for kids. 
• 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 samples.  Good for kids!

Colossians 1:15-20 
Some nice Christology “image of the invisible God, first-born of creation…. all things created through him and in him”.
You may wish to sing an Alleluia. Some are listed here.

• W&R104 / URW102 Hidden Christ Alive for Ever (Brian Wren) Wonderful and inspiring words of Christ in all things. Can be sung to HYFRYDOL or HOLY MANNA, so would be easily sung by most congregations. A good song for just after the sermon. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• BUC Song Project Do you believe that love is real / Love is the Power (Sheree Anderson) Suggestion for the congregation at Brunswick only as this is not published yet. It's a little bit tricky.
• NCH118 / VU061 / Cha104 Of God's very heart begotten / Of eternal love begotten / Of the Parent's heart begotten (Prudentius) These are inclusive translations of the 3rd century Latin hymn Corde natus ex parentis (older versions are "Of the Father's love begotten"). New translation to old tunes. Sound sample (youtube).
  
• AA036 Every day I will offer you (Shirley Murray) “Everyday, in your Spirit, I’ll find the love and energy”… Good song of commitment. Might be good as closing song. This is also in other books of songs by Shirley Murray. Lyrics & Sheet Music.
• TiS 157 / AHB 103 / CH246 / A&M547 / PH297 / CP411 / CP(E) 263 O Lord of every shining constellation / Great God of every shining constellation (Albert Bayly) Great words; the tune in the Australian hymnals (NORTHBROOK) is a little tricky. Note that AHB is masculine for all people, so look up other sources for inclusive language. Sound sample.
  
• Online Resource / AoVK-28 / ATOK 376 Faith hope and love (Trish Watts) "Freedom for all, this is what we long for!" 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. Sound sample and purchasing options.  Good for kids 
• 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 691 Faith will not grow from words alone (Elizabeth Smith) Excellent strong words of a questioning faith to a familiar hymn tune. Lyrics (scroll down).
• TiS 617 / NCH413 / UMH517 / WoV736 / ELW626 / A&M605 / GtG818 / PH342 / W&R75 / 82Hml-695 / Lau428 By gracious powers so wonderfully sheltered (Dietrich Bonhoeffer) Wonderful words. Lousy tune (in TiS). Words fit well to O Perfect Love if you find the tune too tricky. Can also be sung to BERLIN or INTERCESSOR. The 5th verse is omitted in some hymnals. Lyrics.New words to old tunes. There is also a very nice contemporary tune for the same words by Douglas Simper in his book Singing the Journey.  It makes the words feel much more relevant sung to this tune, but it will need to be taught, or sung by a soloist.
• TiS 720 / AHB 295 / AoVK-85 / AoV2-046 / ATOK 319 / NCH236 / Iona (Many & Great, There is one among us) / CH345 / VU958 / StJ / A&M836 / SFFS 2026 / HPP571 / GtG591 / GC(II)261 / G(3)329 / W&R005 / Cha041 / ZSS76 / SP324 / PfAS150G / URW370 / Lau178 Halle halle hallelujah (Traditional Caribbean) A good Alleluia would work well for this passage, and I think this one is particularly excellent – simple, great for kids, good rhythm. PfAS uses it as a Psalm refrain which would work well for any translation of the Psalm. Good for kids. Jazzy version with old school verses that are kind of odd, but the piano player is awesome. A more regular version.
  
• Iona (WWHW) / StF049 God beyond all names never fully known (John Bell) A beautiful peaceful chant. It works best if you can do it as a round (or with just the soprano and tenor parts) or with all four parts. Mysterious. "Mystery of mysteries, calling us your own". 
• MV145 / CP418 / SP&P123 Draw the circle wide (Gordon 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”. Lyric video.

John 6:41-51
Jesus as the bread of life.

• Online Resource In Spirit we rise (Sheree Anderson) It would be great to sing this song about God's spirit working in and through us. "In Spirit we rise, rise, rise, to be bread for the world". Free sheet music, lyrics and recording.
• Taizé / TiS 714 / AoV1-125 /ATE 270 / CH661 / UMH628 / VU466 / WoV709 / ELW472 / GtG527 / GA205 / A&M442 / G(II)588 / GC838 / GC(II)806 / G(3)941 / RS928 / CP063 / W&R697 / Cha414 / SP229 / URW379 / Lau633 / StF583 Eat this bread drink this cup (Robert Batastini / Taizé Community) Excellent, particularly if you have a capable cantor. Some resources say "Come to him and never be hungry", but others have "come to me / trust in me". Sheet music.
• Online Resource / WoV701 / ELW487 / URW119 What Feast of Love (Dolores Dufner) Very poetic devotional language about Christ as the bread, light and wine. Sung to GREENSLEEVES. Maybe better as a solo initially so people can just listen to the beauty of the words. Perhaps sung during distribution of communion, or a song to sing while thinking about the prepared table? Sound sample and sheet music for purchase.  New words to old tunes
• ATW 474 You're like the sun that warms me / Bread of angels (Robin Mann) This is a nice ballad, a favourite of many in our congregation. It may not be easy for a congregation without some introduction because the structure is a little tricky. Lyrics.
• ATAR658 Jesus, you are the bread we long for (Bernadette Farrell) Excellent communion song, with 5 verses about God being bread and wine for those who starve and thirst; themes of healing, restoration and justice. Very straightforward flowing melody. We sang this not long ago, and it is really beautiful. It would be good to sing it again. Lyrics (in an order of service)
• TiS474 / AoV1-012 / ATE 295 / CH623 / SFFS 2236 / HPP553 / A&M363 / GtG401 / G(II)539 / GC839 / GC(II)743 / G(3)848  / CP465 / W&R649 / Cha284 / SP175 / URW054 / Lau475 / LUYH529 Here in this place new light is streaming / Gather us in (Marty 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 lead sheet.   
• TiS 535 / SiS544 / AoV1-049 / ATA 167 / SLW63 / WoV702 / ELW485 / GA204 / GtG522 / G(II)597 / GC828 / GC(II)822 / G(3)945 / W&R703 / 82Hml-335 / Lau629 / LUYH842 / MP261 I Am The Bread Of Life, you who come to me shall not hunger (Suzanne Toolan) More recent versions are more inclusive, but be aware that God is mentioned (only once) as Father. "And I will raise you up..." Check the version you have. Sample. Thank you Shaun for suggesting this.
• 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 & lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.   
• ATW 473 / Lau625 / Online Resource Bread for the world a world of hunger (Bernadette Farrell) Very nice words. Tune a bit schmaltzy, but the words save it. A bit gutsy really. Good for a soloist during distribution of communion, or as a reflective song. Sound sample and purchasing options.
  
• FFS03 As we walk along beside you (Michael Perry) Excellent words or recognising Christ in the word, the bread, the resurrection. A simple tune.  Lyrics. 
• AoVNG15 / Online Resource Bread of Life (Michael John Poirier) A nice gentle song. Would be good for distribution of communion. Sound sample and purchasing options.
• TiS 538 / AoV2-093 Feed us now Bread of life (Robin Mann) One of my favourite communion songs. Simple to sing, and beautiful simple theology. “Piece of bread, cup of wine, Lord this food is good”. Lyrics. Good for kids.
  
• MV194 Bread of life feed my soul (Stephen Spencer) A simple communion prayer for healing and guidance.Lyric video. 
• TiS 239 / AHB 185 / ATE 236 / NCH048 / StF252 / Lau746 / MP384 Jesus the Christ said "I am the bread" / Jesus the Lord said "I am the bread" (Anonymous - Urdu melody) This song set to a traditional Urdu melody is quite well nkown; translations vary a lot. I really like the translation in NCH. Lyrics.
• MV197 Bread of life broken and shared (David-Roger Gagnon) Quite nice verses and catchy chorus, which refers to this, and other famous bread-like readings. For communion. Lyrics (scroll down). 
• Online resource Amazing is the Christ who died (Norm Habel) Excellent words to the tune of Amazing Grace. Lyrics (PDF). 

Cosmos songs:

• Online Resource As the moon pulls the ocean (Christopher Grundy) A breathtaking song that draws a parallel between the way the moon and the sea interact with the way we interact with God. Video with lyrics (and Uillean pipes!). Sheet music. 
• Online Resource You made a universe so full of wonder / Until your earth is whole (Ally Barrett) Great words sung to the familiar tune FINLANDIA. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.  

Do you have some ideas too? Please share them in a comment below.
Written at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport, updated in Fitzroy.