Songs and Hymns for Proper 27C / Ordinary 32C / Pentecost +24 (November 6th 2022)

Haggai 1:15b-2:9
Take courage, God’s promise is the same as when bringing Israel out of Egypt. Image of God shaking the treasures out of the nations and building something beautiful.

• Online Resource / Tune In The desert will spring to life / Making things new (Sheree Anderson). A catchy pop song. Great for kids, and excellent imagery. Sound sample, lyrics and free downloable songbook. Good for kids.
• AoV1-095 / G(II)324 / GC459 Envia Tu Espíritu (Bob Hurd) My other  favourite holy spirit song. A catchy latin rhythm; verses are in English and the chorus is Spanish – not too hard for non-Spanish speakers, though. Sound Sample (laid back).
• TiS 690 / CH259 / A&M557 / StS115 / SP237 / Srce54 / StF693 / MP806 Beauty for brokenness hope for despair (Graham 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. Lyrics. Lyric video.
• ATA 114 Come my brother come my sister (Joseph McCarthy) Nice and easy to sing. Has a repeated line of "come, my brother, come", which would be better alternated with "come, my sister, come". Great words of hope about the Promised Land.
• AoV1-114 / ELW388 / HPP376 / G(II)430 / GC608 / GC(II)596 / G(3)683 / W&R430 / Lau964 You shall cross the barren desert / Be not afraid (Robert Dufford) Beautiful words. Well known (at least, the chorus). Verses may be tricky. Lyrics.

Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21

God is excellent 

• TiS 100 / AHB 3 / NCH017 / CH147 / UMH62 / VU217 / LBW527 / ELW835 / A&M532 / GA395 / HPP261 / GtG020 / PH455 / GtG015 / GC534 / GC(II)523 / G(3)611 / CP(E) / 250 / W&R23 / Cha022 / 82Hml-400 / Lau694 / StF099 / LUYH551 / MP007 All creatures of our God and King (Francis of Assisi) A good classic sing! Hymnals vary a LOT in their translations and verses included. Using only Alleluia Alleluia or "Sing your praises" as some hymnals do, eliminates the "Oh praise him" which makes it annoyingly male exclusive. NCH has "To you, O God, all creatures sing" and eliminates all kingly language. ELW has "All creatures worship God most high". Lyrics and sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• NCH017 To you O God all creatures sing (Francis of Assisi, adapted Miriam Therese Winter). This is a lovely new adaptation of the traditional words, sung to the same tune LASST UNS ERFREUEN. Lyrics (downloads a pdf, the words are on p3).  New words to old tunes
• MV048 I can feel you near me God / Jump for joy (Pat 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 kids. Lyrics. 
• Iona / CH788 / MV104 / GtG659 Know that God is Good / Mungu ni mwema (Traditional Congo) This traditional African refrain is just lots of fun and very simple to sing. Good for kids and adults! Sheet music sample. Sound sample. Sound sample in Kenyan languages.
  
• TiS 132 / AHB 65 / NCH277 / CH651 / UMH64 / VU315 / LBW165 / ELW413 / A&M276 / HPP243 / GtG001 / PH138 / G(II)332 / GC475 / GC(II)483 / CP001 / CP(E) 202 / W&R136 / Cha004 / Srce243 / 82Hml-362 / Lau468 / StF011 / MP237 Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty (Francis Reginald Heber) Old other-worldly language, but a surprisingly inclusive (in most hymnals) classic, and a great rousing hymn tune. Different resources have slightly altered lyrics. A surprisingly non-inclusive sample can be found here. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• MV176 Three things I promise (Brian Wren / Dan Damon) Beautiful words of seeking to live faithfully from Brian Wren. The set tune is unfamiliar, but very beautiful, and if not familiar to your congregation would make a good reflective piece (for the congregation to sing in later weeks). You could also sing it to one of the suggested alternate tunes PROSPECT and WAREHAM if you like.  Sound sample (to the newer tune). New words to old tunes.
• StJ / G(II)346 / GC506 / GC(II)508 / G(3)586 You Are All We Have (Francis Patrick O'Brien) A nice refrain and good cantor parts. Somewhat formal. Sound sample, sheet music sample and a different 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 sheet music sample. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• VU267 / W&R20 / A&M711 / SP288 / Lau897 / MP419 Like a mighty river flowing (Michael Perry) Lovely words of the presence of God in nature. Lyrics
• Taizé / MV009 O Come and let us sing to God our hope (Taize) "God's mercy is forever". Joyful gathering chant. Sound samples, sheet music.
• CH101 You are kind and full of compassion (The Grail, Inclusive Language Version) This is not a hymn, but a beautiful paraphrase of this Psalm that could be read as a poem or alternate translation reading.

Alternate Psalm for the Haggai reading: Psalm 98
All of creation singing a new song. Oh, there are a lot of songs about this...

• Online Resource Shout for joy! (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A happy rocky song based on this Psalm. Good for kids. Sound sample, lyrics and purchasing options.
• PH274 O God of Earth and Space (Jane Parker Huber). Excellent 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.
• Online Resource / Tune InWe will sing a new song to the world (Dave Brown) An energetic song about the gospel. Free downloadable music book with sound samples. 
• Online Resource / NCH36 / PH219 To God compose a song of joy (Ruth Duck) “The God of Justice comes to save; let earth make melody; For God will judge with righteousness and rule with equity” Beautiful words. I prefer this sung to the tune in NCH – the standard hymn tune RICHMOND (TiS 425). Sheet music with lyrics (to a different tune) New words to old tunes
• MV180 Sing, Sing Out! (Sing a new song) (Jim 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. Lyrics. Good for kids.
• TiS 166 / AHB 102 / GA398 / StB035 Sing a new song sing a new song (James McAuley) Excellent inclusive words from an Australian poet. The last verse annoys me a bit, but the rest is excellent. Lyrics.
• 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!
• 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) Another big favourite. Sheet music, lyrics. Sound sample.
• 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.
• 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.
• AoV1-080 / ATA 150 / GtG276 / G(II)384 / GC538 / GC(II)544 / G(3)607 / URW296 / Lau697 Sing a New Song Unto the Lord (Dan Schutte) Good, joyous words and a simple joyous tune. It is not inclusive in all sources. Lead sheet and lyrics. Sound sample.
• Taizé / GC(II)533 Sing to God with joyful hearts / Singt dem Herrn (Jacques Berthier) A joyful round. Works well in English and German, and probably other languages too. Sound samples, sheet music and lyrics

Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Job 19:23-27a 
Job knows that God is still alive, and that after death, Job will see God!

• AoV1-114 / ELW388 / HPP376 / G(II)430 / GC608 / GC(II)596 / G(3)683 / W&R430 / Lau964 You shall cross the barren desert / Be not afraid (Robert Dufford) Beautiful words. Well known (at least, the chorus). Verses may be tricky. Lyrics.
• Recorded music (or choral) When I die tomorrow (Sweet Honey in the Rock) This song would fit very well, and there are some great choral arrangements of it. Sweet Honey's version is pretty tricky, here's a recording on youtube!

Psalm for the Job reading: Psalm 17:1-9
Asking for God to listen; God testing and trying and visiting by night, but the Psalmist has been faithful. I shall behold your face and be satisfied when I wake and see it. 

• NCH Psalter 17 Wondrously show your steadfast love (Jane Marshall) A good translation of the Psalm and a simple lovely refrain. BTW, if you're ever looking for an inclusive language version of any Psalm, NCH is a good place to start.
• GtG211 Hear O Lord my plea for justice (Michael Morgan) Excellent words set to a simple flowing tune; words are a little formal.
• MV214 May God's sheltering wings (Judith Snowdon) A beautiful, simple blessing and benediction, which may be sung about a feminine or a masculine God. Lyrics. Video with actions from BUC.
• PfAS017A / PfAS017B Lord bend your ear (Jeffrey Honoré) A very simple refrain which can be used with a read or chanted version of the Psalm. Good for kids.
• TiS006 Lord when your glory appears my joy will be full / O Lord hear a cause that is just (Carlton Young) This cantored Psalm is very beautiful. There is something about it that is quite formal and reverential without being pompous.
• URW238 Keep me keep me as the apple of your eye (Jane Marshall) Very simple refrain for this Psalm, read responsively.
• 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 (Jacques 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.
• TiS 613 / AHB 546 / ATOK 405 / CH166 / LBW469 / ELW765 / A&M713 / SFFS2197 / HPP265 / GtG683 / GC578 / GC(II)560 / G(3)663 / CP506 / CP(E) 507 / W&R469 / URW179 / 82Hml-482 / Lau969 / StF526 / MP882 Lord of all hopefulness Lord of all joy (Jan Struther) Excellent straightforward Irish tune (SLANE), and beautiful words. Would be a good choice for the final song. Lyrics and sheet music.  New words to old tunes.
• VU739 Guard me as the apple of your eye (Hal Hopson) A nice refrain for this Psalm.
• TiS 47 / AHB 46 / AoV1-175 / NCH25 / CH161 / UMH117 / VU806 / LBW320 / ELW806 / GA459 / A&M746 / HPP1 / GtG687 / PH210 / GC614 / GC(II)588 / G(3)688 / CP528 / CP(E) 537 / W&R84 / Cha067 /  Srce2-441 / URW200 / 82Hml-680 / PfAS090B / Lau955 / StF132 / MP498 O God our help in ages past (Isaac Watts) A good solid very well known hymn! The surprising thing about this one is that the language is inclusive for God in most sources. Not all sources are inclusive for humanity, so check. Lyrics and sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• ATFG575 / VU400 / WoV775 / ELW752 / SFFS 2193 / GtG469 / HPP403 / W&R489 / Cha305 / ZSS156 Lord Listen to Your Children Praying (Ken Medema) A simple, repetitive song which would be fun to play around with - you could do it fast or slow. Sheet music sample.  Youtube sound sample (album version.
• ELW561 / G(II)552 / GC762 / PfAS1040 / Lau12a Joyous Light of Heavenly Glory (Marty Haugen) Excellent words of light and darkness, sung to a simple hymn tune. Sheet music sample.
  
• G(II)24 / GC25 Lord When Your Glory Appears (Ray James Stewart) A simple and good refrain. Lyrics and melody line. Sound sample.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17
Looking forward to Christ’s return. Stand firm; don't get led astray.

• 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.
• VU718 / PH431 / W&R620 O Lord You Gave Your Servant John (Joy Patterson) Terrific words contrasting the wealth and poverty contrasts in earthly cities with the Holy City. Sung to ST. PATRICK'S BREASTPLATE or CANDLER. Lyrics & sheet music. 
• TiS 590 / AHB 165 / AoVK-117 / NCH506 / UMH526 / VU664 / LBW439 / ELW742 / HPP408 / GtG465 / PH403 / CP532 / W&R473 / Cha585 / Srce 776 / StF531 / MP746 What a Friend we have in Jesus (Joseph Scriven) There is a bit of masculine language, but the song has so many other good things about it. I like both tunes. AOVK has different lyrics, written specifically for kids, which I think are worth singing. Lyrics (old school version). Good for kids. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• BUC Song Project When my life is hard / God's Presence (Kate Scull) Simple words of God's strength in the midst of difficult times. Easy tune. Also, it's good for kids.
• TiS 272 / AHB 200 / NCH122 / CH472 / UMH196 / VU002 / LBW030 / ELW254 / A&M030 / HPP89 / PH001/002 / GtG082/083 / GC323 / GC(II)345 / G(3)403 / CP088 / CP(E) 24 / W&R153 / Cha125 / URW101 / 82Hml-066 / Lau100 / StF169 / MP102 Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus (Charles Wesley) Most versions of this old hymn are quite inclusive, although still quite old fashioned. The New Century Hymnal replaces the kingly language in verses 3 and 4 with something less (um….) kingly. Lyrics and sheet music samples. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• TiS 674 / Iona (Common Ground, Heaven Shall Not Wait) / A&M562 / CH253 / SP245 Inspired by love and anger (John Bell / Graham Maule) Powerful lyrics, simple English folk tune (SALLY GARDENS). Lyric video. New words to old tunes  
• TiS 665 / AoV2-008 / Iona (Common Ground) / CH360 / A&M563 / VU117 / StJ / SP246 / Lau889 / StF251 Jesus Christ is waiting (John Bell) A good and well known hymn. Lyrics here (scroll down just a little bit).  New words to old tunes   
• TiS 412 / AHB 324 / ATE 251 / G(II)328 / GC468 / CP651 / W&R130 God sends us the Spirit to befriend and help us / Spirit Friend (Tom Colvin and people of Malawi) I like this song from Malawi, but the lack of inclusive language for God sometimes drives me a bit crazy. In Tom Colvin's book "Come Let us walk this road together" he uses more inclusive language than many hymnals. That is, he writes “God sends us the Spirit” instead of “God sends us His Spirit” and "Spirit of our Maker" rather than “Spirit of our Father”. Good for kids. Inclusive lyrics and sheet music.
• Iona (M&G) / ATAR609 / CH359 / MV033 / GtG137 / ZSS54 / StJ / ELW253 / GA293 / SFFS 2085 / G(II)276 / GC370 / GC(II)364 / G(3)429 / CP368 / W&R402 He came down that we may have love/ Jesus came bringing us hope (Traditional Cameroon) A lovely simple song - you can make up words and have a lot of fun with this if you also use some drums. Scottish sound sample. Good for kids.

Luke 20:27-38
Strange question about woman marrying 7 brothers, and what happens in the afterlife. God of the eternal. God of the living!

• 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 (Isaac Watts) A great classic hymn. Most sources are not inclusive; Voices United is! Lyrics and sheet music.  Oldy-but-a-goody.
• AoV2-068 / VU695 God is passionate life (Colleen Fulmer) Good simple round with a peace / justice focus. Lyrics & sound sample. Good for kids.
• ATOK 320 / NCH351 / VU645 / StJ / WoV770 / ELW732 / SFFS 2051 / GtG488 / HPP516 / W&R680 / Cha075 I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry (John Ylvisaker) A song of God’s presence in all stages of life. Very simple tune to sing. This always makes me think of Center Church on-the-Green in New Haven, CT. Lyrics, and a slightly tacky and mushy sound sample. 
• TiS 182 / AoV2-010 / NCH11 / CH134 / VU268 / GtG760 / SFFS 2047 / HPP13 / CP395 Bring many names beautiful and good (Brian Wren) This is a beautiful song, but it's very long (especially if sung too slowly). Try singing one verse unison, then one women, one men, then all together again, to keep people interested in what they are singing. Lyrics and sheet music. 
• TiS 548 / VU629 / A&M014 / PH340 / CP(E) 415 / W&R418 / SP3 / 82Hml-465 Eternal light shine in my heart (Christopher Idle) I really love this beautiful inclusive and ancient prayer. It is not familiar, but would be beautiful sung by a soloist until your congregation grows to know it. Lyrics.
• Online Resource / Tune In Come O God and visit us sick we pray / Your abundant life (Dave Brown) A joyful song "Lead us into your abundant life". Lyrics, sound sample and free downloadable songbook. 

Do you have some ideas you'd like to add? Please put them in the comments below...