Songs and Hymns for Reign of Christ C / Christ the King C (November 20th 2022)

Jeremiah 23:1-6
Bringing together the remnants of the flock; Looking forward to a world that is just

• 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.
• AoV2-139 / GA525 / SP&P045 Gather us O God Body spirit soul and mind (Monica Brown) Very simple song. Would work well as a gathering chant. "Gather us O God, Body, spirit, soul and mind. Gather us, O God, One in union now with you". Lyrics and sound sample. 
• MV007 Gather us in ground us in you (David Hann) A simple chant which would be great for a quieter invitation to worship. Also works in French. Good for kids
• AoV1-071 / GA530 / GC(II)742 / G(3)837 / Lau462 Gather Your People (Bob Hurd) Excellent eucharistic theology; it's very Lordy. Sound sample. Lyric and sheet music sample

Luke 1:68-79
Zechariah’s prophecy for John the Baptist before his birth. The call to prophecy. John is born and lives in the wilderness. Waiting.

• TiS 265 / AHB 193 / AoV1-174 / NCH116 / CH273 / UMH211 / VU001 / LBW034 / ELW283 / GA285 / HPP92 / PH009 / GC317 / GC(II)323 / G(3)395 / CP089 / CP(E) 32 / W&R154 / Cha119 / 82Hml-056 / Lau112 / StF180 / MP493 O come O come Emmanuel (Psaleroilum Cantionum Catholicarum) A very well known ancient Advent carol. Most versions are pretty inclusive. Lyrics and history. Sheet music. There are also two alternate versions (one by Sue Wickham and one by John Henson), set to the same tune, but with more modern lyrics and ideas. See the Facebook Group for lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• Online Resource / Protest of Praise Advent begins in the darkness of night (David Bjorlin / Benjamin Brody) A haunting tune and beautiful words of Advent beginning in a place of darkness. Sheet music preview, sound sample, and purchasing options.  
• Online Resource / Tune In Longing for you (Elaine Loukes) A simple chant of longing for God; "Call to us lead us on". Free downloadable songbook and sound samples
• PfAS1014 In the tender compassion of our God (Mark Mummert)  Using the refrain on its own would work best; verses could be cantored, or read.
• AoV2-089 / Taizé  / MV086 / SFFS 2156 Give peace to every heart / Da Pacem Cordium (Jacques Berthier) A good, simple Taizé chant. Sound samples, sheet music (not cantor lines though)
• ATFG 514 Emmanuel Carol / God of light we are waiting for you (Gael Berberick) This is a lovely simple Advent song, and easy to pick up I think. Sample sheet music.
• Iona (M&G) / CH359 / MV033 / ZSS54 / StJ / GtG127 / 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) The translation in "More Voices" (Jesus came bringing...) seems particularly appropriate for Advent. A lovely simple song - you can make up words and have a lot of fun with this if you also use some drums. Lyrics and sound samples. Good for kids.
• NCH110 / G(II)561 / GC775 / GC(II)5 / G(3)103 / Lau008 Now bless the God of Israel who comes in love and power (Ruth Duck) Good words of salvation based directly on this passage. Sung to the familiar tune FOREST GREEN. Sound sample. Sheet music and lyrics.New words to old tunes
• TiS 284 / VU901 / ELW552 / W&R158 / GtG109 / Cha135 / URW012 / Lau008 Blessed be the God of Israel / O Bless the God of Israel (Michael Perry) Good words of Christ as the fulfiller of the prophets who will set God's people free From fear and darkness. Be aware that some versions (like TiS) use exclusively masculine language for God. URW and Chalice are inclusive. Set to the simple tune MERLE'S TUNE. New words to old tunes  You could also use Cha137 which uses just the first line refrain of the above, with a responsive reading. Lyrics.
• PH601 / WoV725 / PfAS1032 / URW010 Blest be the God of Israel (Song of Zechariah) (Carl Daw) A simple and inclusive paraphrase to the well-known hymn tune KINGSFOLD (TiS 262). Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes 
• TiS 279 / AHB 212 / SFFS 2091 / HPP158 / GC487 / GC(II)494 / CP632 / Lau107 The King of glory comes the nation rejoices (Willard Jabusch) Fun and energetic song to a traditional Israeli folk melody. A good processional. Lyrics and chords. Oh, and of course, Stephen Colbert's dance moves. Good for kids.
• ACS903 / AoV1-061 / ATOK 355 / GtG359 / SFFS 2194 / G(II)521 / GC723 / GC(II)707 / G(3)814 / ZSS110 / SgTJ1035 Freedom is coming (South African) Excellent and lots of fun, especially if you have a keen African-style drummer in your congregation. It's really worth teaching the parts to your congregation before the service. It can get a bit confusing for the congregation otherwise. A range of sound samples (Youtube). History of the song. Sheet music samples. Good for kids.
• Online Resource / Tune in We are the dream that's longing / Jesus is waiting. (Dave Brown) An honest catchy rock song about our hesitation to follow and Jesus not only waiting, but continuing to work and change the world. A good sending-out song. Free downloadable songbook and sound samples.
• 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. Here's another quite different version. Good for kids.

Alternative to the Luke reading: Psalm 46
God our refuge and strength, even in the midst of disaster

• Online Resource Be still slow down breathe in breathe out (Wendell Kimbrough) This is just beautiful and a good call to slow down and worship. Sound sample. Sheet music for purchase.
  
• Tune In / Online Resource You in all our worries / All will finish well (Dave Brown) “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 free downloadable songbook.
• Tune in / Online Resource The God that I Know (Sheree Anderson) A beautiful ballad with female and male images of a loving, embracing God. Sound sample, lyrics and free downloadable songbook.
• Online Resource / Iona (T1AU) / URW408 On God alone I wait silently (John Bell) Simple and lovely chant or psalm refrain. Could work well with kids to help them to be calm and still and waiting-like. Sound sample, and purchasing options.
  
• CH716 / VU374 / FFS10 / SFFS 2128 / W&R477 / Cha575 Come and find the quiet centre (Shirley Murray) A good song for the beginning of worship. I would prefer to sing this to one of the more traditional melodies offered (Tune 1 in FFS) or BEACH SPRING (TiS 493). New words to old tunes. Lyrics and sheet music.
• Emergent Psalter / PfAS046D The Lord of hosts is with us (Isaac Everett) Simple and haunting refrain. Sheet music sample.
  
• Linnea Good Come and ponder everything (Linnea Good) A quiet meditative chant of only these 4 words to be sung as a refrain to the reading over background music. Quite a different take on the psalm; would be good to provide some space in the worship service to include this.
• CH289 / GC(II)341 Lift up your heads eternal gates (George Weissel / Catherine Winkworth / John Bell) I like how this reworking of the old standard turns the violent battle kingly God image on its head and points to Christ instead. "God's matchless and majestic strength in all it's height, depth, breadth, and length, now is revealed its power to prove, by Christ protesting "God is love!". 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.
• MV084 In you there is a refuge (Keri Wehlander / Linnea Good) A simple quiet song. "In you there is a silence, in you our minds are clear. When all we hear is discord may your quiet draw us near". Sound sample.
  
• TiS 103 / AHB 8 / TOSB002 / NCH439 / CH454 / UMH110 / VU262 / LBW228 / LBW229 / ELW505 / HPP382 / PH259,260 / GtG275 / GC607 / GC(II)594 / G(3)687 / CP(E) 366 / W&R507 /  Cha065 / Srce2-27 / URW271 / 82Hml-687 A mighty fortress is our God / A safe stronghold our God is still (Martin Luther) Old words, lots of devils in this; could work if you did a poetic reading of it. Translations are very varied; the only words I would enjoy singing myself are in NCH and Chalice hymnal. Lyrics and sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody. Or you could use the following two options:
• VU770 / Cha742 A mighty fortress is our God (2 lines only) (Martin Luther) Nice use of the hymn as a simple refrain to a responsive Psalm reading. If you like the old hymn, but aren't sure you want to use all the lyrics, this could be good option.Oldy-but-a-goody.
• VU789 / Cha738 A mighty fortress is our God (Response) (Martin Luther) Responsive psalm with sung refrain of the first line of "A mighty fortress". This version is even shorter than the last one. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• Online Resource / Resounding Voices There are more waters rising (Saro Lynch-Thomason) A simple, catchy protest song about waters rising, fires burning, and mountains falling, and our ability to struggle through it. Teaching video. Free book download here.   
  
• Taizé / TiS 739 / AoV2-041 / ATOK 404 / VU290 / GA269 / SFFS 2054 / GtG820 / G(II)451 / GC639 / GC(II)626 / G(3)733 / CP568 / W&R421 / URW388 / Lau947 / LUYH444/ VF088 Nothing Can Trouble / Nada te turbe (Theresa of Avila / Taizé) Excellent and quite well known Taizé chant. Spanish lyrics are not too hard for non-Spanish speakers. Sheet music, sound samples, lyrics and translations. Good for kids.
• TiS 560 / AHB 465 / NCH408 / CH192 / UMH132 / VU654/655 / WoV782 / ELW757 / A&M584 / CP529 / CP(E) 368 / Cha088 / Srce2-15 / 82Hml-665 / Lau959 / StF455 / MP016 All my hope on God is founded / is firmly grounded (Joachim Neander) Most translations of this well known German hymn are not inclusive, but the NCH and WoV are, so if you have those books (BUC people, we have NCH and WoV). Sheet music and older version of the lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• Online Resource Rest your body still your mind (David Bjorlin / Benjamin Brody) This is an excellent acapella round which would work well at the start of a service or as an introduction to reading the scriptures. It also has a version of the lyrics for a Benediction. You could use both! Sample sheet music, lyrics and purchasing options. Youtube.
• AoV2-054 / Iona (T1AU, LFB) / MV077 /  GtG414 / SFFS 2057 / G(II)438 / GC618 / RS 736 / SP&P111 / PfAS046D / URW409 / Lau909 / StF019 Be still and know that I am God (John Bell / Graham Maule) This simple chant is beautiful. Works as a round or in unison. Sound sample. Good for kids.
• ATN 9 / NCH743 / CH755 / W&R450 / Srce68 / StF018 / MP048 Be Still and Know (Unknown author) This is the old classic. Sources vary in the verses they have and the level of inclusiveness in the lyrics.  
• Online Resource Be still and know that I am God (David Kai) Yet another version of these very catchy words. Sung as a chant it is particularly lovely. Sheet music, sound samples.
• FFS04 Be still my heart (John Murray) A good opening to worship. With two possible simple tunes. "Be still my heart, my mind, my busy world that I may hear God's word". Lyrics.
  
• ATOK 311 / CH754 / GA401 Be still and know that I am God and there is none beside me (Iona) A good alternative. I like the 2nd verse especially "I am the one who calls you my friends, and there is none beside me". CH doesn't have the 2nd verse.
• CH037 God is our refuge God our strength (Church Hymnary) This is a better version of this old song from the Scottish Psalter.
• 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.
• WoV768 / ELW737 / CP456 / W&R412 He comes to us as one unknown (Timothy Dudley-Smith) Great words to a very familiar hymn tune (REPTON). Lyrics and sheet music sample.
  
• TiS 47 / AHB 46 / AoV1-175 / NCH25 / CH161 / UMH117 / VU806 / LBW504 / 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.
• MV163 River running in you and me (Ian Macdonald / Gordon Light) Terrific words with lots of river imagery, a song of the spirit, and of challenge when times are hard. If this is not familiar, just get a soloist to sing it while the congregation joins in the last line "River run deep, river run free". The verses are not metrical, so it will take more time to sing them with confidence. Sound sample.
  
• Online Resource Be still and know that I am God (Daivd Kai) A simple chorus, and quite quick upbeat verses. Would be good to teach the chorus only to the congregation initially. It's pretty cool. Lyrics, youtube, sheet music available. 

Colossians 1:11-20

A hymn in praise of Christ.

• Online Resource / ELW431 O Christ What Can It Mean for us (Delores Dufner) Excellent words sung to a range of familiar tunes (I like KINGSFOLD). Lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options.
  
• NCH118 / VU061 / Cha104 Of God's very heart begotten / Of eternal love begotten / Of the Parent's heart begotten (Aurelius Prudentius Clemens) These are inclusive translations of the 3rd century Latin hymn Corde natus ex parentis (older versions are "Of the Father's love begotten"). New English translation to old tunes. Lyrics (older version).
  
• CH389 Behold the holy Lamb of God! / Mwana Mwerere (Malawi hymn) This will take some practice, I think. A song with a Cantor and response; you will need a small group to lead the congregation in the response. Sound sample.
  
• Brunswick Song Project Love is the Power (Sheree Anderson) Suggestion for the congregation at Brunswick as this is not published yet, but it is in our church folders. It’s a while since we've sung it, but it went down well last time. It's a little bit tricky.
• NCH104 We hail you God's anointed (James Montgomery) Joyous song of Christ enthroned and bringing justice and love. Lyric video. Oldy but a goody. 
• TiS 345 / AHB 261 / AoV1-103 / NCH229 / UMH288 / VU144 / LBW81 / ELW353 / GA336 / A&M144 / HPP185 / GtG228 / PH102 / G(II)302 / GC416 / GC(II)438 / G(3)511 / CP192 / CP(E) 126 / W&R283 / Cha198 / 82Hml-172 / Lau225 / StF285 / MP745 Were you there when they crucified my Lord? (African-American) A classic - well known, beautiful to sing and listen to. Lyrics and sheet music. And a youtube of Paul Robeson. 
• 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.
• BUC Song Project Well I'm going to see my King (Matthew Lees) This song is a fun gospel song in two parts. It may need to be taught so the congregation knows whether they are singing the lead or the response. I think it would sound great if the congregation learns the response part. Could work well with kids, especially if you focus just on one verse.
• Online Resource / AoVK-28 / ATOK 376 Faith hope and love (Tricia 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.
• 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 and sheet music.New words to old tunes.
• TiS 691 Faith will not grow from words alone (Elizabeth Smith) Excellent strong words of a questioning faith to a familiar hymn tune. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• 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.
  
• FFS08 Broken the body (Shirley Murray) Good words of a broken body of Christ and a broken Church seeking healing, unity and courage. Lyrics and sheet music sample.
  
• 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.
  

Luke 23:33-43

The crucifixion

• Tune In / Online Resource A grain of wheat (Sheree Anderson) Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it won't form roots and grow. A boppy song with deeply meaningful lyrics. Free downloadable songbook and sound samples.  
  
• TiS 617 / NCH413 / UMH517 / WoV736 / ELW626 / A&M605 / GtG818 / PH342 / W&R75 / 82Hml-695 / Lau428 By gracious powers so wonderfully sheltered (Dietrich Bonhoeffer / Fred Pratt Green) Wonderful words by Bonhoeffer, but most tunes that this has been set to are a bit tricky (INTERCESSOR or HIGHWOOD). I quite like the tune in NCH (BONHOEFFER). 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.
• Online Resource / URW093 Christ is the Truth the Way (Ruth Duck) Excellent words of the leadership of Christ, sung to the majestic tune DIADEMATA. Sample and purchasing options. New words to old tunes. 
• 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.
  
• 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. Sound sample.
• TiS 626 / AHB 557 / CH500 / GA423 / Lau869 Lord of creation to you be all praise! (Jack Winslow) A wonderful traditional, and quite inclusive, hymn to the familiar tune SLANE. Lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• TiS 185 Alleluia We praise you God Creator Lord (John Charles McIntyre) A chanted Alleluia based on Pachelbel's canon, coupled with some nice affirmations of faith from a 2nd part of the congregation, or cantor. This is quite lovely.
• NCH398 / MV044 / W&R599 / URW072 Shadow and Substance (Daniel Damon) Good clear words of being Christ's community in all our diversity. A simple tune. Sample sheet music.
• NCH302 / VU212 Eternal Christ you rule (Daniel Damon)  Challenging words about how the rule of Christ is so vastly different from the rulership of popular earthly leaders. Simple hymnlike tune. Lyrics and sheet music sample.
  
• Taizé  / TiS 730 / AoV1-152 / ATOK 387 / CH775 / UMH488 / WoV740 / ELW616 / GA308 / A&M838 / HPP214 / GtG227 / PH599 / G(II)293 / GC404 / GC(II)422 / G(3)510 / W&R285 / Cha569 / URW382 / Lau253 / StF777 Jesus remember me (Jacques Berthier) A beautiful chant, but we have not sung it often. Sheet music and sound samples.
• TiS 357 / ATA 147 When his time was over the palms lay where they fell (Robin Mann) Beautiful and mournful. Lyrics.
• CH348 / StS001 / LBW196 / ELW843 / A&M762 / G(3)625 / CP397 / W&R93 / SP304 / URW090 Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness (Rusty 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 and sheet music. New words to old tunes
• TiS 356 / CH385 / Cha203 / StF273 Here hangs a man discarded (Brian Wren) Excellent words including “Can such a clown of sorrows still bring a useful word where faith and love seem phantoms and every hope absurd?”. Also works very well with TiS 339 (Passion Chorale) if your congregation is scared of new tunes. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
• Tune In / Online Resource In the shape of a cross (Dave Brown) A cry to God for help and a call for God to enter our world. Free downloadable songbook and sound samples.
• Tune In / Online Resource See our God with the tear-streaked face / Our God who weeps (Kate Scull) Very simple folk tune and challenging and hopeful lyrics. Free downloadable songbook and sound samples.
• Worldmaking.net O Christ, Lamb of God (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A more modern Agnus Dei, with Christ sharing our weakness. Lyrics and sound sample.
• Protest and Praise / Online Resource Two trees rose from the garden ground (David Bjorlin / Benjamin Brody) A reflection on trees which starts with the choice of the tree of good and tree of evil, leads to the tree on which Jesus dies, and ends with the restoration of Eden. Lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options. 

Do you have some suggestions? I'd love to hear them. Please add them in a comment below!