Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Love God, follow God's commandments and hold fast to God - it's the best way, really.
Choose. It's up to you.
Happy are they who walk in God's way
NOTE: This theme will continue next week, so it's a good time to choose a song you can repeat!
Trouble in the ranks; it's God who waters us so we shouldn't argue about who's got the best leaderLove God, follow God's commandments and hold fast to God - it's the best way, really.
- God Gives 1 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind and love all humankind as you would love yourselves and… (Graeme Stewart) I really like this old Sunday School round, with a groovy 50s feel to it. Lyrics, chords and lead sheet and lots of videos. Great for kids.
- Iona (We walk his way) / G(3)517 / StF775 We walk his way / Ewe Thina (South Africa) A joyful, simple South African song. Sound sample.
- VU250 / GA415 / G(II)372 / GC546 O God of Matchless Glory (Ruth Duck) Good song, simple tune (HASTINGS). Lyrics and sheet music. Sound sample.
- TiS 430 / AHB 337 / Cha324 / StF164 Your words to me are life and health (G Currie Martin) I really like this old hymn. It’s a bit old fashioned, but it still works, I think. Lyrics and sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- CP447 / W&R671 Lord we hear your word with gladness (Margaret Clarkson) Good words honouring the word and the Word of God, set to a well known hymn tune (NETTLETON). Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes
- CH115 / MV089 / Iona (Love from Below) / A&M722 / SP292 Love is the touch of intangible joy (Alison Robertson) Great words and a simple tune. "God is where love is, for love is of God". Lyrics (scroll).
- NCH350 Now in the days of youth (Walter Mathams) Sung to the familiar tune DIADEMATA, this song has great words for young people, including those being confirmed, asking for knowledge to use their lives wisely and to love truthfully. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
Choose. It's up to you.
- AoV2-063 / G(II)627 / GC873 Love is patient love is kind / In Love We Choose to Live (Jeanne Cotter) Gentle words based directly on 1 Corinthians 13. It might be nice to sing just the chorus with this Sirach reading. Lyrics.
- SFFS 2129 / HPP322 / W&R344 / Cha344 / Srce2-244 / MP272 I Have Decided to Follow Jesus / Jisuni jaman anga jarigken (Nokseng / Sadhu Sundar Singh) Good simple chorus, based on the words of an indigenous Garo martyr in the Assam region of India. My reflection on the origins of this song. You could sing it in its original language (Garo). Lyric video here. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- 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.
- ATFG563 / NCYC'03 / The Red Book How long must we cry out?
(Robin Mann) This is a big Brunswick favourite, great for young people in
particular. "Teach me to do what is right, walk in the darkness, trust
in the light and may love be the path I walk upon".
Good for teenagers. Lyrics. Lyric video.
Happy are they who walk in God's way
NOTE: This theme will continue next week, so it's a good time to choose a song you can repeat!
- Iona (We walk his way) / G(3)517 / StF775 We walk his way / Ewe Thina (South African) A joyful, simple South African song. Sound sample.
- Iona (WWHW) / MV223 We will go with God / Sizohamba naye (Traditional Swaziland) A simple Zulu song from Swaziland. Good for the end of the service. Video with pronunciation and parts. Note that MV has a different set of English words; neither are a direct translation. Sound sample of a more traditional version. Good for kids.
- NCH Psalter p701 Teach me, O God, the way of your statutes (Elaine Kirkland) A very good arrangement of Psalm 119. The refrain can be sung in 4 parts. Note that there are three sections. This week's reading is on p701.
- URW143 The Grace of God is like a road (Michael Hudson) Really beautiful words sung to a very familiar Celtic hymn tune (THE GIFT OF LOVE, which is very similar to O WALY WALY). Highly recommended. I would even print these words for the congregation to take home with them and meditate with during the week. A good song to sing after the sermon. We sang this once, three years ago when we read this passage. Would be good to sing it again. Lyrics.
- MV45 / SP&P051 Hamba nathi (Zulu). There are a lot of translations of this song. I like "Come walk with us, the journey is long". Here's a good version, with some great harmonies. And, a version which is slightly different from what's published in the hymnals. Good for kids.
- GtG064 I long for your commandments (Jean Janzen) Good words that pick up many of the themes of Psalm 119. You may like to introduce it this week, and sing it again in the weeks to come as we keep reading the Psalm. The tune is very old and quite lovely. Sheet music sample.
- PfAS119G / PfAS199H O Lord my delight (Hal Hopson) Simple psalm refrain for verses 1-8.
- MV108 I know your word / Es Tu Palavra lâmpada (Simei Monteiro) A simple Brazilian rhythm and a catchy tune. Great for kids, and a good song for adults too. “I know your word, your word is a lamp to my feet O God. I know your word is a lamp, O God, to light my path forever”. Lyric video in English and Spanish. Good for kids.
- TiS 430 / AHB 337 / Cha324 / StF164 Your words to me are life and health (George Currie Martin) I really like this old hymn. It’s a bit old fashioned, but it still works, I think. Lyrics and sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- Linnea Good / MV008 And on this path (Linnea Good) An energetic gospel style song. Here's a youtube video. We sing it much slower than this and as a gospel style song with big chords and a groovy bass part. I thought I'd never say that we sing something slower than anyone!
- AHB 341 A lamp for our feet has been given (Granton Douglas Hay) Solid words and a great old Welsh tune. I wouldn’t be desperate to sing this one, but if all you have is the AHB, it’s worth it.
- ATE246 / UMH601 / HPP256 / GtG458 / W&R664 / Cha326 / Cha759 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet (Michael W Smith / Amy Grant) Cha326 has this arranged as a simple chorus, and 759 as a sung response, and responsively read passage. Neither version has the verses, but really, the chorus is probably all you need. Video & longish introduction from Amy Grant, lacking her curly 80s hair.
- ATW 498 / Iona (T1AU) / MV 196 / SP&P182 / URW438 We will take what you offer (John Bell) An excellent simple short song that works well either as an upbeat chorus or as a reflective chant. "We will take what you offer. We will live by your word. We will love one another. And be fed by you Lord". Good for kids. Sound sample.
- GC109 I Will Walk in the Presence of God (Gary Daigle) A simple lilting refrain. Inclusive verses. This could maybe be used as a chant on its own. Sheet music & lyrics. Sound sample.
- TiS 71 / VU617 / HPSS362 / G(II)97 / GC108 I will walk in the presence of the Lord (Richard Proulx) A beautiful cantored Psalm. The refrain is very simple. Doesn’t make sense without the cantor.Sound sample.
- Taizé / TiS 741 / AoV1-017 / ATE 282 / LBW368 / ELW751 / 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
- MV154 Deep in our hearts (John Oldham) A good song about having a common vision and purpose. Easy to sing to a lovely flowing 6/8 tune. Would work well after the sermon. Sound sample, sheet music and lyrics. I think of it a little quicker than this, but this is the composer playing, so this is clearly his intention!
- FFS80 / SFFS 2177 Wounded world that cries for healing
(Shirley Murray) A good song for healing of the world's pain and a call to
service. Can be sung to a couple of tunes. I like the Hal Hopson tune
used in SFFS. Lyrics and sheet music sample.
- SFFS 2175 / GtG767 Together We Serve (Damian Damon) Good hymn about service, sung to a very straightforward tune. Lyrics and sheet music sample. Slow sound sample.
- Online Resource / AoV1-129
/ CH665 / UMH620 / VU467 / ELW701 / HPP525 / A&M461 / GtG530 / G(II)599 /
GC830 / GC(II)813 / CP073 / W&R689 / Cha393 / Lau832 One bread, one body (John B Foley) A classic. Don't play it too slow or it takes forever!! Particularly appropriate if you are celebrating communion. Sound sample (too slow in my opinion) and purchasing options.
- NCH370 / UMH087 / W&R685 / URW127 What gift can we bring? (Jane Marshall) A good, fairly formal, offering song. Also good for a church anniversary. Lyrics and sheet music. The tune is a bit tricky.
- 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 (Marty Haugen) 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.
- Tune In / Online Resource Community (Dave 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.
Sins of the heart and head; importance of reconciliation; let your word be enough; good solid advice.
- Tune In / NCYC '07 / Online Resource Forgive us now (Dave Brown). “As we forgive may we be healed, as we reach out….” An excellent ballad seeking forgiveness in a sinful world. Lyrics and sound sample.
- 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.
- Online Resource / NCH544 / MV076 / G(3)957 If I have been the source of pain, O God / Si fui motivo de dolor (Pablo Sosa) A song seeking forgiveness “If I’ve insisted on a peaceful
life, far from the struggles that the gospel brings, when you prefer to
guide me to the strife, Forgive me God". It can also be sung to SINE NOMINE (Thanks Jennie) Lyrics. Sound, sheet music sample and purchasing options.
- BUC Song Project Do you believe / 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 would work well if following the theme of reconciliation. It’s a while since we've sung it, but it went down well last time. It's a little bit tricky. Good for kids.
- 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.
- CH721 / CP613 / URW156 / StF718 We lay our broken world (Anna Briggs) Beautiful words seeking global healing. I prefer the tune in CH. Depending on your congregation, you may like to sing it to TERRA BEATA (Thanks Aaron Howe for this idea) or EVENING (Thanks Annie Strickland) or to ICH HALTE TREULICH STILL. Lyrics. New words to old tunes
- Online Resource The peace that we share when we turn and shake hands (Carolyn Winfrey Gillette) Good words encouraging bravery from all - including those who work between nations to make peace. Sung to a familiar hymn tune (TO GOD BE THE GLORY). Lyrics. New words to old tunes
11 comments:
Thanks Natalie - so helpful, as usual. I've noticed that the beautiful confessional words to 'If I have been the source of pain.' fit well to SINE NOMINE with the alleluias as the "forgive me Lord, forgive me Lord'. Think I'll try that this week as a prayer of confession - only two verses appear in the link, plus the one you mentioned, are there more? . blessings Jennie
Jennie: https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Hymn+of+the+month%3A+If+I+have+been+the+source+of+pain.-a030526902
I'm a pastor who can't carry a tune, so I rely quite heavily on not only your choices but also your comments! REALLY helpful! I know this is truly a labor of love, but for those of us who have trouble picking hymns each week, this is my salvation! Much thanks sent to you from Maryland, USA, New Century Hymnal user. :)
Hello Natalie, I will be choosing TiS 552 (George Herbert: Come, my way my truth, my life) yet again this week to "introduce" the gospel. Links (poetically, ie "obscurely") the Deuteronomy "choose life" with the gospel (those things which give death); "such a life as killeth death". I know I use it quite a lot. Every time I see it more clearly. I hope it goes that way for everyone else. The Vaughan Williams tune is "simply" beautiful too.
Hi there, I've been thinking about "Alleluia, Sing to Jesus*, particularly because of the 4th verse, "...alleluia, born of Mary, earth His footstool, heav'n His throne..." It ties in quite well with the Matthew 5 Gospel, and fits in with any Saturday evening Vigil Masses/Services, since the 11th is World day of the Sick and the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. I also thought of "A New Commandment", Love is His Word (V's 3-7", and *Guide me O Thou Great Redeemer. Although I'm still undecided and have also been considering the following; "Seek Ye First", "Open Your Ears Oh Christian People", "Be Thou My Vision", "Be Still For The Presence of the Lord", "All People That On Earth Do Dwell", and, "I Will Be With You". I think all of these hymns offer a good mix/choice of the traditional and modern which caters to all elements of a congregation's preferences, and you can still introduce some variety into the musical planning by using different combinations so that they can complement/emphasize the readings while being true to this week’s theme.
Thank you Anne Green for your comment -- I was stuck for a Gradual but really like Alleluia Sing to Jesus and besides - we need to fit some more Alleluias in before Lent :-)
Natalie thanks again for all you do.
Mathew 5 (Andrew Wilson from NCYC 2003 The Red Album) is a great fit for the gospel.
"We Lay Our Broken World" is also CP 613
One Bread, One Body is ELW 496 (not ELW 701)
Hello Natalie. The Source 3 # 1563 has chorus and verses 1 & 2 to "Thy Word Is A Lamp Unto My Feet". Hope this helps.
Thanks again Natalie, Here's a link to a rewrite of 'The church's one foundation' inspired by the themes in the readings for this week: https://greaterfarthantongueorpen.wordpress.com/2023/01/30/company-of-stumblers/
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