Songs, Hymns & Music for Proper 8A (Pentecost 13A) - 2 July 2023

Genesis 22:1-14
Abraham goes to sacrifice Isaac to God; following God even when it seems a bit bizarre; God provides.

• 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. Lousy tune. 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.
• SFFS 2211 Faith Is Patience in the Night (Mary Nelson Keithahn) Good simple words and a good simple tune with a good simple refrain "Spirit God, give us faith".  Lyrics.
  
• ATW 459 I don't believe in a God up in the sky / God Version 1.0 (Robin Mann) An excellent rock song about how God doesn't necessarily work in the way we think. Lyrics and mp3. Good for kids. 
• Recorded music Isaac & Abraham (Joan Baez) Not a congregational song, but the lyrics for this song are quite thoughtful, and it may be a useful discussion starter. Lyrics. Sound sample.

Alternate Hebrew Scripture: Jeremiah 28:5-9
When peace comes, we'll know the one who prophesied it was sent by God

• Online Resource / Tune In Peace In Our Time (Dave Brown) A groovy bossa nova song of peace and action for peace. Lyrics. Sound sample. Free downloadable songbook. 
• GGives2 What does peace look like to you (Jane Dyson) A really nice simple song for kids about peace. Lots of questions about what peace might mean from images of nature, to an end to war. The last verse talks about a "bridge from God to man" which could be changed to "bridge from God to us". Good for kids.
• FFS07 Bring peace to us (John Murray) A simple chant with two possible tunes. Both are good. The first is a round. "Bring peace to us, bring peace through us, O God bring peace".
• Iona (LFB) / G(II)407 / GC583 God give us peace that lasts / Gifts that last (John Bell) Lovely words and a simple hymn tune. Prayer for peace, hope and love. This can also be sung to LOVE UNKNOWN. "God give us peace that lasts, not through the fear of might, but through the force of love, and love of life and right. Where costly wars and weapons lure, Show us our Lord among the poor". Sheet music sample (set to a different tune, but you'll see the lyrics.
  

Psalm 13
How long O Lord will you forget me? God still answers.

• Online Resource / Iona (HSNW) / GA433 / URW233 How long, O Lord, will you quite forget me? (John Bell) A plaintive bluesy song, which could be sung by the congregation, but they may prefer to listen to it as a reflection. The third verse requires a bit of trickiness to fit the syllables in. Sound sample, sheet music sample (choral version), purchasing options.
  
• VU734 Be still my soul for God is on your side (Kathrina von Schlegel / translated Jane Borthwick) This is a nice idea; use the first line of "Be still my soul" as a Psalm refrain. In VU the Psalm is also responsive. Lyrics of the whole hymn.
• 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.I will suggest this again next week, so maybe this is a good week to teach it if your congregation doesn't know it. Lyrics. 
• Online Resource For those who cannot find a way (Adam Tice / Sally Ann Morris) A beautiful song that expresses our hope for the healing of pain that others bear. "Why, O God, why?". Sheet music sample and purchasing options.
• CH7 / A&M527 / SFFS 2209 / GtG777 / W&R376 / PfAS013D / STF630 How long O Lord will you forget (Barbara Woollett) A simple song based on Psalm 13. It will need to be taught, or sung for the congregation. Sound sample (youtube).
  
• Online Resource How long? (Isaac Wardell) You could use the recording, or get your musicians to play this very Mumford & Sons-esque song. I quite like it. Sound sample, purchasing options. 
• Online Resource How long O my God? (Adam Tice / Sally Ann Morris) A simple, bluesy questioning version, which ends on a note of hope. Sheet music sample and purchasing options.
• Recorded Music How Long O Lord (Malcolm Gordon) A gentle devotional song of seeking. Sound sample and purchase options. 
• TiS 617 / NCH413 / UMH517 / WoV736 / ELW626 / A&M605 / GtG818 / PH342 / W&R75 / SP164 / 82Hml-695 / Lau428 By gracious powers so wonderfully sheltered (Dietrich Bonhoeffer / Fred Pratt Green) Wonderful words by Bonhoeffer. Lousy tune. 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. New words to old tunes. Lyrics.
• PfAS013C How long O Lord (Brian Doerkson) A contemporary version of this Psalm; God is mentioned as Father only. I would arrange it a little differently. Youtube sound sample. 
• StS082 How Long O Lord (I'm not sure what this song is anymore... ) 
  
• 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!
• 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
• AoVK-125 / ATW 489 Turn our sadness upside down (Leigh Newton) Good for kids, and adults too. Simple tune, but not so simple that it’s boring. I will suggest this again next week, so this might be a good time to introduce it. Sheet music sample.
  
• Emergent Psalter Will you forgive me? (Isaac Everett) It's in 5/4! Good personal words to God in this Psalm refrain. Sheet music sample. 

Psalm for the Jeremiah Reading: Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18
God’s steadfastness and promise to David

• Online Resource I will sing of your love, love, love (Christopher Grundy) This is just so joyfully happy, and very catchy. "I will sing of your steadfast love for as long as I live". Sheet music for purchase and sound sample. Good for kids
  
• TiS 46 / AoV2-96 / GA518 My peace be upon you for ever / I will sing forever of your love, O Lord (Christopher Willcock) A very nice paraphrase of the psalm. The refrain is very simple and inclusive and can be used for either a read or cantor-sung Psalm. “My peace be upon you forever, my love be within your heart, my Spirit will keep you safe all your days”. This is also in New Song in an Ancient Land Vol 1 (in the Liturgy Library at BUC). Lyrics and sound sample. 
• CH018 / GtG715 The earth belongs to God alone (Adam Tice) Good words and a nice lilting tune. Care for creation, in the context of farming, which is often missed in the worship of city-dwellers! 
  
• 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. Some versions have multiple verses. Sheet music samples.  Good for kids
• 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.
• Emergent Psalter Blessed be God forever Amen and amen (Isaac Everett) An excellent simple refrain. Sheet music (refrain only - click on the "download" tab).
• PfAS089B Forever I will sing (Marty Haugen) Simple Psalm refrain. Sound sample. 
• MV147 God help us to treasure (John Oldham) Lovely words asking God to help us to just pay attention and remember how wonderful life is. Simple tune. Lyrics (scroll down).
  
• TiS 666 / AoV2-113 / AoVK-126 / ATOK 409 / NCH526 / Iona (Common Ground, Freedom is Coming) / CH516 / VU646/647 / WoV650 / ELW866 / A&M483 / SFFS 2235 / HPP153 / GtG853 / G(II)357 / GC513 / GC(II)516 / G(3)594 / Cha442 / SP235 / Srce737 / StF483 / MP954 We are marching in the light of God / Siyahamba / Caminando (South African) A very popular chorus, with possible alternate verses, depending on your source. Sometimes people get anxious about the word "marching", but remember that this song comes from apartheid-era South Africa, where people were protesting so that they could vote in their own country. And the marching is toi-toing, much less militaristic than what you may imagine. Very cool Youtube choral version. Good for kids.
• PfAS089D Forever we will sing (Michael Morgan / Martin Tel)  Very straightforward paraphrase. Formal old tune (GENEVAN 89). Lyrics (scroll down).  New words to old tunes. 
• NCH29 / Iona (SBL) / GC538 / G(II)385 Let heaven your wonders proclaim (John Bell) This simple folk tune style tune has good, inclusive words. NCH and Iona books have a lovely arrangement for the verses, but it can also be sung in unison; especially nice with guitar if you have a guitarist in your congregation. Sound sample.

Romans 6:12-23
Freedom from sin; eternal life in Christ

• 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.
• Online Resource / Tune In God’s Mercy (Sheree Anderson) A beautiful ballad about recognising God's mercy in the everyday. Lyrics, sound sample, free downloadable songbook.
• AoVK-123 / NCH3 / Iona (M&G) / UMH148 / VU308 / WoV794 / ELW837 / GtG021 / PH271 / G(II)338 / GC499 / G(3)911 / CP407 / W&R26 / Cha58 / URW232 / 82Hml-385 Many and Great O God are your works / Wakantanka Taku Nitawa (Joseph Renville) Good words. Simple tune. Sounds great accompanied by a good Native American-style drum beat, which is a great way to get people involved in music-making. Sheet music.
• ACS903 / AoV1-061 / ATOK 355 / GtG359 / SFFS 2194 / G(II)521 / GC723 / GC(II)707 / G(3)814 / ZSS110 / SgTJ1035 / StF697 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 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, free downloadable songbook.

Matthew 10:40-42
Hospitality to each other.

• Online Resource / ATFG561 / Tune In Community (Dave Brown) A song about being welcomed and part of a community. Sound sample, lyrics and free downloadable songbook. Good for kids. "Part of a family interconnected, this is community; Welcoming strangers, visiting neighbours, this gives us dignity".
• AA123 / VU361 Small things count (Shirley Murray) Good simple morality song for kids. Easy to sing. Good for kids, although there are a lot of words for non-readers. It would be nice to break this song up and sing it to the kids somehow. Sheet music and lyrics.
  
• TiS 686 / ATE 292 Lord Jesus we belong to you / Because we bear your name (Robin Mann) A straightforward and practical song asking God to help us to follow Christ well, with a refrain of "because we bear your name". Lyrics (loads a pdf).
• TiS 236 / AHB 178 / CH351 / UMH273 / VU570 / HPP157 / W&R634 Jesus' hands were kind hands (Margaret Cropper) Good old fashioned children's song. Lots of kids learn to play this on piano, so if you have some budding piano students in your congregation, it may be nice to invite one to play. Sheet music & lyrics. Good for kids. New words to old tunes.
• TiS 414 / CH616 / UMH192 / VU582 / HPP134 / PH433 / GC550 / CP(E) 198 / Cha257 / StF398 There's a Spirit in the Air (Brian Wren) A good song of getting the business of following Christ done. Speaking out, caring for others, being changed. Good, joyful tune too. Seven verses – you might want to have women sing a verse and men sing another to keep people going. Lyrics and a sample of one tune that you could use.  
• TiS 657 / CH263 / VU700 / A&M559 / AA50 / CP(E) 447 / Cha656 / SP242 God of freedom God of justice (Shirley Murray) Powerful lyrics. Can be sung to either TREDEGAR (new, but not too hard) or PICARDY (very familiar). Lyrics and sheet music sample. New words to old tunes. There is also a nice tune from Douglas Simper in his book if you'd like something quite new, but still hymn-like.
  
• TiS 650 / ATA 191 / CH694 / A&M604 / NCH539 / VU595 / ELW659 / AA08 / SFFS 2222 / HPP442 / GtG727 / G(II)476 / GC683 / GC(II)661 / G(3)751 / CP500 / CP(E) 393 / W&R391 / Cha490 / SP263 / URW117 / StF611 / Lau924 Brother, sister, let me serve you / Won't you let me be your servant? (Richard Gillard) I think you all know this one. Lyrics. NCH has a nice turn on the lyrics with "Won't you let me be your servant?" as the first line.  Oldy-but-a-goody.  
• TiS 640 / AHB 561 / ATE 310 / NCH498 / UMH432 / VU593 / WoV765 / ELW708 / HPP446 / GtG203 / PH367 / G(II)296 / GC409 / GC(II)429 / G(3)505 / CP504 / W&R273 / Cha600 / URW116 / 82Hml-602 / Lau241 / StF249 Jesu Jesu fill us with your love / Kneels at the feet of his friends (Tom Colvin & people of Ghana) Lyrics. Good for kids Oldy-but-a-goody.
• Online Resource / 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. Sheet music sample and purchasing options. Sound sample.
  
• 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 

 What will you be singing? Please share your ideas in a comment below!