Songs, Hymns & Music for Proper 12A / Pentecost +11 (July 30th 2023)

Genesis 29:15-28
The story of Jacob, Leah and Rachel. What a messy family!

• 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.
• SFFS 2169 / GtG445 / StF613 God How Can We Forgive (Ruth Duck) Good words of healing in the midst of broken relationships to the familiar tune LEONI. Lyrics (scroll down). New words to old tunes. 
• 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 (Williams 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." Sound sample and lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• NCH429 God bless our homes with peace and love and laughter (Frank von Christierson) A rewrite of an older song to the easy tune CHARTERHOUSE seeking harmonious relationships and forgiveness within our households. 3rd verse "Forgive the hurts our selfishness inflicted on those we love and those who love us best. Christ, heal the scars, and draw us all together in God whose will is peace and joy and rest." Older style lyrics.
  
• MV074 When painful mem'ries haunt each day / When painful memories haunt each day (Ruth Duck) I suggest singing it to the more familiar Celtic tune KINGSFOLD (TiS 262). "When painful mem'ries haunt each day and dreams disturb the night, when life is washed with shades of grey and phantoms fill our sight, Christ stay beside us and embrace the child who dwells within; come, Healer, touch or lives with grace; restore our lives again." New words to old tunes. Lyrics.
• TiS 689 / ATE 286 / GtB Lord hear my praying, listen to me / Sorrowing song (Robin Mann) Powerful words of prayer to a simple tune. Words are straightforward about asking difficult questions of God. Lyrics (loads a pdf).

Psalm 105:1-11, 45b
Lots of fairly general praise ideas here. 

• NCH022 / VU221 Sing praise to God who has shaped and sustains all creation! (Joachim Neander / translated Madeleine Marshall) A new translation of Neander's classic hymn "Praise to the Lord the Almighty…". I quite like this. Sung to LOBE DEN HERREN New words to old tunes. Lyrics and sound sample (lyrics are in the information below the video).
• NCH Psalter p691 Let the hearts of those who seek God rejoice! (Elaine Kirkland) Good joyous refrain, which could be used with the sung or read Psalm. 
• AoVK-24 / Iona (T1AU) / CH756 Bless the Lord (Kenyan) A good call and response chant – would make a good processional. Words are: Bless the Lord (my sisters), Bless the Lord (my brothers), Bless the Lord there is no other God. I think our congregation would really enjoy this. The tune is identical to Re a mo Leboga. Sound sample of Re a mo leboga (scroll to the 3rd album).
• 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.
• ATW 457 / Iona (T1AU) / CH751 / MV050 / StS017 / GC(II)260 / G(3)328 / URW402 Alleluia (Norah Duncan IV) A simple Alleluia. Gather version has a descant cantor part. Sound sample (not very good, and the tenor part is over-represented, but it's all I could find!)
• ATW 460 / Iona (M&G) / CH752 / VU717 / WoV610 Alleluia (South Africa) (Gobingca George Mxadana) Beautiful and peaceful, especially if you can work all the harmonies in. Sound sample.
• MV187 / ELW682 We give our thanks / Re a mo leboga (Traditional Botswana) A great song to sing for the offering. Older style version. More upbeat version. Amazing video with a newer version. Good for kids.
• MV060 / Cha026 / STB112  God we give you thanks and praise / God we give you heartfelt praise / Chú goán kám-siā o-ló Lí (Timothy Tan) Lovely chant that also works as a round, and would be appropriate for receiving the offering. From Taiwan. Sample sheet music.
  
• 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.

Alternative Psalm: Psalm 128
Happy the home that honours God

• GtG047 Bless all who trust in God (David Mowbray) A simple paraphrase to a very predictable and good hymn tune (FRANCONIA) about trusting God as the only truth. Sheet music and sound sample.
  
• Online Resource / G(II)111 / GC125 / GC(II)70 / G(3)086 / PfAS128B / Lau409 Blest Are Those Who Love You (Marty Haugen) Quite nice Psalm and response. Sheet music sample and purchasing options.
  
• NCH429 God bless our homes with peace and love and laughter (Frank von Christierson) A song to the easy tune CHARTERHOUSE seeking harmonious relationships and forgiveness within our households. Older style lyrics.

Alternative Hebrew Scripture: 1 Kings 3:5-12
Solomon asks God for understanding.

• Iona (Heaven Shall Not Wait) When our Lord walked the earth (John Bell) Familiar and easy tune, excellent words. Chorus is “God became our neighbour, granting with his favour, Power to speak and heal, grace to know what’s real, wisdom, insight and faith, love and understanding.” Lyrics. New words to old tunes. 
• Online Resource / NCYC09 For my brother I pray peace / Understanding through you Lord (Heather Price) Excellent song for intercessions. Not easy the first time through, but catchy once you know it. Needs quite a good vocal range, and a good keyboardist or (better) a guitarist because it's written in a fairly tricky key. Sound sample, purchasing options.
  
• SP&P037 Open our hearts (Carole Rowley) A simple song, with suggested parts for rhythm instruments (djembe, clave, shaker); would be a good processional, or for the entry of scriptures.
• 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. Sample music and lyrics.New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource / MV063 / StJ / GC(II)500 / G(3)593 Long before my journey’s start / Wisdom my road (Steven Warner) A song seeking Wisdom. Pretty straightforward, and particularly good if you have communion this Sunday. Sound sample, sheet music sample, purchasing options.
  

Alternative Psalm for the 1 Kings reading: Psalm 119:129-136

• 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. Youtube of it being sung by a South African choir. Good for kids.
• 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. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• 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.
• MV108 I know your word / Es tu Palabra lámpara (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”.   Lyrics (downloads a PDF). Good for kids.
• Recorded song: Walk in the light, beautiful light (Aretha Franklin). This song would be great if you have some gospel singers in your congregation! can listen to Aretha and some awesome choir singing it here.
• Recorded music: Heavenly light shine on me (Swan Silvertones). This is a cool song. BUCkets of Love (the former BUC gospel choir) can sing it, too, but not as well as the Swan Silvertones. Listen here.
• NCH497 / SFFS 2208 / GtG741 / PH354 / G(II)508 / GC707 / GC(II)684 G(3)780 / CP513 / ZSS141 Guide my feet while I run this race (African American) An excellent civil rights era song. Would work well as a meditative prayer for guidance or as an uplifting call to action at the end of the service.You could also make up your own lyrics. Lyrics. Good for kids.
  
• TiS 689 / ATE 286 / GtB Lord hear my praying, listen to me / Sorrowing song (Robin Mann) Powerful words of prayer to a simple tune. Words are straightforward about asking difficult questions of God. Lyrics (loads a pdf).

Romans 8:26-39

• Taizé / A&M842 / G(3)697 / SP328 Nothing can ever come between us and the love of God (Taizé Community) A newer Taizé chant “Nothing can ever come between us and the love of God, the love of God, revealed to us in Christ Jesus”. It has a long “Oh…..” in it for a cantor part, but I have sung it many times with just a simple Oh and no cantor and it works fine. Sound samples and sheet music for practice.
  
• HiOS004 All Will Be Well (Bill Wallace) While based on the writings of Julian of Norwich, I think this song fits well with this reading. "All will be well, all things shall be well. This is the peace of deep blue dream"... Sample sheet music (downloads a pdf).
  
• Online Resource / StJ / HPP564 / GC(II)584 / G(3)693 All Will Be Well (Julian of Norwich / Steven Warner) You could use this just as a refrain, or it also has verses that can be sung if you would like to include them, most likely with a cantor. Sound sample, sheet music and purchasing options. 
• Online Resource At the height of success / The Fall is a grace (David Bjorlin / Benjamin Brody) Challenging words about how falling and failing are part of spiritual growth. Not so much a congregational song, but would work well for a time of reflection. Lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options. Sound sample.
  
• Tune In / Online Resource Spirit of the Father / Alive in me (Sheree Anderson) Catchy song about God’s spirit living in us. "Take hold of the hope that I give, trust in me, reach out for the love you can live, eternally”. Lyrics, sound sample and free downloadable sheet music.
• 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.
• FFS011 Come teach us Spirit of our God (Shirley Murray) Excellent words and a good tune.
• TIS 624 / W&R453 / StF492 Christ be my leader by night as by day (John Bell) Excellent words of following Christ in times of struggle to a traditional Scottish melody. Lyrics
• Tune In / Online Resource Father of earth, Mother of sea (Dave Brown) A latinesque song about the Spirit being with those who are victims, prisoners and the sick, as well as present in our prayers. Note particularly the phrase “Spirit who prays with us while war goes on… pray with us Lord”. Lyrics, sound sample and free downloadable sheet music.
• Online Resource / ATOK 383 / AoV2-057 May we see Christ's loving face / Icon of grace (Trish Watts / Monica O'Brien) A beautiful and very simple chant. This gets stuck in my head from time to time! Sound sample and purchasing options.
  
• SoG 790 / ATW 463 / Iona (T1AU) / ELW721 / SFFS 2219 / A&M835 / GtG750 / GC(II)451 / G(3)528 / W&R296 / URW436 Goodness is stronger than evil (Desmond Tutu / John Bell) Words from Archbishop Desmond Tutu. "Victory is ours, victory is ours, through him who loves us". Some congregations change the last line to "Compassion is ours, compassion is ours...". It depends on the context in which you sing it, I suppose. Sound sample. Good for kids. There is also a very moving choral version of these words and more from Desmond Tutu, arranged by Tom Keesecker. Available here (sound sample there too). 
• Online Resource An echo of the voice of God (Adam Tice / Sally Ann Morris) A beautiful meditative song with a hummed chorus. Beautiful. Sheet music, lyrics and purchasing options (GIA has multiple versions of this song).
  
• VU619 / WoV738 / ELW612 / SFFS 2213 / GtG795 / G(II)642 / GC882 / GC(II)854 / G(3)960 / RS 958 / CP612 / W&R630 / Cha506 / URW161 / Lau427 Healer of Our Every Ill (Marty Haugen) Good straightforward words of healing and simple tune. "Give us strength to love each other, every sister, every brother". Can get overly mushy. Lyrics and sheet music sample. Sound sample.
• TiS 419 / NCH270 / CH592 / A&M252 / UMH544 / VU205 / WoV685 / ELW403 / HPP222 / GtG285 / PH314 / CP635 / CP(E) 185 / W&R327 / SP92 / 82Hml-513 / StF389Like the murmur of the dove's song (Carl Daw) Excellent words and a simple tune about Christian unity. Each verse ends with "Come holy spirit, come". Lyrics and sheet music samples.
• Worldmaking.net / SP&P081 / CP086 More Than We Can Ask (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A great chant for use during intercessions. Very simple and genuine. Sample and lyrics here.
• Worldmaking.net O Tender God have mercy (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A nice chant which would be great for the prayer of confession. Lyrics and sound sample. 
• Online Resource / AoV1-139 O God Nothing Can Take Us from your love (Christopher Walker) Good refrain. Good verses. Cantor and congregational response. Sound sample, sheet music sample, and purchasing options.
  
• TiS 380 / AHB 303 / NCH253 / CH419 / UMH308 / VU173 / LBW145 / ELW376 / A&M218 / HPP203 / GtG238 / PH122 / CP210 / CP(E)160 / W&R310 / Cha218 / Srce694 / Lau287 / StF313 / MP689 Thine be the glory risen conquering Son (Edmond Budry) One of the few older hymns that doesn't require updating, and beautiful harmonies... A great classic hymn! Lyrics and sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• Iona (T1AU) Nothing in height or in depth (John Bell / Graham Maule) Thanks to Alison for this suggestion. A simple refrain.

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
Lots of kingdom imagery including treasure in a field and a mustard seed

• ACS952 / CH343 / GC(II)641 / G(3)738 The Reign of God like farmer's field (Delores Dufner) Excellent words, sung to a very familiar traditional American tune (LAND OF REST). Highly recommended. This song will also fit next week's readings, so if it's new, now would be a good time to introduce it. I'd play it a little quicker than this sample. Sample lyrics and tune.  New words to old tunes.
• Seeds of Faith The seed song (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) Supremely silly and fun. A good song to sing for the kid’s talk, and get them involved in the actions. It's kind of long... Lyrics and sound sample here. Good for (smaller) kids.
• Online Resource / VU361 / AA123 Small things count (Shirley Murray) Good simple song. 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. Good for kids.
• Online Resource / Iona (Common Ground) / URW177 Til all the jails are empty (Carl Daw) A song about the work that we need to do in the world, and a prayer that the seed we sow will grow.  Sheet music and lyrics.
  
• UMH275 The kingdom of God is like a grain of mustard seed (Gracia Grindal) A flowing tune - you could get a cantor to sing it, and invite the congregation to join in the response, if it is not familiar. Lyrics.
• Tune In / Online Resource Kingdom Come (Matthew Lees) “The kingdom is here, it’s not in a jar. Try weeding it out, you won’t get far”. A song about what the kingdom might be like, with plentiful images from the parables. Lyrics, sound sample and free downloadable sheet music.
• Online Resource Leaven us with holy yeast (Hannah Brown / Ben Brody) Great new words with plentiful bread images, and a beautiful tune. The chorus works well on its own, or you can use it with verses (the tune is the same for both). Sheet music sample and purchasing options. 
  
• AoVNG125 / MV146 / GC(II)637 / G(3)740 / PfAS024D / Taize The Kingdom of God is justice and peace and joy in the holy spirit (Taize Community) "Come, Lord and open in us the gates of your kingdom". A nice joyful Taize chant. Sheet music and sound samples of parts for practice. Good for kids.
• MV174 Soil of God (Holy Ground) (jim hannah) The tune is quite siple and the words are good “Soil of God, you and I, stand ready to bear seeds of faith nourished by God’s tender care”. It's probably more appropriate for last week, but would also fit this week. Sound sample. 
• Online Resource / Songs for a Hopeful Church All the hungry all the thirsty (Elizabeth Smith ) Great words to open the service - a song of welcome, and of praise, and of sharing our gifts and challenges as a comunity, sung to ODE TO JOY. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• StS116 I saw a tree by the riverside / The Tree Song (Ken Medema) A great kid’s song about roots growing down to the water, and leaves growing up to the sunshine, and bearing fruit, and all that great stuff. Good for kids. Sound sample (youtube).
• Gospelling to the beat See the little seed (John Macrae) A simple little song for kids. 
• WoV658 / ELW506 / URW078 The word of God is source and seed (Delores Dufner) "The Word of God is source and seed; It comes to die and sprout and grow. So make your dark earth welcome warm; Root deep the grain God bent to sow." Lyrics (downloads a pdf)
• TOSB164 / ATN 83 / UMH572 / VU289 / HPP465 / W&R557 / Cha477 / MP348 It only takes a spark (Kurt Kaiser) This old chestnut is still pretty OK, but maybe you don't want to do it like the sound sample in the link I'm about to give you! Lyrics and a very 1970s sound sample. Good for kids.
• Tune In / Online Resource Tune In (Natalie Sims) A simple kids’ song, with actions about listening for God. Lyrics, sound sample and free downloadable sheet music.
• Online Resource / MV155 Unbounded spirit breath of God (Brian Wren) Good solid words of commitment to faith and work; a communal song. Simple hymnlike tune. Sheet music and lyrics.
• A Singing Faith 27 As trees from tiny seeds can grow (Jane Parker Huber) Excellent words to a hymn-like tune. Can also be sung to O WALY WALY.  Preview.New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource / AoVK-132 When we listen we will hear you (Damian Halloran & Maria Millward) Good words about hearing God through creation, family and stories. Sound sample, sheet music sample and purchasing options. Good for kids.
• TiS 531 / NCH076 / UMH664 / VU481 / R171 / ELW547 / HPP578 / W&R712 Sent forth by God's blessing (Omar Westendorf) Lovely joyful folk tune (THE ASH GROVE), and the analogy of the vine and fruit is paramount in the first verse. NCH has a descant part written in, so look at that if you have some good high singers.“The seed of God’s teaching, our hungry souls reaching, shall blossom in action for all humankind”… Lyrics.New words to old tunes. 
• ATW 447 Thank you Jesus for ordinary miracles (Robin Mann) This is a fun song, and good for older kids. Lyrics. Good for older kids who can read all the words.
• ATA 181 Faith like a mustard seed (Bruce Prewer) A simple round. I would just sing the first verse.

Do you have ideas? Please share them in a comment below...