Songs and Hymns for Proper 20A / Ordinary 25A / Pentecost +16 (September 24th 2023)

Looking for Season of Creation Resources? There are some suggestions on this page if you are following the 2023 theme of "Let Justice and Peace Flow" I have highlighted songs that are particularly appropriate within the lectionary with a globe of the earth 🌏. You may also like to see the suggestions for the Amos 5:24 reading (on this page - scroll partway down). If you are using the earlier version of Season of Creation, or are looking for additional Creation-themed songs, click here for River Sunday (Season of Creation 4A).

 

Exodus 16:2-15
The Israelites complain; God sends manna and quails. Enough to eat without hoarding.

• Recorded music Then the quail came (Michael Kelly Blanchard) I love this song, and the words really bring the story of the quail and manna to tired travellers. Recorded originally by Noel Paul Stookey (the Paul in Peter, Paul and Mary). I like the recording by Australian folk singer Peter Campbell about 16 years ago on this album. I'm not sure if it is still available - track it down if you can! Project or print the lyrics for people in the congregation to read while they listen. Lyrics. Sound sample (and check out the 70s album cover!) 
• VU279 You God are my firmament (Miriam Therese Winter) Lovely song with words of God being our shelter, guide, and nourishment, with a simple chorus "I will give thanks, I will sing praise with all of my heart, all of my days". Sound sample.
• 🌏 TiS 156 / AHB 91 / AoV1-135 / ATA 123 / CH212 / UMH145 / VU409 / ELW556 / GA537 / A&M545 / HPP267 / GtG664 / PH469 / G(II)546 / GC756 / GC(II)748 / G(3)855 / CP003 / W&R35 / Cha053 / URW186 / 82Hml-008 / StF136 / Lau671 / MP467 Morning has broken (Eleanor Farjeon) This song makes me smile every time. Here's Yusuf Islam (when he was Cat Stevens) in 1976 (love those green boots).Oldy-but-a-goody.
• 🌏 ATW 474 You're like the sun that warms me / Bread of angels (Robin Mann) This is a nice ballad, a favourite of many in our congregation. It may not be easy for a congregation without some introduction because the structure is a little tricky. Lyrics.
• VU460 / R181 / ELW461 / SFFS 2126 / GtG509 / G(II)589 / GC820 / GC(II)817 / RS 845 / Cha419 / Lau477 All who hunger gather gladly (Sylvia Dunstan) The words are great; I would sing it to the tune HOLY MANNA. There is a contemporary tune (by Bob Moore) is also very nice, but may need to be introduced to your congregation. “All who hunger gather gladly, holy manna is our bread. Come from wilderness and wand’ring, here, in truth, we will be fed. You that yearn for days of fullness, all around us is our food. Taste and see the grace eternal, Taste and see that God is good”. Sample sheet music. New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource Manna for all (Bruce Harding) A simple chant “God of abundance, call us to action, trusting your promise, manna for all!”. Sample available, and option to purchase Sample and free sheet music.
• Online Resource / Walk as One God the great mystery (Sharonne Price / Rosemary Nairn) An excellent hymn of God's abundance and creative power, which includes a passing reference to this passage. Set to the tune BONNIE GEORGE CAMPBELL. Sound samples and backing tracks. Book (PDF) for purchase. 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 (William 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, sheet music, and lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• Online Resource / GC840 / GC(II)818 / G(3)910 / CP085 / 82Hml-343 Shepherd of souls refresh and bless (James Montgomery)  Old fashioned inclusive words to a standard hymn tune. "Shepherd of souls refresh and bless thy chosen pilgrim flock, with manna from the wilderness and water from the rock". Lyrics, sound sample, mp3s and sheet music for preview, purchase and download.

Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45
A song of thanks, with references to the Israelites coming out of Egypt and God providing food and water.

• VU279 You God are my firmament (Miriam Therese Winter) Lovely song with words of God being our shelter, guide, and nourishment, with a simple chorus "I will give thanks, I will sing praise with all of my heart, all of my days". Sound sample. Lyrics.
  
• 🌏 TiS 755 / ATA 196 / CH804 / VU884 / SFFS 2278 / A&M484 / HPP219 / GTG080 / CP662 / W&R710 / SP82 / Srcs830 / URW449 / Lau878 / STF487 / MP796  You shall go out with joy / The trees of the field (Stuart Dauerman) This is a good hand clappy foot stomping song. Fun. Awesome Jewish dancing video. Good for kids. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• 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). 
• NCH Psalter Let the hearts of those who seek God rejoice! (Elaine Kirkland) Good joyous refrain, which could be used with the sung or read Psalm.
• Online Resource Hear the message we now are proclaiming / El mensaje que hoy proclamamos (Eleazar Torregosa) This jubilant Colombian song of liberty and new life for the poor and suffering would fit well with God's care for the Israelites. Free sheet music
• 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.
• 🌏 NCH022 / VU221 Sing praise to God who has shaped and sustains all creation! (Joachim Neander / translated Madeleine Forell 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.
• Online Resource / TiS 66 Sing to God, sing praises (Helen Wright) A good cantor and refrain. The refrain will also work well with the Psalm being read from the verses. Sheet music and lyrics.
• ATW 457 / Iona (T1AU) / CH751 / MV050 / StS017 / GC(II)260 / G(3)328 / URW402 Alleluia (Norah Duncan) A simple Alleluia. Gather version has a descant cantor part. Here are some nice notes on how to teach it to your congregation. Sound sample. Sheet music.
  
• 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.
• ATN 51 / SFFS 2258 / SiS / MP601 Sing alleluia to the Lord (Linda Stassen) A simple and familiar song to many. It has nice soaring Alleluias and is not too hard. Substitute “Our God” if you like, as some hymnals do. Lyrics and sound samples.
  
• 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.
  
• 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 Hebrew Scripture: Jonah 3:10-4:11
Jonah sulks; the withered bush

• GWA029 In ages past the mighty Lord by prophets spoke the word (Michael Mangan) This is a song with very many verses; choose at least verses 1 and 10 this week, and add whichever other verses suit your context. Set to the common tune KINGSFOLD. Some lyrics (not the Hosea verse!). New words to old tunes. 
•  TiS 674 / Iona (Common Ground, Heaven Shall Not Wait) / A&M562 / CH253 / SP245 Inspired by love and anger (Iona) Powerful lyrics, simple English folk tune (SALLY GARDENS). Lyrics. New words to old tunes 
• ATFG537 Jonah was a prophet who lived many years ago (Pfeffer) Fun. Sung to the tune of "John Brown's body".  Good for kids.
• ATAR684 Who am I? (Unknown author) A good song for kids about all the different people called by God. Mentions Moses, Jonah, Esther and Jesus. Good for kids.  

Alternative Psalm to go with Jonah: Psalm 145:1-8

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.

Philippians 1:21-30 

Living right. Or something.

• TiS 468 / NCH309 / PH436 We are your people, Spirit of Grace (Brian Wren) A bit long, but if you vary verses between men and women it's a bit more refreshing. The sudden high note at the end can throw newcomers to the tune a little, so if it's new, it's good to warn people about it. Lyrics and sheet music.  
• 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.
• MV154 Deep in our hearts (John Oldham) A good song about having a common vision and purpose. Easy to sing. Lyric video.
  
• CH159 / A&M715 / CP(E) 81 / W&R70 / SP289 / Srce439 / Lau942 / StF470 / MP428 Lord for the years your love has kept and guided (Timothy Dudley-Smith) Very traditional, but good words. Some lack of inclusive language in some versions. Sung to a well-known hymn tune (O PERFECT LOVE) in some books it is set to a different tune, which is also nice but may be less familiar. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource / 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. Sound sample. Lyrics and sheet music.
• Iona (Common Ground) / VU704 / CP297 / StF612 God give us life (John Bell) Good words, to a fairly straightforward, but unfamiliar tune. If you choose to focus on the "living is Christ, and dying is gain" part of the passage, this may be helpful. Sheet music sample.

Matthew 20:1-16
The parable of equal pay to the workers in the vineyard who all started at different times.

• MV127 I saw the rich ones (Pat Mayberry) This is simple to sing and a great song for kids “The men in the vineyards were grumbling one day, I knew they weren’t happy with what they’d been paid… But with God the world is turned upside down. The poor are embraced and the lost they are found. Let’s work for a world where all people are free. Where it’s good to feel good about God loving you and me”. Lyric video. Good for kids.
• NCH332 / VU457 / ELW522 / SFFS 2268 / HPP528 / GC(II)738 / G(3)839 / CP061 / W&R695 As We Gather at Your Table (Carl P Daw) Beautiful, honest, encouraging words. Could be sung to HOLY MANNA, BEACH SPRING or NETTLETON, all very popular hymn tunes (and Sacred Harp tunes), particularly good if you are celebrating communion this week. Lyrics. New words to old tunes
• 🌏 TiS 168 / NCH425 / CH231 / UMH97 / A&M284 / VU227 / WoV760 / ELW679 / GA426 / HPP287 / GtG036 / PH553 / RS704 / CP259 / CP(E) 254 / W&R723 / Cha714 / URW193 / StF124 / Lau731 / MP153 For the Fruit of All Creation / For the fruits of this creation (Fred Pratt Green) Some sources are quite masculine, but some OK. Very easy and well known tune and pretty standard words of harvest thanksgiving. The phrase "in the just reward of labour" would be an interesting discussion point for this passage. Sung to the well known tune AR HYD Y NOS. New words to old tunes. Lyrics and tune sample.

What will you be singing? I'd love to hear your ideas - please add them in a comment below!