Songs and Hymns for Proper 21A / Ordinary 26A / Pentecost +17 (October 1 2023)

Exodus 17:1-7
God delivers water from the rock to the grumbling Israelites.

• Online Resource Meroo / Water seeping up outta the ground (Nelson Varcoe) The Dharug / Tharwal word "Meroo" means water. Simple chorus and good words about the importance of water, and a chorus about the rising of the Holy Spirit, carrying our prayers up to the sky. Book available here (BUC people, I have this!).
  
• Online Resource/ BUC Song Project Broken (Elaine Loukes) This song seeking God's open arms at the end of a dry journey fits this reading well.  Lyrics, sound sample, and sheet music.
• Tune In / Online Resource / ATAR663 Save us in the time of trial (Shawn Whelan) A song with a reflective almost-Taize-like chorus. We have sung this a cuople of different ways, it's quite flexible. I will suggest this quite a bit during Lent. Lyrics, sound sample and free downloadable songbook.
• Online Resource Thirsty we wander the desert / Even from rock (David Bjorlin / Mark Miller) An excellent new song - easy and energising to sing. It really identifies with the wandering Israelites and our own thirst for salvation. Sheet music sample and purchasing options. Sound sample. 
  
• GtG053 O God who gives us life and breath (Carl P Daw) Excellent words of God providing living springs of hope, and the need for us to face our fears and follow God through difficult times. An excellent fit for this reading. Straightforward hymn tune (NOEL). Sheet music and lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource / AoV2-006 / The tide has turned Deeper River / There's a river running deep within the silence of our souls (Digby Hannah). An excellent song of restoration for tired desert-like souls. Sound sample and purchasing options.
  
• ATW 435 Wellsprings / Like the woman of old (Don Stewart) Another song of seeking water in the desert. A favourite of our congregation; can be tricky to sing if it's not familiar. Sound sample.
• NCH045 Christ is the Mountain of Horeb which is flowing / Cristo es la pena (Unknown author) Puerto Rican pasodoble folk melody. Very repetitive and easy. Can start slow and get fast, which is always a winner move. We have not sung this for a while. Youtube of some cool pianist doing a groovy jazzy version. Good for kids.
• 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." Sheet music and lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• Tune In / Online Resource We will sing a new song to the world (Dave Brown) An energetic song about the gospel. Lyrics, sound sample and free downloadable songbook.
• AoV1-114 / HPP376 / G(II)430 / GC608 / GC(II)596 / G(3)683 / W&R430 / Lau964 You shall cross the barren desert / Be not afraid (Bob Dufford) Beautiful words. Well known (at least, the chorus). Verses may be tricky. Lyrics.
• CH191 When you Walk through the waters I’ll be with you / Do Not Be Afraid (Gerald Markland) A simple and very singable song. Thanks to Bud for this suggestion. Lyric video.

Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16 
Keeping the history alive; telling it to the children.
See above and:

• TiS 41 / United Methodist Psalter We shall listen, Lord, to your teaching (Timothy Kimbrough) A fairly formal cantor and response Psalm. It requires a confident leader as the response is not completely intuitive. The verses can be read or sung by a leader. Lyrics (downloads an order of service).
  
• Cha330 Alleluia Hear God's Story (Mary Anne Parrott) Good words of a community that reaches out together to a familiar carol tune. Talks of the importance of telling the story. I think this picks up on the idea of sharing the faith story through all generations. I would love to know if there are other songs about telling the story to children and the next generation. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• 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.
• VU792 We will tell new generations (Joachim Neander) Very simple hymn-based Psalm refrain with responsive Psalm. Sheet music sample.
• TiS 182 / AoV2-010 / NCH11 / CH134 / VU268 / GtG760 / SFFS 2047 / HPP13 / CP395 / VF106 Bring many names beautiful and good (Brian Wren) This is a beautiful song, but it's very long (especially if sung too slowly). Try singing one verse unison, then one women, one men, then all together again, to keep people interested in what they are singing. Lyrics.
• PfAS078E We will tell each generation (Michael Perry)  A good metrical version of the Psalm set to the Sacred Harp tune RESTORATION.  Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource / GtG632 / PfAS078A People of the Lord (Greg Scheer) It's in 7/8! What more do you need! Oh, and the words are good, with an echo in the verses. This would be fun. Sheet music and sound sample.
  
• Emergent Psalter Give your ears my people to the lessons of the past (Isaac Everett) A good, slightly solemn Psalm refrain. Sheet music (refrain only).
• TiS 636 / VU272 / WoV715 / LBW250 / ELW533 / GtG453 / PfAS078C / PfAS078D / URW076 / 82Hml-536 / MP182 God has spoken to his people Alleluia / God has spoken to the people Alleluia (Hasidic traditional) In many versions this song is not inclusive for God, or uses specifically Christian lyrics (which is odd, since it's a Jewish hymn). VU, PfAS GtG and WoV have gender inclusive language for God: "God has spoken to the people (Alleluia), God has spoken words of wisdom, Alleluia". WoV and PfAS also have the traditional Hebrew chorus of "Torah ora torah ora hallelujah" which means "The Lord is light" and would be great to sing; and it's the original words!  PfAS078D simply uses the first two lines of the first verse as a psalm refrain. Choral sound sample with more inclusive lyrics, an awesome organist and great tambourine action. The chorus is good for kids. Oldy-but-a-goody.

Alternate Hebrew Scripture Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32<
Israel is grumbling again. God says to "turn, then, and live".

• Tune In / Online Resource We will sing a new song to the world (Dave Brown) It makes me think of being joyous when everyone around you sounds like a grumbling Israelite in the desert. Lyrics, sound sample and free downloadable songbook.
• MV064 Because you came (Shirley Murray) Powerful words of confession and forgiveness, sung to a lovely tune that will need to be taught, but will not be hard to teach. It has 5 verses, so maybe invite the congregation to join in as they hear it. Lyrics.
• Tune In / Online Resource / NCYC '07: Forgive us now (Dave Brown). “As we forgive may we be healed, as we reach out….” An excellent ballad. Lyrics, sound sample and free downloadable songbook.

Alternate Psalm Psalm 25:1-9

Make me know your ways, teach me your paths. Trust in God 

• URW143 The Grace of God is like a road (Michael Hudson) Beautiful words of God's presence and call to follow. Sung to a familiar tune THE GIFT OF LOVE, that is almost the same as O WALY WALY. Highly recommended. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource / Tune In Like the sun upon my skin / God’s Mercy (Sheree Anderson) A beautiful ballad about identifying God's mercy in the beauty of creation. Free downloadable songbook and sound sample.
• Online ResourceI Lay Open (Psalm 25) (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A calm reflective chant that could be used as a responsive refrain, or as a devotional prayer. Sound sample & contact details for sheet music. 
• Online Resource / Tune In Dare to Dream (Elaine Loukes) A great song about having a vision for the future, being lead by the light of Bethlehem’s star. "Dare to dream of new beginnings, Paths untried, by faith supplied".  Free downloadable songbook and sound sample
• 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.
• 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. Amazing choral sound sample. Good for kids.
• NCH Psalter 25 Your mercy and love have been from of old (Judy Hunnicutt) A lovely simple Psalm refrain.
• Emergent Psalter Let me know your ways (Isaac Everett) A really good psalm response. I just love this book - I think I like every Psalm in it. Sheet music (refrain only).
• 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.
• VU753 / AA117 / A&M773 / SP306 Safe in the hands of God / Safe in your hands O God (Michael Perry) Good paraphrase of the Psalm. Tune will need to be played through at least once before the congregation join in. Lyrics & Sheet music.
• Online resource Make me know your ways (Bruce Harding) A nice laid back and groovy Psalm response or chant. Can work as a round, too. Sheet music. Good for kids.
• GA280 / GtG089 / G(II)252 / GC328 / GC(II)336 / G(3)415 / Lau111 For you O Lord my soul in stillness waits (Marty Haugen) Nice refrain, and verses that contain a good range of images of God. Might be best for the congregation to join in only in the refrain as verses are long and have lots of words. Sound sample. Lead sheet & Lyrics
• ATOK 414 / Iona (LFB, Common Ground) / CH501 / GA485 / A&M788 / G(II)480 / GC673 / GC(II)655 / SP311 / StF513 / Lau850 Take this moment, sign and space (John Bell) A fairly well known favourite. Simple melody and beautiful words. Lyrics (includes a very skinny picture of Jesus).
• MV045 / SP&P051 Hamba nathi (Zulu). There are a lot of translations of this song. I like "Come walk with us, the journey is long". Sound sample.  Good for kids  
• 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 New words to old tunes.
• VU752 / G(II)34 / GC36 / GC(II)26 / G(3)039 / PfAS025A / URW248 To you O God I lift my soul (Marty Haugen) Simple lilting cantor and response "To you O Lord I lift my soul, to you I lift my soul". Lead sheet. Sound sample.  AoV2-014 To You O God I Lift Up My Soul (Bob Hurd) I like this; it's pretty groovy, and has good lyrics; you could also use the chorus on its own, or with a read version of the Psalm. Sound sample and lyrics.
• TiS 14 / GA026 To you, O Lord I lift my soul (Christopher Willcock) Good cantor and response. Sound sample.
• Taizé / CH276 / VU22 / GtG090 / ELW262 / GA283 / A&M053 / G(II)256 / GC332 / GC(II)340 / G(3)406 / CP094 / W&R166 / PfAS037B / SP28 / URW396 / Lau088 Wait for the Lord (Jacques Berthier) "Wait for the Lord whose day is near, wait for the lord, keep watch, take heart". A lovely simple Taizé chant. Some older versions are not inclusive. Sheet music, translations and sound samples.

Philippians 2:1-13
Servanthood of Christ, Unity

• 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 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 Oldy-but-a-goody.
• NCH590 / CH621 Spirit of Jesus, if I love my neighbour (Brian Wren) Challenging words of offering help from a position of privilege and seeking to be set free from the entrapment of possessions “If I am hugging safety or possessions, uncurl my spirit as your love prevails, to join my neighbours, work for liberation, and find my freedom at the mark of nails”. Could also be sung to the tune PERFECT LOVE if your congregation would have trouble with the newer tune. Sheet music & lyrics. New words to old tunes. 
• TiS 691 Faith will not grow from words alone (Elizabeth Smith) This is an excellent hymn about doubting and struggling in faith. The tune is familiar and I find the words very helpful for thinking and doubting Christians. Lyrics.
• 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 kidsOldy-but-a-goody.
• TiS 174 / UMH194 / A&M544 / CP(E)259 / 82Hml-585 / StF012 Morning glory starlit sky (William Hubert Vanstone) Quite formal words, but very very beautiful song of God's boundless love "Drained is love in making full, bound in setting others free, poor in making many rich, weak in giving power to be". Not all sources are inclusive. The tune is not difficult, but will need to be taught to a congregation if not familiar. The lyrics could also be read as a poem, and challenges the image of Christ as monarch, but also affirms God's reign. Lyrics.
• TiS 721 / Iona (LFB) / URW431 / StF344 / Lau124 He became poor that we may be rich (Iona) A simple chant. Timing is a little bit tricky, so you will need to take a little time to teach it initially. This has gorgeous parts if you have some singers. Sound sample (instrumental).
  
• MV155 Unbounded spirit breath of God (Brian Wren) Good solid words of commitment to faith and work; a communal song. Simple hymnlike tune. Lyrics & sheet music. 
• Online Resource / Walk as One Come come come come together (David MacGregor) A boppy song about working together - a good song for sending out the congregation. Lyric video. Sheet music for purchase.

Matthew 21:23-32
Who gave Jesus authority? The disobedient and obedient sons
Many of the songs suggested for the Philippians reading will also work here in terms of following the theme of servanthood.

• VU325 Christ is made the sure foundation (John Neele) Most versions of this early Latin hymn are old translations which are not so suitable for modern congregations. NCH has good lyrics “Here renew your servants’ vision, that by faith they may attain peace and hope, renewed compassion, strength to comfort those in pain, tears and grief transformed to gladness in your everlasting reign.” 
• Online Resource / TiS 749 / AoV1-154 / AoVK-131 / ATE 305 / NCH360 / Iona (SBL, Freedom is coming) / CH800 / UMH497 / VU572 / WoV773 / ELW809 / GA493 / A&M481 / HPP340 / GtG746 / G(II)484 / GC677 / GC(II)674 / G(3)776 / W&R713 / Cha447 / SP234 / StF782 Send me Jesus / Thuma mina (South African) You all know this one, right? If you don't - it's great - simple, repetitive, and meaningful. Sound and sheet music sample and purchasing options. Youtube
• CH488 / AA130 Teach us O loving heart of Christ (Shirley Murray) Good, powerful words seeking forgiveness for those things we have not done or said. The tune is new, but fairly simple. Sheet music & lyrics. 
• TiS 259 / Iona (Love From Below) Among us and before us Lord you stand (John Bell). Good words. The set tune (GATEHOUSE) will need to be taught. It can also be sung to SURSUM CORDA. Lyrics (Downloads a powerpoint presentation)

Do you have ideas that you would like to share? Please add them in a comment below!
Written in Manchester Airport, UK, after the 22nd UK Sacred Harp Convention in 2017; updated in the 2nd coronavirus lockdown in Melbourne 2020, then updated again at home in Melbourne 2023.