Songs, Hymns and Music for Easter 2B (April 7 2024)

Acts 4:32-35  
Unity. The believers share and no-one is needy...

• Online Resource Are you lost among earth's peoples? (Hannah Brown / Gregg DeMay) Excellent words about finding each other and coming together as a community of faith that works for justice. The tune is very singable, and comforting. Lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.   
  
• AoVK-105 We give thanks for the goodness of love that is shared (Trish Watts / Monica O'Brien) I like it! Particularly good if you are celebrating communion. Sheet music
  
• Online Resource / ATFG561 / Tune In Part of a fam'ly interconnected / Community (Dave Brown) A song about being welcomed and how to work together as part of a community. "Part of a family interconnected, this is community; Welcoming strangers, visiting neighbours, this gives us dignity". Very singable song about building community. Works well for kids as well. A favourite at Brunswick Uniting. Downloadable songbook and sound samples.
• TiS 473 / NCH314 / W&R615 / Cha655 / StF681 / Lau895 Community of Christ (Shirley Murray) Beautiful words to a traditional Hebrew synagogue melody (LEONI). Easy to sing. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes
• 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.
• NCH575 / VU697 / GtG372 / PH386 / Cha683 O for a world where everyone respects each others ways (Miriam Therese Winter) A song with good words sung to a well known hymn tune (AZMON). The words are a prayer for a world of peace and the reign of Christ. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• HPP447 / CP304 / W&R687 All Things Are Yours (Brian Jeffery Leech) A good hymn for the congregation to sing during the offering, if that is your habit. Sung to the familiar tune GERMANY. New words to old tunes Sheet music and lyrics. 
• Online Resource / Tune In Cover us with love (Elaine Loukes) This song may not be easy for congregations to sing, but it is great to listen to. “Be our vision Lord, in a world that’s filled with greed”... Downloadable songbook and sound samples. 
• Recorded Music The sharing song (Jack Johnson) A cute song from the soundtrack to Curious George. It could work well if you sing the first few lines as a chorus with the kids, or you could play the recorded version during the offering (!). Lyrics and video. Good for kids.
• NCH291 / PH273 O God the Creator (Elizabeth Thunderbird Haile / Cecil Corbett) Unusual, but good tune, and good words, reflecting Native American spirituality and our unity as God's created children. Chorus is "And we're brothers and sisters in God's love". Lyrics.
  
• HPP498 / Cha495 / URW057 Weave weave (Rosemary Crow) A simple 6/8 chorus asking God to "weave us together in unity and love". Youtube. 
  
• AoV1-130 / NCH444 / SFFS 2223 / HPP495 / GtG300 / G(II)533 / GC735 / GC(II)728 / G(3)835 / W&R595 / Cha494 We are one in the Spirit / They’ll know we are Christians by our love (Peter Scholtes) A classic 60's song of unity and being an example to others. It's still pretty groovy, I reckon. Older version are really masculine. We often syncopate it a bit at Brunswick. Note that the 3-6 Sunday School class learned this song this term, so would be good to use. Lyrics and pretty silly sound sample. Good for kids. 

Psalm 133
How good it is when kindred live in unity. Oil running down the beard and dew on mountains.

• GWA018 How very good how wonderful / Mily gyönyörüség íme lásd (Zóltan Sumonyi / Dániel Gryllus) A fun setting of this Psalm, set to an Hungarian folk-music style tune, and a chorus that is just la la la la la. I would use a soloist for the verses. I really like this. Sound sample. 
• Singing from the Lectionary Exclusive! Behold how good and Oh how pleasant (Noelle Damico) A beautiful chant that I remember every time I read this Psalm; I have an old photocopy of it and Noelle has given me permission to post it here, complete with my husband's guitarist scribbles. It can be sung as a simple chant, or sung with a responsive bilingual reading of the Psalm (Spanish/English) or really any way you like. You can access the file here (through a Google Drive document). Please let Noelle know if you use this (revdamico_at_gmail.com). Good for kids.
• Emergent Psalter How good it is (Isaac Everett) A good 3/4 swung Psalm refrain to a read Psalm. Sheet music (response) here.
• NCH Psalter How pleasant to live in unity (Hyeon Jeong) A simple Psalm refrain for a chanted or read Psalm.
• Online Resource Sharing the Road (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A joyful song, with a simple refrain. I think this would work well either by using the chorus as a Psalm refrain, or by using both the chorus and verses intersected with a reading of the Psalm. The verses would be better sung by a soloist initially. I think the refrain would also be great sung more uptempo with some solid gospel harmonies... at least, that's what's happening in my head. Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music for purchase.
• GtG398 / PfAS133C How very good and pleasant (Barbara Boertje) This is sweet; perhaps a little mushy. I think older congregations would quite like this chorus. Sound sample.  
• VU856 / CH90 / StJ / R212 / ELW649 / SFFS 2231 / GtG397 / Cha292 / Cha764b / PfAS133D O Look and Wonder / Miren que bueno (Pablo Sosa). An energetic refrain, and verses are a paraphrase of the psalm. Lots of fun. Chalice also has it arranged as a Psalm response with reading if you prefer. Sample sheet music and sound sample here (bilingual)
• PfAS133B Behold how good and delightful (Traditional Puerto Rican) A simple short song in English and Spanish sung to a traditional Puerto Rican tune. Sound sample.
  
• Cha764a Unite us God unite us in your everlasting love (Unknown) Simple sung response, and responsive reading.
• G(II)525 / GC727 / SP244 / URW335 How Good It Is, what pleasure comes (Ruth Duck) Good words celebrating the joy of a faithful community. Sung to a familiar shape note tune. Lyrics and sample sheet music. Midi file of tune.
• 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.
• AoVK-113 Thank you O Lord for this world of ours (Barr) A good kids song in two parts.  Good for kids.

1 John 1:1-2:2
God is light, walk in the light. Confess sins.

• AoV2-003 / ATOK 313 / CH543 / StJ / GA404 / A&M042 / ELW715 / GtG314 / GC(II)512 / G(3)590 / SP13 / URW114 / Lau883 / StF706 Longing for light we wait in darkness / Christ, be our light (Bernadette Farrell) One of my favourites, especially if someone can sing or play the descant line in the later verses. Sound sample and lyrics. Good for kids. 
• AoVK-40 / NCH524 / UMH585 / ELW677 / A&M808 / HPP466 / G(II)358 / GC514 / GC(II)514 / G(3)591 This little light of mine (Harry Dixon Loes / Avis Christiansen) The AoVK version has excellent verses that actually make the chorus make sense, but will need to be practiced. Check them out if you have a copy. In the meantime, watch Bruce Springsteen sing it here. It's amazing... Good for kids.
• Online Resource Took a walk outside of my walking / How then shall I live? (Linnea Good) A fun pop song with a great, catchy, questioning chorus. Very easy to sing. Sound sample.
  
• Taize / TiS 747 / ATE 214 / Iona (M&G) / GtG842 / PfAS027A / URW393 The Lord is my light, my light and salvation (Jacques Berthier) A simple and very popular Taize chant. Note that this is really easy on recorder if you have a kid in your congregation who is learning it. Good for kids. Youtube.
• AoV1-053 / AoVK-82 / GA256 Receive The Light of Christ (Erica Marshall) Simple round "Receive the light of Christ, May (it) shine within our hears, May the Christ Light fill us with joy and peace".  At Brunswick, this song might be good to be sung each week as we light the candles for the kids to go out to Sunday Morning Programme. Lyrics and a fairly non-chanty sound sample. Good for kids.
• Online Resource O Children of the Light / Ay Farzandane Nur (Anonymous Farsi) This is simple enough if you just limit yourself to one verse and chorus in both languages. Sheet music, Farsi, transliteration and English translation (the English translation is not for singing). Sound sample on youtube (which includes a singable English translation). Here's a great video teaching the pronunciation. Don't do it too fast! BUC people: we really need to learn another Farsi song...
  
• 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. Sheet music. Sound sample. Good for kids.
• Online Resource Holding up the light (Christopher Grundy) A great song for all about being brave enough to hold a light, no matter how small, when all around seems dark and difficult. Unfortunately, I cannot find a current source of the sheet music for this, but maybe you have a copy? Youtube. Good for kids.
• Iona (HSNW) / VU019 / A&M839 / SP326 Kindle a flame to lighten the dark and take all fear away (John Bell) This song would also work well at various points in the service, including during intercessions. It starts quite high! Good for kids. Sound sample. Sheet music sample.
  
• CH348 / StS001 / LBW196 / ELW843 / A&M762 / G(3)625 / CP397 / W&R93 / SP304 / URW090 Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness (Rusty Edwards) Good words of Christ's ministry to all. Can be sung to the familiar tune NETTLETON, or the less familiar and very lovely tune JOEL. I will suggest this again next week! Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
• Iona (One is the Body) / ATAR601 / MV103 Ka mana'o 'i 'o (Joe Kanoelehua Camacho) Hawai'ian song. Fun to sing and good words. T chorus is not too hard to sing in Hawai'ian if you teach it. Nice with guitar and/or ukelele. Sound sample.  
• SFFS 2005 Arise Shine for your light has come (Gary Alan Smith) A simple call and response. Good for an intro to worship. This would be great for the whole Christmas season.
• TiS 548 / VU629 / A&M014 / PH340 / CP(E) 415 / W&R418 / SP003 / 82Hml-465 Eternal light shine in my heart (Christpher Idle) I really love this beautiful inclusive and ancient prayer. It is not familiar, but would be beautiful sung by a soloist until your congregation grows to know it. Lyrics.
  
• HiOS004 All Will Be Well (Bill Wallace) 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"... Sheet music sample.
  
• Recorded song: Walk in the light, beautiful light (Aretha Franklin). This song would be great if you have some gospel singers in your congregation! You can listen to Aretha and some awesome choir singing it here.

John 20:19-31
Jesus gives peace and the Holy Spirit; Thomas.

I will suggest some of these songs again next week, so you may like to consider choosing a song you can repeat. 

• Online Resource / ACS939 Touch that soothes and heals the hurting / See my hands and feet (Mary Louise Bringle) Excellent new lyrics that think about the actions that Christ's hands and feet took, and how they might inspire us. Can be sung to the new set tune, which is very satisfying and not too difficult. Can also be sung to BEACH SPRING. Sheet music sample, lyrics and purchasing options. Sound sample. New words to old tunes (if you choose).
• Online Resource Ask the complicated questions (David Bjorlin / Southern Harmony) Excellent words about the value of questioning, doubting and seeking. Set to the shape note tune RESTORATION. There is also a more contemporary setting. Sample lyrics, sheet music and purchasing options. 
• TiS 691 Faith will not grow from words alone (Elizabeth Smith) Excellent strong words of a questioning faith to a familiar hymn tune. Lyrics.
• NCH249 Peace I leave with you my friends (Ray Repp) Slow, simple and excellent words. A congregation will pick this up the first time through, I think. Lyric video.
• GA517 Peace I leave with you my friends (Gregory Norbert) This one is less familiar to me, but I also like it. Sound sample.
• Online Resource / Resounding Voices Beyond the hopes and dreams of all creation (Robert Easton / Ghislaine Reece-Trapp) Realistic words about the wonder of Christ's birth, life, death, and resurrection, and how we find it so hard to believe. Set to a new, and very singable hymn tune. Free book download here. 
• 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. Good for kids. Sheet music sample and lyrics. Youtube
• Tune in / Online Resource We are the dream that's longing / Jesus is waiting (Dave Brown) An honest catchy rock song about our hesitation to follow and Jesus not only waiting, but continuing to work and change the world. A good sending-out song. Downloadable songbook and sound samples
• 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. 
• ATOK 412 / Iona (SBL, Common Ground) / CH250 / MV212 / A&M482 / GtG747 / SFFS 2184 / Lau855 / StF239 Sent by the Lord am I / Sent out in Jesus name / Enviado soy de Dios (Traditional Cuban) Great rhythm, good words and not too hard to sing (provided you sing it a little slowly the first time!) I prefer the MV translation "Sent out in Jesus' name". Good for kids. Lyrics. 
• Iona (Love From Below) / CH434 / CP232 Jesus is risen from the grave (Graham Maule) Good, simple rhythm and tune. You can even make up some verses if you like. Good for kids. If you missed the Thomas verse at Easter (or missed singing this song), you could sing it this week instead. Sound sample. Good for kids.
• NCH288 / UMH503 / Cha260 Let it breathe on me (Magnolia Lewis-Butts) Simple song welcoming the Spirit. This song makes me think of sweet Southern ladies in floral dresses singing in the breeze. I have no idea why (and this was before I learned the author's first name was Magnolia). Sound sample.
  
• MV168 May peace be with you / Salamun Kullaheen (Traditional Lebanese) Simple chant in English and Arabic. Lead sheet (melody only).
  
• ATOK 343 When disciples were frightened / Jesus come and stand among us (Robin Mann) Invite the congregation to join in the chorus if they are not familiar with this song. Sound sample. Lyrics.
• FFS61 The grace of God has appeared (Cecily Sheehy) A simple short song. Would be great if you can have SATB singers on the parts, but will also work with just the melody. "The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all". 
• 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" 
• Online Resource Through the walls of fear and doubt / Break through these walls (Chris Shelton / Sally Ann Morris) Excellent words asking Jesus to come and break through the walls that exist in our world today. It is probably more of a song that you would ask your musicians to sing, and invite the congregation to join in as they listen. Free sheet music. Recording (a little musical theatre-ish for my liking, but very good). 
  
• Online Resource An open hand a willing heart (Adam Tice) Excellent thoughtful words about our call, together as a church, to follow. There are three possible tunes. I like this one by Sally Ann Morris best. Sheet music, lyrics and purchasing options (GIA has multiple versions of this song).
  
• Iona (LFB) / G(II)407 / GC583 God give us peace that lasts (John Bell) Lovely words and a simple hymn tune. Prayer for peace, hope and love. This can also be sung to LOVE UNKNOWN. New words to old tunes "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". Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music
• GC(II)722 / G(3)826 Jesus give us your peace (Michael Mahler) Gospel song. It kind of merges personal peace with global peace. "Jesus bring us your peace, bring us together, let all the fighting cease…" Good for kids and teenagers. Lyrics and sheet music. Sound sample. 
• CH786 May the God of peace go with us (Ian Jamieson) A lovely benediction to a traditional Scottish tune. "May the God of peace go with us as we travel from this place; may the love of Jesus keep us firm in hope and full of grace". It's a wee bit tricky. Sound sample.
  
• NCH271 / UMH538 / VU196 / PH131 / CP249 / W&R333 / Cha236 Wind who makes all winds that blow (Thomas Troeger) Excellent words. Familiar tune (ABERYSTWYTH). Lyrics and sheet music sample.  New words to old tunes.
• TiS 363 / AHB 281 / NCH244 / CH431 / UMH317 / VU170 / LBW514 / ELW820 / A&M213 / GtG235 / PH116 / GC423 / GC(II)446 / G(3)532 / CP228 / CP(E)154 / W&R313 / Cha220 / 82Hml-203 / Lau280 O sons and daughters let us sing (Jean Tisserand) Many versions and many verses. AHB has emphasis on Thomas verses, but Gather hymnals have some nice verses about the women finding Christ risen. This tune can be really pretty cool and varies in many hymnals: plainchant, hymn or fairly majestic contemporary mass music. Lyrics and sheet music.  Oldy but a goody.
• SP&P034 Come and fill all my life (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A gentle and very simple song. Would be good for a meditation. Lyrics.
• Online Resource O Spirit send doubt (David Bjorlin / Sally Ann Morris) A contemporary and thoughtful melody and lyrics that celebrate how faith grows through doubt and questions. Lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options. New words to old tunes. 
• Seeds of Faith Peace Be With You (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A very simple kids song about peace, and sharing peace. Sound sample and lyrics. Good for kids.
• Tune In / Online Resource Peace In Our Time (Dave Brown) A groovy bossa nova song of peace and action for peace. Free downloadable songbook and sound samples.
• MV139 True faith needs no defence (Daniel Damon) Simple, slightly celtic tune, and lovely words. Highly recommended. Lyrics and sheet music sample.
  
• VU396 / Cha283 / MP380 Jesus stand among us in your risen power (William Pennefather) A song seeking reassurance and confidence, sung to a traditional hymn tune. Thanks to Kathleen Stear for this suggestion. Old school lyrics.
  
• VU185 You tell me that the Lord is risen (Rob Johns) A good hymn to a familiar hymn tune (NOEL) that tells the story of Thomas. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• Recorded music: Doubting Thomas (Nickel Creek) One of the most powerful songs I know about being a postmodern doubting but faithful Christian. Lyrics here
• Recorded music: I believe (Zehnder) A great laid-back song about finding it hard to believe in the midst of difficulty and the good times too. Sounds kind of like Sting, I think. "I believe, help my unbelief". Sound sample. 
• Recorded music: Have Mercy (Sandra McCracken) This lovely chant might be good to play during a time of reflection, perhaps while people are lighting candles or contemplating the sermon.... Sound sample, lyrics, and purchase options.
• Online Resource Listen to the words of the risen Christ (Joel Payne) This is a more contemporary worship song, which some congregations may like. Thanks to the anonymous contributor who added this in a comment. Youtube.   
• Online Resource O Jesus you loved Thomas (Petereo) These words, to the familiar tune ANGELS STORY (O Jesus I have promised) have been offered by a reader. See comments below this post! New words to old tunes. 

What will you be singing? Join the conversation and add a comment below - especially if it is something I have not thought of.