Songs, Hymns and Music for Easter 3B (April 14 2024)

Acts 3:12-19  
Peter preaches the gospel. Christ was rejected but faith in Christ brings healing. Christ the fulfiller of the prophets.
You could really sing just about anything for this reading.

• TiS 242 / AHB 183 / AoV1-018 / ATN 27 / CH404 / UMH261 / VU352 / A&M667 / HPP163 / GtG157 / PH302 / G(II)481 / GC708 / GC(II)689 / G(3)796 / CP(E) 468 / W&R118 / Lau765 / StF247 I danced in the morning / Lord of the Dance (Sydney Carter) Lyrics. You all know this one, right? Good for kids Oldy-but-a-goody.
• Tune In / Online Resource A grain of wheat (Sheree Anderson) Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it won't form roots and grow. A boppy song with deeply meaningful lyrics. Not immediately easy to sing. Free downloadable songbook and sound samples. Good for kids.
• TiS 178 / G(II)335 / GC478 / GC(II)487 / G(3)565 Praise the God who changes places (Brian Wren) I like the joy of the tune written by William Rowan (BOE) for this song. Lyrics.
  
• TiS 210 / AHB 141 / NCH042 / CH352 / UMH57 / VU326 / LBW42 / ELW295 / A&M742 / HPP74 / GtG610 / PH466 / CP306 / CP(E) 534 / W&R96 / Cha005 / Srce506 / 82Hml-493 / StF364 / MP496 O for a thousand tongues to sing (Charles Wesley) A classic. I particularly love NATIVITY for these words, and it's such a fun tune. Be careful with the words "ye dumb". Voices United has "Hear him you deaf, you voiceless ones, your tongues again employ" which is more respectful. Lyrics and sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• TiS 382 / AoV2-131 / ATN 15 / NCH238 / CH417 / UMH311 / VU186 / LBW280 / ELW570 / GA364 / A&M212 / HPP210 / GtG247 / G(II)318 / GC444 / GC(II)456 / G(3)534 / CP237 / CP(E) 153 / W&R311 / Cha230 / 82Hml-204 / Lau278 / StF306 Now the green blade rises (John Mcleod Campbell Crum) I love these words and this simple French folk tune. I particularly like this played to guitar, but TiS has an excellent piano arrangement too. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
• 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 tune. Oldy-but-a-goody. 

Psalm 4
Answer when I call; when you are disturbed ponder it on your beds. God brings safety and hears.

• Church folders Turn an ear to me O Lord / Answer when I call (James Foley) This is actually a setting of Psalm 102, but the refrain will work for this Psalm as well. It's in the folders at Brunswick UCA. Lyrics & Youtube. Sound sample.
• Tune In / Online Resource Shepherd of the night (Elaine Loukes) "Have you ever felt the velvet night wrap you in her warmth". A lovely song with a theme of God’s protection. This is tricky for a congregation, so you might want to ask the musicians to play this. Free downloadable sheet music and sound samples.
• Iona (T1AU) / CH222 / StJ / PfAS004B / StF145 Night has fallen / Dzuwa lapita (Malawian evening hymn) A simple Psalm refrain, this one is quite lovely with or without the rest of the Psalm being read or chanted. Lyrics and sheet music sample.
• PfAS004A O God defender of the poor (Timothy Idle) Good strong metrical words set to BROTHER JAMES' AIR. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
  
• TiS 613 / AHB 546 / ATOK 405 / CH166 / LBW469 / ELW765 / A&M713 / SFFS2197 / HPP265 / GtG683 / GC578 / GC(II)560 / G(3)663 / CP506 / CP(E) 507 / W&R469 / URW179 / 82Hml-482 / Lau969 / StF526 / MP882 Lord of all hopefulness Lord of all joy (Joyce Struther) Excellent straightforward Irish tune (SLANE), and beautiful words. Would be a good choice for the final song. Sheet music. Sound sample. New words to old tunes.
• Emergent Psalter Answer me (Isaac Everett) A simple refrain for a psalm read over improvised music. Sheet music for refrain (click on the "downloads" tab)  
• G(II)460 / GC648 / GC(II)617 / G(3)640 / W&R631 / Cha501 / ZSS114 / SgTJ1045 / 82Hml-676 There is a balm in Gilead (African-American traditional) This beautiful song, while not steeped in layers of meaning for non-Americans is worth singing wherever you live. Lyrics and sheet music samples.  Oldy-but-a-goody.
• AoV1-056 / CH217 / GA541 / G(II)551 / GC761 / GC(II)750 / G(3)859 / URW201 / Lau881 God of Day and God of Darkness (Marty Haugen) This song is specific for evening services, but lovely words and set to a familiar tune (BEACH SPRING). I often think this is only good for an evening service, but the image of darkness and night doesn't have to be taken literally, and the call to rest at the end of the last verse would be good for those who take the celebration of Sabbath as a call to rest. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• AoV2-091 When The Night becomes dark your love O Lord is a fire (Suzanne Toolan) A lovely simple chant. Sound sample.
• PfAS004B / VU727 In the night I can take my rest (Helen Wright / Anthony Teague) A simple refrain to the Psalm. Lyrics.
  
• GC(II)618 / G(3)729 Only You O God (Susan Briehl) A nice alternative to "Balm in Gilead", sung to the same tune. Verse 2 is particularly touching.  Lyrics and sheet music. Sound sample.
• Taize When The Night becomes dark your love O Lord is a fire (Jacques Berthier) Lovely Taize chant. Sound sample. 
• Recorded music In the stillness (Trish Watts) This beautiful chant would fit well with the Psalm; from her album "Invokation". "In the stillness, there is a sweet gentle voice, calming the storm in the night". Available here.
• AoV2-054 / Iona (T1AU, LFB) / MV077 /  GtG414 / SFFS 2057 / G(II)438 / GC618 / RS 736 / SP&P111 / PfAS046D / URW409 / Lau909 / StF019 Be still and know that I am God (John Bell / Graham Maule) This simple chant is beautiful. Works as a round or in unison. Good for kids. Sound sample.
• ATOK 311 / CH754 / GA401 Be still and know that I am God and there is none beside me (Iona) A good alternative. I like the 2nd verse especially "I am the one who calls you my friends, and there is none beside me". CH doesn't have the 2nd verse.  Again, while not directly related to the Psalm, it is related and Good for kids. Sound sample and spoken meditation.
• ATN 9 / NCH743 / CH755 / W&R450 / Srce68 / StF018 / MP048 Be Still and Know (Anon) This is the old classic. Sources vary in the verses they have and the level of inclusiveness in the lyrics. Lead sheet and chords.
  
• NCH Psalter004 Let the light of your face shine on us O God (Peter Niedmann) A very simple refrain and chanted (or read) Psalm. 
• Online Resource I will lie down and sleep in peace (Richard Bruxvoort Colligan) A lovely and simple song about putting trust in God, who listens when we call, and being able to find rest. Sound sample, lyrics and purchasing options (and some great reflections!). The song is the second one listed on this page.  
  

1 John 3:1-7
We are God’s children. In Christ there is no more sin.

• Online resource Children of God (Bruce Harding) A simple two part chant. Will need to be taught. Sheet music and sound sample.
  
• TiS 163 / AHB 112 / NCH556 / UMH150 / LBW463 / ELW771 / GtG024  / PH268 / W&R644 / Cha651 / URW084 / 82Hml-580 God who stretched the spangled heavens (Catherine Cameron) Good words of creation of nature and cities and creative possibilities for the future. AHB has a Father and old language, but it works okay; TiS and other sources are better. There are many possible tunes. I like it best to HOLY MANNA as in the link. Lyrics and sound sample. New words to old tunes.
• TiS 465 / AHB 399 / ATA 115 / NCH279 / A&M271 / Iona (SBL) / CH116 / GA381 / Lau313 / StF004 Our God in heaven / Father in heaven / Loving Creator grant to your children (Elena Maquiso / Daniel Niles) I really like this hymn, especially the Philippino folk melody to which it's set. Newer versions of the hymn from the Christian Conference of Asia have altered the lyrics to "Our God in heaven / Creator God" in the first verse. Other versions, such as CH4 have "Loving Creator / Parent and God". Sound sample.
• Online Resource / TiS 417 / AoV2-133 / ATW 448 / VU387 / StJ / WoV683 / ELW397 / AA94 / HPP237 / GtG293 / PH323 / CP657 / W&R135 / Cha244 / URW203 / StB220 / VF051 Loving Spirit, Loving Spirit (Shirley Murray) There are about a zillion tunes set for this. I prefer FELICITY (by Colin Gibson TiS 417), but also like RESTORATION and OMNI DIE. Lyrics and sheet music samples.
  
• TiS 546 / AHB 122 / CH491 / CH492 / LBW309 / ELW599 / A&M127 / HPP405 / GtG417 / / PH301 / CP511 / CP(E) 97 / W&R386 / 82Hml-641 / Lau204 Lord Jesus think on me (Synesius of Cyrene) Most versions of this are difficult to relate to, but CH492 and A&M have the best words of all translations I've found. I think it's great to be able to sing these ancient words from the 4th century with generations who have had the same anxieties that we do. Lyrics and sheet music sample. 
• AoV2-037 Children Of God in one family (Christopher Walker) Great for kids. Sometimes we mess up, but God forgives. Lyrics and sound sample. Good for kids.
• AoVK-119 We're God's family God's children (Trish Watts /  Monica O'Brien) Good words. Catchy tune.  Good for kids.
• MV157 / Online Resource I am a child of God (Bruce Harding) A simple song with powerful words. Good for kids and adults alike. Very easy to learn. Sheet music and sound sample. Good for kids (just the first verse probably).

Luke 24:36b-48
Christ revealed in the breaking of bread and he eats some fish. Christ as the fulfillment of the prophets. 

• Online Resource All 'round this table here / In Breaking Bread (Shawn Whelan) A great song, with lots of repetition "In breaking bread Christ is here; When wine is shared Christ is here". Particularly appropriate if there is also communion, but will make sense without it. Sheet music, lyrics and sound sample. Good for kids.
• Online Resource Great Eastern star igniting skies (Hannah Brown) Poetic words starting with the star and the child, passing through crucifixion to resurrection. Sung to the shape note tune KEDRON, which I love, but will need to be taught to most congregations. Lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
• AA016 / Online Resource Christ is our peace (Shirley Murray) Wow. This one is excellent. Would also be good for the offering. Very simple Irish traditional tune. Lyrics & sheet music. 
• TiS 382 / AoV2-131 / ATN 15 / NCH238 / CH417 / UMH311 / VU186 / LBW280 / ELW570 / GA364 / A&M212 / HPP210 / GtG247 / G(II)318 / GC444 / GC(II)456 / G(3)534 / CP237 / CP(E) 153 / W&R311 / Cha230 / 82Hml-204 / Lau278 / StF306 Now the green blade rises (John Mcleod Campbell Crum) I love these words and this simple French folk tune. I particularly like this played to guitar, but TiS has an excellent piano arrangement too. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
• GGives2 What does peace look like to you (Mandy 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.
  
• 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 tune. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• Online Resource / Tune In Making things new (Sheree Anderson) A groovy one. Great for kids, and lots of fun. Free downloadable sheet music, lyrics and sound sample. Good for kids.
• ATW 437 I have seen the Lord (Robin Mann) I like this one. Lyrics here. 
• 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". 
  
• Iona (Love From Below) / CH434 / CP232 Jesus is risen from the grave (John Bell / Graham Maule) Good, simple rhythm and tune. You can even make up some verses if you like. Sound sample. 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 (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". 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 little bit tricky. Sound sample. New words to old tunes.
• MV168 May peace be with you / Salamun Kullaheen (Traditional Lebanese) Simple chant in English and Arabic.
• 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.

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