Songs, Hymns & Music for Proper 10B/Ordinary 15B/Pentecost 7 (14 July 2024)

2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19  
A celebratory procession with the Ark of the Covenant; David dancing and Michal is displeased
Some simple celebratory dancing songs would go well with this passage

• Online Resource El Espíritu de Dios se muerve en mi you canto como David / When the Spirit of the Lord moves in my soul (Latin American / translated Becca Whitla) There are a few versions of this, but I like the idea of singing like David, praising like David, and dancing like David. Your congregation could be given explicit permission / instruction to move their bodies while singing this! It can be sung in English, but is better in Spanish and is not difficult. Sound sample. Lyrics. English lyrics.
  
• BUC New Songs Sing sing with me (Julia Potter) This lovely song from a member of our congregation is great fun, and includes the verse "Dance, dance with me; feel the music, feel the beat, Move, move your feet, keep it on repeat." Good for kids.
• TiS 670 / SiS569 / AoVK-138 / ATE 258 / CH692 / Srce385 / MP376 Jesus put this song into our hearts (Graham Kendrick) A fun Jewish tune that gets even more fun if you get faster and faster as you go. Try teaching your congregation a simple side to side “dance” step; give them an excuse to join in! Good for kids. Youtube. Lyrics and chords.
• VU128 / A&M162 / GtG597 / W&R269 / SP054 / World Council of Churches Assembly 1991  Sanna sannanina (South African) An excellent African processional, which simply means "Hosanna". GtG has the option of singing the Holy Holy to this tune, but I think that just seems a bit odd. Great for drumming. Sound sample (scroll to the 2nd album). Lyrics and sheet music sample. Good for kids.
• 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. History with lyrics in many languages.Good for kids.
• Singing the Living Tradition (Unitarian Universalist Hymnal) 220 / Online Resource Bring out the festal bread (Mark Belletini) Somehow I've ended up with a photocopy of this song to a traditional Hebrew melody found in many hymnals (PROMISED ONE - The King of Glory comes). If you happen to be celebrating communion this Sunday, this song would fit well; imagine dancing down the aisle to bring the bread forward (don't spill the wine though...). The lyrics are about "sister Miriam", but you could sing "brother David" as well. Lyrics and sound sample.
• PH484 Sing with Hearts (Jonathan Malicsi) Sung to a traditional Kalinga melody, this song is a good one for celebrating music and dance in worship. It is quite simple, even if unfamiliar to Western ears. 
• AoV1-003 / HPP258 / GA394 / G(II)342 / GC497 / GC(II)495 / G(3)576 / Lau693 / StF803 / MP648 The heavens are telling the glory of God / Canticle of the Sun (Marty Haugen) Energetic waltz of cosmic praise with great lyrics "Come dance in the forest, come play in the field, and sing, sing to the glory of the Lord". Sound sample. Lyrics and sheet music sample.
• TiS 181 / AoV2-032 / GC(II)497 / G(3)577 / CP589 Come O God of all the earth / Sing Out Earth and Skies (Marty Haugen) A big favourite of our congregation. "Dance to the life around you". Sheet music, lyrics. Sound sample. Good for kids.   
• Recorded Music David Danced Before the Lord (Duke Ellington) An amazing piece of music for choir and jazz band, oh and Duke Ellington, of course. Youtube, complete with Bunny Brings doing the tap dancing. Amazing....! 

Psalm 24 
The earth is God's; importance of purity; God wins battles

• MV027 Creator God you gave us life (Judith Snowdon) A lovely song, with a stirring chorus. I think it would be quite straightforward to sing: "Through hands that paint majestic skies, and voices chanting melody, with words that reach beyond the page, we comprehend your mystery. Video with lyrics.
  
• VU750 / CH020 / GtG364 / PH177 / PfAS024E / LUYH144 Lift up the gates eternal (Arlo Duba / Willard Jabusch) Good words based on this Psalm; the Israeli Folk melody makes this fun. This would fit well with the dancing theme in the Samuel reading too. Sound sample. Good for kids.
• Online Resource The Earth is the Lord's (Carolyn Winfrey-Gillette) Excellent new words about care for the earth, sung to the familiar tune ST DENIO (Immortal, Invisible). Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• Taizé / AoVNG125 / MV146 / GC(II)637 / G(3)740 / PfAS024D The Kingdom of God is justice and peace and joy in the holy spirit (Taizé Community) "Come, Lord and open in us the gates of your kingdom". A nice joyful Taizé chant. Sheet music and sound samples of parts for practice. Good for kids.
• Online Resource / CH018 / GtG715 The earth belongs to God alone (Adam Tice / Janice Sabara) Good words and a nice lilting tune. Care for creation, in the context of farming, which is often missed in the worship of city-dwellers! Sheet music sample and purchasing options.
  
• CH289 / GC(II)341 Lift up your heads eternal gates(George Weissel / Translated Catherine Brinkworth / Adapted John Bell) I like how this reworking of the old standard turns the violent battle God image on its head and points to Christ instead. The tune is a lovely old medieval-style tune, which should not be difficult. The chorus has been written in 4 parts which would be great if you can get some singers to sing the parts, or teach your congregation the chorus before the service starts. The parts for the chorus are very simple. Sound sample. Lyrics and lead sheet.
• Iona (SBL) / CH140 / MV181 / WoV727 / ELW554 / G(II)341 / GC495 / StB178 Lord Your Hands Have Formed This World / The Earth is the Lord's (Ramon and Sario Oliano) Good words of creation to a lovely, and not too difficult, Phillippino melody. Lyrics (first verse only).
• TiS 159 / AHB 94 / CH226 / VU300 / R252 / ELW734 / CP261 / CP(E) 271 / StF122 / Lau733 God whose farm is all creation (John Arlott) Simple words of caring for the crops and harvest as well as well as all creation. Lyrics.
• TiS 181 / AoV2-032 / GC(II)497 / G(3)577 / CP589 Come O God of all the earth / Sing Out Earth and Skies (Marty Haugen) A big favourite of our congregation. "Dance to the life around you". Sheet music, lyrics. Sound sample. Good for kids.  
• AoV1-003 / HPP258 / GA394 / G(II)342 / GC497 / GC(II)495 / G(3)576 / Lau693 / StF803 / MP648 The heavens are telling the glory of God / Canticle of the Sun (Marty Haugen) Energetic waltz of cosmic praise with great lyrics "Come dance in the forest, come play in the field, and sing, sing to the glory of the Lord". Sound sample. Lyrics and sheet music sample.
• ATW 462 When I consider God's design (Hand in hand) (Norm Habel / Robin Mann) Good words of all creation celebrating together. Tune is good, too, but will need to be introduced, perhaps by asking your musicians to sing the first verse and inviting the congregation to join in. The verse about "Black and white" could probably be updated a bit to reflect a greater diversity of cultures. Lyrics.
• G(II)32 / GC34 / GC(II)25 / G(3)037 O God this is the people that longs to see your face (Kevin Keil)  Simple cantor and response. "O God this is the people that longs to see your face". Kind of strange construction. I'd rather sing "O God we are the people who long to see your face". Lead sheet and lyrics. 
• NCH559 / PH266 / W&R36 Thank You God for Water Soil and Air (Brian Wren) Good words asking God's forgiveness for the way we have damaged the planet we have been entrusted with, and a plea to help us renew the face of the earth by caring for creation. A prayer of confession. Lyrics.
• NCH Psalter024 Who shall ascend the hill of God / God is the ruler of glory (Peter Niedmann) Very simple one line Psalm refrain.

Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Amos 7:7-15 
Sometimes God leads us to speak the truth and that can get us in trouble.

• 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 8 this week, and add whatever other verses make sense in your context. Set to the common tune KINGSFOLD. Some lyrics (not the Amos verse!). New words to old tunes.
• 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. Sheet music for purchase. Youtube. Good for kids.
• NCH588 / StJ / WoV763 / ELW717 Let justice flow like streams (Jane Parker Huber) Excellent words to the very familiar tune ST THOMAS. This must be the only hymn in existence with the words "plumb-line" in it. I would not have found this without WoV, Pastor Tim - Thank you! Lyrics (downloads a pdf of a pretty amazing service - lyrics are on p3)  New words to old tunes.
• AoV2-102 / GA509 Who will speak if we don't? (Marty Haugen) Excellent challenging words; note that some versions say "Who will speak if you don't?". Sound sample (scroll). Good for teenagers.
• 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; didn't Elijah have to be pretty brave? 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.
• TiS 657 / CH263 / VU700 / A&M559 / AA50 / CP(E) 447 / Cha656 / SP242 God of freedom God of justice (Shirley Murray) Powerful lyrics. Can be sung to either TREDEGAR (new, but not too hard) or PICARDY (very familiar) or RHUDDLAN. Lyrics and sheet music sample. New words to old tunes. There is also a nice tune from Douglas Simper in his book if you'd like something quite new, but still hymn-like.
• 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). 
• 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 this reading. This energetic song is not hard to sing, and if the congregation sings only the chorus, while a cantor sings the rest, they will be able to easily sing along by the 3rd verse without stress.  Free sheet music. Sound sample.
  
• Online Resource / Tune In / NCYC'07 Forgive us now (Dave Brown). “As we forgive may we be healed, as we reach out….” An excellent ballad. Free downloadable songbook, lyrics and sound samples. 

Psalm for the Amos reading:  Psalm 85:8-13 
God will speak peace; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. God’s forgiveness and steadfastness.

• AoV1-106 / UMH376 / WoV774 / ELW753 / GtG752 / G(II)528 / GC730 / GC(II)724 / G(3)822 / CP562 /  Cha297 / URW443 / 82Hml-712 / Lau904 / LUYH073 Dona Nobis Pacem (American folk song) This is very well known, and would fit well with this reading. Good for kids. Oldy-but-a-goody. Sheet music.
• Taizé / TiS 713 / Cha296 Dona nobis pacem domine / cordium (Jacques Berthier) There is a specific cantor line for Psalm 85 to go with this prayer of peace. Sound samples and sheet music for the refrain.
• PfAS085C Righteousness and peace (Mary David Callahan) A nice simple refrain; a little bit majestic. "Righteousness and peace shall go before the Lord". Lyrics.
  
• Online Resource Lord show us your mercy and love (Val Parker) You'll need a good pianist for this, but it's a lovely refrain, which could be used with a cantor and choir (as in the recording) or more simply with a reader. Sound and sheet music samples and purchasing options. 
• TiS 409 / AHB 322 / CH595 / UMH543 / VU202 / StJ / SLW43 / W&R328 / Cha250 / StF391 / MP488 O Breath of life come sweeping through us (Elizabeth Porter Head) This is a really good older style hymn with inclusive lyrics. Lyrics and sheet music. Not all verses are in all hymnals.
• Online Resource O God will you restore us? (BiFrost Arts) A really beautiful cantored Psalm, which combines this reading with Isaiah 58. You could use the refrain without the cantoring, or with a reader, or just on its own if you don't have a cantor. Lyrics, sound sample, and sheet music. 
  
• AoVNG55 / Iona (WWHW) / G(II)74 / CP113 Come O Lord and Set Us Free (Daryl Ducote / Gary Daigle / Mike Balhoff) Good simple, inclusive refrain with a pretty groovy cantor line; could work for the younger set. This song appears in a few different formats. There is a full-length short song (WWHW) and a short 7 bar refrain (Gather), either would work well as a response. The refrain is exactly the same melody as the short song, but only uses the words "Come O Lord and set us free, come and set us free". Sample sheet music. Sound sample. 
• CH720 / A&M409 / GtG470 / G(3)653 / SP204 / Lau941 There is a longing in our hearts O Lord (Anne Quigley) Good words of longing for God's love, justice, wisdom, healing. A good song for before, during or after intercessions. Sound sample. Sheet music sample.
  
• G(II)254 / GC330 Let Me Taste Your Mercy Like Rain (Rory Cooney) Good words of both personal and communal redemption. Simple contemporary tune. Lyrics & lead sheet. Clunky sound sample.
• 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 / TWO OAKS) 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. 
• TiS 217 / AHB 148 / NCH43 / CH519 / UMH384 / VU333 / A&M721 / LBW315 / ELW631 / A&M721 / GA463 / HPP48 / GtG366 / PH376 / GC622 / GC(II)613 / G(3)641 / CP485/6 / CP(E) 516 / W&R358 / Cha517 / Srce457 / URW100 / 82Hml-657 / Lau801 / StF503 / MP449 Love divine all loves excelling (Charles Wesley) A beautiful classic song and most hymnals use a very inclusive version of this hymn, even the AHB. Lyrics and sheet music.You may also like to give Rend Collective Experiment's version a listen (hard for congregations to sing, but nice for listening). You may also like to see an updated version by Sarah Agnew (see link in Comments below). Oldy-but-a-goody.
• MV222 May the peace of God be your peace (Neil McLaren) A lovely benediction. Will need to be taught first. Lyrics (scroll down).
  
• CH659 / MV173 / StJ / A&M566 / G(3)824 / W&R389 / SP251 / StF712 Put peace into each other’s hands (Fred Kaan) Good words for communion; tune is quite simple and flows nicely. Slow sound sample, sheet music with lyrics. Good for kids.
• Emergent Psalter Show us your mercy O God (Isaac Everett) A simple refrain and read Psalm. Sheet music sample.

Ephesians 1:3-14
God as our loving adoptive parent and our new inheritance, of forgiveness

• BUC Song Project Sing sing with me (Julia Potter) This lovely song from a former member of our congregation is great fun, and includes the phrase "Jesus calls us, let's go see what we can be, as God's family". Not available online yet. Good for kids.
• TiS 417 / AoV2-133 / ATW 448 / VU387 / StJ / WoV683 / ELW397 / AA94 / HPP237 / GtG293 / PH323 / CP657 / W&R135 / Cha244 / URW203 / StB220 / VF051 / LUYH793 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 & sound sample. New words to old tunes (if that's what you choose) 
• Online resource Children of God (Bruce Harding) A simple two part chant. Will need to be taught. Sheet music sample.
• AoVK-119 We're God's family God's children (Trish Watts / Monica O'Brien) Good words. Catchy tune.  Good for kids.
• AoV2-037 Children Of God in one family (Christopher Walker) Great for kids. Sometimes we mess up, but God forgives. Sound sample and lyrics. Good for kids.
• 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". History.
  
• 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.
• MV157 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).
• TiS 180 / UMH105 / W&R58 / Cha013 God of many names (Brian Wren) If this is new it will need to be taught to your congregation as the tune is not intuitive, but it is worth knowing. The chorus is particularly appealing to kids. Lyrics
• NCH072 / UMH552 / VU362 / ELW530 / GtG311 / PH465 / CP534 / W&R597 / Cha278 / STB242 Here O Lord Your Servants Gather / Sekai no Tomo (Tokuo Yamaguchi) Beautiful song about being a community of faith seeking strength and courage. Lovely simple Japanese tune. Sound sample (piano only). Lyrics.
• TiS 428 / AHB 340 Help us O Lord to learn (William Watkins Reid) Great challenging (but quite formal) words about being committed to learning the faith. Good for a New Year message. Boring tune though. I would sing it to ST THOMAS (TiS 271 / AHB 198) Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource / Tune In Community (Dave Brown) A great and very easy-to-sing contemporary song about being welcomed and part of a community. Free downloadable songbook, lyrics and sound samples. 

Mark 6:14-29
The death of John the baptist

• 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. Sheet music for purchase. Youtube. Good for kids.
• Online Resource In halls of wealth and power (Carolyn Winfrey Gillette) Excellent story-telling words, set to the well known tune LLANGLOFFAN. "May power never tempt us to venture toward the wrong". New words to old tunes. Lyrics.
• Online Resource / AoV2-102 / GA509 Who will speak if we don't (Marty Haugen) Excellent challenging words. Sheet music and sound samples. Good for teenagers.
• 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; didn't Elijah have to be pretty brave? 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..
• 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". Lyrics. Sound sample and video. Good for teenagers.
• Online Resource / TiS 690 / CH259 / A&M557 / StS115 / SP237 / Srce54 / StF693 / MP806 Beauty for brokenness hope for despair (Graham Kendrick) Themes of healing from personal and universal suffering and an emotive chorus. “Refuge from cruel wars, havens from fear, cities for sanctuary, freedoms to share, peace to the killing-fields, scorched earth to green; Christ for the bitterness, his cross for the pain”. It's a bit schmaltzy. Lyrics, chords, sheet music for purchase.
• 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) 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.

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