Songs, Hymns & Music for Proper 16B / Ordinary 21B / Pentecost +14 (August 22 2021)

1 Kings 8:(1,6,10-11), 22-30, 41-43   
Solomon has built a house for God. Prays that all who pray “toward the house” be forgiven, fed, welcomed, healed including foreigners.
  • 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.
  • Online Resource / BUC Song Project Take this space (Dave Brown / Matthew Lees / Julie McKinnon) This song was written for the opening of our updated church space and it would be good to sing it again this week, particularly as we are considering how we use the space for our Olive Way outreach program. Recording and lyrics.
  • Taizé / GtG814 / CP563 / PfAS062D In God alone my soul can find rest and peace / Mon ame se repose (Jacques Berthier) A beautiful healing chant from Taize. Words and music and sound samples for learning the partsGood for kids.
  • 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, Philippino melody; it will need to be taught. Lyrics (first verse only)
  • Iona (LFB) / Lau930 Listen Lord (John Bell / Graham Maule) Beautiful chant-like chorus, can be used on its own or as a response, or used with the verses. Good to use for the intercessions. “Listen Lord, Listen Lord, not to our words but to our prayer. You alone, you alone, understand and care.”. Sound sample (including verses).
  • Taizé / TiS 741 / AoV1-017 / ATE 282 / LBW368 / ELW407 / GA431 / SFFS 2200 / GtG471 / G(II)410 / GC586 / GC(II)566 / G(3)666 / W&R484 / Srce519 / URW390 / Lau929 / PfAS013A / PfAS102A / MP908 O Lord hear my prayer (Jacques Berthier) A simple and very well known Taizé chant. Works well during intercessions. You could read the Psalm between repeats of this chant, or just use as a chant as is. Sheet music samples. Good for kids
  • ACS947 / CH133 / UMH113 / GtG011 / GC(II)563 / G(3)667 / Cha012 Source and sovereign rock and cloud (Thomas Troeger) Excellent words of many names for God / I AM. Can be sung to BIRINUS, but I would sing it to the more familiar ABERYSTWYTH. Sheet music and lyrics. New words to old tunes
Psalm 84
How lovely is your dwelling place; longing for God; Happy is everyone who trusts in God
  • Online Resource / Tune In Longing for you (Elaine Loukes). A simple chant of longing for God. Free downloadable song book, sound sample and lyrics
  • MV119 God our protector (Steve Bell) Simple chant "God our protector, keep us in mind, always give strength to your people. For if we could be with you one day in time it is better than a thousand without you" Could be used between a reading of the Psalm, or on its own with or without an instrumental bridge, and I think it would be good for kids. Sound sample (Youtube).
  • NCH600 / VU800 / G(II)620 / 82Hml-517 How lovely is your dwelling (Jean Janzen) Beautiful words; sources vary in the tune for this. A well known hymn tune that is a possibility is ES IST EIN' ROS (Lo how a rose here blooming). A more contemporary tune by John Foley can be heard and downloaded here. New words to old tunes
  • G(II)72 / GC77 Happy Are They (Thomas Porter) A simple refrain with cantored (or read) verses. The refrain also works as a round. "Happy are they who dwell in your house, O Lord". Sound sample. Sheet music. The refrain on its own would be good for kids.
  • MV092 Like a Rock (Linnea Good) A lovely simple song (with actions!) from Linnea Good. Great for kids. Video with multiple languages.
  • Beneath the Noise How lovely is your dwelling place (Nicholas Randall) A lovely contemplative setting of this Psalm. The congregation could join on the refrain while a soloist sings the verses. Note to BUC: I have this book, published by Creative Ministries Network in St Kilda.
  • Online Resource / Tune in The God that I Know (Sheree Anderson) A beautiful ballad with female and male images of a loving, embracing God. “He comes with his arms open wide, a sheltering place I can hide”. If this is not familiar to your congregation it would be a good song for a soloist. Free downloadable song book, sound sample and lyrics.
  • 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
  • NCH008 / 82Hml-372 Praise to the living God (Curtis Beach) Excellent, intelligent words for an opening hymn. This is really quite wonderful, but only the NCH version is inclusive. Sung to a very familiar hymn tune too (DIADEMATA).  Lyrics New words to old tunes
  • Online Resource / Cry Hosanna How lovely is thy dwelling place (Jonathan Asprey) This is just gorgeous - set to the traditional tune "The homes of Donegal". Two very different versions available here (choral in the first link, and folky in the second). Lyrics, sample sheet music, and sound sample. Youtube. Thanks Mike for this suggestion.
  • PfAS084D Almighty Lord how lovely is that place (Stephen Starke)  Good newer words, set to the majestic tune SINE NOMINE. New words to old tunes
Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18
Joshua tells the Israelites their history and asks for their allegiance to God. The Israelites choose God despite Joshua trying to talk them out of it.
  • TiS 687 God gives us a future (Elizabeth Smith) Great words to a very easy hymn tune. Careful not to let it get the tune get too pompous; the words are not! "God gives us a future, daring us to go into dreams and dangers on a path unknown. We will face tomorrow in the Spirit's power, we will let God change us for new life starts now!". Lyrics here (scroll down). The hymn has been split into two parts to include the blessing and words of mission.
  • AoVK-29 Remember we are your people (Tony Barr) Simple three part chant "Remember we are your people, your people O God". This would work really well as a sung refrain during the prayer of confession. Good for kids. Slightly clunky sound sample.
  • TOSB132 / NCH531 / CH542 / UMH463 / VU589 / LBW403 / ELW676 / A&M718 / HPP372 / GtG722 / PH426 / CP(E) 512 / W&R593 / LUYH754 / MP444 / VF098 Lord speak to me that I may speak / God speak to me that I may speak (Frances Havergal) Old fashioned hymn, with words of evangelism, and a reminder of the Israelites escape from Egypt with the mention of "feed thy hungry ones with manna sweet". Easy to sing and good, only slightly dated, words, depending on the hymnal. Lutheran sources have "Speak to us". Lyrics, sheet music and sound sample.
  • 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 / Lau960 / LUYH043 / MP201 / StF465 Guide me O thou great 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.
  • TiS 599 / AHB 520 / NCH448 / CH502 / UMH399 / VU506 / LBW406 / ELW685 / A&M787 / HPP349 / GtG697 / PH391 / CP435 / CP(E) 581 / W&R466 / Cha609 / Srce633 / 82Hml-707 / Lau874 / StF566 / LUYH863 / MP624 / VF133 Take my life and let it be (Frances Havergal) An oldy but a goody. Lyrics and information about the author. Oldy-but-a-goody.
  • NCH408 / WoV782 / Cha088 All my hope on God is founded (Joachim Neander) Most translations of this well known German hymn are not inclusive, but these three translations are (BUC people, we have NCH). Lyrics, sheet music & sound sampleNew words to old tunes.
Psalm for the Joshua reading: Psalm 34:15-22 
God hears the righteous and prevents fractures.
  • Iona (LFB) / Lau930 Listen Lord (John Bell / Graham Maule) Beautiful chant-like chorus, can be used on its own or as a response, or used with the verses. Good to use for the intercessions. “Listen Lord, Listen Lord, not to our words but to our prayers. You alone, you alone, understand and care.” Sound sample (including verses).
  • AoVK-24 / Iona (T1AU) / CH756 Bless the Lord (Kenyan) Simple and fun Kenyan call and response. "Bless the Lord there is no other God" Kids would really enjoy this, and with some African drumming, it would really be excellent. The tune is identical to Re a mo Leboga. Sound sample of Re a mo leboga (scroll to the 3rd album). Good for kids.
  • Taizé / TiS 741 / AoV1-017 / ATE 282 / LBW368 / ELW407 / GA431 / SFFS 2200 / GtG471 / G(II)410 / GC586 / GC(II)566 / G(3)666 / W&R484 / Srce519 / URW390 / Lau929 / PfAS013A / PfAS102A / MP908O Lord hear my prayer (Jacques Berthier) A simple and very well known Taizé chant. Works well during intercessions. You could read the Psalm between repeats of this chant, or just use as a chant as is. Sheet music samples. Good for kids
  • 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.
  • ATOK 320 / NCH351 / VU645 / StJ / WoV770 / ELW732 /SFFS 2051 / GtG488 / HPP516 / W&R680 / Cha075 I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry (John Ylvisaker) A song of God’s presence in all stages of life. Very simple tune to sing. This always makes me think of Center Church on-the-Green in New Haven, CT. Lyrics, and sheet music
  • TiS 706 / Taizé / AoV2-142 / A&M600 / SFFS 2013 / GtG544 / PH224 / GC(II)576 / G(3)620 / CP360 / Lau813 / PfAS103C / SP194 / Src79 / URW377  Bless the Lord my soul (Jacques Berthier) A beautiful and very well known Taizé chant. Sound samples, sheet music. Good for kids. 
  • G(II)44 / GC46 I Will Bless the Lord (Normand Gouin) A nice contemporary cantored Psalm with inclusive lyrics. Sound sample. Sheet music
  • TiS 73 / Taizé / CH77 / GA418 / GtG635 / G(II)364 / GC526 / GC(II)528 / G(3)623 / CP313 / Srce614 /  URW384 / Lau698 / LUYH591 / StF778 Laudate Dominum / Sing Praise And Bless The Lord (Jacques Berthier) One of the more jolly Taizé chants. I prefer it in Latin, but for kids, this one is quite good fun in English. Good for kids. Sound sample and parts for learning.
  • AoV1-083 / GA036 / GtG763 / G(II)46 / GC48 / GC(II)33 / G(3)047 / PfAS082B / URW257 / Lau892 The Lord Hears the Cry of the Poor (James Foley) The chorus for this makes a very good refrain for this Psalm, as set in PfAS. Sound sample and lyrics (including verses).
  • GC(II)621 / G(3)730 The Lord Will Heal the Broken Heart (Liam Lawton) Maybe too tricky for a congregation, but it is quite beautiful for a soloist. Lyrics, sheet music and sound sample (search for Broken Heart).
Ephesians 6:10-20 
Stand firm; Put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace (helmet, shield stuff etc); Pray in the Spirit at all times.
  • Iona (M&G, T1AU) / MV099 / GC(II)673 / G(3)763 / Lau996 / LUYH445 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.
  • Online Resource / Resounding Voices I have put on Christ (Marilyn Haskel) A short and very lovely setting of the traditional "Asperges", which would fit well with this reading. It's nice to sing. Free book download here.  
  • CH493 / UMH352 / HPP411 / Cha579 / StF523 It's Me It's Me O Lord / Standing in the Need of Prayer (African-American) A well known spiritual; good for prayers of confession or a time of reflection. Lyrics.
  • TiS 547 / AHB 455 / AoV1-009 / NCH451 / CH465 / A&M595 / UMH451 / VU642 / WoV776 / ELW793 / HPP353 / GtG450 / PH339 / CP505 / CP(E) 386 / W&R502 / Cha595 / Srce70 / URW180 / 82Hml-488 / Lau970 / LUYH859 / MP051 Be thou my vision O Lord of my heart (8th century Irish, translated: Eleanor Hull) Most recent hymnals are fairly inclusive for this. Note that the High King phrase has been changed in some hymnals because it is masculine, but the hymn is based on an ancient story of St. Patrick refusing to follow the High King Logaire, and choosing instead the "High King of Heaven". Lyrics, tune and a little of the story. Oldy-but-a-goody.
  • ATW 485 Praying in the morning(Treagus) Good song for kids about praying all the time.
  • CH639 / VU318 Christ be with me Christ within me (St. Patrick / Cecil Frances Alexander) A simple refrain setting of St. Patrick's Breastplate. CH has a couple of possible tunes - I am more familiar with GARTAN. A good song for the end of worship. Lyrics.
  • Online Resource When my work takes me places I don't want to go / St Patrick's Breastplate (Porters Gate) Not a congregational song, but a great song to be aware of and to share. Youtube.
  • ACS942 / NCH282 / UMH404 / HPP235 / PH315 / GtG066 / W&R481 / Cha592 Every time I feel the Spirit (African-American) There are a lot of versions of this song, so the lyrics vary in their inclusiveness. It's pretty good fun, though I'm not sure if many congregations sing it.
  • TiS 542 / STB082 Far beyond our mind's grasp (Francisco Feliciano) These beautiful devotional words are sung to a traditional Filipino tune. The tune is not easy, but is very haunting once you get to know it. If it is new to your congregation, it would be good to ask a soloist to sing it. STB has it in Pilipino as well as English.
  • TiS 623 Lord Christ true peace of all above (Brian Moore) A lovely, simple inclusive, and old fashioned benediction song. 
  • TiS 561 / AHB 467 / NCH494 / CH535 / LBW498 / A&M823 / CP(E) 621 / 82Hml-684 / Lau862 / MP224 Who would true valor see / valour see (John Bunyan) A lovely old hymn, with old-world imagery. I think it still works OK. TiS and NCH have inclusive language throughout. CH and CP(E) do not have inclusive language, even for humanity. I really like the tune MONK'S GATE. Particularly nice with light instrumentation. A violin / flute and a bodhran may be all you need for this. More inclusive lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
  • TiS 414 / CH616 / UMH192 / VU582 / HPP134 / PH433 / GC550 / CP(E) 198 / Cha257 / StF398 There's a Spirit in the Air (Brian Wren) A good song of getting the business of following Christ done. Speaking out, caring for others, being changed. Good, joyful tune too. Seven verses – you might want to have women sing a verse and men sing another to keep people going. Lyrics and a sample of one tune that you could use. 
  • Iona (T1AU) /  URW448 God's eye be within me (John Bell) Based on a traditional Irish blessing, and St. Patrick's Breastplate, and sung to a familiar Irish tune COLUMCILLE. Slow sound sample
  • TiS 642 / AHB 570 / VU410 / GA536 / G(II)547 / GC757 / GC(II)749 / G(3)856 / CP(E) 205 / URW185 / Lau673 This day God gives me strength of high heaven (James Quinn) There are a couple of possible tunes to this. I like BUNESSAN (morning has broken) best. The words are based on St. Patrick's Breastplate. One version of the lyrics.Oldy-but-a-goody.
  • TiS 749 / AoV1-154 / AoVK-131 / ATE 305 / NCH360 / Iona (SBL, Freedom is coming) / CH800 / UMH497 / VU572 / WoV773 / ELW469 / 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
  • Online Resource / Tune in A vision strong (Shawn Whelan) A rock song about being strong in vision and courage, including an optional verse about women's empowerment. "The victims of oppression call to us to sing their song". Lyrics, sound sample and free downloadable songbook. Cooler sound sample. Good for teenagers.
John 6:56-69
More bread stuff: Christ in us, and we in Christ; You have the words of eternal life.
You could sing more songs about bread from last week...
  • Brunswick UC songs / Online Resource In Spirit we rise (Sheree Anderson) It would be great to sing this song about God's spirit working in and through us. "In Spirit we rise, rise, rise, to be bread for the world". Sheet music, lyrics, sound sample.
  • Taizé / TiS 714 / AoV1-125 /ATE 270 / CH661 / UMH628 / VU466 / WoV709 / ELW472 / GtG527 / GA205 / A&M442 / G(II)588 / GC838 / GC(II)806 / G(3)941 / RS928 / CP063 / W&R697 / Cha414 / SP229 / URW379 / Lau633 / StF583 Eat this bread drink this cup (Robert Batastini / Taizé Community) Excellent, particularly if you have a capable cantor. Some resources say "Come to him and never be hungry", but others have "come to me / trust in me". Sheet music.
  • WoV701 / ELW487 / URW119 What Feast of Love (Dolores Dufner) Very poetic devotional language about Christ as the bread, light and wine. Sung to GREENSLEEVES. Maybe better as a solo initially so people can just listen to the beauty of the words. Perhaps sung during distribution of communion, or a song to sing while thinking about the prepared table? LyricsNew 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.  
  • VU460 / R181 / ELW461 / SFFS 2126 / GtG509 / G(II)589 / GC820 / GC(II)817 / RS 845 / Cha419 / Lau477 / LUYH534 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”. Lyrics (scroll down). New words to old tunes
  • ATW 498 / Iona (T1AU) / MV 196 / SP&P182 / URW438 We will take what you offer (John Bell) An excellent simple short song that works well either as an upbeat chorus or as a reflective chant. "We will take what you offer, we will live by your word. We will love one another and be fed by you Lord". Good for kids. Sound sample.
  • FFS03 As we walk along beside you (Shirley Murray) Excellent words or recognising Christ in the word, the bread, the resurrection. A simple tune. Lyrics.    
  • MV192 We come now to your table Lord you are the living bread (Traditional Caribbean) Very simple communion chorus from Jamaica. This would be best with harmonies and lots of percussion, or I think it would be just a bit dull. Could be very energetic and celebratory!
  • 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.
  • Online Resource / ATW 473 / Lau625 Bread for the world a world of hunger (Bernadette Farrell) Very nice words. Tune a bit schmaltzy, but the words save it. A bit gutsy really. Good for a soloist during distribution of communion, or as a reflective song. Sound sample, Sheet music sample, Purchasing options.
  • TiS 239 / AHB 185 / ATE 236 / NCH048 / StF252 / Lau746 / MP384 Jesus the Christ said "I am the bread" / Jesus the Lord said "I am the bread" (Anonymous - Urdu melody) This song set to a traditional Urdu melody is quite well known; translations vary a lot. I really like the translation in NCH. I'd be interested to see this in Urdu; perhaps it's not too hard to sing. Lyrics.
  • ATAR658 Jesus, you are the bread we long for (Bernadette Farrell) Excellent communion song, with 5 verses about God being bread and wine for those who starve and thirst; themes of healing, restoration and justice. Very straightforward flowing melody. We sang this not long ago, and it is really beautiful. It would be good to sing it again. Lyrics (in an order of service)
  • Online Resource / AoVNG15 Bread of Life (Michael John Poirier) A nice gentle song; probably not so much a congregational song, but one for reflection. Would be good for distribution of communion. This was sung by the musicians on Maundy Thursday some years ago, and it would be good to sing it again. Sound sample and purchasing options.
  • TiS 538 / AoV2-093 Feed us now Bread of life (Robin Mann) One of my favourite communion songs. Simple to sing, and beautiful simple theology. “Piece of bread, cup of wine, Lord this food is good”. Lyrics. Good for kids.
  • MV194 Bread of life feed my soul (Stephen Spencer) A simple communion prayer for healing and guidance. Lyric video. 
  • MV197 Bread of life broken and shared (David-Roger Gagnon) Quite nice verses and catchy chorus, which refers to this, and other famous bread-like readings. For communion.  Lyrics (scroll down)
Here's some I didn't suggest last week...
  • ATW 472 / NCYC'99 As we take this bread (Jane Dyson) A lovely simple communion chant.    
  • VU250 / GA415 / G(II)372 / GC546 O God of Matchless Glory (Ruth Duck) Good song, simple tune. HASTINGS. Maybe more than one tune out there. Sound sample.
  • TiS 430 / AHB 337 / Cha324 / StF164 Your words to me are life and health (George Currie Martin) I really like this old hymn. It’s a bit old fashioned, but it still works, I think. Lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
Got any ideas of your own for any of these readings? Please add them in the comments below!

2 comments:

Elaine said...

Where can I find "Brunswick Song Project Take this space"? I can't see it in the Brunswick song book. (I like the songs from Brunswick!)
Elaine

Lectionary Singer (Natalie Sims) said...

Hi Elaine,
it's from the new collection of Brunswick Uniting Songs. We are hoping to put them on our website for free download soon!
cheers, Natalie