Songs, Hymns & Music for Epiphany 3C (January 23rd 2022)

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10

Listening to God's word. An example of early worship & generosity.

• MV028 / StJ / FFS25 / GC(II)507 / G(3)587 / StB255 God of the Bible / Fresh as the morning (Shirley Murray) Good words. I particularly like the tune by Alonso (MV and Gather hymnals), as the chorus is really joyous. I think this song would be a really good "fit" for our congregation. Good for kids (Alonso tune). Lyrics, sheet music sample. Sound sample.
• ACS974 / Iona (We walk his way) / CH780 / GtG455 Listen to the word which God has spoken (Unknown Canadian) A nice simple chant or round. Could be used well to help people focus and be ready for the readings. Good to get a congregation to know over a number of weeks. Lyrics and sheet music sample. Pretty rough youtube recording.
• NCH70 / UMH660 / VU389 / WoV719 / ELW526 / A&M445 / HPP486 / GtG409 / PH461 / GC741 / GC(II)737 / G(3)843 / CP(E) 301 / W&R1 / Cha280 / STB049 / StF025 God is here as we your people (Fred Pratt Green). Great lyrics, but not inclusive in all sources and set to a range of tunes. I like it sung to the familiar tune ABBOT'S LEIGH. Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music sample. New words to old tunes
• CP447 / W&R671 Lord we hear your word with gladness (Edith Clarkson) Good words honouring the word and the Word of God, set to a well known hymn tune (NETTLETON). Lyrics and sheet music.New words to old tunes
• TiS 430 / AHB 337 / Cha324 / StF164 Your words to me are life and health (G 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.
• LBW232 Your word O Lord is gentle dew (Carl Garve transl. Catherine Winkworth) Really lovely old words of God's word as gentle dew, flaming sword and wondrous star. Beautiful imagery, and not mushy at all. Sung to a pretty straightforward hymn tune (AF HIMLENS). Lyrics and sheet music sample.
• Online Resource Nehemiah go fix that wall! (Nelson Varcoe) If you decide to tell your congregation more about Nehemiah, you may choose to sing this song. Book available here. 
  

Psalm 19
Cosmic praise. God's laws are perfect; God's commands are sweeter than honey;

• TiS 187 / AoV2-130 / CH149 / StS122 / A&M539 / SP247 Let all creation dance (Brian Wren) I just love the imagery of this one, and it's a very joyous and familiar hymn tune too. Lyrics New words to old tunes
• CH172 / URW062 / StF116 Sing for God’s glory that colours the dawn of creation (Kathy Galloway) Beautiful poetic words of creation (first verse), release (2nd verse), justice (3rd verse) and saints (4th verse). Would be a good song to open worship. Sung to a very familiar hymn tune, LOBE DEN HERREN (TiS 111). Lyrics. New words to old tunes
• PfAS019C Through the witness of creation / Lord You Have the Words (Gregg DeMey or Dohms) Two possible refrains to a chanted, read or cantored Psalm. The first (DeMey) is a lovely lilting refrain. I think this is really nice; be sure to lead it clearly or teach the congregation during the service. The second (Dohms) is simpler, and can be used as a round. 
• MV31 Pure love (Linnea Good) A simple two-part chant that picks up the Psalmist’s idea of the purity of God’s law “Pure love, pure truth, pure justice, God”. Would be great if you can teach it to some of the congregation before worship starts. Lyrics. Good for kids.
• Emergent Psalter The heavens declare (Isaac Everett) A simple and quite good Psalm refrain. Everett also suggests using: ATA 117 By the rivers of Babylon (Frank Farian, George Reyan, Brent Dowe and Trevor McNaughton) as a refrain for this Psalm. This is the Boney M version. It's not really very mournful. I can't resist though... here's a video. It was originally recorded by The Melodians. Sheet music (refrain only). Good for kids
• TiS 156 / AHB 91 / AoV1-135 / ATA 123 / CH212 / UMH145 / VU409 / ELW556 / GA537 / A&M545 / HPP267 / GtG664 / PH469 / G(II)546 / GC756 / GC(II)748 / G(3)855 / CP003 / W&R35 / Cha053 / URW186 / 82Hml-008 / StF136 / Lau671 / MP467 Morning has broken (Eleanor Farjeon) This song makes me smile every time. Here's Yusuf Islam (when he was Cat Stevens) in 1976 (love those green boots). Oldy-but-a-goody.
• GC(II)21 Words of Everlasting Life / Palabras de vida Eterna Simple bilingual (English / Spanish refrain) and cantored verses in either English or Spanish (or I guess you could alternate if you have a bilingual congregation). Sound sample. Sheet music 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. TiS and other more modern sources are more inclusive. 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 7 The sky tells the glory of God (Howard Hughes) Excellent and simple cantor and refrain. could easily use the refrain with the Psalm being read also. Don't forget that these Psalm refrains are also great for smaller kids - they can join in without reading. Sound sample. Good for kids.
• Online Resource / AoVK-50 / ATW 430 / NCYC'99 Come let us praise our God / A voice is heard (Trisha Watts) Excellent and energetic. Lyrics. Sound sample. Good for kids.
• AoVK-113 Thank you O Lord for this world of ours I like this kid's song. Really fun and interesting with two parts! Good for kids. 
• HPP28 / GtG023 / PH285 / W&R24 / URW083 God You Spin the Whirling Planets (Jane Parker Huber) Excellent words to a very familiar tune (TiS 772). Really good for the final hymn or response to the sermon. Lyrics. New words to old tunes
• 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.
• Online Resource As rivers flow from a distant spring (David Bjorlin / William Beckstrand) Beautiful words using imagery of creation to inspire us to lives based in God's love that care for others, including the earth. Sound sample. Book available to purchase and download here. 
  
• 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.
• Online Resource The Heavens Tell of Your Creative Glory / Los Cielos Cuentan la Gloria de Diosome (Horacio Vivares transl. David Bjorlin) An excellent folk song. Best for Spanish-speaking congregations, but works in English too. Sound sample. Songbook for purchase. 
  
• TiS 166 / AHB 102 / GA398 / StB035 Sing a new song sing a new song (James McAuley) Excellent inclusive words. The last verse annoys me a bit, but the rest is excellent. Lyrics. 
• Online Resource Every night and every morning (Adam Tice) Excellent words of God's creation from the atom to the universe, sung to the familiar tune NETTLETON. Sheet music sample and purchasing options. 
  
• Online Resource / AoV1-019 / CH151 / GA397 / G(II)340 / GC493 / GC(II)498 / G(3)575 / W&R039 All You Works of God (Marty Haugen) Joyful cantor and response with a rousing chorus. Also good for kids. Lead sheet and lyrics. Lyric video. Sheet music available.
• VU888 / LBW558 / ELW731 / GtG026 / PH458 / RS681 / CP358 / W&R642 Earth and All Stars (Herbert Brokering) Fun words of the universe united in praise. An easy hymn-like tune. I really like the "boiling test tubes" bit, although this verse is not in all hymnals. Lead sheet. Sound sample
• ELW561 / G(II)552 / GC762 / PfAS1040 / Lau12a Joyous Light of Heavenly Glory (Marty Haugen) Excellent words of light and darkness, sung to a simple hymn tune. Sheet music sample.

1 Corinthians 12:12-31a  
Different parts, all one body - a continuation of last week's reading. Some of the song suggestions are the same as last week, so you may wish to repeat a song.

• TiS 671 / AoV2-121 Made in God's Likeness (Patricia Lewis / Alister Spence) Excellent Australian imagery. This is one of my very favourite songs. It is not difficult if you have a good musician at the helm. If it is new to your congregation, they will be able to join in on the verses by the time you get to the 3rd one. The change in tone with the verse really lifts this song. Good for older kids.Lyrics and sound sample.
• 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 (Dan 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. 
• AoVK-148 / ATOK 388 There is one body (Trish Watts / Monica O'Brien) A good energetic song of unity. Lyrics & sound sample.  Good for kids.
• MV141 We are all one people (Joseph & Violet Naytowhow) This Native American song really gets stuck in my head. I think it's really good. Might take some work to get your congregation going with it, though. Sound sample & story.  
• TiS 421 Where the Spirit is there's freedom (Per Harling) Fun and good; excellent fun for the pianist! Lyrics.  Good for kids. Can be sung with the congregation in two halves singing each part, which is not too hard once they have the hang of singing it in unison. I cannot understand why this is not in other common hymnals! Lyrics.
• Online Resource / Tune In Spirit of the Father / Alive in me (Sheree Anderson) Catchy boppy pop song about God's spirit within us and within the world. Free downloadable songbook, lyrics and sound samples. 
• TiS 412 / AHB 324 / ATE 251 / G(II)328 / GC468 / CP651 / W&R130 God sends us the Spirit to befriend and help us / Spirit Friend (Tom Colvin and People of Malawi) I like this song, but the lack of inclusive language for God in some versions drives me a bit crazy. In Tom Colvin's book "Come Let us walk this road together" he uses more inclusive language. That is, he writes “God sends us the Spirit” instead of “God sends us His Spirit” and "Spirit of our Maker" rather than “Spirit of our Father”. Lyrics and sheet music.
• AoV2-013 / AoVK-108 Different gifts yet we are one (Maggie Russell) Perfect words for this passage. Tune is a bit tricky. Lyrics & sound sample.
• CH613 / WoV687 / ELW401 / GtG287 Gracious Spirit hear our pleading (Wilson Niwagila) Good simple song from Tanzania about the Spirit working in a community; probably too many verses (especially in GtG which has 5!)? The refrain also works well on its own, and could be used as a prayer response; GtG has the refrain in Swahili: "Njoo Njoo Njoo Roho mwema". Sound sample  
• PH437 / CP591 / W&R586 Our Cities Cry to You O God (Margaret Clarkson) Good words of helping to heal injustice in the world. Being the body of Christ. Sung to a very amiliar hymn tune. Lyrics and sheet music. 
• 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. Lyrics and sheet music.  
• MV171 / G(3)760 Christ has no body now but yours (St. Teresa of Ávila; Adapter: Steven C. Warner) A good song about being the body of Christ, and serving with "the joy of compassion". Sound sample.
  
• Online Resource / Tune In We will sing a new song to the world (Dave Brown) An energetic song about the gospel, about singing all the new tunes and rhythms that God provides and creating a new earth. A good sending-out song. Free downloadable songbook, lyrics and sound samples.
• AoV1-129 / CH665 / UMH620 / VU467 / ELW701 / HPP525 / A&M461 / GtG530 / G(II)599 / GC830 / GC(II)813 / CP073 / W&R689 / Cha393 / Lau832 One bread, one body (John Michael Talbot) A classic. Don't play it too slow or it takes forever!! Particularly appropriate if you are celebrating communion. The original (which is really slow, and very hard for congregations to sing).
• GtG768 / StJ / GC(II)645 We Are the Body of Christ / Somos el Cuerpo de Cristo (Jaime Cortez) Bilingual verses and choruses. Will be good for a congregation where both languages are spoken. Sound samples and sheet music.
• AoV1-086 / G(II)530 / GC733 / GC(II)727 / G(3)834 We are many parts, we are all one body (Marty Haugen) I like the chorus much better than the verses, but they are really okay too. The chorus would work on its own. Nice guitar version, with link to sheet music.
  
• MV177 This is my body naked before you (Daniel Damon)  Excellent words about Christ's body being both the broken people, and we who can help the broken. The tune is not easy. Maybe best sung by a soloist at first. Lyrics and sheet music.
  
• GGives1 Oh a body can't walk on its nose (Emmanuel Covenant Community) Great little song about being part of the body and working together. Chorus is "Oh I can't do without you and you can't do without me, 'cos each little member has a special work to do, to make the body grow". Lyrics. Good for kids.
• AoV1-071 / GA530 / GC(II)742 / G(3)837 Gather Your People (Bob Hurd) Excellent eucharistic theology. Sound sample. Lyric and sheet music sample.
• NCH163 / VU588 / GA522 / G(II)534 / GC736 / Cha492 Many are the lightbeams (Cyprian of Carthage) Nice words "Our one light is Jesus". The Marty Haugen tune is joyful. This would be good for kids as there are not too many words. Good for kids Sound sample
• NCH398 / MV044 / W&R599 / URW072 Shadow and Substance (Daniel Damon) Good clear words of being Christ's community in all our diversity. A simple tune. Lyrics, sheet music and sound sample.
• GtG288 / NCH283 / SiS303 / CS117 / CH619 / CH620 / UMH393 / VU376 / HPP226 / HPSS322 / CP647 / W&R492 / Cha259 / Srce621 / StF395 / MP613 Spirit of the living God fall afresh on me (Daniel Iverson) Can get totally mushy. CH620 has alternative lyrics by Michael Baughen which are inclusive and communal! Certainly worth singing these: "Spirit of the living God, move among us all". Lyrics, sheet music and sound sample. 
• Online Resource We are parts of Christ's own body (David Bjorlin) Good new words celebrating diversity in the body of Christ as we work together. Set to the standard tune HOLY MANNA. Sound sample and lyrics. New words to old tunes
• Online Resource / AoVK-21 Weave one heart (Marty Haugen) Excellent song, with call and response verses "many colours woven into one". Sound sample and sheet music (choral) available for purchase. Good for kids.

Luke 4:14-21
Filled with the Spirit, Jesus begins his mission, in fulfilment of the prophets.

• Online Resource / Tune In The Spirit of the Lord (Elaine Loukes) A beautiful and simple chant. Highly recommended. Free downloadable songbook, lyrics and sound samples.
• CH613 / WoV687 / ELW401 / GtG287 Gracious Spirit hear our pleading (Wilson Niwagila) Good simple song from Tanzania about the Spirit working in a community; probably too many verses (especially in GtG which has 5!)? The refrain also works well on its own, and could be used as a prayer response; GtG has the refrain in Swahili: "Njoo Njoo Njoo Roho mwema". Sound sample.  
• NCH062 Come share the spirit (Vicki Vogel Schmidt) Good words of the spirit coming to move through us and bring wholeness. Groovy tune, which is vaguely familiar. I think this could be a big hit for our church. Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
• Online Resource / HiOS019 / STB248 Deep in the human heart (Bill Wallace) Excellent words, but may be best sung by a soloist rather than a congregation, unless you use the tune DIADEMATA. New words to old tunes Lyrics, sheet music and sound sample.
  
• TiS 473 / NCH314 / W&R615 / Cha655 / StF681 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
• STB270 O God highest God / Aw lalpa chungnung ber kan fak hle a che! (Thanga) This song from the Mizo people of India celebrates release from slavery. It is not an easy song for Western congregations, but perhaps there is someone in your congregation who could sing it? Lyrics (not English!). Sound sample.
  
• TiS 420 Holy Spirit go before us (Elizabeth Smith) Great words of evangelism and justice to a simple lilting melody. If you think your congregation can't cope with a new tune this week, it can be sung to AUSTRIA (TiS 93). Tune sample.
  
• ACS904 / TiS 688 Come to be our hope O Jesus / Tú Jesús, nuestra esperanza (Jaci Marachin) This is a really fun Latin American song from the World Council of Churches Assembly in Canberra. It's not easy the first time, but once you've heard it, it's very catchy. The words are really excellent, despite a slightly clunky translation. It would be worth teaching to your congregation! We sang this a couple of times during Advent. Sound sample with a great guitar line.
• NCH164 / VU79 / StS030 / WoV652 / LBW652 / ELW314 / PH411 / GtG744 / W&R231 / URW138 Arise your light is come! (Ruth Duck) Good general words of Christ coming to bring justice to the familiar tune ST. THOMAS (TiS 271). Sheet music sample with lyrics. New words to old tunes
• ACS903 / AoV1-061 / ATOK 355 / GtG359 / SFFS 2194 / G(II)521 / GC723 / GC(II)707 / G(3)814 / ZSS110 / SgTJ1035 Freedom is coming (South African) Excellent and lots of fun, especially if you have a keen African-style drummer in your congregation. It's really worth teaching the parts to your congregation before the service. It can get a bit confusing for the congregation otherwise. A range of sound samples (Youtube). History of the song. Sheet music samples. Good for kids.
• Online Resource / Tune In Father of Earth, Mother of Sea (Dave Brown) A good latin-rhythmed song that seeks Christ’s presence. Free downloadable songbook, lyrics and sound samples.
• 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 670 / SiS569 / AoVK-138 / ATE 258 / CH692 / Srce385 / MP376 Jesus put this song into our hearts (Graham Kendrick) A fun Yiddish 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. If you teach them and make it clear that it’s okay, you’ll be surprised how many people will join in. Good for kids.Lyrics.
• MV127 I saw the rich ones (Pat Mayberry) This is simple to sing and a great song for kids “But with God the world is turned upside down. The poor are embraced and the lost they are found. Let’s work for a world where all people are free. Where it’s good to feel good about God loving you and me”. Lyrics. Good for kids.
• ATOK 389 Light of the nations (Robin Mann) Simple and powerful words. Lyrics
• Online Resource If Jesus is come (Adam Tice / Sally Ann Morris) A powerful song with a driving melody, about how the world must be changed by us if we really believe that Jesus has come. Sound and sheet music sample, lyrics and purchasing options.
  
• Online Resource We are parts of Christ's own body (David Bjorlin) Good new words celebrating diversity in the body of Christ as we work together. Set to the standard tune HOLY MANNA. Sound sample and lyrics. New words to old tunes
• TiS 284 / VU901 / ELW552 / W&R158 / GtG109 / Cha135 / URW012 / 82Hml-444 Blessed be the God of Israel / O Bless the God of Israel (Michael Perry) Good words of Christ as the fulfiller of the prophets who will set God's people free From fear and darkness. Be aware that some versions (like TiS) use exclusively masculine language for God. URW and Chalice are inclusive. Set to the simple tune MERLE'S TUNE. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.  
• NCH107 / LBW633 / ELW242 / GtG107 / GC346 / GC(II)351 / G(3)423 / W&R160 / Cha138 / Lau157 Awake Awake and greet the new morn (Marty Haugen) Joyful song. Maybe best suited to the Northern Hemisphere? Sheet music samples.
• TiS 253 / AoV2-119 / AoVK-103 / GA419 O Lord Jesus Marrkapmirr (Garrawarra family of Milingimbi) This simple song is easy to sing and talks of the timelessness of God’s love. “O Lord Jesus Marrkapmirr, all the power belongs to you”. Lyrics. Sound sample.
• TiS 179 / NCH273 / VU312 / GA379 / StJ / URW073 Praise with Joy the World's Creator (Iona Community) One of my favourite hymns - strongly Trinitarian lyrics and excellent imagery. I particularly love the “One God in community” phrase. Some versions change "Son" to "Christ" to make it more inclusive. Lyrics (scroll down). New words to old tunes
• 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. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes
• 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.
• Online Resource Hear the message we now are proclaiming / El mensaje que hoy proclamamos (Eleazar Torregoza) This jubilant Colombian song of liberty and new life for the poor and suffering would fit well with God's care for the Israelites. Free sheet music
• NCYC ’93 / ATFG586 / Online Resource We will love / We will walk with you at the edges (Graeme Gardiner) This is a good little rock number “We will walk with you at the edges, we will die with you at the cross roads, we will risk with you taking chances, we will love”. Or something like that.
  
• ATOK 413 / Iona (HSNW) / CH533 / VU567 / StS039 / A&M510 / ELW798 / GA502 / SFFS 2130 / HPP317 / GtG726 / G(II)510 / GC700 / GC(II)687 / G(3)790 / CP430 / CP(E) 622 / W&R350 / URW060 / Lau877 / StF673 Will you come and follow me / The Summons (Iona) A classic. Don't sing it too slowly or it really drags and takes forever! Lyrics and sound sample.
• 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. 
• MV045 / SP&P051 Hamba nathi (isiZulu). There are a lot of English versions of this song. I like "Come walk with us, the journey is long". Choral sound sample. Good for kids. 
• Online Resource Spirit Come (David MacGregor) An anthemic song asking the spirit to empower us to work for justice and peace. Lyrics and lyric video. Sheet music.

What ideas do you have? If you have some suggestions for any of the above readings, please join the conversation and post them in the comments below. I'd love to know what you're singing (or would like to sing...)