Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15
Jeremiah buys a field. Faith in the future.
God our shelter and refuge
The rich couch potatoes will go into exile first
God is great and cares for the widow, and brings justice etc.
- TiS 687 God gives us a future (Elizabeth Smith) Great words to a very easy hymn tune. Careful not to let the tune get too pompous or plodding! "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!". Lyric video. In this version the hymn has been split into to two parts to include the blessing and words of mission.
- Taizé / 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.
- 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 (Jan Struther) Excellent straightforward Irish tune (SLANE), and beautiful words. Would be a good choice for the final song. Lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- NCH461 Let us hope when hope seems hopeless (David Beebe) A lilting tune and good words of hope in the face of difficulty. A song of a maturing faith. Sound sample (long introduction).
- NCH433 / CH727 / UMH707 / VU703 / HPP474 / GtG250 / W&R515 / Cha638 In the bulb there is a flower (Natalie Sleeth) A simple song of hope symbolised in nature. Good for those churches in the Southern Hemisphere who are celebrating the start of Spring, and for those in the North who are planting bulbs! Lyrics.
- TiS 679 / Online God of Jeremiah grieving (Brian Wren) If you are going to focus on Jeremiah for the next few weeks, this would be a good hymn to learn. In the USA it's available in "New Beginnings" and "Piece Together Praise". The traditional Scottish tune KELVIN GROVE is well known as the tune for "The Summons", but for these words, the tune works better without the swung rhythm that is often used for those words. Lyrics and free sheet music. New words to old tunes
- TiS 560 / AHB 465 / NCH408 / CH192 / UMH132 / VU654/655 / WoV782 / ELW757 / A&M584 / CP529 / CP(E) 368 / Cha088 / Srce2-15 / 82Hml-665 / Lau959 / StF455 / MP016 All my hope on God is founded / is firmly grounded (Joachim Neander) Most translations of this well known German hymn are not inclusive, but the translation by Fred Pratt Green in UMH, NCH and WoV are; these are also available online, so use them! Lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- UMH129 / VU636 / PH286 / PfAS109A Give to the winds thy fears (Paul Gerhardt) I quite like some of the modern translations of this old song (from 1656, the UMH version is my favourite). The tune (HANTS) is not familiar to me, but should be learned fairly quickly with some instruction. Older style lyrics.
God our shelter and refuge
- Online Resource / GWA011 Be with me Lord when I am in trouble (Val Parker) This has a beautiful refrain which is very straightforward to sing, and requires a cantor for the verses (although they could be read). It is really beautiful. The piano accompaniment is very challenging. Sound sample, sheet music sample, and purchasing options.
- TiS 48 / AoV1-153 / ATOK 411 / VU808 / WoV779 / ELW787 / GA452 / HPP385 / GtG043 / G(II)433 / GC611 / GC(II)593 / G(3)691 / CP531 / W&R438 / PfAS091E / Cha077 / Lau952 You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord / On Eagle's Wings (Michael Joncas) This is a big favourite all over the place. It has masculine imagery for God. This doesn't have to be sung slowly and meditatively - it also works very well as a more upbeat song. If it is not familiar to you, a cantor can be used for the verses. It is not inclusive. Lyrics.
- VF092 / Online Resource Be still and know that I am God (Ana Hernández) A beautiful arrangement of these lovely words. I would gradually teach the congregation the main part (even just the soprano line) and, once they have learned it, get them to sing it as a chant, while the musicians sing the other parts. Even better, learn all the parts of the main chant as a congregation and add the cantor parts. Sheet music available here. Clunky and, frankly, a fairly useless keyboard sound sample, but a good sheet music sample.
- CH487 Come let us seek our God’s protection (Tom Colvin & the people of Ghana) A lovely call and response; would work well after a prayer of confession. Lyrics & sheet music.
- MV096 And when you call for me (Linnea Good) This simple chant "And when you call for me I have already answered... I am already there" might work nicely during the prayers of intercession. Tune is not immediately easy, so teach your congregation first. Good for kids.
- 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) For kids, I think it may be better to focus on the positive for this reading, and this simple chant is beautiful. Works as a round or in unison. Sound sample. Good for kids.
- MV214 May God's sheltering wings (Judith Snowdon) A beautiful, simple blessing and benediction, which may be sung about a feminine or a masculine God. Lyrics. Video with actions from BUC.
- 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. Lyrics & chords.
- ATOK 311 / CH754 / GA401 Be still and know that I am God and there is none beside me (John Bell) A good alternative to the above song. 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. Sound sample. Good for kids.
- PfAS091C Those who dwell in the shelter of God / El que habita al abrigo de Dios (Robert Savage) A nice South American sounding tune, and good lyrics with a soothing chorus.
- Online Resource When our faith has lost its feeling (David Bjorlin) Deep words about how hard it is to hear the still small voice. Sung to the familiar tune COLUMCILLE. Lyrics and sheet music sample and purchasing options. Sound sample. New words to old tunes
- W&R633 Healer of My Soul keep me at even' (John Michael Talbot) A quiet meditative song. It might be best sung as a reflection if unfamiliar to your congregation. Video and lyrics.
- Online Resource / MV062 / SP&P076 There is room for all / Chacun a sa place (Bruce Harding) A simple one-verse song; will need to be taught, but it won't take long to teach it. More communal than many other versions of this Psalm. Sound sample and free sheet music.
- PfAS091D Be with me Lord when I am in trouble (Val Parker) A nice refrain, which would resonate well with kids, for a cantored, or spoken, reading of the Psalm. Jazzy sound sample. Good for kids.
- PfAS091D How safe it is, this hiding place (Martin Leckebusch) A simple refrain for a cantored, or read, version of the Psalm. Very very easy.
The rich couch potatoes will go into exile first
- 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”. Lyric video. Good for kids.
- TiS 689 / ATE 286 / GtB Lord hear my praying / Sorrowing song (Robin Mann) Powerful words of prayer to a simple tune. Words are straightforward about asking difficult questions of God. Lyrics. This song will work for next week as well, so now is a good time to introduce it.
- ATW 475 / NCYC'01 / SP&P008 Come to the banquet there’s a place for you (Fay White) An excellent song. "Though you maybe have no money, though you maybe feel unworthy, in your strength and in your weakness you are welcome, come." Lyrics.
- TiS 416 Great God your Spirit like the wind (Alan Gaunt) Excellent words asking for God to shake us out of our complacency and give us compassion. I really wish it was set to a different tune - it is set to JERUSALEM and this seems to suck all the power out of the lyrics for me. It works with MAGNIFICAT (TiS173) which is fairly straightforward so I would try that if it's not too confusing for the congregation. Lyrics (downloads a PDF). New words to old tunes
God is great and cares for the widow, and brings justice etc.
- Cha766 Blessed are the poor and needy for God's justice surely is theirs Simple, very familiar sung response, and responsive reading.
- TiS 90 / AHB 44 / UMH60 / VU867 / GtG806 / PH253 / A&M673 / CP346 / CP(E) 473 / W&R79 / Cha20 / 82Hml-429 / StF079 / MP320 I'll praise my Maker while I've breath (Isaac Watts) A great classic hymn. Most sources are not inclusive; Voices United is! Lyrics and sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- URW357 Praise to the One who sets prisoners free (Elise Eslinger) A great tune, and the response can be sung in three parts, or as a round. Can be sung with one or two cantors / readers or without the cantors. The refrain alone as a round could be good for kids.
- 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. Good for kids. Free sheet music! Short sound sample.
- Psalm Project (2010) Hallelujah Hallelujah The god of Jacob (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A nice way to present this Psalm to the congregation; this would work during the offering for our congregation, or have the congregation (including the kids) sing the Hallelujah bits as a Psalm refrain. Note to BUC: I have this! Sound sample and lyrics.
- G(3)093 I will praise the Lord all my days (Michael Joncas) A lovely Psalm refrain, very straightforward. The verses could be sung or read. Sound sample.
- TiS 702 / NCH768 / SFFS 2014 / GC257 / GC(II)263 / G(3)331 / PfAS146B / Lau539 Alleluia 7 (Jacques Berthier) A very straightforward Alleluia that builds with energy. PfAS uses this as a refrain to a cantored (or read) version of Psalm 146. Sheet music and sound samples.
- WoV609 / GtG034 / SP&P055 / W&R735 / PfAS146B Hallelujah / Heleluyan (Muscogee / Charles Webb) Native American Hallelujah. I like it. It's simple and straightforward. It can also be used as a round (come in on each bar), and with a strong drum beat on 1 and 3. PfAS146 uses it as a refrain to Psalm 146. Sound recording.
Contentment; be rich in good works
The rich man and Lazarus
- TiS 370 / AHB 290 / NCH367 / CH411 / UMH302 / VU157 / LBW128 / ELW369 / GtG245 / G(II)315 / GC437 / GC(II)439 / G(3)523 / CP206 / W&R288 / Lau273 / StF298 / MP076 Christ the Lord is risen today (Charles Wesley) It's not quite Easter for me without this hymn, but be aware that the lyrics vary widely between hymnals. TiS is good, although some may not like the Kingly language. If you want fully inclusive language, the NCH has good lyrics. An example of lyrics and tune. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- NCH437 We shall not give up the fight (South African) A great song for congregations standing with those in a struggle for freedom. That should be all of our congregations really. Good for kids. I like the version by this choir in France!
- 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 / StF545 / 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 and tune.
- UMH438 / VU416 / A&M476 / CP467 / CP(E) 430 / W&R718 / StF550 / Lau861 / MP159 Forth in thy name O Lord I go (Charles Wesley) Timeless words about committing all our works to God. I like this hymn best played lightly and joyfully with a simple drum beat as a kind of minstrel tune, rather than a hymn. The old fashioned words seem to make a lot more sense to me that way. Some hymnals (including TiS) have sensitively modernised the words. Older lyrics and sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- 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. Sound sample (YouTube).
- TiS 143 / AHB 80 / NCH1 / CH132 / UMH103 / VU264 / A&M676 / LBW526 / ELW834 / HPP37 / GtG012 / PH263 / GC507 / CP(E) 474 / W&R48 / Cha066 / ZSS4 / Srce296 / 82Hml-423 / Lau725 / StF055 / MP327 Immortal invisible God only wise (Walter Chalmers-Smith). An oldy-but-a-goody. "In light inaccessible hid from our eyes". Lyrics, tune sample. Words are mostly inclusive for God's gender, but for the last verse which our congregation usually sings as "Great Father of glory, pure Mother of light", except for the last time we sang it. Oldy-but-a-goody.
The rich man and Lazarus
- TiS 728 Jesuchristo Reina reina ya! A fun Latin American song. It's particularly fun if someone is brave enough to yell out a "call" at the start of each verse. Sound sample. Good for kids
- TiS 611 / AHB 543 / NCH436 / UMH577 / VU686 / LBW415 / ELW705 / A&M648 / HPP456 / PH420 / GtG307 / CP577 / CP(E) 448 / W&R569 / Cha464 / 82Hml-594 / StF682 / MP192 God of Grace and God of Glory (Harry Fosdick) A song about being courageous and wise. There are many possible tunes and many sets of words to this hymn. NCH has the most inclusive words, but TiS and AHB are okay too. They don’t hold back in verse 3. Chorus: “Grant us wisdom, Grant us courage, for the facing of this hour”. I know best the tune AHB 543 (ii) RHUDDLAN. One version of the 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”. Lyric video. Good for kids.
- TiS 629 / AHB 558 / AoV2-136 / ATA 197 / CH544 / VU600 / Lau888 / StF256 When I needed a neighbor were you there (Sydney Carter) A classic folk church song. Well known and fits well with this theme. "And the creed and the colour and the name won't matter"... Lyrics. Good for kids.
- VU456 / AA100 / PH515 Now to your table spread (Shirley Murray) A communion hymn that recognises global faith and global responsibility. Particularly suitable if you are celebrating communion this week. Sung to the familiar tune LOVE UNKNOWN. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- Traditional Carol As it fell out apon one day / Dives and Lazarus (Traditional English) This is very long, and not really a congregational song, but it may suit your congregation to use a part of it. Video of a live performance.
- TiS 640 / AHB 561 / ATE 310 / NCH498 / UMH432 / VU593 / WoV765 / ELW708 / HPP446 / GtG203 / PH367 / G(II)296 / GC409 / GC(II)429 / G(3)505 / CP504 / W&R273 / Cha600 / URW116 / 82Hml-602 / Lau241 / StF249 Jesu Jesu fill us with your love / Kneels at the feet of his friends (Tom Colvin & people of Ghana). Classic! Lyrics. Good for kids
- ATFG561 / Online Resource / 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. Good for kids. Free downloadable song book, lyrics and sound samples.
- TiS 650 / ATA 191 / CH694 / A&M604 / NCH539 / VU595 / ELW659 / AA08 / SFFS 2222 / HPP442 / GtG727 / G(II)476 / GC683 / GC(II)661 / G(3)751 / CP500 / CP(E) 393 / W&R391 / Cha490 / SP263 / URW117 / StF611 / Lau924 Brother, sister, let me serve you / Won't you let me be your servant? (Richard Gillard) I think you all know this one. Lyrics. NCH has a nice turn on the lyrics with "Won't you let me be your servant?" as the first line. Oldy-but-a-goody.
1 comment:
For Jeremiah, in the Bulb is also a good choice up North here in Canada as we are planting our bulbs that will bloom in the spring! :)
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