1 Samuel 1:4-20 with 1 Samuel 2:1-10
Hannah wants a son, and prays to God without a mediator. She gets a son!
followed by: Hannah’s song – God is great and feeds the hungry and all the rest of that excellent stuff
You can sing some non-Mary-specific Magnificats for this one.
- SFFS 2189 A mother lined a basket (Mary
Nelson Keithahn)
Quite a remarkable song about the nurture mothers provide and the risks
they take in letting children go, with Jochabed and Hannah being prime
examples.
This celebrates more that Hannah's son did arrive. "A mother sewed a jacket lined in the softest wool, then dressed her
little boy-child, her cup of blessing full. She brought him to the
temple where he would serve and live. God's people had a prophet. She
had such faith to give.". Could be sung to other tunes such as
THORNBURY. Lyrics. New words to old tunes (if you choose one).
- WoV692 / ELW419 / GtG324 / RS885 For all the faithful women
(Herman Steumpfle) Great words of the faithfulness of women, including
Hannah, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Deborah and Miriam. Sung to a very
familiar tune (AURELIA). You could choose just the verses you want so
it's not too long, (but all the verses are good). Some words are a bit
odd (like the bit about saving "our race" could unfortunately be easily
misconstrued). Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- NCH015 My heart is overflowing
(Miriam Therese Winter) Excellent words to a simple flowing tune. This song is one of
very few written specifically based on Hannah's song. The
tune is new, but would not take too long to learn. Lyrics.
- 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 samples and chord charts.
- Online Resource My heart rejoices, my horn is lifted up
(Alicia Samaai) You may like to
listen to this song, and perhaps play it for your congregation. This is not a congregational song, but I think it's really nice. Video.
- Online Resource / TiS 172 / NCH119 / UMH198 / VU899 / GtG099 / PfAS1042 / Cha130 My soul gives glory to my God (John Mueller) Simple and beautiful words to a simple and beautiful tune. Inclusive lyrics. Lyrics
(plus lyrics to lots of other magnificats). Scroll down and look for
"ecumenical". I recommend the newer translation by Mary Louise Bringle,
which can be seen, heard, and purchased here.
- 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. Sheet music samples. Good for kids
- Tune In / Online Resource Father of earth, Mother of sea (Dave Brown)
A latinesque song about the Spirit being with those who are victims,
prisoners and the sick, as well as present in our prayers. Note particularly the phrase “Spirit who prays with us while war goes on… pray with us Lord”. Sound sample, lyrics and downloadable songbook.
- 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! A really interesting article about the various translations. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- MV120 / StS124 / R245 / ELW723 / HPP88 / GtG100 / G(II)376 / GC556 / GC(II)527 / G(3)622 / PfAS075B / URW018 My soul cries out with a joyful shout (Canticle of the Turning)
(Rory Cooney) This is my favourite Magnificat, and a big favourite at Brunswick. "Could the world be about
to turn?" It's sung to a folk tune (STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN). Lyrics. New words to old tunes
- Taizé / GC(II)530 / Lau689 Let Us Sing to the Lord / Benissez le Seigneur (Jacques Berthier) A joyous chant, with an optional cantor part. Sound samples, sheet music and translations. Good for kids.
- Taizé / Iona (T1AU) / StS012 / GC(II)522 / G(3)630 / PfAS1018 Magnificat (Jacques Berthier) “Magnificat
amina mea dominum” To be honest, I think it’s kind of
funny to sing “Magnificat” as a lyric, but maybe that's just me. There
are also alternative English lyrics (Sing out my soul), which are good if your congregation
thinks singing in Latin is quirky. A catchy and happy Taize chant. Sheet music, sound samples, and English translation.
- Online resource Magnificat (Bruce
Harding) A fun magnificat, using the Latin phrase “Magnificat amina mea
deum”. I think our musicians would like this one! Sound sample and free sheet music.
- Online Resource My heart exults in the Lord
(Jason Silver) This could be sung quite beautifully by a soloist. Probably too challenging for a congregation. Sound sample, and links to sheet music available.
Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Daniel 12:1-3
Apocalyptic vision of the resurrection of the dead
- AoV1-057 / G(II)485 / GC678 / GC(II)663 / G(3)766 / Lau824 Awake from your slumber / City of God
(Dan Schutte) I love the joyousness and sense of mission in this one. A really
positive song “Let us build the city of God, let us turn our morning to
dancing, for the Lord, our light and our love, has turned the night into
day”. There is a little bit of
non-inclusiveness in the middle. Sample sheet music & lyrics. Sound sample.
- SFFS 2005 Arise Shine for your light has come (Gary Alan Smith) A simple call and response. Good for an intro to worship. Normally used at Epiphany, but it could work here too.
- Taizé / AoV2-005 / A&M840 / GC(II)510 / SP327 / URW386 / StF360 Jesus Your Light / Jesus le Christ
(Jacques Berthier) “Jesus your light is shining within us, let
not my doubts
and my darkness speak to me; Jesus your light is shining within us, let
my heart always welcome your love”. One of the slightly more upbeat
Taize chants. Sheet music, samples and translations. Good for kids.
Psalm for the Daniel reading: Psalm 16
Refuge in God who shows us life
- MV123
Day after day night after night (Lynn Bauman / Linnea Good) A lovely simple chant or Psalm refrain. Good for kids.
- 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. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- 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 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)
Most sources have it set to the excellent straightforward Irish tune (SLANE), and beautiful words.
Would be a good choice for the final song. Others (like GtG) use COURTNEY, which I find a bit lame, but it's easy too. Lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- PfAS016D My heart is glad and my spirit rejoices
(William Beckstrand) I really like the words and tune to this Psalm
refrain. It will need to be sung through a couple of times before
reading the Psalm.
- CH656 / VU477 / PH507 / CP060 / A&M448 / GtG515 / CP(E) 305 / W&R706 / Cha420 / SP217 / URW120 I come with joy a child of God (Brian Wren) A good and jubilant communion hymn. Lyrics & sheet music.
- AoVK-12 God is our shelter truly a friend indeed (Chris O'Hara) Groovy little round / more like a call and response really. Lyrics (pdf). Good for kids.
- StJ / G(II)22 / GC23 / GC(II)18 / G(3)029 / Lau40b Keep Me Safe O God (John Foley) Simple cantor and response "Keep me safe O God. You are my hope, you are my hope, O God". Lyrics and sample sheet music. Sound sample.
- G(II)23 / GC24 / GC(II)19 / G(3)030 / URW235
You Will Show Me the Path of Life
(Marty Haugen) Simple cantor and response "You will show me the path of life,
you my hope and my shelter, in your presence is endless joy and your
sight is my hope forever". Lyrics and sample sheet music. Sound sample.
- VU737 / VU738 / PfAS016D / PfAS016C Protect me God: I trust in you
(Michael Saward / Christian Strover) Simple psalm refrain that could be
used with a sung or spoken verse. Lyrics.
Hebrews 10:11-14, (15-18), 19-25
Christ’s single sacrifice to atone for our sins. Encourage and provoke one another
- TIS 624 / W&R453 / StF492 Christ be my leader by night as by day (Timothy Dudley-Smith) Excellent words of following Christ in times of struggle to a traditional Scottish melody. Lyrics New words to old tunes.
- Tune In / Online Resource He left his home, fam'ly, friends / 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. Reference recording, lyrics and free downloadable songbook.
Good for kids & teenagers.
- Iona (Sent by the Lord) Men and women let us walk / Sarantanani
(Bolivian folk tune) “Men and women, let us move, and let’s move
together” It’s fun. Traditionally, it is very fast, but it doesn't need
to be. Think of those pan-pipe playing buskers in your nearest city... Great for kids. Sound sample (not fast at all!).
- TiS 259 / Iona (Love From Below) Among us and before us Lord you stand (John Bell) Good words. The set tune (GATEHOUSE) will need to be taught. It can also be sung to SURSUM CORDA. Lyrics (powerpoint). New words to old tunes (if sung to SURSUM CORDA).
- NCH297 / CH736 / VU706 / StJ / AA45 / HPSS528 / W&R518 / Cha649 / URW131 Give thanks for life the measure of our days
(Shirley Murray) This song is also good for funerals and is sung to the
familiar tune SINE NOMINE. "Give thanks for life, the measure of our
days, mortal we pass through beauty that decays, yet sing to God our
hope, our love, our praise: Alleluia, Alleluia!". Lyrics (scroll down).
- TiS 542 / STB082 Far beyond our mind's grasp / Kay laking hiwaga
(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. Sound sample.
- 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.
- Tune In / Online ResourceCommunity
(Dave Brown) A great and easy to sing song about being neighbourly and living for
and with others. "A glass of water shared with the thirsty, this is
community". Reference recording, lyrics and free downloadable songbook.
Mark 13:1-8
It's not about how big the building is... Jesus predicts destruction of the temple.
Not many songs out there about this...
- 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. New words to old tunes.
- TiS 288 / Iona Not the powerful not the privileged
(John Bell) Note that the lyrics are masculine for God in one instance in
the 4th verse. The lyrics are great though, so perhaps balance this song
with some feminine imagery elsewhere in the service! The tune is not
difficult. Lyrics (powerpoint)
- 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.
- Online Resource War will come kingdoms undone / Not the End (Malcolm Gordon) A folksy song about how all this destruction will come, but there is still more to come. Sound sample and digital track.
- Online Resource We do not know what lies ahead (Allan Baer) Thank you Allan for sharing this song. A good song, to a simple tune, about facing difficult challenges and the hope that comes from Christ. Sheet music, sound sample, and the story behind the song.
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...)
