Isaiah 1:1, 10-20
Making offerings and celebrating festivals without doing good and working for justice doesn't please God.
- Online Resource / Tune In Peace In Our Time (Dave Brown, Australia) A groovy bossa nova song of peace and justice. Free downloadable sheet music, and sound sample.
- Online Resource / TiS 473 / NCH314 / W&R615 / Cha655 / StF681 Community of Christ (Shirley Murray, New Zealand) Beautiful words to a traditional Hebrew synagogue melody (LEONI). Easy to sing. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
- AA085 Let justice roll down like a river (Colin Gibson, New Zealand) Excellent song, and very easy to sing. Lyrics and sheet music Good for kids.
- TiS 663 / NCH108 / CH241 / VU680 / GtG077 / PH337 / W&R532 Isaiah the prophet has written
(Joy Patterson, USA) Excellent words of Isaiah's vision for the future; I
prefer to sing this to the tune JUDAS AND MARY (New words to old tunes). Lyrics (note: a different tune).
- Online Resource / AoV1-050 Act Justly
(Monica O'Brien / Trish Watts, Australia) Simple chant-like chorus, and strong verses. I love
this one. Sheet music sample, sound sample, purchasing options.
- Online Resource / AoVNG1 / CH685 / FFS17 / GtG769 / G(3)812 / W&R617 For everyone born / A place at the table
(Shirley Murray, New Zealand) Words of welcome and change to everyone regardless of
sex, age, sexuality. There are three possible tunes. The Lori True tune
is the most common. I like the Colin Gibson tune in FFS (and on the Hope
Publishing website that follows). This song is good for a service when
communion is
celebrated, but it makes sense without communion, too. DO NOT SING ALL
THE VERSES if you're looking at the Hope Publishing version. Choose the
ones that work for your community. I recommend not using verse 4, which
talks about both the abuser and the abused being welcome at the table,
and places the onus on the abused for forgiveness; it is a verse that
Shirley Murray decided later she would have liked to remove. There is
also an optional verse: "For gay and for straight...." Lyrics & sheet music.
- TiS 657 / CH263 / VU700 / A&M559 / AA50 / CP(E) 447 / Cha656 / SP242 God of freedom God of justice (Shirley Murray, New Zealand) Powerful lyrics. Can be sung to either TREDEGAR (new, but not too hard) or PICARDY (very familiar). 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.
- HPP28 / GtG023 / PH285 / W&R24 / URW083 God You Spin the Whirling Planets
(Jane Parker Huber, USA / AUSTRIAN HYMN) 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.
- ATOK 390 Put on love every day, never hide your love away (Mary Lu Walker, USA) A groovy song that's good for kids! Lyrics (downloads a powerpoint)
Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23
God the creator; Those who practice thanksgiving and righteousness will be saved.- TiS 30 Be exalted O God above the earth (Jane Marshall)
A simple and beautiful refrain, with an inclusive cantor line. If you
have no cantor, it will work well with the Psalm read as verses between
the refrains.
- Online Resource / 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, sheet music sample and purchasing options.
- VU775 The mighty one God the Sovereign (Eleanor Daley) Good refrain and responsive reading
- Emergent Psalter To the wicked God says (Isaac Everett) Powerful words in this refrain. Nice 3/4 rhythm. Sheet music.
- TiS 743 / AoVK-31 / CH170 / GGives1 Praise and thanksgiving let everyone bring (Edith Lovell Thomas) A simple round. Note that most versions have a masculine God; AoVK has inclusive language. Sample sheet music. Good for kids.
- Iona (T1AU) Give thanks worship and praise (John Bell) A four part short song of thanks. Can be used as a processional. Sound sample.
- Music by Heart 79 Out of Zion (Judith Dodge) A simple chant for congregational singing and improvisation. Sheet music sample.
- / AoV2-109 / CH772 / GA429 / GtG654 / A&M334 / SFFS 2195 / G(II)396 /
GC566 / GC(II)546 / G(3)639 / SP128 / URW381 / Lau944 / W&R448 / StF776 / MP865 In the Lord I'll Be Ever Thankful / El Senyor (Jacques Berthier) A joyful and bouncy short song. Works well in English, German and Spanish at least. Good for kids. Sheet music, translations into many other languages, sound samples.
- NCH565 / LBW408 / ELW678 / GtG716 / PH422 / CP601 / W&R572 / Cha606 / URW091 God whose giving knows no ending
(Rusty Edwards) Excellent more formal words of thanks for God's many good
gifts to us. Can be sung to a range of tunes including BEACH SPRING,
HYFRYDOL, AUSTRIAN HYMN, RUSTINGTON. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
- TiS 458 / AHB 388 /
NCH095 / CH220 / UMH690 / VU437 / Songs for Liturgy / LBW274 / ELW569 /
GA539 / A&M24 / GtG677 / PH546 / CP029 / CP(E) 22 /
82Hml-024 / Lau679 / StF147 / MP641 The day you gave us God is ended (John Ellerton) A lovely older hymn. Suitable only for evening services. Old school lyrics & sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Genesis 15:1-6
God makes a covenant with the childless Abram; God’s faithfulness
- Protest and Praise / Online Resource When God first promised Abram (David
Bjorlin, USA) A hymn reflecting on how God comes to us in darkness (features Abram, Jacob, Moses and Rahab). Sung to the traditional tune CHRISTUS, DER IST MEIN LEBEN. Lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
- SiS414 / ATA 153 / GtG059 / Srce686 / PfAS105B The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
(Edith McNeill, USA) Can be a mushy
favourite, and the language is not inclusive in older versions; PfAS
uses “God’s mercy never comes to
an end”. PfAS uses it as a sung response to a Psalm. Older style lyrics & chords. Oldy-but-a-goody.
-
Iona (LFB) / G(II)503 / GC701 / RS818 / StF464 God It Was who said to Abraham (John Bell, Scotland) Easy tune. Good story words. Note that God is masculine; I think this has been addressed
in more recent editions of Love From Below. Lyrics and sheet music. Slow sound sample.
- GtG042 / PH251 Your Faithfulness O Lord Is Sure
(Joy Patterson, USA) Very simple paraphrase of this Psalm, sung to the
familiar traditional tune WINCHESTER NEW. This is a paraphrase of Psalm
145 that fits very well for this passage. New words to old tunes. Sheet music sample.
- NCYC09 Stories of faith calling us to explore / Stories of Hope (Rob Hanks / Phil Newton, Australia) Not easy, but the words are great. Best to get someone to sing it - perhaps during the offering?
- AoV1-137 / ATOK 403 / GA306 / G(II)286 God Of Abraham lead us
(Bernadette Farrell, England) This one is great. Just don't try to sing all 17 verses!
Choose what you like… I love this energetic call and response with the
response "Lead us to your kingdom". You can sing with a cantor and
response, or you could split your congregation in the middle doing half
and half, or you could just have people singing all the way through. Lyrics (and a slow sound sample). Sound sample (listen to the whole thing and see how they build it up). Good for kids.
- Unknown source Nothing is impossible with God
(Unknown) I found this ridiculously happy song, and I think you only
need to change one word to make it one I would like. I think our kids
would just really love this..... Anyone know where it's from? Youtube of some ridiculously happy and wholesome kids singing it. Good for kids
Psalm for the Genesis Reading: Psalm 33:12-22
Better to trust in God than an earthly king
- AoVK-18 Clap your hands our God is good! (Brown) Good for kids.
- CH141 / A&M548 / SP250 / URW077 Oh the life of the world is a joy and a treasure
(Kathy Galloway) Good inclusive words about God's presence in "the life of
the world" (nature, seasons, childbirth, justice). The tune is a simple
Celtic-style melody. Lyrics.
- Online Resource / AoVNG1 / CH685 / FFS17 / GtG769 / G(3)812 / W&R617 For everyone born / A place at the table
(Shirley Murray, New Zealand) Words of welcome and change to everyone regardless of
sex, age, sexuality. There are three possible tunes. The Lori True tune
is the most common. I like the Colin Gibson tune in FFS (and on the Hope
Publishing website that follows). This song is good for a service when
communion is
celebrated, but it makes sense without communion, too. DO NOT SING ALL
THE VERSES if you're looking at the Hope Publishing version. Choose the
ones that work for your community. I recommend not using verse 4, which
talks about both the abuser and the abused being welcome at the table,
and places the onus on the abused for forgiveness; it is a verse that
Shirley Murray decided later she would have liked to remove. There is
also an optional verse: "For gay and for straight...." Lyrics & sheet music.
- 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.
- GA031 / G(II)43 / GC45 / GC(II)32 / G(3)044 Let Your Mercy Be on Us (Marty Haugen) Three possible responses to this cantor-lead reading of the Psalm. Quite simple. Sound sample.
- Online Resource / AoVK-58 We wait in hope for the Lord (Nathaniel Ford)
Simple a cappella round; also good for kids "We wait in hope for the
Lord, God is our help and our shield. And so our hearts rejoice, for we
trust in God's holy name". I think this could work as a refrain for this Psalm. Less inclusive sound sample and purchasing options. Good for kids.
- TiS
47 / AHB 46 / AoV1-175 / NCH25 / CH161 / UMH117 / VU806 / LBW504 /
ELW806 / GA459 / A&M746 / HPP1 / GtG687 / PH210 / GC614 / GC(II)588 / G(3)688 / CP528 / CP(E) 537 /
W&R84 / Cha067 / Srce2-441 / URW200 / 82Hml-680 / PfAS090B / Lau955 / StF132 / MP498 O God our help in ages past (Isaac Watts) A
good solid very well known hymn! The surprising thing about this one
is that the language is inclusive for God in most sources. Not all
sources are inclusive for humanity, so check. Lyrics and sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- GtG040 God's word is upright / La palabra del Senor
(Juan Luis Garcia) This song with a Spanish chorus (or English) is quite fun
once you get to know the tune. Would be best with guitar if you have
one. Chords and Spanish lyrics.
- ATE 216 / Iona (SBL) / CH126 / StJ / ELW555 / PH472 / G(II)365 / GC527 / RS 671 / CP417 / W&R15 / StF042 / MP035 O sing to the Lord / Cantai ao Senhor / Cantad al Señor (Traditional Brazilian) A good, fun and simple song that is easy to learn in Portuguese or Spanish too. Sound sample.
Good for kids!
Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
The faith of Abraham; Heavenly home.
- Online Resource / AoVK-28 / ATOK 376 Faith hope and love
(Trish Watts, Australia) "Freedom for all, this is what we long for!" This is so easy, and so cool. If you have some groovy
musicians, this can even be a very funky rock song. Very easy, and great
for kids and non-readers. This remains my son's favourite church song. Sound sample, sheet music sample, purchasing options. Good for kids.
- 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 Pantecelyn, Wales) 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 and sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- AoV1-137 / ATOK 403 / GA306 / G(II)286 God Of Abraham lead us
(Bernadette Farrell, England) I love
this energetic call and response with the response "Lead us to your
kingdom". Don't try to sing all 17 verses!
Choose what you like... You can sing with a cantor and response, or you
could split
your congregation in the middle doing half and half, or you could just
have people singing all the way through. Lyrics (downloads a pdf). Good for kids.
- NCH598 / UMH724 / FrS077 / W&R519 On Jordan's Stormy Bank I Stand / On River Jordan's Bank I stand (Samuel Stennett, England) Even
though I don't pine for the life hereafter, there's something about
this old song, sung to an American folk hymn tune (PROMISED LAND), that has meaning for me. Translations vary: NCH is most
inclusive. Lyrics and sheet music.
- Online Resource / Resounding Voices / VT044 We long to know her the maker of heaven (Jacque
Jones, USA) Rich feminine imagery of God as creator, wisdom and bringer of
justice. Sung to a tune that may be familiar (STAR OF THE EAST). Free book download here. New words to old tunes.
- NCYC09 Stories of faith calling us to explore / Stories of Hope (Rob Hanks / Phil Newton, Australia) Not easy, but the words are great. Best to get someone to sing it - perhaps during the offering?
Luke 12:32-40
Be ready! Sell your stuff, give alms, have your lamps lit!
- GC(II)647 / G(3)749 / Lau949 Where Your Treasure Is
(Marty Haugen, USA) This song is based on this passage, and nearby verses. Quite
easy to sing, particularly if the congregation only joins in on the
chorus. Lyrics and partial sheet music. Sound sample.
- GWA092 / MV019 / StS002 Maranatha Maranatha Come Lord Jesus Come
(Louise Skibsted, Canada) A very simple chant. You might also like to repeat a
chant that you used in Advent if you can remember back that far. Always
waiting.... Sound sample.
- MV175 May we but wait (Will Petricko, Canada) A simple refrain which would work well as a response for prayers of Intercession.
- AoV2-003
/ ATOK 313 / CH543 / StJ / GA404 / A&M042 / ELW715 / GtG314 /
GC(II)512 / G(3)590 / SP13 / URW114 / Lau883 / StF706 Longing for light we wait in darkness / Christ, be our light
(Bernadette Farrell, England) One of my favourites, especially if someone can sing or
play the descant line in the later verses. Sound sample and lyrics.
Good for kids.
- TiS 280 When he comes back, our lamps will be burning to welcome him when he comes back (Malcolm Stewart, England) I
really like this song, and wish for excuses to sing it more often. The
words fit with the story of this reading (including being about a master returning, so it is not gender-inclusive in any sense of the word) and the tune has a
simple lilting joy to it. Lyrics.
- Unknown source Alleluia, the great storm is over
(Bob Franke, USA) lift up your wings and fly! I especially love the image of the infant
sleeping while the mother sang until the bridegroom returned. The chorus
is really catchy and very easy to sing. If not familiar, you can use a
cantor or soloist for the verses and invite the congregation to join in
the chorus. We tend to sing this more like a gospel anthem. Lyrics. Video with poor image but good sound.
- Taizé / AoV2-088 / ATOK 395 / CH793 / VU950 / ELW348 / GA325 / A&M172 /
SFFS 2198 / GtG204 / W&R286 / SP61 / Lau249 / StF780 Stay with me / Bleibet hier (Jacques Berthier, Fance) A very well known chant. Sheet music and sound samples.
- Online Resource / GWA118 Stay with me the night has come (David Bjorlin, USA) A beautiful simple chant, set to an old Welsh tune. This is very lovely, and will be easily picked up. Sound sample, sheet music sample and purchasing options.
- Traditional / NCH369 Keep your lamp trimmed and burning (Traditional, USA) Bob Franke has an excellent post on this song here including a great recording of Willie Johnson playing and singing this old song. There's also a great version of "Keep your lamp trimmed and burning"
by Jim Fisher and the White Pointers on Tim Winton's "Dirt Music" album. (Thanks Ann Scull!)
- Online resource Where your treasure is (David MacGregor, Australia) A very singable song about having hope and doing good with God in your heart. Youtube. Sheet music and lyrics.
- AoVK-40 / NCH524 / UMH585 / ELW677 / A&M808 / HPP466 / G(II)358 / GC514 / GC(II)514 / G(3)591 This little light of mine (Traditional, USA) The AoVK version has excellent verses that actually make the
chorus make sense, but will need to be practiced. Check them out if you have a copy. In the meantime,
watch Bruce Springsteen sing it here. It's amazing... I also very much like Ladysmith Black Mambazo's version. You could also add in this nice addition from Jeff Lowery. Good for kids.
- The Good Book / Recorded Music Clouds hanging low in the sky / There is your heart (Linnea Good, Canada) More of a song to listen to, than to sing. Thanks to Judy Redman for this suggestion. Lyrics. Recording.
- Recorded Music Them that's got shall get / God Bless the Child (Billy Holliday, USA) I had to think about this, but I reckon Ken Wells is right that this song could fit well for this reading, if it fits where you're going with the rest of the service and sermon. Thanks Ken. Recording. Lyrics.
- 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, Germany) 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! Thanks to Mary Ellen for this suggestion. A really interesting article about the various translations. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- Online Resource / ATN 85 / SLW04 Give me oil in my lamp
(Traditional) A little bit of silly happy-clappy stuff is sometimes good fun. I like the version of the chorus that goes "Sing Hosanna to the Servant King"... It's very "Lordy", so balance it out with the rest of the service. Lyrics and sheet music. Good for kids.
What will you be singing in response to these readings? Let me know if you find something I've missed, by adding a comment below.
Originally written in Osaka, Japan, updated in Fitzroy, Melbourne, and then in Odense, Denmark, and then back in Fitzroy!
Hosea 11:1-11
God’s
care and kindness even when rejected. Strong parenting images. God as a
lion roaring, and his children returning with trembling. God's longing
for us.
- Tune in / Online Resource The God that I Know (Sheree Anderson) A beautiful ballad with female and male images of a loving, embracing God. Free sound samples, sheet music and lyrics.
- GWA029 In ages past the mighty Lord by prophets spoke the word
(Michael Morgan) This is a song with very many verses; choose at least
verses 1 and 6 this week, and you can sing other verses when you want to
sing about other prophets. Set to the common tune KINGSFOLD. Some lyrics (not the Hosea verse!). New words to old tunes.
- TiS 693 / AoV1-031 / GA212 Come as you are that's how I want you (Deidre Browne) This song is beautiful, gentle, simple, and very well known. Lyrics and sound sample. A good song to start the service.
- NCH583 / GtG044 / StJ Like a mother who has borne us (Daniel Bechtel) This has very appropriate lyrics. The tune is gentle, soothing and simple. Sound sample.
- Online Resource / TiS
417 / AoV2-133 / ATW 448 / VU387 / StJ / WoV683 / ELW397 / AA94 /
HPP237 / GtG293 / PH323 / CP657 / W&R135 / Cha244 / URW203 / StB220 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 and sheet music. New words to old tunes (depending on the tune you choose).
- Taizé / GtG814 / CP563 / PfAS062DIn 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 parts Good for kids.
- AoVNG55 / Taizé / G(3)959 / SP323 / Lau221 God is forgiveness / Bóg jest miłością (Taize)
"God is forgiveness, love and do not fear". A simple Taize chant which seems to suit this reading quite well. Sheet music, lyrics in many languages, sound samples.
- Online Resource As a mother loves her children
(David Bjorlin / Swedish Traditional Tune) Words drawing parallels
between God's love for us and the love of a mother for her children. Sheet music sample, lyrics and purchasing options.
- ATW 459 I don't believe in a God up in the sky / God Version 1.0 (Robin Mann) An excellent rock song about how we think about God, or not! Lyrics and sound sample. Good for kids.
- AoV1-030 / GA213 / G(II)282 / GC386 / GC(II)405 / G(3)484 / Lau842 Come back to me / Hosea (Gregory Norbet) Quite beautiful song of return to God. Nice sung sound sample. Lead sheet.
Psalm 107:1-9, 43
God’s steadfast love, satisfying the thirsty and filling the hungry with good things. Provider.
- Online Resource / GWA061 Whoever you are your prayer is welcome / Open your heart (Chris Shelton) Words of radical inclusion, emphasising God as provider who satisfies our hunger. Sheet music sample and purchasing options.
- ATW 475 Come to the banquet there’s a place for you (Faye White) An excellent song by Melbourne singer and songwriter. Lyrics (scroll quite a bit). Good for kids.
- AoV1-074 Come To The Water
(Frank Andersen) A beautiful song about God providing (from Isaiah 55).
Familiar to many, but easy to sing if not. Works well for communion
also. Lyrics and sound sample.
- Tune In / Online Resource / ATAR598 / NCYC 2009 God has laid a feasting table / Invitation (Shawn Whelan). Feminine imagery of God gathering her guests to a feasting table. Fun Cuban rhythm. Sample and free songbook.
- AoV2-020 / ATAR665 Come to the feast of Heaven and Earth / Table of Plenty (Dan Schutte)
“God will provide for all that you need, here at the table of plenty”. I
love the positive joy in this song. Lyrics.
- Emergent Psalter / PfAS107C May those who are wise (Isaac Everett) A good Psalm refrain, with two possible options for alternate refrains. Will need to be taught. Sheet music
(refrains only).
- Tune In / Online Resource Kingdom Come (Matthew Lees). A song about what the kingdom might be like, with plentiful images from the parables. Sound samples, free sheet music and lyrics.
- Online resource Your New Shalom (Bruce Harding) A
simple song with 4 verses, including “your desert will bloom again”,
with a last verse of “We bring in your new Shalom”. This would work
well at any point in the service, including the final song.... or even
interspersed throughout. Free sheet music.
- 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 this reading. Good for kids. Free sheet music.
- PfAS107A Give thanks to God who hears our cries
(Ruth Duck) Excellent words of God hearing those in despair. Sung to the
familiar tune MORNING SONG. It's got 6 verses, so it may be nice to have
half the congregation sing to the other half, or alternate men and
women for the central 4 verses. Lyrics. New words to old tunes..
- Global Praise 3 / StS094 Sithi Bonga / Give thanks (George Mxadana) A joyful song of thanks from South Africa. Lyrics. Sound sample.
- CH568 When I’m feeling down and sad
(Joy Webb) A great song for kids to remember when they are sad; speaks
of God always being with us. Good for adults too! CH has two possible
tunes, and both are very good, and quite different. The 2nd is easier to
sing; the 1st is better for soloists, or if you have time to teach it. Slightly odd sound sample.
Good for kids.
- NCH Psalter Consider the steadfast love of God (Marty Haugen) A simple refrain and good inclusive words for the cantor / reader.
- UMH416 / AAHH367 Tell me how did you feel when you come out the wilderness / I am leaning on the Lord
(African American traditional) There are many versions of this song
and it's great to improvise on. I like how it asks questions too! Partial sheet music and lyrics.
- TiS 67 Give thanks Give thanks to the Lord
(Jenny O'Brien) A cantored Psalm with a response that is actually fun
and happy! The verses could also be read, rather than cantored.
- Taizé
/ MV016 / StJ / ELW528 / GA430 / SFFS 2157 / HPP410 / GtG466 /
G(II)398 / GC570 / GC(II)550 / G(3)637 / CP402 / URW378 / Lau701 Come and Fill our hearts/ Confitemini Domino
(Jacques Berthier) Can be sun in English as "Come and fill our hearts with your
peace, you
alone O God are holy. Come and fill our hearts with your peace,
Alleluia". A good song of recommitment. Obviously if you don't sing
Alleluias during Lent, this is not for you. You could replace the
Alleluia with Hosanna if you really want to sing it. Sound samples and sheet music.
- 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.
Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23
The vanity of human toil, and passing on one's work to the next generation.
I just don't know what to suggest for this reading, except what I've listed for the Psalm!
Psalm for the Ecclesiastes Reading: Psalm 49:1-12
- PfAS049B Come one and all from near and far
(Martin Leckebusch, England) I think this would be best sung, slowly, by a soloist (or
two), with no accompaniment, or very simple rhythm on xylophone. Can also be sung to WINDHAM (a Sacred Harp tune); Sounds great. Sheet music and lyrics.
- Emergent Psalter When the rich die they take nothing (Isaac Everett, USA) A simple Psalm refrain. Sheet music (refrain only).
Colossians 3:1-11
Focus on things above, put to death earthly sins. Neither Jew nor Greek….
- TiS
398 / AHB 310 / AoV1-118 / NCH289 / CH489 / UMH475 / VU367 / GA375 /
A&M238 / LBW508 / ELW804 / GtG282 / PH313 / GC465 / GC(II)471 / G(3)556 / RS617 / CP645 / CP(E)
175 / W&R330 / Cha582 / Srce100 / Lau303 / StF372 / MP089 Come down O Love divine (Ralph Vaughan Williams) Old fashioned, but still inclusive and very well known. Lyrics. Hymnals vary a lot in the lyrics with respect to thees and thys and words like "vesture". Oldy-but-a-goody.
- TiS 610 / VU310 / CP422 / Cha514 / LUYH736 God you touch the earth with beauty / God who touches earth with beauty (Mary Susanne Edgar) A bit mushy, but nice. Lyrics and sheet music samples.
- Online Resource / TiS
387 / CH416 / UMH318 / VU158 / LBW363 / ELW389 /
A&M199 / GtG246 / PH108 / CP(E) 140 / W&R312 / 82Hml-182 / Lau272 / StF297 Christ is alive Let Christians sing
(Brian Wren) Excellent words of Christ's saving, and still relevant grace. A
couple of tunes are offered in different hymn books. I prefer TRURO. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
-
ACS954 / CH355 / VU210 / HPP81 / GtG274 / GC(II)525 / G(3)628 / CP630 / W&R99 / URW098 You Lord Are Both Lamb and Shepherd
(Sylvia Dunstan) Beautiful words. Can be sung to many tunes. I like it to
PICARDY or WESTMINSTER ABBEY. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- MV 162 Christ within us hidden, Christ in all and each (Michael Leunig) Very simple tune with quite remarkable
words. Funny that this in a Canadian
song book and not any Australian song books. Verse 4 and 5 are
particularly appropriate for this week’s reading “Christ, in bodies
broken, Love new crucified. Christ, the Word new spoken, death by love
defied; Christ, in love recovered. Christ, in hope revealed. Christ, in
faith discovered. Christ in tombs unsealed”.
- Tune In / Free Online Resource Making things new (Sheree Anderson). A groovy one. Great for kids, and lots of fun. Reference recording, lyrics and free songbook. Good for kids.
- Worldmaking.net Hidden with Christ
(Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) "Hidden with Christ, hidden with Christ, all of us
deep within God’s love". Tune is simple enough for first-time singers. Sample, songbook and lyrics.
- TiS 179 / NCH273 / VU312 / GA379 / StJ / URW073 Praise with Joy the World's Creator (John Bell) 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.
- 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 Foley) A classic. Don't play it too slow or it takes forever! Particularly appropriate if you are celebrating communion. Lyrics and sound sample.
- Online Resource / SoG 790 / 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 / John Bell) 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. Sheet music, sound sample and purchasing options. Good for kids. There is also a very moving choral version of these words and more from Desmond Tutu, arranged by Tom Keesecker. Available here (sound sample there too).
Luke 12:13-21
Greed is bad; losing sight of God while hoarding.
- Online resource If only I had known (Carolyn Winfrey-Gillette, USA) Powerful lyrics to the familiar Hebrew tune LEONI. Sheet music and lyricsNew words to old tunes.
- Taizé / TiS
739 / AoV2-041 / ATOK 404 / VU290 / GA269 / SFFS 2054 / GtG820 / G(II)451 /
GC639 / GC(II)626 / G(3)733 / CP568 / W&R421 / URW388 / Lau947 Nothing Can Trouble / Nada te turbe (Jacques Berthier, France) Excellent and quite well known Taizé chant. Spanish lyrics are not too hard for non-Spanish speakers. Sheet music, sound samples, lyrics and translations. Good for kids.
- Online resource Bigger Barns
(Carolyn Winfrey-Gillette, USA). Really good lyrics, and the tune, a standard, but
unfamiliar hymn tune (TiS 211(i) is a really straightforward
alternative). Lyrics.
- GtB / On the Road God is love and love is giving (Ross Langmead, Australia)
A simple kids' song about God's love. A round. Sound sample. Good for kids.
- Online Resource / NCH562 / AA127 / Cha381 Take my gifts and let me love you
(Shirley Murray, New Zealand) Good words about giving God ourselves, our goods, our money.
Can be sung either to the set tune by Colin Gibson (TALAVERA TERRACE)
which is quite straightforward, or the more well known tune HOLY MANNA. Lyrics and sheet music.New words to old tunes.
- AoV2-065 Returning Our Gifts to the giver of life (Phil Porter and Elaine Kirkland, USA) Good as an offering song. Lyrics and sound sample.
- 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 Take my life and let it be (Frances Havergal, England) An oldy but a goody. Lyrics and sheet music. Thanks for this suggestion Heather.
Oldy-but-a-goody.
- Online Resource / NCH590 / CH621 Spirit of Jesus, if I love my neighbour (Brian Wren, USA) Challenging
words of offering help from a position of privilege and seeking to be
set free from the entrapment of possessions “If I am hugging safety or
possessions, uncurl my spirit as your love prevails, to join my
neighbours, work for liberation, and find my freedom at the mark of
nails”. Could also be sung to the tune PERFECT LOVE if your congregation
would have trouble with the newer tune. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
What will you be singing for these readings? Please join in and add your comments below!
First written in Hong Kong Airport (2016), and updated at home in Fitzroy thrice.
