Song suggestions for coming Sundays...

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Scripture Index
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Kids songs for the Advent Season (Updated for 2026)

There are a lot of good songs for kids during Advent, many are listed in the entries for each Sunday. Here are some that would fit during any week of Advent - you can sing them more than once! You may also like to look at the list of Candle Lighting songs.

  • BUC Resource Flame of love come Holy Spirit (Julie Perrin / Helen Burnham / Julia Potter, Australia) This song is really beautiful, but not available online yet. I will get back to this at some stage; email me if you'd like a copy. Sound sample. Good for kids.
  • Online Resource / GWA091 Centuries of waiting / The Angels Say (Margaret McLarty / Stephen Fischbacher / Suzanne Butler, Scotland) A fun song, with lots of verses and a stirring chorus. You could just choose the one with Zechariah in it for this week. I would make the verses alternating between a cantor and chorus, just like this recording, as the first and third lines are a little tricky in meter. It doesn't have to sound like a kid's song as it does in the video. Lyric video and purchasing options. Good for kids.
  • Online Resource Hey Mary! (Sam & Malcolm Gordon, Aotearoa / New Zealand) A lovely children's song about the annunciation. It captures the surprise and the universality of God's arrival to each of us. Youtube and sheet music. Good for kids.
  • Music by Heart 59 Come light of lights (Ruth Cunningham, USA) A good two-part chant that would be a nice meditative song for any week of Advent: "Come light of lights into my heart. Come wisdom of spirit into my heart". It can be sung quite slowly and meditatively, or more energetically and joyfully, depending on your context; it can also be split into a round! Two videos: A quick version and a slow version. Good for kids.
  • CH256 / VU424 / GtG765 / StF411 May the God of hope go with us every day / Dios de la esperanza (Alvin Schutmaat, Colombia) Simple joyful song set to an Argentinian folk tune with a focus on working for peace, working with the "God of peace" who fills our lives with "love and joy and peace"; I would sing just the first verse and chorus. A good song for the end of the service; be careful it doesn't get too pedestrian or childish - think of traditional Argentinian music! Lyrics. Good for kids.
  • Online Resource / GWA080 / MV45 / SP&P051 / VT023 Hamba nathi (Unknown, Zulu, South Africa) There are many sets of English words to this tune, which is best sung in its original language (isiZulu). I like "Come walk with us, the journey is long", even though the original language simply means "Go with us Lord", so versions using "Go with us Lord, and set us all free" are also good, particularly as a sending song. VT has a more interesting cantor line than most sources, and nice additional verses. Sound recording (concert version for inspiration). Lyric video (slowish version for congregations). Sheet music. Good for kids. During Advent 2009 we sang it for the (usually silent) procession at the start of our worship service, and we wrote verses for each week. We sang it in Zulu followed by one line in English on the repeat. Week 1: You are holy, you show us the way. Week 2: Justice is coming, prepare the way. Week 3: Singing and shouting, we're walking the way. Week 4: We're walking to freedom, come join in the song. 
  • AoVK-52 O Emmanuel, come into our hearts (Michael Mangan, USA) with 3 verses. In 2008 we sang just the chorus on Advent 1, then added one verse for each week. Verse 1 “We your people are waiting for you..” Verse 2 “ We, your people are longing for you”. Verse 3 “ We your people are ready for you”. Could use a cantor for the verse and congregation join in the chorus. Would be great with good Latin or African percussion. We sang this in 2013 during Advent, and it worked well. Lyrics & sound sample. Good for kids.
  • CoC30 Look toward Christmas! (Shirley Murray) I particularly like tune (i); very joyous! A fun song looking forward to Christmas. Quite good for kids. I like the image of the angels flexing their wings! Sheet music and lyrics.
  • Online Resource / GWA222 Hear the message we now are proclaiming / El mensaje que hoy proclamamos (Eleazar Torreglosa, Colombia) This jubilant song of liberty and new life for the poor and suffering would fit well with this reading. Good for kids. Free sheet music. Sound sample.
  • AoVK-28 / ATOK 376 Faith hope and love (Trish Watts) 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. Sound sample.  Good for kids.
  • Online Resource / Tune In Kingdom Come (Matthew Lees) A song about how things are not what we expect in God’s kingdom. Lots of words and good images. Good for kids. Free sheet music, sound samples and lyrics.
  • Tune In: Longing for you (Elaine Loukes) A simple chant of longing for God. Free downloadable songbook. Good for kids.
  • Online Resource / AoVK-29 Remember we are your people (Tony Barr) Simple three part chant "Remember we are your people, your people O God". This could also work really well as a sung refrain during the prayer of confession. Sound sample, sheet music sample, purchasing options. Good for kids.
  • Online Resource / Tune In Making things new (Sheree Anderson). A groovy one. Great for kids, and lots of fun. Good for kids. Free sheet music, sound samples and lyrics.
  • ACS905 We are waiting for Jesus (John Helgen) A simple song with quite powerful lyrics about Christ coming to bring peace; "Sun of justice shine upon us". It could be possible to use this as a Advent candle lighting song. Sound sample. Good for kids. 
  • Online Resource Prepare the way of the Lord (Jeff Lowery / David King) An upbeat song, good for kids and teenagers, I think. The verses are kind of wordy, but they're good words. The verses follow the traditional advent themes of peace, hope, joy and love, so you could also sing it every Sunday of Advent. Sound sample. Good for kids.
  • Online Resource / VU010 Prepare the way of the Lord (Michael Burkhardt) A lovely simple round in 6:8. "Prepare the way of the Lord! X2 Make a straight path for him, make a straight path. Prepare the way of the Lord!" You can split into 6 groups for this one! What fun! Sheet music sample. Sound sample. Purchasing options (book). Good for kids.
  • Online Resource / AoVK-50 / ATW 430 Come let us praise our God / A voice is heard (Trisha Watts) Excellent and energetic. Sound sample, sheet music sample and purchasing options.  Good for kids.
  • Iona (M&G) / CH359 / MV033 / ZSS54 / StJ / GtG127 / ELW253 / GA293 / SFFS 2085 / G(II)276 / GC370 / GC(II)364 / G(3)429 / CP368 / W&R402 He came down that we may have love / Jesus came bringing us hope (Traditional Cameroon) The translation in "More Voices" (Jesus came bringing...) seems particularly appropriate for Advent. A lovely simple song - you can make up words and have a lot of fun with this if you also use some drums. Lyrics and sound samples. Good for kids.
  • Online Resource / AoV1-143 Light Of Christ, light flaming bright (Rufino Zaragoza) Simple chant. "Light of Christ, light flaming bright, burn in my heart holy fire". Sound sample, sheet music sample, and purchasing options. Good for kids.
  • Online Resource / Taizé / UMH207 / VU10 / StS014 / GtG095 / GC336 / GC(II)330 / G(3)400 / W&R174 / Cha121 Prepare the way of the Lord (Jacques Berthier, France) A lovely simple chant which can be sung as a round, together with additional rounds that simply sing Alleluia. So good. You could add to this each week. Sheet music sample, recording, sheet music for purchase. Good for kids.
  • ACS903 / AoV1-061 / ATOK 355 / GtG359 / SFFS 2194 / G(II)521 / GC723 / GC(II)707 / G(3)814 / ZSS110 / SgTJ1035 / StF697 Freedom is coming (Unknown, South Africa) 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). Sheet music samples. Good for kids.
  • ATFG563 / NCYC'03 / The Red Book How long must we cry out? (Robin Mann) This is a big Brunswick favourite, great for young people in particular. "Teach me to do what is right, walk in the darkness, trust in the light and may love be the path I walk upon". Good for teenagers. Lyrics. Lyric video.
  • TiS 279 / AHB 212 / SFFS 2091 / HPP158 / GC487 / GC(II)494 / CP632 / Lau107 The King of glory comes the nation rejoices (Willard Jabusch) Fun and energetic song to a traditional Israeli folk melody. A good processional. Lyrics and chords. Oh, and of course, Stephen Colbert's dance moves. Good for kids.
  • TiS 666 / AoV2-113 / AoVK-126 / ATOK 409 / NCH526 / Iona (Common Ground, Freedom is Coming) / CH516 / VU646/647 / WoV650 / ELW866 / A&M483 / SFFS 2235 / HPP153 / GtG853 / G(II)357 / GC513 / GC(II)516 / G(3)594 / Cha442 / SP235 / Srce737 / StF483 / MP954 We are marching in the light of God / Siyahamba / Caminando (South African) A very popular chorus, with possible alternate verses, depending on your source. Sometimes people get anxious about the word "marching", but remember that this song comes from apartheid-era South Africa, where people were protesting so that they could vote in their own country. And the marching is toi-toing, much less militaristic than what you may imagine. Amazing choral sound sample. Good for kids. 
  • AoVK-58 We wait in hope for the Lord (Nathaniel Ford, Australia) Simple a cappella round "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". Sound sample, sheet music sample, and purchasing options. Good for kids.   
  • Seeds of Faith Prepare the Way For Love (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A good song for kids. I think it would be fun to make up additional verses for this one so it could carry through the whole of Advent. Sound sample. BUC people, I have this book. Good for kids.
  • ATFG510 Sing a song of praise and glory / Advent News (Donald Schmidt) A fun and simple advent song - would be good any week of Advent. Good for kids.
  • AoV1-190 / UMH431 / HPP308 / G(II)529 / GC731 / GC(II)723 / W&R614 / Cha677 / G(3)829 Let There Be Peace on Earth and let it begin with me (Sy Miller / Jill Jackson, USA) Well known, and great for older kids. AoV changes "Brothers all are we, let me walk with my brother" to "We are family. Let us walk with each other". Good for kids. Sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
  • AoV1-106 / UMH376 / WoV774 / ELW753 / GtG752 / G(II)528 / GC730 / GC(II)724 / G(3)822 / CP562 /  Cha297 / URW443 / 82Hml-712 / Lau904 / LUYH073 Dona Nobis Pacem (American folk song) This is very well known, and would fit well with this reading as a Psalm refrain. Sound sample. Good for kids. Oldy-but-a-goody.
  • 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.
  • 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! Sound sample with a great guitar line. Here's another quite different version. Good for kids.
  • AoV2-085 / Iona (T1AU) / MV115 / A&M328 / SP129 Behold behold I Make All Things New (John Bell, Scotland) A nice hopeful upbeat short song. Highly recommended. Sound sample (scroll down) Good for kids.
  • NCH121 / UMH210 / VU005 / WoV629 / ELW266 / W&R163 / Cha139 All earth is waiting / All earth is hopeful / Toda la tierra espera al Salvador (Alberto Taule) Fun Catalonian tune, good words, although the English translations vary between sources. Could be good for kids. A nice recording from Chile in Spanish. Slow and majestic organ sample and English lyrics.
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Songs and Hymns for Proper 26A/Ordinary 31A/Pentecost +22 (1 November 2026)

Joshua 3:7-17
Joshua leads the Israelites across the Jordan into the Promised Land.
  • 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." Sound sample, lyrics and sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
  • Traditional Jordan River (African American) This song, with the refrain "One more river" could be very helpful when thinking about all the troubles that we need to overcome as individuals, or as a society. No-one sings it better than Shirley Caesar, I reckon. Lyrics.
  • God Gives 1 We will walk together into the Promised Land (Coates) A fun repetitive gospel-type song.  Great for kids.
  • NCH598 / UMH724 / LBW36 / ELW249 / W&R519 On Jordan's Stormy Bank I Stand / On River Jordan's Bank I stand (Samuel Stennet) Actually, I don’t think there will be many progressive congregations interested in singing this, but the Sacred Harp singer in me thinks it’s the perfect song for this reading. I think we find it hard to sing of Heaven, even if we only mean a better land. “I am bound for the Promised Land, I’m bound for the Promised Land, O who will come and go with me, I am bound for the Promised Land”. The chorus is excellent fun. Perhaps there is some way of using this. Sound sample and lyrics. Here's a great gospel version (youtube).
  • ATA 114 Come my brother come my sister (McCarthy) Nice and easy to sing. Has a repeated line of "come, my brother, come", which would be better alternated with "come, my sister, come". Great words of hope about the Promised Land.
  • NCH572 / UMH448 / WoV670 / HPP453 / GtG052 / PH334 / G(II)515 / GC715 / W&R618 / Cha663 / 82Hml-648 / VT193 When Israel was in Egypt's land (African-American) Traditional song, quite familiar, and great to sing. It might be good to reprise this - even though Moses didn't cross the Jordan, this is the end of that story we started back in Egypt. Here's Louis Armstrong (and a few others) singing it. Good for kids. Oldy-but-a-goody.
  • Traditional Roll Jordan Roll or Traditional / ACS951 Deep River or Traditional Get Away Jordan (African-American) There are many many traditional African-American songs where the image of crossing over Jordan was a symbol of escaping slavery. If this is something you might focus on, there is a list of many traditional songs that use this imagery here. 
Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37
The promise of a fruitful land for a people who have come through the desert. A vision for a new world.
  • Scripture in Song 79 Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return (Ruth Lake) A quite over the top happy clappy chorus, but imagine how happy they would have been to cross the Jordan! I’ve always thought this would work well as a hair metal song, but I digress…  Lyrics and non-metal sound sample.
  • Tune In / NCYC'09 / ATAR598 God has laid a feasting table / Invitation (Shawn Whelan). Feminine imagery of God gathering her guests to a feasting table. Fun Cuban rhythm. "Tune In" and all the songs in it can be downloaded for free here.
  • TiS 67 Give thanks Give thanks to the Lord (Jenny O'Brien) A cantored Psalm with a response that is fun and happy! The verses could also be read, rather than cantored.
  • Taizé / CP402 / ELW528 / GA430 / G(II)398 / GC570 / GC(II)550 / HPP410 / Lau701 / MV016 / RS710 / StJ / SFFS 2157 / URW378 / VT052 Come and Fill our hearts/ Confitemini Domino (Jacques Berthier, France) A gentle chant. Can be sung 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". Sound samples and sheet music.
  • URW429 Come you hungry / Drink living water (Colleen Fulmer) This simple song could be used with many verses during a reflection, or during distribution of communion. You could also choose to use just a single verse for a special focus, or selected verses in prayers of confession as appropriate. Sound sample and lyrics.
  • 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.
  • ATW 475 Come to the banquet there’s a place for you (Fay White) An excellent song by a Melbourne singer and songwriter. Lyrics (scroll quite a bit). Good for kids.
  • 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 this song. It’s very straightforward and excellent words. Sound sample and lyrics.
  • 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. Sample sheet music with lyrics. New words to old tunes.
  • 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. Book available here.  
  • Online Resource / VT035 Come to the water living water / Desert Alleluia (Carol Ann Weaver, Canada) This is great and would be such fun to sing on many occasions. Worth taking the time to teach it to a congregation. Sound sample, lyrics, purchasing options (choral version).  
  • Tune In / Online Resource Kingdom Come (Matthew Lees). A song about what the kingdom might be like, with plentiful images from the parables. "Tune In" and all the songs in it can be downloaded for free here.
  • 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. Sheet music.
  • Online Resource / GWA222 Hear the message we now are proclaiming / El mensaje que hoy proclamamos (Eleazar Torreglosa, Colombia) This jubilant song of liberty and new life for the poor and suffering would fit well with this reading. Good for kids. Free sheet music. Sound sample.Lyric video (Spanish). Another recording (with hand claps!).
Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Micah 3:5-12
Bad prophets and the destruction of Jerusalem - See also the Psalm suggestions below
  • GWA029 In ages past the mighty Lord by prophets spoke the word (Michael Morgan, USA) This is a song with very many verses; choose at least verses 1 and 10 this week, and add whichever other verses suit your context. Set to the common tune KINGSFOLD. Some lyrics (not the Micah verse!). New words to old tunes.
Psalm for the Micah reading: Psalm 43 
  • NCH469 O grant us light (Lawrence Tuttiett) Lovely oldish words to a simple tune. Older style lyrics and tune sample.
  • TLUS086 Salwalqulubi / You can console hearts heavy with sadness (El Kasilik, Lebanon) A simple chant, which could be used as a refrain with this Psalm.  
  • MV027 Creator God you gave us life (Judith Snowdon) A lovely song, with a stirring chorus. I think the chorus would be quite straightforward to sing once it has been heard - it will take a little listening: "Through hands that paint majestic skies, and voices chanting melody, with words that reach beyond the page, we comprehend your mystery. Lyrics and sound sample (Youtube). 
  • Music by Heart 09 O Send your light forth (Robinson McClellan) The rhythm is quite tricky and needs to be taught, but once you have it, it's a lot of fun, and sounds pretty cool with both parts going. It's listed as difficult, but I'm not sure that it is.
  • Online Resource / MV071 / GC(II)339 / G(3)417 When the wind of winter blows (Ruth Duck) A song of confession and lament, and expectation. Good for congregations heading to Winter... Lyrics, sample sheet music and purchasing options.
  • AHB 393 Send forth your light and your truth (Anthony Murray) Cantored Psalm. Antiphon II is best in my opinion, and could be used with a read Psalm, or lead by a cantor as written.
  • VF148 Send out your light and your truth (Lisa Neufield Thomas, Hildegard of Bingen) This antiphon, based on the words of Hildegard of Bingen uses the 3rd verse of Psalm 43 as the antiphon and reflects many of the concepts in this Psalm. Thanks to Julie and Patty, and everyone at St Clare's Episcopal Church for providing me with the book "Voices Found" which I'm very excited to be using. You could also use the antiphon alone with a read version of the Psalm.    
  • Iona / PfAS043C / ATFG585 Send out your light Lord send your truth (Iona) Very simple Psalm refrain for Psalm 43.  Nice simple chant which could be used at any point in the service. Maybe good for intercessions? Sheet music sample.
  • TiS 027 / PfAS043A Send out your light and your truth let them lead me (United Methodist Publishing House) A more plain psalm response to use with a read or cantored Psalm. 
  • VU768 Why restless why cast down my soul? / will go to the altar of God (Hugh Wilson) Psalm 42 and 43 are together in this hymnal, but I really like the first refrain, and the translation of both Psalms.
  • Worldmaking.net / Online Resource Your People Lament (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A quiet lament with verses; "Your people lament for our witness of suffering, Our anger and sorrow in light of Your holiness". Sound sample and lyrics.
  • AoV1-120 / CH033 / GA038 / A&M325 / SP127 / URW268 / Lau214 As the deer longs for running streams (Bob Hurd) This is a lovely simple refrain that could be used with prayers of adoration, or with a read or cantored version of the Psalm. I like the versions in URW and SP best. 
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 
The early church leaders encouraged new believers and they were eager to accept the Gospel.
  • TiS 417 / AoV2-133 / ATW 448 / VU387 / StJ / WoV683 / ELW397 / AA94 / HPP237 / GtG293 / PH323 / CP657 / W&R135 / Cha244 / URW203 / StB220 / VF051 Loving Spirit, Loving Spirit (Shirley Murray, Aotearoa / New Zealand) 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 sample. New words to old tunes, if you want.
Matthew 23:1-12
Hypocrisy!
  • 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 / VF124 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.
  • ATOK 390 Put on love every day, never hide your love away (Mary Lu Walker) A groovy song that's good for kids!  Sound sample.
  • TLUS130 / VT758 Who will speak a word of warning? (Richard Leach, USA) A sermon in a song. This is a powerful song, about Christ's insistence to care for the poor and needy rather than lining our own pockets. In TLUS it is set to the known tune EBENEZER. Lyrics. New words to old tunes, if you want.
  • 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) Lyrics. Good for kids  Oldy-but-a-goody.
  • W&R383 If My People’s Hearts Are Humbled (Claire Cloniger) Quite formal words, but appropriate. Lyrics.
  • PH437 / CP591 / W&R586 Our Cities Cry to You O God (Edith Margaret Clarkson) Good words sung to an old American hymn tune that's pretty straightforward. Lyrics and sheet music. 
 Do you have ideas to share? Please add them in a comment below!
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