Isaiah 7:10-14
God's sign to Ahaz; a young woman will have a son and call him Immanuel
- Online Resource Come to our world Emmanuel
(David Bjorlin, USA) Excellent words seeking God's renewal of a
troubled world. It is set to a soothing tune, inspired by the old BBC
Narnia series. Sheet music and lyrics sample and purchasing options. Sound sample.
- Online Resource / ATFG514 Emmanuel Carol / God of light we are waiting for you
(Gael Berberick, USA) This is a lovely song; you will need to teach it, but once it's known, it's pretty easy. Sound sample, sheet music sample, purchasing options.
- Online Resource / ACS902 Come now O God when our love is forsaken
(David Bjorlin, USA) Reflective words of seeking for God to come in the
midst of sadness. Set to a traditional folk tune, which may not be
familiar, so will need to be taught. Or perhaps the congregation could
just listen. Sound sample, sheet music and lyrics sample and purchasing options.
- W&R172 For Ages Women Hoped and Prayed
(Jane Parker Huber, USA) This is one of those "Coming, but already here songs" of
Advent, which could be sung at other times of year, too. Thought-provoking
words about what it may have been like for Mary to bear Christ. Set to VOX DILECTI, but could be sung to other tunes. It fits New Britain (the tune for Amazing Grace) quite nicely. 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, USA) Although this is usually sung in Advent, I think you could sing it in a different season. Lyrics, sound samples & sheet music.
- TiS 265 / AHB 193 / AoV1-174 / NCH116 / CH273 / UMH211 / VU001 / LBW034 /
ELW283 / GA285 / HPP92 / GtG088 / PH009 / GC317 / GC(II)323 / G(3)395 / CP089 / CP(E) 32 /
W&R154 / Cha119 / 82Hml-056 / Lau112 / StF180 / MP493 O come O come Emmanuel
(Psaleroilum Cantionum Catholicarum, Germany / translated John Mason
Neale, England) A very well known ancient Advent carol. Most versions
are pretty inclusive. Lyrics and history.
There are also two alternate versions (one by Sue Wickham and one by
John Henson), set to the same tune, but with more modern lyrics and
ideas. Search the Facebook Group for lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- Online Resource / NCH131 / CH303 / UMH218 / VU44 / LBW054
/ ELW282 / HPP128 / PH038 / GtG123 / GC367 / GC(II)379 / G(3)433 /
CP140/1 CP(E) 56 / W&R191 / Cha153 / Srce2-289 / 82Hml-089 / Lau135 / StF205 / MP345 It came upon the midnight clear (Edmund Sears, USA) One of those few carols that is more of an Advent hymn. Lyrics vary widely across the hymnals, but some are quite inclusive, like NCH, VU, CH, PH. Sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- TiS 279 / AHB 212 / SFFS 2091 / HPP158 / GC487 / GC(II)494 / CP632 / Lau107 The King of glory comes the nation rejoices (Willard Jabusch, USA) Fun and energetic song to a traditional Israeli folk melody. A good processional. Lyrics. Good for kids.
Psalm 45
A psalm of adoration, with overflowing heart and fragrant robes and judgement...
-
PfAS045B The throne of God is righteousness
(Evangelical Lutheran Worship, USA) A simple Psalm refrain to a familiar
hymn tune (EIN FESTE BURG). Lyrics.
- Taizé
/ TiS 731 / SFFS 2017 / GtG155 / G(II)377 / GC557 /
GC(II)535 / G(3)618 / W&R212 / PfAS100G / URW383 / Lau691 Raise a song of gladness / Jubilate Servite
(Taizé, France) Glorious, fun round. If your congregation balks at singing in
Latin, it can be sung in English as "Raise a song of gladness, all the
earth, Christ has come, bringing peace, joy to every heart, Alleluia
Alleluia, Joy to every heart (x2)". This is not a Gloria, but it has the
feel of one! Sound sample.
- AoV2-068 / VU695 God is passionate life (Colleen Fulmer, USA) Good simple round with a peace / justice focus. Lyrics and a kind of odd sound sample. Good for kids.
- Online Resource / TiS 654 / NCH362 /
UMH643 / VU489 / WoV749 / G(II)628 / GC865 / GC(II)856 / G(3)966 / W&R612 / Cha499 / Lau416 When love is found and hope comes home
(Brian Wren, USA)
Lovely words to the tune O WALY WALY celebrating loving relationships
through all their changes. While this is often sung at weddings, I think
it would also work in the context of a standard service. Lyrics and sample sheet music. New words to old tunes.
- CH115 / MV089 / Iona (Love from Below) / A&M722 / SP292 Love is the touch of intangible joy (Alison
Robertson, Scotland) Great words of different kinds of love – deep friendship, romantic
love (love is the lilt in a lingering voice), and the love of God, set to a simple tune. Each verse ends with the
affirming phrase: "God is where love is, for love is of God". Lyrics (scroll). Lovely sound sample.
- Online Resource / SgTJ1029 / MV094 Love knocks and waits (Daniel Damon, USA) Lovely words of assurance and a simple lilting melody. Lyrics and sheet music.
- NCH540 We plant a grain of mustard seed
(Mary Bryan Matney, USA) A song about how human love is a taste of divine love. Great words to a
fairly standard-sounding (but new) hymn tune. It would also work well
with MORNING SONG (the tune for “Awake, awake to love and work”). Lyrics (downloads pdf). New words to old tunes.
- VU769 God has blessed you forever and ever
(Unknown, Russia) A lovely simple response to this Psalm. Can be sung
with a responsive reading as set out in VU. Nice if you can build in the
harmonies, but fine if you can't.
- MV085
/ StJ / ELW814 / HPP319 / GtG698 / GC(II)692 / G(3)795 /
SP130 / PfAS045B / URW441 / Lau395a / StF781 / LUYH741 Take O Take Me As I Am (Iona Community, Scotland) A lovely simple chant. PfAS uses it as a refrain to a reading of the Psalm. Sound sample.
- AoVK-12 God is our shelter truly a friend indeed (Chris O'Hara, England?) Groovy little round / more like a call and response really. Good for kids. Lyrics.
Alternative Psalm: Psalm 40:5-10
God hears and helps.
- Tune In / Online Resource Like the sun upon my skin / God’s Mercy (Sheree Anderson) A beautiful ballad about recognising God's mercy in the everyday. Lyrics, sound sample, free downloadable songbook.
- Online Resource You grow like the moss draping soft sodden logs (Hannah
Brown) Gentle words about God as growing moss, moving mountain and
ebbing ocean, and a call to slow down and trust. Sung to an old shape
note tune which will not be familiar but is very simple. Lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / Emergent Psalter You are my help and my rescuer (Isaac Everett) A simple and lovely Psalm refrain to Psalm 40. Book available here.
- Online Resource/ SP&P155 O God please rescue me (Angela Salvaggione) An upbeat paraphrase of Psalm 40. Sheet music available here.
- Recorded Music 40
(U2) This classic song from U2 is based on Psalm 40 and would be good
to include in a worship service. Thanks to Peter Champion for this
suggestion. Youtube.
- Online Resource / Iona (Common Ground, Ps PPP) / CH31 / GtG651 / PfAS040B / URW266 I waited patiently for God (John Bell) Surprisingly positive for such a gloomy Psalm (Psalm 40). Can be sung to NEW BRITAIN / AMAZING GRACE as well, but can also be sung to the William Billings tune LEWIS-TOWN. Lyrics Sheet music for purchase. New words to old tunes.
- Iona (M&G) / CH267 / StB264 Blest be God blest be God for ever
(Salvator Martinez) Beautiful words to a beautiful, but tricky
Philippino melody (unless you have a Philippino congregation, in which
case it's just a familiar folk tune). This would be great to ask a small
group to sing if you have some good singers in your congregation. Works
especially nicely with a guitar. Sound sample & story.
- GA445 / G(II)421 / GC597 / GC(II)581 / G(3)676 I Say "Yes," Lord / Digo "Sí," Señor (Brenda Pena) A simple song which speaks of sticking with God through good times and bad. Lyrics and sample sheet music. Sound sample.
- Cha740a God your mercy is upon us as we place our trust in you Responsive psalm with joyous sung refrain to a familiar hymn tune.
- 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
(including the more recent adaptation by Fred Pratt Green) are not
inclusive, but the NCH and WoV are, so if you have those books (BUC
people, we have NCH and WoV). Updated version of the lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- Taizé / TiS
741 / AoV1-017 / ATE 282 / LBW368 / ELW751 / GA431 / SFFS 2200 /
GtG471 / G(II)410 / GC586 / GC(II)566 / G(3)666 / W&R484 / Srce519 / URW390 / Lau929 / PfAS013A / PfAS102A / MP908O 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
- CH573 / UMH523 / GtG789 / StB059 Jesus Savior Lord lo to thee I fly / Saranam Saranam
(Sri Lankan) I think this would be an excellent song to sing, not only
because the words are good and because the tune is simple and beautiful,
but because we need to keep praying for the people of Sri Lanka. Sound sample (youtube).
- Chalice Praise 9 New Song (Number 40) (Andra
Moran & Elson) This song is a versatile arrangement of this Psalm.
With call-and-response verses and a simple refrain, I think this would
be a big hit in many congregations. Thanks to Laura Kittrell for this
suggestion. Sound sample
(scroll down) - while this recording has a quite distinct pop-country
music style, this is not the only way the song could be used - arrange
it to suit your congregation (e.g. I think our congregation would cringe
at the "La la la la la yeah" final chorus, but others might just love
it)
- CH541 Lord I pray if today (Jean Keegstra-DeBoer) Very simple words, quite childlike, but memorable. Lyrics.
- TiS 23 O Lord do not withold your mercy (Don Saliers) A really lovely and simple refrain.
- Online Resource / ATW 480 On the day I called you answered me Lord (Bernadette Farrell) A simple song. Sound sample, sheet music samples, purchasing options.
- Taizé / CH276 / VU22 / GtG090 / ELW262 / GA283 / A&M053 / G(II)256 / GC332 /
GC(II)340 / G(3)406 / CP094 / W&R166 / PfAS037B / SP28 / URW396 / Lau088 Wait for the Lord (Jacques Berthier)
Wait for the Lord whose day is near, wait for the Lord, keep watch,
take heart. A lovely simple Taize chant; some sources have cantor lines,
and some older sources are not inclusive. Sheet music, translations and sound samples.
- TiS 754 / SFFS 2055 / HPP457 / Cha554 / PfAS032B / Srce2-686 / MP793 You are my hiding-place (Michael Ledner) Very mushy, but somehow very satisfying and soothing. Lyric video. Lyrics, sound sample, and story. Good for kids.
- 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.
Hebrews 10:4-10
Christ did God's will.
- Iona
(Common Ground, M&G, T1AU) / CH805 / MV151 / StJ / A&M412 /
ELW741 / G(II)416 / GC592 / SP210 / URW440 / StF760 Your will be done on earth, O Lord / Mayenziwe 'ntando yakho
(Unknown Xhosa, South Africa) This is a really good South African song,
simple to sing, beautiful harmonies and would work well for reflection
for reflection, sung slowly. Maybe it could even be sung in a minor
key? Sound sample. Good for kids.
- Lost resource I delight to do your will
(Dean Spalding, Australia) I am a little entranced with this lovely simple chant that
Dean Spalding sent through. It's designed for
repetitive singing, and builds beautifully with a number of (optional)
parts. Unfortunately it's not online anymore and I can't find it. This
is here to remind me to look for it more diligently some day.
- God Comes Tomorrow (Iona) Give us this year
(Iona, Scotland) Beautiful words seeking a more mature response to Christmas,
sung to an old hymn tune (NEUMARK). The tune is not familiar to me, but
is not difficult to sing, and if you have a choir, sounds particularly
lovely. New words to old tunes. Lyrics.
Luke 1:26-38
The Annunciation
- Online Resource A word went out to Mary (Hannah Brown) Beautiful new poetry, with floral imagery, set to the tune ES IST EIN ROS' ENTSPRUNGEN. Sheet music sample and lyrics and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource Hey Mary!
(Malcolm Gordon & Sam Gordon) 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.
- CH291 When out of poverty is born (Kathy Galloway)
An excellent set of words for Advent that reflects on God's good news
for the poor and the strength of Mary's faith. Set to the familiar tune
KINGSFOLD. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- Seeds of Faith I Bring You Good News (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) This
is a great little song for kids “Mary, Mary do not be afraid. I bring
you good news, good good news!”. Very simple and fun. Nice sound sample (with kids singing!) and lyrics/theology. Good for kids.
- GA445 / G(II)421 / GC597 / GC(II)581 / G(3)676 I Say "Yes," Lord / Digo "Sí," Señor (Brenda Pena) A simple song which speaks of sticking with God through good times and bad. Lyrics and sample sheet music. Sound sample.
- Online Resource / TiS 287 / ACS906 / CH287 / GtG101 / StS011 / GC(II)768 / G(3)876 No wind at the window
(John Bell) Wonderful words to the familiar Celtic tune COLUMCILLE that
focus on Mary's decision to say "Yes" to God. Very easy to sing. Works
well for Advent and Christmas. Sheet music sample (with lyrics) and purchasing options. Sound sample. Lyrics.
- GC(II)781 O Mary of Promise (Steven Warner) A lovely song to a gentle tune. This will probably be too Marian for some. Lyrics and leader sheet. Sound sample..
- TiS
658 / AoV1-090 / ATE 296 / CH251 / UMH593 / VU509 / WoV752 / ELW574 /
GA496 / A&M494 / HPP541 / GtG069 / PH525 / G(II)492 / GC(II)671 / G(3)777 / CP(E) 470 / W&R559 /
Cha452 / Srce328 / Lau865 I the Lord of sea and sky / Here I am Lord (Dan Schutte) Song of God searching for us and our response. Very slow sound sample. Lyrics and sample sheet music. Good for kids.
- G(II)563 / GC781 / GC(II)777 / G(3)458 I Sing a Maid
(Michael Joncas) This telling of the role of Mary would be good sung by a soloist during
part of the service, although some may find it too strongly Marian. The
tune will be known to Australians as “with my swag all on my shoulder”.
Lyrics, sheet music and (slow!) sound sample.
- G(II)506 / GC(II)676 / G(3)794 There Is a Mountain / I am for you
(Rory Cooney) Lovely words, but probably too tricky for a
congregational song. Good words about God speaking through the flame with the words
"I am for you". Could be sung with a few less verses than written, if
you like. Sound sample.
- Poem The angel and the girl are met (Edwin Muir) A beautiful transformative poem about the meeting of Mary and Gabriel. Poem.
- Recorded music / Soloist song I have travelled many moonless nights / Breath of Heaven
(Amy Grant) Yes! Amy Grant! This song beautifully captures some of the
uncertainty that Mary may have faced, feelings that many expectant
mothers could relate to! This could also be a good song for Mother's
Day. Youtube. Thanks to MiMiH for this suggestion.
Ezekiel 37:1-14
Ezekiel and the bones!
- Traditional Ezekiel connected them dry bones / Dem Bones (James Weldon Johnson, USA) Would be great for the kid’s song. Good for kids. Here's the Delta Rhythm Boys.
- Online Resource We seek you with our questions Lord (Hannah Brown, USA) Excellent new words, which could be used to many familiar tunes (e.g. ELLACOMBE) or a new one. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- 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 4 this week, and you can sing other verses when you want to
sing about other prophets. Set to the common tune KINGSFOLD. Some lyrics (vs 3 is the Ezekiel verse!). New words to old tunes.
- WoV658 / ELW506 / URW078The word of God is source and seed (Dolores Dufner, USA) "The
Word of God is breath and life; It comes to heal and wake and save. So
let the Spirit touch and mend and rouse your dry bones from their
grave". Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
- StF163 When listening prophets dare to speak
(Daniel Damon, USA) Great words, especially for a time when the church is
grieving past wrongs it has committed and working out how to live
meaningfully again. Lyrics.
- Online Resource Come watch for the green that shows after a fire (Hannah Brown, USA) Beautiful words about renewal, set to the familiar tune COLUMCILLE. Sheet music sample and lyrics and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
- TiS 181 / AoV2-032 / GC(II)497 / G(3)577 / CP589 Come O God of all the earth / Sing Out Earth and Skies
(Marty Haugen, USA) A very joyful song for cantor and congregation, or small group
and congregation; this is a big favourite in our church. Sheet music, lyrics and sound sample.
- TiS 409 / AHB 322 / CH595 / UMH543 / VU202 / StJ / SLW43 / W&R328 / Cha250 / StF391 / MP488 O Breath of life come sweeping through us (Elizabeth Porter Head, Northern Ireland / England) This is a really good older style hymn with inclusive lyrics. Lyrics and sheet music. Not all verses are in all hymnals. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- TiS
419 / NCH270 / CH592 / A&M252 / UMH544 / VU205 / WoV685 / ELW403 /
HPP222 / GtG285 / PH314 / CP635 / CP(E) 185 / W&R327 / SP92 / 82Hml-513 / StF389 Like the murmur of the dove's song (Carl P Daw, USA) Excellent words and a simple tune about Christian unity. Each verse ends with "Come holy spirit, come". Lyrics and sheet music.
- Online Resource O dry bones hear the word of God (Linnea Good, Canada) A story-telling songs - not so much a congregational song, but you could watch the video, or some musicians could present it to the congregation. Thanks to Judy for this suggestions. Video.
- Protest and Praise / Online Resource Holy Spirit Come / The whisper of a distant wind (David
Bjorlin, USA / Sally Ann Morris, USA) This is really beautiful. The refrain could
be used on its own as a meditation, or include the verses, sung slowly
either by the congregation or by a soloist. "Within a field of dry bones
where nothing grows but death, the whisper of a distant wind inspires
the lifeless breath". See what I mean? Songbook for purchase.
- Online Resource Can these bones live? (David MacGregor, Australia) Thoughtful lyrics and a restful soothing tune. Youtube, lyrics and sheet music.
Psalm 130
Out of the depths I cry to you O Lord
- Iona (Sent By the Lord) / MV066 Senzenina? / What have we done?
(South African) This beautiful chant from South Africa asks the
question that we often ask when things go wrong beyond belief. It's
important to know what the song means when singing it. If you have some
part-singers in your congregation, this would be particular good. It's
good to let people ask this question. It is also on the soundtrack for
"The Power of One" so you could also play the recorded music if
appropriate. Free sheet music.
- Online Resource With the Lord there is mercy
(Val Parker) A simple gospel refrain with cantored chant for the
verses. You could use a reader for the verses if you don't have a
cantor, the refrain makes sense without the verses. Sound and sheet music samples, and purchasing options.
- Recorded Music Out of the depths (Sinéad O'Connor) A sensitive and heart-felt version of this Psalm. From the album Theology. Youtube video. Lyrics.
-
TiS 683 / WoV735 / ELW603 / W&R416 / StF649 God when human bonds are broken (Fred Kaan)
These words pick up an unusual theme, and fit really well with this
reading. There are a couple of possible tunes, none of which are
immediately familiar, but they are not difficult either. Lyrics.
-
SFFS 2136 / NCH554 / GA227 / VU611 / G(II)636 / GC877 / Cha510 Out of the Depths O God we call to you
(Ruth Duck) A simple and honest hymn, which sings this Psalm from
the perspective of a community trying to work out its faith together.
Excellent words and the tune is quite straightforward. Lyrics and video.
-
Taizé / CH276 / VU22 / GtG090 / ELW262 / GA283 / A&M053 / G(II)256 / GC332 /
GC(II)340 / G(3)406 / CP094 / W&R166 / PfAS037B / SP28 / URW396 / Lau088 Wait for the Lord
(Jacques Berthier) Wait for the Lord whose day is near, wait for the
lord, keep watch, take heart. A lovely simple Taize chant. Sheet music, translations and sound samples.
- PfAS130E In deep despair I cry to you (Joy Patterson) Good words of hope, sung to the familiar and lovely tune MORNING SONG. Sheet music sample (downloads an order of service). New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / AoVK-58 We wait in hope for the Lord / Wait in hope
(Nathaniel Ford) 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 and sheet music sample and purchasing options. Good for kids.
-
PfAS103B Out of the depths (Kathleen Harmon) A nice refrain. "Out of the depths I cry to you O Lord".
- G(3)143 With the Lord there is Mercy
(Michael Guimont) A simple refrain to a cantor- or reader-lead reading.
Sound sample.
-
Cha762 From the depths I cry to you God listen hear my voice
(Goodrich) Simple sung response, and responsive reading.
- Protest and Praise / Online Resource In our deepest grief / We wait for you (David
Bjorlin / Randall Sensmeier) A beautiful song of waiting, even in
sorrow and fear; not so easy to sing - I would use a soloist. Songbook for purchase. Sound sample (I prefer it to be a little more tentative than this).
-
Online resource Out of the Depths (Bruce Harding)
A simple four part arrangement which would be nice if you have a choir
or quartet that could sing this. Sound sample and sheet music.
-
Online Resource / NCH472 /
UMH474 / VU670 / R297 / ELW875 / HPP434 / GtG834 / PH404 / G(II)637 / GC874 /
GC(II)847 / G(3)955 / CP509 / W&R500 / Cha628 / LUYH465 Precious Lord take my hand (Thomas Dorsey) A classic gospel song. Free sheet music. Lyrics. Sound sample. Story.
- Online Resource / TiS 667 / G(II)415 / GC591 How shall I sing to God
(Brian Wren) The words are excellent, but neither the tune in TiS or Gather
hymnals is straightforward because of the difficult meter; this might be
a good song for your musicians to present to start teaching the
congregation so they can remember it in more difficult times. Lyrics and sheet music for the TiS version.
-
PfAS130G For you my God I wait (Adam Tice) A good reflective song, needs to be played quite slowly and meditatively I think. Sound sample.
- Online Resource Out of the depths (Thomas Keesecker)
Although arranged for choir, this song is simple and repetitive enough
to be used as a meditative song for congregational worship. Sound sample, PDF sample, and purchasing options.
The
next 3 are all variations of the same Gelineau (cantored) Psalm, but
with different responses. They are all pretty good, so I'm listing them
all! There is just one change needed to make the Psalm inclusive (just
change "his word" to "God's word" and it will be fine). -
GA077 / GC128 Out of the depths / I place all my trust in you O God (Gelineau) The original response from Gelineau. Very simple. Words to
the response are "I place all my trust in you O God, all my hope is in
your saving word".
-
G(II)113 / GC127 / GC(II)71 / G(3)87 Out of the Depths / With the Lord There Is Mercy
(Gelineau / Haugen) This response is also quite simple, but a slightly
different emphasis. "With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of
redemption". Not all versions are inclusive Sound sample and sheet music.
-
TiS 81 Out of the depths / With the Lord there is Mercy
(Gelineau / Carroll) Simple response is "With the Lord there is mercy
and fullness of redemption". We have used this once at Brunswick Uniting and
it went quite well. Sound sample.
Romans 8:6-11
Flesh vs. spirit
- Tune In / Online Resource Spirit of the Father, Spirit of our Mother / Alive in me (Sheree
Anderson, Australia / Canada) Catchy boppy pop song about God's spirit within us and within
the world. Music sample, sound sample and lyrics. Good for kids. Music sample, sound sample and free downloadable songbook.
- Online Resource The gospel of my body (Amanda
Udis-Kessler, USA) This song affirms the holiness of our bodies, and how our
nature as embodied beings drives our call to social justice. Sound sample. Sheet music.
- TiS 410 / AHB 323 / LBW523 / ELW582 / NCH59 / CP655 / 82Hml-511 Holy Spirit, ever dwelling (Timothy Rees, Wales) I like these words, but prefer to sing it to NETTLETON (TiS 392). Lyrics and sound sample. New words to old tunes.
-
NCH057 / VU379 / WoV688 / LBW459 / ELW399 / SFFS 2121 / CP(E) 188 / Cha251 / URW079 / VF055 O Holy Spirit root of life (Jean Janzen, Canada / USA) Good words from Hildegard of Bingen of "Holy Spirit","Eternal
Vigour" and "Holy Wisdom". I like the phrase "encompass us with wings
unfurled". Simple known tune (PUER NOBIS). Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- TiS 421 Where the Spirit is there's freedom (Per Harling, Sweden)
Fun and good. 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. Good for kids. Lyrics.
- SFFS 2228 / Online Resource Sacred the Body (Ruth Duck, USA) Excellent words - and it's not easy to find good songs for this
passage. The
tune is new, but very simple and beautiful. It will be picked up very
quickly by most congregations. "Sacred the body God has created, temple
of Spirit that dwells deep inside. Cherish each person; nurture
relation. Treat flesh as holy, that love may abide." Lyrics and sheet music.
- NCH060 O Spirit of God
(Johann Niedling, Germany) Good words of the many facets of the Spirit. The first verse
is particularly appropriate for times when there seems to be more
suffering in the world than usual. The tune (O HELIGER GEIST - TiS 401)
is quite simple and familiar. This is a new translation of the hymn "O
Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God". New words to old tunes
John 11:1-45
Healing of Lazarus
- Tune In / Online Resource See our God with the tear-streaked face / Our God who weeps (Kate Scull) Very simple folk tune and challenging and hopeful lyrics. Sound sample, lyrics and free downloadable songbook.
- Recorded Music Lazarus (Malcolm Gordon) A song seeking personal healing of our own Lazarus within. Sound sample and purchase options.
- Online Resource / TLUS065 When all else is gone (Shirley
Murray, New Zealand) These words of holding on to hope, faith and love
in difficult times have been set to a simple tune by Jim Strathdee. It
would be a very soothing song for those who are struggling. Lyrics and sheet music.
- NCH192 / VU146 / SFFS 2106 / HPP183 / PH312 / Cha199 / 82Hml-715 When Jesus wept
(William Billings) I like this simple round - partly because it's by a Sacred
Harp composer. It's also very restful and beautiful. I quite like this video sound sample. This might be a good song for the musicians to sing during the offering, or in a prayer of confession.
- FFS09 Christ of the sad face (Shirley Murray) Christ weeps for the city, the earth. A longing for peace. Lyrics and an alternative tune.
- Online Resource / VU471 / W&R692 / URW122 Eat this bread and never hunger
(Daniel Charles Damon) Very simple tune. The first verse refers to this passage.
Particularly good if you are celebrating communion this week, but will
be fine if you are not. I will suggest this song again next week and the week after, so this is a good week to introduce it! Lyrics and sheet music.
- Online Resource / TiS 682 / ATW 490 / GA236 / A&M355 / AA151 / SP148 When human voices cannot sing
(Shirley Murray) Lovely words of healing in the face of grief. I prefer
this sung to ST COLUMBA, which is the tune in GA and TiS. Lyrics and sheet music.
- TiS
382 / AoV2-131 / ATN 15 / NCH238 / CH417 / UMH311 / VU186 / LBW280 / ELW379 / GA364 / A&M212 / HPP210 / GtG247 / G(II)318 / GC444 / GC(II)456 / G(3)534 / CP237 / CP(E) 153 / W&R311 / Cha230 / 82Hml-204 / Lau278 / StF306 Now the green blade rises (John McLeod Campbell Crum) I love these words and this simple French folk tune (NOEL
NOUVELET) . I
particularly like this played to guitar, but TiS has an excellent piano
arrangement too. Lyrics and tune sample. New words to old tunes
- Online Resource Lord if only you had been here (Carolyn Winfrey Gillette) Good words about Mary's reproach to Jesus, and our own questioning of where God is in times of difficulty. Sung to the familiar tune BEACH SPRING. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- TiS 210 / AHB 141 / NCH042 / CH352 / UMH57 / VU326 / LBW42 / ELW295 /
A&M742 / HPP74 / GtG610 / PH466 / CP306 / CP(E) 534 / W&R96 /
Cha005 / Srce506 / 82Hml-493 / StF364 / MP496 O for a thousand tongues to sing (Charles Wesley)
A classic. I particularly love NATIVITY for these words, and it's such a
fun tune. Be careful with the words "ye
dumb". Voices United has "Hear him you deaf, you voiceless ones, your
tongues again employ" which is more respectful. Lyrics and sheet music.Oldy-but-a-goody.
- WoV658 / ELW506 / URW078 The word of God is source and seed (Delores Dufner) "The
Word of God is source and seed; It comes to die and sprout and grow. So
make your dark earth welcome warm; Root deep the grain God bent to
sow." Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
- TLUS091 In life in death (Bruce Harding, Canada) A simple chant that can be sung as a round; picks up on the idea of living and dying in Christ.
- AoVK-125 / ATW 489 Turn our sadness upside down (Leigh Newton) Good for kids, and adults too. Simple tune, but not so simple that it’s boring. Sheet music.
- Tune In / Online Resource You in all our worries / All will finish well
(Dave Brown) “In this world where injustice reigns, you are in the midst of
pain”. Excellent words of reassurance in a difficult world. Sound sample, lyrics and free downloadable songbook.
- Recorded Music See How Deep (Malcolm Gordon) This song of devotion is based on the thought of Jesus weeping over Lazarus and the crucifixion. Sound sample and purchase options.
- VT025 Brethren we have met to worship
(George Askins, Ireland/USA) This old hymn presents a heavenly vision
of Christ serving us with manna in the future kingdom. Most versions
have lyrics that are too old school for a modern worship service, but
the editors of Voices Together have a great job of updating the lyrics.
If your congregation is familiar with this song, I highly recommend this
version. Lyrics.
What ideas do you have? Please share them in a comment below!
