God establishes a covenant with Noah, leaving a rainbow as a sign
- Unknown source Remember the rainbow, God’s promise in the sky I know this is not very helpful, but I know that at Brunswick we have a copy of the words and chords in our folders. Maybe your church has it filed away somewhere too. Good for kids.
- Online Resource After the flood (David
Bjorlin / Mark Miller) Gosh. A beautiful, meditative and healing song,
specifically about recovery from a flood. I would use a soloist for the
verses, and invite the congregation to join on the chorus, which is a
Kyrie (you might need to play it a little more quickly perhaps). Sheet music and sound sample and purchasing options.
- NCH032 / UMH122 / VU229 / HPP32 / GtG022 / PH272 / CP414 / W&R29 / Cha070 God of the sparrow God of the whale (Jaroslav Vajda) This is a beautiful song, but for some reason it sounds kind of odd with an Australian accent. Works especially well this week with the lyric: “God of the rainbow, God of the cross, God of the empty grave”. Lyrics.
- Tune In / Online Resource Tune in (Natalie Sims) A simple kid’s song. “Tune in, tune in, there’s a message coming in.” Encourages kids to look for signs of God’s love. Lyrics, sample (feel free to use for online worship!), songbook. Good for kids.
- Online resource It’s a sign of God’s love (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) Not a congregational song – needs someone to sing this to the kids, really. Sample and lyrics Good for kids.
- MV135 Called by earth and sky
(Pat Mayberry) Gentle song about the blessings of water, air, soil and
fire. While it doesn't explicitly mention baptism, it is really
beautiful and would work well.
- Recorded Music "Just look up" (Eric Bibb / Michael Jerome Browne) On Eric Bibb's album "Friends" and on Putumayo's "Folk Playground". "There's a rainbow waiting for you, just look up". Sound sample.
Good for kids.
- NCH391 / GtG315 / SFFS 2238 / Cha458 In the midst of new dimensions (Julian Rush) "Now and ever, now and ever, now and evermore". I quite like this one. Good for this week: "God of rainbow, fiery pillar". Hymnals vary in which verses they include.
- TiS 418 / AoV2-075 / Iona (EoA, Common Ground) / CH593 / GA372 / A&M259 / Cha255 / SP94 / URW165 / StF393 / Lau305 She sits like a bird brooding on the waters (John Bell)
My favourite Holy Spirit song. Beautiful words and very easy to sing,
provided it is not played too quickly The Iona recordings are generally
very quick, but there are a lot of words to fit in, so keep it elegantly
moderate in speed! Lyrics.
- ATA 142 / UMH134 / Traditional If I could I surely would / O Mary don’t you weep (Traditional) Lots of fun, and good for kids, but I’m not quite sure where Mary weeping fits into Pharoah’s army getting (clap) drowned dead… Here's Bruce Springsteen's version, which I love. I've suggested it this week because of the verse "God gave Noah the rainbow sign - no more water but fire next time".
Good for kids.
Psalm 104:27-33
All the great multitudes of the earth point to God's glory
- Online Resource / TLUS157 Where the green will rise again (Shirley
Murray, New Zealand) Excellent, hopeful words about healing of the
earth, set to the familiar tune WILD MOUNTAIN THYME. Sheet music.
- Online Resource / TiS135
/ AHB 70 / AoVK-110 / A&M533 / Cha061 / CH137 / CP415/6 / CP(E)
251 / GtG020 / HPP35 / Lau685 / MP023 / NCH31 / PH267 / Srce21 / StF100 /
UMH147 / VT177 / VU291 / W&R30 / WoV767 All things bright and beautiful (Cecil Frances Alexander, Ireland) The TiS version has beautiful Australian imagery. If you are in Australia and your
congregation only has the AHB or other versions of the music, it's
worth making copies of the TiS lyrics. Editions vary in the language used for God, some are more inclusive than others. Oldy-but-a-goody. The original English lyrics are a bit different (note verse 3, which thankfully is rarely sung)! VU has nice Canadian lyrics, which would also work for people in the USA near the Rocky Mountains and Great Lakes.
- STB114 Come holy spirit (I-to Loh) A lovely 3 part chant. The congregation can sing one part, while a soprano and tenor cantor (or groups) sing the other two parts, or you could split an adventurous congregation into 3 parts. Will need to be taught.
- TiS 175 / GtB Did you ever see a kookaburra laugh (Marion Lemin) A fun kid's song. "Where do all the good things come from?"
Good for kids.
- GtG323 / URW171 Sound a mystic bamboo song / Dong dong ay si dong ilay
(Bill Wallace) Great multicultural words, celebrating God in all people.
- Online Resource / TiS 163 / AHB 112 / NCH556 / UMH150 / LBW463 / ELW771 / GtG024 / PH268 / W&R644 / Cha651 / URW084 / 82Hml-580 God who stretched the spangled heavens
(Catherine Cameron) Good words of creation of nature and cities and creative possibilities
for the future. AHB has a Father and old language, but it works okay;
TiS and other sources are better. There are many possible tunes. I like
it best to HOLY MANNA as in the link. Lyrics and sheet music.
- TiS
706 / Taizé / AoV2-142 / A&M600 / SFFS 2013 / GtG544 / PH224 / GC(II)576 /
G(3)620 / CP360 / PfAS103C / SP194 / Src79 / URW377 / Lau813 Bless the Lord my soul (Batastini / Taize) A beautiful and very well known Taize chant. Sound samples, sheet music. Good for kids.
- MV015 / GA186 Holy Sacred Spirit (Monica Brown) Gentle chant. Can be used without the cantor part. "Holy Sacred Spirit, breathe your breath on us. Very slow version.
- 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. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- TiS 188 Where wide sky rolls down and touches red sand (Elizabeth Smith) Great Australian imagery sung to a familiar hymn tune. Lyrics (scroll down). Video with sound sample and lyrics.
- TiS
152 / NCH4 / UMH89 / VU232 / LBW551 / ELW836 / HPP22 / GtG611 / PH464 / GC529 /
GC(II)520 / G(3)614 / CP425 / W&R59 / Cha002 / URW065 / 82Hml-376 Joyful joyful we adore thee (Henry van Dyke) Note that this hymn is not always very inclusive. I prefer more modern translations (e.g. TiS, VU, NCH, GC(II) ). Lyrics and tune sample.
- VT074 O worship our God all glorious above
(Robert Grant, England / new version!) This rewrite of the old
classic "O worship the King, all glorious above" to include a feminine
God is just delightful; it is still very "battley" but reads so
differently when it is feminine image, which is a helpful way of
expanding how we think about the sovereign nature of God. I would sing
it to whichever tune your congregation is used to. I like HANOVER best
(TiS 133). Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / 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 and sheet music.
- Online Resource / G(II)90 / GC101 / GC(II)60 / G(3)076 Lord Send Out Your Spirit (Paul Lisicky) Could be fun to use just the refrain as a round. I would sing it much quicker than the sample. Sheet music sample, rather formal sound sample, purchasing options.
- Public Domain / Online Resource / AoVK-123 / 82Hml-385 / Cha58 / CP407 / ELW837 / G(II)338 / GC499 / G(3)911
/ GtG021 / Iona (M&G) / NCH003 / NCH341 / PH271 / UMH148 / URW232 / VT128 / VU308 / W&R26 / WoV794 Many and Great O God are your works / Wakantanka taku nitawa
(Joseph Renville, Dakota, USA, paraphrased Philip Frazier, Sioux, USA)
Good words of praise to our Creator, seeking God's presence and
blessing. Good as an opening hymn. This was originally written in
Dakota, but most English paraphrases are the same. It sounds great
accompanied by a
good Native American-style drum beat, which is a great way to get people
involved in music-making. NCH and VT also have Dakota lyrics. NCH also
has a more recent paraphrase (NCH341). English lyrics. Dakota lyrics. Sheet music sample. Sheet music for purchase, with sound sample. Slow lyric video recording (long introduction).
- TiS 65 Send forth your spirit O Lord and renew the face of the earth (Gregory Murray) Cantored Psalm. Refrain is simple and inclusive. Verses do not use inclusive language for God.
- TiS 166 / AHB 102 / GA398 / StB035 Sing a new song sing a new song (James McAuley) Excellent inclusive words. The last verse annoys me a bit, but the rest is excellent. Lyrics.
- AoVK-113 Thank you O Lord for this world of ours (Barr) A good kids song in two parts.
- AoV2-051 / G(II)325 / GC463 / GC(II)481 / G(3)555 Spirit Blowing through Creation (Marty Haugen) Excellent. Don't rush or it's hard to get all the words out.
- NCH056 Breath of the living God / Soplo de Dios viviente
(Osvaldo Catena) A joyful song in Spanish or English, set to a
traditional Norwegian folk tune. The chorus is particularly great "Come
now an dlive within us, come let your gifts enrich us, Breath of the
living God, our Creator Spirit, Eternal Source".
- VU826 Bless O my soul / Hallelujah
(Stralsund Gesangbuch / Melchior Vulpius) A responsive Psalm, with two
possible responses, both to familiar traditional tunes. Joyful! One is
"Bless O my soul the Almighty who rules all creation". The other is
simply "Hallelujah! (x3)".
Revelation 22:1-5
The river of life and the tree of life
- Online Resource / AoV2-006 / The tide has turned Deeper River / There's a river running deep within the silence of our souls (Digby Hannah). An excellent song of restoration for tired desert-like souls. Sound sample, sheet music samples, purchasing options.
- FFS27 God of unexplored tomorrows (Beverly Jones) The tune will need to be taught, but is quite lovely (CROMWELL). Imagery of "God of rock and flowing river", "strong foundation" "cleansing, quenching water".
- Sounds of Living Water 77 There's a river of life flowing out from me (L Casebolt) I have found the lyrics to this, but I can't remember the second part at all. I think I only know the chorus. Maybe it's in a scripture in song book too. It's a happy clappy.
Good for kids.
- MV160 / VT024 There's a river of life that's flowing from / 'round God's throne (Jonathan Maracle, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Canada) This will need to be taught, but it's really catchy! It is set on this passage. It works best unaccompanied with percussion. Sound recording (for inspiration, or for playing during the service).
- STB045 We Believe Maranatha
(Francisco Feliciano) This is a good spoken creed with sung responses. The
response is a simple two part fugue with a simple sung (almost) drone
for the bass. The creed is one developed by the Asian Institute for Liturgy and Music. The refrain could be used for any creed, really.
- AoVNG138 Tune our hearts / Tree of Life (Aaron Thompson) A lovely chant for the chorus, which would work with or without the verses. I'm not sure of all the lyrics for this as I don't have a copy.
- Protest and Praise / Online Resource Two trees rose from the garden ground (David
Bjorlin / Benjamin Brody) A reflection on trees which starts with the
choice of the tree of good and tree of evil, leads to the tree on which
Jesus dies, and ends with the restoration of Eden. Lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options.
- FFS51 O spring in the desert (David Adam) Christ's presence in water and light; Christ as guide. Excellent imagery, good tune.
- NCH576
/ CH706 / UMH428 / VU678 / A&M635 / GtG346 / GA513 / GC719 / GC(II)712 /
G(3)803 / CP576 / CP(E) 427 / W&R621 / Cha668 / Lau886 / StF696 For the healing of the nations
(FredKaan) Excellent words seeking peaceful coexistence of the nations.
Can be sung to a range of tunes including the very familiar WESTMINSTER
ABBEY. Lyrics.New words to old tunes.
Matthew 28:1-10
The resurrection.
Just look at Easter Day, please!
General River-type songs
- Online Resource Meroo / Water seeping up outta the ground
(Nelson Varcoe, Kaurna, Australia) The Dharug / Tharwal word "Meroo" means water. Simple
chorus and good words about the importance of water, and a chorus about
the rising of the Holy Spirit, carrying our prayers up to the sky. Book available here (BUC people, I have this!).
- Online Resource / TLUS011 The river is a healer / River
(Coco Love Alcorn) This is more of a song for a choir, and is not specifically Christian, but you might like to know it's out there. Lyrics, sound samples for each choir part, sound sample.
- VU267 / W&R20 / A&M711 / SP288 / Lau897 / MP419 Like a mighty river flowing (Michael Perry) Lovely words of the presence of God in nature. Lyrics.
- AoV2-058 Pulsing Spirit rippling river (Dolores Dufner) Excellent lyrics to the very familiar hymn tune BEACH SPRING. New words to old tunes. Lyrics and sound sample.
- Online Resource / MV144 / SP&P073 Like a healing stream (Bruce Harding) Gentle folksy ballad with a lot of water imagery - healing stream, gentle rain, river strong and mighty sea. Would need to be introduced, but would catch on pretty quickly, I think. Sheet music.
- MV163 River running in you and me (Ian Macdonald / Gordon Light) Terrific words with lots of river imagery, a song of the spirit, and of challenge when times are hard. If this is not familiar, just get a soloist to sing it while the congregation joins in the last line "River run deep, river run free". The verses are not metrical, so it will take more time to sing them with confidence. Lyric video.
- Online Resource Put your roots down put your feet on the ground (Unknown source) A simple call and response song that parallels the movement of water in a river to the blood in our bodies. Teaching video.
- MV117 By the well a thirsty woman
(Elizabeth Stilborn) An excellent song that brings the story of the woman at the well to us, with words
of Christ being our source of living water. The tune will probably need
to be taught.
- GC728 / GC(II)725 / G(3)819 / URW419 / Lau902 / MP554 Peace Is Flowing Like a River
(Unknown) A simple chorus. Great for kids and older people. You won't need
to provide words for this after the first couple of verses, because
only the first word changes. If you don't provide all the words,
sometimes people look around them and notice each other.
- Traditional / StJ / GC(II)567 As I went down in the river to pray (African American Spiritual) The encouragement to pray together with each other is a good theme, and the song is a favourite in our congregation. Here's the clip from O Brother Where art thou, which made it so popular.
- Online Resource / AA085 Let justice roll down like a river (Colin Gibson) Excellent song, and very easy to sing. Lyrics and sheet music. Good for kids.
- Online Resource / StS033 / GA515 / G(II)516 / GC716 / GC(II)709 Let Justice Roll Like a River (Marty Haugen) The song is quite simple, particularly if you use a soloist for the verses if this is new to you. Sound sample, sheet music sample and purchasing options.
- Online Resource As rivers flow from a distant spring (David Bjorlin / William Beckstrand) Beautiful words using imagery of creation to inspire us to lives based in God's love that care for others, including the earth. Story and sound sample. Book available to purchase and download here.
- Recorded Music Let justice roll (Sojourn music) A good country rock song for listening - catchy chorus; good social justice lyrics! Sound sample and purchase options.
- NCH438 / UMH377 / LBW346 / ELW785 / HPP390 / GtG840 / W&R428 / Cha561 / Srce784 / MP757 When peace like a river (Horatio Gates Spafford) An older American hymn. Hymnals vary in how old fashioned the lyrics are, and only some include the chorus. Older style lyrics (really terrible old lyrics).
- 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.
- NCH478 / VU577 / SFFS 2145 / HPP394 / PH368 / GGives1 / Cha530 / MP353 I've got peace like a river (African-American) I really like this old song!
Good for kids.
- MV087 Water flowing From the mountains (Digby Hannah) A simple flowing song with lots of good water imagery. It's not specifically Christian, so could also be used in a multi-faith or secular gathering.
- SP&P092 Empty jar clear and clean (James Manley) A simple song, seeking the openness to receive God's spirit, like a river rushing through.
- FFS51 O spring in the desert (David Adam) Christ's presence in water and light; Christ as guide. Excellent imagery, good tune.
Exodus 17:1-7
God delivers water from the rock to the grumbling Israelites.
- TLUS101 The people of God / O povo de Deus
(Pedro Casaldaliga, Brazil) This excellent song speaks of God's people
stumbling through the desert, crying out "in between faith and doubting"
and God's provision of manna.
"We, too, are your people O god, on this daring journey". Really worth
learning, particularly as we read through Exodus this year. Sound samples in Portuguese and in English. Lyrics and chords.
- Online Resource Meroo / Water seeping up outta the ground
(Nelson Varcoe, Kaurna, Australia) The Dharug / Tharwal word "Meroo" means water. Simple
chorus and good words about the importance of water, and a chorus about
the rising of the Holy Spirit, carrying our prayers up to the sky. Book available here (BUC people, I have this!).
- Online Resource/ BUC Song Project Broken (Elaine Loukes, Australia) This song seeking God's open arms at the end of a dry journey fits this reading well. Lyrics, sound sample, and sheet music.
- Tune In / Online Resource / ATAR663 Save us in the time of trial
(Shawn Whelan, Australia) A song with a reflective almost-Taize-like chorus. We have
sung this a cuople of different ways, it's quite flexible. I will
suggest this quite a bit during Lent. Lyrics, sound sample and free downloadable songbook.
- Online Resource Thirsty we wander the desert / Even from rock
(David Bjorlin, USA / Mark Miller, USA) An excellent new song - easy and
energising to sing. It really identifies with the wandering Israelites
and our own thirst for salvation. Sheet music sample and purchasing options. Sound sample.
- 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. For our
congregation, I think this would work very well as we move to the
baptism font. Sound sample, lyrics, purchasing options (choral version).
- Online Resource / GtG053 O God who gives us life and breath
(Carl P Daw, USA) Excellent words of God providing living springs of hope, and the
need for us to face our fears and follow God through difficult times. An
excellent fit for this reading. Straightforward hymn tune (NOEL). Sheet music and lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / AoV2-006 / The tide has turned Deeper River / There's a river running deep within the silence of our souls (Digby Hannah, Australia) An excellent song of restoration for tired desert-like souls. Sound sample and purchasing options.
- ATW 435 Wellsprings / Like the woman of old (Don
Stewart, Australia) Another song of seeking water in the desert. A favourite of
our congregation; can be tricky to sing if it's not familiar. Sound sample.
- NCH045 Christ is the Mountain of Horeb which is flowing / Cristo es la pena
(Unknown author, Puerto Rico) Puerto Rican pasodoble folk melody. Very repetitive and easy. Can start
slow and get fast, which is always a winner move. We have not sung this
for a while, but it's fun. Youtube of some cool pianist doing a groovy jazzy version. 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, 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." Sheet music and lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- AoV1-114 / HPP376 / G(II)430 / GC608 / GC(II)596 / G(3)683 / W&R430 / Lau964 You shall cross the barren desert / Be not afraid (Bob Dufford, USA) Beautiful words. Well known (at least, the chorus). Verses may be tricky. Lyrics.
- CH191 When you Walk through the waters I’ll be with you / Do Not Be Afraid (Gerard Markland, England) A simple and very singable song. Thanks to Bud for this suggestion. Lyric video.
Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16
Keeping the history alive; telling it to the children.
See above and:
- TiS 41 / United Methodist Psalter We shall listen, Lord, to your teaching
(Timothy Kimbrough) A fairly formal cantor and response Psalm. It requires a
confident leader as the response is not completely intuitive. The
verses can be read or sung by a leader. Lyrics (downloads an order of service).
- Cha330 Alleluia Hear God's Story
(Mary Anne Parrott) Good words of a community that reaches out together
to a familiar carol tune. Talks of the importance of telling the story.
I think this picks up on the idea of sharing the faith story through
all generations. I would love to know if there are other songs about
telling the story to children and the next generation. Lyrics (downloads a PDF).
New words to old tunes.
- ATW 474 You're like the sun that warms me / Bread of angels
(Robin Mann) This is a nice ballad, a favourite of many in our congregation.
It may not be easy for a congregation without some introduction
because the structure is a little tricky. Lyrics and sound sample.
-
VU792 We will tell new generations
(Joachim Neander) Very simple hymn-based Psalm refrain with responsive
Psalm. Sheet music sample.
- Online Resource / TiS 182 / AoV2-010 / CH134 / CP395 / GtG760 / HPP13 / NCH011 / SFFS 2047 / VF106 / VT134 / VU268 Bring many names beautiful and good (Brian
Wren, USA)
This is a beautiful song with a wide variety of images for God that
provoke reflection. Because it has so many images, it's also very long
(especially if sung too
slowly). Try singing one verse unison, then one women, one men (or
different sides of the church, or different ages), then
all together again, to give people a chance to list and reflect on what
they are singing. Lyrics and sheet music.
- PfAS078E We will tell each generation
(Michael Perry) A good metrical version of the Psalm set to the Sacred Harp
tune RESTORATION. Lyrics.
New words to old tunes.
- TOSB093 / NCH522 / UMH156 / VU343 / LBW390 / ELW661 / HPP463 / GtG462 / W&R560 / Cha480 / VF125 I love to tell the story of unseen things above
(Katharine Hankey) This is an older style hymn, more well known in the
USA than Australia, and might be a good choice for this lesson; probably
use only the first two verses. Lyrics (including some less frequently sung verses). Thanks to Ken Wells for the suggestion.
- Online Resource / GtG632 / PfAS078A People of the Lord
(Greg Scheer) It's in 7/8! What more do you need! Oh, and the words are
good, with an echo in the verses. This would be fun. Sheet music and sound sample.
- Emergent Psalter Give your ears my people to the lessons of the past (Isaac Everett) A good, slightly solemn Psalm refrain. Book available here.
- TiS 636 / VU272 / WoV715 / LBW250 / ELW533 / GtG453 / PfAS078C / PfAS078D / URW076 / 82Hml-536 / MP182 God has spoken to his people Alleluia / God has spoken to the people Alleluia
(Hasidic traditional) In many versions this song is not inclusive for
God, or uses specifically Christian lyrics (which is odd, since it's a
Jewish hymn). VU, PfAS GtG and WoV have gender inclusive language for
God: "God has spoken
to the people (Alleluia), God has spoken words of wisdom, Alleluia".
WoV and PfAS also have the traditional Hebrew chorus of "Torah ora torah
ora
hallelujah" which means "The Lord is light" and would be great to sing;
and it's the original words!
PfAS078D simply uses the first two lines of the first verse as a psalm
refrain. Choral sound sample with more inclusive lyrics, an awesome organist and great tambourine action.
Alternate Hebrew Scripture Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
Israel is grumbling again. God says to "turn, then, and live".
- Tune In / Online Resource We will sing a new song to the world (Dave Brown, Australia) It makes me think of being joyous when everyone around you sounds like a grumbling Israelite in the desert. Lyrics, sound sample and free downloadable songbook.
- MV064 Because you came (Shirley Murray, Aotearoa / New Zealand) Powerful words of confession and
forgiveness, sung to a lovely tune that will need to be taught, but will
not be hard to teach. It has 5 verses, so maybe invite the congregation
to join in as they hear it. Lyrics.
- Tune In / Online Resource / NCYC '07 Forgive us now (Dave Brown, Australia) “As we forgive may we be healed, as we reach out….” An excellent ballad. Lyrics, sound sample and free downloadable songbook.
Make me know your ways, teach me your paths. Trust in God
- GWA111 / HiOS038 God come now to explore my heart (Marnie
Barrell, New Zealand) An honest and moving call for God to help us see
within ourselves. Sung to a lovely hymnlike tune. Sound sample (tune only).
- Online Resource To you, O Lord I lift my soul (Val
Parker) I really like this very simple response (which has only two
notes, but really good chords!). It can be used with a cantor and choir
if you have one, but for many congregations, just the response will be
useful to use with spoken verses. Sound and sheet music samples and purchasing options.
- TLUS085 Let me not be put to shame (Deborah Park, Korea / Canada) This is a simple chant, which would be particularly nice with a gong. Could be used in a prayer of confession, or as a refrain to a reading of this Psalm. Lyric video.
- URW143 The Grace of God is like a road
(Michael Hudson, USA) Beautiful words of God's presence and call to follow. Sung to a
familiar tune THE GIFT OF LOVE, that is almost the same as O WALY WALY.
Highly recommended. Lyrics (go to p3 of PDF). New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / Tune In Like the sun upon my skin / God’s Mercy (Sheree Anderson) A beautiful ballad about identifying God's mercy in the beauty of creation. Free downloadable songbook and sound sample.
- Online Resource I Lay Open (Psalm 25) (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A calm reflective chant that could be used as a responsive refrain, or as a devotional prayer. Sound sample & contact details for sheet music.
- Online Resource / Tune In Dare to Dream (Elaine Loukes)
A great song about having a vision for the future, being lead by the
light of Bethlehem’s star. "Dare to dream of new beginnings, Paths
untried, by faith supplied". Free downloadable songbook and sound sample.
-
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
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. Sheet music. Good for kids.
- NCH Psalter 25 Your mercy and love have been from of old
(Judy Hunnicutt) A lovely simple Psalm refrain.
- Emergent Psalter Let me know your ways (Isaac Everett) A really good psalm response. I just love this book - I think I like every Psalm in it. Book available here.
- Iona (WWHW) / MV223 We will go with God / Sizohamba naye (Traditional Swaziland) A simple Zulu song from Swaziland. Good for the end of the service. Video with pronunciation and parts.
Note that MV has a different set of English words; neither are a direct translation. Sound sample of a more traditional version. Good for kids.
- Online Resource / VU753 / AA117
/ A&M773 / SP306 Safe in the hands of God / Safe in your hands O God
(Michael Perry) Good paraphrase of the Psalm. Tune will need to be played
through at least once before the congregation join in. Lyrics & Sheet music.
- Online resource Make me know your ways (Bruce Harding) A nice laid back and groovy Psalm response or chant. Can work as a round, too. Sheet music. Good for kids.
- Online Resource / GA280 / GtG089 / G(II)252 / GC328 / GC(II)336 / G(3)415 / Lau111 For you O Lord my soul in stillness waits (Marty Haugen)
Nice refrain, and verses that contain a good range of images of God.
Might be best for the congregation to join in only in the refrain as
verses are long and have lots of words. Sound sample, sheet music, purchasing options.
-
ATOK
414 / Iona (LFB, Common Ground) / CH501 / GA485 /
A&M788 / G(II)480 / GC673 / GC(II)655 / SP311 / StF513 / Lau850 Take this moment, sign and space (John Bell) A fairly well known favourite. Simple melody and beautiful words. Lyrics.
- 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.
- 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.
- Online Resource / VU752 / G(II)34 / GC36 / GC(II)26 / G(3)039 / PfAS025A / URW248 To you O God I lift my soul (Marty Haugen) Simple lilting cantor and response "To you O Lord I lift my soul, to you I lift my soul". Sheet music sample and purchasing options.
- AoV2-014 To You O God I Lift Up My Soul
(Bob Hurd) I like this; it's pretty groovy, and has good lyrics; you could
also use the chorus on its own, or with a read version of the Psalm. Sound sample and lyrics.
- TiS 14 / GA026 To you, O Lord I lift my soul (Christopher Willcock) Good cantor and response. Sound sample.
- 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 Taizé chant. Some older
versions are not inclusive. Sheet music, translations and sound samples.
Philippians 2:1-13
Servanthood of Christ, Unity
-
Online Resource / GWA167 Who is this one gritty and tough / A little more (Stephen Fischbacher, Scotland / Suzanne Butler, Scotland / Margaret McLarty, Scotland) A fun song about the many faceted nature of Jesus' life and a catchy chorus asking whether we can be a little more like him. Brief sound sample and purchasing options. Full song in lyric video. Good for kids.
- TiS 650 / ATA 191 / CH694 / A&M604 / NCH539 / VU595 / ELW659 / AA08 /
SFFS 2222 / HPP442 / GtG727 / G(II)476 / GC683 / GC(II)661 / G(3)751 / CP500 / CP(E) 393 /
W&R391 / Cha490 / SP263 / URW117 / StF611 / Lau924 Brother, sister, let me serve you / Won't you let me be your servant? (Richard Gillard) I think you all know this one. Lyrics. NCH has a nice turn on the lyrics with "Won't you let me be your servant?" as the first line. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- TiS 236 / AHB 178 / CH351 / UMH273 / VU570 / HPP157 / W&R634 Jesus' hands were kind hands
(Margaret Cropper) Good old fashioned children's song. Lots of kids learn to play this on
piano, so if you have some budding piano students in your
congregation, it may be nice to invite one to play. Sheet music & lyrics. Good for kids Oldy-but-a-goody.
- NCH590 / CH621 Spirit of Jesus, if I love my neighbour (Brian Wren) 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. Sheet music & lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- TiS 691 Faith will not grow from words alone
(Elizabeth Smith) This is an excellent hymn about doubting and struggling in
faith. The tune is familiar and I find the words very helpful for
thinking and doubting Christians. Lyrics (downloads an order of service).
- Online Resource / TiS
640 / AHB 561 / ATE 310 / NCH498 / UMH432 / VU593 / WoV765 / ELW708 /
HPP446 / GtG203 / PH367 / G(II)296 / GC409 / GC(II)429 / G(3)505 / CP504
/ W&R273 / Cha600 / URW116 / 82Hml-602 / Lau241 / StF249 Jesu Jesu fill us with your love / Kneels at the feet of his friends (Tom Colvin & people of Ghana) Classic. Lyrics and sheet music. Good for kids Oldy-but-a-goody.
- TiS 174 / UMH194 / A&M544 / CP(E)259 / 82Hml-585 / StF012 Morning glory starlit sky (William Hubert Vanstone) Quite formal words, but very very beautiful song of God's
boundless love "Drained is love in making full, bound in setting others
free, poor in making many rich, weak in giving power to be". Not all sources are inclusive. The tune is
not difficult, but will need to be taught to a congregation if not
familiar. The lyrics could also be read as a poem, and challenges the
image of Christ as monarch, but also affirms God's reign. Lyrics.
- TiS 721 / Iona (LFB) / URW431 / StF344 / Lau124 He became poor that we may be rich (Iona)
A simple chant. Timing is a little bit tricky, so you will need to take
a little time to teach it initially. This has gorgeous parts if you
have some singers. Sound sample (instrumental).
- Online Resource / MV155 Unbounded spirit breath of God (Brian Wren) Good solid words of commitment to faith and work; a communal song. Simple hymnlike tune. Lyrics & sheet music.
- Online Resource / Walk as One Come come come come together (David MacGregor) A boppy song about working together - a good song for sending out the congregation. Lyric video. Sheet music for purchase.
- Online Resource / CH348 / StS001 / LBW196 / ELW843 / A&M762 / G(3)625 / CP397 / W&R93 / SP304 / URW090 Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness
(Rusty Edwards) Good words of Christ's ministry to all. Can be sung to the
familiar tune NETTLETON, or the less familiar and very lovely tune JOEL. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes .
- AHB 168 / NCH166 / A&M675 / CP(E) 475 / MP328 Immortal love for ever full
(John Greenleaf Whittier) Not all versions are inclusive. This is an
older style hymn. A beautiful choral version with video (tune is different to hymnals, but the lyrics are the same). Thist would be nice to listen to!
- Taizé / MV075 / StS079 / SFFS 2118 / GtG284 / GC(II)479 / G(3)547 / SP99 / URW395 / VT058 Holy Spirit Come to Us / Veni sancte spiritus tui amoris (Jacques Berthier) Best if you have a cantor, but works well if you don't, too. Sheet music, translations, sound samples.
- TiS 341 / AHB 257 / NCH222 / CH399 / VU143 / A&M147 / WoV661 / LBW094 /
ELW782 / SFFS 2083 / HPP329 / GtG209 / PH076 / CP184 / CP(E) 112 /
Srce2-426 / 82Hml-458 / Lau752 / StF277 / MP478 My song is love unknown
(Samuel Crossman) I really love this old and beautiful song. I prefer it sung
to LOVE UNKNOWN. Lyrics. New words to old tunes
- Online Resource / Worldmaking O Christ, Lamb of God (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A more modern Agnus Dei, with Christ sharing our weakness. Lyrics and sound sample.
- TiS
242 / AHB 183 / AoV1-018 / ATN 27 / CH404 / UMH261 / VU352 / A&M667 / HPP163 /
GtG157 / PH302 / G(II)481 / GC708 / GC(II)689 / G(3)796 / CP(E) 468 / W&R118 / Lau765 / StF247 I danced in the morning / Lord of the Dance (Sydney Carter). Lyrics and tidbits of info.You all know this one, right? For Passion Sunday, it may be best to
stop this partway through, and sing the rest on Easter Sunday. Good for kids Oldy-but-a-goody.
- GtB God is love and love is giving (Ross Langmead)
A simple kids' song about God's love. A round. Sound sample. Good for kids.
- Tune In / Online Resource O Spirit God to you we pray / In the shape of a cross (Dave Brown) A cry to God for help. Free downloadable songbook and sound samples.
- Online resource / MV047 Born in human likeness (Bruce Harding) A simple Christmas round. Sheet music. Good for kids.
- TiS
217 / AHB 148 / NCH43 / CH519 / UMH384 / VU333 / A&M721 / LBW315 / ELW631 /
A&M721 / GA463 / HPP48 / GtG366 / PH376 / GC622 / GC(II)613 / G(3)641 / CP485/6 / CP(E) 516 /
W&R358 / Cha517 / Srce457 / URW100 / 82Hml-657 / Lau801 / StF503 / MP449 Love divine all loves excelling
(Charles Wesley) A beautiful classic
song and most hymnals use a very inclusive version of this hymn, even
the AHB. Lyrics and sheet music. You may also like to give Rend Collective Experiment's version a listen (hard for congregations to sing, but nice for listening). Thanks to Noodle Thrower for this suggestion. Oldy-but-a-goody.
Matthew 21:23-32
Who gave Jesus authority? The disobedient and obedient sons
Many of the songs suggested for the Philippians reading will also work here in terms of following the theme of servanthood.
- NCH400 / VU325 Christ is made the sure foundation (John Mason Neale, England, based on a 6th century text) Most versions of this early Latin hymn are old translations which are not so suitable for modern congregations. NCH has good lyrics “Here renew your servants’ vision, that by faith they may attain peace and hope, renewed compassion, strength to comfort those in pain, tears and grief transformed to gladness in your everlasting reign.” Lyric video (instrumental).
- Online Resource / TiS
749 / AoV1-154 / AoVK-131 / ATE 305 / NCH360 / Iona (SBL, Freedom is
coming) / CH800 / UMH497 / VU572 / WoV773 / ELW809 / GA493 / A&M481 / HPP340 / GtG746 / G(II)484
/ GC677 / GC(II)674 / G(3)776 / W&R713 / Cha447 / SP234 / StF782 Send me Jesus / Thuma mina (Unknown, South Africa) You all know this one, right? If you don't - it's great - simple, repetitive, and meaningful. Sound and sheet music sample and purchasing options. Youtube.
- Online Resource / CH488 / AA130 Teach us O loving heart of Christ (Shirley Murray, Aotearoa / New Zealand) Good, powerful words seeking forgiveness for those things we
have not done or said. The tune is new, but fairly simple. Sheet music & lyrics.
- TiS 259 / Iona (Love From Below) Among us and before us Lord you stand (John Bell, Scotland) Good words. The set tune (GATEHOUSE) will need to be taught. It can also be sung to SURSUM CORDA. Lyrics (Downloads a powerpoint presentation)
Do you have ideas that you would like to share? Please add them in a comment below!
Written in Manchester Airport, UK, after the 22nd UK Sacred Harp Convention in 2017; updated during the 2nd coronavirus lockdown in Melbourne 2020, then again at home in Melbourne 2023, and then in Narita Airport in 2026!
