Song suggestions for coming Sundays...

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World Day of Migrants and Refugees - 27 September 2026

There are various days for focussing on Refugees and Migrants. Here are a few song ideas. 
 
For more resources, check out the booklet from the Hymn Society that has many songs to welcome refugees and migrants. There are also (non-musical) resources at the Refugee Highway Partnership, Faithward, and Pilgrim Uniting Church. 
Also, if you have spare musical instruments, and based in Australia, you might like to consider donating to Music for Refugees.
  • Online Resource / TLUS139 Love over hate (John Oldham, Canada / Pat Mayberry, Canada) A beautiful song of love overcoming hate, fear, and lies. "You are the love that makes us whole". This would work really well particularly if you wish to connect with racism against migrants. Lyric video. Sheet music.  
  • Online Resource Holy is the refugee (Hannah Brown / Mark Miller, USA) Excellent words and joyful affirming chorus recognising the holiness in all, particularly people who are refugees, queer or people of colour.  Lyrics, sheet music preview and purchasing options.
  • Online Resource / GWA216 / TLUS022 Build a longer table (David Bjorlin, USA) Excellent words about making space and making welcome for refugees; sung to the familiar tune NOEL NOUVELET. Or you could use a new tune! Sound sample, lyrics and sheet music preview and purchasing options. New words to old tunes. Here is the version with the new tune! Sound sample of the new tune.
  • Online Resource / Tune In See our God with the tear-streaked face / Our God who weeps (Kate Scull, Australia) Very simple folk tune and challenging and hopeful lyrics. Free downloadable songbook, lyrics and sound samples.
  • Online Resource O God of mercy at whose call (Bob Faser, Australia) Written for Australian congregations, these words are (sadly) still very timely today as our nation's leaders deny access to Australia to those who come by boat. Sung to the well know tune MELITA. Tune sheet music. Lyrics New words to old tunes.
  • Online Resource: The children come (Carolyn Winfrey-Gillette, USA) For those in the USA, this new song focussed on care for unaccompanied children entering the USA was particularly appropriate last year, and sadly, still very appropriate this year. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
  • Online Resource In these times (Marty Haugen, USA) A beautiful new song that focuses clearly on the current refugee crisis and God's clear command that we should create a place of welcome. Sheet music for purchase. 
  • Online Resource / FFS60 Stranger standing at my door (Shirley Murray, New Zealand) Amazing words, but a tricky tune. Would be good if you have a good soloist in your congregation who would sing this and the congregation listen to the very meaningful words. Last verse is "I am fearful of your claim, yet I cannot turn away. Stranger with a foreign name, are you angel here to stay? You are messenger and guest, you the Christ I can't ignore, you my own compassion's test, stranger standing at my door; you the Christ I can't ignore." Lyrics and sheet music (click on the little PDF icon).
  • Online Resource A child a woman and a man (Brian Wren, USA) Excellent words of welcoming the stranger among us. Lyrics & sheet music. There is also a more modern alternate tune by David MacGregor here. Sound sample.
  • Online Resource / Walk as One Love makes a way (Alison Campbell Rate, Australia) Excellent words about loving the stranger, with a bridge based on 1 Corinthians 13. Book (PDF) for purchase here.
  • MV 145 / CP418 / SP&P123 Draw the circle wide (Gordon Light, Canada) A great song about welcoming all people. Chorus is “Draw the circle wide, draw it wider still. Let this be our song, no-one stands alone, standing side by side, draw the circle wide”. Lyrics and sound sample.
  • FFS34 I am standing waiting (Shirley Murray, New Zealand) Good words of justice for children of poor nations to the well known French melody AU CLAIR DE LA LUNE. "I am standing waiting, waiting at your door, one of hunger's children from a billion poor" Lyrics. New words to old tunes .
  • Online Resource / A&M365 / CH198 / GC753 / GC(II)741 / G(3)850 / GtG301 / HPP550 / Lau458 / MV001 / SP176 / StF409 / URW058 / VT036 Let Us Build a House / All are welcome (Marty Haugen, USA) This song has wonderful lyrics of hope for what a Christian community can be like, and a chorus that joyfully says “All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place”. Sheet music sample and purchasing option. Sound sample
  • Online Resource / VU77 / PH035 / GtG153 / 82Hml-246 In Bethlehem a Newborn Boy (Rosamond Herklots, India / England) Great words acknowledging the danger Christ was born into, the danger that still exists today, and Christ's redemptive power over it. The phrase "but down the ages rings the cry of those who saw their children die" is so powerful, and reminds me of families in Syria, on refugee boats, and in hospitals. The tune is suitably solemn and simple; somewhat formal.  This is a song that may be sung more commonly at Christmas, but would also be appropriate for a Sunday such as this. Lyrics, choral sound and sheet music sample with downloadable sheet music for purchase.
  • FFS78 Who are these strangers? (Colin Gibson, New Zealand) Good words of questioning faith; quite sad and challenging. The tune is new, but it quite intuitive. "Who are these strangers? Why do they throng, crowding the place where we belong? Why do they haunt us with their pain, eyes that have seen so many slain? We do not know them, yet we kneel and bring them to this holy place, where bread is broken, wine is shared, suffering met by love and grace".
  • Here in this place Come and share this land (Helen Wiltshire, Australia) A terrific song to help us learn that sharing our country and freedom is a great thing to be able to do. I think this would be Good for kids sung to ORIENTIS PARTIBUS, but maybe there is a more appealing tune for kids out there? Unfortunately, this book is no longer available online, but if you have a copy, now's the time to dig it out. 
  • Online Resource / AoV2-102 / GA509 Who will speak if we don't (Marty Haugen, USA) Excellent challenging words. Sheet music for purchase, sound sample and preview. Good for teenagers.
  • Online Resource / TiS 690 / CH259 / A&M557 / StS115 / SP237 / Srce54 / StF693 / MP806 Beauty for brokenness hope for despair (Graham Kendrick, England) Themes of healing from personal and universal suffering and an emotive chorus. “Refuge from cruel wars, havens from fear, cities for sanctuary, freedoms to share, peace to the killing-fields, scorched earth to green; Christ for the bitterness, his cross for the pain”. It's a bit schmaltzy. Lyrics, chords, sheet music for purchase.
  • Online Resource / Walk as One I am the way (Leigh Newton / David Froemming, Australia) A simple song, with powerful justice-focussed lyrics. Sound sample. Book (PDF) for purchase. 
  • Online Resource Travelling travelling over the world / Break the bread of belonging (Brian Wren, USA) Excellent words about welcoming people who have travelled far. "we have each been a stranger". Sheet music and lyrics.
  • TiS 629 / AHB 558 / AoV2-136 / ATA 197 / CH544 / VU600 / Lau888 / StF256 When I needed a neighbor were you there (Sydney Carter, England) A classic folk church song. Well known and fits well with this theme. "And the creed and the colour and the name won't matter"... Lyrics. Good for kids. Oldy-but-a-goody.
  • 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.
  • Recorded music Our God of hope / Carry the Dream (John Coleman, Australia) A good song about God being with the hope of refugees, protesters, prophets. It would be even better if someone from your congregation sings it. Sound sample and purchasing options. 
  • Online Resource No longer strangers and aliens (Jack Davidson, USA) This catchy song is based on Ephesians 2; it would be more appropriate for American congregations, since they actually call people aliens over there... Recording. 
  • Online Resource / GtG154 Jesus entered Egypt (Adam Tice, USA) Another song from the Christmas season that also serves as a reminder that we need to reach out to the refugee, migrant and stranger among us. Highly recommended. "Jesus entered Egypt fleeing Herod's hand, living as an alien in a foreign land. Far from home and country with his family, was there room and welcome for this refugee?". Lyrics (PDF). Sheet music for purchase. 
  • Recorded music Huddled Masses (Shaina Taib, USA) More appropriate for congregations in the USA, but it's a great listen. Youtube. Also this recording which is amazing. 
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Songs for Mental Health Sunday

In response to a reader's request, here are some songs for Mental Health Sunday, to help support people with mental health challenges and their families. To read more about this and access educational and liturgical resources, see this website (United Church of Christ and United Church of Canada) and this one. 

Whether you host an entire service, or wish to simply include a song that reflects on God's love for people with mental health challenges as part of a normal Sunday service, I hope that you will find something here to help. 

  • 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.
  • TiS 693 / AoV1-031 / GA212 Come as you are that's how I want you (Deidre Browne, Australia) This song is beautiful, gentle, simple, and very well known (in Australia, at least!). "I came to call sinners, not just the virtuous". Lyrics. Slow and mushy sound sample. A good song to start the service.
  • AoV2-070 / ATW 496 / MV090 / StJ Don't be afraid (John Bell, Scotland) Excellent. I love this song of reassurance. "Don't be afraid, my love is stronger. My love is stronger than your fear". This song can be used as a response to intercessions. Sound sample. Good for kids.
  • NCH176 / UMH264 / VU620 / HPP159 / GtG180/181 / Cha186 Silence frenzied unclean spirit (Thomas Troeger, USA) The words are very powerful and do not hold back about the challenges faced - particularly for a service reflect on mental health challenges, and are relevant to our tendency to have busy overcrowded minds. It will need to be placed in context of the reading of Jesus casting out the demons of the Gerasene demoniac. It's not easy to sing, both because the words are challenging and because the set tune is hard, but can be sung to the more familiar (and easier) tune JEFFERSON (NCH 530) or EBENEZER. Sheet music sample.
  • Online Resource / SP&P108 Send your Spirit to set us free (Barbara Hamm, USA) A cool chant. It could be used quietly with an invitation to afllow God to fill our hearts and minds, or it could be used more quickly too. It could also work as a round, sung unaccompanied. Lyrics and sheet music.   Good for kids. 
  • Online Resource Calm me Lord as you calmed the storm (David Adam / Margaret Rizza, England) This is a lovely chant, and would be picked up fairly quickly. Thanks to Darren Garfield for this suggestion. Also in the book "Just Chants" by Margaret Rizza. Lyric video. Lyrics. Sheet music.
  • GWA187 When sorrow shrouds and numbs my waking hours (Pat Bennett, England) Very thoughtful words which names fully how we might experience disorientation, addiction, or suicidal thoughts, and celebrates that God protects even through these most difficult times. It's really beautiful. Set to the familiar tune SURSUM CORDA. New words to old tunes. 
  • Online Resource / Public Domain / NCH438 / UMH377 / LBW346 / ELW785 / HPP390 / GtG840 / W&R428 / Cha561 / Srce784 / MP757 When peace like a river / It is well with my soul (Horatio Spafford, USA) An older American hymn by someone who suffered great loss. Hymnals vary in how old fashioned the lyrics are, and only some include the chorus. Old school sheet music. A nice recording by Audrey Assad.
  • Online Resource / GWA188 O God of strength and everlasting kindness (Lucy Hannah, England) A song that does not shy away from asking God's strength in the midst of anxiety, chaos, and paranoia, and being assured of God's grace and strength. In GWA it is set to a new tune by Judy Gresham and Joel Payne, which is quite singable and very beautiful. Can also be sung to O PERFECT LOVE, which I prefer. New words to old tunes. Lyrics, sheet music sample, and purchasing options. Lyric video (new tune). 
  • Online Resource Cast out O Christ cast far away (Mary Louise Bringle, USA) Powerful words, set to the older tune MCKEE. Lyrics and sheet music for purchase. New words to old tunes.
  • TiS 737 / Iona (Common Ground, HSNW, T1AU) / A&M516 / SP142 / URW427 / Lau437 Lord Jesus Christ lover of all (John Bell, Scotland) A beautiful and simple chant. Note that some versions (T1AU at least) has a beautiful 4 part harmony arrangement with excellent moving parts in the lower registers. Would work well during intercessions. Sound sample.
  • TLUS099 I am sending you light / Sending You Light (Melanie DeMore, USA) This is a beautiful song of being held by others, a song of healing. It will need to be sung quite a bit more quickly for a congregation, and would be a lovely way to hold someone in need of care. You could sing just the chorus rather than the entire song. Lyrics and recording.  
  • Recorded Music Into the Deep (Malcolm Gordon, New Zealand) "Even the wind and the waves will listen to your voice, oh speak your love and your grace and calm the storm within". Sound sample and purchase options.
  • Online Resource God of dark and of growing places (Christopher Newell, England and Someone Jones) Excellent words of God in mystery, including the mystery of our minds. Sung to familiar hymn tunes (e.g. BLAENWERN). New words to old tunes.
  • 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 / Lau924 Brother, sister, let me serve you / Won't you let me be your servant? (Richard Gillard, New Zealand) 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.
  • Online Resource There's nothing I can see / Darkness (John Grummitt, England) This is not a congregational song, but it might be good to play this recording. It has a focus on needing light to shine in the darkness of depression or other issues of mental health. Recording. Thanks to John for sharing this song with me, and all of us.  
  • Recorded Music Be the one (Temitope) This is not a congregational song, but gosh, it could be really uplifting to listen to this in a service with this focus. It talks about how God can carry us through the most difficult times when we need internal peace. If you have a more contemporary congregation, they could easily sing along with it, of course. Youtube.   
  • 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, USA) 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.
  • Online Resource / TiS 690 / CH259 / A&M557 / StS115 / SP237 / Srce54 / StF693 / MP806 Beauty for brokenness hope for despair (Graham Kendrick, England) Themes of healing from personal and universal suffering and an emotive chorus. “Refuge from cruel wars, havens from fear, cities for sanctuary, freedoms to share, peace to the killing-fields, scorched earth to green; Christ for the bitterness, his cross for the pain”. It's a bit schmaltzy. Lyrics, sheet music, sound samples, purchasing options.
  • Online Resource / TLUS098 / VT612 When pain or sorrow / Hold on (Adam Tice, USA) Realistic words about the challenges we face, and a chorus that encourages us to "Hold on", and reassures us that when we can't hold on, the community holds us. Lyric video. Choral version sheet music for purchase.   
  • TiS 638 / NCH175 / CH717 / A&M518 / GtG793 / PH380 / UMH265 / LBW380 / ELW675 / PH380 / CP291 / CP(E) 346 / W&R638 / Cha503 / Lau430 / StF653 O Christ the healer we have come (Fred Pratt Green, USA) Beautiful words and simple to sing. Good for intercessions. I like the tune INVERCARRY best, but it can also be sung to TALLIS' CANON if your congregation needs a more familiar tune. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
  • Online Resource / TLUS010 / VT172 God calls you good, beloved child (Paul Vasile, USA) This is a beautiful song of affirmation, that even when others doubt you, God calls you good. Sound sample, lyrics and story. Sheet music for purchase. Also available for free in Songs for the Holy Other.  

Songs about specific mental health conditions  

  • Online Resource / GWA194 / TLUS033 God in whose memory no-one is lost / Forget-me-not hymn (Shirley Murray, New Zealand) This could be interpreted as a focus on dementia and forgetting, but the phrase "Do not forget us when we forget you" is applicable to many situations.  Lyrics and sheet music. Lyric video.  
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