Genesis 32:22-31
Jacob seeks forgiveness from Esau,
sending his family onwards, he remains alone and wrestles all night,
obtaining a blessing from a man/God; seeing God face to face.
- *Traditional Freedom is a constant struggle
(African-American) I love this song and I think it might work with this reading. Could be
good used during prayers of confession or a time of lament. Lyrics. Old recording on Youtube.
- 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. New words to old tunes.
- TiS 506 / AHB 430 / A&M424 / CP064 / CP(E) 281 / StF572 Author of life divine
(Charles Wesley) Good inclusive words and a simple traditional tune; mystery of
communion and seeing God's face. There is also a more modern tune from
Carlton Young available from GIA music. Lyrics and sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- *MV027 Creator God you gave us life
(Judith Snowdon) “through the mist of time and space, we search for
that which makes us whole…. our spirits soar beyond the veil to touch
the very face of God”. A soaring tune that hits the “weepy” button for
me, though I don’t know why. Easy to sing after a brief introduction, I
think. Lyrics (scroll a bit).
- TiS 516 /
AHB 438 / NCH336 / CH664 / UMH623 / VU459 / LBW211 / A&M447
/ HPP521 / GtG517 / PH520 / GtG029 / CP(E) 304 / Cha416 /
82Hml-318 / MP230 Here O my Lord I see thee face to face / Here gracious Lord, we see you face to face
(Horatio Bonar) I prefer the more chant-like setting of this (Adoro to Devote),
but I know the hymn-like tune (ST AGNES) is probably more familiar.
Some translations are more inclusive than others. Best if you are
serving communion during your service. Lyrics & sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- FFS19 For the hurt I create (Shirley Murray)
Beautiful tunes (there are two) and words. Tune (ii) is most simple, so
use that if you will sing it as a congregation, but tune (i) is good if
you have musicians who can sing it for your
congregation. If using tune (ii) you may like to suggest that your
congregation join in on "forgive me, Lord, forgive", but make sure you
teach it to them first, because the third one
is different to the other three. "For the hurt that I create.... for the
evil I condone... for works of peace I do not do... for hope and help
that I refuse... forgive me Lord, forgive"
- ATOK 342 Jacob struggled for a blessing (Robin
Mann). Excellent words. “When we struggle in the darkness, take away our
fear and doubt. In the dirt beneath the surface quiet seeds begin to
sprout”. Lyrics
- FFS20 Forgive forgive us Holy God
(Shirley Murray) Very easy tune for a congregation to sing (and there
are 5 verses to learn it in!). The words focus on our desensitisation to
violence and our greed, so a nice fit for this week's reading. The
final verse has a focus on communion, but still makes sense if you are
not celebrating the eucharist this week. Lyrics and sheet music.
- UMH386 / A&M616 / CP539 / CP(E) 407 / URW148 / 82Hml-638 / StF461 Come O thou Traveler unknown
(Charles Wesley) This is an older hymn, and will not suit all congregations. I
think it's quite mysterious and good. Maddy Prior recorded a good folky
version of it, here. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- SP&P107 Great is your faithfulness O God of Jacob / Your grace is enough
(Matt Maher) This very popular Christian rock song is pretty good. Note
that the lyrics on most of Matt Maher's recordings are not the same as
in SP&P. I quite like the changes he made for SP&P. The chorus
is a bit repetitive, but "Your grace is enough" bears repeating really. Youtube.
- Online Resource / Tune In / NCYC '07: Forgive us now (Dave Brown)
This is one of the best songs seeking forgiveness that I know. Lyrics, sound sample, and free sheet music. "Forgive us now, O mother love for all the idols we have built, For all
the time we’ve worshipped there in company of dark despair. Forgive us
mother of all hope”.
Psalm 17:1-7, 15
Asking for God to listen; God testing
and trying and visiting by night, but the Psalmist has been faithful. I
shall behold your face and be satisfied when I wake and see it.
-
*NCH Psalter 17
(Jane Marshall) A good translation of the Psalm and a simple lovely
refrain. BTW, if you're ever looking for an inclusive language version
of any Psalm, NCH is a good place to start.
-
*GtG211 Hear O Lord my plea for justice (Michael Morgan) Excellent words set to a simple flowing tune; words are a little formal.
- MV214 May God's sheltering wings (Judith Snowdon) A nice simple blessing and benediction, which may be sung about a feminine or a masculine God. Lyrics.
-
*PfAS017A / PfAS017B Lord bend your ear (Jeffrey Honoré) A very simple refrain which can be used with a read or chanted version of the Psalm. Good for kids
-
TiS006 Lord when your glory appears my joy will be full / O Lord hear a cause that is just (Carlton
Young) This cantored Psalm is very beautiful. There is something about
it that is quite formal and reverential without being pompous.
- *URW238 Keep me keep me as the apple of your eye (Jane Marshall) Very simple refrain for this Psalm, read responsively.
- Taizé / TiS
741 / AoV1-017 / ATE 282 / LBW368 / ELW407 / GA431 / SFFS 2200 /
GtG471 / G(II)410 / GC586 / GC(II)566 / G(3)666 / W&R484 / Srce519 / URW390 / Lau929 / PfAS013A / PfAS102A / MP908
O Lord hear my prayer
(Jacques Berthier) A simple and very well known Taizé chant. Works well during
intercessions. You could read the Psalm between repeats of this chant,
or just use as a chant as is. Sheet music samples. Good for kids
- TiS
613 / AHB 546 / ATOK 405 / CH166 / LBW469 / ELW765 / A&M713 /
SFFS2197 / HPP265 / GtG683 / GC578 / GC(II)560 / G(3)663 / CP506 /
CP(E) 507 /
W&R469 / URW179 / 82Hml-482 / Lau969 / StF526 / MP882 Lord of all hopefulness Lord of all joy
(Jan Struther)
Excellent straightforward Irish tune (SLANE), and beautiful words.
Would be a good choice for the final song. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes
-
VU739 Guard me as the apple of your eye (Hal Hopson) A nice refrain for this Psalm.
-
TiS
47 / AHB 46 / AoV1-175 / NCH25 / CH161 / UMH117 / VU806 / LBW320 /
ELW806 / GA459 / A&M746 / HPP1 / GtG687 / PH210 / GC614 / GC(II)588 / G(3)688 / CP528 / CP(E) 537 /
W&R84 / Cha067 / Srce2-441 / URW200 / 82Hml-680 / PfAS090B / Lau955 / StF132 / MP498 O God our help in ages past (Isaac Watts) A
good solid very well known hymn! The surprising thing about this one
is that the language is inclusive for God in most sources. Not all
sources are inclusive for humanity, so check. Lyrics and sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
-
*ATFG575 / VU400 / WoV775 / ELW752 / SFFS 2193 / GtG469 / HPP403 / W&R489 / Cha305 / ZSS156 Lord Listen to Your Children Praying (Ken Medema) A simple, repetitive song which would be fun to play around with - you could do it fast or slow. Sheet music sample. Youtube sound sample (album version.
-
ELW561 / G(II)552 / GC762 / PfAS1040 / Lau12a Joyous Light of Heavenly Glory
(Marty Haugen) Excellent words of light and darkness, sung to a simple
hymn tune.
-
G(II)24 / GC25 Lord When Your Glory Appears (Ray James Stewart) A simple and good refrain. Lyrics and melody line. Sound sample.
Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-5
Come to the waters, God's abundance is free for all, listen and live
- Taizé Let all who are thirsty come (Taizé Community) A lovely simple chant. Sheet music, sound samples for learning.
- *BUC Song Project Broken (Elaine Loukes) This song seeking God's open arms at the end of a dry journey fits this reading well.
- *Online Resource Dry
(Paul Somerville) An excellent song seeking refreshment from the living
water and grace of Christ. It will need a little time for teaching, or
ask your musicians to sing it. We used this at Brunswick on Ash
Wednesday. Unfortunately, it is not currently available online, but if you have a copy, dig it out!
- *W&R655 / URW202 Come Away from Rush and Hurry (Marva Dawn) Excellent words of resting in a sacred space to the familiar tune BEACH SPRING (TiS 493) Lyrics. New words to old tunes
- GtG078 You thirsty ones come to the spring!
(Andrew Donaldson) Pretty tune and a simple paraphrase of this reading. The
tune will need to be taught, but there are 5 verses, so it's worth it. Lyrics.
- G(3)815 The Thirsty Cry for Water Lord
(Herman Stuempfle / Marty Haugen) Excellent words. The
tune is pretty straightforward. Lead sheet. Sound sample.
- AoV1-074 Come To The Water
(Frank Andersen) A beautiful paraphrase of this reading. Familiar to
many, but easy to sing if not. It is not entirely inclusive. Lyrics.
- Online Resource / Tune In / NCYC 2009 / ATAR598 God has laid a feasting table / Invitation
(Shawn Whelan). Feminine imagery of God gathering her guests to a feasting
table. Sample and free downloadable songbook.
- *StS060 / G(II)538 / GC743 / GC(II)740 / G(3)842 / URW055 / Online Resource Come to me come to us you who are burdened (Rory Cooney) Very lovely, simple, welcoming song. Sound sample, and music for purchase.
- AoV1-151 / GtG479 / GA400 / G(II)350 / GC504 / GC(II)499 / RS 642 Oh Everyone Who Thirsts (To Everyone That Thirsts) / Come to the feast
(Marty Haugen) Dramatic call and congregational response. This could be
a lot of fun - don't try to do all the verses though... lyrics and sheet music sample. Sound sample (I'd probably do it more energetically than this sample).
- TiS 34 O Lord you are my God for you I long (John Dunn) Quite a nice paraphrase. Tune is not easy, but good once known.
-
AoVNG30 / SP&P016 / Srce2-24 All who are thirsty for justice / Come to the Water
(Ray Makeever) Nice song, and I really like the lyrics. A good song to be
sung by the musicians to welcome the congregation, or before communion.
Could be schmaltzy if you're not careful. Lyrics and sound sample.
- VU870 / CP419 / W&R25 / URW069 Let all creation bless the Lord (Carl P Daw) A very majestic hymn (the to tune MIT FREUDEN ZART). A good opening hymn. Lyrics & sheet music. New words to old tunes
- ATW 435 Like the woman of old / Wellsprings
(Don Stewart) A favourite song in our congregation about going to the "Wellsprings of
life"and finding Jesus there. Picks up themes of tiredness, broken
hearts and weariness, but makes the point that it's worth the effort.
- Taizé / MV102 / GC(II)648 / GC(3)752 Jesus your spirit in us (Taizé Community) "Jesus your spirit in us is a wellspring of life everlasting" Lyrics in English and German. Sheet music sample. Very very slow sound sample.
You know, Taize music is not necessarily slow. When one of the brothers
visited here, he strongly encouraged us not to be so slow!
- ATW 475 Come to the banquet there’s a place for you (Fay White) An
excellent song by Melbourne singer and songwriter. "Though
you maybe have no money, though you maybe feel unworthy, in your
strength and in your weakness you are welcome, come." Lyrics. Good for kids.
God is excellent
- TiS 100 / AHB 3 / NCH017 / CH147 / UMH62 / VU217 / LBW527 /
ELW835 / A&M532 / GA395 / HPP261 / GtG020 / PH455 / GtG015 / GC534 / GC(II)523 / G(3)611 /
CP(E) / 250 / W&R23 / Cha022 / 82Hml-400 / Lau694 / StF099 / LUYH551 / MP007 All creatures of our God and King
(Francis of Assisi) A good classic sing! Hymnals vary a LOT in their
translations and verses included. Using only Alleluia Alleluia or "Sing
your praises" as some hymnals do, eliminates the
"Oh praise him" which makes it annoyingly male exclusive. NCH has "To
you, O God,
all creatures sing" and eliminates all kingly language. ELW has "All
creatures worship God most high". Lyrics and sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- MV048 I can feel you near me God / Jump for joy
(Pat Mayberry) Good song for smaller kids about God being with us. I reckon
you could get the kids to Jump in the chorus. Maybe it's a bit too
happy clappy for some? Good for kids. Lyrics.
- Iona / CH788 / MV104 / GtG659 Know that God is Good / Mungu ni mwema (Traditional Congo) This traditional African refrain is just lots of fun and very simple to sing. Good for kids and adults! Sheet music sample.
- TiS
132 / AHB 65 / NCH277 / CH651 / UMH64 / VU315 / LBW165 / ELW413 /
A&M276 / HPP243 / GtG001 / PH138 / G(II)332 / GC475 / GC(II)483 / CP001 / CP(E) 202 /
W&R136 / Cha004 / Srce243 / 82Hml-362 / Lau468 / StF011 / MP237 Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty (Francis Reginald Heber)
Old other-worldly language, but a surprisingly inclusive (in most
hymnals) classic, and a great rousing hymn tune. Different resources
have slightly altered lyrics. A surprisingly non-inclusive sample can be
found here. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- MV176 Three things I promise
(Brian Wren / Dan Damon) Beautiful words of seeking to live faithfully from Brian
Wren. The set tune is unfamiliar, but very beautiful, and if not
familiar to your congregation would make a good reflective piece (for
the congregation to sing in later weeks). You could also sing it to one
of the suggested alternate tunes PROSPECT and WAREHAM if you like. New words to old tunes
- StJ / G(II)346 / GC506 / GC(II)508 / G(3)586 You Are All We Have (Francis Patrick O'Brien) A nice refrain and good cantor parts. Somewhat formal. Sound sample, sheet music sample and a different sound sample.
- 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) ). Older version lyrics and sheet music sample.Oldy-but-a-goody.
- 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
- Taizé / MV009 O Come and let us sing to God our hope (Taize) "God's mercy is forever". Joyful gathering chant. Sound samples, sheet music.
- CH101 You are kind and full of compassion
(The Grail, Inclusive Language Version) This is not a hymn, but a
beautiful paraphrase of this Psalm that could be read as a poem or
alternate translation reading.
Romans 9:1-5
Paul's anguish for the Israelites
- TiS
129 / AHB 56 / AoV1-029 / ATA 131 / NCH547 / CH555 / UMH378 / VU266 /
LBW448 / ELW779 / A&M587 / GA437 / HPP334 / GtG649 / PH280 / G(II)434 / GC612 / GC(II)586 / G(3)645 /
CP352 / CP(E) 375 / W&R422 / Cha546 / ZSS202 / Srce25 / Lau846 / StF440 / MP031 Amazing grace how sweet the sound (John Newton) I once was lost... I think you all know this one. Nice youtube of some Sacred Harp singing, and a story. I love the recording of Dr G Yunipingu singing this in Yolngu; so sad that he is no longer singing on this earth. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- TiS
578 / AHB 491 / UMH529 / VU660 / NCH407 / SLW075 / LBW507 / ELW796 /
HPP248 / GtG463 / PH361 / GC606 / GC(II)587 / G(3)694 / CP527 /
W&R411 / Cha618 / PfAS011B / Srce254 / 82Hml-636 / MP243 How firm a foundation (Unknown) The
lyrics of almost all these versions is quite masculine. NCH has good
alternative lyrics that are inclusive, and GtG is inclusive but retains the "thees" and "thys". Oldy-but-a-goody
- *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 in Winter...
- *VU255 / CP348 The living God be praised (Daniel ben Judah) A new translation of "The God of Abraham praise". Excellent words, and of course, a familiar tune (LEONI). New words to old tunes. Lyrics.
- Tune In / Online Resource: Hail the fisherfolk (Dave Brown)
A bluesy litany of the saints, including the fishermen of yesterday and
the fisherfolk of today. This song celebrates the many people who have
followed God’s call
through the ages. Lyrics, sound sample, and free sheet music.
- Online Resource “Where is bread?” the great crowd murmured.
(Carolyn Winfrey Gillette) This hymn, to ABBOTS LEIGH (a good
familiar tune), focusses on the issue of hunger then and now. Strong
social justice vision. "Where is bread?" the call is rising; Millions cry
who must be fed. God, your answer seems surprising: "You, my Church,
you give them bread." Words and music available here. New words to old tunes.
- Tune In / NCYC09 / ATAR598 God has laid a feasting table / Invitation (Shawn Whelan) Feminine imagery of God gathering her guests to a feasting table. Fun Cuban rhythm. Lyrics, sound sample, and free sheet music.
- Online Resource How long will we sing? / Until all are fed (Bryan Field McFarland
and Tommy Brown) Excellent words focussed on the need to feed the hungry all over the world. Very singable, and a catchy chorus. Sheet music.
- TiS
537 / ATE 297 / NCH347 / CH673 / VU468 / StS123 / WoV754 / ELW674 /
HPP536 / GtG526 / PH514 / W&R698 / Cha422 / ZSS206 /
URW096 Let us talents and tongues employ
(Fred Kaan) Great for kids, excellent Jamaican rhythm which you can have a lot of
fun with. It's also very adaptable and works well with any instruments.
“Loaves abound!”. Sheet music and lyrics.
- NCH173
/ CH532 / UMH344 / VU563 / WoV784 / ELW817 / HPP324 / GtG721 / PH377 /
G(II)500 / GC696 / GC(II)678 / G(3)781 / W&R347 / Cha342 / Lau871 / StF558 Lord, you have come to the seashore / You have come down to the lakeshore / Pescador de Hombres (Cesáreo Gabaráin) There
are many translations of this song. I like the NCH version best as it's
most inclusive. The song can get a bit shmaltzy, but the tune is a nice
lilting one and the words are great. “On the sand I have abandoned my
small boat; now with you I will seek other seas”. Sound sample. Lyrics and sheet music.
- AHB 565 Feed us now O Son of God
(Peter John Douglas Allan) I like this old 1970s folky song. I don’t
know why it didn’t make it into TiS. One of my childhood favourites. I
think kids still like it, too. Good for kids
- TiS 538 / AoV2-093 Feed us now Bread of life
(Robin Mann) One of my favourite communion songs. Simple to sing, and
beautiful simple theology. “Piece of bread, cup of wine, Lord this food
is good”. Lyrics Good for kids
- UMH434 / VU702 / StJ / R249 / ELW725 / GtG762 / PH407 / W&R624 / Cha662 Cuando el Pobre / When a poor one / When the Poor Ones (Miguel Manzano / Jose Antonio Olivar) The words to this are just wonderful liberation theology. Lyrics
- *TiS
511 / AHB 433 / AoV2-098 / NCH330 / UMH618 / VU480 / LBW212 / ELW471 /
HPP524 / GtG525 / PH513 / GC832 / GC(II)832 / W&R699 / Cha425 /
82Hml-325 / StF592 / MP414 Let us break bread together on our knees / with the Lord
(Traditional / US Folk) A good one for people to join in on without needing to
look at lyric sheets or projections if you are celebrating communion
this week.Oldy-but-a-goody
- Recorded music Five loaves and two fishes
(Corinne May) I've listened to a few samples of this song, and it might
work well played to your congregation, although it gets a bit schmaltzy
for my taste. She has a beautiful voice! Lyrics are here, and you can listen to the whole song at YouTube and/or download the song from iTunes.
- NCH306 / UMH589 /
VU601 / LBW433 / ELW729 / GtG320 / PH421 / GC(II)665 / G(3)765 /
CP584 / W&R623 / Cha475 / StF415 / Lau896 The church of Christ in every age
(Fred Pratt Green) These lyrics are well-rounded and would be great to
sing. A couple of possible tunes including WALY WALY and CHURCH
TRIUMPHANT, WAREHAM. New words to old tunes. Lyrics.
Do you have ideas to share? Please add them in a comment below.
