Exodus 3:1-15
Moses meets God in the burning bush
- Online Resource / Tune In 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.
- Iona (WWHW) / StF049 God beyond all names never fully known (John Bell) A beautiful peaceful chant. It works best if you can do it as a round (or with just the soprano and tenor parts) or with all four parts. Mysterious.
- *SFFS 2010 I am who I am, I will be who I will (Jane Parker Huber) Excellent
words to the familiar tune ST DENIO (Immortal
Invisible God only wise). “I am who I am, I will be who I will, Unfetter
Creator and creating still! In such words of freedom our God’s clarion
voice speaks loudly or softly and our hearts rejoice”. Music and lyrics. New words to old tunes
- TiS
143 / AHB 80 / NCH1 / CH132 / UMH103 / VU264 / A&M676 / LBW526 / ELW834 / HPP37 /
GtG012 / PH263 / GC507 / CP(E) 474 / W&R48 / Cha066 / ZSS4 /
Srce296 / 82Hml-423 / Lau725 / StF055 / MP327 Immortal invisible God only wise (Walter Chalmers Smith) An oldy-but-a-goody. "In light inaccessible hid from our eyes". Lyrics, sheet music. Words are mostly inclusive for God's gender, but for the
last verse which our congregation usually sings as "Great Father of
glory, pure Mother of light", except for the last time we sang it. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- *AoV2-103 / AoVK-115 / G(II)514 / GC712 / GC(II)715 / G(3)809 The heavens embrace the earth / On Holy Ground (Donna Pena) I
love the energy and passion in this song and the vision of the heavens
embracing the earth. It will need to be taught. I especially like the “Do you believe in freedom?
Yes we do Lord! Do you believe in justice? Justice for all!” call in the
middle. Bilingual English/Spanish song. Sample.
- TiS
125 / AHB 53 / HPP24 / GC544 / CH162 / UMH116 / LBW544 / ELW831
/ A&M791 / HPP24 / GtG049 / PH488 / CP347 / W&R016 /
Cha024 / 82Hml-401 / Lau712 / StF091 / MP645 The God of Abr’am praise / The God of Abraham Praise
(Daniel ben Judah; Paraphrased: Thomas Olivers) A very well known hymn based on the Yigdal. NOTE: The lyrics are quite masculine in most hymnals, which vary
widely in which verses they include. I highly recommend seeking out the two versions listed below. Oldy-but-a-goody. Lyrics and sheet music.
- NCH24 The God of Abraham Praise
(Daniel ben Judah; Thomas Olivers; Max Landsberg; Newton M. Mann) This is an ecumenical version of the Yigdal - it doesn't have the phrase "Great I am", but you may still want to use it.
- *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.
- 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 / StF663 / MP857 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.
- FFS62 The Lord God walked in Paradise
(Colin Gibson) This tune is quite tricky, but
the words for verse 2 are very appropriate for this reading, which it
weaves into remembering Adam and Eve in the garden and Christ calling the
fishermen to join him. Lyrics and sheet music.
- AoV2-023 / GA393 / G(II)339 / GC492 / StF496 / Lau686 God beyond all names
(Bernadette Farrell). Excellent words. The verse can be tricky – lots of words to
fit in, so don’t take it too fast. You may like to use a cantor, soloist
or small group for the verses and ask the congregation to join in the
chorus “All around us we have known you, all creation longs to hold you,
in our living and our dying we are bringing you to birth”. Lyrics.
- TiS 651 Take, take off your shoes (Jim Manley) A
fun, and pretty silly, song. Good for kids; this song is focussed on caring for the earth and
creation more than the story of Moses, but it picks up the shoe removal
theme. Youtube.
Good for kids
- *NCH572 / UMH448 / WoV670 / HPP453 / GtG052 / PH334 / G(II)515 / GC715 / W&R618 / Cha663 / 82Hml-648 When Israel was in Egypt's land (African-American) Traditional song, quite familiar, and great to sing. Here's Louis Armstrong (and a few others) singing it. Good for kids Oldy-but-a-goody.
- *AoVK-36 / VU649 / SFFS 2242 / URW118 Walk with me I will walk with you
(John Rice) Nice simple words about being sent to do God's work. Also
mentions Moses' call, which will feature next week, so you could sing it
again. Organ sound sample. Good for kids.
- Recorded music Moses thought it odd (Justin Roberts) This song is a bit silly, but lots of fun for kids and might be good for your Sunday School class to listen to.
- ATAR684 Who am I? (Unknown) A good song for kids about all the different people called by God. Mentions Moses, Jonah, Esther and Jesus. Good for kids.
Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b
Story of the Exodus The readings above will also fit.
You might like to sing an Alleluia!
- TiS 66 Sing to God, sing praises (Helen Wright) A good cantor and refrain. The refrain will also work well with the Psalm being read from the verses.
- NCH022 / VU221 Sing praise to God who has shaped and sustains all creation!
(Joachin Neander / jane Marshall) A new translation of Neander's classic hymn
"Praise to the Lord the Almighty…". I quite like this. Sung to LOBE
DEN HERREN New words to old tunes.
- NCH Psalter Let the hearts of those who seek God rejoice! Good joyous refrain, which could be used with the sung or read Psalm.
- *AoVK-24 / Iona (T1AU) / CH756 Bless the Lord (Kenyan)
A good call and response chant – would make a good processional. Words
are: Bless the Lord (my sisters), Bless the Lord (my brothers) Bless
the Lord there is no other God. I think our congregation would really
enjoy this. The tune is identical to Reamo Leboga. Sound sample of Reamo leboga (scroll to the 3rd album).
- *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! Sound sample. It's a while since we've sung this, but it's great!
- *ATW 457 / Iona (T1AU) / CH751 / MV050 / StS017 / GC(II)260 / G(3)328 / URW402 Alleluia (Norah Duncan) A simple Alleluia. Gather version has a descant cantor part. Sound sample. More Alleluias here.
- MV187 / ELW682 We give our thanks / Reamo leboga (Traditional Botswana) A great song to sing for the offering. Sound sample (scroll to the 3rd album). We usually sing it much more quickly than this sample.
- ATE 216 / Iona (SBL) / CH126 / StJ / ELW555 / PH472 / G(II)365 / GC527 / RS 671 / CP417 / W&R15 / StF042 O sing to the Lord / Cantai ao Senhor / Cantad
al Señor (Traditional Brazilian) A good, fun and simple song that is
easy to learn in Portuguese or Spanish too; note that not all versions
are inclusive. Sheet music samples.
Good for kids
Alternative Hebrew Scriptures Jeremiah 15:15-21
Jeremiah seeks God, and is called by God and will speak God's words
- Online Resource / AoV2-102 / GA509 Who will speak if we don't (Marty Haugen) Excellent challenging words. Sound sample (a bit strange IMHO) and purchase options (scroll). Good for teenagers.
- *AoV1-030 / GA213 / G(II)282 / GC386 / GC(II)405 / G(3)484 / Lau842 Come back to me / Hosea (Gregory Norbet) Quite beautiful song of return to God. Nice sung sound sample. Lead sheet.
- ATOK 331 Turn to me with all your heart (John Ylvisaker) I like this one, unfortunately I can't find lyrics or sound samples online.
- GA304 / G(II)283 / GC389 / GC(II)410 / G(3)478 / Lau193 Return to God with all your heart (Marty Haugen) "Return to God with all your heart, the source of grace and mercy" Verses may need a cantor. Lead sheet. Sound sample.
Alternative Psalm: Psalm 26:1-8
Test me God, and I'll be faithful
-
ATW 423 Lord of every mystery / Examine my heart (Robin Mann) This is a bit tricky, but if familiar to your congregation would be great to sing. Lyrics (loads a pdf)
-
*NCH Psalter Your steadfast love is before my eyes (Elaine Kirkland) A beautiful and simple refrain to a cantored or read Psalm.
-
PfAS026A Your love is before my eyes (John Becker) A simple Psalm refrain.
-
*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 (includes a very skinny picture of Jesus).
-
NCH312 We love your realm O God (Timothy Dwight adapt. Lavon Baylor) Excellent words to the traditional hymn tune ST THOMAS. New words to old tunes
-
Emergent Psalter I've set my eyes on your love (Isaac Everett) A really nice refrain to the Psalm which can be read over an instrumental vamp. Sheet music (refrain only - click on "Downloads" tab)
-
AoVK-40 / NCH524 / UMH585 / ELW677 / A&M808 / HPP466 / G(II)358 / GC514 / GC(II)514 / G(3)591 This little light of mine (Harry Dixon Loes) The AoVK version has excellent verses that actually make the
chorus make sense, but will need to be practiced. Check them out if you have a copy. In the meantime,
watch Bruce Springsteen sing it here. It's amazing... Good for kids.
Oldy-but-a-goody.
-
Taizé / TiS 747 / ATE 214 / Iona (M&G) / GtG842 / PfAS027A / URW393 The Lord is my light, my light and salvation
(Jacques Berthier) A simple and very popular Taizé chant. Note that this is really easy on
recorder if you have a kid in your congregation who is learning it. Good for kids. Youtube.
-
Online Resource Bring us Justice
(Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A great song for older kids and teenagers; this
will need to be taught. The verses would work well sung in two parts by
the congregation, with one half singing the 1st and 3rd lines while the
other half sings the 2nd and 4th, then everyone joins on the chorus. Good for older kids and teenagers. Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music.
Romans 12:9-21
A bunch of wise instructions for living a peaceful life
- TiS
607 / AoV2-126 / ATN 95 / CH528 / VU684 / StJ / A&M725 / SFFS 2171 / HPP406 /
GtG753 / G(II)524 / GC726 / GC(II)721 / G(3)828 / CP(E)519/ W&R587 / Srce 462 / Lau898 / StF707 / MP456 Make me a channel of your peace (Sebastian Temple). Lovely. Nice if you can just start a capella... Youtube video of Sinead O'Connor singing it and lyrics Oldy-but-a-goody.
- NCH287 / FFS11 Come teach us Spirit of our God (Shirley Murray) Excellent words and a good tune.
- 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.
- ATW
463 / Iona (T1AU) / ELW721 / SFFS 2219 / A&M835 / GtG750
/ GC(II)451 / G(3)528 / W&R296 / URW436 Goodness is stronger than evil (Desmond Tutu) "Victory is ours, victory
is ours, through him who loves us". Some congregations change the last
line to "Compassion is ours, compassion is ours...". It depends on the
context in which you sing it, I suppose. Sound sample. Good for kids.
- *TiS 648 / NCH388 / UMH560 / HPP289 / GtG754 / PH358 / W&R596 / Cha487 Help us accept each other
(Fred Kaan) Very nice simple words about acceptance and love for all
people. The tune varies in each hymn book. I like the lilting tune
RUNNYMEDE in TiS, but if a more standard hymn is needed for your
congregation, it can also be sung to AURELIA (The church's one foundation). Lyrics and sheet music.
- TiS 672 / GA554 Lord of earth and all creation
(Michael and Honor Mary Thwaites) A call for renewal of creation and all God's created people
in Australia. Two possible tunes. The newer tune is very good, but if
your congregation can't do a new tune this week, it can also be sung to
WESTMINSTER ABBEY which is very well known. Lyrics (split by words of mission and blessing). New words to old tunes
- TiS 599 / AHB 520 / NCH448 /
CH502 / UMH399 / VU506 / LBW406 / ELW685 / A&M787 / HPP349 / GtG697 / PH391
/ CP435 / CP(E) 581 / W&R466 / Cha609 / Srce633 / 82Hml-707 / Lau874 / StF566 / MP624 Take my life and let it be (Frances Havergal) An oldy but a goody. Lyrics and story.
Oldy-but-a-goody.
Matthew 16:21-28
Jesus talks about his suffering to come; sometimes you have to lose your life to gain it
- TOSB087 / SFFS 2129 / HPP322 / W&R344 / Cha344 / Srce2-244 / MP272 I Have Decided to Follow Jesus (Simon Kama Marak) Good simple traditional chorus. Do you know the story behind it? I didn't. Read it here. Or, maybe that's wrong, if you read this historical analysis. Somewhere I have the lyrics in the original language, but am having trouble locating them, as the link I used to have has gone... Oldy-but-a-goody.
- TiS 473 / NCH314 / W&R615 / Cha655 / StF681 / Lau895 Community of Christ
(Shirley Murray) Beautiful words to a traditional Hebrew synagogue melody
(LEONI). This doesn't specifically mention salt, but the message is the
same! Easy to sing. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes
- 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 (South African) You all know this one, right? If you don't - it's great - simple, repetitive, and meaningful. Good for kids. Sheet music sample and lyrics. Youtube
- ATW 498 / Iona (T1AU) / MV 196 / SP&P182 / URW438 We will take what you offer (John Bell) An excellent simple short song that works well either as an upbeat chorus or as a reflective chant. "We will take what you offer. We will live by your word. We will love one another. And be fed by you Lord". Good for kids. Sound sample. Works especially well if you can teach the parts to your
congregation, or have a small core group who can add in at least the
bass part.
- Online Resource / Tune In He left his home, fam'ly, friends / A grain of wheat
(Sheree Anderson) Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and
dies, it won't form roots and grow. A boppy song with deeply meaningful
lyrics. Sound sample, lyrics and free downloadable songbook.
Good for kids & teenagers.
- ATOK
413 / Iona (HSNW) / CH533 / VU567 / StS039 / A&M510 / ELW798 / GA502 /
SFFS 2130 / HPP317 / GtG726 / G(II)510 / GC700 / GC(II)687 / G(3)790 / CP430 / CP(E) 622 /
W&R350 / URW060 / Lau877 / StF673 Will you come and follow me / The Summons
(Iona) A classic.
Don't sing it too slowly or it really drags and takes forever!
- STB262 Christ Is Our Peace (Shirley
Murray) Beautiful words of peace - this melody by I-to Loh is
hauntingly beautiful; it will need to be taught. Keep the
instrumentation simple.
What ideas do you have? Please share them in a comment below.
Exodus 1:8-2:10
The oppression and attempted genocide of the Israelites. The birth of Moses, his hiding and his adoption.
- MV78 / CH168 / FFS30 / SFFS 2048 / SP&P069 / StF700 God weeps at love withheld (Shirley Murray)
Pretty full-on lyrics of lamentation, that some may find difficult to
sing simply because of the horrors it names. In the context of this
story, I think this is okay. This is a really powerful story, let’s not
water it down. Lyrics.
- Online Resource / Brunswick Music Project Why do we listen and fail to hear / Lament - for a people with a people with a dull heart (Shawn Whelan) This lament, and its wailing ooooh would fit quite well with this passage, especially if you want to talk about genocides happening now that we are pretty good at ignoring from time to time. Free sheet music, lyrics and sound sample. Good for kids
- SFFS 2189 A Mother Lined a Basket (Mary Nelson Keithahn)
Quite a remarkable song about the risks we take in letting
children go. "A mother lined a basket to keep her baby dry, then rocked
him on a river lest he awake and cry, She let a princess name him, her
son, that he might live, God's people had a leader, she had such hope to
give". Lyrics.
- TiS 674 / Iona (Common Ground, Heaven Shall Not Wait) / A&M562 / CH253 / SP245
Inspired by love and anger (Iona) Powerful lyrics, simple English folk tune (SALLY GARDENS). Lyrics (search for "inspired") New words to old tunes
- TiS 689 / ATE 286 / GtB Lord hear my praying, listen to me / Sorrowing song (Robin Mann) Powerful words of prayer to a simple tune. Words are straightforward about asking difficult questions of God. Lyrics (loads a pdf).
- Online Resource The Children come (Carolyn Winfrey-Gillette)
For those in the USA, this new song focussed on care for unaccompanied
children entering the USA is particularly appropriate this week. Sheet music.
- ATA192 When people despair we would bring hope (Douglas Simper
/ Neil Quintrell) A good song looking positively at how we can encourage
others in times of difficulty, and a prayer to the Spirit. Lyrics (scroll through)
- NCH574 In Egypt under Pharaoh (Dosia Carlson) Second
verse is focussed on transport of African slaves, so may be most
meaningful for congregations in the USA. Would work okay without the 2nd
verse if you live elsewhere. THORNBURY would be a simpler tune. Lyrics (downloads a pdf) New words to old tunes
- *ELW710 / CP575 Let streams of living justice (William Whitla) Awesome words of justice. Sung to the familiar tune THAXTED. Lyrics. It could probably work to a different (less pompous) tune too. New words to old tunes
- Online resource Help Us O God to create a new future (Andrew Pratt) This song reflects on the slavery of the past, and its continuance, with a call to work until all are "Fully alive". Free sheet music.
- TiS
621 / UMH435 / VU677 / LBW416 / ELW713 / GtG756 / PH289 /
GC(II)717 / G(3)825 / CP593 / W&R626 / Cha680 / 82Hml-607 O God of Every Nation
(William Watkins Reid) Powerful words seeking God's redemption of the world. Can be
sung to LLANGLOFFAN or PASSION CHORALE, both very familiar hymn tunes. Lyrics and a tune sample. Go look at the lyrics just to bring a smile to your face. So much hope!
New words to old tunes
- Recorded music Pharoah (Richard Thompson) This song is about the modern Pharoah, and our slavery to money. The recording I have of this is by June Tabor, which is quite menacing. Richard Thompson wrote it. Oh, one more version, very celtic, from The House Band.
- TiS 629 / AHB 558 / AoV2-136 / ATA 197 / CH544 / VU600 / Lau888 / StF256 When I needed a neighbor were you there
(Sydney Carter) A classic folk church song. One story of hope that I think is great for kids is how Pharoah's
daughter cared for Moses regardless of where he was from. I think this
song would work well to tell that part of the story. Lyrics. Good for kids. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- Recorded music River Lullaby (Amy Grant) From "Prince of Egypt". This song is quite
mushy, but maybe it might be useful to think about the love of Moses'
mother, and any mother who must leave her child and hope for his or her
survival in the face of great danger. Youtube. Good for kids
Psalm 124
Strength in the face of oppression.
-
Online Resource / Tune in 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. Lyrics, sound sample and free downloadable songbook.
- *NCH Psalter 124 Our help is in the name of God (Jane Marshall) Simple refrain and good paraphrase of the Psalm for a cantor, chanting, or to be read with a response.
-
Online Resource / Tune In Come O God and visit us sick we pray / Your abundant life
(Dave Brown) A joyful song "Lead us into your abundant life". This has been
sung frequently by the musicians at BUC, but not by the congregation! Lyrics, sound sample and free downloadable songbook.
- TiS
123 / AHB 48 / NCH488 / CH691 / UMH534 / VU652 / A&M594 /
GtG819 / CP(E) 384 / W&R451 / Cha 566 / Src69 / Lau780 Be still my soul
(Katharina von Schlegel) Sometimes this can be a bit mushy, but the words are really very
strong and helpful. Lyrics and sheet music.
Oldy-but-a-goody.
-
Public Domain Freedom is a constant struggle
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; it doesn't have a happy ending. Historic sound sample.
- AoV2-149 /
NCH570 / UMH533 / HPP311 /
GtG379 / G(II)522 / GC724 / GC(II)711 / G(3)817 / W&R512 /
Cha630 / ZSS106 We shall overcome
(Zilphia Horton / Frank Hamilton / Guy Carawan / Pete Seeger) Particularly good if your
congregation is facing struggle. Other songs from the Civil Rights era
would also fit well with this Psalm. Here's the sound of Martin Luther King Jr talking about the power of this song.
Oldy-but-a-goody.
- *NCH497 / SFFS 2208 / GtG741 / PH354 / G(II)508 / GC707 / GC(II)684 G(3)780 / CP513 / ZSS141 Guide my feet while I run this race
(African-American Spiritual) Another excellent civil rights song. Would work well as a meditative prayer
for guidance or as an uplifting call to action at the end of the
service.You could also make up your own lyrics. Lyrics.
Good for kids.
- ATW
463 / Iona (T1AU) / ELW721 / SFFS 2219 / A&M835 / GtG750
/ GC(II)451 / G(3)528 / W&R296 / URW436 Goodness is stronger than evil (Desmond Tutu) Words from Archbishop Desmond Tutu. "Victory is ours, victory
is ours, through him who loves us". Some congregations change the last
line to "Compassion is ours, compassion is ours...". It depends on the
context in which you sing it, I suppose. Sound sample. Good for kids.
- Unknown Source Blessed Be God
(Linnea Good) This will need to be taught, but won't be too hard. Get one part
of the congregation on the chant part (God before me….) while the
others sing the top part, and then add in other parts as you are able. We have a copy of this at church, I believe.
Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Isaiah 51:1-6
Listen to God, salvation is coming, and is forever
- AoV1-061 / ATOK 355 / GtG359 / SFFS 2194 / G(II)521 / GC723 / GC(II)707 / G(3)814 / ZSS110 / SgTJ1035 Freedom is coming
(South African) Excellent and lots of fun, especially if you have a
keen African-style drummer in your congregation. It's really worth
teaching the parts to your congregation before the service. It can get a
bit confusing for the congregation otherwise. Good for kids.
- Online Resource / Tune In Come O God and visit us sick we pray / Your abundant life (Dave Brown) A joyful song "Lead us into your abundant life".Lyrics, sound sample and free downloadable songbook.
- TiS 657 / CH263 / VU700 / A&M559 / AA50 / CP(E) 447 / Cha656 / SP242 God of freedom God of justice (Shirley Murray) Powerful lyrics. Can be sung to either TREDEGAR (new, but not too hard) or PICARDY (very familiar). Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes
- *URW357 Praise to the One who sets prisoners free
(Elise Eslinger) This is written as a refrain for Psalm 146, but I think
that refrain alone as a round would be good for the kids' song.
Good for kids.
Alternative Psalm Psalm 138
God is great, strengthens us, protects us, God regards the lowly
- NCH Psalter Great is the glory of God A very simple refrain for a chanted (or read) Psalm.
- *Linnea Good I lifted my voice and spoke your name, your word of answer swiftly came
a very simple congregational response to the Psalm being spoken. It
would be great to do this. Need a confident reader who can preferably
lead the singing, or an attentive musician to come in at the right spot.
Good for kids.
- *Emergent Psalter They shall sing of the ways of the Lord (Isaac Everett) Simple psalm refrain and Psalm spoken over music in between the refrains. Sheet music (antiphon only).
- GC(II)700 / G(3)799 Lord you lead through sea and desert / You are strong you are holy (Sylvia Dunstan) Simple version of this psalm with a strong chorus. I don't know if our congregation would like it though. Sheet music. Sound sample.
- Iona (SBL) / CH140 / MV181 / WoV727 / ELW554 / G(II)341 / GC495 / StB178 Lord Your Hands Have Formed This World / The Earth is the Lord's (Ramon Oliano) Good words of creation to a lovely, and not too difficult, Phillippino melody. Lyrics (first verse only)
- ATW 480 On the day I called (Bernadette Farrell) A simple and pretty lovely song. Sound sample.
- TiS 86 / Srce793 With my whole heart I will praise you O Lord
(Arlo Duba) This refrain is fine. Verses should be read, perhaps while
playing the chords in the background.
Make sure to keep the chord quiet enough so they are not too distracting.
- *NCH085 / SFFS 2082 / Cha623 / ZSS105 Woke Up This Morning (African-American Spiritual) A great Spiritual. If you don't have one of these sources, you can just make it up from this video. This could be a good Sunday to make use of those choir stalls...
Good for kids.Oldy-but-a-goody.
Romans 12:1-8
Holy bodies, the church as one body.
- Online Resource / ATFG561 / Tune In Community (Dave Brown) A song about being welcomed and part of a community. Lyrics, sound sample and free downloadable songbook. Good for kids. "Part of a family interconnected, this is community; Welcoming strangers, visiting neighbours, this gives us dignity".
- *SFFS 2228 / GtG027 / StF618 / Online Resource Sacred the Body (Ruth Duck) 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." Tune and lyrics from Baylor University Christian Ethics Hymns Library (an excellent resource!).
- GGives1 Oh a body can't walk on its nose
(Emmanuel Covenant Community) Great little song about being part of
the body and working together. Chorus is "Oh I can't do without you and
you can't do without me, 'cos each little member has a special work to
do, to make the body grow". Lyrics. Good for kids.
- AoV2-013 / AoVK-108 Different Gifts yet we are one (Maggie Russell) Perfect words for this passage. Tune is a bit tricky. Lyrics & sound sample.
- AoV1-129
/ CH665 / UMH620 / VU467 / ELW701 / HPP525 / A&M461 / GtG530 / G(II)599 /
GC830 / GC(II)813 / CP073 / W&R689 / Cha393 / Lau832 One bread, one body (John Foley) A classic. Don't play it too slow or it takes forever!! Particularly appropriate if you are celebrating communion.
- WoV708 Grains of wheat richly gilded / Una espiga
(Cesáreo Gabarain) Spanish language communion song, with good words about how the grain
is transformed into one loaf, we are also transformed into one body. Excellent imagery, and good to sing,
especially with guitar.
- AoVK-148 / ATOK 388 There is one body (Trish Watts / Monica O'Brien) A good energetic song of unity. Good for kids.
- NCH271 / UMH538 / VU196 / PH131 / CP249 / W&R333 Wind who makes all winds that blow (Timothy Troeger) Excellent words. Familiar tune (ABERYSTWYTH).New words to old tunes.
- MV141 We are all one people
(Cheryl L'Hirondelle / Joseph Naytowhow) This Native American song really gets stuck in my head. I
think it's really good. Might take some work to get your congregation
going with it, though.
- GtG768 / StJ / GC(II)645 We Are the Body of Christ / Somos el Cuerpo de Cristo (Jaime Cortez) Bilingual verses and choruses. Will be good for a congregation where both languages are spoken.
- MV153 Body, mind and spirit (Margaret Motum) “Body,
mind and spirit, in god’s image born to be. Sing, rejoice in life most
sacred. Revel in mystery”. A simple 4 verse chant-like song. Simple
enough for the congregation after playing it through once. Really good
words.
- 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.
- AoVNG102 We are One Body in Christ (Amanda McKenna) Good words, and I can't remember why I liked this because I can't find the sound sample online anymore. Lyrics & sound sample.
- TiS 468 / NCH309 / PH436 We are your people Spirit of grace
(Brian Wren) I really like the lyrics to this one, but the tune is a bit funny
and the hymn is quite long. It needs something to stop people plodding
through it; maybe split the singing into male/female or different sides
of the congregation. Sheet music.
- AoVK-119 We're God's family God's children (Trisha Watts / Monica O'Brien) Good words. Catchy tune. Good for kids.
- AoV1-086 / G(II)530 / GC733 / GC(II)727 / G(3)834 We are many parts, we are all one body (Marty Haugen)
I like the chorus much better than the verses, but they are really
okay too. The sound sample at Hymnprint is horrifically slow, but look
at the sheet music there.
- AoVK-21 Weave one heart (Marty Haugen) Excellent song, with call and response verses "many colours woven into one" Good for kids.
- ATAR632 Share your gift
(Busch) A good song for the offering, particularly on Sundays when the
theme of being part of the body of Christ, or sharing gifts or talents
is being explored. Words are simple enough to make sense to kids. Good for kids.
- Online Resource You gave us these bodies / This is my body
(The Many) This is not a congregational song, but is very beautiful and apt for this reading; you could play a recording or have your musicians prepare it for the congregation. Sheet music, sound samples etc.
Matthew 16:13-20
Who do you say I am?
Declaration of Christ as Messiah, and Peter as the rock. Strange words
about binding and loosening on earth and in Heaven.
- ATFG532 Jesus asks
(Park) Lovely words of Christ as "blossom of freedom", "beam of hope"
and "maker of peace". From the Korean "Jesu neem un nu gu shin ga".
- ATW 459 I don't believe in a God up in the sky / God Version 1.0 (Robin Mann) An excellent rock song about how God doesn't necessarily work in the way we think. Lyrics and mp3. Good for kids.
- StS051 Quién Dicen que Soy Yo/Who Do You Say that I Am? (Jaime Cortez). A quiet and reflective bilingual song (Spanish / English). Also available from OCP website. Sound sample here.
- *AoVK-36 / VU649 / SFFS 2242 / URW118 Walk with me I will walk with you
(John Rice) Nice simple words about being sent to do God's work. Also
mentions Moses' call, which will feature next week, so you could sing it
again. Good for kids.
I'd love to hear your ideas - What will you be singing? Please add a comment below.
