Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67
Abraham’s servant finds Rebekah and she becomes Isaac’s wife.
The suggestions for the Psalm would also fit well
- ATOK 320 / NCH351 / VU645 / StJ / WoV770 / ELW732 / SFFS 2051 / GtG488 / HPP516 / W&R680 / Cha075 I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry (John Ylvisaker, USA)
A song of God’s presence in all stages of life. Very simple tune to
sing. This always makes me think of Center Church on-the-Green in New
Haven, CT. Lyrics, and a nice (slow) sound sample (Youtube)
- AoV1-137 / ATOK 403 / GA306 / G(II)286 God Of Abraham lead us
(Bernadette Farrell, England) This one is great. Just don't try to sing all 17 verses!
Choose what you like… I love this energetic call and response with the
response "Lead us to your kingdom". You can sing with a cantor and
response, or you could split your congregation in the middle doing half
and half, or you could just have people singing all the way through. Lyrics (and a slow sound sample). Sound sample (listen to the whole thing and see how they build it up). Maybe add a verse about Rebekah and Isaac?
- ATW 507 Where you tread (John Beavis, Australia)
A beautiful and simple song based on the story of Ruth, it might be a good song to sing if you want
to focus on the life-long relationship of Rebekah and Isaac. The melody is beautiful and very simple for a
congregation to sing first time. We sang this once a couple of years ago, and it would be great to sing it again.
Psalm 45:10-17
A celebration of romantic love
- 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.
- Taizé
/ TiS 731 / SFFS 2017 / GtG155 / G(II)377 / GC557 /
GC(II)535 / G(3)618 / W&R212 / PfAS100G / URW383 / Lau691 Raise a song of gladness / Jubilate Servite
(Taizé, France) Glorious, fun round. If your congregation balks at singing in
Latin, it can be sung in English as "Raise a song of gladness, all the
earth, Christ has come, bringing peace, joy to every heart, Alleluia
Alleluia, Joy to every heart (x2)". This is not a Gloria, but it has the
feel of one! Sound sample.
- AoV2-068 / VU695 God is passionate life (Colleen Fulmer, USA) Good simple round with a peace / justice focus. Lyrics and a kind of odd sound sample. Good for kids.
- Online Resource / TiS 654 / NCH362 /
UMH643 / VU489 / WoV749 / G(II)628 / GC865 / GC(II)856 / G(3)966 / W&R612 / Cha499 / Lau416 When love is found and hope comes home
(Brian Wren, USA)
Lovely words to the tune O WALY WALY celebrating loving relationships
through all their changes. While this is often sung at weddings, I think
it would also work in the context of a standard service. Lyrics and sample sheet music. New words to old tunes.
- CH115 / MV089 / Iona (Love from Below) / A&M722 / SP292 Love is the touch of intangible joy (Alison
Robertson, Scotland) Great words of different kinds of love – deep friendship, romantic
love (love is the lilt in a lingering voice), and the love of God, set to a simple tune. Each verse ends with the
affirming phrase: "God is where love is, for love is of God". Lyrics (scroll). Lovely sound sample.
- Online Resource / SgTJ1029 / MV094 Love knocks and waits (Daniel Damon, USA) Lovely words of assurance and a simple lilting melody. Lyrics and sheet music.
- NCH540 We plant a grain of mustard seed
(Mary Bryan Matney, USA) A song about how human love is a taste of divine love. Great words to a
fairly standard-sounding (but new) hymn tune. It would also work well
with MORNING SONG (the tune for “Awake, awake to love and work”). Lyrics (downloads pdf). New words to old tunes.
- VU769 God has blessed you forever and ever
(Unknown, Russia) A lovely simple response to this Psalm. Can be sung
with a responsive reading as set out in VU. Nice if you can build in the
harmonies, but fine if you can't.
- AoVK-12 God is our shelter truly a friend indeed (Chris O'Hara, England?) Groovy little round / more like a call and response really. Good for kids. Recording.
- PfAS045B The throne of God is righteousness
(Evangelical Lutheran Worship, USA) This is more for the first part of the Psalm. It's a simple Psalm refrain to a familiar
hymn tune (EIN FESTE BURG). Old words to old tunes.
Alternative reading: Song of Solomon 2:8-13
- MV031 Pure Love (Linnea Good, Canada) I think this song would be good for reflecting on God as the source of all love. Very simple and beautiful. Sound sample. Good for kids.
- Online Resource / Tune in The God that I Know (Sheree Anderson, Australia / Canada)
A beautiful ballad with female and male images of a loving, embracing
God. Free downloadable song book, sound samples.
- Online Resource O great lover who pursues us (Richard Bruxvoort Colligan, USA) Great new words based on this passage, sung to the familiar tune HYFRYDOL. Lyrics, sound sample and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
- Recorded Music Canticle (Clarion Fracture Zone / Mara / Martenitsa Choir, Australia) If you happen to have a recording of "Canticle" a jazz work commissioned by Paddington Uniting Church,
first performed in 1997, this would be the time to dig it out and play
at some point during the service. Listen or purchase here.
- Recorded Music Just (after song of songs)
(David Lang, USA) A long and very beautiful piece of music,
with a stunning repetitive litany of love as a metaphor for our
relationship with God. Not quite sure how it might be used in a worship
service, but it is very beautiful. Sound sample.
- NCH540 We plant a grain of mustard seed
(Mary Bryan Matney, USA) A song about how human love is a taste of divine love. Great words to a
fairly standard-sounding (but new) hymn tune. It would also work well
with MORNING SONG (the tune for “Awake, awake to love and work”). Lyrics (downloads pdf). New words to old tunes.
Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Zechariah 9:9-12
God comes on a donkey and releases the prisoners
- GWA029 In ages past the mighty Lord by prophets spoke the word
(Michael Morgan) This is a song with very many verses; choose at least
verses 1 and 16 this week, and add whichever other verses suit your context. Set to the common tune KINGSFOLD. Some lyrics (not the Zechariah verse!). New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / VU901 / PH601 / WoV725 / PfAS1032 / URW010 Blest be the God of Israel (Song of Zechariah) (Carl P Daw) A simple and inclusive paraphrase to the well-known hymn tune KINGSFOLD (TiS 262). Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
- URW357 Praise to the One who sets prisoners free
(Elise Eslinger) A great tune, and the response can be sung in three parts,
or as a round. Can be sung with one or two cantors / readers or without
the cantors. The refrain alone as a round could be good for kids.
- Online Resource / TiS 284 / ELW552 / W&R158 / GtG109 / PH602 / Cha135 / Cha137 / URW012 / 82Hml-444 Blessed be the God of Israel / O Bless the God of Israel
(Michael Perry) Good words of Christ as the fulfiller of the prophets who will
set God's people free From fear and darkness. Be aware that some
versions (like TiS) use exclusively masculine language for God. URW and
Chalice are inclusive. Set to the simple tune MERLE'S TUNE. Lyrics and sheet music sample. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / GC(II)755 / G(3)864 O the weary world is trudging / The trumpet in the morning (Rory Cooney, USA) Song of release of prisoners and the trumpet's blast, set to an old American folk tune. Sound sample, sheet music sample and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
- 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 / GWA222 Hear the message we now are proclaiming / El mensaje que hoy proclamamos
(Eleazar Torreglosa, Colombia) This jubilant song of liberty and new
life for the poor and suffering would fit well with this reading. Good for kids. Free sheet music. Sound sample.Lyric video (Spanish). Another recording (with hand claps!).
- Tune In / Online Resource Father of Earth, Mother of Sea (Dave Brown)
A latinesque song about the Spirit being with those who are victims,
prisoners and the sick, as well as present in our prayers. Free downloadable song book, sound samples.
Alternative Psalm for the Zechariah reading: Psalm 145:8-14
God is excellent
- TiS 100 / AHB 3 / 82Hml-400 / A&M532 / CH147 / Cha022 / CP(E)250 / ELW835 / GA395 / HPP261 / GtG020 / PH455 / GtG015 / GC534 / GC(II)523 / G(3)611 / Lau694 / LBW527 / LUYH551 / NCH017 / MP007 / StF099 / UMH62 / VT081 / VU217 / W&R23 All creatures of our God and King / All creatures worship God most high (Francis
of Assisi, Italy, translated William Henry Draper, England) A good
classic sing! Hymnals vary a LOT in translations and verses included.
Many hymnals have improved the refrain by "Sing
your praises" or "Sing praises" or just "Alleluia Alleluia"to eliminate
Draper's "Oh praise him" refrain which makes God repeatedly exclusively
male. Some hymnals have adapted the words to improve them, including NCH
(see below), ELW and VT - so seek them out! Lyrics and sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- NCH017 To you O God all creatures sing (Francis
of Assisi, Italy, adapted Miriam Therese Winter, USA) This is a lovely new
adaptation of Draper's earlier translation (All creatures of our God and King), sung to the same tune. Lyrics and a beautiful choral version. New words to old tunes
- GP(3)87 / TLUS044 All praise to the God of creation / Sari srishti ke malik tumhi ho (Kiran
Kumar Pradhan, Nepal) This is a really good hymn about God's love and
care of all creation, including each of us. It has a joyful chorus of
Alleluias. There are millions of sound samples, in a range of styles on
Youtube. This is a nice simple one. I also like this one.
- 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. Sound sample. Sound sample in Kenyan languages.
- 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. Sound sample (to the newer tune). New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / TiS
152 / 82Hml-376 / Cha002 / CP425 / ELW836 / GC529 /
GC(II)520 / G(3)614 / GtG611 / HPP22 / LBW551 / NCH4 / PH464 / UMH89 / URW065 / VU232 / VT103 / W&R59 Joyful joyful we adore thee
(Henry van Dyke, USA) Note that this hymn uses exclusively Father and
Brother language for God and Christ in verse 3, and "man to man" for
humanity, so older versions are not very inclusive. I
prefer more modern translations (e.g. TiS, VU, NCH, GC(II) or VT which
has thees and thys but is inclusive). Public domain (older style) lyrics and sheet music. 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 / Venite Exultamus Domino (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.
- GWA021 I will praise your greatness O God (Iona Abbey Worship Book) A responsively read version of the Psalm. Good simple language. No tune!
Romans 7:15-25a
It’s really hard to do what’s right. Obedience. Discipleship.
- Tune in / Online Resource We are the dream that's longing / Jesus is waiting
(Dave Brown) An honest catchy rock song about our hesitation to follow and Jesus not
only waiting, but continuing to work and change the world. A good
sending-out song. Free downloadable song book, sound samples.
- Online Resource / Tune In / ATAR663 Save us in the time of trial
(Shawn Whelan) A song with a reflective almost-Taize-like chorus about trying to follow even in the face of temptation. We have
sung this a cuople of different ways, it's quite flexible. Free downloadable song book, sound samples.
- 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". Free downloadable song book, sound samples.uid
- Online Resource / Tune In Kingdom Come (Matthew Lees) A
song about how things are not what we expect in God’s kingdom. Maybe not all daisies and sunshine. Lots of
words and good images. Free downloadable song book, sound samples.
- 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. I will suggest this
again next week, so maybe this is a good week to teach it if your
congregation doesn't know it.
- Public Domain / Online Resource / 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) An excellent civil rights era 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, lead sheet, chords, a range of recordings.
- Online Resource / Taizé / AoV2-109 / A&M334 / CH772 / GA429 / GtG654 / G(II)396 /
GC566 / GC(II)546 / G(3)639 / Lau944 / LUYH357 / MP865 / SFFS 2195 / SP128 / StF776 / URW381 / VT118 / W&R448 In the Lord I'll Be Ever Thankful / El Senyor
(Jacques Berthier, France) A joyful and bouncy short song. Works well in
English, German and Spanish (and probably other languages too). Good for kids. Sheet music, translations into many other languages, sound samples.
- ATA 200 / CH530 / VU639 / A&M757 / CP(E) 548 / URW109 / StF476 One more step along the world I go
(Sydney Carter) A good fun kid's song from Sydney Carter which many of their
parents will remember. "And it's from the old I travel to the new, keep
me travelling along with you". Lyrics and sound samples. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- Online Resource / AoV2-102 / GA509 Who will speak if we don't (Marty Haugen) Excellent challenging words. Sound sample and sheet music preview and purchasing options. Good for 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! Lyrics.
- 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.
- Online Resource / 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. Lyrics and sheet music. Lyric video. New words to old tunes (if you choose).
- StS040 / URW439 We will follow (Som’landela) (South African) Groovy song. Lyric video.
- Online Resource / VU575 / SFFS 2153 / GtG700 / PH369 / SP&P139 / W&R574 / Cha614 I'm Gonna Live So God Can Use Me
(African American traditional) Good simple tune and meaningful words (the tune and words vary between sources).
Easy to sing and play around with. Good for kids, non-readers and for
people for whom English is a second language. Sheet music and sound sample.
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
A bit of angry stuff at the start, but then words of comfort
- TLUS130 / VT758 Who will speak a word of warning? (Richard Leach, USA) A
sermon in a song. This is a powerful song, about Christ's insistence to
care for the poor and needy rather than lining our own pockets. In TLUS
it is set to the known tune EBENEZER. Lyrics. New words to old tunes, if you want.
- Online Resource / URW166 Come God and hear my cry (Ruth Duck) Lovely words seeking restoration for tired faithful souls. Sung to the familiar tune TRENTHAM. Lyrics and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / TLUS076 In every changing state of mind (Daniel Damon, USA) A prayer of confession and reassurance. Quite straightforward. Words and sheet music. Recording (full song).
- Online Resource Are you tired worn and burdened? / Come to Me (The Porters Gate) I would use just the chorus of this, as I find the verse a bit odd (I think Jesus is going to lay heavy things on us sometimes!). Sound sample. Lyrics and chords.
- Online Resource / GWA047 Come all you wounded and weary / You are welcome here (Chris Muglia) A song of welcome to all, including those who are feeling broken. Sound sample, sheet music sample and purchasing options. Lyrics and guitar chords.
- Online Resource / GWA061 Whoever you are your prayer is welcome / Open your heart (Chris Shelton) Words of radical inclusion, emphasising God's compassion for all who bring prayers to God. Sheet music sample and purchasing options.
- HPP381 / GtG183 / G(II)454 / GC637 / GC(II)630 / G(3)727 / Cha353 / TLUS095 / VT157 Come to Me O Weary Traveler (Sylvia Dunstan, USA) Nice words of rest set to this passage. Each verse
starts with "Come to me", "Do not fear", "Take my yoke" and "Rest in
me". It has been set to multiple tunes. I prefer it sung to AUSTIN. Lyrics, sheet music sample, and purchasing options for the AUSTIN version. Lyric video.
- Online Resource / GWA196 Jesus, Jesus, precious Saviour (Grayson Warren Brown, USA) A very simple meditative chant seeking healing and rest. Recording (I would play it a bit quicker, but OK). MP3s, sheet music sample, purchasing options.
- Online Resource Come all who are weary (Paul Zach / The Porters Gate) This would be a great song for a congregation to sing together, particularly in a quieter reflective moment. Recording. Lyrics and chords.
- NCH002 / ZSS117 Glory Glory Hallelujah! (African-American). Excellent chorus; includes the verse “We are climbing Jacob’s
ladder” and “every rung goes higher higher”. Lyrics.
- Tune In / Online Resource God’s Mercy (Sheree Anderson) A beautiful ballad about recognising God's mercy in the everyday. Free downloadable song book, sound samples.
- TiS 647 / AoV2-012 / ATN 25 Comfort, comfort all my people
(Robin Mann) Easy to sing, beautiful lyrics. Chorus is “Comfort,
comfort all
my people, with the comfort of my word. Speak ye tender to my people,
all your sins are taken away”. Note that most sources only list 2
verses, but there are two additional (more challenging) verses you may
wish to consider using written for the Christmas Bowl in 1988; thanks to
Simon for alerting me to them. Lyrics (including additional verses), Lyric video.
- Iona / StS050 / GtG851 / GWA064 Come bring your burdens to God / Woza nomthwalo wakho (South African) Simple slow chant. I love this. Sound sample.
- BUC Song Project Take a deep breath / Deep in your soul (Sheree Anderson) A lovely, repetitive song seeking space to experience God's renewing love.
- TiS 665 / AoV2-008 / Iona (Common Ground) / CH360 / A&M563 / VU117 / StJ / SP246 / Lau889 / StF251 Jesus Christ is waiting (John Bell) A good hymn that is quite simple to sing. Lyrics here (scroll down just a little bit). New words to old tunes.
- TiS 693 / AoV1-031 / GA212 Come as you are that's how I want you (Deidre Browne) This song is beautiful, gentle, simple, and very well known. Lyrics and sound sample. A good song to start the service.
- Online Resource / Tune In / ATAR598 / NCYC 2009 God has laid a feasting table / Invitation (Shawn Whelan) Feminine imagery of God gathering her guests to a feasting table. Fun Cuban rhythm. Free downloadable song book, sound samples.
- ATAR593 Come to me all you who are weary
(Florence Lang) A soothing and slightly schmaltzy chorus. Easy to sing and fun
accompaniment to play. Sound sample and lyrics.
- Iona (Love from Below) / CP545 We will lay our burdens down (John Bell & Graham Maule) A groovy song arranged for part-singing. I just love this!
- Online Resource / VT154 What can I leave behind?
(Adam Tice, USA) These words ask what can be left behind, what can be
taken up (including a cross), and what can be shared. Set to the
familiar tune LOVE UNKNOWN. I really like this. Lyrics, sheet music sample, and resource for purchase. New words to old tunes.
- AoVK-125 / ATW 489 Turn our sadness upside down (Leigh Newton) Good for kids, and adults too. Simple tune, but not so simple that it’s boring. Sheet music.
- Iona (T1AU) / URW428 / Lau395 In love you summon (John Bell) This is really beautiful and could be taught to the congregation, or sung by a choir. Sound sample.
- Online Resource All who are weary / Come to me
(Christopher Grundy) Very very singable. Just lovely. This makes me so happy. Thanks to Darren Wright for this suggestion. Sound sample and purchasing options.
- TiS
590 / AHB 165 / AoVK-117 / NCH506 / UMH526 / VU664 / LBW439 / ELW742 /
HPP408 / GtG465 / PH403 / CP532 / W&R473 / Cha585 / Srce 776 / StF531 / MP746 What a Friend we have in Jesus
(Joseph Scriven) There is a bit of masculine language, which is understandable for such an old song. It has many other
good things about it. I like both tunes. AOVK has different lyrics,
written specifically for kids, which I think are worth singing. Lyrics. Good for kids. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- Online Resource / G(3)714 / TLUS076 Come and rest in the arms of God / Arms of God (Tony Alonso) This soothing song would best sung by a soloist with the congregation invited to join the chorus. Sound samples. Sheet music (choral version).
- CH716 / VU374 / FFS10 / SFFS 2128 / W&R477 / Cha575 Come and find the quiet centre
(Shirley Murray) A good song for the beginning of worship. We usually sing it to BEACH SPRING (TiS 493). Lyrics and sound sample. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource Come to me (Ross Langmead)
A good song of comfort "for activists". Good questions about how much
we need to follow, how desperate the need. Sheet music.
- TiS 585 / AHB 500 /
AoV1-054 / ATA 137 / NCH489 / CH540 / VU626 / LBW497 / ELW611 / GtG182 / GA468
/ GC646 / GC(II)622 / G(3)724 / CP508 / CP(E) 469 / Srce280 /
82Hml-692 / Lau795 / StF248 / MP275 I heard the voice of Jesus say (Horatio Bonar) Hymnals vary a lot in their translations of this older hymn and in the tunes to which it is set. Lyrics and sheet music. Oldy-but-mostly-a-goody.
- FFS28 God rest us
(Michael Leunig) Beautiful words from Michael Leunig, seeking rest when we are
tired, and awakening when we are asleep. Will need to be taught, but I
think it's worth it. Lyrics.
What will you be singing? Please share your ideas in a comment below...
