Song suggestions for coming Sundays...

Coming up...
Lectionary Index
If you are planning further ahead, you can find suggestions for other Sundays here.

Scripture Index
If you are not using the Lectionary, here is an index to suggestions for specific readings.

Service Music

Pentecost Songs for Kids (updated for 2025)

Songs that you could use over and over again for kids during the Pentecost season. There are also songs listed for specific readings in the weekly posts. In this list are songs with fairly general themes that fit the season. 

If you don't regularly sing an Alleluia in your service, these are also particularly good for short children's songs .Here is a list of some favourites.

Songs about the Holy Spirit: 

  • Online Resource / Tune In Spirit of the Father, Spirit of our Mother / Alive in me (Sheree Anderson) Catchy boppy pop song about God's spirit within us and within the world. Music sample, sound sample and lyrics. Good for kids. Free downloadable songbook.
  • CH613 / WoV687 / ELW401 / GtG287 Gracious Spirit hear our pleading (Wilson Niwagila) Good simple song about the Spirit. From Tanzania. Lyrics. Good for kids.
  • AoV2-061 / ATE 249 As a dream receive your hist'ry (Andrew Tanner) A big favourite. There are actions too! The chorus is particularly excellent “We will rise up on wings like eagles, run and not be tired, show us your dreams and visions, warm our hearts with tongues of fire, tongues of fire”. Good for kids. Lyrics.
  • Online Resource / AoV1-043 Breathing now the life of God / Warm Our Hearts (Jane Marshall) Simple round. "Breathing now the life of God the Spirit in us singing, come light up our hearts with joy! Heal and clear our eyes to see! Warm our hearts with peace. Warm our hearts with peace.” Short songs like this are great for kids. When teaching a song that breaks into a round, it’s best to work with as little accompaniment as possible; no accompaniment is best. Sound sample, lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options. Good for kids.
  • TiS 711 / ATOK 334 / Iona (M&G) / WoV681 / VU383 / SFFS 2124 / GtG283 / G(II)330 / StF038 Come O Holy Spirit / Wa Wa Wa Emimimo (Nigeria) This song is just fun. And very easy. Try to sing it in its original language (Yoruba), it sounds a bit inane in English and it’s not hard!! Encourage your congregation to dance a simple side-to-side step to this; they will enjoy it even more. If we can’t go a little crazy on Pentecost, what hope is there for us, really? A good song to help us remember that our faith is global, and to think of the church and all people in Africa. Youtube of John Bell teaching it Good for kids.
  • MV015 / GA186 Holy Sacred Spirit (Monica Brown) Gentle chant. Can be used without the cantor part (in fact, that is what we normally do in our congregation). "Holy Sacred Spirit, breathe your breath on us". Lyrics and sound sample. Good for kids.  
  • TiS 421 Where the Spirit is there's freedom (Per Harling) Fun and good; excellent fun for the pianist! Lyrics.  Good for kids.
  • TiS 412 / AHB 324 / ATE 251 / GA184 / G(II)328 / GC468 / CP651 / W&R130 God sends us the Spirit to befriend and help us (Tom Colvin / people of Ghana) I like this song from Malawi, but the lack of inclusive language for God sometimes drives me a bit crazy. In Tom Colvin's book "Come Let us walk this road together" he uses more inclusive language than many hymnals that include this song. That is, he writes “God sends us the Spirit” instead of “God sends us His Spirit” and "Spirit of our Maker" rather than “Spirit of our Father”. Lyrics and sheet music. Good for kids.
  • Taizé / AoVNG125 / MV146 / GC(II)637 / G(3)740 / PfAS024D The Kingdom of God is justice and peace and joy in the holy spirit (Taize community) "Come, Lord and open in us the gates of your kingdom". A nice joyful Taize chant. Sheet music and sound samples of parts for practice. Good for kids.
Songs about hope in the future and trusting in God: 
  • ACS903 / 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. A range of sound samples (Youtube). History of the song. Sheet music samples. Good for kids.
  • AoV2-003 / ATOK 313 / CH543 / StJ / GA404 / A&M042 / ELW715 / GtG314 / GC(II)512 / G(3)590 / SP13 / URW114 / Lau883 / StF706 Longing for light we wait in darkness / Christ, be our light (Bernadette Farrell) One of my favourites, especially if someone can sing or play the descant line in the later verses. Sound sample and lyrics. Good for kids.  
  • Online Resource / 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, sheet music sample and purchasing options. Good for kids.
  • AoV2-070 / ATW 496 / MV090 / StJ Don't be afraid (John Bell) 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.
  • Online Resource / AoVK-58 We wait in hope for the Lord (Nathaniel Ford) Simple a cappella round "We wait in hope for the Lord, God is our help and our shield. And so our hearts rejoice, for we trust in God's holy name". Sound and sheet music sample and purchasing options. Good for kids.
  • 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.
  • Taizé / TiS 739 / AoV2-041 / ATOK 404 / VU290 / GA269 / SFFS 2054 / GtG820 / G(II)451 / GC639 / GC(II)626 / G(3)733 / CP568 / W&R421 / URW388 / Lau947 / LUYH444/ VF088 Nothing Can Trouble / Nada te turbe (Theresa of Avila / Taizé) Excellent and quite well known Taizé chant. Spanish lyrics are not too hard for non-Spanish speakers. Sheet music, sound samples, lyrics and translations. Good for kids.
  • 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.
  • Iona (M&G, T1AU) / MV099 / GC(II)673 / G(3)763 / Lau996 / LUYH445 Stand O Stand Firm (Cameroon) I love having an excuse to sing this simple and powerful song. Very easy for your congregation. You can make up cantor parts too “Oh my sisters…. Oh my brothers… Oh my children….” or you can name countries you are praying for in your intercessions. Scottish sound sample. Lead sheet.
  • AoVK-29 Remember we are your people (Tony Barr) Simple three part chant "Remember we are your people, your people O God". This would work really well as a sung refrain during the prayer of confession. Good for kids.Slightly clunky sound sample.
  • AoVK-12 God is our shelter truly a friend indeed (Chris O'Hara) Groovy little round / more like a call and response really. Good for kids. Lyrics.
  • Online Resource / GC(II)651 / G(3)755 You must never give up / Sizo Bambelela (South African) An excellent song from an amazing church in Capetown, South Africa. The phrase Bambelela means "Hold on". It would be fun to get a few singers together to sing the parts to this. If you purchase the music on this link, all royalties go to support the JL Zwane Church and their programs. Sheet music and sound sample, and purchasing optionsGood for kids.
  • Online Resource / GWA080 / MV045 / SP&P051 Hamba nathi (Zulu / Xhosa) There are a lot of translations of this South African song. I like "Come with me for the journey is long", even though the original language simply means "Go with us our Saviour"! Sound sample. Sheet music. Here's how it was sung for the soundtrack of Invictus. Here's another good version, with some great harmonies.
  • TiS 666 / AoV2-113 / AoVK-126 / ATOK 409 / NCH526 / Iona (Common Ground, Freedom is Coming) / CH516 / VU646/647 / WoV650 / ELW866 / A&M483 / SFFS 2235 / HPP153 / GtG853 / G(II)357 / GC513 / GC(II)516 / G(3)594 / Cha442 / SP235 / Srce737 / StF483 / MP954 We are marching in the light of God / Siyahamba / Caminando (South African) A very popular chorus, with possible alternate verses, depending on your source. Sometimes people get anxious about the word "marching", but remember that this song comes from apartheid-era South Africa, where people were protesting so that they could vote in their own country. And the marching is toi-toing, much less militaristic than what you may imagine. Sound sample. Good for kids.
  • Online Resource Holding up the light (Christopher Grundy) A great song for all about being brave enough to hold a light, no matter how small, when all around seems dark and difficult. Sheet music purchasing options. Sound sample. Good for kids.
Songs about loving God, God's love for us and the beauty of Creation: 
  • TiS 706 / Taizé / AoV2-142 / A&M600 / SFFS 2013 / GtG544 / PH224 / GC(II)576 / G(3)620 / CP360 / PfAS103C / SP194 / Src79 / URW377 / Lau813  Bless the Lord my soul (Jacques Berthier) A beautiful and very well known Taizé chant. Sound samples, sheet music. Good for kids..
  • NCYC'97 Insansa ku mwamba (Traditional Zambian) A good African song. Joy in God's Kingdom, Joy in God, Joy in Heaven. NCYC'97 has an extra vocal part which is really simple and effective. Good for kids.
  • 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.
  • Worldmaking.net Brother Jesus right beside me (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) This is a great rock song, good for little kids and a favourite of much older kids too. We haven't sung this for a couple of years, and it would be good to do it again. Lyrics and a very silly sound sample that does no justice to the song at all.Good for kids.
  • PfAS092B Mah Gadlu / Oh how great are your works (Shefa Gold) A good short song that can also be sung as a round, with optional echoing Hallelujah as your congregation gets to know it. Lyrics are in Hebrew and English. Sound sample as a chant. Good for kids.
  • ATA 200 / CH530 / VU639 / A&M757 / CP(E) 548 / URW109 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. Good for kids.
  • AoVK-113 Thank you O Lord for this world of ours (Tony Barr) A good kids song in two parts.  Good for kids.
  • TiS 728 Jesucristo reina reina ya This fun chorus from Argentina is just lots of fun, and our congregation hasn't sung it for a while. Sound sample. Good for kids.
  • BUC New Songs Sing sing with me (Julia Potter) This fun new song from a member of our congregation is great fun, and includes the verse "Dance, dance with me; feel the music, feel the beat, Move, move your feet, keep it on repeat." Good for kids.
  • TiS 670 / SiS569 / AoVK-138 / ATE 258 / CH692 / Srce385 / MP376 Jesus put this song into our hearts (Graham Kendrick) A fun Yiddish tune that gets even more fun if you get faster and faster as you go. Try teaching your congregation a simple side to side “dance” step; give them an excuse to join in! Good for kids. Youtube.Lyrics.
  • VU128 / A&M162 / GtG597 / W&R269 / SP054 / World Council of Churches Assembly 1991  Sanna sannanina (South African) An excellent African processional, which simply means "Hosanna". GtG has the option of singing the Holy Holy to this tune, but I think that just seems a bit odd. Great for drumming. Sound sample (scroll to the 2nd album). Good for kids..
  • Online Resource / AoVK-119 We're God's family God's children / One for Others (Trish Watts / Monica O'Brien) Good words. Catchy tune. Sound sample, sheet music sample, purchasing options. Good for kids.
  • Online Resource / AoV2-037 Children of God in one family (Christopher Walker) Great for kids. Sometimes we mess up, but God forgives. Sound sample, sheet music sample, purchasing options. Good for kids.
  • MV157 I am a child of God (Bruce Harding) A simple song with powerful words. Good for kids and adults alike. Very easy to learn. Sound sample. Good for kids (just the first verse probably).
  • 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. Some versions have multiple verses.  Sheet music samplesGood for kids.
  • Online Resource / MV007 Gather us in ground us in you (David Hann) A simple chant which would be great for a quieter invitation to worship. Sheet music. Good for kids.
Songs about being God's community and doing God's work
  • Online Resource / ATFG561 / Tune In: Part of a fam'ly interconnected / Community (Dave Brown) A song about being welcomed and how to work together as part of a community. "Part of a family interconnected, this is community; Welcoming strangers, visiting neighbours, this gives us dignity". Very singable song about building community. Works well for kids as well. A big favourite at Brunswick Uniting. Good for kids. Downloadable song book, lyrics & sound samples.
  • AoV1-021 / ATOK 402 / StS114 / G(II)488 / GC682 / GC(II)669 / G(3)761 / Lau858 / MP830 God Has Chosen Me (Bernadette Farrell) Energetic, and great words of justice. We used to sing this a lot, but not so much lately. Can be rocky or smooth, however you like it. Good for kids. Sound sample and lyrics.
  • 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.
  • Online Resource / AoVK-28 / ATOK 376 Faith hope and love (Trish Watts) This is so easy, and so cool. If you have some groovy musicians, this can even be a very funky rock song. Very easy, and great for kids and non-readers. Sound sample, sheet music sample, and purchasing options.Good for kids.
  • Online Resource I will sing of your love, love, love (Christopher Grundy) This is just so joyfully happy, and very catchy. Lyrics and sound sample. Sheet music for purchase. Good for kids.
  • Online Resource / SP&P062 You shall love our God (Ruth Sandberg) An excellent round, which could be sung in unison, as a round, or in 4 parts. I really quite like this. Sheet music for purchase. I think this would be Good for kids.
  • GtB / On the Road God is love and love is giving (Ross Langmead) A simple kids' song about God's love. A round. Sound sampleGood for kids.
  • Online Resource / AoV2-068 / VU695 God is passionate life / Passionate God (Colleen Fulmer) Good simple round with a peace / justice focus. Sheet music, lyrics and sound sample. Good for kids.
  • ATOK 412 / Iona (SBL, Common Ground) / CH250 / MV212 / A&M482 / GtG747 / SFFS 2184 / Lau855 / StF239 Sent by the Lord am I / Sent out in Jesus name / Enviado soy de Dios (Traditional Cuban) Great rhythm, good words and not too hard to sing (provided you sing it a little slowly the first time!) I prefer the MV translation "Sent out in Jesus' name". Good for kids. Lyrics.
  • Online Resource / TiS 749 / AoV1-154 / AoVK-131 / ATE 305 / NCH360 / Iona (SBL, Freedom is coming) / CH800 / UMH497 / VU572 / WoV773 / ELW469 / 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. Sound sample and purchasing options.
  • Taizé / CH801 / MV170 / StJ / GtG205 / WoV665 / ELW642 / SFFS 2179 / GC408 / GC(II)430 / G(3)500 / CP553 / W&R399 / Cha523 / URW394 / StF783 / Lau244b Live in charity / Ubi Caritas (Taizé / Jacques Berthier) Usually sung in Latin, but can also be sung just as beautifully as "Live in charity and steadfast love, live in charity; God will dwell with you." Sheet music and sound samples for practice. Good for kids.   
  • ATOK 390 Put on love every day, never hide your love away (Mary Lu Walker) A fun song for kids! It's a while since we've sung this, but it's fun. Sound sample. Good for kids.
Songs about peace
  • MV149 / CoC35 Peace for our children (Doreen Lankshear-Smith) A simple and quite repetitive (in a nice way) song that prays for peace for children, women, men, families, nations… and the soul. Lyric video. Good for kids.
  • Online Resource / AoV1-106 / UMH376 / WoV774 / ELW753 / GtG752 / G(II)528 / GC730 / GC(II)724 / G(3)822 / CP562 /  Cha297 / URW443 / 82Hml-712 / Lau904 / LUYH073 Dona Nobis Pacem (American folk song) This is very well known, and would fit well with this reading. History, sheet music and sound sample. Good for kids. Oldy-but-a-goody.
  • CH659 / MV173 / StJ / A&M566 / G(3)824 / W&R389 / SP251 / StF712 Put peace into each other’s hands (Fred Kaan) Good words for communion; tune is quite simple and flows nicely. Slow sound sample, sheet music with lyrics. Good for kids.
  • Taizé / GtG814 / CP563 / PfAS062DIn God alone my soul can find rest and peace / Mon ame se repose (Jacques Berthier) A beautiful healing chant from Taize. Words and music and sound samples for learning the parts.
  •  Iona (M&G) / ATAR609 / CH359 / MV033 / GtG137 / ZSS54 / StJ / ELW253 / GA293 / SFFS 2085 / G(II)276 / GC370 / GC(II)364 / G(3)429 / CP368 / W&R402 He came down that we may have love / Jesus came bringing us hope (Traditional Cameroon) A lovely simple song - you can make up words and have a lot of fun with this if you also use some drums. For Brunswick this year, this will be a nice reminder of Advent, when we sang this every week. Lyrics. Good for kids.
  • MV31 Pure love (Linnea Good) A simple two-part chant that picks up the Psalmist’s idea of the purity of God’s law “Pure love, pure truth, pure justice, God”. Would be great if you can teach it to some of the congregation before worship starts. Sound sample. Good for kids. 
  • Online Resource Peace, Salaam, Shalom (Pat Humphries) This is a beautiful and simple chant with two optional obligato lines. The congregation could easily sing the basic round as a meditative focus, or (more quickly) as a round for kids. Good for kids. Sheet music for purchaseSound sample. We usually sing it more slowly, like this.

Updated in 2024 on a train in Sweden, then in 2025 in Melbourne Airport.

Songs, Hymns & Music for Trinity Sunday Year C (June 15 2025)

General Trinitarian hymns (reading-based selections follow)

Hymn tunes:

  • Online Resource / Songs for a Hopeful Church Sing the praise of God our maker (Elizabeth Smith) Excellent words with rich images of the Trinity, beyond all human speech. Sung to the familiar tune MICHAEL (All my hope on God is founded). I really like these words. Lyrics (downloads an order of service). New words to old tunes.  
  • ATAR605 God of creation gentle life-giver (Craig Mitchell) Simple and lovely Trinitarian words to the tune BUNESSAN. I particularly like the phrase "stand with your people, whisper among us" when talking about Christ. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
  • VU322 O God whose first creative word (Judith Fetter) Good Trinitarian words with lovely imagery. Sung to a simple old hymn tune MELITA. Lyrics. New words to old tunes. 
  • Online Resource God of creation Lord of all beauty (Thom Schuman) A different set of words also set to BUNESSAN. I like this one too. LyricsNew words to old tunes.
  • NCH278 / Cha062 / URW198 Creator God creating still (Jane Parker Huber) Excellent hymn of hope for the future sung to a well known tune (ST ANNE). Lyrics and a critique. New words to old tunes.
  • TiS 179 / NCH273 / VU312 / GA379 / StJ / URW073 Praise with Joy the World's Creator (John Bell & Graham Maule) One of my favourite hymns - strongly Trinitarian lyrics and excellent imagery. I particularly love the “One God in community” phrase. Some versions change "Son" to "Christ" to make it more inclusive. Lyrics. New words to old tunes. 
  • NCH467 / CH117 / VU320 / WoV769 / ELW735 / SFFS 2050 / HPP242 / GtG007 / Cha083 / VF072 Mothering God you gave me birth (Jean Janzen) Lovely words to the well known tune MARYTON. Feminine trinitarian imagery. I like the tune MOTHER JULIAN (CH4 117(I)) best. Lyrics.
  • NCH355 / UMH648 / VU514 / GtG303 / PH523 / W&R149 / Cha450 God the Spirit guide and guardian (Carl Daw) Excellent, inclusive Trinitarian lyrics of God's guidance and blessing on leaders in the church community. Set to a variety of well known hymn tunes including HYFRYDOL (my favourite!), JEFFERSON, BLAENWERN and BETHANY. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
  • ACS948 / NCH274 / CH118 / SFFS 2046 / GTG003 / CP390 / Cha014 Womb of Life and source of being (Ruth Duck) Feminine trinitarian imagery. An easier tune, listed in some hymnals is IN BABILONE.  New words to old tunes. Others have LADUE CHAPEL which is a little less intuitive. Lyrics and sheet music.  
  • Online Resource / G(II)331 / GC472 / GC(II)488 / G(3)563 How Wonderful the Three-in-One (Brian Wren) Stunning words sung to an old American Shape Note melody. New words to old tunes. Lyrics and sheet music, and purchasing options.
  • HiOS033 Glorious are you (Joy Cowley) Beautiful words about the Trinity; wonderful images. The tune is new, and will need to be taught, but is light and joyful. "You are the symphony of the stars and planets, you are the music of the atoms within us". Also works as a prayer. Lyrics.
  • StF008 God with us: Creator Father (Alan Gaunt) More good words for Trinity Sunday, to the familiar tune ODE TO JOY. LyricsNew words to old tunes.
  • Online Resource Holy Mother Queen Creator (Adam Michael Wood) A completely feminine song about the Trinity. I like this a lot. Sung to HOLY MANNA. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
  • Online Resource God eternal timeless moment (David Lee) Excellent words sung to BLAENWERN, with many beautiful images of God. Lyrics.
Contemporary tunes:  
  • ACS1015 / GWA132 As a mother comforts her child (Brian Wentzel, USA) This is a lovely short song with multiple feminine images of God, ending with the phrase "The Trinity of love will be with you". Sound sample.
  • Online Resource / BUC Song Project When the carpenter's on / Drive us out (Shawn Whelan) A spirited and lively song about being driven to new places by the Spirit. Free sheet music and sound sample.
  • TiS 182 / AoV2-010 / NCH11 / CH134 / VU268 / GtG760 / SFFS 2047 / HPP13 / CP395 / VF106 Bring many names beautiful and good (Brian Wren) This is a beautiful song, but it's very long (especially if sung too slowly). Try singing one verse unison, then one women, one men, then all together again, to keep people interested in what they are singing. Lyrics and sheet music samples.
  •  AoV2-084 Father and Mother Creator And Poet (Sandra Sears) Trinitarian song with a Creation focus. Sound sample and lyrics.
  • VU324 / AA078 / URW426 Jesus come to our hearts like falling rain (William Worley) A simple devotional song, with images of God in nature. Lyrics.
  • FFS47 Maker of mystery dreamer of what will be (Marnie Barrell) Feminine trinitarian imagery. Tune is not hard, but can also be sung to the more familiar DOWN AMPNEY. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
  • PH135 / G(II)333 / GC476 / W&R139 God Is One Unique and Holy (Brian Wren) Good words focussed on God's unity although many-faceted. Inclusive and great imagery. The tune is quite simple. Lyrics, sheet music sample and tune sample.
  • ACS946 / MV043 / GtG009 / GC(II)484 / G(3)564 The play of the godhead (Mary Louise Bringle) Lovely words and a very simple, intuitive tune. "The play of the Godhead, the Trinity's dance, embraces the earth in a sacred romance". Lyrics, sheet music sample and fairly plain and slow tune sample.
  • StF007 God who made the stars of heaven (Ruth Duck) Good words, the tune is a little tricky, but quite lovely. Sound sample.  
  • 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 we think about God, or not! Sound sample and lyrics. Good for kids.
  • URW126 Give thanks to the Source (Ruth Duck) Excellent words to a lovely lilting tune. Lyrics.
  • CH114 / AA110 O threefold God of tender unity (William Wallace) Excellent inclusive Trinitarian words to a simple Celtic air. Lyrics .
  • CP(E) 463 Holy Trinity of Love (Alan Gaunt) Good solid words.
  • Recorded Music Sweetest Mystery (Malcolm Gordon) A lovely song about being part of a Trinity Community.  Listening and purchasing options here
  • SP&P121 We are all one (Tom Rasely) This simple song has a Trinitarian message of unity. One in God. One in Christ. Come Holy Spirit. Quite simple to sing. Sound sample (youtube).
  • Iona (Common Ground) / URW447 / StF648 God to enfold you (John Bell) A simple blessing. Best if you can have all the parts covered. Youtube.
World Music:
  • AoVK-30 / ATW 419 / Iona (Common Ground, CAYP) / CH757 / MV002 / WoV717 / ELW819 / GtG388 / A&M361 / SFFS 2274 / HPP551 / GC(II)744 / G(3)849 / PfAS066B / SP&P022 / SP179 / StF022 Come all you people (Uyai mose) Joyful and pretty easy really for the congregation. If you have WoV or SP&P, they each have a nice Trinitarian version of this. Come and praise the "Most high" / "Saviour" / "Spirit". Awesome sound sample (much more energetic than what's in the hymnals!). Sound sample. Good for kids.
  • STB286 O most holy o most holy (Sri Lankan, paraphrased by Shirley Murray) This is a traditional Sinhalese (Sri Lankan) worship song. If you want to sing all the verses (one for each member of the Trinity, plus one for all three!), I would suggest singing just in English, unless you have Sri Lankans in your congregation. Alternatively, you could choose a single verse to sing in Sinhala. Sound sample in Sinhala and Tamil.
  • MV056 / STB001 O Come let us praise / Lajahle htaora Hp'ya (Saw Gideon Tun Shwe) A good song from Burma / Myanmar. Quite beautiful - will need to be taught to Western ears. Now is a good time to be singing something from Myanmar. Sheet music
  • CH613 / WoV687 / ELW401 / GtG287 Gracious Spirit hear our pleading (Wilson Niwagila) Good simple song about the Spirit. From Tanzania. You can also use the chorus on its own as a refrain. Sound sample (with actions!).
Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31
Wisdom, there from Creation
  • 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 songbook and sound samples.
  • NCH057 / VU379 / WoV688 / LBW459 / ELW399 / SFFS 2121 / CP(E) 188 / Cha251 / URW079 / VF055 O Holy Spirit root of life (Jean Janzen, based on Hildegard) Good words of "Holy Spirit","Eternal Vigour" and "Holy Wisdom". I like the phrase "encompass us with wings unfurled". Simple known tune (PUER NOBIS). Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
  • Online Resource / GWA028 Wisdom cries out in the streets (Chris Shelton / Randall Sensmeier). Excellent words upholding many images of Wisdom, sung to a lowly flowing tune. Lyrics, sheet music sample, and purchasing options
  • TiS 418 / AoV2-075 / Iona (EoA, Common Ground) / CH593 / GA372 / A&M259 / Cha255 / SP94 / URW165 / StF393 / Lau305 She sits like a bird brooding on the waters / Enemy of Apathy (John Bell) My favourite Holy Spirit song. Beautiful words and very easy to sing, provided it is not played too quickly The Iona recordings are generally very quick, but there are a lot of words to fit in, so keep it elegantly moderate in speed! Sound sample. Lyrics.  
  • ACS971 / MV010 / GtG174 / URW099 / VF060 Come and seek the ways of wisdom (Ruth Duck) This song is more about the personification of Wisdom, but would work very well as a gathering song in the context of this reading. The tune in ACS, MV and GtG is a joyful 6/8 tune, but not familiar, so if it seems difficult, you could sing the same words to PICARDY (TiS 497). VF has a more challenging tune, which may be a bit tricky for a congregation. Lyrics.
  • MV 145 / CP418 / SP&P123 Draw the circle wide (Gordon Light) 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”. Lyric video.
  • CH604 Holy wisdom lamp of learning (Ruth Duck) Great words seeking wisdom, judgement, and celebrating a searching faith. Sung to a good joyful and easy hymn tune (IN BABILONE). Could also be sung to BEACH SPRING. Sheet music and lyrics. New words to old tunes.
  • Online Resource / GA183 Come Holy Spirit, the spirit of Wisdom / Gifts of the Spirit (Christopher Willcock) Good song. It's in 7/8 so you can't go wrong. The words are also excellent about God-with-us and the coming of the Spirit. This is also in New Song in an Ancient Land Vol 1 (in the Liturgy Library at BUC). Sound sample and purchasing options.
  • Online Resource / HiOS156 Wisdom be our guide (Shirley Murray) Inspiring lyrics of peace and being grounded and inspired by Wisdom. The tune is quite simple, and the chorus will be easy to follow. Lyrics and sheet music.
  • Online Resource / VU892 / CP392 / Cha258 Who comes from God as word and breath, Holy Wisdom (Patrick Michaels) Solid words about the place of wisdom in the Godhead. "Who lifts her voice for all to hear? Joyful Wisdom.Who shapes a thought and makes it clear? Truthful Wisdom: Teacher, drawing out our best, magnifies what we invest, names our truth, directs our quest. Wisest one, radiant one, welcome, holy Wisdom!". Lyrics and sheet music.
  • URW206 In her house there is a table / Wisdom's Table (Douglas Gay) Sung to BEACH SPRING (or to BLAENWERN), this song has great words of being welcomed by Wisdom at her table through times of trouble. Lyrics. There is also a choral version set by John BellNew words to old tunes. 
  • MV063 / StJ / GC(II)500 / G(3)583 Long before my journey’s start / Wisdom my road (Steven Warner) Song for Wisdom. Pretty straightforward. Sheet music and sound sample preview.
Psalm 8
How majestic!
  • Emergent Psalter O God our sovereign (Isaac Everett) A lovely simple Psalm response and read Psalm over an instrumental backing. Sheet music (refrain only - click on "Downloads" tab) 
  • AoVK-50 / ATW 430 / NCYC'99 Come let us praise our God / A voice is heard (Trisha Watts, Australia) Excellent and energetic. Lyrics and synthesizer sound sampleGood for kids.
  • Online ResourceHow Great is your name! (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A fun Psalm refrain for kids with a cantor part. Good for kids. Sound sample and sheet music.
  • TiS 163 / AHB 112 / NCH556 / UMH150 / LBW463 / ELW771 / GtG024 / PH268 / W&R644 / Cha651 / URW084 / 82Hml-580 God who stretched the spangled heavens (Catherine Cameron) Good words of creation of nature and cities and creative possibilities for the future. AHB has a Father and old language, but it works okay; TiS and other sources are better. There are many possible tunes. I like it best to HOLY MANNA as in the link. Lyrics and sound sample. New words to old tunes.
  • PfAS008E O Lord Our Lord how majestic is your name (Alfred Fedak) Psalm response. Sound sample (includes plainchant cantor part).
  • Online Resource As rivers flow from a distant spring (David Bjorlin / William Beckstrand) Beautiful words using imagery of creation to inspire us to lives based in God's love that care for others, including the earth. Not easy to sing, so maybe better to have a soloist sing it. Sound sample. Book available to purchase and download here.
  • CH005 / PfAS008D / URW231 / StF112 O Lord our Lord throughout the earth (John Bell) A lovely hymnlike version of the Psalm, set to a traditional Scottish tune. I like the questioning nature of this hymn. Sound sample. New words to old tunes.
  • Online Resource For all things worth praising (David Bjorlin, USA) Lovely poetic words celebrating all the vast and all the small elements of creation. Sung to the familiar tune THE ASH GROVE. Don't take it too fast, or the poetry will be lost! Sheet music sample, lyrics and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
  • ATW 462 When I consider God's design (Hand in hand) (Norm Habel) Good words of all creation celebrating together. Tune is good, too, but will need to be introduced, perhaps by asking your musicians to sing the first verse and inviting the congregation to join in. The verse about "Black and white" could probably be updated a bit to reflect a greater diversity of cultures. Sound sample and lyrics.
  • VU730 / URW229 God our God your glorious name (William Sherwin) Inclusive paraphrase of the Psalm with a joyous chorus. Lyrics (old version).
  • AoVK-113 Thank you O Lord for this world of ours (Barr) A good kids song in two parts.  Good for kids.
  • Online Resource / AoV1-003 / HPP258 / GA394 / G(II)342 / GC497 / GC(II)495 / G(3)576 / Lau693 / StF803 / MP648 The heavens are telling the glory of God / Canticle of the Sun (Marty Haugen) Energetic waltz of cosmic praise with great lyrics "Come dance in the forest, come play in the field, and sing, sing to the glory of the Lord". Sound sample, sheet music samples, and purchasing options.
  • VU732 O God our God how glorious is your name (Michel Guimont) Inclusive responsive paraphrase of the Psalm with a simple refrain. 
  • GWA088 Bright morning maker (Marjorie Dobson, England) This song about God's presence in the morning, daytime, evening, and night talk of God's presence among us throughout our days. The tune is not easy. Lyrics.
  • TiS 90 / AHB 44 / UMH60 / VU867 / GtG806 / PH253 / A&M673 / CP346 / CP(E) 473 / W&R79 / Cha20 / PfAS146A / 82Hml-429 / StF079 / MP320 I'll praise my Maker while I've breath (Isaac Watts) A great classic hymn. Most sources are not inclusive; Voices United and Chalice hymnal are! Lyrics and sheet music samples. Oldy-but-a-goody.
  • NCH Psalter008 How majestic is your name in all the earth (Lee Dengler) A very simple refrain and chanted Psalm.
  • Online Resource The Heavens Tell of Your Creative Glory / Los Cielos Cuentan la Gloria de Diosome (Horacio Vivares transl. David Bjorlin) An excellent folk song. Best for Spanish-speaking congregations, but works in English too. Sound sample. Songbook for purchase.
Romans 5:1-5 
Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through Christ who sent the Spirit.
  • Scripture in Song 29 Therefore being justified by faith (Merril MacPherson, USA) A relaxed swingy song which is a direct paraphrase of the passage. You can really jazz this up, especially if you play it in 3/4; then it sounds kind of like the Housemartins. Lyrics and sound sample (in 4/4). 
  • Online Resource / AoVK-28 / ATOK 376 Faith hope and love, this is what we long for (Trish Watts, Australia) A groovy, easy, fun song. Sound sample, purchasing options. Good for kids.   
  • 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 Amazing grace how sweet the sound (John Newton, England) I once was lost... I think you all know this one. Nice youtube of some Sacred Harp singing, and a story. Oldy-but-a-goody.
  • TiS 398 / AHB 310 / AoV1-118 / NCH289 / CH489 / UMH475 / VU367 / GA375 / A&M238 / LBW508 / ELW804 / GtG282 / PH313 / GC465 / GC(II)471 / G(3)556 / RS617 / CP645 / CP(E) 175 / W&R330 / Cha582 / Srce100 / Lau303 / StF372 Come down O Love divine (Bianco da Siena, Italy translated Richard Littledale) Old fashioned, but still inclusive and very well known. Lyrics and sheet music. Hymnals vary a lot in the lyrics with respect to thees and thys and words like "vesture". Here's a folksy cover for your listening pleasure (Danke Yotin!).  Oldy-but-a-goody.
  • TiS 710 / CH758 / Iona (Enemy of Apathy) / VU204 Come Holy Spirit gracious heavenly dove (John Bell, Scotland) A beautiful and simple chant. Lyrics and sheet music.
John 16:12-15
The Spirit of truth will guide you into all truth
  • TiS 419 / NCH270 / CH592 / A&M252 / UMH544 / VU205 / WoV685 / ELW403 / HPP222 / GtG285 / PH314 / CP635 / CP(E) 185 / W&R327 / SP92 / 82Hml-513 / StF389 Like the murmur of the dove's song (Carl P Daw) Excellent words and a simple tune about Christian unity. Each verse ends with "Come holy spirit, come". Lyrics and sheet music. 
  • Tune In / Online Resource Cover us with love (Elaine Loukes) This song may not be easy for congregations to sing, but it is great to listen to. “Be our vision Lord, in a world that’s filled with greed”... Free downloadable songbook, sound samples, and lyrics.
  • BUC Song Project Spirit God You come (Elaine Loukes) A simple slow song, with lovely imagery of the Spirit coming, we can be confident about it. It would work nicely during a time of reflection. 
  • TiS 692 Sometimes a healing word is comfort (Patrick Michaels) A good song about healing. The verses take a little getting used to and the chorus is very joyous and simple. Perhaps get your congregation to join in as they become confident - there are 5 verses to learn on. Lyric video.
  • CH613 / WoV687 / ELW401 / GtG287 Gracious Spirit hear our pleading (Wilson Niwagila) Good simple song about the Spirit. From Tanzania. You can also use the chorus on its own as a refrain. Sound sample.
  • CH608 Spirit of truth and grace (Iain Cunningham) Great words. They are not completely inclusive in their language for God, but the image of God as Father is a necessary part of this beautiful hymn, sung to a simple folk tune (Down Ampney). Sound sample. New words to old tunes.
  • NCH286 / ATE 218 / VU375 / WoV684 / ELW396 / HPP239 / GtG291 / PH319 / W&R326 / Cha249 Spirit spirit of gentleness (James Manley) Lovely, gentle song. Very easy to sing, but can get slow and ponderous if you're not careful. Lyrics
  • TiS 430 / AHB 337 / Cha324 / StF164 Your words to me are life and health (G Currie Martin) I really like this old hymn. It’s a bit old fashioned, but it still works, I think. Lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
  • TiS 412 / AHB 324 / ATE 251 / G(II)328 / GC468 / CP651 / W&R130 God sends us the Spirit to befriend and help us / Spirit Friend (Tom Colvin and people of Malawi) I like this song from Malawi, but the lack of inclusive language for God sometimes drives me a bit crazy. In Tom Colvin's book "Come Let us walk this road together" he uses more inclusive language than many hymnals. That is, he writes “God sends us the Spirit” instead of “God sends us His Spirit” and "Spirit of our Maker" rather than “Spirit of our Father”. Good for kids. Lyrics and sheet music.
  • TiS 422 / CH594 / A&M242 / CP(E) 179 Come Holy Spirit come inflame our souls with love (Michael Forster) Excellent words to a well known hymn tune. "Spirit of truth, arise; inspire the prophet’s voice" It is not fully inclusive. Lyrics.
  • Online Resource O Holy Spirit power of the weak (David Bjorlin / Lim Swee Hong) A beautiful, meditative four part song. It would be great to teach the parts to your congregation, and would work well whether you sing only one verse, or all four verses. If four parts is too challenging, you could also get your congregation to sing only the melody line in two parts in canon (i.e. a round, but ending at the same time); or in unison would also work, but would be less fun. Lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing optionsNew words to old tunes.   
  • NCH63 / CH626 / UMH465 / VU368 / StS105 / LBW257 / ELW398 / HPP233 / CP(E) 184 / Cha241 Holy spirit truth divine (Samuel Longfellow) Good words seeking the presence of the Spirit in our lives. Hymn tune, very simple. Lyrics and sample sheet music.
  • TiS 711 / ATOK 334 / Iona (M&G) / WoV681 / VU383 / SFFS 2124 / GtG283 / G(II)330 / StF038 Come O Holy Spirit / Wa Wa Wa Emimimo (Nigeria) This song is just fun. And very easy. Try to sing it in its original language (Yoruba), it sounds a bit inane in English and it’s not hard!! Encourage your congregation to dance a simple side-to-side step to this; they will enjoy it even more. If we can’t go a little crazy on Pentecost, what hope is there for us, really? A good song to help us remember that our faith is global, and to think of the church and all people in Africa. Lyrics. Sound sample. Good for kids.
  • Online Resource Spirit of Truth (Per Harling) A good and groovy song. Free sheet music and sound sample.

Let me know what else you would sing... new resources? Something I've missed? I'd love to hear about it! Add a comment below.   

Updated in Tel Aviv 2022, then in Melbourne Airport and in Zürich in 2025.