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Songs, hymns and music for Easter 7A (May 17 2026)

This post replaces my first ever blog post, made for Easter 7A 2008! 18 years ago!

Acts 1:6-14
The Ascension: the promise of Christ’s return. The promise of the Spirit. The disciples get together to pray (constantly) before they commence their mission without Christ incarnate.
See here for songs with a focus on the Ascension

The theme of constant prayer makes use of a Taize (or similar) chant at various points through the service appealing. Some suggestions:
  • Taizé / TiS 741 / AoV1-017 / ATE 282 / LBW368 / ELW751 / 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, France) 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
  • Taizé / GtG814 / CP563 / PfAS062D In God alone my soul can find rest and peace / Mon âme se repose (Jacques Berthier, France) A beautiful healing chant from Taize. Words and music and sound samples for learning the parts Good for kids.
  • Taizé / MV075 / StS079 / SFFS 2118 / GtG284 / GC(II)479 / G(3)547 / SP99 / URW395 / VT058 Holy Spirit Come to Us / Veni sancte spiritus tui amoris (Jacques Berthier, France) Best if you have a cantor, but works well if you don't, too. Sheet music, translations, sound samples.
  • Online Resource O Holy Spirit power of the weak (David Bjorlin, USA / Lim Swee Hong, Singapore / USA) 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 options.  New words to old tunes.   
  • Taizé  / TiS 730 / AoV1-152 / ATOK 387 / CH775 / UMH488 / WoV740 / ELW616 / GA308 / A&M838 / HPP214 / GtG227 / PH599 / G(II)293 / GC404 / GC(II)422 / G(3)510 / Cha569 / Srce387 / URW382 / Lau253 / StF777 Jesus remember me (Jacques Berthier, France) A beautiful chant, but we have not sung it often. Sheet music and sound samples.
  • Traditional / StJ / GC(II)567 As I went down in the river to pray (Unknown, African American) The encouragement to pray together with each other is a good theme, and the song is a favourite in our congregation. Here's the clip from O Brother Where art thou, which made it so popular. Oldy but a goody.
  • Online Resource / 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, USA) Excellent words and a simple tune about Christian unity. Each verse ends with "Come holy spirit, come". Lyrics and sheet music.
Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35
Let God arise and God's enemies be scattered. God cares for the poor.
  • GWA221 Lord you hear the cry of the widow weeping / Lord have mercy  (Geraldine Latty, England) Anthemic chorus! I think this could work well, but will need to be taught. Sound sample. Lyrics (in an order of service). 
  • TiS 38 God In Your Goodness You Have Made a Home for the Poor (Rosalie Bonighton) Each hymnal has a different way of writing the verses, some need a cantor, but all could work well with someone reading the verses. Both versions of the refrain are very straightforward.
  • VU787 / GA046 / G(II)63 / GC67 God In Your Goodness / You Have Made a Home for the Poor (Rory Cooney) I prefer the verses in VU, but the ones in the GIA publications are also nice. A more hymnlike version of the refrain. Sound sample (with an internal repeat that is not there in VU).
  • Online Resource God In Your Goodness You Have Made a Home for the Poor (Marie-Luise Calvero) A lovely contemporary refrain with verses sung by a cantor; the verses are exclusively masculine for God, so if you want to avoid that, you'll need to use the refrain with a read Psalm. Lyric video. Free sheet music.
  • Online Resource God In Your Goodness You Have Made a Home for the Poor (Francesca LaRosa) A lovely contemporary refrain. The psalm tone cantored verses (from ICEL) use exclusively masculine language for God - you could use another source (e.g. NCH Psalter) for the verses if you choose to have a cantor. Lyric video. Sheet music purchasing options.
  • MV142 / SP&P209 Oh a Song must rise (Paul Svenson) A song that speakes of voices being raised from around the earth, from all people. A good song of unity. Quite straightforward to sing. Lyrics and sound sample. Lyric video.
  • MV221 I am walking a path of peace (Jean Tissandier) A simple song for the end of the service; words can be altered to paths of love, grace, hope, joy etc. Good for kids. Lyric video.
  • NCH022 / VU221 Sing praise to God who has shaped and sustains all creation! (Joachim Neander / Madeleine 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. Lyrics (downloads an order of service - it's the last song).
  • NCH039 / CH176 / UMH149 / WoV726 / GtG669 / G(II)375 / GC553  / W&R33 / Cha060 Creator God we sing / Cantemos al Creador / Cantemos al Senor / Let's sing unto the Lord (Carlos Rosas) Joyful song of praise with lots of Alleluias. NCH more inclusive language is better; some translations are very simplistic. Spanish language sound sample (video).
  • AoV1-137 / ATOK 403 / GA306 / G(II)286 God Of Abraham lead us (Bernadette Farrell) 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).  Good for kids.
  • Online Resource / Emergent Psalter / PfAS068B Sing to God O kingdoms of the earth (Isaac Everett)  A good Psalm refrain, simple to sing, with nice chords. The Psalm can be read or chanted over an improvised vamp. eBook for purchase. 
  • TiS 704 / AoV2-090 / NCH760 / Iona (M&G) / CH824 / VU431 / WoV786 / ELW846 / SFFS 2067 / GtG598 / G(II)369 / GC536 / W&R741 / ZSS56 / URW398 / StF770 Amen We Praise Your Name O God / Siakudumisa (South African) A simple and popular Amen. Not wild about the GIA hymnals English version. Sheet music sample. A choral version, which is very nice, but not very gutsy.  
  • MV144 / SP&P073 / Online Resource Like a healing stream (Bruce Harding) Gentle folksy ballad with a lot of water imagery - healing stream, gentle rain, river strong and mighty sea. Would need to be introduced, but would catch on pretty quickly, I think. Sound sample, sheet music.
  • 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.
  • NCH005 / StB023 / VU243 / VT115 Praise to God praise to God for the greenness (Nobuaki Hanaoka, Japan / USA) Earth's beauty; sung to a simple and quite familiar Japanese tune (SAKURA). Translations vary. A good hymn for kids who can read. Good for kids. Lyrics (downloads a PDF). Lyric video (instrumental).
1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
Rejoice in suffering. Be disciplined. Be humble because God cares for you.
  • Taizé / MV075 / StS079 / SFFS 2118 / GtG284 / GC(II)479 / G(3)547 / SP99 / URW395 Holy Spirit Come to Us / Veni sancte spiritus / Tui amoris ignem (Jacques Berthier, France) Best if you have a cantor, but works well if you don't, too. Sheet music, translations, sound samples.
  • Online Resource / Iona (M&G, T1AU) / MV099 / GC(II)673 / G(3)763 / Lau996 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. Good for kids. Sound sample (with an extra Litany of the Saints on top, which I just find confusing), and sheet music links for purchase.
  • Online Resource / Full of the Spirit When I carry the cross (Heather Price, Australia) A very singable song about how we are strengthened and strengthen each other through carrying each others crosses together. Sound sample and music for purchase.   
  • TiS 590 / AHB 165 / AoVK-117 / NCH506 / UMH526 / VU663 / LBW439 / ELW742 / HPP408 / GtG465 / PH403 / CP532 / W&R473 / Cha585 / Srce 776 / StF531 / MP746 What a Friend we have in Jesus (Joseph Scriven, USA) There is a bit of masculine language, but the song has so many other good things about it. I like both tunes. AOVK has different lyrics, written specifically for kids, which I think are worth singing. Good for kids. Oldy-but-a-goody. History.
  • SFFS 2215 / W&R493 I cast all my cares upon you / Cares Chorus (Kelly Willard, USA) This is pretty mushy; if it is familiar to your congregation, it would probably be very soothing, particularly for anyone who is really struggling. Thanks to Carla Strott for this suggestion. Lyric video.  
  • TiS 561 / AHB 467 / NCH494 / CH535 / LBW498 / A&M823 / CP(E) 621 / 82Hml-684 / Lau862 / MP224 Who would true valor see / valour see (John Bunyan, England) A lovely old hymn, with old-world imagery. I think it still works OK. TiS and NCH have inclusive language throughout. CH and CP(E) do not have inclusive language, even for humanity. I really like the tune MONK'S GATE. Particularly nice with light instrumentation. A violin / flute and a bodhran may be all you need for this. Inclusive lyrics.I quite like this version by Maddy Prior. Oldy-but-a-goody. 
  • GWA192 Crimson whispers of the dawning / Lord of this Hurried Heart (David Lyon, Scotland / Yvonne Lyon, Scotland / Tony Wood, USA) This song is more appropriate for a soloist, or to listen to it. Recording. 
John 17:1-11
Jesus’ parting prayer on our behalf. God’s care for us. Prayer for unity.
  • TLUS072 Oh let us breathe (Lori Erhardt, Canada) This soothing chorus has verses of breathing together, singing together, rising together, praying together, and living together. An excellent song that would suit this reading, but could also be used at any services with a focus on Christian Unity, or indeed, at Interfaith gatherings (as it is not specifically Christian). Sound sample. 
  • Tune In / Online Resource Shepherd of the night (Elaine Loukes, Australia) "Have you ever felt the velvet night wrap you in her warmth". A lovely song with a theme of God’s protection. This is tricky for a congregation, so you might want to ask the musicians to play this. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook.
  • TiS 590 / AHB 165 / AoVK-117 / NCH506 / UMH526 / VU663 / 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, but the song has so many other good things about it. I like both tunes. AOVK has different lyrics, written specifically for kids, which I think are worth singing. History. Good for kids. Oldy-but-a-goody.
  • TiS 613 / AHB 546 / ATOK 405 / CH166 / LBW469 / ELW765 / A&M713 / SFFS2197 / HPP265 / GtG683 / GC578 / GC(II)560 / G(3)663 / CP506 / CP(E) 507 / W&R469 / URW179 / 82Hml-482 / Lau969 / StF526 / MP882 Lord of all hopefulness Lord of all joy (Jan Struther) Excellent straightforward Irish tune (SLANE), and beautiful words. Would be a good choice for the final song. Lyrics. 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 really rock it, though we haven't done it for ages. Slightly silly sound sample with lyrics. Great for kids.
  • TLUS165 Larger than our creeds and customs (Barbara Hamm, USA) A good, very singable song seeking openness beyond our traditions.  
  • 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. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook.
  • Tune In / Online Resource / ATAR596 He comes with his arms open wide / The God that I know (Sheree Anderson) A ballad drawing on God’s strength and comfort; not easy if unfamiliar. Lyrics and sample and songbook.
  • Tune In / Online Resource Like the sun upon my skin / God’s Mercy (Sheree Anderson) A beautiful ballad about identifying God's mercy in the beauty of creation. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook.
  • TiS 411 / AHB 328 / NCH266 / UMH537 / VU194 / A&M633 / CP658 / CP(E) 425 / W&R331 Filled with the Spirit's power (John Peacey) Excellent inclusive words to a very well known hymn tune. I prefer it sung to WOODLANDS . Lyrics and sheet music./li>
  • A&M504 / GC(II)644 / W&R577 / G(3)743 / SP167 / StF689 / Lau836 / VT001 Summoned by the God who made us / Sing a New Church (Dolores Dufner, USA) Excellent words of Christian unity, diversity, and justice to the well-known tune NETTLETON (TiS 392). Would be good to sing during the offering (particularly if leading to communion). I would skip verse 4, which seems a bit colonial to me. Lyric video. New words to old tunes.
  • 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. Lyrics & sound sample.
  • MV142 / SP&P209 Oh a Song must rise (Paul Svenson) A song that speaks of voices being raised from around the earth, from all people. A good song of unity. Quite straightforward to sing. Lyrics and sound sample. Lyric video.
  • HPP498 / Cha495 / URW057 Weave weave (Rosemary Crow) A simple 6/8 chorus asking God to "weave us together in unity and love". Youtube.
Do you have some ideas? Please share them in a comment below!
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Songs, Hymns and Music for Easter 6A (10 May 2026)

Acts 17:22-31
Paul preaches in Athens; universal longing for God; call to repentace; universality of the gospel. 
  • Online Resource / Worldmaking.net God of My Breathing (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan). Excellent words to a well-known hymn tune (BUNESSAN). Sample and lyrics.  New words to old tunes.
  • Online Resource / TLUS045 / VT068 There's no-one like Jesus / Takwaba uwabanga Yesu / Hakuna wakaita sa Jesus / Hakuna Mungu kama wewe / Akekho ofana no Jesu (Unknown origin, East Africa) This joyful song has many versions, and includes lots of walking around and searching - a great way to get people out of their seats. Lyrics, notes and videos.Pronunciation and dance instructions!
  • 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.
  • UMH088 / VU321 / CP329 Maker in whom we live (Charles Wesley) Good inclusive lyrics to DIADEMATA. The first verse picks up a lot on Acts 17:28.  Lyrics, sheet music and sound samples.  Oldy-but-a-goody.
  • Online Resource / Tune In: Longing for you (Elaine Loukes). A simple chant of longing for God. Reference recording, lyrics and free downloadable songbook<./li>
  • Online Resource / TiS 182 / AoV2-010 / CH134 / CP395 / GtG760 / HPP13 / NCH011  / SFFS 2047 / VF106 / VT134 / VU268 Bring many names beautiful and good (Brian Wren, USA) This is a beautiful song with a wide variety of images for God that provoke reflection. Because it has so many images, it's also very long (especially if sung too slowly). Try singing one verse unison, then one women, one men (or different sides of the church, or different ages), then all together again, to give people a chance to list and reflect on what they are singing. Lyrics and sheet music. 
  • Here in this place As we live and have our being (Helen Wiltshire) Lovely words to one of my favourite scripture verses, focused on God in all our life and action. Suggested tune is FELICITY. Lyrics (dowloads a PDF).
  • SP&P89 / Worldmaking.net Ground and Source of all that is (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) This song is very beautiful and easy to sing. Lyrics and sound sample. 
  • StF033 O Lord we are always in your presence (Philip Jakob) A lovely chant, best if you can sing it in parts. Slightly mushy tune. "O Lord we are always in your presence, in you we live and move and have our being. You hold us in the palm of your hand. And you lead us to your glory". Sound sample.
  • Online Resource / TiS 387 / CH416 / UMH318 / VU158 / LBW363 / ELW389 / A&M199 / GtG246 / PH108 / CP(E) 140 / W&R312 / 82Hml-182 / Lau272 / StF297 Christ is alive Let Christians sing (Brian Wren) Excellent words of Christ's saving, and still relevant grace. A couple of tunes are offered in different hymn books. I prefer TRURO. Lyrics and sheet music New words to old tunes.  
  • NCH70 / UMH660 / VU389 / WoV719 / ELW526 / A&M445 / HPP486 / GtG409 / PH461 / GC741 / GC(II)737 / G(3)843 / CP(E) 301 / W&R1 / Cha280 / STB049 / StF025 God is here as we your people (Fred Pratt Green) Great lyrics, but not inclusive in all sources and set to a range of tunes. I like it sung to the familiar tune ABBOT'S LEIGH. Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music sample. New words to old tunes.
  • TiS 180 / UMH105 / W&R58 / Cha013 God of many names (Brian Wren) If this is new it will need to be taught to your congregation as the tune is not intuitive, but it is worth knowing. The chorus is particularly appealing to kids. Lyrics.
  • Iona (One is the Body) / ATAR601 / MV103 Ka mana'o 'i 'o (Joe Kanoelehua Camacho) Hawai'ian song. Fun to sing and good words. The chorus is not too hard to sing in Hawai'ian if you teach it. Nice with guitar and/or ukelele. Note for BUC: We have two ukelele players in the congregation. Sound sample.
  • NCH398 / MV044 / W&R599 / URW072 Shadow and Substance (Daniel Damon) Good clear words of being Christ's community in all our diversity. A simple tune. Sample sheet music.
  • Online Resource In this one holy one (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A simple chorus, designed for community singing, with verses that pick up the theme of oneness with the universe and earth. Sound sample, lyrics, and purchasing options. 
Psalm 66:8-20
The second part of this Psalm: God has tested us but has also listened to us and loved steadfastly.
You could sing an Alleluia!
  • Tune In / Online Resource 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. Sound sample and downloadable songbook. 
  • Online Resource / GWA009 All creation sings God's greatness (Jacque Jones / Benjamin Brody) A joyful song of celebration with the chorus "Grateful souls cannot be silent; in God's presence we must sing. To the source of all compassion songs of gratitude we bring". The tune is a little tricky, but once you get the rhythm, it's really catchy. Be careful not to let it become too "musical theatre"-like in the transition to the chorus. Sheet music sample, sound sample and purchasing options.
  • TiS 545 / Iona (LFB) / CH676 / VU482 / StF598 Shout for joy! The Lord has let us feast (John Bell) Particularly appropriate if you are celebrating communion. Energetic and quite simple to sing; would be a great song to end with. Thanks to Fay Magee for this suggestion. Lyrics. 
  • CP523 / ELW791 / SFFS 2001 / NCH009 / URW293 / VT080 We Sing to You O God (Gracia Grindal, USA) Excellent new words to a standard hymn tune (DARWALLS 148th) New words to old tunes. Nice descant part also. Lyrics.
  • Tune In / Online Resource Peace In Our Time (Dave Brown) A groovy bossa nova song of peace and action for peace. Not easy for congregational singing. Sound sample and downloadable songbook.
  • Online Resource / ATE 216 / CH126 / CP417 / ELW555 / G(II)365 / GC527 / Iona (SBL) / PH472 / RS 671 / W&R15 / StF042 / StJ / VT113 O sing to the Lord / Cantai ao Senhor / Cantad al Señor (Unknown, Brazil) A good, fun and simple song that is also easy to learn in Portuguese or Spanish; note that not all versions are inclusive. Public domain sheet music. Sound sample. Note how it is a call and response song in that sound sample! Good for kids!
  • 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.
  • Taizé / GC(II)533 Sing to God with joyful hearts / Singt dem Herrn (Jacques Berthier) A joyful round. Works well in English and German, and probably other languages too. Sound samples, sheet music and lyrics.
  • CH171 / A&M568 /  SP253 Take up the song and sing the praise of God (Rae Whitney) Simple, upbeat tune, and great words about creation, our choice and responsibility. Nice time signature. Sound sample.
  • 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.
  • MV175 May we but wait upon Love's word (Will Petricko) A simple refrain which would work well as a response for prayers of Intercession.
  • TiS 720 / AHB 295 / AoVK-85 / AoV2-046 / ATOK 319 / NCH236 / Iona (Many & Great, There is one among us) / CH345 / VU958 / StJ / A&M836 / SFFS 2026 / HPP571 / GtG591 / GC(II)261 / G(3)329 / W&R005 / Cha041 / ZSS76 / SP324 / PfAS150G / URW370 / Lau178 Halle halle hallelujah (Traditional Caribbean) A good Alleluia would work well for this passage, and I think this one is particularly excellent – simple, great for kids, good rhythm. PfAS uses it as a Psalm refrain which would work well for any translation of the Psalm. Good for kids. Sound sample.
  • A&M361 / AoVK-30 / ATW 419 / CH757 / Iona (Common Ground, CAYP) / ELW819 / GC(II)744 / G(3)849 / HPP551 / MV002 / PfAS066B / SFFS 2274 / SP&P022 / SP179 / STF022 / VT002 / WoV717 Come all you people / Uyai mose (Alexander Gondo, Zimbabwe) 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.
  • 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.
1 Peter 3:13-22
Suffering to do good; Jesus’ descent into hell; Baptism.
  • Online Resource / Tune In He left his home, fam'ly, friends / A grain of wheat (Sheree Anderson, Australia / Canada) 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. Free downloadable songbook and sound sample. Good for kids & teenagers.
  • Online Resource / Tune In O Spirit God / In the shape of a cross (Dave Brown, Australia) A cry to God for help and a call for God to enter our world. Free downloadable songbook and sound sample.
  • NCH575 / VU697 / GtG372 / PH386 / Cha683 O for a world where everyone respects each others ways (Miriam Therese Winter, USA) A song with good words sung to a well known hymn tune (AZMON). The words are a prayer for a world of peace and the reign of Christ. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
  • Online Resource / TiS 494 / W&R678 / Cha375 In water we grow (Brian Wren, USA) Great words, especially if you have a baptism this week. Tune is quite straightforward. Lyrics and sheet music. 
  • TiS 590 / AHB 165 / AoVK-117 / NCH506 / UMH526 / VU663 / LBW439 / ELW742 / HPP408 / GtG465 / PH403 / CP532 / W&R473 / Cha585 / Srce 776 / StF531 / MP746 What a Friend we have in Jesus (Joseph Scriven, USA) There is a bit of masculine language, but the song has so 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 and sheet music. Good for kids. Oldy-but-a-goody.
  • VU306 God of the farmlands hear our prayer (Thomas Charles Hunter-Clare, Scotland) Good words about harvest, waters, mining (!), city and industry, guidance for politicians, nation-hood. It's pretty good, and could fit with this reading if you want to focus on authorities. Lyrics and sheet music sample.
John 14:15-21
Promise of the Holy Spirit
  • 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 / MP089 Come down O Love divine (Richard Littledale, Ireland / England, based on Bianco di Siena, Italy) Old fashioned, but still inclusive and very well known. Lyrics and sound sample of a totally different tune, which is not so great for congregations. Hymnals vary a lot in the lyrics with respect to thees and thys and words like "vesture". Oldy-but-a-goody.
  • ATW 487 Make your home in me (Fay White, Australia) A simple beautiful invitation. “If you fly to the point of the day’s sunrise or westward across the sea, if you travel to the uttermost ends of the earth, there I will be; Make your home in me as I make my home in you. I am everywhere that you can be. Make your home in me”. Lyrics.
  • NCH520 / VU573 / LBW441 / ELW402 / AA033 / CP557 / W&R475 / 82Hml-698 Eternal Spirit of the living Christ (Frank von Christierson, Finland / USA) There are many tunes to these very honest and realistic words. For a more modern alternative, Gibson's tune in AA (ARGYLE STREET) is quite good. Lyrics.
  • NCYC'99 / ATW 494 For you deep stillness (Julie Perrin / Robin Mann, Australia) This homegrown favourite is just excellent. It also has actions! Might be nice to sing this at the end of the service. Lyrics. Lyric video. Lyrics, and description of the movements (on p13). 
  • 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.
  • Online Resource / Walk as One If you love me / Mercy Road (Leigh Newton) A hopeful song about how to love each other and the planet in the way that Christ calls us. Sound sample and free sheet music.
  • Online Resource / VU619 / WoV738 / ELW612 / SFFS 2213 / GtG795 / G(II)642 / GC882 / GC(II)854 / G(3)960 / RS 958 / CP612 / W&R630 / Cha506 / URW161 / Lau427 Healer of Our Every Ill (Marty Haugen, USA) Good straightforward words of healing and simple tune. "Give us strength to love each other, every sister, every brother". Can get overly mushy. Lyrics and sheet music sample, and choral version for purchase. Sound sample.
  • Ti 217 / AHB 148 / NCH43 / CH519 / UMH384 / VU333 / A&M721 / LBW315 / ELW631 / A&M721 / GA463 / HPP48 / GtG366 / PH376 / GC622 / GC(II)613 / G(3)641 / CP485/6 / CP(E) 516 / W&R358 / Cha517 / Srce457 / URW100 / 82Hml-657 / Lau801 / StF503 / MP449 Love divine all loves excelling (Charles Wesley, England) A beautiful classic song and most hymnals use a very inclusive version of this hymn, even the AHB. Lyrics, sheet music and sound sample. You may also like to give Rend Collective Experiment's version a listen (hard for congregations to sing, but nice for listening). Oldy-but-a-goody.
  • TiS 711 / ATOK 334 / Iona (M&G) / WoV681 / VU383 / SFFS 2124 / GtG283 / G(II)330 / StF038 Come O Holy Spirit / Wa Wa Wa Emimimo (Unknown, 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! You might like to encourage your congregation to dance a simple side-to-side step to this; they will enjoy it even more. A good song to help us remember that our faith is global, and to think of the church and all people in Africa. Sound sample including John Bell teaching the song. I have been thinking lately that this song would be really fun sung with more of a "highlife" sensibility, like Nigerian pop music. Good for kids.  
Do you have some ideas I've not listed? Please add them below in the comments section.
Updated on the Isle of Skye 2023, and then at home in 2026, with three bagpipers in my living room. 
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