Acts 7:55-60
Stephen’s vision and his stoning
- You may like to sing a Gloria - here is a list.
- SFFS 2129 / HPP322 / W&R344 / Cha344 / Srce2-244 / MP272 / TLUS149 I Have Decided to Follow Jesus / Jisuni jaman anga jarigken / Yeshuko pachhi (Simon Kama Marak, Assam, India) Good simple chorus, based on the words of an
indigenous Garo martyr in the Assam region of India. My reflection on the origins of this song. You could sing it in its original language (Garo), or many other languages. Check TLUS for multiple language versions! Lyric video here. English lyrics and chords. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- 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 Community, Scotland) A classic.
Don't sing it too slowly or it really drags and takes forever!
- Online Resource / TiS
749 / AoV1-154 / AoVK-131 / ATE 305 / NCH360 / Iona (SBL, Freedom is
coming) / CH800 / UMH497 / VU572 / WoV773 / ELW809 / GA493 / A&M481 / HPP340 / GtG746 / G(II)484
/ GC677 / GC(II)674 / G(3)776 / W&R713 / Cha447 / SP234 / StF782 Send me Jesus / Thuma mina (South African) You all know this one, right? If you don't - it's great - simple, repetitive, and meaningful. Good for kids. Sheet music sample and lyrics. Youtube.
- 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.
- AoV2-070 / ATW 496 / MV090 / StJ / G(3)719 Don't be afraid (John Bell, Scotland)
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. Good for kids. Sheet music. This song could be
used as a Psalm response I think.
- TiS 611 / AHB 543 / NCH436 / UMH577 / VU686 / LBW415 / ELW705 / A&M648 /
HPP456 / PH420 / GtG307 / CP577 / CP(E) 448 / W&R569 / Cha464 /
82Hml-594 / StF682 / MP192 God of Grace and God of Glory (Harry Fosdick, USA) A song about being courageous and wise. There are many
possible tunes and many sets of words to this hymn. NCH has the most
inclusive words, but TiS and AHB are okay too. They don’t hold back in
verse 3. Chorus: “Grant us wisdom, Grant us courage, for the facing of
this hour”. Don’t know about everyone else, but I know best the tune
AHB 543 (ii). One version of the lyrics. New words to old tunes.
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
God as refuge and redeemer - Worldmaking.net O Holy One
(Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan, USA) A very simple song for the start of worship. It
could be sung altogether as a congregation or responsively. Sound sample and lyrics. Good for kids.
- PfAS031C / URW256 (Refrain 2) My times are in your hands
(AnnaMae Meyer Bush, USA) A simple two part. This would be worth teaching. (It's not
the old chorus) It can be sung on its own, or as a Psalm refrain, or
prayer response. Simply: “My times are in your hands. You strengthen me in strife. My hope is in your word. Your love preserves my life.” Sheet music sample. Good for kids.
- Iona / CH788 / MV104 / GtG659 Know that God is Good / Mungu ni mwema (Unknown,
Democratic Republic of Congo) This traditional African refrain is lots
of fun and very simple to sing, but is also very affirming that even in
difficult times we can be confident that God is good. Good for kids and adults! Sheet music sample. Sound sample. Sound sample in Kenyan languages.
- GtG811 / PfAS031D / URW256 (Refrain 1) Make your face to shine upon your servant / Haz resplandecer tu rostro
(Jay Weldon Wilkey, USA) This is a lovely song. It can be sung on its own, or as a Psalm refrain, as in URW (use
the section "Make your face to shine… loving kindness save me" as the
refrain, and the section beginning "But as for me" at the conclusion of
the Psalm). Clunky sound sample.
- Online Resource / TiS 682 / ATW 490 / GA236 / A&M355 / AA151 / SP148 When human voices cannot sing
(Shirley Murray, New Zealand) Lovely words of healing in the face of grief. I prefer
this sung to ST COLUMBA, which is the tune in GA and TiS. Lyrics and sheet music.
- PfAS031A Empty broken lifeless (Shannon Cerneka and Orin Johnson, USA) A sorrowful chant-like refrain, and verses that should be
best sung by a cantor. Lyrics.
- TiS 19 / Iona (PPP&P) / ATOK 339 In you O Lord I have found refuge (John Bell, Scotland) A simple cantor and response Psalm. Sound sample, and mp3 available to purchase and download.
- Ps Project Into Your Hands (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan, USA) A very very very very simple chant. Lyrics and sound sample.
- CP517 / W&R503 O God your constant care and love
(Glen Lanier, USA) Quite good words about God's presence with us through our
lives. Sung to a standard hymn tune (WAREHAM or WINCHESTER NEW). Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- TiS 240 / AHB182 / CH393 / StF640 We turn to God when we are sorely pressed
(Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Germany) Excellent words of our need for God, God's
suffering, and God's generosity. Sung to a standard hymn tune. Lyrics and a number of translations. I much prefer the Church Hymnary version to the translations in TiS and AHB. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / StJ / G(II)346 / GC506 / GC(II)508 / G(3)586 You Are All We Have (Francis Patrick O'Brien, USA) A nice refrain and good cantor parts. Somewhat formal. Sound sample, sheet music sample and purchasing options (choral version).
- AoV2-070 / ATW 496 / MV090 / StJ / G(3)719 Don't be afraid (John Bell, Scotland)
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. Good for kids. Sheet music. This song could be
used as a Psalm response I think.
Songs for the verses in the middle of the Psalm that the lectionary skips; they may be appropriate depending on how you will read it.
- Online Resource / MV083 / FFS41 Let my spirit always sing
(Shirley Murray, New Zealand) Good words about getting old; this is appropriate for the verses in the middle of this Psalm which will not be read this week. May be sung to a
number of different tunes. A song for those who are aged or infirm. A
good song to play in nursing homes, or in congregations with a large
proportion of elderly who are wrestling with what it means to live in a
body that doesn't do what it used to manage! Lyrics & sheet music.
- ATAR669 Be my strength (Robin Mann, Australia) Words about familiar comforting things, and about becoming older and more frail. Excellent. Lyrics.
- CH725 Today I live one day shall come my death (Fred Kaan, USA) An unusual theme remarking on the inevitability of death and that we have no need to fear it. Lovely tune. Lyrics.
1 Peter 2:2-10
Taste that the Lord is good,
living stones, Christ the foundation, God's people
- Online Resource / TIS 624 / W&R453 / StF492 Christ be my leader by night as by day (Timothy Dudley-Smith) Excellent words of following Christ in times of struggle to a traditional Scottish melody. Sheet music and lyrics New words to old tunes.
- NCH371 God creation's great designer
(Jane Parker Huber) Excellent words, particularly if you worship in an older
church building, or have an anniversary to celebrate. Sung to a
well-known tune (HOLY MANNA). Lyrics (downloads an order of service). New words to old tunes.
- NCH387 / GtG361 / PH443 / GC(II)646 / RS782 / CP524 / Lau829 O Christ the great foundation
(Timothy T'ingFang Lew) Excellent words of salvation and justice, sung
to the tune of "The church's one foundation" (AURELIA); we have sung
this, but not for a while. New words to old tunes Lyrics.
- 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.
- TiS
636 / VU272 / WoV715 / LBW250 / ELW533 / GtG453 /
PfAS078C / PfAS078D / URW076 / 82Hml-536 / Lau472 / MP182 God has spoken to his people Alleluia / God has spoken to the people Alleluia
(Hasidic traditional) In many versions this song is not inclusive for
God, or uses specifically Christian lyrics (which is odd, since it's a
Jewish hymn). VU, PfAS GtG and WoV have gender inclusive language for
God: "God has spoken
to the people (Alleluia), God has spoken words of wisdom, Alleluia".
WoV and PfAS also have the traditional Hebrew chorus of "Torah ora torah
ora
hallelujah" which means "The Lord is light" which would be great to sing
and are the original words! PfAS078D simply uses the first two lines of the first verse as a psalm
refrain. The chorus is good for kids. One version of the lyrics.
- 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.
- NCH454 / UMH402 / HPP323 / GtG729 / PH372 / W&R457 / Cha589 Lord I want to be a Christian (Traditional
African-American) This repetitive old song could be quite good, I
think. More suitable for American congregations, I suspect. Oldy-but-a-goody. Lyrics and sheet music sample.
- 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. Lyrics and history. Good for kids.
- Online Resource / TiS 468 / NCH309 / PH436 We are your people Spirit of grace
(Brian Wren) I really like the lyrics to this one. The tune is a bit funny
and the hymn is quite long - needs something to stop people plodding
through it; maybe split the singing into male/female or different sides
of the congregation. Lyrics and sheet music.
- HiOS70 I'm a living stone
(Colin Gibson) A good call and response song that would work well for kids;
there is only one line that is different between the leaders and the
responders. Good for kids.
- Iona (LFB)
Unsure when what was bright turns dark / Stumbling blocks and stepping stones (Iona) Doubt, suffering, healing of relationships. Very powerful lyrics. Tune is MARY MORRISON, but can also be sung to YE BANKS AND BRAES. New words to old tunes.
- SP&P115 We are all God's chosen people (Stephen Nix) A simple chorus about us all being equal in God's sight. Lyrics (downloads a PDF). Good for kids.
John 14:1-14
In
my father’s house there are many dwelling places – Christ going to
prepare a place for us. I am the way… exclusiveness of the gospel, the
unity of Christ and the Father.
- ATAR616 In my father's house
(Paul Somerville, Australia) A great song of unity, with an inspiring, and very
singable chorus. Highly recommended. Lyrics (downloads an order of service). Good for older kids & teenagers.
- VT008 Jesus A Nahetotaetanome / Jesus how joyful you have made us (John Heap of Birds, Cheyenne) This is not easy to sing, but could be appropriate for your congregation. Sound sample (half way down the page, there's an audio clip of it being sung at White River Cheyenne Mennonite church).
- 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).
- 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!
- Worldmaking.net Brother Jesus right beside me (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) This is a great rock song, especially good for kids because it's pretty simple. Lyrics and a very silly sound sample that IMHO does no justice to the song at all. We really rock it. Great for kids!
- TiS 687 God gives us a future
(Elizabeth Smith) Great words to a very easy hymn tune. Careful not to let it get
the tune get too pompous; the words are not! "God gives us a future,
daring us to go into dreams and dangers on a path unknown. We will face
tomorrow in the Spirit's power, we will let God change us for new life
starts now!". Sound sample. Lyric video. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / Tune in 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. Lyrics, sound sample and free downloadable songbook.
- TiS 420 Holy Spirit go before us every mind and heart prepare (Elizabeth
Smith) Great words of evangelism and justice to a simple lilting
melody. If you think your congregation can't cope with a new tune this
week, it can be sung to AUSTRIA (TiS 93). Tune recording (lyrics are in the comments section!) (new tune).
- AoV2-089 / Taize / MV086 / SFFS 2156 Give peace to every heart / Da Pacem Cordium (Jacques Berthier) A good, simple Taize chant. Sound samples, sheet music (not cantor lines though).
- Online Resource / GA527 / G(II)540 / GC745 / GC(II)730 / G(3)847 / Lau1000 Jesus Christ Yesterday Today and Forever
(Suzanne Toolan) A very simple refrain in English and Spanish, and multilingual
cantor parts. That's fun! Works well without the cantor part too. Sheet music (choral version). Lyric video with verses in Gaelic and English (quite lovely).
- 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.
- TiS
636 / VU272 / WoV715 / ELW519 / GtG453 / PfAS078C / PfAS078D / URW076 / 82Hml-536 / Lau472 / MP182 God has spoken to his people Alleluia / God has spoken to the people Alleluia
(Hasidic traditional) In many versions this song is not inclusive for
God, or uses specifically Christian lyrics (which is odd, since it's a
Jewish hymn). VU, PfAS GtG and WoV have gender inclusive language for
God: "God has spoken
to the people (Alleluia), God has spoken words of wisdom, Alleluia".
WoV and PfAS also have the traditional Hebrew chorus of "Torah ora torah
ora
hallelujah" which means "The Lord is light" which would be great to sing
and are the original words! PfAS078D simply uses the first two lines of the first verse as a psalm
refrain. The chorus is good for kids. One version of the lyrics.
- 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.
- Online Resource / TIS 624 / W&R453 / StF492 Christ be my leader by night as by day (Timothy Dudley-Smith) Excellent words of following Christ in times of struggle to a traditional Scottish melody. Sheet music and lyrics New words to old tunes.
- AoV2-085 / Iona (T1AU) / MV115 / A&M328 / SP129 Behold behold I Make All Things New (John Bell) A nice hopeful upbeat short song. Highly recommended. Sound sample (scroll down) Good for kids.
- Online Resource / Walk as One I am the way (Leigh Newton / David Froemming) A simple song, with powerful justice-focussed lyrics. Sound sample. Book for purchase.
- VU283 / AA047 God is the One whom we seek together (Colin Gibson) Simple song. Tune is a little tricky.
- NCH072 / UMH552 / VU362 / ELW530 / GtG311 / PH465 / CP534 / W&R597 / Cha278 Here O Lord Your Servants Gather / Sekai no Tomo (Tokuo Yamaguchi) Beautiful song about being a community of faith seeking strength and courage. Lovely simple Japanese tune. The story of this hymn. Lyrics.
- STB281 From the unreal lead to the real / Asa toma sathgamaya (Sanskrit
Bhajan) This traditional Sanskrit chant could be good to sing - "From death lead us to fullness of life!". Sheet music sample.
- Online Resource / W&R104 / URW102 Hidden Christ Alive for Ever
(Brian Wren) Wonderful and inspiring words of Christ in all things. Can be
sung to HYFRYDOL or HOLY MANNA, so would be easily sung by most
congregations. A good song for just after the sermon. Music and lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- TiS
380 / AHB 303 / NCH253 / CH419 / UMH308 / VU173 / LBW145 / ELW376 /
A&M218 / HPP203 / GtG238 / PH122 / CP210 / CP(E)160 / W&R310 / Cha218 / Srce694 / Lau287 / StF313 / MP689 Thine be the glory risen conquering Son (Albert Budry) One of the few older hymns that doesn't require updating, and beautiful harmonies... A great classic hymn! Lyrics and tune. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- Recorded Music One Road to Freedom
(Ben Harper) "Do you know which road you're travelling? Do you know
where you want to be? With so many roads to travel, there's just one can
set you free". A good song to help people think about what it means for
there to be only one way to God. Don't forget that if you are playing
recorded music to your congregation, it's a good idea to have the lyrics
printed out or projected. Lyrics. Sound sample on a youtube video.
What ideas do you have? Please share them with others (and me!) by adding a comment below. Updated on the Isle of Skye 2023.
