Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7)
The angels visit Abraham and Sarah, a child is promised and Sarah laughs.
If you choose to focus on songs of hospitality to strangers, this list of songs for Refugee Sunday may be helpful.
- NCH020 God of Abraham and Sarah, God of Moses, Miriam's Guide (James Gertmenian)
Salvation history in one song with a focus on justice, healing,
courage. I suggested this for Transfiguration as well, so it might be
good to sing it again. Fits well with all themes for this week. Could
also be sung to NETTLETON if you want something familiar. Lyric video (kind of quick for a congregation (not to NETTLETON!). New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / 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). More sound samples, sheet music sample, purchasing options. Good for kids.
- MV190 Laughter lit the stars of morning
(Lydia Pedersen) Lovely lyrics and a simple waltz melody. These words really capture the laughter of
Sarah. The tune in MV is new, but it can also be sung to the very
familiar Abbot’s Leigh tune. “Laughter filled a barren Sarah: shall is
ancient womb conceive? When I feel new life within me, only then will I
believe! Sarah’s laughter turned to wonder at the thing that God had
done when her longing arms were cradling Isaac, her beloved son”. The
3rd and final verse ais a baptismal verse, so it may not make sense if
you don’t have a baptism this Sunday. On the other hand, there’s nothing
wrong with singing about baptism when there isn’t one on that
particular day. It’s not so day specific that it couldn’t work.
Lyrics (downloads a PDF).
- Online Resource / Tune In Community (Dave Brown, Australia) A song about being welcomed and part of a community. "a glass of water shared with the thirsty". Free downloadable songbook, lyrics & sound samples. Good for kids.
- Online Resource Awake with timbrel and with dance
(Mary Louise Bringle) A joyful celebration of many women of the Scriptures (including Sarah), sung to AZMON. Sheet music sample, lyrics, and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / GWA025 / VT190 The God of Sarah praise
(David Bjorlin, USA) A broadening of the traditional song "The God of Ab'ram
Praise" to include Sarah and Hagar; you make like to add some of these
verses to the traditional words. I find verse 2 (about Abraham) to be a bit colonial.
Set to the traditional melody
LEONI. Sound sample, sheet music and lyrics sample and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / GWA113 God we praise you for the women
(Daniel Charles Damon, USA) A song of thanks for all women who have
mothered, including adoptive mothers and grandmothers; mentions some
women in the Bible (including Sarah laughing, as in the passage here). A simple
original hymn tune (in GWA) or can be sung to BEACH SPRING if you
desire a familiar tune. Lyrics and sheet music (BEACH SPRING version). New words to old tunes.
- TiS
560 / AHB 465 / NCH408 / CH192 / UMH132 / VU654/655 / WoV782 / ELW757 /
A&M584 / CP529 / CP(E) 368 / Cha088 / Srce2-15 / 82Hml-665 / Lau959 / StF455 / MP016 All my hope on God is founded / is firmly grounded
(Joachim Neander) Most translations of this well known German hymn are not
inclusive, but the NCH and WoV are, so if you have those books (BUC
people, we have NCH and WoV). One inclusive version of the lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- NCH426 O God whose steadfast love
(James Haddix) A song about family and motherhood. The tune is a very
familiar sounding hymn tune (RHOSYMEDRE). “Your promises, O God, so sure throughout the years, have
lived in mothers’ hearts, have bloomed from mothers’ tears. So Sarah
laughed, and Hannah wept, and singing Mary secrets kept…”. Lyric video.
- Iona (LFB) / G(II)503 / GC701 / RS818 / StF464 God It Was who said to Abraham
(John Bell) Easy tune. Good story words, which includes God's call to
Joseph, along with a canon of others who were called by God. God it was who said to Sarah "Smile
and soon you'll bear a son". Note that
God is masculine; I think this has been changed in more recent editions
of Love From Below. Lyrics (downloads an order of service).
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
Thanksgiving; A vow to the Lord, and lifting the cup of salvation…?
- Unknown Source I love you God / Psalm 116
(Linnea Good, Canada) is particularly beautiful and simple “I love you God; I know you
listen. You listened on the day I cried. When I called out to you in
anguish, you were my presence and my guide”. I think this is in our folders at church. I cannot find it online. Good for kids.
- TiS 709 / Taizé Chuyo chuyo
(Jacques Berthier, France, but also from Korea somehow) A Korean hymn, appropriate for an intercession
response, and can be sung as a round. Not hard for non-Koreans! It means
"Lord hear us". Good for kids.
- URW311 I love you Lord you hear my cry
(Isaac Watts, England) A simple song with two verses, or PfAS116D uses it as a Psalm
refrain. It would be pretty amazing if
you can sing it in 4 parts, I reckon. The 2nd verse could be quite
appropriate on its own during intercessions. Older versions are not inclusive. Lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- TiS 71 / VU617 / G(II)97 / GC108 I will walk in the presence of the Lord (Richard Proulx, USA) A beautiful cantored Psalm. The refrain is very simple. Doesn’t make sense without the cantor. Lyrics (in an order of worship).
- 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
- TiS 727 / SiS361 / ATE 208 / CH121 / AA70 / PfAS022F In the presence of your people (Brent Chambers, New Zealand) A good Yiddish tune - lots of fun for kids and adults. Good to get fast and dance around on this one. Good for kids. Or you could try: VU745 which uses the refrain only for singing with a reading of a
different Psalm, but it would also work for this one too. Lyrics (3 verses, but I only ever sing the first one).
- 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, adapted from an old tune. Sound sample, sheet music sample, purchasing options.
Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Exodus 19:2-8a
A covenant between God and the Israelites after they were brought safely from Egypt
- TiS 48 / AoV1-153 / ATOK 411 / VU808 / WoV779 / ELW787 / GA452 / HPP385 /
GtG043 / G(II)433 / GC611 / GC(II)593 / G(3)691 / CP531 / W&R438 / PfAS091E / Cha077 / Lau952 You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord / On Eagle's Wings (Michael Joncas, USA)
This is a big favourite all over the place. It has masculine imagery for God. This doesn't have to be sung slowly and meditatively - it also works very well as a more upbeat song. If it is not familiar to you, a cantor can be used for the verses. It is not inclusive. Lyrics.
- TiS
560 / AHB 465 / NCH408 / CH192 / UMH132 / VU654/655 / WoV782 / ELW757 /
A&M584 / CP529 / CP(E) 368 / Cha088 / Srce2-15 / 82Hml-665 / Lau959 / StF455 / MP016 All my hope on God is founded / is firmly grounded
(Joachim Neander, Germany) Most translations of this well known German hymn are not
inclusive, but the NCH and WoV are, so if you have those books (BUC
people, we have NCH and WoV). One inclusive version of the lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- NCH468 / UMH118 / VU269 / Cha076 / URW199 The care the eagle gives her young (Deane Postlethwaite, USA) Lovely words. I prefer this to CRIMOND. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- Iona (One is the Body) / ATAR601 / MV103 Ka mana'o 'i 'o / Faithful is our God
(Joe Kanoelehua Camacho, Hawai'i) 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
ukulele. Sound sample.
Psalm for the Exodus reading: Psalm 100 - Online Resource / NCH007 / VT004 / VU822 All people that on earth do dwell (Adapt:
Thomas Troeger) Almost every hymnal has quite masculine words for this
classic
hymn (including TiS). If you would like a more inclusive alternative, I
thoroughly recommend you look at this new adaptation. It is
joyous and very lovely. "All people that on earth do dwell, sing out
your faith with cheerful voice; Delight in God whose praise you tell,
whose presence calls you to rejoice". Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
- GWA046 Let us come and worship our creator / Mari beribadah pada Allah / Somba Ma Jahowa (J
A U Doloksaribu) This joyful Indonesian song, set to a Batak Toba
(Northern Sumatra) folk song is a good opening for worship for any
Sunday, but also picks up many of the themes in this reading. Sound sample. Another sound sample (slightly slower).
- 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. Good for kids. Sound sample (with some extra verses! hymnals only have the chorus).
- VU242 / LBW557 / ELW881 / GtG037 / PH554 / GC567 / GC(II)551 / G(3)635 / CP403 / W&R22 / Cha717 / VF107 Let All Things Now Living (Katherine Davis) Lovely lyrics to the well known and quite jolly Welsh folk tune ASH GROVE. Not all sources are inclusive. Lyrics (older version). New words to old tunes
- Taizé / TiS 731 / SFFS 2017 / GtG155 / G(II)377 / GC557 / GC(II)535 / G(3)618 / W&R212 / PfAS100G Raise a song of gladness / Jubilate Servite (Jacques Berthier) 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)". Youtube.
- AoVK-24 / Iona (T1AU) / CH756 Bless the Lord / My sisters
(Kenyan) Simple and fun Kenyan call and response. "Bless the Lord there
is no other God" Kids would really enjoy this, and with some African
drumming, it would really be excellent. The tune is identical to Re a mo
Leboga, so may be familiar to your congregation already. Sound sample of Re a mo lebogaGood for kids.
- Online Resource / CP351 / URW300 Rejoice in God all earthly lands (Ruth Duck) Really good words for this Psalm, sung to the familiar
tune OLD HUNDREDTH. Good to sing after or during the offering. Lyrics sample and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
- Taizé / ATA 107 / VU247 / GC555 / CP308 / W&R303 / Lau691 Jubilate Deo (Michael Praetorius) A simpler fun round from the community at Taizé. Sound sample and practice parts.
- CH141 / A&M548 / SP250 / URW077 / StF114 Oh the life of the world is a joy and a treasure
(Kathy Galloway, Scotland) Good inclusive words about God's presence in "the life of
the world" (nature, seasons, childbirth, justice). The tune is a simple
Celtic-style melody. Lyrics.
- Online Resource / AoVK-124 Shout to the Lord for joy all the earth (Nathaniel Ford, Australia) Fun three part song. Sound sample, sheet music sample, purchasing options. Good for kids.
- AoVK-147 / ATFG517 / VU821 Make a joyful noise all the earth (Linnea Good) Good solid words and a simple tune. Inclusive language throughout. Sound sample.
- URW299 O many people of all lands
(Natty Barranda) A good song supporting multicultural harmony at home, at
work, and in church. Tune is a little tricky. Lyrics (downloads a PDF).
- Online Resource This is the moment here is the place (Hannah
Brown / Benjamin Brody) A good song of welcome which talks about the
mystery of worship; sung to a lovely new tune in 6/8. There are enough
verses for the congregation to pick it up the first time. Sheet music sample, lyrics and purchasing options.
- 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.
- PfAS100C Let every voice on earth resound
(Michael Morgan) A better version of Old Hundred. It is set to a
different tune, but I would sing it to Old Hundredth. Lyrics.
Romans 5:1-8
Justified by faith, gives us peace and reconciliation; suffering.
- GWA183 In this darkness / Bridge of Waiting (Pat
Bennett, Scotland / John Bell, Scotland) Beautiful words of travelling through darkness with God. Very formal sound sample.
- TiS 683 / WoV735 / ELW603 / W&R416 / StF649 God when human bonds are broken (Fred Kaan)
These words pick up an unusual theme, and fit really well with this
reading. There are a couple of possible tunes, none of which are
immediately familiar, but they are not difficult either. Lyrics.
- Online Resource / BUC Song Project Broken (Elaine Loukes) This song seeking God's open arms at the end of a dry journey fits this reading well. Sheet music, lyrics and sound sample.
- TiS 164 / AHB 105 / CH358 The great love of God (Daniel T Niles) A simple creed song from the Christian Conference of Asia. The tune is really beautiful. Lyrics.
- Online Resource / AoVK-28 / ATOK 376 Faith hope and love, this is what we long for (Trish Watts) A groovy, easy, fun song. Sound sample and purchasing options. Good for kids.
- Scripture in Song 29 Therefore being justified by faith
(Unknown author) 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. There's also the "Chui Chui"
version - which I just discovered tonight - there are about a hundred
Youtube videos of various actions to this. Maybe fun for a Sunday School
class or camp? Lyrics and sound sample (in 4/4).
- Public
Domain / Online Resource / TiS
129 / AHB 56 / AoV1-029 / A&M587 / ATA 131 / CH555 / CP352 / CP(E)
375 / ELW779 / LBW448 / NCH547 / UMH378 / VU266 / GA437 / G(II)434 /
GC612 / GC(II)586 / G(3)645 / GtG649 / HPP334 / PH280 / W&R422 /
Cha546 / ZSS202 / Srce25 / Lau846 / StF440 / MP031 / VT163 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. I also love listening to Gurrumul singing this in Yolŋu. Public domain sheet music. 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 Come down O Love divine (Bianco da Siena) Old fashioned, but still inclusive and very well known. Words and tune. 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 (The Iona Community) A beautiful and simple chant.
Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23)
Jesus is healing, the harvest is ready (the people are needy), the labourers are few. The disciples begin their mission.
- 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, like the crowds around Jesus. Sound sample, sheet music sample and purchasing options. Lyrics and guitar chords.
- Taizé / AoVNG125 / GWA223 MV146 / GC(II)637 / G(3)740 / PfAS024D The Kingdom of God is justice and peace and joy in the holy spirit (Taizé Community, France) "Come, Lord and open in us the gates of your kingdom". A nice joyful chant. Sheet music and sound samples of parts for practice. Good for kids.
- Tune In / Online Resource Hail the fisherfolk (Dave Brown) A bluesy litany of the saints, including the fishermen of yesterday and the fisherfolk of today. Free downloadable songbook, lyrics & sound samples.
- Tune In / Online Resource The Spirit of the Lord (Elaine Loukes) A beautiful and simple chant. Highly recommended. Free downloadable songbook, lyrics & sound samples.
- TLUS038 Enter into Jerusalem let us go to God's house (Richard Ho Lung, Jamaica) This joyful song is really catchy and a great way to start worship. Sound sample. Lyrics.
- 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.
- NCH586 Come to tend God's garden (John Dalles) Good words of growing a garden of justice and mercy. Sung to a simple English tune. Youtube.
- ATOK 348 / Iona (HSNW) / G(II)496 / GC692 / GC(II)697 / StF462 Come with me / Sing hey for the carpenter (John Bell) Excellent. I love this one. Very joyous, and a big favourite in our congregation. Lyrics. Good for kids,
- 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. Sound sample and purchasing options.
Do you have some ideas you would like to add? Please put them in a comment below!
