Looking for Season of Creation Resources?
There are now many options to celebrate this season.
If you are following
the 2026 theme of "Living Water" or simply reflecting on Creation in
your own way but using the Lectionary Readings, I have highlighted songs
that are particularly appropriate within the Lectionary with a globe of
the earth 🌏.
Exodus 16:2-15
The Israelites complain; God sends manna and quails. Enough to eat without hoarding.
- TLUS101 The people of God / O povo de Deus
(Pedro Casaldaliga, Brazil) This excellent song speaks of God's people
crying out "in between faith and doubting" and God's provision of Manna.
"We, too, are your people O god, on this daring journey". Really worth
learning. Sound samples in Portuguese and in English. Lyrics and chords.
- 🌏TiS
156 / AHB 91 / AoV1-135 / ATA 123 / CH212 / UMH145 / VU409 / ELW556 /
GA537 / A&M545 / HPP267 / GtG664 / PH469 / G(II)546 / GC756 / GC(II)748 / G(3)855 / CP003 / W&R35 /
Cha053 / URW186 / 82Hml-008 / StF136 / Lau671 / MP467 Morning has broken (Eleanor Farjeon) This song makes me smile every time. Here's Yusuf Islam (when he was Cat Stevens) in 1976 (love those green boots).Oldy-but-a-goody.
- VT025 Brethren / Family we have met to worship
(George Askins, Ireland/USA) This old hymn presents a heavenly vision
of Christ serving us with manna in the future kingdom. Most versions
have lyrics that are too old school for a modern worship service, but
the editors of Voices Together have done a great job of updating the lyrics.
If your congregation is familiar with this song, I highly recommend this
version. Story. Recording (with modernised lyrics). I love that they have replaced the word Brethren with Family.
- Recorded music Then the quail came (Michael Kelly Blanchard)
I love this song, and the words really bring the story of the quail
and manna to tired travellers. Recorded originally by Noel Paul Stookey (the Paul in Peter, Paul and Mary). I
like the recording by Australian folk singer Peter Campbell. Lyrics and recording.Project
or print the lyrics for people in the congregation to read while they listen. Here's Michael Kelly Blanchard's version.
- VU279 You God are my firmament
(Miriam Therese Winter) Lovely song with words of God being our shelter, guide, and
nourishment, with a simple chorus "I will give thanks, I will sing
praise with all of my heart, all of my days". Sound sample.
- ATW 474 You're like the sun that warms me / Bread of angels
(Robin Mann) This is a nice ballad, a favourite of many in our congregation.
It may not be easy for a congregation without some introduction
because the structure is a little tricky. Lyrics and recording.
- 🌏Online Resource / VU460 / R181 / ELW461 / SFFS 2126 / GtG509 / G(II)589 / GC820 / GC(II)817 / RS 845 / Cha419 / Lau477 All who hunger gather gladly
(Sylvia Dunstan) The words are great; I would sing it to the tune HOLY MANNA.
There is a contemporary tune (by Bob Moore) is also very nice, but
may need to be introduced to your congregation. “All who hunger gather
gladly, holy manna is our bread. Come from wilderness and wand’ring,
here, in truth, we will be fed. You that yearn for days of fullness,
all around us is our food. Taste and see the grace eternal, Taste and
see that God is good”. Lyrics, sheet music sample, purchasing options.
New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource Manna for all
(Bruce Harding) A simple chant “God of abundance, call us to action,
trusting your promise, manna for all!”. Sample available, and option to
purchase Sample and free sheet music.
- Online Resource / Walk as One God the great mystery (Sharonne
Price / Rosemary Nairn) An excellent hymn of God's abundance and
creative power, which includes a passing reference to this passage. Set
to the tune BONNIE GEORGE CAMPBELL. Sound samples and backing tracks. Book (PDF) for purchase. New words to old tunes
- Public Domain / TiS
569
/ AHB 478 / NCH18/19 / CH167 / UMH127 / VU651 / LBW343 / ELW618 /
StF465 / A&M652 / HPP432 / GtG065 / PH281 / CP565 / CP(E) 455 /
W&R501 / Cha622 / 82Hml690 / StF465 / Lau960 / MP201 Guide me O thou great Jehovah / Redeemer
(William Williams) A rousing hymn of God’s presence and strength and
making it to the other side. "Bread of heaven, feed me now and
evermore." Lyrics and piano recording. Sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- Online Resource / GC840 / GC(II)818 / G(3)910 / CP085 / 82Hml-343 Shepherd of souls refresh and bless
(James Montgomery) Old fashioned inclusive words to a standard hymn tune.
"Shepherd of souls refresh and bless thy chosen pilgrim flock, with
manna from the wilderness and water from the rock". Lyrics, sound sample, mp3s and sheet music for preview, purchase and download.
Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45
A song of thanks, with references to the Israelites coming out of Egypt and God providing food and water.
- VU279 You God are my firmament
(Miriam Therese Winter) Lovely song with words of God being our shelter, guide, and
nourishment, with a simple chorus "I will give thanks, I will sing
praise with all of my heart, all of my days". Lyric accompaniment video.
- 🌏TiS
755 / ATA 196 / CH804 / VU884 / SFFS 2278 / A&M484 / HPP219 /
GTG080 / CP662 / W&R710 / SP82 / Srcs830 / URW449 / Lau878 / STF487 / MP796 You shall go out with joy / The trees of the field (Stuart Dauerman) This is a good hand clappy foot stomping song. Fun. Awesome Jewish dancing video. Good for kids. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- AoVK-24 / Iona (T1AU) / CH756 Bless the Lord (Kenyan).
A good call and response chant – would make a good processional. Words
are: Bless the Lord (my sisters), Bless the Lord (my brothers) Bless
the Lord there is no other God. I think our congregation would really
enjoy this. The tune is identical to Re a mo Leboga. Sound sample of Re a mo leboga (scroll to the 3rd album).
- NCH Psalter Let the hearts of those who seek God rejoice! (Elaine Kirkland) Good joyous refrain, which could be used with the sung or read Psalm.
- Online Resource / GWA222 Hear the message we now are proclaiming / El mensaje que hoy proclamamos
(Eleazar Torreglosa, Colombia) This jubilant song of liberty and new
life for the poor and suffering would fit well with this reading. Good for kids. Free sheet music. Sound sample.Lyric video (Spanish). Another recording (with hand claps!).
- 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! Sound sample. Sound sample in Kenyan languages.
- 🌏NCH022 / VU221 Sing praise to God who has shaped and sustains all creation!
(Joachim Neander / translated Madeleine Forell 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.
- Online Resource / TiS 66 Sing to God, sing praises (Helen Wright) A good cantor and refrain. The refrain will also work well with the Psalm being read from the verses. Sheet music and lyrics.
- ATW 457 / Iona (T1AU) / CH751 / MV050 / StS017 / GC(II)260 / G(3)328 / URW402 Alleluia (Norah Duncan) A simple Alleluia. Gather version has a descant cantor part. Sound sample. Sheet music samples.
- MV187 / ELW682 We give our thanks / Re a mo leboga (Traditional Botswana) A great song to sing for the offering. Older style version. More upbeat version. Amazing video with a newer version. Good for kids.
- ATN 51 / SFFS 2258 / SiS / MP601 Sing alleluia to the Lord (Linda Stassen) A simple and familiar song to many. It has nice soaring Alleluias and
is not too hard. Substitute “Our God” if you like, as some hymnals do. Lyrics and sound samples.
- ATW 460 / Iona (M&G) / CH752 / VU717 / WoV610 Alleluia (South Africa) (Gobingca George Mxadana) Beautiful and peaceful, especially if you can work all the harmonies in. Sound sample.
- 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! Youtube (keep an eye out for the innovative book-based güiro, and is she shaking a bag of pretzels?).
Good for kids.
Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Jonah 3:10-4:11
Jonah sulks; the withered bush
- GWA029 In ages past the mighty Lord by prophets spoke the word
(Michael Morgan) This is a song with very many verses; choose at least
verses 1 and 10 this week, and add whichever other verses suit your context. Set to the common tune KINGSFOLD. Some lyrics (not the Hosea verse!). New words to old tunes.
- TiS 674 / Iona (Common Ground, Heaven Shall Not Wait) / A&M562 / CH253 / SP245
Inspired by love and anger (Iona) Powerful lyrics, simple English folk tune (SALLY GARDENS). Lyrics. New words to old tunes
- ATFG537 Jonah was a prophet who lived many years ago (Pfeffer) Fun. Sung to the tune of "John Brown's body". Good for kids.
- ATAR684 Who am I? (Unknown author) A good song for kids about all the different people called by God. Mentions Moses, Jonah, Esther and Jesus. Good for kids.
Alternative Psalm to go with Jonah: Psalm 145:1-8
God is excellent
- 🌏Public Domain / TiS 100 / AHB 3 / 82Hml-400 / A&M532 / CH147 / Cha022 / CP(E)250 / ELW835 / GA395 / HPP261 / GtG020 / PH455 / GtG015 / GC534 / GC(II)523 / G(3)611 / Lau694 / LBW527 / LUYH551 / NCH017 / MP007 / StF099 / UMH62 / VT081 / VU217 / W&R23 All creatures of our God and King / All creatures worship God most high (Francis
of Assisi, Italy, translated William Henry Draper, England) A good
classic sing! Hymnals vary a LOT in translations and verses included.
Many hymnals have improved the refrain by "Sing
your praises" or "Sing praises" or just "Alleluia Alleluia"to eliminate
Draper's "Oh praise him" refrain which makes God repeatedly exclusively
male. Some hymnals have adapted the words to improve them, including NCH
(see below), ELW and VT - so seek them out! Lyrics (modern version). Story. Sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- 🌏NCH017 To you O God all creatures sing (Francis
of Assisi, Italy, adapted Miriam Therese Winter, USA) This is a lovely new
adaptation of Draper's earlier translation (All creatures of our God and King), sung to the same tune. Lyrics and a beautiful choral version. New words to old tunes
- 🌏GP(3)87 / TLUS044 All praise to the God of creation / Sari srishti ke malik tumhi ho (Kiran
Kumar Pradhan, Nepal) This is a really good hymn about God's love and
care of all creation, including each of us. It has a joyful chorus of
Alleluias. There are millions of sound samples, in a range of styles on
Youtube. This is a nice simple one. I also like this one.
- MV048 I can feel you near me God / Jump for joy
(Pat Mayberry) Good song for smaller kids about God being with us. I reckon
you could get the kids to Jump in the chorus. Maybe it's a bit too
happy clappy for some? Good for kids. Lyrics.
- Iona / CH788 / MV104 / GtG659 Know that God is Good / Mungu ni mwema (Traditional Congo) This traditional African refrain is just lots of fun and very simple to sing. Good for kids and adults! Sheet music sample. Sound sample. Sound sample in Kenyan languages.
- Public Domain / TiS
132 / AHB 65 / NCH277 / CH651 / UMH64 / VU315 / LBW165 / ELW413 /
A&M276 / HPP243 / GtG001 / PH138 / G(II)332 / GC475 / GC(II)483 / CP001 / CP(E) 202 /
W&R136 / Cha004 / Srce243 / 82Hml-362 / Lau468 / StF011 / MP237 Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty (Francis Reginald Heber)
Old other-worldly language, but a surprisingly inclusive (in most
hymnals) classic, and a great rousing hymn tune. Different resources
have slightly altered lyrics. History, sheet music and old lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- MV176 Three things I promise
(Brian Wren / Dan Damon) Beautiful words of seeking to live faithfully from Brian
Wren. The set tune is unfamiliar, but very beautiful, and if not
familiar to your congregation would make a good reflective piece (for
the congregation to sing in later weeks). You could also sing it to one
of the suggested alternate tunes PROSPECT and WAREHAM if you like. Sound sample (to the newer tune). New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / TiS
152 / 82Hml-376 / Cha002 / CP425 / ELW836 / GC529 /
GC(II)520 / G(3)614 / GtG611 / HPP22 / LBW551 / NCH4 / PH464 / UMH89 / URW065 / VU232 / VT103 / W&R59 Joyful joyful we adore thee
(Henry van Dyke, USA) Note that this hymn uses exclusively Father and
Brother language for God and Christ in verse 3, and "man to man" for
humanity, so older versions are not very inclusive. I
prefer more modern translations (e.g. TiS, VU, NCH, GC(II) or VT which
has thees and thys but is inclusive). Public domain (older style) lyrics and sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- 🌏VU267 / W&R20 / A&M711 / SP288 / Lau897 / MP419 Like a mighty river flowing (Michael Perry) Lovely words of the presence of God in nature. Lyrics
- Taizé / MV009 O Come and let us sing to God our hope / Venite Exultamus Domino (Taize) "God's mercy is forever". Joyful gathering chant. Sound samples, sheet music.
- CH101 You are kind and full of compassion (The Grail, Inclusive Language Version) This is not a hymn, but a
beautiful paraphrase of this Psalm that could be read as a poem or
alternate translation reading.
- GWA021 I will praise your greatness O God (Iona Abbey Worship Book) A responsively read version of the Psalm. Good simple language. No tune!
Philippians 1:21-30
Living right. Or something.
- TiS 468 / NCH309 / PH436 We are your people, Spirit of Grace (Brian Wren, USA) A bit long, but if you vary verses between men and women it's a bit
more refreshing. The sudden high note at the end can throw newcomers to
the tune a little, so if it's new, it's good to warn people about it.
Lyrics and sheet music.
- 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, including a litany of the saints, sheet music sample, purchasing options.
- MV154 Deep in our hearts (John Oldham, USA) A good song about having a common vision and purpose. Easy to sing. Lyric video.
- CH159 /
A&M715 / CP(E) 81 / W&R70 / SP289 / Srce439 / Lau942 / StF470 / MP428
Lord for the years your love has kept and guided
(Timothy Dudley-Smith, England) Very traditional, but good words. Some lack of
inclusive language in some versions. Sung to a well-known hymn tune (O
PERFECT LOVE) in some books it is set to a different tune, which is also nice but may be less familiar. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / NCH398 / MV044 / W&R599 / URW072 Shadow and Substance (Daniel Damon, USA) Good clear words of being Christ's community in all our diversity. A simple tune. Sound sample. Lyrics and sheet music.
- Iona (Common Ground) / VU704 / CP297 / StF612 God give us life
(John Bell, Scotland) Good words, to a fairly straightforward, but unfamiliar
tune. If you choose to focus on the "living is Christ, and dying is gain" part of the passage, this may be helpful. Lyric accompaniment video.
Matthew 20:1-16
The parable of equal pay to the workers in the vineyard who all started at different times.
- MV127 I saw the rich ones
(Pat Mayberry, Canada) This is simple to sing and a great song for kids “The men
in the vineyards were grumbling one day, I knew they weren’t happy with
what they’d been paid… But with God the world is turned upside down.
The poor are embraced and the lost they are found. Let’s work for a
world where all people are free. Where it’s good to feel good about God
loving you and me”. Lyric video.
Good for kids.
- NCH332 / VU457 / ELW522 / SFFS 2268 / HPP528 / GC(II)738 / G(3)839 / CP061 / W&R695 As We Gather at Your Table (Carl P Daw, USA) Beautiful, honest, encouraging words. Could be sung to HOLY
MANNA, BEACH SPRING or NETTLETON, all very popular hymn tunes (and Sacred Harp tunes), particularly good if
you are celebrating communion this week. Lyrics. New words to old tunes
- 🌏Online Resource / TiS 168 / NCH425 / CH231 / UMH97 / A&M284 / ELW679 / GA426
/ HPP287 / GtG036 / PH553 / RS704 / CP259 / CP(E) 254 / W&R723 /
Cha714 / Lau731 / StF124 / URW193 / VT124 / VU227 / WoV760 For the Fruit of All Creation / For the fruits of this creation
(Fred Pratt Green, USA) Some sources are quite masculine (TiS), but some OK
(NCH, GtG, VT). Very easy
and well known tunes (I prefer AR HYD Y NOS, which is not used in all
hymnals) and pretty standard words of harvest thanksgiving.
The phrase "in the just reward of labour" would be an interesting
discussion point for this passage. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
What will you be singing? I'd love to hear your ideas - please add them in a comment below!
