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 12:1-14
The
explanation of the Passover. Sacrifice of the Lamb.
- The best suggestion I have is to intentionally use an Agnus Dei in your service this week in
particular. There is an extensive list here .
- Online Resource Remember God your promises (David
Bjorlin, USA) Sometimes we just need God to be God, and to look after all the suffering in the world. Excellent words to an old tune from Thomas Tallis which is unlikely to be familiar, but it very beautiful. Lyrics, sheet music sample, and purchasing options. Sound sample of tune (different words). New words to old tunes.
- AoVK-29 Remember we are your people (Tony Barr, Australia)
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. It would also be good for kids if you can explain the concept. Sound sample.
Psalm 149
Praise God. Stuff about vengeance.
- Online Resource / Tune In Now's the time and now's the day / We will sing a new song to the world (Dave Brown, Australia) An
energetic song about the gospel, about singing all the new tunes and
rhythms that God provides and creating a new earth. A good sending-out
song. Sound sample, lyrics and free downloadable songbook.
- TiS 95 We Praise you, O Lord / Sing a new song to the Lord (Christopher Willcock, Australia) A good cantor-led psalm, with a joyous response.
- MV 180 Sing, Sing Out! (Sing a new song) (Jim Hannah, USA) An
excellent two-part round. It’s worth teaching it to
your congregation so they can sing it with confidence and break into two
parts. Alternately, you could have a small group sing it in canon with
the rest of the congregation. Lyrics. Good for kids.
- URW368 Give praise to the Lord and sing a new song
(1912 Psalter, USA) A very simple Psalm refrain, set with a responsive reading.
Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Ezekiel 33:7-11
Turn back to God!
Alternative Psalm Psalm 119:33-40
Give us life in God's way; teach us your ways; keep us on the path
- Online Resource / BUC Song Project Grant us a wise and discerning heart (Shawn Whelan)
A simple chant-like song. Great for churches who are facing difficult
decisions, and it's really good to sing before a Church Council meeting
too! Free sheet music and sound sample.
- Iona (We walk his way) / G(3)517 / StF775 We walk his way / Ewe Thina (South African) A joyful, simple South African song. Sound sample.
- Iona (WWHW) / MV223 We will go with God / Sizohamba naye (Traditional Swaziland) A simple Zulu song from Swaziland. Good for the end of the service. Video with pronunciation and parts.
Note that MV has a different set of English words; neither are a direct translation. Sound sample of a more traditional version. Good for kids.
- NCH Psalter 119 (Elaine Kirkland) This is a very good arrangement of Psalm 119. The refrain is “Teach me, O God, the way of your statutes” and
can be sung in 4 parts. Note that there are three sections. This week's
reading is on p701.
- Recorded Music Flourishing (Psalm 119) (Sandra McCracken) This is a lovely gentle reworking of this Psalm
which might be good for listening to during a service. I'm enjoying
listening to it now, anyway... Lyrics and download options.
- Online Resource / GWA080 / MV45 / SP&P051 / VT023 Hamba nathi (Unknown, Zulu, South Africa) There
are many sets of English words to this tune, which is best sung in its
original language (isiZulu). I like "Come walk with us, the journey is
long", even though the original
language simply means "Go with us, our Saviour".
VT has a more
interesting cantor line than most sources, and nice additional verses. Sound recording (concert version for inspiration). Lyric video (slowish version for congregations). Sheet music. Good for kids.
- Linnea Good / MV008 And on this path (Linnea Good) An energetic gospel style song. Here's a youtube video.
We sing it much slower than this and as a gospel style song with big
chords and a groovy bass part. I thought I'd never say that we sing
something slower than anyone! Good for kids.
- URW143 The Grace of God is like a road (Michael Hudson)
Really beautiful words sung to a very familiar Celtic hymn tune (THE
GIFT OF LOVE, which is very similar to O WALY WALY). Highly recommended. I
would even print these words for the congregation to take home with
them and meditate with during the week. A good song to sing after the
sermon. We sang this once, three years ago when we read this passage. Would be good to sing it again. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- ATN 84 / NCH490 / CH539 / UMH521 / LBW660 / WoV660 / ELW325 / HPP433 /
GtG775/ PH363 / CP512 / W&R506 / Cha627 / ZSS69 / URW110 I want Jesus to walk with me (African-American) I don't usually suggest Jesus songs for the Hebrew Scriptures, but this is such a beautiful song, and so meditative, I
couldn't not suggest it. I especially like Eric Bibb's version. You could just play this, if you like. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- NCYC07 Labyrinth (Paul Chalson
/ Andrew Winton) A beautiful song about walking with God through all times.
"To the heart of all that's sacred and to the margins we will walk the
path with you". Excellent words. Not easy for a congregation, but if you have good musicians, they can sing it as a prayer for the congregation.
- NCYC09 Understanding through you Lord (Heather Price) A prayer for peace seeking understanding of suffering, and that our leaders gain understanding. Nicely
written tune, very catchy once you've got it. I don't think it would be
difficult for a younger congregation, but they may need to hear it
first. Sound sample.
- GtG064 I long for your commandments
(Jean Janzen) Good words that pick up many of the themes of Psalm 119. You
may like to introduce it this week, and sing it again in the weeks to
come as we keep reading the Psalm. The tune is very old and quite
lovely. Lyric video (accompaniment only).
- 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.
Romans 13:8-14
Love your neighbour. Live honourably
- 🌏Online Resource / ATFG561 / Tune In Community (Dave Brown) A song about being welcomed and part of a community. Sound sample, lyrics and free downloadable songbook. Good for kids. "Part of a family interconnected, this is community; Welcoming strangers, visiting neighbours, this gives us dignity". Also, for Season of Creation "Care for the earth and sea - we need to keep them free".
- 🌏 Online Resource For all beings without speech (Julie
Perrin / Shawn Whelan) Let's not forget that God speaks through beings
that do not use words. The creatures of earth are also our neighbour. Lyrics, sound samples (including one with lots of bird and other nature sounds), and sheet music.
- 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. Sheet music and lyrics.
- TiS 629 / AHB 558 / AoV2-136 / ATA 197 / CH544 / VU600 / Lau888 / StF256 When I needed a neighbor were you there
(Sydney Carter) A classic folk church song. Lyrics. Good for kids. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- TiS 630 / AHB 554 The law of Christ alone can make us free
(James McAuley) …and love is the fulfilling of the law. A good song with
excellent words from an Australian poet. Not entirely inclusive. The
tune may be tricky if not familiar, so you may need to introduce the melody to your congregation. Sound sample. Lyrics (with a few typos).
- Online Resource / TLUS148 We have been called / Love's Wide Embrace (Bret Hesla, USA) A moving song about the call of a community of faith. Straightforward to sing, and a good way to end the service, particularly if you have been talking about how your church works together as a community. Sound sample, lyrics, and purchasing options.
- TiS 650 / ATA 191 / CH694 / A&M604 / NCH539 / VU595 / ELW659 / AA08 /
SFFS 2222 / HPP442 / GtG727 / G(II)476 / GC683 / GC(II)661 / G(3)751 / CP500 / CP(E) 393 /
W&R391 / Cha490 / SP263 / URW117 / StF611 / Lau924 Brother, sister, let me serve you / Won't you let me be your servant? (Richard Gillard) I think you all know this one. Lyrics. NCH has a nice turn on the lyrics with "Won't you let me be your servant?" as the first line. Oldy-but-a-goody..
- Online Resource / NCH590 / CH621 Spirit of Jesus, if I love my neighbour (Brian Wren) Challenging
words of offering help from a position of privilege and seeking to be
set free from the entrapment of possessions “If I am hugging safety or
possessions, uncurl my spirit as your love prevails, to join my
neighbours, work for liberation, and find my freedom at the mark of
nails”. Could also be sung to the tune PERFECT LOVE if your congregation would have trouble with the newer tune. Lyrics & sheet music. New words to old tunes.
- NCH541 They asked “Who’s my neigbor and whom should I love?” (Jan Wesson) Great
words, and a simple folk tune that’s a bit like
Sydney Carter’s hymn tunes. Challenging words that pick up the good
Samaritan reading, but also very appropriate for this week’s reading. Sheet music and lyrics.
- Online Resource / ATW 498 / Iona (T1AU) / MV 196 / SP&P182 / URW438 We will take what you offer (John Bell) An excellent simple short song that works well either as an upbeat chorus or as a reflective chant. "We will take what you offer. We will live by your word. We will love one another. And be fed by you Lord". Sheet music sample and purchasing options. Good for kids.
- ATOK 390 Put on love every day, never hide your love away (Mary Lu Walker) A groovy song. Sound sample. Good for kids.
- TiS
640 / AHB 561 / ATE 310 / NCH498 / UMH432 / VU593 / WoV765 / ELW708 /
HPP446 / GtG203 / PH367 / G(II)296 / GC409 / GC(II)429 / G(3)505 / CP504
/ W&R273 / Cha600 / URW116 / 82Hml-602 / Lau241 / StF249 Jesu Jesu fill us with your love / Kneels at the feet of his friends (Tom Colvin & people of Ghana) A classic. Lyrics. Good for kids Oldy-but-a-goody.
- 🌏ATA 184 Spring follows winter / Love is the law
(Robin Mann) Lovely words to a familiar traditional English (?) melody.
Perfect for Southern Hemispherites - it's the 2nd Sunday of Spring!
There is a Father in the last verse, but is inclusive other than that. Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
- Online Resource Grace beyond our brightest dreaming
(Adam Tice) Excellent words. I love the phrase "Share the grace of vibrant living". Lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options.
- TiS 416 Great God your Spirit like the wind
(Alan Gaunt) Excellent words asking for God to shake us out of our
complacency and give us compassion. I really wish it was set to a
different tune - it is set to JERUSALEM and this seems to suck all the
power out of the lyrics for me. It is also quite lovely sung to YE BANKS AND BRAES. Thanks to HotDigitalDog (whoever you are) for that suggestion! Lyrics (scroll down). New words to old tunes.
- 🌏NCH089 / 82Hml-009 Awake awake to love and work
(Geoffrey Studdert-Kennedy) Easy to
sing and wonderful words of getting up and getting going in doing what's
needed. I especially like the 3rd verse. Sung to the familiar tune
MORNING SONG. Lyrics and sheet music.
New words to old tunes.
Matthew 18:15-20
Instructions for resolving conflict. God’s presence where there are few gathered together.
- Online Resource TiS 477 / Iona (LFB, Common Ground) / A&M450 / CH510 / CP059 / GA529 / SP218 / StJ / URW056 / VT031 Jesus calls us here to meet him (John
Bell & Graham Maule, Scotland) Good words and a rollicking or
gentle Celtic tune
(depending on how you play it). Don't get too gentle though, or it is
very hard to sing. Notice that there should not need to be a breath
after EVERY line! 4th verse (not in TiS, but in Iona sources) leads to
communion; note that older versions use exclusively male pronouns for
God. Lyrics, sheet music sample, and purchasing option. Video with lyrics and a pretty flute solo.
- Online Resource Het bot ba to ba'a ba kotba / Where two or three are gathered (Bayiga Bayiga, Cameroon) This simple song from Cameroon would be lovely to sing. Free sheet music. Good for kids.
- 🌏Online Resource God is found in teeming jungles (David
Bjorlin) A hymn about God being present in all things, including things that do not feel good at the time. Set to
the familiar tune PLEADING SAVIOUR. Sheet music sample and options for purchase. 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 and sheet music samples. Lyric video (to BLAENWERN, which also works nicely). New words to old tunes.
- AoV1-132 / Cha289 / ELW524 / GA479 / GtG404 / G(II)541 / GC748 / GC(II)736 / VT023 What is this place where are we meeting?
(Hubertus Oosterhuis, Canada) Words about communion; being welcome at the table, sharing bread and
wine with each other, and being bread and wine for each other and the world. Simple tune. Lyrics & sound sample.
- Online Resource / ELW341 / SFFS 2187 / G(II)549 / GC759 / GC(II)752 / G(3)857 / W&R627 / Cha471 / Lau675 Now it is evening / At evening
(Fred Pratt Green) A song of justice and caring for others who are lonely,
hungry in the city. The set tune is really good and simple, but it can
also be sung to BUNESSAN. Mostly makes sense for evening services only,
but maybe it could work in the morning… You could sing "now we are leaving" as suggested by Ken Wells, below. Thanks Ken! A range of sheet music samples. There is a beautiful new tune from Sally Ann Morris available here.
- Online Resource / Like a Healing Stream / MV014 / SP&P042 Where two or three are gathered (Bruce Harding) A simple round. I really like this, and it would be great for a smaller congregation to
start worship. Good for kids“Where two are three are gathered in my name, I am
there, I am there”. Sound sample and free sheet music.
- STB070 Jesus come dwell within our yearning hearts / Jishu esho amar antore
(Samar Das) This song from Bangladesh has lyrics in Bengali and English. I
think it would work well to sing the chorus and the repeated sections in
Bengali if you can, and the rest in English, or sing part in English
and part in Bengali. Sheet music sample.
What will you be singing? Please add your ideas in a comment below!
