Isaiah 5:1-7
The promising vineyard that gives only wild grapes. God's frustrated.
- Tune In / Online Resource / NCYC07: Forgive us now (Dave Brown). “As we forgive may we be healed, as we reach out….” An excellent ballad seeking forgiveness in a sinful world. Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music.
-
Recorded Music If you had a vineyard
(Sinéad O'Connor) Taken directly from this passage, this protest song is very
moving. It's from the album "Theology". Video.
- Iona (Sent By the Lord) / MV066 Senzenina? / What have we done?
(South African) This beautiful chant from South Africa asks the
question that we often ask when things go wrong beyond belief. It's
important to know what the song means when singing it. If you have some
part-singers in your congregation, this would be particularly good. It's
good to let people ask this question. It is also on the soundtrack for
"The Power of One" so you could also play the recorded music if
appropriate. Free sheet music (loads a pdf). Good for kids
- Online Resource / BUC Song Project Why do we listen and fail to hear / Lament - for a people with a people with a dull heart (Shawn Whelan) This lament, and it's wailing ooooh would fit quite well with this passage. Free sheet music and lyrics. Good for kids
- SFFS 2169 / GtG445 / StF613 God How Can We Forgive (Ruth Duck) Good words of healing in the midst of broken relationships to the familiar tune LEONI. Lyrics (scroll down). New words to old tunes.
- *PH437 / CP591 / W&R586 Our Cities Cry to You O God (Margaret Clarkson) Good words of helping to heal injustice in the world. Being the body of Christ. Sung to a very familiar hymn tune. Lyrics and tune sample.
- Tune In / Online Resource Our God who weeps
(Kate Scull) Very simple folk-like tune and challenging and hopeful
lyrics. "When death has taken those held dear"... Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music.
Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19
Another
vineyard song – parallels to Isaiah but asks for God’s intervention
“Restore us, O Lord of hosts. Let your face shine, that we may be
saved”.
- TiS
265 / AHB 193 / AoV1-174 / NCH116 / CH273 / UMH211 / VU001 / LBW034 /
ELW283 / GA285 / HPP92 / GtG088 / PH009 / GC317 / GC(II)323 / G(3)395 / CP089 / CP(E) 32 /
W&R154 / Cha119 / 82Hml-056 / Lau112 / StF280 / MP493 O come O come Emmanuel (Psalerolium Cantionum Catholicarum) A very well known ancient Advent carol. Most versions are pretty inclusive. Lyrics, sheet music.
There are also two alternate versions (one by Sue Wickham and one by
John Henson), set to the same tune, but with more modern lyrics and
ideas. See the Facebook Group for lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- CH573 / UMH523 / GtG789 / PfAS061B / STB059 Jesus Savior Lord lo to thee I fly / Saranam Saranam
(Daniel Niles) I think this would be an excellent song to sing, not
only because the words are good and because the tune is simple and
beautiful, but because we need to keep praying for the people of Sri
Lanka. You could use just the refrain if you would like a short song -
it works quite well on its own. Story.
Lyrics & chords.
- TiS 42 / GA047 Lord make us turn to you (Kathleen Boschetti)
A simple refrain and mostly inclusive cantor part. We have sung this at
Brunswick some years ago and it went very well. Don't forget that you can use these
refrains with a reader if you don't have someone confident enough to
cantor.
- PfAS080C O Shepherd hear and lead your flock
(Michael Morgan) Strong mournful and formal words to the rather
Christmassy tune ST LOUIS. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- Tune In: Longing for you (Elaine Loukes) A simple chant of longing for God. Free downloadable songbook. Good for kids.
- W&R632 / Cha512 When Aimless Violence Takes Those We Love
(Joy Patterson) Excellent words for a time of grieving violent death; this
won't suit most congregations, but perhaps there is one who needs it
this Advent. It's sung to the well known tune SURSUM CORDA. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
-
*Emergent Psalter Restore us God (Isaac Everett) Another good refrain and read Psalm with instrumental backing. I'm still loving this book. Sheet music (refrain only, click on the Downloads tab)
- Tune In / Online Resource Our God who weeps
(Kate Scull) Very simple folk-like tune and challenging and hopeful
lyrics. "When death has taken those held dear"... Free downloadable songbook.
-
*Online Resource Restore us
(Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A hopeful contemporary song. This is simple enough
for a congregation to sing the first time, I think, but if you're
feeling less hopeful about the singing ability of your congregation,
they could just join in on the VERY simple chorus! Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music.
- *AoVK-29 Remember we are your people (Tony Barr)
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. Sound sample. Good for kids.
- VU239 O great Spirit how I long to hear (Doreen Clellamin) Written by a First Nations Canadian woman, this very simple song would be best with a good hand-clapping rhythm or drumming.
- StJ / G(II)346 / GC506 / GC(II)508 / G(3)586 You Are All We Have (Francis Patrick O'Brien) A nice refrain and good cantor parts. Somewhat formal. Sound sample, sheet music sample and a different sound sample.
- *NCH563 / MV143 / HPP260 / GC710 / GC(II)703 / G(3)811 / RS 636 / Cha684 / URW169 / Lau688 We cannot own the sunlit sky / Abundant life
(Ruth Duck) I like these words full of hope for the future. I would prefer
to sing it to the tune of "How can I keep From singing". LA GRANGE is
the other option. Lyrics (downloads a pdf). New words to old tunes.
- *Psalm Project (2010) Shout for Joy Turn and restore us
(Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) This is a little bit country. Very cool, and I
think a younger congregation would probably pick this up fairly quickly. Sound sample.
- G(II)69 / GC74 The vineyard of the Lord (Michael Guimont) A very simple refrain and read or cantored Psalm. Sample refrain music and lyrics. Sound sample.
Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Jeremiah 23:23-29
God is everywhere, and wants to be remembered; speak out!
- 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? Lyrics (scroll down) Good for kids.
- Iona (Enemy of Apathy) / A&M466 / SP223 / StF654 / MP940 The love of God comes close
(Iona) A good song of God's forgiveness. Simple melody. Lyrics. Very slow music sample.
- TiS87 / VU862 / GtG028 / PH248 / PfAS139D You are before me, Lord, you are behind (Ian Pitt-Wilson)
Excellent words, set either to the chant-like tune SURSUM CORDA or the
Scottish tune HIGHLAND CATHEDRAL. The words are directly from the Psalm and are very
beautiful. Lyrics.
New words to old tunes.
- ATOK 320 / NCH351 / VU645 / StJ / WoV770 / ELW732 / SFFS 2051 / HPP516 I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry (John Ylvisaker) A song of God’s presence in all stages of life. Very simple tune to sing. This always makes me think of Center Church on-the-Green in New
Haven, CT, where I first came across it. Lyrics, and a nice (slow) sound sample.
- Worldmaking.net God of My Breathing (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan). Excellent words to a well-known hymn tune. Sample and lyrics.
Psalm for the Jeremiah reading: Psalm 82
God as judge, desiring justice.
-
*MV028 / StJ / FFS25 / GC(II)507 / G(3)587 / STB255 God of the Bible / Fresh as the morning
(Shirley Murray) Good words. I particularly like the tune by Alonso (MV and Gather hymnals), as the
chorus is really joyous. I think this song would be a really good "fit" for our
congregation. Good for kids (Alonso tune). Lyrics, sheet music sample. Sound sample.
- Iona (M&G) / CH267 Blessed be God blessed be God for ever (Salvador Martinez) Beautiful words to a beautiful, but tricky Philippino
melody, unless you have a Philippino congregation, in which case it's
just a familiar folk tune (DANDASOY). This would be great to ask a small group to
sing, if you have some good singers in your congregation. Works nicely with a guitar.
- TiS 657 / CH263 / VU700 / A&M559 / AA50 / CP(E) 447 / Cha656 / SP242 God of freedom God of justice (Shirley Murray) Powerful lyrics. Can be sung to either TREDEGAR (new,
but not too hard) or PICARDY (very familiar) or RHUDDLAN. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes
- AoV1-083 / GA036 / GtG763 / G(II)46 / GC48 / GC(II)33 / G(3)047 / PfAS082B / URW257 / Lau892 The Lord Hears the Cry of the Poor (James Foley) The chorus for this makes a very good refrain for this Psalm, as set in PfAS. Sound sample and lyrics (including verses).
- Emergent Psalter You are gods all of you (Isaac Everett) A very different verse to focus on in this simple refrain. Sheet music (refrain only).
- Online Resource Real justice for the earth
(Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) Funky refrain! This would be great - use a
cantor for the verses, or use the refrain on its own. There is also a
call and response section, which is most appropriate for US-based
congregations. Recording, video, lyrics and link for sheet music.
Hebrews 11:29-12:2
More
people living by faith even to the point of getting sawn in half! Since
we’re surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses, let’s get on with it.
- NCH497 / SFFS 2208 / GtG741 / PH354 / G(II)508 / GC707 / GC(II)684 G(3)780 / CP513 / ZSS141 Guide my feet while I run this race
(African American) An excellent civil rights era song. Would work well as a meditative prayer
for guidance or as an uplifting call to action at the end of the
service.You could also make up your own lyrics. Lyrics.
Good for kids.
- NCYC09 Stories of faith calling us to explore / Stories of Hope (Rob Hanks / Phil Newton) Not easy, but the words are great. Best to get someone to sing it - perhaps during the offering?
- AoVK-28 / ATOK 376 Faith hope and love
(Trish Watts) This is so easy, and so cool. If you have some groovy
musicians, this can even be a very funky rock song. Very easy, and great
for kids and non-readers. Good for kids
- 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 sheet music.
- *SFFS 2129 / HPP322 / W&R344 / Cha344 / Srce2-244 / MP272 I Have Decided to Follow Jesus (Traditional) Good simple traditional chorus. This Australian video from Perth has some nice chords.
- TiS 643 / UMH206 / StJ / WoV649 / GtG377 / ELW815 / G(II)352 / GC508 / GC(II)513 / G(3)593 / W&R248 / 82Hml-490 I want to walk as a child of the light (Kathleen Thomerson) A very simple and lovely song. Lyrics here.
- Online Resource / Tune In Hail the fisherfolk (Dave Brown) A bluesy litany of the saints, including the fishermen of yesterday and the fisherfolk of today. Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music.
- CH683
/ VU420 / A&M491 / GC(II)469 / G(3)546 / GtG295 /
CP598 / W&R553 / SP156 / URW132 / Lau426 / StF402 Go to the world Go into all the earth
(Sylvia Dunstan) Great words of sending out. Can be sung to a couple of
different tunes. SINE NOMINE is the easiest and best known. Sound sample. Sheet music sample. New words to old tunes
- 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) 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 and sound sample (of a different tune). New words to old tunes
- 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
- 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.
- TiS 470 /
CH742 / UMH708 / WoV689 / LBW26 / ELW264 / A&M308 /
GtG732 / CP(E) 227 / W&R531 / Cha476 / SP116 Rejoice in God’s saints today and all days!
(Fred Pratt Green) Great words about all the different saints and the
importance of remembering them. The 2nd verse which mentions "some carry
the gospel through fire and through flood" may be particularly
appealing. Works well to the tune PADERBORN, but would be even simpler
sung to LAUDATE DOMINUM which would be more familiar. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
Luke 12:49-56
Christ comes, not to bring peace, but to bring division. Now Jesus is angry. Vs 49 is pretty full-on!
- 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.
- AoV1-021 / ATOK 402 / StS114 / G(II)488 / GC682 / GC(II)669 / G(3)761 / Lau858 God Has Chosen Me (Bernadette Farrell) Energetic, and great words of justice. Can be rocky or smooth, however you like it. Lyrics. Good for kids.
- Tune in / Online Resource 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 sheet music.
- Tune In: Our God who weeps
(Kate Scull) Very simple folk-like tune and challenging and hopeful
lyrics. "When death has taken those held dear"... Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music.
- GA474 Whence comes this fire
(Christopher Willcock) I quite like this one and it is based directly on the first
verse of this passage. I'm not sure how it works with a congregation. I
would do with with a small vocal group and cantor first. Sound sample.
- TiS 674 / Iona (Common Ground, Heaven Shall Not Wait) / A&M562 / CH253 / SP245
Inspired by love and anger (John Bell / Graham Maule) Powerful lyrics, simple English folk tune. Lyrics (search for "inspired")
What will you be singing? If it's something I've not thought of, let me know in the comments below!
Written at home in Fitzroy.
Jeremiah 1:4-10
-
TiS 679 / Online God of Jeremiah grieving
(Brian Wren) If you are going to focus on Jeremiah for the next few weeks,
this would be a good hymn to learn. The traditional Scottish
tune KELVIN GROVE is well known as the tune for "The Summons". Lyrics and free sheet music PDF.
- CH145 God made me as I am
(Bernadette Farrell) A lovely little song. "God made me as I am, part of
creation's plan. No-one else can ever be the part of God's plan that's
me". Youtube and sign language. Good for kids.
- 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
- TiS 87 / VU862 / GtG028 / PH248 / PfAS139D You are before me, Lord, you are behind (Ian Pitt-Wilson)
Excellent words, set either to the chant-like tune SURSUM CORDA or the
Scottish tune HIGHLAND CATHEDRAL. The words are very
beautiful. Lyrics.
New words to old tunes.
- AoV2-031 / ATW 424 / CH97 / A&M747 / GtG029 / GC(II)509 / SP301 / StF728 / Lau779 O God, you search me and you know me (Bernadette Farrell) My favourite version of Psalm 139. The tune flows effortlessly and it has a nice little hook at the end of each verse. Sample music and lyrics here.
- 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.
- AoV2-070 / ATW 496 / MV090 / StJ Don't be afraid (John Bell)
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. Sound sample.
- AoV1-021 / ATOK 402 / StS114 / G(II)488 / GC682 / GC(II)669 / G(3)761 / Lau858 God Has Chosen Me
(Bernadette Farrell) Energetic, and great words of justice. Can be rocky or
smooth, however you like it. Sometimes it seems a bit long. Good for kids. Sound sample and lyrics.
- 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. Scottish sound sample. Lead sheet.
- TiS 674 / Iona (Common Ground, Heaven Shall Not Wait) / A&M562 / CH253 Inspired by love and anger (John Bell) Powerful lyrics, simple English folk tune. I love verse three “Don’t query our
position! Don’t criticise our wealth! Don’t mention those exploited by
politics and stealth!”. Lyrics (search for "inspired").
- TiS
417 / AoV2-133 / ATW 448 / VU387 / StJ / WoV683 / ELW397 / AA94 /
HPP237 / GtG293 / PH323 / CP657 / W&R135 / Cha244 / URW203 / StB220 Loving Spirit, Loving Spirit (Shirley Murray)
There are about a zillion tunes set for this. I prefer FELICITY (by
Colin Gibson TiS 417), but also like RESTORATION and OMNI DIE. Lyrics New words to old tunes
Psalm 71:1-6
God our refuge, place of trust when we cause others discomfort; a psalm for those who are greying.
- Online Resource / Tune in The God that I Know (Sheree Anderson)
A beautiful ballad with female and male images of a loving, embracing
God. Free downloadable songbook and sound samples.
- ATOK 320 / NCH351 / VU645 / StJ / WoV770 / ELW732 /SFFS 2051 / GtG488 / HPP516 / W&R680 / Cha075 I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry (John Ylvisaker)
A song of God’s presence in all stages of life. Very simple tune to
sing. This always makes me think of Center Church on-the-Green in New
Haven, CT, where I first came across it. Lyrics, and a sound sample of John Ylvisaker singing it.
- BUC Song Project The Promise / Do not worry I am with you (Elaine Loukes) A gentle song of God holding us "you're not alone"... (BUC only so far)
- CP517 / W&R503 O God your constant care and love
(Glen Lanier) Quite good words about God's presence with us through our
lives. Sung to a standard hymn tune (WAREHAM or WINCHESTER NEW). Lyrics.
- *Online Resource In You O Lord (Kathy Douglass)
A gentle Psalm refrain or devotional chant. Sound sample.
- *ATAR669 Be my strength (Robin Mann) Words about familiar comforting things, and about becoming older and more frail. Excellent. Lyrics.
- 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 & sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- CH570 / UMH512 / W&R495 / ZSS164
When the storms of life are raging (stand by me)
(Charles Tindley) A good gospel song. Hymnals have a range of
translations. Great for kids. Sound sample and lyrics.
- MV092 / SP&P099 Like a Rock (Keri Wehlander / Linnea Good) A lovely simple song (with actions!). Lyrics. Great for kids
- VU789 / Cha738 A mighty fortress is our God (Response)
(Martin Luther) Responsive psalm with sung refrain of the first line of "A
mighty fortress". If you don't have these books, I'm sure you could use
your imagination to work out something similar. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- PfAS071B / GtG813 God my help and hiding place
(Ruth Duck) A sad and beautiful song based on this Psalm. Imagine you are
someone old singing this and it may give you some empathy for what they
may be thinking. It's set to a lovely Japanese tune. Lyrics.
- TiS 506 / AHB 430 / A&M424 / CP064 / CP(E) 281 / StF572 Author of life divine
(Charles Wesley) Good inclusive words and a simple traditional tune; mystery of
communion and seeing God's face. There is also a more modern tune from
Carlton Young available from GIA music. Lyrics.Oldy-but-a-goody.
- *SP&P057 From the sacred waters of my birth (Christopher Grundy) A lovely simple chorus; particularly good if you have a baptism. Lyrics (downloads a PDF).
- *PfAS071A In you O Lord I put my trust (Clarence Walhout) Good inclusive lyrics to this hymn version of this Psalm, set to the well known tune WAREHAM. New words to old tunes
- G(3)150 My God my god come quickly to help me (Paul French) A very simple Psalm refrain
- PfAS071C Since my mother's womb (Michael Guimont) A nice simple Psalm refrain.
- *Emergent Psalter Don't cast me off in my old age (Isaac Everett) A simple, and quite powerful Psalm refrain; can be layered as a round. Sheet music (refrain only).
Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Isaiah 58:9b-14
Share with the hungry, bring the poor into your homes, celebrate Sabbath
- CH763 / MV193 God bless to us our bread
(Traditional Argentinian) A lovely simple grace for meals and for
communion. More Voices has Spanish and French lyrics as well as English.
"God bless to us our bread, and give bread to all those who are hungry,
and hunger for justice to those who are fed. God bless to us our
bread". This would be very appropriate if you are celebrating communion
this week. Sound sample (Track 1). Good for kids
- VU305 Into the unshaped silence
(Curtis Tufts) Lovely words of a new day, a day of rest, and care for
the
earth. You could choose just one verse and sing it as a round; we did
this song not long ago - using the first verses as an opening hymn, and
then the last verse as a round during the children's time. I think it
would be good to repeat it. The tune is a little mesmerising (it's an
adaptation of a Sacred Harp tune BTW)
- TiS 657 / CH263 / VU700 / A&M559 / AA50 / CP(E) 447 / Cha656 / SP242 God of freedom God of justice (Shirley Murray) Powerful lyrics. Can be sung to either TREDEGAR (new,
but not too hard) or PICARDY (very familiar) or RHUDDLAN. Lyrics and sheet music.New words to old tunes
- CH659 / MV173 / StJ / A&M566 / G(3)824 / W&R389 / SP251 / StF712 Put peace into each other’s hands (Fred Kaan) Good words for communion; tune is quite simple and flows nicely. Slow sound sample, sheet music with lyrics. Good for kids
- *CH195 / StS053 / AA061 Here to the house of God we come
(Shirley Murray) Good honest and challenging words and a simple, but
unusual tune. Lyrics.
- LBW281 / URW190 God who made the earth and heaven
(Reginald Heber / Frederick Hosmer) Better for an evening service. Nice
words for evening and picks up the idea of there being time to rest and time to work. To the familiar tune AR HYD Y NOS New and old words to old tunes
- CH488 / AA130 Teach us O loving heart of Christ
(Shirley Murray) Good, powerful words seeking forgiveness for those things we
have not done or said. The tune is new, but fairly simple. Lyrics.
Psalm for the Isaiah reading Psalm 103:1-8
- TiS
706 / Taizé / AoV2-142 / A&M600 / SFFS 2013 / GtG544 / PH224 / GC(II)576 /
G(3)620 / CP360 / PfAS103C / SP194 / Src79 / URW377 / Lau813 Bless the Lord my soul (Jacques Berthier) A beautiful and very well known Taizé chant. Sound samples, sheet music. Good for kids.
- MV45 You are holy you show us the way / Hamba nathi
(Zulu) This is the song we sang during the (usually silent) procession
at the start of our worship service for Advent in 2009. There are a
lot of other translations and variations of this song. I also like the reinterpretation of "Come walk with us, the journey is long". Lyrics (multiple versions and link to sheet music). Great Youtube. Good for kids
- Emergent Psalter Like the grass that grows and fades (Isaac Everett) A simple thoughtful refrain for the Psalm. Sheet music (refrain only).
- GtG619 / URW075 Praise my soul the God of Heaven
(Lyte / adapted by Ecumenical Women's Center 1974) This is an inclusive
rewrite of Praise My Soul the King of Heaven. It doesn't really connect with me
personally, but you may still find it useful and appropriate for your
congregation.
Lyrics.New words to old tunes.
- TiS
136 / NCH023 / CH187 / UMH121 / VU271 / LBW290 / ELW587 / HiOS135 /
A&M806 / HPP45,46 / GtG435 / PH298 / GC626 / GC(II)603 /
G(3)644 / CP606 / CP(E) 598 / W&R61 / Cha073 / SP316 /
82Hml-469/70 / StF416 / Lau810 / MP683 There's a Wideness in God's Mercy (Frederick Faber) This is a good older style hymn. Not all sources are inclusive, but some (like NCH, GtG, StF) are.
- NCH013 O my soul bless your Creator (Christian Witt) A simple paraphrase of the Psalm, to a well known hymn tune STUTTGART. New words to old tunes.
Hebrews 12:18-29
Reverence and awe; Imagery of heaven;
- MV184 / PfAS096E Ay ay salidummay
(Trational Philippines) I don't know if this would make any sense to a
non Filipino congregation, but I'm listing it in case you have someone
in your congregation for whom it would have meaning. Here's a sample of a piano teacher playing a more classical version, but it will give you an idea of the tune.
- 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 sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- *AoV2-164 / GA475 / G(II)327 / GC467 / GC(II)477 / G(3)557 / StF413 Send down the fire of your justice
(Marty Haugen) This one is usually sung near Pentecost, but I think it could
work quite well with this reading too, particularly if your congregation
already knows it. Lyrics and lead sheet. Sound sample.
- *AoV1-143 Light Of Christ, light flaming bright
(Rufino Zaragoza) Simple chant. "Light of Christ, light flaming bright, burn
in my heart holy fire"; you could easily make this plural if you wish. Sound sample and lyrics. Good for kids.
Luke 13:10-17
The woman bent double (osteoporosis?) is healed on the Sabbath
- TiS
638 / NCH175 / CH717 / A&M518 / GtG793 / PH380 / UMH265 / LBW380 /
ELW675 / PH380 / CP291 / CP(E) 346 / W&R638 / Cha503 / Lau430 / StF653 O Christ the healer we have come (Fred Pratt Green) Beautiful words and simple to sing. Good for intercessions. I like the tune INVERCARRY best, but it can also be sung to TALLIS' CANON if your congregation needs a more familiar tune. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
- MV083 / FFS41 Let my spirit always sing
(Shirley Murray) Good words about becoming frail and old; this reading may
provide a space to reflect on what it means to live in a
body that doesn't do what it used to, but with a mind and a soul that is
still longing to be active.
- TiS 737 / Iona (Common Ground, HSNW, T1AU) / A&M516 / SP142 / URW427 / Lau437 Lord Jesus Christ lover of all
(John Bell) A beautiful and simple chant. Note that some versions (T1AU at
least) has a beautiful 4 part harmony arrangement with excellent moving
parts in the lower registers. Would work well during intercessions.
- In Every Corner Sing / AA039 / GA192 For the bread and wine and blessing (Shirley Murray) Very straightforward tune. Good Eucharist song. Really good song of healing.
- TiS 692 Sometimes a healing world is comfort
(Patrick Michaels) A good song about healing. The verses take a little getting
used to and the chorus is very joyous and simple. Perhaps get your
congregation to join in as they become confident - there are 5 verses to
learn on.
- Tune In / Online Resource Our God who weeps
(Kate Scull) Very simple folk-like tune and challenging and hopeful
lyrics. God understands our pain and suffering. Reference recording, lyrics and free downloadable songbook.
- CH350 / UMH263 / VU358 / StS044 When Jesus the healer passed through Galilee
(Peter Smith) A simple song with many verses (you don't have to sing all
of them!), and a simple "Heal us, heal us today" refrain. This would be
good for kids or those who can't read, as they'll be able to join in
easily. Verse 6 is particularly appropriate "The lepers were healed and
the demons cast out, Heal us, heal us today, A bent woman straightened
to laugh and to shout. Heal us, Lord Jesus".
Good for kids. NCYC ’93 / ATFG586 We will love / We will walk with you at the edges (Graeme Gardener) This
is a good little rock number “We will walk with you at the edges, we
will die with you at the cross roads, we will risk with you taking
chances, we will love”. Or something like that. Jesus broke rules, and that's OK sometimes. Good for kids.
- 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) 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. Sound sample.
- *Iona
(Love From Below / common ground) / CH718 / VU613 / A&M522 / GtG797 / G(II)401 / GC575 /
GC(II)558 / G(3)657 / CP292 / CP(E) 348 / W&R628 / SP140 /
URW146 / Lau433 / StF655 We Cannot Measure How You Heal
(John Bell) Really very excellent words to a very familiar celtic air. Easy
to sing; be careful not to get too fast; it's tempting but the words
need a slower tune. Sheet music sample. Sound sample.
- Iona (Heaven Shall Not Wait) When our Lord walked the earth
(John Bell) Familiar and easy tune, excellent words.
Chorus is “Power to speak and heal, grace to know what’s real, wisdom,
insight and faith, grace and understanding”
What ideas do you have? Please share them below!
