Songs, Hymns & Music for Easter 4A (30 April 2023)

Acts 2:42-47
Life of the early church: sharing food and money, worshipping and growing daily

• Online Resource Are you lost among earth's peoples? (Hannah Brown / Gregg DeMay) Excellent words about finding each other and coming together as a community of faith that works for justice. The tune is very singable, and comforting. Lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.  
  
• 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. Sound sample, free downloadable songbook and lyrics.
• HiOS055 Here I stand among God's people (Marnie Barrell) Excellent words for a confirmation, about offering ourselves to the common life. Lyrics talk about the whole of being part of a Christian community. It's sung to a good new tune.
• TiS 711 / ATOK 334 / Iona (M&G) / WoV681 / VU383 / SFFS 2124 / GtG283 / G(II)330 / StF038 Come O Holy Spirit / Wa Wa Wa Emimimo (Nigeria) This song is just fun. And very easy. Try to sing it in its original language (Yoruba), it sounds a bit inane in English and it’s not hard!! Encourage your congregation to dance a simple side-to-side step to this; they will enjoy it even more. If we can’t go a little crazy on Pentecost, what hope is there for us, really? A good song to help us remember that our faith is global, and to think of the church and all people in Africa. Sound sample including John Bell teaching the song. I have been thinking lately that this song would be really fun sung with more of a "highlife" sensibility, like Nigerian pop music. Good for kids<./li>
• Online Resource / ATFG561 / Tune In Community (Dave Brown) A song about being welcomed and part of a community. Sound sample, free downloadable songbook and lyrics. Good for kids. 
• MV199 / HiOS148 / GtG537 When at this table I receive a blessing (Shirley Murray) Particularly appropriate if you are celebrating communion this week. Excellent, strong words of communion and the different prayers that we may bring to the table, including prayers for forgiveness. Lyrics & sheet music. 
• Online Resource / Tune In Kingdom Come (Matthew Lees) A song about how things are not what we expect in God’s kingdom. Lots of words and good images including "when forced to carry one mile, go two".  Sound sample, free downloadable songbook and lyrics.
• Online Resource / BUC Song Project In Breaking Bread (Shawn Whelan) A great song, with lots of repetition "In breaking bread Christ is here; When wine is shared Christ is here". Particularly appropriate if there is also communion, but will make sense without it. Sheet music and lyrics. Good for kids. 
• AoV1-057 / G(II)485 /  GC678 / GC(II)663 / G(3)766 / Lau824 Awake from your slumber / City of God (Dan Schutte) I love the joyousness and sense of mission in this one. A really positive song “Let us build the city of God, let us turn our morning to dancing, for the Lord, our light and our love, has turned the night into day”. There is a little bit of non-inclusiveness in the middle "bridge" section; we often just omit it, which has the benefit of making the song less confusing for a congregation as well - but you could also follow the suggestion from Craig Bartlett in the comments below! Sample sheet music & lyrics. Sound sample.
• Online Resource O Holy Spirit power of the weak (David Bjorlin / Lim Swee Hong) A beautiful, meditative four part song. It would be great to teach the parts to your congregation, and would work well whether you sing only one verse, or all four verses. If four parts is too challenging, you could also get your congregation to sing only the melody line in two parts in canon (i.e. a round, but ending at the same time); or in unison would also work, but would be less fun. Lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options.  New words to old tunes.    
• STB163 / GtG600 / Online Resource Lord We Thank You for This Food (Taiwan) (I-to Loh) Simple table grace based on a Taiwanese melody. If you are sharing a meal this Sunday, you could sing this. It's fun to do it with the two groups making the sound of pounding rice! Sheet music for purchase.
• VU456 / AA100 / PH515 Now to your table spread (Shirley Murray) A communion hymn that recognises global faith and global responsibility. Sung to the familiar tune LOVE UNKNOWN. Sheet music and lyrics.New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource / W&amp;R604 Great God as We Are Gathering (Andrew Pratt) Excellent words seeking Christian unity, even when times are difficult. Sung to the familiar hymn tune MORNING SONG. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource / TiS 411 / AHB 328 / NCH266 / UMH537 / VU194 / A&M633 / CP658 / CP(E) 425 / W&R331 Filled with the Spirit's power (John Peacey) Excellent inclusive words to a very well known hymn tune. I prefer it sung to WOODLANDS. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
• 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. Sheet music and lyrics.
• Online Resource / TiS 414 / NCH294 / CH616 / UMH192 / VU582 / HPP134 / PH433 / GC550 / CP(E) 198 / Cha257 / StF398 There's a Spirit in the Air  (Brian Wren) A good song of getting the business of following Christ done. Speaking out, caring for others, being changed. A joyful tune (it looks less so in TiS, but think of it in 6/8 instead of 6/4). Seven verses – you might want to have women sing a verse and men sing another to keep people going. The TiS suggestion to use INVERCARRY is (in my opinion) not necessary; it’s easier to the set tune. Lyrics and sheet music.
  
• 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.
• AoV1-130 / NCH444 / SFFS 2223 / HPP495 / GtG300 / G(II)533 / GC735 / GC(II)728 / G(3)835 / W&R595 / Cha494 We are one in the Spirit / They’ll know we are Christians by our love (Peter Scholtes) A classic 60's song of unity and being an example to others. It's still pretty groovy, I reckon. Older version are really masculine. We often syncopate it a bit at Brunswick. Note that the 3-6 Sunday School class learned this song this term, so would be good to use. Lyrics and pretty silly sound sample. Good for kids.
• Iona (HSNW) / G(2)366 Shake up the morning (Iona) Not a very easy song, but good to sing if familiar to you. Lyrics (note that this is not the set tune).
• TiS 511 / AHB 433 / AoV2-098 / NCH330 / UMH618 / VU480 / LBW212 / ELW471 / HPP524 / GtG525 / PH513 / GC832 / GC(II)832 / W&R699 / Cha425 / 82Hml-325 / StF592 / MP414 Let us break bread together on our knees / with the Lord (Trad/US Folk) A good one for people to join in on without needing to look at lyric sheets or projections if you are celebrating communion this week. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• Online Resource / HPP447 / CP304 / W&R687 All Things Are Yours (Bryan Leech) A good hymn for the congregation to sing during the offering, if that is your habit. Sung to the familiar hymn tune GERMANY. Sheet music and lyrics.
• W&R704 / URW130 We Meet as Friends at Table (Brian Wren) Excellent words of community. Sung to a familiar tune (MERLE'S TUNE). This hymn could be sung partly before distribution and sing the final two verses after communion. "With food and drink for sharing the table soon is spread, the freedom-meal of Jesus is crowned with wine and bread, and all, without exception, may eat, and speak, and stay, for this is Christ's own table, where none is turned away." New words to old tunes.

Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd. Again.

• Online Resource You are my shepherd (Bernadette Farrell) Gosh, this is lovely. A peaceful refrain with an optional cantor line. Thanks to the Anonymous reader who suggested this by commenting. Sound sample and sheet music for purchase. 
  
• TiS 10 / AHB 16 / AoV1-144 / NCH479 / Iona (Common Ground) / CH14/16 / UMH136 / VU747/8 / StS099 / LBW451 / ELW778 / GA473 / HPP55 / GtG801 / PH170 / CP519 / CP(E) 594 / W&R86 / Cha078 / Srce662 / Lau806 / StF480 / MP660 The Lord's my Shepherd I'll not want / God is my shepherd (Scottish Psalter) It's not inclusive, but I think it's more than a sentimental favourite. NCH, VU and Chalice all have an inclusive language version. Traditional lyrics and sound sample. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• MV126 Are you a shepherd? (Ruth Duck) Good and joyous. Lots of images of God: shepherd, teacher, mother, father. We sung this once last year, and it would be good to do it again. A catchy chorus, but it does need to be taught. Lyrics. Good for kids.
• ELW438 / HPP52 / GtG803 / PH172 / Cha080 / PfAS023A / 82Hml-664 My Shepherd Will Supply My Need / My Shepherd You Supply My Need (Isaac Watts) I quite like this version of the 23rd Psalm, although hymnals vary widely in how inclusive their lyrics are; I prefer the Chalice version. The tune (RESIGNATION) is from Southern Harmony. Chalice also has a nice responsive reading (Cha081) that fits with this version. Lyrics & sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• Cha734 (I) / URW244 My shepherd you supply my need and holy is your name (Isaac Watts) Responsive psalm with sung refrain to the tune of the first line of BROTHER JAMES' AIR. Lyrics to the old hymn on which this is based.  Oldy-but-a-goody.
• Online Resource / Tune In Like the sun upon my skin / God’s Mercy (Sheree Anderson) A beautiful ballad about identifying God's mercy in the beauty of creation. Free downloadable songbook, sound samples and lyrics.
• NCYC'07 Lead me on (Paul Gioia) A pretty cool gospel rock song. Sound sample.
  
• Online Resource / Tune In / ATAR596 He comes with his arms open wide / The God that I know (Sheree Anderson) A ballad drawing on God’s strength and comfort; not easy if unfamiliar. Free downloadable songbook, sound samples and lyrics.
• PfAS023I My shepherd is the Lord / El Señor es mi pastor (Ricardo Villarreal) I like this tune, and the paraphrase is good. It's particularly good for Spanish-speaking (or bilingual) congregations; it's fine in English too. Could also use the verses with a cantor. Sheet music.
  
• CH716 / VU374 / FFS10 / SFFS 2128 / W&R477 / Cha575 Come and find the quiet centre (Shirley Murray) A good song for the beginning of worship. We usually sing it to BEACH SPRING (TiS 493). Lyrics and sound sample. New words to old tunes. 
• Online Resource / AoV1-033 / WoV690 / ELW423 / SFFS 2058 / GtG473 / G(II)29 / GC31 / GC(II)23 / G(3)035 / PfAS023H / Lau951Shepherd Me O God (Marty Haugen) A nice reworking of the 23rd Psalm. The verses are a little challenging, so I would use the chant on its own: “Shepherd me O God beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life”. Lyrics and sheet music sample. Sound sample and paid download options. Or you could use Cha734(ii) / PfAS023G which use only the chorus, as a Psalm refrain.
• ACS954 / CH355 / VU210 / HPP81 / GtG274 / GC(II)525 / G(3)628 / CP630 / W&R99 / URW098 You Lord Are Both Lamb and Shepherd (Sylvia Dunstan) Beautiful words. Can be sung to many tunes. I like it to PICARDY or WESTMINSTER ABBEY. Lyrics and sound samples. New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource Surely Goodness and Mercy (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A gentle psalm refrain with a read psalm. Breathy sound sample, lyrics; sheet music available for purchase.
• W&R655 / URW202 Come Away from Rush and Hurry (Marva Dawn) Excellent words of resting in a sacred space to the familiar tune BEACH SPRING (TiS 493). Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• TiS 011 / AHB 98 / UMH137 / GA025 / G(3)034 My shepherd is the Lord (Joseph Gelineau) Of the two listed here, I prefer Response 1. A good alternative if you would like to use a cantored Psalm. Sound sample.
  
• Online Resource Breathe in the morning air (Helen Wiltshire) Lovely words for a soloist to sing at the start of a morning service to welcome the congregation. Sung to LOVE UNKNOWN, or could be sung to DARWALL'S 148th. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• G(II)458 / GC654 / GC(II)628 / G(3)725 With a Shepherd's Care (James Chepponis) Very nice words with feminine and masculine images for God. Would be very straightforward to sing. Sound sample of a fairly formal version.
• URW444 Go in peace walk in love (Trilby Jordan) A lovely blessing song that can be sung as a round. Sound sample (go to the very end of the video - 1:01:27).
  
• Taizé / GtG814 / CP563 / PfAS062D In God alone my soul can find rest and peace / Mon ame se repose (Jacques Berthier) A beautiful healing chant from Taize. Words and music and sound samples for learning the parts Good for kids.
• FFS39 It all depends on where I'm going (Colin Gibson) Good words of God's constant presence through all of life's travels, sung to a simple Celtic-style tune (TE HORO). Lyrics.
• Recorded Music 23rd Psalm (Bobby McFerrin) A beautiful feminine rendering of the Psalm. From the album Medicine Man. Listen to it here on Youtube. If you'd like to sing it, it's also in the Unitarian Universalist book "Singing the Journey" and "Music for Liturgy" from St. Gregory of Nyssa.
• Online Resource All of my days (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A gentle song with the chorus "All of my days, God's mercy follows". Would be simple to have the congregation join in on the chorus. Breathy sound sample, lyrics; sheet music available for purchase.
• Online Resource Surely Goodness and Mercy (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A gentle psalm refrain with a read psalm. Breathy sound sample, lyrics; sheet music available for purchase.

1 Peter 2:19-25
Suffering. Non-violence. Return to the shepherd (some of the suggestions for the Psalm will work here).

• TIS 624 / W&R453 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. Lyrics and sheet music.
• Online Resource / Tune In Shepherd of the night (Elaine Loukes) "Have you ever felt the velvet night wrap you in her warmth". A lovely song with a theme of God’s protection. This is tricky for a congregation, so you might want to ask the musicians to play this. Sound sample, free downloadable songbook and lyrics.
• MV091 Cradle me in your arms (Bruce Harding) A simple assuring chant in times of suffering. Sheet music sample.
• Online Resource / Full of the Spirit When I carry the cross (Heather Price) A very singable song about how we are strengthened and strengthen each other through carrying each others crosses together. Sound sample and music for purchase.   
• 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.
• TiS 240 / AHB182 / CH393 / StF640 We turn to God when we are sorely pressed (Dietrich Bonhoeffer) 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.
• Online Resource / Tune In / ATAR663 Save us in the time of trial (Shawn Whelan) A song with a reflective almost-Taize-like chorus. We have sung this a cuople of different ways, it's quite flexible. I will suggest this quite a bit during Lent. Sound sample, free downloadable songbook and lyrics.
• TiS 494 / W&R678 / Cha375 In water we grow (Brian Wren) Great words, especially if you have a baptism this week. Tune is quite straightforward. Lyrics
• Iona (We walk his way) / G(3)517 We walk his way / Ewe Thina A joyful, simple African song. I'm guessing it's from South Africa; we sung this once last year. Sound sample. Good for kids.

John 10:1-10
Shepherd; Jesus as the gate. Above songs listed for Psalm 23 will also be suitable.

• TIS 624 / W&R453 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. Lyrics.
• CH355 / VU210 / HPP81 / GtG274 / GC(II)525 / G(3)628 / CP630 / W&R99 / URW098 You Lord Are Both Lamb and Shepherd (Sylvia Dunstan) Beautiful words. Can be sung to many tunes. I like it to PICARDY or WESTMINSTER ABBEY. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• Tune In / Online Resource Come O God and visit us sick we pray / Your abundant life (Dave Brown) A joyful song "Lead us into your abundant life". Sound sample, free downloadable songbook and lyrics.
• 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.
• MV161 I have called you by your name (Daniel Damon) Commitment, confirmation, ordination, commissionings, but also ordinary Sundays. Easy, natural tune and good words about having courage to follow where God leads.
• UMH581 / LBW423 / ELW712 / PH427 / GC681 / GC(II)668 / G(3)764 / Cha461 / CP585 / W&R575 / URW204 / 82Hml-610 / Lau885 Lord Whose Love in Humble Service / Lord whose love through humble service (Albert Bayly) Good solid words of mission to a familiar tune (IN BABILONE or BEACH SPRING). Not all sources are inclusive. Lyrics and youtube video of someone singing and playing it quite nicely. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• TiS 477 / Iona (LFB, Common Ground) / CH510 / StJ / GA529 / A&M450 / CP059 / SP218 / URW056 / StF028 Jesus calls us here to meet him as through word and song and prayer (John Bell) 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! Lyrics (downloads a pdf) 4th verse (not in TiS, but in Iona sources) leads to communion. “Jesus calls us to confess him Word of life and Lord of all, sharer of our flesh and frailness saving all who fail or fall”.

Any ideas you'd like to share? Please add a comment below.