Songs, Hymns & Music for Proper 17A / Pentecost 22A / Pentecost +14 (September 3 2023)

Looking for Season of Creation Resources? There are some suggestions on this page if you are following the 2023 theme of "Let Justice and Peace Flow" I have highlighted songs that are particularly appropriate within the lectionary with a globe of the earth 🌏. You may also like to see the suggestions for the Amos 5:24 reading (on this page - scroll partway down). If you are using the earlier version of Season of Creation, or if you're looking for additional Creation-themed songs click here for Forest Sunday (Season of Creation 1A)! 

Exodus 3:1-15
Moses meets God in the burning bush

• 🌏 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. Can we hear the voice of God? Lyrics, sound samples (including one with lots of bird and other nature sounds), and sheet music.
• Online Resource Our hearts proclaim a living God (Hannah Brown) Wide-ranging feminine imagery of our extraordinary God, who is full of surprises, fierce, protesting, and compassionate. Sung to the familiar tune ELLACOMBE. Lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource / Tune In See our God with the tear-streaked face / Our God who weeps (Kate Scull) Very simple folk tune and challenging and hopeful lyrics. Sound sample, lyrics and free downloadable songbook.
• Iona (WWHW) / StF049 God beyond all names never fully known (John Bell) A beautiful peaceful chant. It works best if you can do it as a round (or with just the soprano and tenor parts) or with all four parts. Mysterious. Instrumental sound sample.
  
• SFFS 2010 I am who I am, I will be who I will (Jane Parker Huber) Excellent words to the familiar tune ST DENIO (Immortal Invisible God only wise). “I am who I am, I will be who I will, Unfetter Creator and creating still! In such words of freedom our God’s clarion voice speaks loudly or softly and our hearts rejoice”. Music and lyrics. New words to old tunes
• TiS 143 / AHB 80 / NCH1 / CH132 / UMH103 / VU264 / A&M676 / LBW526 / ELW834 / HPP37 / GtG012 / PH263 / GC507 / CP(E) 474 / W&R48 / Cha066 / ZSS4 / Srce296 / 82Hml-423 / Lau725 / StF055 / MP327 Immortal invisible God only wise (Walter Chalmers Smith) An oldy-but-a-goody. "In light inaccessible hid from our eyes". Lyrics, sheet music. Words are mostly inclusive for God's gender, but for the last verse which our congregation usually sings as "Great Father of glory, pure Mother of light", except for the last time we sang it. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• 🌏 AoV2-103 / AoVK-115 / G(II)514 / GC712 / GC(II)715 / G(3)809 The heavens embrace the earth / On Holy Ground (Donna Peña) I love the energy and passion in this song and the vision of the heavens embracing the earth. It will need to be taught. I especially like the “Do you believe in freedom? Yes we do Lord! Do you believe in justice? Justice for all!” call in the middle. Bilingual English/Spanish song. Sound sample.
  
• TiS 125 / AHB 53 / HPP24 / GC544 / CH162 / UMH116 / LBW544 / ELW831 / A&M791 / HPP24 / GtG049 / PH488 / CP347 / W&R016 / Cha024 / 82Hml-401 / Lau712 / StF091 / MP645 The God of Abr’am praise / The God of Abraham Praise (Daniel ben Judah; Paraphrased: Thomas Olivers) A very well known hymn based on the Yigdal. NOTE: The lyrics are quite masculine in most hymnals, which vary widely in which verses they include. I highly recommend seeking out the two versions listed below. Oldy-but-a-goody. Lyrics and sheet music. 
• NCH24 The God of Abraham Praise (Daniel ben Judah; Thomas Olivers; Max Landsberg; Newton M. Mann) This is an ecumenical version of the Yigdal - it doesn't have the phrase "Great I am", but you may still want to use it. 
• VU255 / CP348 The living God be praised (Daniel ben Judah) A new translation of "The God of Abraham praise". Excellent words, and of course, a familiar tune (LEONI). Lyric video. New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource / Resounding Voices Our hears proclaim a living God (Hannah Brown) Excellent words of our creative, powerful and feminine God. Set to the familiar tune ELLACOMBE.  New words to old tunes. Free book download here. 
  
• Online Resource / Protest of Praise When our lives are ruled by fear (David Bjorlin) Strong words challenging us to move forward in faith; some of the words face quite specific challenges for congregations; sung to the familiar tune ABERYSTWYTH. Lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options.  New words to old tunes. 
  
• 🌏 TiS 658 / AoV1-090 / ATE 296 / CH251 / UMH593 / VU509 / WoV752 / ELW574 / GA496 / A&M494 / HPP541 / GtG069 / PH525 / G(II)492 / GC(II)671 / G(3)777 / CP(E) 470 / W&R559 / Cha452 / Srce328 / Lau865 / StF663 / MP857 I the Lord of sea and sky / Here I am Lord (Dan Schutte) Song of God searching for us and our response. Very slow sound sample. Lyrics and sample sheet music. 
• Online Resource Holy One may your presence here open our minds / Holy Ground (Christopher Grundy) Very singable! About God's presence here with us. Video.   
  
• Online Resource / Protest of Praise In wilderness we wander (David Bjorlin) What might it mean for us, as wandering fearful people to see God in a mystery; sung to the familiar tune PASSION CHORALE. Lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options.  New words to old tunes.  
  
• FFS62 The Lord God walked in Paradise (Colin Gibson) This tune is quite tricky, but the words for verse 2 are very appropriate for this reading, which it weaves into remembering Adam and Eve in the garden and Christ calling the fishermen to join him. Lyrics and sheet music.
• AoV2-023 / GA393 / G(II)339 / GC492 / StF496 / Lau686 God beyond all names (Bernadette Farrell). Excellent words. The verse can be tricky – lots of words to fit in, so don’t take it too fast. You may like to use a cantor, soloist or small group for the verses and ask the congregation to join in the chorus “All around us we have known you, all creation longs to hold you, in our living and our dying we are bringing you to birth”. Lyrics. 
• 🌏 TiS 651 Take, take off your shoes (Jim Manley) A fun, and pretty silly, song. Good for kids; this song is focussed on caring for the earth and creation more than the story of Moses, but it picks up the shoe removal theme. Youtube. Good for kids.
• NCH572 / UMH448 / WoV670 / HPP453 / GtG052 / PH334 / G(II)515 / GC715 / W&R618 / Cha663 / 82Hml-648 When Israel was in Egypt's land (African-American) Traditional song, quite familiar, and great to sing. Here's Louis Armstrong (and a few others) singing it. Good for kidsOldy-but-a-goody. 
• AoVK-36 / VU649 / SFFS 2242 / URW118 Walk with me I will walk with you (John Rice) Nice simple words about being sent to do God's work. Also mentions Moses' call, which will feature next week, so you could sing it again. Organ sound sample. Good for kids.
• Recorded music Moses thought it odd (Justin Roberts) This song is a bit silly, but lots of fun for kids and might be good for your Sunday School class to listen to.Good for kids.
• ATAR684 Who am I? (Unknown) A good song for kids about all the different people called by God. Mentions Moses, Jonah, Esther and Jesus. Good for kids.
• Online Resource Moses you know you're the man (Estelle White) Thanks to Alison Sampson for this suggestion, which I had never heard before and now it is stuck in my head. Not sure where you can find the sheet music, but it would be fun for kids - it's a bit like a musical theatre song, not really for a congregation. Youtube. Good for kids.  

Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b
Story of the Exodus The readings above will also fit.
You might like to sing an Alleluia!

• 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 sample and lyrics.
  
• 🌏 NCH022 / VU221 Sing praise to God who has shaped and sustains all creation! (Joachin Neander / jane Marshall) A new translation of Neander's classic hymn "Praise to the Lord the Almighty…". I quite like this. Sung to LOBE DEN HERREN. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• NCH Psalter Let the hearts of those who seek God rejoice! Good joyous refrain, which could be used with the sung or read Psalm.
• 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).
• 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.
• 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. More Alleluias here.
• 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.
• ATE 216 / Iona (SBL) / CH126 / StJ / ELW555 / PH472 / G(II)365 / GC527 / RS 671 / CP417 / W&R15 / StF042 O sing to the Lord / Cantai ao Senhor / Cantad al Señor (Traditional Brazilian) A good, fun and simple song that is easy to learn in Portuguese or Spanish too; note that not all versions are inclusive. Sheet music samples.  Good for kids.

Alternative Hebrew Scriptures Jeremiah 15:15-21
Jeremiah seeks God, and is called by God and will speak God's words

• GWA029 In ages past the mighty Lord by prophets spoke the word (Michael Mangan) This is a song with very many verses; choose at least verses 1 and 3 this week, and you can sing other verses when you want to sing about other prophets. Set to the common tune KINGSFOLD. Some lyrics (not the Jeremiah verse!). New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource / AoV2-102 / GA509 Who will speak if we don't (Marty Haugen) Excellent challenging words. Sound sample and purchase options. Good for teenagers.
• AoV1-030 / GA213 / G(II)282 / GC386 / GC(II)405 / G(3)484 / Lau842 Come back to me / Hosea (Gregory Norbet) Quite beautiful song of return to God. Nice sung sound sample. Lead sheet.
• ATOK 331 Turn to me with all your heart (John Ylvisaker) I like this one, unfortunately I can't find lyrics or sound samples online.
• GA304 /  G(II)283 / GC389 / GC(II)410 / G(3)478 / Lau193 Return to God with all your heart (Marty Haugen)  "Return to God with all your heart, the source of grace and mercy" Verses may need a cantor. Lead sheet. Sound sample. 

Alternative Psalm: Psalm 26:1-8
Test me God, and I'll be faithful

• ATW 423 Lord of every mystery / Examine my heart (Robin Mann) This is a bit tricky, but if familiar to your congregation would be great to sing. Lyrics (loads a pdf)
• NCH Psalter Your steadfast love is before my eyes (Elaine Kirkland) A beautiful and simple refrain to a cantored or read Psalm.
• PfAS026A Your love is before my eyes (John Becker)  A simple Psalm refrain.
• ATOK 414 / Iona (LFB, Common Ground) / CH501 / GA485 / A&M788 / G(II)480 / GC673 / GC(II)655 / SP311 / StF513 / Lau850 Take this moment, sign and space (John Bell) A fairly well known favourite. Simple melody and beautiful words. Lyrics (includes a very skinny picture of Jesus).
• NCH312 We love your realm O God (Timothy Dwight adapt. Lavon Baylor) Excellent words to the traditional hymn tune ST THOMAS. New words to old tunes.
• Emergent Psalter I've set my eyes on your love (Isaac Everett) A really nice refrain to the Psalm which can be read over an instrumental vamp. Sheet music (refrain only - click on "Downloads" tab).
• AoVK-40 / NCH524 / UMH585 / ELW677 / A&M808 / HPP466 / G(II)358 / GC514 / GC(II)514 / G(3)591 This little light of mine (Harry Dixon Loes) The AoVK version has excellent verses that actually make the chorus make sense, but will need to be practiced. Check them out if you have a copy. In the meantime, watch Bruce Springsteen sing it here. It's amazing... Good for kids. Oldy-but-a-goody. 
• Taizé / TiS 747 / ATE 214 / Iona (M&G) / GtG842 / PfAS027A / URW393 The Lord is my light, my light and salvation (Jacques Berthier) A simple and very popular Taizé chant. Note that this is really easy on recorder if you have a kid in your congregation who is learning it. Good for kids. Youtube.
• Online Resource Bring us Justice (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A great song for older kids and teenagers; this will need to be taught. The verses would work well sung in two parts by the congregation, with one half singing the 1st and 3rd lines while the other half sings the 2nd and 4th, then everyone joins on the chorus. Good for older kids and teenagers. Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music.

Romans 12:9-21
A bunch of wise instructions for living a peaceful life

• TiS 607 / AoV2-126 / ATN 95 / CH528 / VU684 / StJ / A&M725 / SFFS 2171 / HPP406 / GtG753 / G(II)524 / GC726 / GC(II)721 / G(3)828 / CP(E)519/ W&R587 / Srce 462 / Lau898 / StF707 / MP456 Make me a channel of your peace (Sebastian Temple). Lovely. Nice if you can just start a capella...  Sinéad O'Connor singing it and lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• Online Resource / NCH287 / FFS11 Come teach us Spirit of our God (Shirley Murray) Excellent words and a good 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. 
• ATW 463 / Iona (T1AU) / ELW721 / SFFS 2219 / A&M835 / GtG750 / GC(II)451 / G(3)528 / W&R296 / URW436 Goodness is stronger than evil (Desmond Tutu) "Victory is ours, victory is ours, through him who loves us". Some congregations change the last line to "Compassion is ours, compassion is ours...". It depends on the context in which you sing it, I suppose. Sound samples and lyrics. Good for kids. 
• TiS 648 / NCH388 / UMH560 / HPP289 / GtG754 / PH358 / W&R596 / Cha487 Help us accept each other (Fred Kaan) Very nice simple words about acceptance and love for all people. The tune varies in each hymn book. I like the lilting tune RUNNYMEDE in TiS, but if a more standard hymn is needed for your congregation, it can also be sung to AURELIA (The church's one foundation). Lyrics and sheet music.
• TiS 672 / GA554 Lord of earth and all creation (Michael and Honor Mary Thwaites) A call for renewal of creation and all God's created people in Australia; it verges on being a bit nationalistic, so please check the lyrics. Two possible tunes. I prefer to sing it to WESTMINSTER ABBEY which is very well known. Lyrics. New words to old tunes
• TiS 599 / AHB 520 / NCH448 / CH502 / UMH399 / VU506 / LBW406 / ELW685 / A&M787 / HPP349 / GtG697 / PH391 / CP435 / CP(E) 581 / W&R466 / Cha609 / Srce633 / 82Hml-707 / Lau874 / StF566 / MP624 Take my life and let it be (Frances Havergal) An oldy but a goody. Lyrics and story.  Oldy-but-a-goody. 

Matthew 16:21-28
Jesus talks about his suffering to come; sometimes you have to lose your life to gain it

• SFFS 2129 / HPP322 / W&R344 / Cha344 / Srce2-244 / MP272 I Have Decided to Follow Jesus / Jisuni jaman anga jarigken (Nokseng / Simon Kama Marak) Good simple chorus, based on the words of an indigenous Garo martyr in the Assam region of India. My reflection on the origins of this song. You could sing it in its original language (Garo). Lyric video here. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• TiS 473 / NCH314 / W&R615 / Cha655 / StF681 / Lau895 Community of Christ (Shirley Murray) Beautiful words to a traditional Hebrew synagogue melody (LEONI). This doesn't specifically mention salt, but the message is the same! Easy to sing.Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes 
• 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. Good for kids. Sheet music sample, sound sample and purchasing options. Youtube.
• 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". Good for kids. Sheet music sample and purchasing options. Works especially well if you can teach the parts to your congregation, or have a small core group who can add in at least the bass part.
• Online Resource / Tune In He left his home, fam'ly, friends / A grain of wheat (Sheree Anderson) Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it won't form roots and grow. A boppy song with deeply meaningful lyrics. Sound sample, lyrics and free downloadable songbook. Good for kids & teenagers. 
• Online Resource / ATOK 413 / Iona (HSNW) / CH533 / VU567 / StS039 / A&M510 / ELW798 / GA502 / SFFS 2130 / HPP317 / GtG726 / G(II)510 / GC700 / GC(II)687 / G(3)790 / CP430 / CP(E) 622 / W&R350 / URW060 / Lau877 / StF673 Will you come and follow me / The Summons (Iona) A classic. Don't sing it too slowly or it really drags and takes forever! Sound sample, sheet music sample and purchasing options.
  
• STB262 Christ Is Our Peace (Shirley Murray) Beautiful words of peace - this melody by I-to Loh is hauntingly beautiful; it will need to be taught. Keep the instrumentation simple. Lyrics.
  

What ideas do you have? Please share them in a comment below.