Singing from the Lectionary

Songs and Hymns for Epiphany 6B (February 12 2012)

2012-01-25T02:59:00.000-08:00

2 Kings 5:1-14
The healing of Naaman. God speaking through a girl. Naaman didn’t have to do anything so amazing to get healed, either.

Other songs about healing that may be appropriate are listed for the gospel reading (below).

*TiS 182 / AoV2-010 / NCH11 / CH134 / VU268 / SFFS 2047 / HPP13 / CP395 Bring many names beautiful and good (Wren)This is a beautiful song, but it's very long (especially if sung tooslowly). Try singing one verse unison, then one women, one men, thenall together again, to keep people interested in what they are singing. Lyrics.
*AoV2-006 / The tide has turned Deeper River / There's a river running deep within the silence of our souls (Digby Hannah). An excellent song of restoration for tired desert-like souls. Lyrics.
*TiS 414 / CH616 / UMH192 / VU582 / HPP134 / HPSS433 / GC550 / CP(E) 198 There's a Spirit in the Air (Wren) Great words, to a joyful tune (it looks less so in TiS, but think of it in 6/8 instead of 6/4). Just think how brave Naaman's servant girl must have been. 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 tune sample.
*MV157 I am a child of God (Harding) A simple song with powerful words. Very easy to learn. I would just sing the first verse this week, as a round. It's important to remember that God speaks through children. Good for kids.
*AoV2-085 / Iona (T1AU) / MV115 Behold behold I Make All Things New (Bell) A nice hopeful upbeat short song. Picks up the theme of Naaman being restored to health. Lyrics (downloads a pdf). Good for kids.

Psalm 30
PH181 Come Sing to God O Living Saints (Anderson / ELLACOMBE) Good, simple, inclusive, humble and realistic words based specifically on this Psalm. Sung to a well known hymn tune (I sing the mighty power of God). Many congregations choose to sing only the first and last verses; the middle two are much more challenging. Lyrics for 1st & last verse (search for “come sing”).
Iona (There is one among us) Lord you can turn all mourning into dancing An excellent simple refrain from John Bell “Lord you can turn all mourning into dancing, evenings of grief to mornings of great joy”
*TiS 647 / AoV2-012 / ATN 25 Comfort, comfort all my people (Mann) Easy to sing, beautiful lyrics. Chorus is “Comfort, comfort all my people, with the comfort of my word. Speak ye tender to my people, all your sins are taken away”. Lyrics, mp3 sample.
ATE 253 He turned my mourning into dancing This is not at all inclusive, but if you change the lyrics to make it addressed to God “You turned my morning into dancing”, it’s much much better.
Tune In: You in all our worries / All will finish well “In this world where injustice reigns, you are in the midst of pain”. Excellent words of reassurance in a difficult world. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook available here.
*NCH085 / SFFS 2082 / Cha623 / ZSS105 Woke Up This Morning (African-American Spiritual) A great Spiritual. If you don't have one of these sources, you can just make it up from this video.... This could be a good Sunday to make use of those choir stalls; could even get the kids to write their own lyrics... Surreal version here. Good for kids.
*TiS 181 / AoV2-032 / GC(II)497 / CP589 Come O God of all the earth / Sing Out Earth and Skies (Haugen) Another big favourite. Sheet music, lyrics. Sound sample.
*CH683 / VU420 / GC(II)469 / CP598 / W&R553 / SP156 / URW132 Go to the world Go into all the earth (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.
NCH433 / CH727 / UMH707 / VU703 / HPP474 / W&R515 / Cha638 In the bulb there is a flower (Sleeth) A simple song of hope symbolised in nature. Particularly good for those churches in colder Northern Hemisphere who have a while to go before Spring. Lyrics.
VU166 / SFFS 2210 Joy Comes with the Dawn (Light) Lovely words. The verses are very straightforward; it might be helpful to teach the chorus because there's a couple fof jumps. Lyric slide show!
*AoVK-125 / ATW 489 Turn our sadness upside down (Leigh Newton) Good for kids, and adults too. Simple tune, but not so simple that it’s boring. Lyrics (search in the page for "sadness"). Good for kids.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Run the race to win it, even if it hurts
*Tune In: 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. Reference recording, lyrics and songbook.Good for kids.
*AoV2-033 / VU648 Travel on travel on (Sydney Carter). I think this old folk song would work well to pick up the theme of "pressing on". Lyrics and chords here.
*NCH497 / SFFS 2208 / HPPS354 / G(II)508 / GC707 / GC(II)684 Guide my feet while I run this race An excellent civil rights song. Would work well as a meditative prayer for guidance or as an uplifting call to action at the end of the service. If you don't have the music, you could work off this video. Good for kids.Worldmaking.net O Author of Faith yet at work in our hearts (Bruxvoort-Colligan) New words to an old tune “O Jesus our Christ, lead the way for our faith to give perseverance for running the race. You’ve gone on ahead for to stake out a claim. We trust in the journey and look for your footsteps. O Jesus our Christ, lead the way for our faith!” Lyrics and sound sample here.
*TiS 666 / AoV2-113 / AoVK-126 / ATOK 409 / NCH526 / Iona (Common Ground, Freedom is Coming) / CH516 / VU646/647 / WoV650 / ELW866 / SFFS 2235 / HPP153 / G(II)357 / GC513 / GC(II)516 / Cha442 / SP235 / Srce737 We are marching in the light of God / Siyahamba / Caminando. A very well known South African protest song. Lyrics (multiple translations)
*TiS 571 / AHB 480 / CH529 / UMH438 / VU416 / CP467 / CP(E) 430 / W&R718 Forth in thy name O Lord I go A nice old minstrelly tune, and timeless words about committing all our works to God. Lyrics.
*TiS 607 / AoV2-126 / ATN 95 / CH528 / VU684 / StJ / SFFS 2171 / HPP406 / G(II)524 / GC726 / GC(II)721 / CP(E)519/ W&R587 / Srce 462 Make me a channel of your peace (Temple) Youtube video of Sinead O'Connor singing it and lyrics and MIDI file.
*NCH437 We shall not give up the fight (South African) A great song for congregations standing with those in a struggle for freedom. That should be all of our congregations really. I like the version by this choir in France! Good for kids.

Mark 1:40-45
Jesus heals a leper and unwittingly becomes famous
*Iona (HSNW) Sitting next to no-one / The Saviour (Bell / SAVIOUR) The verses to this are not easy, but the chorus is. If it’s not familiar you may like to have a soloist or small group sing the verses, and the congregation join the chorus. Verse 2 is particularly appropriate: “No-one going near him, most folk turn and walk away; eaten by diseases, he grows weaker every day; just a social leper, seeking someone in the street; one of life’s untouchables who no-one wants to meet”
*Iona (Love From Below / common ground) / CH718 / VU613 / G(II)401 / GC575 / GC(II)558 / CP292 We Cannot Measure How You Heal (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 (Bell / PERSONENT HODIE) Familiar and easy tune, excellent words. Chorus is “God became our neighbour, granting with his favour, Power to speak and heal, grace to know what’s real, wisdom, insight and faith, love and understanding.”
*Tune In: Come O God and visit us sick we pray / Your abundant life (Brown) A joyful song "Lead us into your abundant life". This has been sung frequently by the musicians at BUC, but not by the congregation! Lyrics and sound sample.
*Seeds of Faith Jesus’ hands are Healing Hands (Bruxvoort-Colligan). A simple and fun kid’s song. "Jesus hands are healing hands, full of love and grace”. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook available here. Good for little kids.
*TiS 638 / NCH175 / CH717 / UMH265 / LBW380 / ELW675 / HPSS380 O Christ the healer we have come Beautiful words and simple to sing. Good to sing during intercessions.
*TiS 670 / AoVK-138 / ATE 258 / CH692 / Srce385 Jesus put this song into our hearts (Kendrick) A fun Yiddish tune that gets even more fun if you get faster and faster as you go. Try teaching your congregation a simple side to side “dance” step. If you teach them and make it clear that it’s okay, you’ll be surprised how many people dance to God. Good for kids. Lyrics.

Songs of Farewell

2012-01-18T03:23:00.000-08:00

People are always leaving, and it's good to send them on their way with a sung blessing. Here are some - this list will grow.

*SFFS 2281 / URW451 May you run and not be weary (Hanson / Murakami) A nice blessing song. Good for the ending of the service, but also good if you need to farewell someone.
*Tune in: May you go well into paths still unknown (Brown) Mostly easy tune, and strong words. Would work well as a benediction. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook.
*ATW 494 For you deep stillness (Mann/Perrin) A peaceful and powerful homegrown favourite. Lyrics and mp3 sample. Might be nice to sing this at the end of the service.
ATFG589 / NCYC'99 / VU298 When you Walk From here (Good) A simple benediction, commissioning or farewell song.
BUC Resource May the feet of many walk beside you (Robson) A beautiful, flowing blessing; much loved by our congregation, both for its beauty and for the person who wrote it.

Songs and Hymns for Epiphany 5B (February 5 2012)

2012-01-18T03:21:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 40:21-31
*AoV2-061 / ATE 249 As a dream receive your hist'ry (Tanner) A big favourite by a South Australian guy. There are actions too! The chorus is particularly excellent “We will rise up on wings like eagles, run and not be tired, show us your dreams and visions, warm our hearts with tongues of fire, tongues of fire”. Good for kids and teenagers. Lyrics
*NCH497 / SFFS 2208 / HPPS354 / G(II)508 / GC707 / GC(II)684 Guide my feet while I run this race An excellent civil rights song. Would work well as a meditative prayer for guidance or as an uplifting call to action at the end of the service.
*TiS 48 / AoV1-153 / ATOK 411 / VU808 / WoV779 / ELW787 / GA452 / HPP385 / G(II)433 / GC611 / GC(II)593 / CP531 / W&R438 / Cha077 You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord / On Eagle's Wings (Joncas) This is a big favourite all over the place. It has masculine imagery for God. This doesn't have to be sung slowly and meditatively - it also works very well as a more upbeat song. If it is not familiar to you, a cantor can be used for the verses.
*AoV1-057 / G(II)485 / GC678 / GC(II)663 / RS799 Awake from your slumber / City of God (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. Sample sheet music & lyrics. Sound sample.*AoVK-47 / HPP51 / W&R80 He's Got the Whole World in His Hand / God's Got the whole world in safe hands (Traditional) It’s hard to make this inclusive. I’ve seen “God’s got the whole world in safe hands”, which is a little clumsy. AoVK has "The whole world is in God's hands" which works OK. Good for kids.
*TiS 253 / AoV2-119 / AoVK-103 / GA419 O Lord Jesus Marrkapmirr This simple song from an Aboriginal community in Arnhem land is easy to sing and talks of the timelessness of God’s love. “O Lord Jesus Marrkapmirr, all the power belongs to you”. There is some king and power language in this which may not work for some. Lyrics (scroll down)
NCH164 / VU79 / StS030 / WoV652 / LBW652 / ELW314 / PH411 / W&R231 / URW138 Arise your light is come! (Duck) Good general words of Christ coming to bring justice to the familiar tune ST. THOMAS (TiS 271).
ATOK 416 We will rise up on eagles wings (Trish Watts) I have marked down that I like this one, but can’t tell you why as I don’t have the book right now…
*MV175 May we but wait (Petricko) A simple refrain which would work well as a response for prayers of Intercession, or a responsive reading of this passage.

*SFFS 2281 / URW451 May you run and not be weary (Hanson / Murakami) A nice blessing song. Good for the ending of the service, but also good if you need to farewell someone.

Psalm 147:1-11, 20c
God provides for people and animals. God doesn’t take pleasure in the runner. Eric Liddell had it wrong after all.
*NCH Psalter (Psalm 147) Great is our God, and abundant in power (Kirkland). A simple and effective refrain. Can be used to a read or sung cantor part.
Iona (M&G) / CH267 Blest be God blest be God for ever (Dandasoy) Beautiful words to a beautiful, but quite tricky Philippino melody. This would be great to ask a small group to sing, if you have some good singers in your congregation.
*AoVK-24 / Iona (T1AU) / CH756 Bless the Lord (Kenyan) Simple and fun Kenyan call and response. "Bless the Lord there is no other God" Kids would really enjoy this, and with some African drumming, it would really be excellent. The tune is identical to Reamo Leboga. Sound sample of Reamo leboga (scroll to the 3rd album).Good for kids.
*Taize / AoV2-142 / SFFS 2013 / PH224 / GC(II)576 / CP360 / SP194 / Src79 / URW377 Bless the Lord my soul (Berthier) A beautiful and very well known Taize chant. Sound samples, sheet music.
*TiS 181 / AoV2-032 / GC(II)497 / CP589 Come O God of all the earth / Sing Out Earth and Skies (Haugen) Another big favourite. Sheet music, lyrics. Sound sample.
ATN 66 / GGives1 If I were a butterfly (Howard) This is such a cute kid's song; I can't work out how to make it gender-inclusive for God when it gets to "But I just thank you Father for making me me!" Lyrics, chords and sound sample. Good for kids.
*MV037 Each blade of grass / Circle of God (Wehlander) Lovely words set to a familiar-feeling folk tune. Lyrics (downloads a pdf). Good images for kids.
In Every Corner Sing / AA039 / GA192 For the bread and wine and blessing (Murray) Very straightforward tune. Good eucharist song. Really good song of healing.
MV095 How deep the peace (Bauman / Good) Simple song. Would work particularly well as words of assurance after the prayers of confession. And excellent if you have some bass singers in your congregation.
Linnea Good It sings the majesty of God (Bauman / Good) Simple Psalm refrain.
*ATE 216 / Iona (SBL) / CH126 / StJ / ELW555 / HPSS472 / G(II)365 / GC527 / RS 671 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. Some versions also have multiple verses (e.g. CH). Sheet music sample. Sound sample (click on the play button).

1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Paul becomes as those he wishes to save. A call to stand alongside others. A call to evangelism.
*Recorded music Walk with me (Akasa / Shanahan) Achingly beautiful song from Melbourne vocal group Akasa. This song was written by Melanie Shanahan. BUC people: I have this CD, and the vocal arrangement. Even though it's a slow song, it's good for kids. Listen.
*NCH437 We shall not give up the fight (South African) A great song for congregations standing with those in a struggle for freedom. That should be all of our congregations really. Good for kids. I like the version by this choir in France!
*Seeds of Faith Do you know that I am your friend? / I’m Gonna Stick With You (Bruxvoort-Colligan) An excellent and fun song for kids. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook available here. Good for kids.
*AoVK-36 / VU649 / SFFS 2242 / URW118 Walk with me I will walk with you (Rice) Nice simple words about being sent to do God's work. Also mentions Moses' call. Good for kids.
*ATW 507 Where you tread (Beavis) A beautiful and simple song based on the story of Ruth, but quite appropriate to the idea of standing alongside others. Very simple for a congregation to sing first time.
*NCH357 / CH680 / G(II)487 / GC680 / GC(II)675 You are called to tell the story (Duck) Excellent words. The simplest tune would be REGENT SQUARE. Different sources use a range of tunes. This song, while written for ordination would work very well as a call to a whole congregation. You could change the first line to “We are called to tell the story” and eliminate verse 3 (unless you welcome lay people presiding over communion, of course!). Lyrics here (loads pdf – scroll down).
SFFS 2175 Together We Serve (Damon) Good hymn about service.
*TiS 607 / AoV2-126 / ATN 95 / CH528 / VU684 / StJ / SFFS 2171 / HPP406 / G(II)524 / GC726 / GC(II)721 / CP(E)519/ W&R587 / Srce 462 Make me a channel of your peace (Temple) Youtube video of Sinead O'Connor singing it and lyrics and MIDI file.

Mark 1:29-39
Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law, lots of others, and prays before proclaiming the message and casting out demons
*ATW 443 She was in bed with a fever / Like an angel (Mann) Nice to sing. Not too hard. Lyrics, and an excellent introduction to the theme of this story and song here.
*Seeds of Faith Jesus’ hands are Healing Hands (Bruxvoort-Colligan). A simple and fun kid’s song. "Jesus hands are healing hands, full of love and grace”. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook available here. Good for kids.

*TiS 638 / NCH175 / CH717 / UMH265 / LBW380 / ELW675 / HPSS380 O Christ the healer we have come Beautiful words and simple to sing. Good to sing during intercessions.
*CH348 / StS001 / LBW196 / ELW544 / CP397 / W&R93 Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness (Edwards) Good words of Christ's ministry to all. Can be sung to the familiar tune NETTLETON, or the less familiar and very lovely tune JOEL. Lyrics.

W&R640 From Miles Around the sick ones came (Marshall) Good song calling us back to our purpose to stand with the suffering.
TiS 236 / AHB 178 / CH351 / UMH273 / VU570 / HPP157 Jesus' hands were kind hands. Good old fashioned children's song. Lots of kids learn to play this on piano, so if you have some budding piano students in your congregation, it may be nice to invite one to play. .Good for kids
*Iona (Love From Below / common ground) / CH718 / VU613 / G(II)401 / GC575 / GC(II)558 / CP292 We Cannot Measure How You Heal (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.

Songs and Hymns for Epiphany 4B (January 29, 2011)

2012-01-11T02:53:00.000-08:00

Deuteronomy 18:15-20
The promise of a true prophet
Sorry, I couldn’t think of many particularly good suggestions for this reading.
*ATN 77 / G(II)542 / GC749 O Welcome All You Noble Saints of Old / In Christ There Is a Table Set for All (Stamps) Radical hospitality. A song about the foretold one who is now with us. Gather hymnals use "In Christ there is a table set for all" which is much more inclusive than the old "God and man at table are sat down". Good for celebration of communion, but is fine without it, too. Lyrics (scroll down). Clunky sound sample.

Psalm 111
God is reliable and excellent (!)

Just about any familiar song of praise or simple Alleluias could be sung to reflect this Psalm, or as a response to the Psalm. Simple Alleluias are great for kids, especially if they have a good rhythm.

*PH274 O God of Earth and Space (LEONI) Terrific words by Jane Parker Huber to a well known Jewish hymn tune. "Wherever freedom reigns, where sin is overthrown, Where justice fused with mercy rules, there you are known. Give us the courage clear, to make the earth a home, For all to live in harmony, in Christ’s shalom." Highly recommended. Lyrics.
*Emergent Psalter Praise the Lord whose love is eternal (Everett) A lovely gentle refrain with the Psalm read over an instrumental background.

NCH Psalter (Psalm 111) Great, great, great are the works of God (Haugen). An excellent refrain with an inclusive Psalm for reading / cantoring.
TiS 68 God established an eternal covenant (Marshall) A good inclusive and simple refrain with non-inclusive cantor part / reading. Reading can easily be adapted to make it inclusive.
Linnea Good For we remember well (Good) A simple Psalm refrain.

1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Take care that your liberty doesn’t become a stumbling block to others. Know your limits, and don’t wound the conscience of others if their limits are different.
*TiS 650 / AoV2-169 / ATA 191 / CH694 / NCH539 / VU595 / ELW659 / AA08 / SFFS 2222 / HPP442 / G(II)476 / GC683 / GC(II)661 / CP500 / CP(E) 393 / W&R391 / Cha490 / SP263 / URW117 Brother, sister, let me serve you / Won't you let me be your servant? (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.
*ATFG561 / Tune In: Part of a fam'ly interconnected / Community (Brown) A song about being welcomed and how to work together as part of a community. "Part of a family interconnected, this is community; Welcoming strangers, visiting neighbours, this gives us dignity". Very singable song about building community. Works well for kids as well. A big favourite at Brunswick Uniting. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook.
CH801 / MV170 / StJ / WoV665 / ELW642 / SFFS 2179 / GC408 / GC(II)430 / CP553 Live in charity / Ubi Caritas (Taize) Usually sung in Latin, but can be sung just as beautifully as "Live in charity and steadfast love, live in charity; God will dwell with you." Sheet music and sound samples for practice here.
*TiS 686 / ATE 292 Lord Jesus we belong to you / Because we bear your name (Robin Mann). A straightforward and practical song asking God to help us to follow Christ well, with a refrain of "because we bear your name". Lyrics.
MV141 We are all one people (Naytowhow) A simple Native American song.

Mark 1:21-28
Jesus drives out an unclean spirit; the spirit names Jesus as the Holy One
*Unpublished: Love is the Power (Anderson) Suggestion for the congregation at Brunswick as this is not published yet, but it is in our church folders. It’s a while since we sang it, but it went down well last time. It's a little bit tricky, but the chorus is really catchy and great for kids "We are love. Made in the image".
*TiS 725 / AoV2-167 / ATE 275 / StJ / G(II)553 / GC763 In our darkness there is no darkness / La tenebre (Berthier) Also translated as "Our darkness is never darkness". Sample music, lyrics in many languages (English is below the sheet music), and sound samples of parts for practice here.
*NCH176 / UMH264 / VU620 / HPP159 Silence frenzied unclean spirit (Troeger / AUTHORITY) Storytelling hymn. Not easy to sing, but can be sung to the more familiar (and easier) tune JEFFERSON (NCH 530). The words are quite powerful - particularly if you choose to reflect on mental health issues, and are relevant to our tendency to have busy overcrowded minds. Lyrics (scroll down).
*TiS 638 / NCH175 / CH717 / UMH265 / LBW380 / ELW675 / HPSS380 O Christ the healer we have come Beautiful words and simple to sing. Good to sing during intercessions.
*Tune In / NCYC '07: Forgive us now (Brown) This is one of the best songs seeking forgiveness that I know. Let’s not forget that sometimes we are the ones waging war against the poor. “Forgive us now, O holy one For crimes committed in your name For all the holy wars we wage For all the children we enslave, Forgive us now O holy one”. I think this could fit if you want to focus on how we label people as unclean. It also picks up the "Holy One" language of the reading. Lyrics, sound sample, and songbook.

Songs and Hymns for Epiphany 3B (January 22 2012)

2012-01-04T03:10:00.000-08:00

Jonah 3:1-5, 10
God gets made with Nineveh, but doesn't destroy them when they repent.
*Tune In / NCYC '07: Forgive us now (Brown) This is one of the best songs seeking forgiveness that I know. Let’s not forget that sometimes we are the ones waging war against the poor. “Forgive us now, O holy one For crimes committed in your name For all the holy wars we wage For all the children we enslave, Forgive us now O holy one”. Lyrics, sound sample, and songbook.
*Tune In: You in all our worries / All will finish well “In this world where injustice reigns, you are in the midst of pain”. Excellent words of reassurance in a difficult world. Lyrics, sound sample, and songbook.
*Tune In II (BUC resource) There's a fish in the sea (Lees) This fun song for kids and teenagers works well for both this reading, and the Gospel reading this week. BUC only.
*TiS 674 / Iona (Common Ground, Heaven Shall Not Wait) / CH253 Inspired by love and anger Powerful lyrics, simple English folk tune. Lyrics (search for "inspired"). I love verse three “Don’t query our position! Don’t criticise our wealth! Don’t mention those exploited by politics and stealth!”. It’s easy for us to be judgemental on these things.
*TiS 690 / CH259 / StS115 Beauty for brokenness hope for despair (Kendrick) Themes of healing from personal and universal suffering and an emotive chorus. “Refuge from cruel wars, havens from fear, cities for sanctuary, freedoms to share, peace to the killing-fields, scorched earth to green; Christ for the bitterness, his cross for the pain”.. Lyrics.
*Online Resource Hear the message we now are proclaiming / El mensaje que hoy proclamamos. This jubilant Colombian song of liberty and new life for the poor and suffering would fit well with this reading. Free sheet music.
*TiS 665 / AoV2-008 / Iona (Common Ground) / CH360 / VU117 / StJ / SP246 Jesus Christ is waiting (Bell) A good and well known hymn. Lyrics here (scroll down just a little bit)
*TiS 689 / ATE 286 / GtB Lord hear my praying, listen to me / Sorrowing song (Mann) Powerful words of lamentation to a simple tune. Words are straightforward about asking difficult questions of God. Lyrics.
ATFG537 Jonah was a prophet who lived many years ago (Pfeffer) Fun. Good for kids. Sung to the tune of "John Brown's body". Has more of the book of Jonah than just this reading...

Psalm 62:5-12
For God alone my soul waits in silence
*Taize / CP563 In God alone my soul can find rest and peace / Mon Ame Se Repose (Berthier) A very beautiful chant from Taize. Music and sound samples for practice here.
*Iona (T1AU) / URW408 On God alone I wait silently (Bell) Ps 62 Simple and lovely chant or psalm refrain. Could work well with kids to help them to be calm and still and waiting-like.
*TiS 33 / VU779 Rest in God alone (Batastini) A lovely simple and inclusive refrain that could be used on its own or with a sung or read cantor part. Lead sheet. Sound sample.
GA280 / G(II)252 / GC328 / GC(II)336 For you O Lord my soul in stillness waits (Haugen) Nice refrain, and verses that contain a good range of images of God. Might be best for the congregation to join in only in the refrain as verses are long and have lots of words. Sound and sheet music sample here (search for stillness)
*Linnea Good Alone my soul awaits you God (Good) Very simple psalm refrain.
*ELW466 / FFS38 / SFFS 2255 In the singing in the silence (Murray) Lovely words, simple tune in FFS; there are quite a few tunes to this. Sheet music and sound sample of a choral version (not the tune in FFS). Lyrics (downloads a pdf).

1 Corinthians 7:29-31
The present form of this world is passing away; do not be as you are (married, rich, mourning, rejoicing).
*TiS 547 / AHB 455 / AoV1-009 / NCH451 / CH465 / UMH451 / VU643 / WoV776 / ELW793 / HPP353 / PH339 / CP505 Be thou my vision O Lord of my heart (Byrne/Hull/SLANE). A classic. I really don’t know what else to suggest for this passage.

Mark 1:14-20
John declares the coming of the kingdom. Jesus calls Simon and Andrew, James and John. “Follow me and fish for people!”
Some of the songs suggested last week for the calling of Philip and Nathaniel may also be useful. *Tune In: Hail the fisherfolk (Brown) A bluesy litany of the saints, including the fishermen of yesterday and the fisherfolk of today. This song celebrates the many people who have followed God’s call through the ages. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook.
*ATOK413 / Iona (HSNW) / CH533 / VU567 / StS039 / R276 / ELW798 / GA502 /SFFS 2130 / HPP317 / G(II)510 / GC700 / GC(II)687 / CP430 / CP(E) 622 /W&R350 Will you come and follow me / The Summons (Iona / KELVINGROVE) A classic, but it has been overdone sometimes.Don't sing it too slowly or it really drags and takes forever!
*ATOK 348 / Iona (HSNW) / G(II)496 / GC692 / GC(II)697 Come with me / Sing hey for the carpenter (Iona) Excellent. I love this one. Very joyous, and a big favourite in our congregation. The chorus is fun for kids too. Lyrics.
*TiS 242 / AHB 183 / AoV1-018 / ATN 27 / CH404 / UMH261 / VU352 / HPP163 / PH302 / G(II)481 / GC708 / GC(II)689 / CP(E) 468 / W&R118 I danced in the morning / Lord of the Dance (Carter / SIMPLE GIFTS). Lyrics and tune sample.“I danced to the fishermen, to James and John….”. You all know this one, right?
*Tune In II There's A Fish In The Sea (Lees) BUC resource only so far. A good song for kids and teenagers. Fits the Jonah reading too. We haven't used this yet, and it would be good to do so.
*NCH173 / CH532 / UMH344 / VU563 / WoV784 / ELW817 / HPP324 / HPSS377 / G(II)500 / GC696 / GC(II)678 / W&R347 / Cha342 Lord, you have come to the seashore / You have come down to the lakeshore / Pescador de Hombres There are many translations of this song. I like the NCH version best as it's most inclusive. The song can get a bit shmaltzy, but the tune is a nice lilting one and the words are great. “On the sand I have abandoned my small boat; now with you I will seek other seas”. Sound sample. Lyrics and sheet music.
SFFS 2101 / G(II)301 / GC688 / GC(II)693 Two Fishermen (Toolan) A nice medieval / minstrelly sounding tune and good words. This would be fun. Lead sheet. Sound sample.
*NCH504 / StJ / HPP545 / GC(II)679 You Walk along Our Shoreline (Dunstan) Good words to a very familiar hymn tune (AURELIA). Lyrics. Sound sample.
*TiS589 / AHB 505 / NCH171 / CH509 / UMH398 / VU562 / LBW494 / ELW696 /HPP314 / CP432 / CP(E) 233 / W&R345 / Cha337 / 82Hml-550 Jesus calls us; o'er the tumult (Alexander)Great words. TiS sets it to ST CATHERINE, but it could be sung to othertunes (like STUTTGART) if this is not familiar to your congregation (it’s not hardthough).

Songs and Hymns for Epiphany 2B (January 15th, 2011)

2012-01-02T21:07:00.000-08:00

1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20)
Samuel is called by God
*Tune In: Tune in (Sims) A simple kid’s song. “Tune in, tune in, there’s a message coming in.” Encourages kids to look and listen for signs of God’s love. Lyrics, sample and songbook available Lyrics, sample, songbook.
*TiS749 / AoV1-154 / AoVK-131 / ATE 305 / NCH360 / Iona (SBL, Freedom iscoming) / CH800 / UMH497 / VU572 / WoV773 / ELW809 / HPP340 / G(II)484/ GC677 / GC(II)674 Send me Jesus / Thuma mina You all know this one, right?
*TiS 658 / AoV1-090 / ATE 296 / CH251 / UMH593 / VU509 / WoV752 / ELW574 / HPP541 / HPSS525 / G(II)492 / GC(II)671 / CP(E) 470 / W&R559 / Cha452 / Srce328 I the Lord of sea and sky / Here I am Lord (Schutte). Song of God searching for us and our response. Very slow sound sample. Lyrics and sample sheet music.
NCH 531 / CH542 / UMH463 / VU589 / LBW403 / ELW676 / HPP372 / HPSS426 Lord speak to me that I may speak / God speak to me that I may speak (Havergal)An old fashioned hymn. If this is familiar to your congregation, Irecommend using the words from the New Century Hymnal, which aremodernised and inclusive but retain the spirit of the original. Somesources also have “Lord speak to us that we may speak” which is worthconsidering also.
W&R584 / Cha454 Come Celebrate the Call of God (Wren) Good words to a lilting intuitive tune. This song is written to recognise a commissioning or the gift of a particular person's call, but it can also be sung with "our" instead of "her" to make it a song for a whole congregation to recognise their own call. Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
NCH604 / MV167 Hush hush somebody's calling my name (Traditional African-American) I really like this song. I'm not sure how it would work as a congregational song, though, since I've never been in a congregation that has sung it. I know some musicians who would love to sing it though - especially that deep "Hush" bit. Youtube version from a Ry Cooder album.
*MV161 I have called you by your name (Damon) This is a great song for confirmations, ordinations, commissionings, but also ordinary Sundays. Easy, natural tune and good words about having courage to follow where God leads.

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
God knows us better than we know ourselves. We cannot hide.
*AoV2-031 / ATW 424 / CH97 / GC(II)509 / SP301 O God, you search me and you know me (Farrell). My favourite version of this Psalm. The tune flows effortlessly and it has a nice little hook at the end of each verse. Sample music and lyrics here.
NCH Psalter has a very simple refrain for this Psalm from Jane Marshall, which is worth a look.
TiS 87 / VU862 / HPPS248 You are before me, Lord, you are behind. A beautiful chant setting to this psalm; sung to SURSUM CORDA. The words are directly from the Psalm and are very beautiful. lyrics.
*ATOK 320 / NCH351 / VU645 / StJ / WoV770 / ELW732 / SFFS 2051 / HPP516 I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry. A song of God’s presence in all stages of life. Very simple tune to sing. Lyrics, and a nice (slow) sound sample.
*Worldmaking.net God of My Breathing (Bruxvoort-Colligan). Excellent words to a well-known hymn tune. Sample and lyrics.
*ATW 487 Make your home in me Asimple beautiful invitation. Written by Melbourne songwriter andteacher, Fay White. “If you fly to the point of the day’s sunrise orwestward across the sea, if you travel to the uttermost ends of theearth, there I will be; Make your home in me as I make my home in you.I am everywhere that you can be. Make your home in me”. This is quitedifferent to the Vineyard / Josh Young version you can find all overthe internet. I can't find a sample of this one, unfortunately.
*TiS 725 / ATE 275 / TiS 725 / AoV2-167 / ATE 275 / StJ / GA538 / G(II)553 / GC763 / URW391 In our darkness there is no darkness in your sight, the deepest night is clear as the daylight (La tenebre). Also translated as "Our darkness is never darkness". Sample music and lyrics.
*Music by Heart 15 Darkness is not dark (Law) A simple round, with optional cantor part. Good to teach to your congregation without lyric sheets or projections. Would be appreciated by kids, as it is simple.
*VU384 / SFFS 2052 / HPP229 / HPSS320 The Lone Wild Bird in lofty flight (Haugen / PROSPECT) Familiar tune and excellent words. First 3 verses and tune sample.
*NCH274 / SFFS 2046 / CP390 Womb of Life and source of being (Duck / LADUE CHAPEL) Excellent words. The tune is unlikely to be familiar, and is just a little bit tricky.
AoV2-079 / GA081 How Rich Are The Depths (Willcock) A good Cantor and refrain version of the Psalm.
ATFG511 There are lots of things that I can do / I'm the only one like me (Kirkland) Adults think this is stupid. Little kids like it a lot.So it's a good song if you want to teach something to your sundayschool class.
TiS 87 / VU862 / HPPS248 You are before me, Lord, you are behind. Abeautiful chant-like setting to this psalm; sung to SURSUM CORDA. Thewords are directly from the Psalm and are very beautiful. lyrics.
*Worldmaking.net Open unto me light for my darkness (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan). Sample here.
*MV 131 You, Creator God, have searched me. Getout the maracas for this one! This joyous calypso chorus for this Psalmis so refreshing. I think it’s really good fun, and very catchy! Good fun for kids.
ATW 423 Examine my heart, explore my mind (Mann). This is a bit tricky, but if familiar to your congregation would be great to sing.
Linnea Good: Psalm 139: Where Can I Go? “Where can I hide from your Spirit? Where can I run from your presence? Where can I go, when you are always there?” A simple refrain.

1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Glorify God with your body. Self-discipline.
*SFFS 2228 / Online Resource Sacred the Body (Duck/ RUDDLE) This is just the song I was seeking for this passage!Excellent words - and it's not easy to find good songs for thispassage. Thetune is new, but very simple and beautiful. It will be picked up veryquickly by most congregations. "Sacred the body God has created, templeof Spirit that dwells deep inside. Cherish each person; nurturerelation. Treat flesh as holy, that love may abide." Tune and lyrics from Baylor University Christian Ethics Hymns Library (an excellent resource!).
*ATA 169 Doin' it all to the glory of God (Boucher)A fun song for kids. It probably has too many verses for a mixed agescongregation though. At least, it has too many verses for me!!

John 1:43-51
Jesus calls Philip and Nathaniel. See also the 1 Samuel passage above
*Tune In / NCYC 2009: God has laid a feasting table / Invitation (Whelan) Feminine imagery of God gathering her guests to a feasting table. Fun Cuban rhythm. Lyrics, sound sample, songbook.
*Tune in: We are the dream that's longing / Jesus is waiting (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. Come, be our liberator, bless and make us free. Come be the light upon the shore. Come be the freedom for the prison of our time. Come now and open up the door”. Lyrics, sound sample, video and songbook.
*TiS749 / AoV1-154 / AoVK-131 / ATE 305 / NCH360 / Iona (SBL, Freedom iscoming) / CH800 / UMH497 / VU572 / WoV773 / ELW809 / HPP340 / G(II)484/ GC677 / GC(II)674 Send me Jesus / Thuma mina You all know this one, right?
*TiS 477 / Iona (LFB, Common Ground) / CH510 / StJ Jesus calls us here to meet him (Bell) Good words and a rollicking or gentle Scottish tune LEWIS FOLK MELODY (depending on how you play it!). Lyrics. 4th verse (not in TiS, but in Iona sources) leads to communion. Tune PDF and sound samples.
*TiS589 / AHB 505 / NCH171 / CH509 / UMH398 / VU562 / LBW494 / ELW696 /HPP314 / CP432 / CP(E) 233 / W&R345 / Cha337 / 82Hml-550 Jesus calls us; o'er the tumult (Alexander)Great words. TiS sets it to ST CATHERINE, but it could be sung to othertunes if this is not familiar to your congregation (it’s not hardthough).
*SFFS 2129 / HPP322 / W&R344 / Cha344 / Srce2-244 I Have Decided to Follow Jesus (Traditional) Good simple traditional chorus. This Australian video from Perth has some nice chords. Maybe that gospel choir could sing this too (but not like the video).
*ATOK413 / Iona (HSNW) / CH533 / VU567 / StS039 / R276 / ELW798 / GA502 /SFFS 2130 / HPP317 / G(II)510 / GC700 / GC(II)687 / CP430 / CP(E) 622 /W&R350 Will you come and follow me / The Summons (Iona / KELVINGROVE) A classic, but it has been overdone sometimes.Don't sing it too slowly or it really drags and takes forever!
*ATOK 348 / Iona (HSNW) / G(II)496 / GC692 / GC(II)697 Come with me / Sing hey for the carpenter (Iona) Excellent. I love this one. Very joyous, and a big favourite in our congregation. The chorus is fun for kids too. Lyrics.

Epiphany 1B / Baptism of Christ (January 8, 2011)

2011-12-19T17:18:00.000-08:00

A song you might want to include this week:
Online Resource When the song of the angel is stilled (Thurman / Alexander) A good choral arrangement, or you could read the poem. Sheet music. Youtube. Thanks to Rev Geary for bringing this to my attention!

All four readings this week havesome similar themes, particularly the role of the Holy Spirit. Thescripture-based divisions of each of these songs is somewhat arbitrary,so please look at all readings, even if you are only focussing on oneor two.

Genesis 1:1-5

The creation of day and night. “Let there be light”
*TiS 447 / AHB 61 / CH112 / VU313 / LBW400 / ELW673 / CP560 / CP(E) 267 God whose almighty word / Lord your almighty word chaos and darkness heard / Thou, whose almighty wordA good hymny hymn, very familiar, with the memorable “Let there belight” line at the end of each verse. TiS lyrics are fairly inclusive,but VU is better. Older style lyrics and sound sample.

*TiS 156 / AHB 91 / AoV1-135 / ATA 123 / CH212 / UMH145 / VU409 / ELW556 / HPP267 / HPSS469 / G(II)546 / GC756 / GC(II)748 / CP003 / W&R35 / Cha053 / URW186 / 82Hml-008 Morning has broken (Farjeon) This song makes me smile every time. Here's Yusuf Islam (when he was Cat Stevens) in 1976 (love those green boots).
*TiS418 / AoV2-075 / Iona (EoA, Common Ground) / CH593 / GA372 / Cha255 /SP94 / URW165 She sits like a bird brooding on the waters / Enemy of Apathy(Thainaky) One of my all time favourites. Very easy to sing if it is notsung too fast. Lyrics, slow sound sample and lead sheet.
*VU380 / SFFS 2122 / CP656 She Comes Sailing on the Wind(Light) Excellent feminine imagery. The verses are quite tricky if yourcongregation is not familiar with them. This is a big favourite at ourchurch. Lyrics (scroll down).
SSSL31 (Songs from the Still Strange Land) From the beginning / Let the light shine
(Quintrell/Simper) Good song, tricky accompaniment, but once you get itit's okay. Will need to be taught to most congregations, or could bepresented by the musicians at some point in the service.
*ATW 469 Wind is moving on the waters (Holmes) Nice earthy round. Very simple.
*Online Resource Let There Be Light (Harding)A simple Taize-style chant "God said let there be light, and there waslight, and there was light". This can also be used as a round, and would work well with kids as you tell the creation story. Very easy and available for download (withfree sample) here.
*CP408 Wind upon the waters (Haugen)I really love the words to this song. “Wind upon the waters, voice uponthe deep, rouse your sons and daughters, wake us from our sleep,breathing life into all flesh, breathing love into all hearts, livingwind upon the waters of my soul.” Note to our liturgists, I have a copyof this at home if you would like to use it.
*TiS 392 / NCH308 At the dawning of salvation Good hymn words of Easter theology and Christ’s presence at Creation to a fun standard American folk tune (NETTLETON)
*TiS135 / AHB 70 / AoVK-110 / NCH31 / CH137 / UMH147 / VU291 / WoV767 /HPP35 / HPSS267 / RS 635 / CP415/6 / CP(E) 251 / W&R30 / Cha61 /Srce21 All things bright and beautiful The TiS version has beautiful Australian imagery. If yourcongregation only has the AHB or other versions of the music, it isworth making copies of the TiS lyrics; the congregation will know thetune. Verse 2 and 5 have masculine language for God.
*TiS 671 / AoV2-121 Made in God's Likeness (Lewis/Spence)"Called to create a new world for the Lord". Excellent Australianimagery. This is one of my very favourite songs and it also picks upthe Great Commissioning in Matthew. It is not difficult if you have agood musician at the helm. If it is new to your congregation, they willbe able to join in on the verses by the time you get to the 3rd one.The change in tone with the verse really lifts this song. Lyrics (search for "Made in").
*TiS 187 / AoV2-130 / CH149 / StS122 Let all creation dance I just love the imagery of this one, and it's a very joyous and familiar hymn tune too. Lyrics (downloads pdf).
*TiS 182 / AoV2-010 / NCH11 / CH134 / VU268 / SFFS 2047 / HPP13 / CP395 Bring many names beautiful and good (Wren)This is a beautiful song, but it's very long (especially if sung tooslowly). Try singing one verse unison, then one women, one men, thenall together again, to keep people interested in what they are singing. Lyrics.*TiS 179 / NCH273 / VU312 / StJ / URW073 Praise with Joy the World's Creator One of my favourite hymns - strongly Trinitarian lyrics and excellent imagery. Lyrics (scroll down or search).
*Online resource Creator of this great land we adore you / Doxology (Langmead) A strong favourite in our congregation. Sheet music and sound sample.
*TiS 242 / AHB 183 / AoV1-018 / ATN 27 / CH404 / UMH261 / VU352 / HPP163 / HPSS302 / G(II)481 / GC708 / GC(II)689 I danced in the morning (Carter / SIMPLE GIFTS) Well known and very easy to sing. Lyrics and tune sample.
*L4tWC100 Creation (Bock) A poem with drum beat and occasional responses.
L4tWC102 Creation (Bock) A responsive reading.
*CH144 I love the sun Very simple kid's song, that somehow avoids being tacky despite beingreally really simple. Little kids would especially like this.
*NCH467 / CH117 / VU320 / WoV769 / ELW735 / SFFS 2050 / HPP242 / Cha083 Mothering God you gave me birth (Janzen) Lovely words to the well known tune MARYTON. Femininetrinitarian imagery. I like the tune MOTHER JULIAN (CH4 117(I)) best.
*NCH058 / CH618 / AA125 Spirit of love you move within creation (Murray) Good words with a theme of the Spirit working a loom. A rangeof tunes for this, both familiar and new. I like the Colin Gibson tune(WEAVER), but it can also be sung to PERFECT LOVE.
*TiS 668 / AoVK-34 / ATFG587 / NCH569 / CH243 / VU307 / R254 / ELW739 / AA143 / W&R38 / Cha693 / URW189 Touch the earth lightly (Murray) Sings of the redemption of creation and our complicity in itsdestruction. Sources vary in their set tunes. TiS has a good tune(TENDERNESS) with a nice minor key change to the relative minor for thesecond verse. Can also be sung to BUNESSAN, if you need a familiar tune. Youtube video with all lyrics.
*NCH274 / SFFS 2046 / CP390 Womb of Life and source of being (Duck / LADUE CHAPEL) Excellent words. The tune is unlikely to be familiar, and is just a little bit tricky.
*SP81 Word that formed creation (Haugen) Really lovely words of creation to the familiar tune NOEL NOUVELET. Note to BUC: I have a copy of this.

Psalm 29
Quite a thunderous Psalm! Wind and flame, earthquakes and floods.

Many of the suggestions for the Genesis reading will work with this Psalm also.

*NCH Psalter 29: The voice of God is full of majesty(Hurd). A very simple and beautiful refrain with a paraphrase of thePsalm that is inclusive without losing any of the majesty of thisPsalm. Can be used with a reader or cantor. Highly recommended.
*AoVK-123/ NCH3 / Iona (M&G) / UMH148 / VU308 / WoV794 / ELW837 / PH271 /G(II)338 / GC499 / CP407 / W&R26 / Cha58 / URW232 / 82Hml-385 Many and Great O God are your works / Wakantanka Taku Nitawa (Lacquiparle) Good words. Simple tune. Needs a good Native American-style drum beat. This could work well with kids, especially if you get them to drum. Lyrics.
*TiS 447 / AHB 61 / CH112 / VU313 / LBW400 / ELW673 / CP560 / CP(E) 267 God whose almighty word / Lord your almighty word chaos and darkness heard / Thou, whose almighty wordA good hymny hymn, very familiar, with the memorable “Let there belight” line at the end of each verse. TiS lyrics are fairly inclusive,but VU is better. Older style lyrics and sound sample.
*TiS 392 / NCH308 At the dawning of salvation Good hymn words of Easter theology and Christ’s presence at Creation to a fun standard American folk tune (NETTLETON)
*TiS 753 / StS034 / R185 / ELW525 You are holy you are whole (Harling) A fun and joyous latin-rhythmed song; can also be sung with two parts at the same time. Lyrics in English, Spanish, Swedish and a sound sample.
*NCH462 / UMH109 / VU265 / WoV757 / ELW684 / HPSS134 / GC580 / RS711 / CP410 / W&R32 / Cha335 Creating God Your Fingers Trace (Rowthorn)A good Trinitarian hymn about Creating, Sustaining and Redeeming God.There are many possible tunes. I like the Presence tune better. Lyrics and a sound sample.
AoV2-089 / Taize / MV086 / SFFS 2156 Give peace to every heart / Da Pacem Cordium (Berthier) A good, simple Taize chant. Sound samples, sheet music (not cantor lines though).
*AoV1-190 / UMH431 / HPP308 / G(II)529 / GC731 / GC(II)723 / W&R614 / Cha677 Let There Be Peace on Earth and let it begin with me (Miller/Jackson) Well known, and great for older kids. AoV changes"Brothers all are we, let me walk with my brother" to "We are family.Let us walk with each other". Lyrics.
*UMH729 / VU682 / LBW161 / WoV762 ELW627 / HPSS450 / CP573 / W&R539 / Cha711 / URW140 / 82Hml-597 O day of peace that dimly shines (Daw) A song of hoped-for peace. The tune in Chalice hymnal is really nice (CANDLER) or O WALY WALY which is used in URW is very straightforward. Other sources use JERUSALEM, which is a bit too militaristic for me. Lyrics and JERUSALEM sample
*TiS 210 / AHB 141 / NCH42 / CH352 / UMH57 / VU326 / LBW42 / ELW295 / HPP74 / PH466 / CP306 / CP(E) 534 / W&R96 / Cha005 / Srce506 O for a thousand tongues to sing (Wesley)A classic. I particularly love NATIVITY for these words, and it's sucha fun tune. My son, who is 8, loves it. In the AHB, Christ ismasculine, but I think that's okay. Lyrics and one possible tune.

Acts 19:1-7
Paul baptises and the Holy Spirit comes
*Unusual Source: Blow through me Breath of God (MiriamTherese Winter) This chant is very beautiful. It takes a few listensfor the congregation to pick it up, or you could ask the musicians toplay it as a prayer for the congregation. "Like a pipe, like a flute,like a reed making melody". This can be found in "Songlines, Hymns,Songs, Rounds and Refrains for Prayer and Praise,Crossroad, New York,1996" or "Womantalk Woman Prayer" (1987)
*AoV1-043 Breathing now the life of God / Warm Our Hearts (Marshall)Simple round. "Breathing now the life of God the Spirit in us singing,come light up our hearts with joy! Heal and clear our eyes to see! Warmour hearts with peace. Warm our hearts with peace.” Short songs likethis are great for kids. When teaching a song that breaks into a round,it’s best to work with as little accompaniment as possible; noaccompaniment is best.
*TiS 710 / CH758 / Iona (Enemy of Apathy) Come Holy Spirit gracious heavenly dove A beautiful and simple chant.

Mark 1:4-11
The Baptism of Christ
Most of the above songs would be quite suitable
*URW106 Here at Jordan's river (Duck) Sung to NOEL NOUVELET, this song is just perfect for ourcongregation. I really love this. Great for Baptism of Christ or anybaptism.
*TiS 270 / AHB 199 /NCH115 / CH334 / VU20 / LBW548 / ELW842 / PH010 / G(II)260 / GC321 /322 / GC(II)344 / CP103 / CP(E) 34 / W&R156 / 82Hml-076 On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry Ifyou would like inclusive lyrics, have a look at the New CenturyHymnal’s version. If you’d like a groovy tune, check out AHB 199(ii) /GC322 – ST JOHN BAPTIST by Gary Lewis Miles and Betty Pulkingham. Thisis an excellent, fun tune. You can even combine the words of NCH115with AHB199(ii) for the best of both worlds. But WINCHESTER NEW is alsovery good, and easy to sing if you don’t have a congregation full ofpeople who grew up in the 60s and 70s. Lyrics and tune sample (Winchester New).
*Online resource Down by the Jordan (WinfreyGillette) Good words based on this reading, set to the well known hymntune LOBE DEN HERREN or could be sung to AURELIA (Thanks, Ben!). Free sheet music (loads a pdf)
PH071 Lord When You Came to Jordan (Wren)I like the questioning words which ask what it might have been like.Would sing it to Llangllofan or ELLACOMBE (TiS 361) “Lord, bring us toour Jordan Of newly opened eyes, Through love, immersed in living, AsYou were once baptized. Lyrics (scroll down)
*TiS 710 / CH758 / Iona (Enemy of Apathy) Come Holy Spirit gracious heavenly dove A beautiful and simple chant.
*TiS 419 / AHB 596 / NCH270 / CH592 / UMH544 / VU205 / WoV685 / ELW403 / HPP222 / PH314 / CP635 / CP(E) 185 / W&R327 Like the murmur of the dove's song Excellent words and a simple tune. Each verse ends with "Come holy spirit, come". Lyrics and organ sample.
*NCH285 / CH591 / SFFS 2123 / URW164 O Holy Dove of God descending / Spirit now live in me (Leech) Lovely simple tune, and beautiful words. Lyrics.
NCH168 / VU084 O radiant christ incarnate word (Duck) Good words; a little formal. WAREHAM is the easier tune.
*VU384 / SFFS 2052 / HPP229 / HPSS320 The Lone Wild Bird in lofty flight (Haugen / PROSPECT) Familiar tune and excellent words. First 3 verses and tune sample.
UMH252 / WoV647 / LBW647 / ELW305 / PH072 / CP(E) 93 / W&R241 When Jesus Came to Jordan (Pratt Green) Good words to a simple English folk tune. A bit formal.
*StS008 / SFFS 2089 / HPSS409 Wild and Lone the Prophet's Voice (Daw) Excellent, challenging words. I prefer this sung to ABERYSTWYTH which is well known and easily accessible. Lyrics
ATOK 344 You who puzzle on the Saviour's deeds (Beavis) A good song for older kids. Especially for Australian older kids. Lyrics (scroll down - maybe more verses than you need!).
*VU380 / SFFS 2122 / CP656 / SP&P006 She Comes Sailing on the Wind (Light) Of course. Excellent feminine imagery. The verses are quitetricky if your congregation is not familiar with them."As he rose upfrom the water, she swept down from the sky, and she carried him awayin her embrace".

Songs and Hymns for Blue Christmas / Longest Night

2011-12-13T02:19:00.000-08:00

Our congregation has a small Blue Christmas service every year on an evening before Christmas itself. It's specifically for people who are mourning, or have other reasons for not feeling particularly joyful at Christmas. It's small, and quiet, and for that reason, we sometimes don't sing together - people feel more fragile when their voices feel small. But sometimes we do. And sometimes the musicians just play some music that might help. Here are some ideas that might work for small or large gatherings, and either sung by the congregation, or by a soloist or group of singers.

*TiS 693 / AoV1-031 / GA212 Come as you are that's how I want you (Browne) This song is beautiful, gentle, simple, and very well known. Lyrics (search for "come as you are"). Slow and mushy sound sample. A good song to start the service.

*AoV1-192 / NCH092 / VU433 / GA540 / PH544 / GC758 / GC(II)751 / RS 862 / CP020 / URW191 Day is done but love unfailing (Quinn) This is specific for evening services; I think the words for this are really beautiful, the tune very familiar (AR HYD NOS) and the image of unending Light in the midst of death and darkness is full of hope. Lyrics.
*StS121 / FFS50 Nothing is lost on the breath of God (Colin Gibson). A beautiful song and very easy to sing even if new. "Nothing is lost on the breath of God, nothing is lost for ever; God's breath is love, and that love will remain, holding the world for ever. No feather too light, no hair too fine, no flower too brief in its glory; no drop in the ocean, no dust in the air, but is counted and told in God's story." Words and full sheet music. Sound sample.
*Taizé / CH276 / VU22 / ELW262 / GA283 / G(II)256 / GC332 / GC(II)340 / CP094 / W&R166 / URW396 Wait for the Lord (Berthier) Very well known Taize chant. "Wait for the Lord, whose day is near, Wait for the Lord, keep watch, take heart!" Some sources have good cantor lines. Sound samples and sheet music.
*TiS 647 / AoV2-012 / ATN 25 Comfort, comfort all my people (Mann) Easy to sing, beautiful lyrics; largely a paraphrase of this passage. Chorus is “Comfort, comfort all my people, with the comfort of my word. Speak ye tender to my people, all your sins are taken away”. Lyrics, mp3 sample.
*ATW 475 / NCYC'01 / SP&P008 Come to the banquet there’s a place for you. An excellent song by Melbourne singer and songwriter Faye White. "Though you maybe have no money, though you maybe feel unworthy, in your strength and in your weakness you are welcome, come." If you are celebrating communion, this might be an appropriate choice - sung in a more meditative way.
*Iona (Heaven Shall not Wait) / VU19 Kindle a flame to lighten the dark and take all fear away. A good chant to use if you will include candle lighting in the service. Sometimes a bit tricky to sing - there's a strangely large jump at the start.
*Tune In: God's Mercy. A beautiful ballad of healing: "Like the sun upon my skin, I can smile and take it in, and my wounds begin to heal, that's God's mercy". Lyrics and sound sample.
Iona (Enemy of Apathy): Sing my soul when hope is sleeping. "Sing, my soul, when hope is sleeping. Sing when faith gives way to fears; Sing to melt the ice of sadness Making way for joy through tears." Simple to sing.
*AoV2-043 / ATFG520 / CoC40 / NCH538 / SFFS 2095 / GC(II)355 / SP&P174 / W&R223 / ZSS63 Star-Child (Murray) A lovely lovely carol. Very easy to sing. A big favourite. This might work well to end the service. Lyrics and sample sheet music.

Longest Night-specific
Recorded music Longest Night (Mayer) This is a lovely and very appropriate song, which you might like to play. Lyrics and source. Sound sample.

Songs and Hymns for Christmas 1B (January 1st 2012)

2011-12-07T01:52:00.001-08:00

New Year's Day songs and hymns are here.
Don't forget to sing some Christmas Songs!

Isaiah 61:10-62:3
A song of rejoicing - you could really sing just about anything....
SFFS 2005 Arise Shine for your light has come (Smith) A simple call and response. Good for an intro to worship. This would be great for the whole Christmas season.
NCH164 / VU79 / StS030 / WoV652 / LBW652 / ELW314 / PH411 / W&R231 / URW138 Arise your light is come! (Duck) Good general words of Christ coming to bring justice to the familiar tune ST. THOMAS (TiS 271).
TiS 224 / AHB 159 / CH457 / UMH154/5 / VU334 / LBW328 / ELW634 / HPP215 / HPSS142/3 / GC485 / GC(II)490 / RS 632 / CP321/2 All hail the power of Jesus' name (Diadem / Miles Lane) I've listed this only because it's a great sing, especially to the tune DIADEM, even though we sing it to MILES LANE at Sacred Harp Singings. It's not remotely inclusive, but I still like singing it because the tune is so much fun and I don't mind tradition sometimes.

Psalm 148
*PH274 O God of Earth and Space (LEONI) Terrific words by Jane Parker Huber to a well known Jewish hymn tune. "Wherever freedom reigns, where sin is overthrown, Where justice fused with mercy rules, there you are known. Give us the courage clear, to make the earth a home, For all to live in harmony, in Christ’s shalom." Highly recommended. lyrics.
*ATW 422 / NCYC'99 And you sun and moon and stars (Canticle of Daniel) (Stewart) This is a big favourite in our congregation. It has wonderful energy and excellent lyrics.
*VU888 / LBW558 / ELW731 / HPSS458 / RS681 / CP358 / W&R642 Earth and All Stars Fun words of cosmic praise. An easy hymn-like tune. I really like the "boiling test tubes" bit, although this verse is not in all hymnals. Note that not all hymnals are inclusive. Inclusive lyrics and organ midi sample.
*TiS 187 / AoV2-130 / CH149 / StS122 Let all creation dance I just love the imagery of this one, and it's a very joyous and familiar hymn tune too. Lyrics (downloads pdf).
*TiS 181 / AoV2-032 / GC(II)497 / CP589 Come O God of all the earth / Sing Out Earth and Skies (Haugen) Another big favourite. Sheet music, lyrics. Sound sample.
*TiS 72 / AHB 42 / NCH27 / CH146 / UMH101 / HPP36 / HPSS229 / CP344 / CP(E) 431 / Cha49 From all that dwell below the skies (Watts) A very old hymn, known by many, which is entirely inclusive in its language for God, save for one Lord which you can replace with God if you like 'cos it's Public Domain! Lyrics and tune samples.
AoV1-019 / CH151 / G(II)340 / GC493 / GC(II)498 All You Works of God (Haugen) Joyful cantor and response. If your musicians have any energy left after Christmas, they might enjoy playing with this. Probably good for kids. Lead sheet and lyrics. Silly sound sample.
AoV2-120 / AoVK-9 God Is Good let the sun and moon and stars say "God is Good" (Chan) Fun. Not easy, but probably worth the effort if you feel like learning something new, or giving your musicians a challenge. Good for kids.
*TiS 152 / NCH4 / UMH89 / VU232 / LBW551 / ELW836 / HPP22 / HPSS464 / GC529 / GC(II)520 / CP425 / W&R59 / Cha002 Joyful joyful we adore thee Note that this hymn is not always very inclusive. I prefer more modern translations. Older version lyrics and tune sample.
*ATE 216 / Iona (SBL) / CH126 / StJ / ELW555 / HPSS472 / G(II)365 / GC527 / RS 671 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. Some versions also have multiple verses (e.g. CH). Sheet music sample. Sound sample (click on the play button).
*TiS 755 / ATA 196 / CH804 / VU884 / SFFS 2278 / HPP219 You shall go out with joy / The trees of the field This is a good hand clappy foot stomping song. Fun.

*TiS 281 / AHB 214 When God Almighty came to be one of us This is a great Christmas season song, particularly for Epiphany next week also. It’s also set to a very easy (and fun) tune to sing (URQUHART). I especially love verse 3 "Wise men, they called them, earnest astrologers, watching for meaning in the moving stars, science or fancy, learned or laughable, theirs was a vision that was brought to pass. Sing all you wise men, dance all the scientists whether your theories are false or true. God uses knowledge, God uses ignorance. God at his coming had a need of you".

Galatians 4:4-7
Being adopted children of God
*TiS 465 / AHB 399 / ATA 115 / NCH279 / Iona (SBL) / CH116 / GA381 Our God in heaven / Father in heaven / Loving Creator grant to your children (Maquiso / Niles) I really like this hymn, especially the Philippino folk melody to which it's set. Newer versions of the hymn from the Christian Conference of Asia have altered the lyrics to "Our God in heaven / Creator God" in the first verse. Other versions, such as CH4 have "Loving Creator / Parent and God".
*MV157 I am a child of God (Harding) A simple song with powerful words. Good for kids and adults alike. Very easy to learn.
*TiS 417 / AoV2-133 / ATW 448 / VU387 / StJ / WoV683 / ELW397 / AA94 / HPP237 / HPPS323 / URW203 Loving Spirit, Loving Spirit (Murray). There are about a zillion tunes set for this. I prefer FELICITY (by Colin Gibson TiS 417), but also like RESTORATION. Lyrics are here.
*CH329 / AA108 / CoC33 O little Love who comes again (Murray) A lovely gentle and thoughtful Christmas song, which would also work for Epiphany and the Christmas season. It fits well with this reading.

Luke 2:22-40
Jesus presented to Anna and Simeon
*Peter Gador-Whyte Nunc Dimitis This Uniting church minister based in Melbourne has written a really nice setting of the Nunc Dimittis – it has a cantor line and a very simple refrain, which congregations will pick up very easily. If you don't have a singer who can act as cantor, a reader can also be used, with the congregation joining together in the refrain after each line is read. Christopher Willcock has written a nice accompaniment. I encourage you to contact Peter for a copy. You can contact him through his church website here.
*G(II)562 / GC776 / GC(II)767 / URW027 Now Let Your Servant Go (CONDITOR ALME SIDERUM / Ruth Duck) Excellent words from Ruth Duck present the Nunc Dimittis to a familiar chant tune. If you have a non-chanting congregation, just use the tune for "Creator of the stars of night" (NCH 111) which is an adapted chant and no-one will ever suspect that they were chanting.
*Online Resource Holy One, Now Let Your Servants A nice sending out song that picks up the song of Simeon. Probably too tricky for a congregation to sing the first time they hear it, but perhaps your musicians can play it. Sound sample, lyrics and source.
*AoV2-125 / ATA 132 Lift this child to the sun (Anna's song) / Habel/Mann / We sing this a fair bit at baptisms. It would be nice to sing it for this story too (even more appropriate, really). Lyrics here.
*TiS 324 / AHB 248 / HPSS 603 Lord bid your servant go in peace (LAND OF REST) Inclusive save for the last verse which is a Trinitarian blessing. Familiar American folk tune. Lyrics can be found here in an order of worship. It could also be sung to the tune MORNING SONG (Awake awake to love and work) - just the first four lines of the tune.

Taize / URW385 Let your servant now go in peace / Nunc Dimittis (Berthier) Very simple and straightforward.
*TiS 733 / VU903 / PH604 / 82Hml-499 Lord God you now have set your servant free (Whitney) A very straightforward and traditional blessing based on this reading.
*URW024 Now bid your servant go in peace (Quinn) Lk 2:29-32 A lovely paraphrase to a familiar American folk tune (LAND OF REST)

Songs and hymns for Advent 4B (18 December 2011)

2011-11-17T03:45:00.001-08:00

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
David’s house and God’s house. See the suggestions for Psalm 89 (just below)
*CH198 / MV001 / GC753 / GC(II)741 / RS 846 Let Us Build a House / All are welcome (Haugen / TWO OAKS) This song has wonderful lyrics of hope for what a Christian community can be like, and a chorus that joyfully says “All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place”. Sheet music sample. Sound sample. Lyrics (scroll down a little).

Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26
God’s steadfastness and promise to David
*TiS 46 / AoV2-96 / GA 518 My peace be upon you for ever / I will sing forever of your love, O Lord (Willcock) A very nice paraphrase of the psalm. The refrain is very simple and inclusive and can be used for either a read or cantor-sung Psalm. “My peace be upon you forever, my love be within your heart, my Spirit will keep you safe all your days”. This is also in New Song in an Ancient Land Vol 1 (in the Liturgy Library at BUC).
NCH29 / Iona (SBL) / GC538 / G(II)385 Let heaven your wonders proclaim This simple folk tune style tune has good, inclusive words. NCH and Iona books have a lovely arrangement for the verses, but it can also be sung in unison; especially nice with guitar if you have a guitarist in your congregation.
*AoVK-144 / ATN 87 When the day has begun / Walkin’ down the road (Mann) Great song for kids about God being with us. It's an oldy, and was overdone in my parish at least in the early 80s, but I think I can cope with it again now! Lyrics.
*Emergent Psalter Blessed be God forever Amen and amen (Everett) An excellent simple refrain. Sheet music (refrain only).
*ATE 216 / Iona (SBL) / CH126 / StJ / WoV795 / ELW555 / PH472 / G(II)365 / GC527 / RS 671 / CP417 / W&R15 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. Some versions also have multiple verses (e.g. CH). Sheet music sample. Sound sample (click on the play button).
*TiS 666 / AoV2-113 / AoVK-126 / ATOK 409 / NCH526 / Iona (Common Ground, Freedom is Coming) / CH516 / VU646/647 / WoV650 / ELW866 / SFFS 2235 / HPP153 / G(II)357 / GC513 / GC(II)516 / Cha442 / SP235 / Srce737 We are marching in the light of God / Siyahamba / Caminando. A very well known South African protest song. Lyrics (multiple translations)

Luke 1:46b-55
The Magnificat. See Advent 3B suggestions for this reading.

Romans 16:25-27
A convoluted blessing
Sorry, no particular suggestions for this one.

Luke 1:26-38
The annunciation. Some of the songs suggested for the magnificat reading for Advent 3B may also be appropriate.
*Seeds of Faith I Bring You Good News This is a great little song for kids “Mary, Mary do not be afraid. I bring you good news, good good news!”. Very simple and fun. Nice sound sample (with kids singing!) and lyrics/theology
*TiS 287 / CH287 / StS011 / GC(II)768 / RS876 No wind at the window (COLUMCILLE /Iona). Highly recommended. This lovely Irish tune and excellent words tell the story in a simple and powerful setting. I especially like the last verse “No payment was promised, no promises made; no wedding was dated, no blueprint displayed. Yet Mary, consenting to what none could guess, replied with conviction “Tell God, I say Yes”. Lyrics
*?GC(II)781 O Mary of Promise (Warner) A lovely song to a gentle tune. This will probably be too Marian for some, but not for me. Lyrics and leader sheet. Sound sample.
*TiS 658 / AoV1-090 / ATE 296 / CH251 / UMH593 / VU509 / WoV752 / ELW574 / HPP541 / HPSS525 / G(II)492 / GC(II)671 / CP(E) 470 / W&R559 / Cha452 / Srce328 I the Lord of sea and sky / Here I am Lord (Schutte). Song of God searching for us and our response. Very slow sound sample. Lyrics and sample sheet music.
GA445 / G(II)421 / GC597 / GC(II)581 I Say "Yes," Lord / Digo "Sí," Señor (Pena) A simple song which speaks of sticking with God through good times and bad. Lyrics and sample sheet music. Sound sample.
G(II)563 / GC781 / GC(II)777 I Sing a Maid This telling of the role of Mary would be good sung by a soloist during part of the service, although some may find it too strongly Marian. The tune will be known to Australians as “with my swag all on my shoulder”. Lyrics, sheet music and (slow!) sound sample .
G(II)506 / GC(II)676 There Is a Mountain / I am for you (Cooney) Lovely words, but probably too tricky for a congregational song. “There was a woman small as a star, full of the patient dreams of her nation. Welcoming in an angel of God, Welcoming in God’s bold invitation”.

*Poem The angel and the girl are met (Edwin Muir) A beautiful transformative poem about the meeting of Mary and Gabriel. Poem

Songs and Hymns for Advent 3B (11 December 2011)

2011-11-16T02:47:00.001-08:00

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
The spirit of the Lord is on me to bring good news, so rejoice!
*Tune In: The Spirit of the Lord (Loukes) A beautiful and simple chant. Highly recommended. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook available here.
*TiS 690 / CH259 / StS115 Beauty for brokenness hope for despair (Kendrick) Themes of healing from personal and universal suffering and a rousing chorus. Lyrics.
*Online Resource Hear the message we now are proclaiming / El mensaje que hoy proclamamos. This jubilant Colombian song of liberty and new life for the poor and suffering would fit well with this reading. Free sheet music.
*TiS 688 Come to be our hope O Jesus (Marachin) This is a really fun Latin American song from the World Council of Churches Assembly in Canberra. It's not easy the first time, but once you've heard it, it's very catchy and good for kids. The words are really excellent, despite a slightly clunky translation. Use some maracas. It would be worth teaching to your congregation!
*AoV1-021 / ATOK 402 / StS114 / G(II)488 / GC682 / GC(II)669 God Has Chosen Me (Farrell) Energetic, and great words of justice. Can be rocky or smooth, however you like it. Good for kids. Lyrics.
*AoVK-28 / ATOK 376 Faith hope and love (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.
*TiS 657 / CH263 / VU700 / AA50 / CP(E) 447 / Cha656 / SP242 God of freedom God of justice (Murray / Guthrie Foote) Powerful lyrics. Can be sung to either TREDEGAR (new, but not too hard) or PICARDY (very familiar). Lyrics and midi.
TiS 269 / AHB 197 / CH277 / VU29 / LBW35 / ELW239 Hark the glad sound the Savior comes A more traditional choice. Can be sung to CREDITON or CHESTERFIELD. Its language is very old fashioned and may irritate some. Lyrics.
*TiS 410 / AHB 323 / LBW523 / ELW582 / NCH59 Holy Spirit, ever dwelling I like these words, about the Spirit working through the church and God's people, but prefer to sing it to NETTLETON (TiS 392). Lyrics and sound sample.
ATOK 389 Light of the nations (Mann) A simple song. Lyrics.
VU699 / HPSS332 Live into hope of captives freed. Excellent words from Jane Parker Huber to the familiar tune TRURO. Lyrics (scroll down).
*UMH729 / VU682 / LBW161 / WoV762 ELW627 / HPSS450 / CP573 / W&R539 / Cha711 / URW140 / 82Hml-597 O day of peace that dimly shines (Daw) A song of hoped-for peace. The tune in Chalice hymnal is really nice (CANDLER) or O WALY WALY which is used in URW is very straightforward. Other sources use JERUSALEM, which is a bit too militaristic for me. Lyrics and JERUSALEM sample
*TiS 210 / AHB 141 / NCH42 / CH352 / UMH57 / VU326 / LBW42 / ELW295 / HPP74 / PH466 / CP306 / CP(E) 534 / W&R96 / Cha005 / Srce506 O for a thousand tongues to sing (Wesley) A classic. I particularly love NATIVITY for these words, and it's such a fun tune. My son, who's almost 8, loves it. In the AHB, Christ is masculine, but I think that's okay. Lyrics and one possible tune.
*TiS 179 / NCH273 / VU312 / Iona (Heaven Shall Not Wait) / StJ / GA379 / URW073 Praise with joy the world's Creator My all time favourite Trinitarian hymn. Simple well known tune (Praise my soul the king of heaven), wonderful imagery in the words. Some versions change "Son" to "Christ" to make it more inclusive. Lyrics (scroll down).

GC(II)662 To bring glad tidings to the lowly / You Have Anointed Me (Balhoff / Daigle / Ducote) This is nice. I like how the congregation responds with “You have anointed me”. I think it could be a very powerful experience to sing that as a congregation. Sheet music and tacky sound sample
*StS038 / G(II)486 / GC679 / GC(II)672 When Jesus Worked here on earth (Olson) Nice simple song, to a Celtic-style tune about bringing good news and setting captives free. Sheet music sample. Sound sample.

Psalm 126
Those who sow in tears shall reap with joy
*AoV1-021 / ATOK 402 / StS114 / G(II)488 / GC682 / GC(II)669 God Has Chosen Me (Farrell) Energetic, and great words of justice. Can be rocky or smooth, however you like it. Good for kids. Lyrics here.
*G(II)110 / GC124 / GC(II)69 / URW326 God Has Done Great Things for Us (Haugen) Lovely words “God has done great things for us. Filled us with laughter and music”. I really like this. Both the cantor part and the refrain are inclusive. Would work well also with the Psalm being read between the refrains. Sheet music and sound sample.
TiS 177 / VU614 In suffering love the thread of life (Johns / WALSALL) A more sombre choice, but comforting
TiS 670 / AoVK-138 / ATE 258 / CH692 / Srce385 Jesus put this song into our hearts (Kendrick) A fun Yiddish tune that gets even more fun if you get faster and faster as you go. Try teaching your congregation a simple side to side “dance” step. If you teach them and make it clear that it’s okay, you’ll be surprised how many people dance to God. Great for kids, too. Lyrics.
URW325 When God first brought us back from exile (Daw) Good words based on the Psalm, and it's sung to WAYFARING STRANGER, which is a very cool tune. Lyrics (downloads a pdf). I can't resist posting a link to a great video of Tim Eriksen singing and playing Wayfaring Stranger.
Online resource: Those who sow in tears (Harding) A simple, joyful round. Available here.
URW327 Wondrous God bring us back to you (Peacock) A simple Psalm prayer. No music. It's just a beautiful little prayer.
*NCH461 Let us hope when hope seems hopeless (Beebe) A lilting tune and good words of hope in the face of difficulty. A song of a maturing faith. Sound sample (long introduction).

Alternative: Luke 1:46b-55
The magnificat
*G(II)128 / GC147 / GC(II)83 / RS210 / URW020 And Holy Is Your Name (Haas) Lovely words to a simple Celtic tune (WILD MOUNTAIN THYME). Lyrics. Tune.

*MV120 / StS124 / R245 / ELW723 / HPP88 / G(II)376 / GC556 / GC(II)527 / RS678 / URW018 My soul cries out with a joyful shout (Canticle of the Turning) This is my favourite Magnificat! "Could the world be about to turn?" It's sung to a folk tune (STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN). Lyrics. Very folky version on youtube.
*GC(II)362 Dark is the night / Sing Alleluia (O'Brien) Excellent and simple Christmas song which reflects the magnificat and the happiness of Jesus’ parents. I especially like the last verse “Hope for the poor, release for the captive, Love for the outcast, light for weary eyes; Word that brings life, embracing humanity, Jesus, companion be born into our lives”. It would be particularly good for a Christmas eve service. The chorus would also work very nicely on its own. Lead sheet and lyrics. Sound sample.
*VU323 Maker of the sun and moon and mother of the earth (Sharrocks) Wonderful inclusive words, and a beautiful tune, that for me sounds a lot like "Lord Jesus Christ, Lover of All" so melodically ties Advent in with Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. You may like to sing it this Sunday and leave the last verse until Christmas day. Highly recommended.
Taizé / GC(II)530 Let Us Sing to the Lord / Benissez le Seigneur A joyous chant. Sound samples, sheet music and translations.
Taizé / Iona (T1AU) / StS012 / GC(II)522 Magnificat “Magnificat amina mea dominum” Taize Magnificat. To be honest, I think it’s kind of funny to sing “Magnificat” as a lyric, but maybe that's just me. There are also alternative English lyrics, which are good if your congregation thinks singing in Latin is quirky. A catchy and happy Taize chant. Sheet music, sound samples, and English translation.
Online resource Magnificat (Harding) A fun magnificat, using the Latin phrase “Magnificat amina mea deum” Sound and sheet music sample.
GC788 / G(II)568 / GC(II)773 All that I am sings (Haas) Nice. Simple refrain. Lead sheet and lyrics. Sound sample.
*TiS 172 / NCH119 / UMH198 / VU899 / Cha130 My soul gives glory to my God my heart (Miriam Therese Winter / MORNING SONG) Simple and beautiful words to a simple and beautiful tune. Inclusive lyrics. Lyrics (plus lyrics to lots of other magnificats). Scroll down and look for "ecumenical".
GC(II)782 My Soul Proclaims the Greatness of God (Haugen) Nice, simple to sing. Sample sheet music and music sample (search for "My soul proclaims").
GA250 My soul rejoices / Canticle of Mary (Alstott) A simple, hymnlike Magnificat.
*W&R172 For Ages Women Hoped and Prayed (Huber) This is one of those "Coming, but already here songs" of Advent, and could be sung at other times of year, too. Thought-provoking words about what it may have been like for Mary to bear Christ. Lyrics (downloads a large pdf). Set to VOX DILECTI, but could be sung to other tunes. It fits New Britain (the tune for Amazing Grace) quite nicely.
WoV730 / LBW180 / ELW573 / CP363 My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness A very simple hymny Magnificat; there are a few translations of this. WoV is good (I don't know about ELW or CP). Sung to the well known tune KINGSFOLD.
Recorded music: Mary did you know? (Lowry/Greene) The lyrics are really good. I'm no Kenny Rogers fan, but I quite like this. Even better if you can have someone from your congregation sing it. Lyrics and chords here.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
An entire sermon in one reading.
*TiS 420 Holy Spirit go before us every mind and heart prepare (Elizabeth Smith) Excellent words. Can also sing to AUSTRIA (TiS 93).
*TiS 106 / AHB 14 / AoV1-189 / NCH419 / CH182 / UMH102 / VU236 / LBW534 / ELW840 / HPP283 / HPSS555 / GC565 / GC(II)545 Now thank we all our God / Nun Danket Alle Gott A classic song of thanks. No, it's not inclusive for God, but if balanced with feminine imagery in the rest of the service, I'm okay with that. A few simple substitutions can make it inclusive, too.
*TiS 638 / NCH175 / CH717 / UMH265 / LBW380 / ELW675 / HPSS380 O Christ the healer we have come Beautiful words and simple to sing. Good to sing during intercessions.
TiS 642 / AHB 570 This day God gives me the strength of high heaven Based on the prayer of St. Patrick's breastplate and sung to BUNESSAN (Morning has broken). Lyrics and sign language translation here.
TiS 112 / AHB 30 Through all the changing scenes of life
*TiS 590 / AHB 165 / AoVK-117 / NCH506 / UMH526 / VU663 / LBW439 / ELW742 / HPP408 / PH403 / CP532 / W&R473 / Cha585 / Srce 776 What a Friend we have in Jesus There is a bit of masculine language, but the song has so many other good things about it. I like both tunes. AOVK has different lyrics, written specifically for kids, which I think are worth singing.
*TiS 421 Where the Spirit is there's freedom An excellent joyous upbeat song from the World Council of Churches. Lyrics.

John 1:6-8, 19-28
See also last week's John the Baptist suggestions here.
*TiS 181 / AoV2-032 / GC(II)497 / CP589 Come O God of all the earth / Sing Out Earth and Skies (Haugen). Another big favourite. Sheet music, lyrics. Sound sample. Joyous and a big favourite of our congregation.
*AoV2-003 / ATOK 313 / CH543 / StJ / R127 / ELW715 / GC(II)512 Longing for light we wait in darkness / Christ, be our light (Farrell). One of my favourites, especially if someone can sing or play the descant line in the later verses. Sound and sheet music sample here.
*Worldmaking.net Christ is Coming Ever Coming (Bruxvoort-Colligan) A modern hymn of salvation history. Lyrics and sound sample. Music available online.

Songs and Hymns for Advent 2B (December 4th, 2011)

2011-11-10T03:53:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 40:1-11
“Comfort my people”. A voice in the wilderness crying out to make a straight path for God. See also the suggestions for Mark at the bottom of this entry.
*BUC unpublished songs: Feed us the bread of your body of love / Harvest our love (Dave Brown). This song is funky and great. The chorus is: “Come and be our feast, harvest our love; Restore our sight again, breath of life and power; Light of the world, shine in this space; In the gracious meal of love, bless us to this age. In the cosmic mystery, show us Jesus' face”.
*TiS 647 / AoV2-012 / ATN 25 Comfort, comfort all my people (Mann) Easy to sing, beautiful lyrics; largely a paraphrase of this passage. Chorus is “Comfort, comfort all my people, with the comfort of my word. Speak ye tender to my people, all your sins are taken away”. Lyrics, mp3 sample.
NCH101 / CH274 / VU883 / LBW29 / ELW256 / HPP84 / HPPS003 / GC326 / GC(II)331 / RS488 / CP100 / W&R155 / Cha122 / 82Hml-067 Comfort Comfort O My People (Olearius) A more traditional setting of this passage. I don’t know why this is not popular in Australia. The tune PSALM 42 (Genevan Psalter) also sometimes known as GENEVA is not the GENEVA in TiS. Of course, NCH has the most inclusive lyrics, but the others are mostly okay too. Lyrics. Sound sample. Sheet music for the tune.
Cha123 Comfort Comfort O My People (Scripture passage) A responsive reading and sung response based on the familiar hymn listed above.
*ATOK 337 / The word made flesh The grass withers (Mann) A simple song “The grass withers and the flowers fade but the word of our God lasts forever”. Lyrics.
*Online resource: Comfort comfort my people (Harding) A simple round. Sheet music PDF for purchase and sound sample available here.
*Taizé / CH276 / VU22 / ELW262 / GA283 / G(II)256 / GC332 / GC(II)340 / CP094 / W&R166 / URW396 Wait for the Lord (Berthier) Very well known Taize chant. "Wait for the Lord, whose day is near, Wait for the Lord, keep watch, take heart!" Some sources have good cantor lines. Sound samples and sheet music.
G(II)249 / GC319 / GC(II)325 Close as tomorrow the sun shall appear / Walk in the Reign (Cooney). I really like this one. “Close as tomorrow the sun shall appear. Freedom is coming and healing is near. And I shall be with you in laughter and pain to stand in the wind and walk in the reign”. Nice little lyrics twist there! The 4th verse mentions specific locations (Soweto, Gdansk, Tiannemen Square, The Bronx), which you could retain or change, as you feel appropriate. This sound sample gives it a bit of a gospel feel. Sheet music and lyrics.
AoV1-057 / G(II)485 / GC678 / GC(II)663 / RS799 Awake from your slumber / City of God (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”. You might like to break copyright laws and change the chorus so it’s “will turn the night into day” which would be more Adventy. Sound and print samples here. There is a little bit of non-inclusiveness in the middle. Sample sheet music & lyrics. Sound sample.
Online resource: In the still of winter These beautiful words to the well-known tune FOUNDATION would be particularly good for a quieter, more reflective Advent service in the Northern Hemisphere. "From the silence of evening, from shadow and sleep, comes a numinous star like a voice from the deep. How long must I wander, how far must I roam? I am here, I am with you, and I'll lead you home." Available here.
Online resource: Gather your people to comfort and love (Garland). New words to the well-known hymn tune SLANE. Verse two: "Salvation comes now to those who will hear, Righteousness shines forth, forgiveness draws near. Call forth repentence, O Covenant Lord, that justice and peace may to us be restored". Available here.
NCH121 / UMH210 / VU005 / WoV629 / ELW266 / W&R163 / Cha139 All earth is waiting / All earth is hopeful / Toda la tierra espera al Salvador (Taule) Fun Catalonian tune, good words, although the English translations vary between sources. Could be good for kids. Sound sample and Spanish lyrics.
*Taizé / AoV2-109 / CH772 / GA429 / SFFS 2195 / G(II)396 / GC566 / GC(II)546 / SP128 / W&R448 / URW381 In the Lord I'll Be Ever Thankful / El Senyor (Berthier) A joyful and bouncy Taize song. Good for kids. Works well in English, German and Spanish at least. Good for kids. Sheet music, translations into many other languages, sound samples.

Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
God will speak peace; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. God’s forgiveness and steadfastness.
Taizé / TiS 713 Dona nobis pacem domine / cordium (Berthier) There is a specific cantor line for Psalm 85 to go with this prayer of peace. Sound sample and sheet music for the refrain here.
*TiS 409 / AHB 322 / CH595 / UMH543 / VU202 / StJ / Cha250 O Breath of life come sweeping through us (Elizabeth Porter Head) This is a really wonderful older style hymn with inclusive lyrics. Lyrics and sound sample. Not all verses are in all hymnals
AoVNG55 / Iona (WWHW) / G(II)74 / CP113 Come O Lord and Set Us Free (Ducote / Daigle/ Balhoff) Good simple, inclusive refrain with a pretty groovy cantor line; could work for the younger set. Sample sheet music. Sound sample.
G(II)254 / GC330 Let Me Taste Your Mercy Like Rain (Cooney) Good words of both personal and communal redemption. Simple contemporary tune. Lyrics & lead sheet. Clunky sound sample.
*CH198 / MV001 / GC753 / GC(II)741 / RS 846 Let Us Build a House / All are welcome (Haugen / TWO OAKS) This song has wonderful lyrics of hope for what a Christian community can be like, and a chorus that joyfully says “All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place”. Sheet music sample. Sound sample. Lyrics (scroll down a little).
*TiS 217 / AHB 148 / NCH43 / CH519 / UMH384 / VU333 / LBW315 / ELW631 / GA463 / HPP48 / HPSS376 / GC622 / GC(II)613 / CP485/6 / CP(E) 516 / W&R358 / Cha517 / Srce457 / URW100 Love divine all loves excelling A beautiful classic song and most hymnals use a very inclusive version of this hymn, even the AHB! Lyrics and sound sample.
MV222 May the peace of God be your peace (McLaren) A lovely benediction. Will need to be taught first.
CH659 / MV173 / StJ / W&R389 Put peace into each other’s hands (Kaan) Good words for communion; tune is quite simple and flows nicely. Would work for kids. Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
*Emergent Psalter Show us your mercy O God (Everett) A simple refrain and read Psalm.
CH720 / SP204 There is a longing in our hearts O Lord (Quigley) Good words, particularly suitable for Advent. Longing for God's love, justice, wisdom, healing. A good song for before or after intercessions.

2 Peter 3:8-15a
God has a different timeline to us. Waiting in purity; the day of the Lord will surprise us.
TiS 616 / AHB 547 / NCH611 / UMH730 / VU688 / HPP221 / PH452 / CP092 / CP(E) 33 / Cha700 / 82Hml-600 O day of God draw near / nigh in beauty and in power, come with your timeless judgement now to match our present hour" This older hymn has quite excellent words calling for God’s presence, steadfast faith, justice in our land, peace and light. Can be sung to BELLWOODS or ST. MICHAEL. If neither tune is familiar, ST THOMAS (TiS 271) will work well. Lyrics.
GA281 Gather in hope people of God / Advent Song (Browne / Wood) Joyful refrain, and cantor response verses. "Gather in hope, people of God, sing the Advent song! Song of faith, song of trust, a song to welcome the Christ". The verses seem a bit tricky.
VU718 / PH431 / W&R620 O Lord You Gave Your Servant John (Patterson) Terrific words contrasting the wealth and poverty of earthly cities with the Holy City. Sung to ST. PATRICK'S BREASTPLATE or CANDLER.
Recorded Music In God's Time (Houser) WARNING: this is not my usual style. Masculine God. Country music, and not the type of country music I like. Mushy. Interventionist, blueprint-holding God. But it might be helpful for someone, so I'm listing it anyway. We're all waiting for something, and some of those things are pretty ordinary. Youtube.

Mark 1:1-8
John the Baptist proclaims the coming of Christ
TiS 270 / AHB 199 / NCH115 / CH334 / VU20 / LBW548 / ELW842 / PH010 / G(II)260 / GC321 / 322 / GC(II)344 / CP103 / CP(E) 34 / W&R156 / 82Hml-076 On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry. If you would like inclusive lyrics, have a look at the New Century Hymnal’s version. If you’d like a groovy tune, check out AHB 199(ii) / GC322 – ST JOHN BAPTIST by Gary Lewis Miles and Betty Pulkingham. This is an excellent, fun tune. You can even combine the words of NCH115 with AHB199(ii) for the best of both worlds. But WINCHESTER NEW is also very good, and easy to sing for more staid congregations. Lyrics and tune sample (Winchester New).
Seeds of Faith Prepare the Way For Love (Bruxvoort-Colligan). A good song for kids. Sound sample and lyrics here. BUC people, I have this book.
StS008 / SFFS 2089 / HPSS409 Wild and Lone the Prophet's Voice (Daw) Excellent, challenging words. I prefer this sung to ABERYSTWYTH which is well known and easily accessible. Lyrics
Online resource: Down by the Jordan (Winfrey-Gillette). Good inclusive words to the familiar tune LOBE DEN HERREN. Available here.
*Online Resource: Prepare the way of the Lord (King / Lowery) An upbeat song, good for kids and teenagers, I think. The verses are kind of wordy, but they're good words. Free sheet music. The verses follow the traditional advent themes of peace, hope, joy and love, so you could also sing it every Sunday of Advent.
Taizé / UMH207 / VU10 / StS014 / GC336 / GC(II)330 Prepare the way of the Lord (Berthier) A lovely simple round. Sheet music and clunky sound sample.
VU010 Prepare the way of the Lord (Burkhardt) A lovely simple round in 6:8. "Prepare the way of the Lord! X2 Make a straight path for him, make a straight path. Prepare the way of the Lord!" You can split into 6 groups for this one! What fun!
Online Resource Prepare the way of the Lord (Council) A nice setting for a choir. Free sheet music.
*?Recorded Music: Prepare ye the way of the Lord - Godspell (Schwarz / Tebelak) This is still a great call to worship for this Sunday. You know, the movie is really dated, but the scenes seem kind of fresh again, at least, for this song. Get that gospel choir going if you have the sheet music. Track it down! Youtube.
*?Recorded Music: Prepare ye the way of the Lord (Smith) Love the Aussie accent in the readings for the Intro to this. I wish they had used TaikOz for the drumming.... ah that would have been something amazing.... I really like the excitement of the intro, and the song is just a chorus really. Maybe I just like those jangly U2-esque guitars. "Come on, church". Cracks me up. But it's very inspiring. Youtube.

Songs and Hymns for Advent 1B (November 27 2011)

2011-11-10T03:22:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 64:1-9
“Oh that you would tear open the heavens and come down”. A cry to God for restoration. You are the potter, you made us. Come on God, don’t be mad. Remember we’re your people.
Don't forget to look at General Advent Suggestions, many of which will fit this reading.
*NCH112 Keep awake be always ready (Clyde) New words to the tune for "Wake awake for night is flying". I particularly like the second verse of this one. Lyrics.
Traditional / ATA 124 / UMH494 / PH338 / W&R487 / Cha590 Kumbayah, my Lord. I think this song is really beautiful sometimes. Sometimes it’s really awful too, unfortunately. I was lucky enough to sing this with Trish Watts and our congregation at Paddington Uniting Church many years ago. It was sung as a quiet meditative chant, with improvised descants, which totally transformed this song for me. You can judge whether it will work for your congregation. You could also sing "Come by here, my Lord" too. Wish I could find a nice sample for you, but can't.
*TiS 626 / AHB 557 / CH500 / GA423 Lord of creation to you be all praise! (Winslow) A wonderful traditional and quite inclusive hymn to the familiar tune SLANE. Lyrics.
*ATE 221 They were waiting (Mann) I think this is a great pop song - a little more Christmas than Advent, but the chorus makes it feel like an Advent song to me. "Now the time has come. God is in the world, we have seen his day dawning in the sky". Lyrics.
*AoVK-29 Remember we are your people (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. It would also be good for kids if you can explain the concept.
*Tune In / NCYC '07: Forgive us now (Brown) This is one of the best songs seeking forgiveness that I know. “Forgive us now, O mother love for all the idols we have built, For all the time we’ve worshipped there in company of dark despair. Forgive us mother of all hope”. Lyrics, sound sample, and songbook.
*Tune In: You in all our worries / All will finish well “In this world where injustice reigns, you are in the midst of pain”. Excellent words of reassurance in a difficult world. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook available here.
CH252 / VU578 / GA481 / SFFS 2237 / G(II)471 / GC663 / GC(II)643 / W&R551 As a Fire Is Meant for Burning (Duck) Excellent lyrics of unity across all nations set to the familiar tune BEACH SPRING. Not terribly Adventish, but great. Lyrics.
Online Resource We are clay (Harding) A simple chorus which could be used prayerfully or in an upbeat style; if you sing it about twice the speed of the sound sample, swung, with some percussion, it would be a great song for kids if you are talking to them about pottery wheels. Sound sample and PDF for download. I have promised my son to suggest more kid's songs.

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Restore us, let your face shine that we may be saved
*TiS 42 / GA047 Lord make us turn to you (Boschetti) A simple refrain and mostly inclusive cantor part (just change “man” to “one” in verse 3). Don't forget that you can use these refrains with a reader if you don't have someone confident enough to cantor.
*AoVK-29 Remember we are your people (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.
*Tune In: Longing for you (Loukes). A simple chant of longing for God. Sound sample and lyrics here.
Online resource: Prepare, prepare the way of the Lord (Kleinheksel). A simple round, particularly appropriate for kids. Adults might find it a bit simple, but it’s quite effective. Sheet music.
VU239 O great Spirit how I long to hear (Clellamin) Native American song - very simple, would be best with a good hand-clapping rhythm or drumming.
*NCH563 / MV143 / HPP260 / GC710 / GC(II)703 / RS 636 / Cha684 / URW169 We cannot own the sunlit sky / Abundant life (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.
*TiS 265 / AHB 193 / AoV1-174 / NCH116 / CH273 / UMH211 / VU001 / LBW034 / ELW283 / GA285 / HPP92 / PH009 / GC317 / GC(II)323 / CP089 / CP(E) 32 / W&R154 / Cha119 / 82Hml-056 O come O come Emmanuel (Psaleroilum Cantionum Catholicarum) A very well known ancient Advent carol. Most versions are pretty inclusive. Lyrics and sound sample. Oh, and Sufjan Steven's version.... ahhhh....

1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Words of greeting. Not lacking in spiritual gifts as you wait for Christ.
*AoVK-28 / ATOK 376 Faith hope and love (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.
*ATFG 514 Emmanuel Carol / God of light we are waiting for you This is probably not one we would sing every week, but we sang it a couple of times last year and is definitely worth looking at as a general resource for Advent.
AoVK-58 We wait in hope for the Lord (Ford) Simple a cappella round "We wait in hope for the Lord, God is our help and our shield. And so our hearts rejoice, for we trust in God's holy name"
*Tune In: Come O God and visit us sick we pray / Your abundant life (Brown) A joyful song "Lead us into your abundant life". This has been sung frequently by the musicians at BUC, but not by the congregation! Lyrics and sound sample.

Mark 13:24-37
Keep awake. The son of Man is coming in the clouds.
AoV1-057 / G(II)485 / GC678 / GC(II)663/ RS799 Awake from your slumber / City of God (Schutte) I love the joyousness and sense of mission in this one. We were going to sing this a couple of weeks ago, but had too many other good songs to fit in. It would fit better this week anyway. 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”. You might like to change the chorus so it’s “will turn the night into day” which would be more Adventy. Sound and print samples here.
NCH121 / UMH210 / VU005 / WoV629 / ELW266 / W&R163 / Cha139 All earth is waiting / All earth is hopeful / Toda la tierra espera al Salvador (Taule) Fun Catalonian tune, good words, although the English translations vary between sources.
GC324 / RS 492 Here in this world where darkness surrounds us / Come O Hope of your people/Advent Gathering (Cooney) Excellent questioning words. Cantor and response. Simple to sing, and quite beautiful "Show us your face, O promise of dawn". It's in 7/8 so it immediately appeals to me.... You can see sheet music for it here, but don't worry about the sound sample, it's not really very helpful.
Recorded music: Over the Rhine: The Trumpet Child (from the album The Trumpet Child). We used this song a fair bit in Advents past. For those who have not heard it, it's really worth a couple of listens. You can watch a video and read lyrics of the song here.
Online Resource: Gather your people to comfort and love (Garland) Sung to a very familiar hymn tune, this song picks up a number of themes in this week's readings. Very straightforward. Sheet music.

GA281 Gather in hope people of God / Advent Song (Browne / Wood) Joyful refrain, and cantor response verses. "Gather in hope, people of God, sing the Advent song! Song of faith, song of trust, a song to welcome the Christ". The verses seem a bit tricky.
*Iona (M&G) / CH359 / MV033 / ZSS54 / StJ / ELW253 / GA293 / SFFS 2085 / G(II)276 / GC370 / GC(II)364 / CP368 / W&R402 He came down that we may have love/ Jesus came bringing us hope (Cameroon) The translation in "More Voices" (Jesus came bringing...) seems particularly appropriate for Advent. Would be more exciting and energetic with some African drums, rather than a quiet reflective candle lighting song. Good for kids especially if with drums.
TiS 309 / AHB 235 / NCH126 / CH324 / UMH220 / VU036 / LBW050 / ELW275 / CP143 / CP(E) 44 / W&R189 / Cha149 / Srce2-29 / 82Hml-093 Angels from the realms of glory (Montgomery) Sometimes I am very hard core about not singing Christmas Carols in Advent, but I'm getting less strict, and this song would fit.
AoV2-140 / NCH125 / UMH238 / VU038 / LBW071 / ELW289 / GA286 / HPP125 / PH022 / GC358 / GC(II)369 / W&R188 / Cha155 / 82Hml-096 Angels we have heard on high (French traditional) See above. Christmas or Advent?!

Songs and Hymns for Reign of Christ A (November 20, 2011)

2011-11-02T03:58:00.000-07:00

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
Godgathers the sheep and will feed them with justice, and then separatesthem out. David will be the shepherd. Note that songs generally don’tpick up the theme of getting separated…!
AoV1-071 / GC(II)742 Gather Your People (Hurd) Excellent words and eucharistic theology. Good if you are celebrating communion this week, but still works even if you are not. Lyrics, sheet music and sound sample.
*AoV1-012 / ATE 295 / CH623 / SFFS 2236 / HPP553 / G(II)539 / GC839 / GC(II)743 / CP465 / W&R649 / Cha284 / SP175 / URW054 Here in this place new light is streaming / Gather us in (Haugen). Excellent words, very well known. “Nourish us well and teach us to fashion lives that are holy and hearts that are true”
G(II)458 / GC654 / GC(II)628 With a Shepherd's Care (Chepponis) Very nice words with feminine and masculine images for God. Would be very straightforward to sing. Painfully slow sound sample, lyrics and sheet music sample here.
*Tune In: Shepherd of the night (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. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook.

Psalm 100
ATA 107 / Taizé / VU247 / GC555 / CP308 / W&R303 In the Lord rejoicing / Jubilate Deo (Praetorius) Samples, sheet music.
*Taizé / TiS 731 / SFFS 2017 / G(II)377 / GC557 / GC(II)535 / W&R212 / URW383 Raise a song of gladness / Come rejoice in God / Jubilate Deo omnis terra / Jubilate servite (Berthier) Glorious, fun round. If your congregation balks at singing in Latin, it can be sung in English as "Raise a song of gladness, people of the earth, Christ has come, bringing peace, joy to every heart, Alleluia Alleluia, Joy to every heart (x2)" When I first learned this Taize song, I had it stuck in my head for weeks and weeks, which was a good thing! The singing group at our church recently learned this. Sheet music sample. Short sound sample.
*AoVK-33 / W&R119 / URW401 Come into God's presence singing Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia (Anon) Good sung introit. I particularly like the arrangement and lyrics in AoVK.
*TiS 720 / AHB 295 / AoVK-85 / AoV2-046 / ATOK 319 / NCH236 / Iona (M&G, T1AU) / CH345 / VU958 / StJ / GA107 / SFFS 2026 / HPP571 / GC(II)261 / RS 396 / SP324 / W&R5 / Cha41 / ZSS76 / URW370 Halle halle hallelujah (Trad Caribbean) I think this passage deserves a hearty Hallelujah and this is one of my favourites. Note that GA and CH have verses!
*Taizé / AoV2-109 / CH772 / GA429 / SFFS 2195 / G(II)396 / GC566 / GC(II)546 / SP128 / W&R448 / URW381 In the Lord I'll Be Ever Thankful / El Senyor (Berthier) A joyful and bouncy Taize song. Works well in English, German and Spanish at least. Good for kids. Sheet music, translations into many other languages, sound samples.
VU242 / LBW557 / ELW881 / HPSS554 / GC567 / GC(II)551 / CP403 / W&R22 / Cha717 Let All Things Now Living (Davis) Lovely lyrics to the well known and quite jolly Welsh folk tune ASH GROVE.
URW299 O many people of all lands (Barranda) A good song supporting multicultural harmony at home, at work, and in church. Tune is a little tricky.
*CP351 / URW300 Rejoice in God all earthly lands (Duck) Really good words for this Psalm, sung to the familiar tune OLD HUNDREDTH. Good to sing after or during the offering.
*AoVK-31 Praise and thanksgiving let everyone bringA simple round. Note that TiS and many other sources have versions thatare not inclusive for God. AoVK has an inclusive version.
*AoVK-124 Shout to the Lord for joy all the earth Fun three part song.
*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 Reamo Leboga. Sound sample of Reamo leboga (scroll to the 3rd album).
*AoVK-30 / ATW 419 / Iona (Common Ground, CAYP) / CH757 / MV002 / WoV717 / ELW819 / SFFS 2274 / HPP551 / GC(II)744 / SP&P022 / SP179 Come all you people (Uyai mose) Joyful and pretty easy really for the congregation. If you have WoV or SP&P, they each have a nice Trinitarian version of this. Come and praise the "Most high" / "Saviour" / "Spirit". Sound sample.

Alternative Psalm:Psalm 95:1-7a
*Linnea Good Stand on the rock Simple gospel chorus. This would be a good intro to worship, or be sung by a small vocal group as the Bible is brought forward and the candle lit. The congregation could join in once it has been sung a couple of times.
*Psalm Project Let us shout for joy (Bruxvoort-Colligan) A fun, joyous, pop song. Good lyrics and easy tune. Lots of fun. Sound sample, lyrics and downloadable songbook
*Taizé / AoV2-109 / CH772 / GA429 / SFFS 2195 / G(II)396 / GC566 / GC(II)546 / SP128 / W&R448 / URW381 In the Lord I'll Be Ever Thankful / El Senyor (Berthier) A joyful and bouncy Taize song. Works well in English, German and Spanish at least. Good for kids. Sheet music, translations into many other languages, sound samples.
*MV092 Like a Rock (Good) A lovely simple song (with actions!) from Linnea Good. Great for kids.
PH215 / URW292 Come Sing with Joy to God (Duba) Good lyrics to the well known tune DARWALL'S 148th. Lyrics.
*Iona (SBL) / CH140 / MV181 / WoV727 / ELW554 / G(II)341 / GC495 Lord Your Hands Have Formed This World / The Earth is the Lord's / Imegmoy pitak ay yay (Oliano) Good words of creation and our role in it, sung to a lovely, and not too difficult, Philippino melody. A good song to sing during the offering. Some lyrics and link to a very slow version on youtube.
Emergent Psalter Come let us sing (Everett) Very simple refrain. Sheet music (refrain only).
*AoVK-30 / ATW 419 / Iona (Common Ground, CAYP) / CH757 / MV002 / WoV717 / ELW819 / SFFS 2274 / HPP551 / GC(II)744 / SP&P022 / SP179 Come all you people (Uyai mose) Joyful and pretty easy really for the congregation. If you have WoV or SP&P, they each have a nice Trinitarian version of this. Come and praise the "Most high" / "Saviour" / "Spirit". Sound sample.
AoVK-123 / NCH3 / Iona (M&G) / UMH148 / VU308 / WoV794 / ELW837 / PH271 / G(II)338 / GC499 / CP407 / W&R26 / Cha58 / URW232 / 82Hml-385 Many and Great O God are your works / Wakantanka Taku Nitawa (Lacquiparle) Good words. Simple tune. Needs a good Native American-style drum beat. Lyrics.
Cha747 Come into God's presence with a joyful song (Sivis) Joyful sung response, and responsively read passage.
Taizé / MV009 O Come and let us sing to God our hope (Taize) Joyful gathering chant. Sound samples, sheet music.
*AoVK-47 / HPP51 / W&R80 He's Got the Whole World in His Hand / God's Got the whole world in safe hands (Traditional) It’s hard to make this inclusive. I’ve seen “God’s got the whole world in safe hands”, which is a little clumsy. AoVK has "The whole world is in God's hands" which works really well. Good for kids.
*TiS 119 / AHB 40 / NCH012 / UMH152 / VU231 / HPP39 / PH288 / W&R31 / Cha064 / 82Hml-398 I sing the almighty power of God (Watts) I really like this old hymn, especially sung to ELLACOMBE. VU, NCH and Chalice have inclusive language, but other hymnals (like TiS and AHB, are not).
*ATE 216 / Iona (SBL) / CH126 / StJ / ELW555 / PH472 / G(II)365 / GC527 / RS 671 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.

Ephesians 1:15-23
Prayer for wisdom; Christ the king; See also suggestions at the bottom of the list.
*TiS 182 / AoV2-010 / VU268 / SFFS 2047 / HPP13 Bring many names This is a beautiful song, but it's very long. Try singing one verse unison, then one women, one men, then all together again, to keep people interested in what they are singing. Lyrics can be found here.
*NCH387 / HPSS443 / GC(II)646 / CP524 O Christ the great foundation (Lew) Excellent words of salvation and justice from Timothy Tingfang Lew, sung to the tune of "The church's one foundation" (AURELIA). There is a second possible tune (ABREU), which is more challenging. Lyrics, and both tunes here (search for "Foundation"). Note that the lyrics in the NCH are slightly different, and more inclusive.
AoV1-166 / UMH454 / VU371 / HPP354 / HPSS324 / GC(II)569 Open My eyes Lord help me to see your face (Manibusan) Very simple devotional song. Sheet music sample. Sound sample.
*TiS 164 / AHB 105 / CH358 The great love of God (Niles) A simple creed song from the Christian Conference of Asia. The tune is really beautiful.
NCH553 / UMH375 / VU612 / WoV737 / ELW614 / HPP379 / PH394 / G(II)460 / GC648 / GC(II)617 / W&R631 / Cha501 / ZSS114 / SgTJ1045 There is a balm in Gilead (African-American Spiritual) This beautiful song, while not steeped in layers of meaning for non-Americans is worth singing wherever you live. Lyrics and sheet music. Sound sample.
*TiS 653 / NCH417 / CH526 / UMH383 / GC(II)453 / W&R355 / Cha518 This is a day of new beginnings (Wren) Excellent words of reconciliation. I prefer the more simple hymn-like Carlton Young tune which is in TiS. There is an optional final verse that can be used for Communion. Lyrics.
*CH355 / VU210 / HPP81 / GC(II)525 / RS699 / CP630 You Lord Are Both Lamb and Shepherd (Dunstan) Beautiful words. Can be sung to many tunes. I like it to PICARDY or WESTMINSTER ABBEY. Also fits well with the Hebrew Scriptures for this week. Sound sample. Lyrics
*Taizé / AoVNG125 / MV146 / GC(II)637 The Kingdom of God is justice and peace and joy in the holy spirit. A joyful chant. I normally sing it a bit more bouncy than the sample on the Taize site. Sample and lyrics.

Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus on the throne separating the sheep from the goats. I'm going to wear my special socks.
*MV114 Behold the face of Christ (Farrell) A gentle, chant-like refrain with read scripture verses over instrumental backing. This could be very powerful. Highly recommended.
*TiS 697 All the sleepy should have a place to sleep (Edwards / PITNEY) Great chorus "Make love happen by God's grace and by God's power. Let God move you on this day and in this hour. New creations will then blossom like a flower for together we can be the hands of God".
*VU457 / R183 / ELW522 / SFFS 2268 / HPP528 / GC(II)738 / CP061 / W&R695 As We Gather at Your Table (Daw) Beautiful, honest, encouraging words. Could be sung to HOLY MANNA, BEACH SPRING or NETTLETON, all very popular hymn tunes (did I mention that two of them are Sacred Harp tunes?), particularly good if you are celebrating communion this week. Lyrics.
NCYC'07 Behold the son of man / Face of the humbled poor (Gioia) Beautiful reflective song of seeing God's face in the poor "When did we see you a broken man?…. The saviour's face in the humble poor". It confuses me that sometimes it's "humbled poor" rather than "humble poor".
MV194 Bread of life feed my soul (Spencer) A simple communion prayer for healing and guidance.
TiS 677 / Iona (LFB,Common Ground) / CH724 / StJ / GA469 / G(II)452 / GC640 / RS 760 / SP136 Christ's is the world in which we move / A touching place (Bell) Christ seeks and saves the lost. Teenagers sometimes giggle about the chorus, so be sensitive to who is in your congregation.
AoV1-056 / CH217 / GA541 / G(II)551 / GC761 / GC(II)750 / URW201 God of Day and God of Darkness (Haugen) Sung to the familiar folk tune BEACH SPRING. This is easy to sing, and an old favourite of mine. I often think this is only good for an evening service, but the image of darkness and night doesn't have to be taken literally. And the call to rest at the end of the last verse would be good for those who take the celebration of Sabbath as a call to rest. Lyrics.

SFFS 2178 / GC(II)713 / Cha654 Here Am I (Wren) Excellent words of God's presence among us in the suffering of all people. Good for a song before the intercessions or when communion is celebrated. Easy to sing. May have too much pathos for some. Lyrics and sheet music. Sound sample.
CH195 / StS053 / AA061 Here to the house of God we come (Murray) Good honest and challenging words and a simple, but unusual tune.
ATW 499 / The tide has turned songbook It was me when you came that extra mile (Hannah) Simple tune and good simple words. Good for older kids.
ATFG582 / NCYC'97 Like a candle burning wildly (Mitchell) "We are called to live the passion". Good song. Particularly nice on guitar. Note that the NCYC version has good notes on how to play it on guitar.
*TiS 689 / ATE 286 / GtB Lord hear my praying, listen to me / Sorrowing song (Mann) Powerful words of lamentation to a simple tune. Words are straightforward about asking difficult questions of God. Lyrics.
UMH581 / LBW423 / ELW712 / PH427 / GC681 / GC(II)668 / CP585 / W&R575 / Cha461 / URW204 / 82Hml-610 Lord whose love in humble service / Lord whose love through humble service (Bayly) A more formal hymn of seeing the need in the world and working to change it. It's set to familiar tunes IN BABILONE, BEACH SPRING

*ATW 487 Make your home in me A simple beautiful invitation. Written by Melbourne songwriter and teacher, Fay White. “If you fly to the point of the day’s sunrise or westward across the sea, if you travel to the uttermost ends of the earth, there I will be; Make your home in me as I make my home in you. I am everywhere that you can be. Make your home in me”. This is quite different to the Vineyard / Josh Young version you can find all over the internet. I can't find a sample of this one, unfortunately.
*Tune In: Our God who weeps (Kate Scull) Very simple folk-like tune and challenging and hopeful lyrics. Reference recording, lyrics, songbook.
*ATFG561 / Tune In: Part of a fam'ly interconnected / Community (Brown) A song about being welcomed and how to work together as part of a community. "Part of a family interconnected, this is community; Welcoming strangers, visiting neighbours, this gives us dignity". Very singable song about building community. A big favourite at Brunswick Uniting. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook.
TiS 778 / UMH666 / Cha436 Shalom to you (SOMOS DEL SEÑOR) (Eslinger) Sung to a familiar tune to Spanish-speaking congregations
*FFS60 Stranger standing at my door Amazing words, but a tricky tune. Would be good if you have a good soloist in your congregation who would sing this and the congregation listen to the very meaningful words. Last verse is "I am fearful of your claim, yet I cannot turn away. Stranger with a foreign name, are you angel here to stay? You are messenger and guest, you the Christ I can't ignore, you my own compassion's test, stranger standing at my door; you the Christ I can't ignore."
*TiS 629 / AHB 558 / AoV2-136 / ATA 197 / CH544 / VU600 When I needed a neighbor were you there? (Carter) A classic folk church song. Well known and fits well with this theme. "And the creed and the colour and the name won't matter"... Lyrics.

Christ the King / Reign of Christ suggestions:
*TiS 721 / Iona (LFB) / URW431 He became poor that we may be rich (Iona) A simple chant. Timing is a little bit tricky, so you will need to take a little time to teach it initially. "He became poor, that we maybe rich, loving the world and leaving his throne; King of all kings,and Lord of all Lords, flesh of our flesh and bone of our bone".
*TiS 728 Jesu christo reina reina ya! A fun Latin American song. It's particularly fun if someone is brave enough to yell out a "call" at the start of each verse.

VU167 Christ is risen From the dead (Anonymous) Great simple round with three sets of words for each of Easter, Pentecost and Reign of Christ.
G(II)249 / GC319 / GC(II)325 Close as tomorrow the sun shall appear / Walk in the Reign (Cooney). I really like this one. “Close as tomorrow the sun shall appear. Freedom is coming and healing is near. And I shall be with you in laughter and pain to stand in the wind and walk in the reign”. Nice little lyrics twist there! The 4th verse mentions specific locations (Soweto, Gdansk, Tiannemen Square, The Bronx), which you could retain or change, as you feel appropriate. This sound sample gives it a bit of a gospel feel. Sheet music and lyrics.

NCH575 / VU697 / PH386 / Cha683 O for a world where everyone respects (Winter) A song with good words sung to a well known hymn tune (AZMON). The words are a prayer for a world of peace and the reign of Christ.

General Advent Songs and Hymns

2011-10-27T04:23:00.000-07:00

Advent Candle-lighting songs and other songs you make like to start looking at as you think about Advent… Updated November 2011. I will keep adding to these as the weeks go by, so check back from time to time. There will also songs for each week of Advent 2011 - see the panel on the right hand side for links as they are updated.

Specific Candle-Lighting songs
*CH284 / StS015 Hope is a candle once lit by the prophets (Bell) Excellent words for candle lighting, including a verse for each candle and one for Christmas Day. Sung to a nice Scottish folk tune (GALLOWAY TAM). Lyrics (downloads a pdf - scroll down!)
*Iona (M&G) / CH359 / MV033 / ZSS54 / StJ / ELW253 / GA293 / SFFS 2085 / G(II)276 / GC370 / GC(II)364 / CP368 / W&R402 He came down that we may have love/ Jesus came bringing us hope (Traditional Cameroon) The translation in "More Voices" (Jesus came bringing...) seems particularly appropriate for Advent and it could easily work as an Advent Candle lighting song. Just sing hope, love, peace or joy, depending on the week. Would be more exciting and energetic with some African drums, rather than a quiet reflective candle lighting song.
*VU7 / HPP109 / W&R165 / Cha132 Hope is a star that shines in the night / When God is a child (Wren) A candle lighting song with a chorus sung each week "When God is a child there's joy in our song. The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid". Lyrics.
TiS 289 / AoVK-55 / CH282 Christmas is coming the Church is glad to sing (Bell) I imagine most people will be familiar with this. I find it a little bit annoying, but it’s really fine. I’m just picky.
*Online resource The Advent candle shines with hope (Padgett) New words for each week of Advent to a nice traditional hymn tune (MARYTON). This would go very easily in most congregations. Best sung fairly slowly. Free sheet music.
*Online resource Kindle this flame of peace (Dillensnyder) A set of songs for Advent candle-lighting from the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist church. The first line is the same each weeek, and the second line changes. The tune is the same as the very familiar song "Breathe on me Breath of God". Free sheet music.
AoV2-123 / AoVK-59 Twilight then darkness (Porter) A lovely Advent candle song, which could be good for Northern Hemisphere people. In the Southern Hemisphere, you could possibly use this at dinner time, if you live closer to the equator than me. Darkness comes pretty late in a Melbourne Summer.
Linnea Good Hope is a candle This is a more upbeat song. Specific for Wintry Christmas places.
Online Resource Awaken us, God (Garnaas-Holmes) A set of candle-lighting songs set to what my mum calls "The American tune" for Away in a Manger. Probably good for Americans (!). Free sheet music.

Anytime in Advent songs (some could also be used for candle-lighting, but could be used for other things too)
*AoVK52 O Emmanuel, come into our hearts” with 3 verses. In 2008 we sang just the chorus on Advent 1, then added one verse for each week. Verse 1 “We your people are waiting for you..” Verse 2 “ We, your people are longing for you”. Verse 3 “ We your people are ready for you”. Could use a cantor for the verse and congregation join in the chorus. Would be great with good Latin or African percussion. We sang this last year during Advent, and it worked well.
*Online Resource: Prepare the way of the Lord (King / Lowery) An upbeat song, good for kids and teenagers, I think. The verses are kind of wordy, but they're good words. Free sheet music. The verses follow the traditional advent themes of peace, hope, joy and love, so you could also sing it every Sunday of Advent.
*Taize / CH276 / VU22 / ELW262 / GA283 / G(II)256 / GC332 / GC(II)340 / CP094 / W&R166 / URW396 Wait for the Lord (Berthier) Very well known Taize chant. "Wait for the Lord, whose day is near, Wait for the Lord, keep watch, take heart!" Some sources have good cantor lines. Sound samples and sheet music.
*CH784 Come light light of God / Lumière de Dieu (Grandchamp Community) A lovely simple chant. Would be beautiful for Advent candle lighting. Simple harmonies. Sheet music.
*MV45 Hamba nathi (Zulu) This is the song we sang during Advent 2009 for the (usually silent) procession at the start of our worship service for Advent, and we wrote verses for each week. We sang it in Zulu followed by one line in English on the repeat. Week 1: You are holy, you show us the way. Week 2: Justice is coming, prepare the way. Week 3: Singing and shouting, we're walking the way. Week 4: We're walking to freedom, come join in the song. There are a lot of other translations and variations of this song. I like this version best, (Come walk with us, the journey is long) but the sound sample is a bit funny. There's only so much you can do with an electronic keyboard.
*MV11 /StS007 / GC(II)338 Come, come Emmanuel / Advent gathering song (Chepponis) The simple chant is quite lovely, and the cantor soars beautifully. It could be quite formal if you like. Can work as a chant without the cantor part; you could choose particular cantor verses for each week, or even make up your own, which is what we've done at Brunswick. At other times of year it can be used with the Cantor for confession. There is a sample here, but it is about half the speed that I like it.
Iona (HSNW) / VU19 / SP326 Kindle a flame to lighten the dark and take all fear away (Iona) This song would also work well as a simple candle lighting chant during Advent in the Northern Hemisphere. Sound sample.
GC(II)352 Gift of God (Haugen) A nice chant-like refrain and Cantor line. Note that this one needs a cantor. Would be excellent for Advent and then Christmas day. Many verses which can be sung, so choose the most appropriate for your congregation or write your own. Sound sample and partial sheet music sample (search for "Gift of God").
MV19 Maranatha This simple chant, simply “Maranatha, Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus, come” might work well if you are having a more meditative approach to the Advent season.
*ATFG 514 Emmanuel Carol / God of light we are waiting for you This is probably not one we would sing every week, but we sang it a couple of times last year and is definitely worth looking at as a general resource for Advent.
GC324 / RS 492 Here in this world where darkness surrounds us / Come O Hope of your people / Advent Gathering (Cooney) Excellent questioning words. Cantor and response. Simple to sing, and quite beautiful "Show us your face, O promise of dawn". It's in 7/8 so it immediately appeals to me.... Sheet music sample.
AoVK-58 We wait in hope for the Lord (Ford) Simple a cappella round "We wait in hope for the Lord, God is our help and our shield. And so our hearts rejoice, for we trust in God's holy name"
MV028 / StJ / FFS25 / GC(II)507 God of the Bible / Fresh as the morning (Murray) Good words. I particularly like the tune by Alonso, as the chorus is really very wonderful. This is a song worth learning for Advent, but can be sung all through the year. I think this song would be a really good "fit" for our congregation. Lyrics, sheet music sample sound sample.
*Tune in: We are the dream that's longing / Jesus is waiting (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. Come, be our liberator, bless and make us free. Come be the light upon the shore. Come be the freedom for the prison of our time. Come now and open up the door”. Lyrics, sound sample, video and songbook.
*Tune In: Come O God and visit us sick we pray / Your abundant life (Brown) A joyful song "Lead us into your abundant life". This has been sung frequently by the musicians at BUC, but not by the congregation! Lyrics and sound sample.
*Tune In: Dare to Dream (Loukes) A great song about having a vision for the future, being lead by the light of Bethlehem’s star. "Dare to dream of new beginnings, Paths untried, by faith supplied". Sound sample, lyrics, song book
Online resource: Gather your people to comfort and love (Garland). New words to the well-known hymn tune SLANE. Verse two: "Salvation comes now to those who will hear, Righteousness shines forth, forgiveness draws near. Call forth repentence, O Covenant Lord, that justice and peace may to us be restored". Available here.
Online resource: In the still of winter These beautiful words to the well-known tune FOUNDATION would be particularly good for a quieter, more reflective Northern Hemisphere Advent service. "From the silence of evening, from shadow and sleep, comes a numinous star like a voice from the deep. How long must I wander, how far must I roam? I am here, I am with you, and I'll lead you home." Available here.
PsalmBody list: It's a wonder (Good). A lovely 2009 anthem from Linnea Good, which would go well in any Christmas pageant, or special choral music. Very simple to sing and with only 2 parts, so not too challenging for older kids or a mixed choir of less experienced singers. Soloist mp3 sample and download. The song is from her newest album: Momentary Saints.
URW424 Come Lord Jesus (Landry) An extremely simple chant that could be used in Advent. *CoC30 Look toward Christmas! (Murray) I particularly like tune (i); very joyous! A fun song looking forward to Christmas. I don’t know if it would last the distance of singing it every week before Christmas, but it might. Quite good for kids. I like the image of the angels flexing their wings! GA272 Maranatha Maranatha Come Lord Jesus Come (Wood) A good, simple Advent chant with some nice vereses and prayers to go with each week.
*Iona / VU33 Watch watch and pray (Iona) A very short Advent chant; could be used at various times during the service, maybe even during intercessions. Also has lyrics specific for Maundy Thursday.
*GC(II)326 Lead Us to Your Light (Browning) Good advent song. You could sing one verse each week, concluding with the final verse on Christmas day.
GC(II)339 When the wind of winter blows (Duck) Northern Hemisphere-specific Advent song. Best if you live somewhere that actually snows.

NCH782 To God all glorious heavenly light (Coffin) An Advent doxology. Can be sung to OLD HUNDRED or any other standard doxological tune.

Songs and Hymns for Proper 28A/Ordinary 33A/Pentecost +22 (November 13, 2011)

2011-10-26T03:38:00.000-07:00

Judges 4:1-7
The Israelites turn against God and are oppressed. Deborah promises Barak victory over their oppressors.
*UMH81 Mother of Israel, leader of her armies / Sing Deborah Sing / Canta Debora Canta (Cruz) I think this song would be fun; I get uncomfortable about singing of glorious victory in battle, but it’s quite clear that the people who sing this song are the ones who are oppressed… Lyrics
*TiS 47 / AHB 46 / AoV1-175 / NCH25 / CH161 / UMH117 / VU806 / LBW504 / ELW806 / HPP1 / HPSS210 / GC614 / GC(II)588 / CP528 / CP(E) 537 / W&R84 O God our help in ages past A good solid very well known hymn! The surprising thing about this one is that the language is inclusive for God in most sources. Not all sources are inclusive for humanity, so check. Lyrics and sound sample.

Songs from people who have struggled for freedom would also be good to sing. For example:
*AoV1-061 / ATOK 355 / SFFS 2194 / G(II)521 / GC723 / GC(II)707 / ZSS110 / SgTJ1035 Freedom is coming (South African) Excellent and lots of fun, especially if you have a keen African-style drummer in your congregation. It's really worth teaching the parts to your congregation before the service. It can get a bit boring if the congregation don't know they get to listen to the other parts! Partial sheet music, sound sample (search for Freedom is coming).
*TiS 666 / AoV2-113 / AoVK-126 / ATOK 409 / NCH526 / Iona (Common Ground, Freedom is Coming) / CH516 / VU646/647 / WoV650 / ELW866 / SFFS 2235 / HPP153 / G(II)357 / GC513 / GC(II)516 We are marching in the light of God / Siyahamba / Caminando Don't forget to jump around a lot when singing this.
*Online Resource Hear the message we now are proclaiming / El mensaje que hoy proclamamos. This jubilant Colombian song of liberty and new life for the poor and suffering would fit well with the release of the Israelites. Free sheet music here.

Psalm 123
Have mercy on us. We’re tired of people looking down at us.
You might like to sing a Kyrie.
Linnea Good: Ps 123: To you I lift up my eyes (Good) A simple response.
*Taizé / TiS 725 / ATE 275 / TiS 725 / AoV2-167 / ATE 275 / StJ / GA538 / G(II)553 / GC763 / URW391 In our darkness there is no darkness in your sight, the deepest night is clear as the daylight (La tenebre). Also translated as "Our darkness is never darkness". Sample music and lyrics.
*TiS 674 / Iona (Common Ground, Heaven Shall Not Wait) / CH253 Inspired by love and anger Powerful lyrics, simple English folk tune. Lyrics (search for "inspired"). I love verse three “Don’t query our position! Don’t criticise our wealth! Don’t mention those exploited by politics and stealth!”. It’s easy for us to be judgemental on these things.
Emergent Psalter The snare is broken (Everett) A simple refrain to a read Psalm with backing music. Sample sheet music.

Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18
God punishes the rich and complacent, and soon.
*TiS 674 / Iona (Common Ground, Heaven Shall Not Wait) / CH253 Inspired by love and anger Powerful lyrics, simple English folk tune. Lyrics (search for "inspired"). I love verse three “Don’t query our position! Don’t criticise our wealth! Don’t mention those exploited by politics and stealth!”. It’s easy for us to be judgemental on these things.

Psalm for the Zephaniah reading: Psalm 90:1-8, (9-11), 12
*TiS 47 / AHB 46 / AoV1-175 / NCH25 / CH161 / UMH117 / VU806 / LBW504 / ELW806 / HPP1 / HPSS210 / GC614 / GC(II)588 / CP528 / CP(E) 537 / W&R84 O God our help in ages past A good solid very well known hymn! The surprising thing about this one is that the language is inclusive for God in most sources. Not all sources are inclusive for humanity, so check. Lyrics and sound sample.
*NCH Psalter (at the back of the NCH hymnal) has a really nice refrain for a read or chanted Psalm. The words are simply “From everlasting to everlasting you are God”.
G(II)77 / GC83 In every age, O God, you have been our refuge (Guimont) A nice simple refrain and good translation of the verses. Lyrics and sheet music sample. Sound sample.
*ATW 427 Heat haze shimmering on the horizon / In God’s time (Holmes) I like this. Very Australian. Very kid-friendly.
*AoVK-123 / NCH3 / Iona (M&G) / UMH148 / VU308 / WoV794 / ELW837 / HPSS271 / G(II)338 / GC499 / CP407 / W&R26 / Cha58 / URW232 Many and Great O God are your works / Wakantanka Taku Nitawa (Lacquiparle) Good words. Simple tune. Needs a good Native American-style drum beat. Lyrics.
CH054 Lord you have always been our home (Church Hymnary) Good words. I like the tune ATHCHUINGE for this.
Cha746 Sing praise to God our rock in whom we take our refuge Sung response, and responsively read passage.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Keep awake, support each other
*Taizé / CH276 / VU22 / ELW262 / GA283 / G(II)256 / GC332 / GC(II)340 / CP094 / W&R166 / URW396 Wait for the Lord (Berthier) Very well known Taize chant. This will get us thinking about Advent... Sound samples and sheet music
*Taizé / AoV2-088 / ATOK 395 / CH793 / VU950 / ELW348 Stay with me / Bleibet hier (Berthier) A very well known chant. Sheet music and sound samples.
*TiS 642 / AHB 570 / VU410 / GA536 / G(II)547 / GC757 / GC(II)749 / CP(E) 205 / URW185 This day God gives me strength of high heaven These beautiful lyrics by James Quinn, based on St. Patrick’s breastplate can be sung to BUNESSAN (Morning has broken) or to the set tune in TiS (MANY MANSIONS). Lyrics.
*TiS 611 / AHB 543 / NCH436 / UMH577 / VU686 / LBW415 / ELW705 / HPP456 / HPSS420 / CP577 / CP(E) 448 / W&R569 / Cha464 God of Grace and God of Glory (Fosdick) A song about being courageous and wise. There are many possible tunes and many sets of words to this hymn. NCH has the most inclusive words, but TiS and AHB are okay too. They don’t hold back in verse 3. Chorus is “Grant us wisdom, Grant us courage, for the facing of this hour”. Don’t know about everyone else, but I know best the tune AHB 543 (ii).
*TiS 561 / AHB 467 / NCH494 / CH535 / CP(E) 621 Who would true valor see / valour see (Bunyan) A lovely old hymn, with old-world imagery. I think it still works OK. TiS and NCH have inclusive language throughout. CH and CP(E) do not have inclusive language, even for humanity. I really like the tune MONK'S GATE. Particularly nice with light instrumentation. A violin / flute and a drum may be all you need for this. Inclusive lyrics (loads a Word document).

Matthew 25:14-30
The parable of the talents / the parable of the angry master.
*ATOK 412 / Iona (SBL, Common Ground) / CH250 / MV212 / SFFS 2184 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". Lyrics
*ATOK 414 / Iona (LFB, Common Ground) / CH501 / GA485 / G(II)480 / GC673 / GC(II)655 Take this moment, sign and space (Bell) A fairly well known favourite. Simple melody and beautiful words. Lyrics (includes a very skinny picture of Jesus).
*ATW 459 I don't believe in a God up in the sky / God Version 1.0 An excellent rock song about how we think about God. Lyrics and mp3.
NCH565 / LBW408 / ELW678 / PH422 / CP601 / W&R572 / Cha606 / URW091 God whose giving knows no ending (Edwards) Excellent more formal words of thanks for God's many good gifts to us. Can be sung to a range of tunes including BEACH SPRING, HYFRYDOL, AUSTRIAN HYMN, RUSTINGTON. Lyrics.
*TiS 599 / AHB 520 / NCH448 / CH502 / UMH399 / VU506 / LBW406 / ELW685 / HPP349 / HPSS391 / CP435 / CP(E) 581 / W&R466 / Cha609 / Srce633 Take my life and let it be (Havergal) An oldy but a goody. Lyrics and tune sample.
*TiS 537 / ATE 297 / NCH347 / CH673 / VU468 / StS123 / WoV754 / ELW674 / HPP536 / HPPS514 / PH514 / W&R698 / Cha422 / ZSS206 / URW096 Let us talents and tongues employ Great for kids, excellent Jamaican rhythm which you can have a lot of fun with. It's also very adaptable and works well with any instruments. “Loaves abound!”. lyrics and slighty tacky midi sample here.

SFFS 2175 Together We Serve (Damon) Good hymn about service.

Songs and Hymns for Proper 27A / Ordinary 32A / Pentecost +21 (November 6, 2011)

2011-10-21T17:56:00.000-07:00

Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
Joshua tells the Israelites their history and asks for their allegiance to God. “Choose this day whom you will serve; as for me and my household we will serve the Lord”. The Israelites choose God despite Joshua trying to talk them out of it.
*TiS 687 God gives us a future (Smith) Great words to a very easy hymn tune. Careful not to let it get the tune get too pompous; the words are not! "God gives us a future, daring us to go into dreams and dangers on a path unknown. We will face tomorrow in the Spirit's power, we will let God change us for new life starts now!". Lyrics here (scroll down). The hymn has been split into to two parts to include the blessing and words of mission.
*AoVK-29 Remember we are your people (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.
G(II)632 / GC869 As for me and my house / We Will Serve the Lord (Haas) Quite nice song of hospitality and serving all people as guests. Clunky sound sample. Sheet music and lyrics.
*TiS 560 / AHB 465 / NCH408 / CH192 / UMH132 / VU654/655 / WoV782 / ELW757 / CP529 / CP(E) 368 / Cha088 / Srce2-15 All my hope on God is founded / is firmly grounded (Neander) Most translations of this well known German hymn are not inclusive, but the NCH and WoV are, so if you have those books (BUC people, we have NCH, and I have WoV). Older version of the lyrics.

Psalm 78:1-7
Keeping the history alive; telling it to the children.
TiS 41 / United Methodist Psalter We shall listen, Lord, to your teaching (Kimbrough). A fairly formal cantor and response Psalm. It requires a confident leader as the response is not completely intuitive. The verses can be read or sung by a leader.
*TiS 182 / AoV2-010 / VU268 / SFFS 2047 / HPP13 Bring many names This is a beautiful song, but it's very long. Try singing one verse unison, then one women, one men, then all together again, to keep people interested in what they are singing. Lyrics can be found here.
*Emergent Psalter Give your ears my people to the lessons of the past (Everett) A good, slightly solemn Psalm refrain. Sheet music (refrain only).

Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Wisdom of Solomon 6:12-16 and 6:17-20
Words about Wisdom
*MV010 / URW099 Come and seek the ways of wisdom (Duck) This song is about the personification of Wisdom, and would work very well as a gathering song in the context of this reading. Tune is joyful, but not familiar, so if it seems difficult, you could sing the same words to PICARDY (TiS 497). Lyrics.
*CH604 Holy wisdom lamp of learning (Duck) Great words seeking wisdom, judgement, and celebrating a searching faith. Sung to a good joyful and easy hymn tune (IN BABILONE). Could also be sung to BEACH SPRING. Sample music and lyrics.
*URW206 In her house there is a table / Wisdom's Table (Gay) Sung to BEACH SPRING, this song has great words of being welcomed by Wisdom at her table through times of trouble.
*MV063 / StJ / GC(II)500 Long before my journey’s start / Wisdom my road (Warner) Song for Wisdom. Pretty straightforward.
*HiOS156 Wisdom be our guide (Murray) Inspiring lyrics of peace and being grounded and inspired by Wisdom. The tune is quite simple, and the chorus will be easy to follow.

Alternative to the Alternative: Amos 5:18-24
God's cranky, and wants to see justice roll down like rivers
StS033 / GA515 / G(II)516 / GC716 / GC(II)709 Let Justice Roll Like a River (Haugen) The song is quite simple, particularly if you use a soloist for the verses if this is new to you. Sound sample (I don't like this sample much) and sheet music sample and lyrics.
*ATFG563 / NCYC'03 / The Red Book How long? (Mann) How long must we cry out till justice rolls down like a river? I really like this song, it's very catchy.

Psalm for the Amos reading: Psalm 70
Help me God! Note that this is the same as Psalm 40:13-17 with elohim instead of YHWH (I learned this from the Emergent Psalter). After the first two suggestions, these suggestions are also good for Psalm 40.
*Online resource O God come to my aid (Harding) Prayer response or Taizé-style chant. Very simple and short. Sample music and website for purchase.
*Emergent Psalter Be pleased and deliver me (Everett) A simple refrain which would work with a spoken reading of the Psalm. Sample sheet music. Emergent Psalter You are my help and my rescuer (Everett) A simple and lovely Psalm refrain to Psalm 40. Sample sheet music. You can also alternate between these two refrains as described in the book.
*Iona (Common Ground, Ps PPP) / CH31 / URW266 I waited patiently for God (Bell) Surprisingly positive for such a gloomy Psalm (Psalm 40). Lyrics. Can be sung to NEW BRITAIN / AMAZING GRACE as well.
*Iona (M&G) / CH267 Blest be God blest be God for ever (Martinez / DANDASOY) 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). This would be great to ask a small group to sing if you have some good singers in your congregation. Works especially nicely with a guitar.
Cha740a God your mercy is upon us as we place our trust in you Responsive psalm with joyous sung refrain to a familiar hymn tune.
SP&P155 O God please rescue me (Salvaggione) An upbeat paraphrase of Psalm 40.
*TiS 560 / AHB 465 / NCH408 / CH192 / UMH132 / VU654/655 / WoV782 / ELW757 / CP529 / CP(E) 368 / Cha088 / Srce2-15 All my hope on God is founded / is firmly grounded (Neander) Most translations of this well known German hymn are not inclusive, but the NCH and WoV are, so if you have those books (BUC people, we have NCH, and I have WoV). Older version of the lyrics.
GA445 / G(II)421 / GC597 / GC(II)581 I Say "Yes," Lord / Digo "Sí," Señor (Pena) A simple song which speaks of sticking with God through good times and bad. Lyrics and sample sheet music. Sound sample. *TiS 741 / AoV1-017 / ATE 282 / LBW368 / ELW407 / GA431 / SFFS 2200 / G(II)410 / GC586 / GC(II)566 / Taize / W&R484 / Srce519 O Lord hear my prayer (Berthier) A simple and very well known Taize chant
CH573 / UMH523 Jesus Savior Lord lo to thee I fly / Saranam Saranam (Sri Lankan) I think this would be an excellent song to sing, not only because the words are good (although language is old-fashioned), and because the tune is simple and beautiful, but because we need to keep praying for the people of Sri Lanka. Lyrics (scroll down).
CH541 Lord I pray if today (Keegstra-DeBoer) Very simple words, quite child like, but memorable.
*TiS 23 O Lord do not withold your mercy (Saliers) A really lovely and simple refrain.
*ATW 480 On the day I called (Farrell) A simple song. Sound sample.*CH276 / VU22 / ELW262 / GA283 / G(II)256 / GC332 / GC(II)340 / CP094 / W&R166 / URW396 Wait for the Lord (Berthier) Very well known Taize chant. This will get us thinking about Advent... Sound samples and sheet music.*TiS 754 / HPP457 / Cha554 You are my hiding-place (Ledner) Very mushy, but somehow very satisfying and soothing. Sound sample and lyrics.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Prediction of the return of Christ; See also the songs listed below for Matthew 25.
*Tune in: We are the dream that's longing / Jesus is waiting (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. Come, be our liberator, bless and make us free. Come be the light upon the shore. Come be the freedom for the prison of our time. Come now and open up the door”. Lyrics, sound sample, video and songbook.
*TiS 123 / AHB 48 / NCH488 / CH691 / UMH534 / VU652 / CP(E) 384 / W&R451 / Cha 566 Be still my soul Sometimes this can be a bit mushy, but the words are really very strong and helpful. Lyrics and sound sample.
TiS 285 / VU363 Your coming Lord to earth in Bethlehem Tricky, but good solid words and images. Verse 4 is particularly good if you are celebrating communion, and could be omitted if you don’t like to sing songs about communion when you are not celebrating it.
*StS121 / FFS50 Nothing is lost on the breath of God (Colin Gibson) A beautiful song and very easy to sing even if new. "Nothing is lost on the breath of God, nothing is lost for ever; God's breath is love, and that love will remain, holding the world for ever. No feather too light, no hair too fine, no flower too brief in its glory; no drop in the ocean, no dust in the air, but is counted and told in God's story." Words and full sheet music. Sound sample.
*NCH599 / UMH704 / HPP469 / G(II)559 / GC773 / GC(II)766 / CP(E) 579 / W&R527 / Cha644 Steal Away to Jesus (African-American) This is a beautiful song which could fit with this passage well. May not be terribly well known in Australian congregations. They may be more familiar with the version recorded by Cafe at the Gate of Salvation. But here's a video of Mahalia Jackson and Nat King Cole singing it.
*Recorded music: Meet me in the middle of the air (Paul Kelly) It's mainly based on Psalm 23 except for that "middle of the air" bit. It's a beautiful song. Listen to a nice a cappella rendition here. Lyrics are here. It's on Paul Kelly's 2005 album "Foggy Highway"

Matthew 25:1-13
The parable of the ten bridesmaids. Keep awake. Be always ready
*TiS 280 When he comes back, our lamps will be burning to welcome him when he comes back. I really like this song, and wish for excuses to sing it more often. The words are particularly appropriate for this reading and the tune has a simple lilting joy to it.
*Unknown source Alleluia, the great storm is over (Franke) lift up your wings and fly! I especially love the image of the infant sleeping while the mother sang until the bridegroom returned. The chorus is really catchy and very easy to sing. If not familiar, you can use a cantor or soloist for the verses and invite the congregation to join in the chorus. We tend to sing this more like a gospel anthem. Lyrics. Video with poor image but good sound.
*Taize / AoV2-088 / ATOK 395 / CH793 / VU950 / ELW348 Stay with me / Bleibet hier (Berthier) A very well known chant. Sheet music and sound samples.
*World Council of Churches / GC(II)651 You must never give up / Sizo bambelela/Never Give Up This African acapella song is just excellent. Sound sample, Free sheet music.
*ATN 85 Give me oil in my lamp(traditional) A little bit of silly happy-clappy stuff is sometimes good fun. The littler kids will like this, and the older ones may even stop looking too cool for school for a moment.
*AoV2-003 / ATOK 313 / CH543 / StJ / R127 / ELW715 / GC(II)512 Longing for light we wait in darkness / Christ, be our light (Farrell). One of my favourites, especially if someone can sing or play the descant line in the later verses. Sound and sheet music sample here.
*NCH369 / StS118 / Traditional Keep your lamp trimmed and burning (African-American) Bob Franke has an excellent post on this song here including a great recording of Willie Johnson playing and singing this old song.
*Iona (Many & Great, There is One Among Us) /MV99 / GC(II)673 Stand O Stand Firm (Cameroon) I love having an excuse to sing this simple song from Cameroon. 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. Free sheet music.
*AoV1-057 / G(II)485 / GC678 / GC(II)663 / RS799 Awake from your slumber / City of God (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”. Not simple, but catchy once you have it nailed. There is a little bit of non-inclusiveness in the middle. Sound sample. Sheet music sample.
ATA 187 Help us Lord to wait for you (Trad / Simper) Simple short song

Songs and Hymns for Proper 26A/Ordinary 31A/Pentecost +20 (October 30 2011)

2011-10-12T04:36:00.000-07:00

Joshua 3:7-17
Joshualeads the Israelites across the Jordan into the Promised Land.
*TiS569 / AHB 478 / NCH18/19 / CH167 / UMH127 / VU651 / LBW343 ELW618 /HPP432 / HPSS281 / CP565 / CP(E) 455 / W&R501 / Cha622 / 82Hml690 Guide me O thou great Jehovah / Redeemer (Williams) A rousing hymn of God’s presence and strength and making it to the other side. Sound sample and lyrics.
*God Gives 1 We will walk together into the Promised Land (Coates) A fun repetitive gospel-type song. Great for kids.
NCH598 / UMH724 / LBW36 / ELW249 / W&R519 On Jordan's Stormy Bank I Stand / On River Jordan's Bank I stand Sound sample and lyrics. Here's a great gospel version (youtube). Actually, I don’t think there will be many more progressivecongregations interested in singing this, but the Sacred Harp singer inme thinks it’s the perfect song for this reading. I think we find ithard to sing of Heaven, even if we only mean a better land. “I am boundfor the Promised Land, I’m bound for the Promised Land, O who will comeand go with me, I am bound for the Promised Land”. The chorus isexcellent fun. Perhaps there is some way of using this.

Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37
The promise of a fruitful land for a people who have come through the desert. A vision for a new world.
*Tune In: Kingdom Come (Lees). A song about what the kingdom might be like, with plentiful images from the parables. Sample and lyrics.
*Online resource: Your New Shalom (Harding) Asimple song with 4 verses, including “your desert will bloom again”,with a last verse of “We bring in your new Shalom”. This would workwell at any point in the service, including the final song.... or eveninterspersed throughout. Sheet music sample available, and you canpurchase a pdf here.
Scripture in Song 79 Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return. Aquite over the top happy clappy chorus, but imagine how happy theywould have been to cross the Jordan! I’ve always thought this wouldwork well as a hair metal song, but I digress…
*Online Resource Hear the message we now are proclaiming / El mensaje que hoy proclamamos. This jubilant Colombian song of liberty and new life for the poor and suffering would fit well with the release of the Israelites. Free sheet music here.
TiS 67 Give thanks Give thanks to the Lord (O'Brien) A cantored Psalm with a response that is actually fun and happy! The verses could also be read, rather than cantored.
*Taize / MV016 / StJ / ELW528 / GA430 / SFFS 2157 / HPP410 / G(II)398 / GC570 / GC(II)550 / RS710 / CP402 / URW378 Come and Fill our hearts/ Confitemini Domino Can be sun in English as "Come and fill our hearts with your peace, you alone O God are holy. Come and fill our hearts with your peace, Alleluia". Sound samples and sheet music.
AoV1-074 Come To The Water (Andersen) A beautiful song about God providing (from Isaiah 55). Familiar to many, but easy to sing if not. Works well for communion also.

Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Micah 3:5-12
Bad prophets and the destruction of Jerusalem - no suggestions for this one (sorry!)

Psalm for the Micah reading: Psalm 43
NCH469 O grant us light (Tuttiett) Lovely oldish words to a simple tune. Older style lyrics and tune sample.
*Music by Heart 09 O Send your light forth (McClellan) The rhythm is quite tricky and needs to be taught, but once you have it, it's a lot of fun, and sounds pretty cool with both parts going. It's listed as difficult, but I'm not sure that it is.
*AHB 393 Send forth your light and your truth (Murray) Cantored Psalm. Antiphon II is best in my opinion, and could be used with a read Psalm, or lead by a cantor as written.
TiS 027 Send out your light and your truth let them lead me (Gounod) A more plain psalm response to use with a read or cantored Psalm.
*ATFG585 Send out your light Lord (Iona) Nice simple chant which could be used at any point in the service. Maybe good for intercessions?
VU768 Why restless why cast down my soul? / will go to the altar of God (Wilson / Daley) I'm not sure why Psalm 42 and 43 are together in this hymnal, but I really like the first refrain, and the translation of both Psalms.

1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
I have no idea what to suggest for this reading.

Matthew 23:1-12
Humility
*ATOK 390 Put on love every day, never hide your love away (Walker) A groovy song for kids!
*TiS 650 / AoV2-169 / ATA 191 / CH694 / NCH539 / VU595 / ELW659 / AA08 / SFFS 2222 / HPP442 / G(II)476 / GC683 / GC(II)661 / CP500 / CP(E) 393 / W&R391 / Cha490 / SP263 / URW117 Brother, sister, let me serve you / Won't you let me be your servant? (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.
*TiS 640 / AHB 561 / ATE 310 / NCH498 / UMH432 / VU593 / WoV765 / ELW708 / HPP446 / HPSS367 / G(II)296 / GC409 / GC(II)429 / CP504 / W&R273 / Cha600 / URW116 / 82Hml-602 Jesu Jesu fill us with your love / Kneels at the feet of his friends (Colvin & people of Ghana) Lyrics
W&R383 If My People’s Hearts Are Humbled (Cloniger) Quite formal words, but appropriate. Lyrics.

Songs and Hymns for Proper 25A / Ordinary 30A / Pentecost +19 (October 23, 2011)

2011-10-06T03:24:00.000-07:00

Deuteronomy 34:1-12
Moses sees the Promised Land but cannot pass into it. The death of Moses, and appointment of Joshua as the new leader.
*God Gives 1 We will walk together into the Promised Land (Coates) A fun repetitive gospel-type song. Great for kids.
*Tune In: All will finish well (Brown) If you want to take the perspective of Moses who is missing out, this song might be useful "You in all our darkness, you offer peace"... maybe. Lyrics and sound sample here.
ATA 114 Come my brother come my sister (McCarthy) Nice and easy to sing. Has a repeated line of "come, my brother, come", which would be better alternated with "come, my sister, come". Great words of hope about the Promised Land.

Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17
*TiS 47 / AHB 46 / AoV1-175 / NCH25 / CH161 / UMH117 / VU806 / LBW504 / ELW806 / HPP1 / HPSS210 / GC614 / GC(II)588 / CP528 / CP(E) 537 / W&R84 O God our help in ages past A good solid very well known hymn! The surprising thing about this one is that the language is inclusive for God in most sources. Not all sources are inclusive for humanity, so check. Lyrics and sound sample.
*NCH Psalter (at the back of the NCH hymnal) has a really nice refrain for a read or chanted Psalm. The words are simply “From everlasting to everlasting you are God”.
G(II)77 / GC83 In every age, O God, you have been our refuge (Guimont) A nice simple refrain and good translation of the verses. Lyrics and sheet music sample. Sound sample.
*ATW 427 Heat haze shimmering on the horizon / In God’s time (Holmes) I like this. Very Australian. Very kid-friendly.
*AoVK-123 / NCH3 / Iona (M&G) / UMH148 / VU308 / WoV794 / ELW837 / HPSS271 / G(II)338 / GC499 / CP407 / W&R26 / Cha58 / URW232 Many and Great O God are your works / Wakantanka Taku Nitawa (Lacquiparle) Good words. Simple tune. Needs a good Native American-style drum beat. Lyrics.
CH054 Lord you have always been our home (Church Hymnary) Good words. I like the tune ATHCHUINGE for this.
Cha746 Sing praise to God our rock in whom we take our refuge Sung response, and responsively read passage.

Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18
*TiS 657 / CH263 / VU700 / AA50 / CP(E) 447 / Cha656 / SP242 God of freedom God of justice (Murray / Guthrie Foote) Powerful lyrics. Can be sung to either TREDEGAR (new, but not too hard) or PICARDY (very familiar). Lyrics and midi.
*TiS 607 / AoV2-126 / ATN 95 / CH528 / VU684 / StJ / SFFS 2171 / HPP406 / G(II)524 / GC726 / GC(II)721 / CP(E)519/ W&R587 / Srce 462 Make me a channel of your peace (Temple) Youtube video of Sinead O'Connor singing it and lyrics and MIDI file.
*AoV2-055 / G(II)513 / GC711 / GC(II)716 May we find richness / Harvest of Justice “Gather with patience for those who have nothing. Leave them your riches, and you will receive.” Sample sheet music, lyrics and a plodding tune sample here.
*TiS 629 / AHB 558 / AoV2-136 / ATA 197 / CH544 / VU600 When I needed a neighbor were you there? (Carter) A classic folk church song. Well known and fits well with this theme. "And the creed and the colour and the name won't matter"... Lyrics.
*Tune In: Community (Brown) A song about being welcomed and how to work together as part of a community. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook
NCH590 / CH621 Spirit of Jesus, if I love my neighbour. 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 woudl have trouble with the newer tune.
*AoV1-050 Act Justly (O'Brien/Watts) Simple chant-like chorus, and strong verses. I love this one. We sang this recently at Brunswick and it would be good to sing it again.
*ATOK 390 Put on love every day, never hide your love away (Walker) A groovy song for kids!
Hope is our song Love is your way (Murray / Harling) Great tune and good lyrics for a prayer of confession about losing our way and being accountable to each other. Easy energetic tune.

Psalm for the Leviticus Reading: Psalm 1
Those that trust in the Lord shall be like a tree planted by the water with roots in the stream and will fruit even in drought.
*StS116 I saw a tree by the riverside / The Tree Song (Ken Medema) A great kid’s song about roots growing down to the water, and leaves growing up to the sunshine, and bearing fruit, and all that great stuff. Video of Ken singing this song. Lyrics.
*Linnea Good Strong as living Trees A lovely haunting chant. Good for kids and adults alike.
NCH313 Like a tree beside the waters (Martin) Good congregational words of richness from the waters. Tune is a little bit tricky, so will need to be introduced. It can also be sung to the more familiar HYFRYDOL. Lyrics (downloads a pdf)
CP462 The hidden stream that feeds (Troeger) Good for the end of the service "We leave this watered place to work on rocky ground, Yet even there the streams of grace sustain our daily round. Lord, through our lives may others hear your living waters drawing near."
*TiS 607 / AoV2-126 / ATN 95 / CH528 / VU684 / StJ / SFFS 2171 / HPP406 / G(II)524 / GC726 / GC(II)721 / CP(E)519/ W&R587 / Srce 462 Make me a channel of your peace (Temple) Youtube video of Sinead O'Connor singing it and lyrics and MIDI file.
*URW223 Happy are they who delight (Hopson) One option is to use an African-American spiritual refrain "Like a tree that's planted by the water, we shall not be moved". I like it.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
The love of the early church leaders for the people? Not sure where to go with this one.
*ATW 498 / Iona (T1AU) / MV196 We will take what you offer 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". Sample here.
AoVK-148 / ATOK 388 There is one body (Watts/O'Brien) Good for kids.

Matthew 22:34-46

Love God and love your neighbour as yourself. Whose son is the Messiah?
*ATW 498 / Iona (T1AU) / MV196 We will take what you offer 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". Sample here.
*StS055 / SFFS 2168 / God Gives 1 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind and love all humankind as you would love yourselves and…. I really like this old Sunday School round, with a groovy 50s feel to it. Great for the kids.
*TiS 650 / AoV2-169 / ATA 191 / CH694 / NCH539 / VU595 / ELW659 / AA08 / SFFS 2222 / HPP442 / G(II)476 / GC683 / GC(II)661 / CP500 / CP(E) 393 / W&R391 / Cha490 / SP263 / URW117 Brother, sister, let me serve you / Won't you let me be your servant? (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.
*TiS 640 / AHB 561 / ATE 310 / NCH498 / UMH432 / VU593 / WoV765 / ELW708 / HPP446 / HPSS367 / G(II)296 / GC409 / GC(II)429 / CP504 / W&R273 / Cha600 / URW116 / 82Hml-602 Jesu Jesu fill us with your love / Kneels at the feet of his friends (Colvin & people of Ghana) Lyrics
*TiS 699 / AHB 571 / ATN 65 / WoV664 / GA318 / Srce35 A new commandment I give unto you (Westwood) Note that older sources do not have inclusive words, but more recent publications use "others" rather than "all men" to make it inclusive for all people.

TiS 774 / W&R684 For the life that you have given (Daw) A nice short song for the receipt of the offering.

W&R27 God of Creation All-Powerful (Clarkson) Good solid words to a well known tune (SLANE).

Songs to welcome new church members

2011-10-06T02:33:00.000-07:00

At Brunswick Uniting we have aspecial service twice a year to welcome new people to our community. Those who want to be part of the community (but who may not necessarily be seeking membership by baptism, confirmation or a confession of faith) are invited to name Brunswick as their community of faith.

*CH198 / MV001 / GC753 / GC(II)741 / RS 846 Let Us Build a House / All are welcome (Haugen / TWO OAKS) This song has wonderful lyrics of hope for what a Christian community can be like, and a chorus that joyfully says “All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place”. Sheet music sample. Sound sample. Lyrics (scroll down a little).
*MV 145 / CP418 / SP&P123 Draw the circle wide (Light) A great song about welcoming all people. Lyrics (downloads a Word document). Chorus is “Draw the circle wide, draw it wider still. Let this be our song, no-one stands alone, standing side by side, draw the circle wide”.
*Online Resource: Welcome to this circle (Bruxvoort-Colligan) A lovely song of “radical inclusivity” which is kind of what our welcoming service is about. This song is more a promise coming from the congregation that welcomes all regardless of their level of faith. We’ve sung this a couple of times at welcoming services already. Lyrics available here.
*Tune In: Community (Brown) “Part of a fam’ly, interconnected, this is community”. A big favourite at Brunswick. Excellent words and very easy to sing; really good for a welcoming service. Sound sample, lyrics and songbook available here.

Songs and Hymns for Proper 24A / Ordinary 29A / Pentecost +23 (October 16 2011)

2011-09-26T03:24:00.000-07:00

Exodus 33:12-23
Moses seeks assurance of God’s presence. God revealed, but only just!
*Tune In: Like the sun upon my skin / God’s Mercy A beautiful ballad about identifying God's mercy in the beauty of creation. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook.
*Tune In: Tune in (Sims) A simple kid’s song. “Tune in, tune in, there’s a message coming in.” Encourages kids to look and listen for signs of God’s love. Lyrics, sample and songbook available Lyrics, sample, songbook.
*NCH70 / UMH660 / VU389 / WoV719 / ELW526 / HPP486 / PH461 / GC741 / GC(II)737 / CP(E) 301 / W&R1 / Cha280 God is here as we your people (Pratt Green). Great lyrics, but not inclusive in all sources. A good hymn for the start of the service. It's sung to the familiar tune ABBOT'S LEIGH. Sound sample and less inclusive lyrics.
*TiS 132 / AHB 65 / NCH277 / CH651 / UMH64 / VU315 / LBW165 / ELW413 / HPP243 / PH138 / G(II)332 / GC475 / GC(II)483 / CP001 / CP(E) 202 / W&R136 / Cha004 / Srce243 / 82Hml-362; Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty (NICAEA) Old other-worldly language, but a surprisingly inclusive (in most hymnals) classic, and a great rousing hymn tune. Different resources may have slightly altered lyrics. It won't work if you have an evening service. A surprisingly non-inclusive sample can be found here.
*TiS 143 / AHB 80 / NCH1 / CH132 / UMH103 / VU264 / LBW526 / ELW834 / HPP37 / PH263 / GC507 / CP(E) 474 / W&R48 / Cha066 / ZSS4 / Srce296 / 82Hml-423 Immortal invisible God only wise (ST DENIO). Another oldy-but-a-goody. "In light inaccessible hid from our eyes". Lyrics, tune sample.
VU304 / URW088 O God beyond all face and form (O'Driscoll) Good lyrics to a very familiar tune.

Psalm 99
God of justice, God is holy, worship at the mountain. This Psalm has lots of concepts in it, so I've only chosen a couple of particularly pertinent songs.
*Emergent Psalter O mighty God lover of justice (Everett) A catchy refrain, that got stuck in my head for days after I ran through it. Can be sung with the Psalm read over instrumentation. Sample sheet music.
TiS 58 Be exalted O God, above the heavens! Let your glory over all the earth be found. An excellent refrain to the Psalm for this week. The cantor line is not totally inclusive - just a small word substitution will do it.
Cha751 To God all people give thanks (Fox) Joyful latin-rhythmed sung response and responsively read Psalm. I think it would be fun to do a responsive Psalm with a sung response.
Iona (Love From Below) / CP424 Sing praise to God on mountain tops (Bell/Maule) A song of praise to God for the beauty of creation to a traditional English tune (THE VICAR OF BRAY).
*MV 60 God, we give you heartfelt praise. A lively round from Taiwan. “God we give you heartfelt praise, mercy and love you show us daily, blessed always be your name”. While based on Taiwanese harmonic modes, it is not too hard for Western singers to pick up.
*TiS 723 / AoV2-092 / ATOK 381 / Iona (M&G, Common Ground) / CH769 / UMH65 / VU944, VU951 / StJ / R176 / ELW473 / SFFS 2007 / G(II)395 / GC563 / W&R737 / Cha111 / ZSS48 Holy holy holy / Santo santo santo (Argentinian folk song) Better in Spanish. A nice quiet devotional song.

Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Isaiah 45:1-7
I have called you, and I'm a bit scary sometimes
NCH604 / MV167 Hush hush somebody's calling my name (Traditional African-American) I really like this song. I'm not sure how it would work as a congregational song, though, since I've never been in a congregation that has sung it. I know some musicians who would love to sing it though - especially that deep "Hush" bit. Youtube version from a Ry Cooder album.
*MV161 I have called you by your name (Damon) This is a great song for confirmations, ordinations, commissionings, but also ordinary Sundays. Easy, natural tune and good words about having courage to follow where God leads.

Alternative Psalm for the Isaiah reading Psalm 96:1-9, (10-13)
*Tune In: We will sing a new song to the world. An energetic song about the gospel. Sound sample and lyrics here.
*TiS 54 O praise the Lord all you nations (Willcock) Cantored version of the Psalm.
*TiS 704 / AoV2-090 / NCH760 / Iona (M&G) / CH824 / VU431 / WoV786 / ELW846 / SFFS 2067 / G(II)369 / GC536 / W&R741 / ZSS56 / URW398 Amen We Praise Your Name O God / Siakudumisa (South African) A simple and popular Amen. Not wild about the GIA hymnals English version. Video (long) which includes a quite majestic version of this song. Not sure I like it, really.
GC(II)521 For your sun that brightens the day / We praise you (Haas) A nice joyful cantor and response. It's a bit more "praise and worshippy" than I normally like, but it's pretty good. Sheet music sample. Sound sample.
*TiS 156 / AHB 91 / AoV1-135 / ATA 123 / CH212 / UMH145 / VU409 / ELW556 / HPP267 / HPSS469 / G(II)546 / GC756 / GC(II)748 / CP003 / W&R35 / Cha053 / URW186 / 82Hml-008 Morning has broken (Farjeon) This song makes me smile every time. Here's Yusuf Islam (when he was Cat Stevens) in 1976 (love those green boots).
*TiS 166 / AHB 102 / StB 35 Sing a new song sing a new song Excellent inclusive words from Australian poet James McAuley. The last verse annoys me a bit, but the rest is excellent. Lyrics.
*AoV2-050 / GA412 / G(II)381 / GC523 Sing O People Sing Our God Together (Haas) Lovely energetic song. Works well as a call to worship; call and response verses. Lyrics and sheet music sample. Sound sample.
*MV 180 Sing, Sing Out! Sing a new song (Hannah) 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.
*Taize / GC(II)533 Sing to God with joyful hearts / Singt dem Herrn (Berthier) A joyful round. Works well in English and German, and probably other languages too. / Sound samples, sheet music and lyrics here.
NCH9 / StJ / ELW791 / SFFS 2001 / CP523 / URW293 We Sing to You O God (Proulx) Good hymny hymn with inclusive lyrics. Nice descant part also.

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
*AoV1-130 / SFFS 2223 / HPP495 / G(II)533 / GC735 / GC(II)728 / W&R595 / Cha494 We are one in the Spirit / They’ll know we are Christians (ST. BRENDAN’S/Scholtes) A classic 60s song of unity and being an example to others. It's still pretty groovy, I reckon. We often syncopate it a bit at Brunswick. Good for kids and non-readers as there are not too many words in it. Slowish sound sample. Sample sheet music.
*AoVK-40 / NCH524 / UMH585 / ELW677 / HPP466 / G(II)358 / GC514 / GC(II)514 This little light of mine The AoVK version has excellent verses that actually make the chorus make sense. Check them out if you have a copy. In the meantime, watch Bruce Springsteen sing it here. It's amazing...

Matthew 22:15-22
Whose image is on the coin? Whose image is on you?
*TiS 686 / ATE 292 Lord Jesus we belong to you / Because we bear your name (Robin Mann). A straightforward and practical song asking God to help us to follow Christ well, with a refrain of "because we bear your name". Lyrics.
*TiS 671 / AoV2-121 Made in God's Likeness (Lewis/Spence) "Called to create a new world for the Lord". Excellent images of rainforest birds praising God. This is one of my very favourite songs. It is not difficult if you have a good musician at the helm. If it is new to your congregation, they will be able to join in on the verses by the time you get to the 3rd one. The change in tone with the verse really lifts this song. Lyrics (search for "Made in").
*ATOK 383 / AoV2-057 May we see Christ's loving face / Icon of grace. A beautiful chant from Australians Trisha Watts and Monica O’Brien. This simple chant would be excellent this week, as it picks up both the theme of bearing Christ’s likeness, and the idea that we cannot see God’s face except in the face of Christ; it also works extremely well with a simple slow drum beat (DUM ta-ka DUM ta-ka).
NCH585 / CH254 / AA106 / HPPS385 O God we bear the imprint of your face. Excellent words from Shirley Erena Murray about the human family, and a plea for an end to racism and divisions. I'm not wild about the tune in the NCH (ROSEBERRY); others are better. Lyrics can be found here.
Iona (LFB) / CP424 Sing praise to God on mountain tops. A song of praise to God for the beauty of creation to a traditional English tune (THE VICAR OF BRAY). Words are simple and good for older kids who can read. Note particularly in the final verse “God’s image in each child of earth shall never pale or perish. So treat with love each human soul and thus God’s goodness cherish”.
*SP&P118 Imago Dei (Warner) This energetic song has a simple groovy chorus about being made in God's image, and good verses about what that might mean.

Songs and Hymns for Proper 23A / Ordinary 28A / Pentecost +22 (October 9, 2011)

2011-09-21T18:12:00.000-07:00

Exodus 32:1-14
The Golden Calf. Who brought the Israelites out of Egypt? A cow? Moses? God?
*Taize / MV016 / StJ / R180 / ELW528 / GA430 / SFFS 2157 / HPP410 / G(II)398 / GC570 / GC(II)550 / RS710 / CP402 / URW378 Come and Fill our hearts/ Confitemini Domino (Taize) Can be sun in English as "Come and fill our hearts with your peace, you alone O God are holy. Come and fill our hearts with your peace, Alleluia". A good song of recommitment. Sound samples and sheet music.
*Tune In / NCYC '07: Forgive us now (Brown) I think I’ve been suggesting this one a lot lately, but it also fits well with this reading “Forgive us now, O mother love for all the idols we have built, For all the time we’ve worshipped there in company of dark despair. Forgive us mother of all hope”. Lyrics, sound sample, and songbook.

Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
See above and...
NCH Psalter: Psalm 106 “Remember me O God, when you show favour to your people”. A like the NCH Psalter a lot because its Psalms are inclusive and the refrains, like this one, are simple.
*Iona (Sent By the Lord) / MV066 Senzenina? / What have we done? (South African) A good song for confession. 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).
*MV007 Gather us in ground us in you (Hann) A simple chant which would be great for an invitation to worship.
*UMH729 / VU682 / LBW161 / WoV762 ELW627 / HPSS450 / CP573 / W&R539 / Cha711 / URW140 / 82Hml-597 O day of peace that dimly shines (Daw) A song of hoped-for peace. The tune in Chalice hymnal is really nice (CANDLER) or O WALY WALY which is used in URW. Other sources use JERUSALEM, which is a bit too militaristic for me. Lyrics and JERUSALEM sample
*MV187 We give our thanks / Reamo leboga (Traditional Botswana) A great song to sing for the offering. Sound sample (scroll to the 3rd album). We usually sing it much more quickly than this sample.
AA150 Whakatau mai te Atua Mona Rona Riini Hoki Tawa I don't have this book, or know this Maori song, but if you've got the book, have a look and tell me if it's good!

Alternative Hebrew Scripture: Isaiah 25:1-9
*TiS 647 / AoV2-012 / ATN 25 Comfort, comfort all my people (Mann) Easy to sing, beautiful lyrics. Chorus is “Comfort, comfort all my people, with the comfort of my word. Speak ye tender to my people, all your sins are taken away”. Lyrics, mp3 sample.
*AoV1-012 / ATE 295 / CH623 / SFFS 2236 / HPP553 / G(II)539 / GC839 / GC(II)743 / CP465 / W&R649 / Cha284 / SP175 / URW054 Here in this place new light is streaming / Gather us in (Haugen). Excellent words, very well known. “Nourish us well and teach us to fashion lives that are holy and hearts that are true”
*TiS 545 / Iona (LFB) / CH676 / VU482 Shout for joy! The Lord has let us feast. A very joyous communion song. Lyrics

Alternative Psalm for the Isaiah reading: Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd. Again.
*Tune In: Like the sun upon my skin / God’s Mercy A beautiful ballad about identifying God's mercy in the beauty of creation. Lyrics, sound sample and songbook available here.
*Tune In: The God that I know. A ballad drawing on God’s strength and comfort; not easy if unfamiliar. Lyrics and sample available here.
*NCYC2007 Lead me on (Gioia) A pretty cool gospel rock song from the NCYC before last.
*TiS 10 / AHB 16 / AoV1-144 / NCH479 / Iona (Common Ground) / CH14/16 / UMH136 / VU747/8 / StS099 / LBW451 / ELW778 / GA473 / HPP55 / HPSS170 / CP519 / CP(E) 594 / W&R86 / Cha0789 / Srce662 The Lord's my Shepherd I'll not want / God is my shepherd It's not inclusive, but I think it's more than a sentimental favourite. Good to sing to a different tune every now and then, e.g. Brother James' Air. NCH, VU and Chalice all have an inclusive language version. You know, we've only sung this twice at Brunswick in the last 5 years.
*Recorded Music 23rd Psalm (Bobby McFerrin) A beautiful feminine rendering of the Psalm. From the album Medicine Man. Listen to it here on Youtube. Gave people some challenging images of God last year when we played it. 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.
*Recorded music I am your true shepherd (Meet me in the middle of the air) - Paul Kelly. A beautiful song mainly based on Psalm 23 except for that "middle of the air" bit. Listen to a nice a cappella rendition here. Lyrics. It's on Paul Kelly's 2005 album "Foggy Highway".
*ATN 84 / NCH490 / CH539 / UMH521 / LBW660 / WoV660 / ELW325 / HPP433 / HPSS363 / CP512 / W&R506 / Cha627 / ZSS69 / URW110 I want Jesus to walk with me An excellent simple song. There are also many good recordings of this song. A few years ago we listened to an Eric Bibb recording of this song (from his album Roadworks) during the distribution of communion. I think it worked very well.
TiS 233 / AHB 173 I will sing the wondrous story A good old fashioned sing (HYFRYDOL). Note that it uses masculine language for Christ, which may bother some. “I was lost but Jesus found me, found the sheep that went astray, raised me up and gently led me back into the narrow way”.
AoV1-033 / WoV690 / ELW423 / SFFS 2058 / G(II)29 / GC31 / GC(II)23 Shepherd Me O God (Haugen) A nice reworking of the 23rd Psalm. The chant could also be used on its own: “Shepherd me O God beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life”. Sheet music, lyrics and a fairly unhelpful sound sample here.
G(II)458 / GC654 / GC(II)628 With a Shepherd's Care (Chepponis) Very nice words with feminine and masculine images for God. Would be very straightforward to sing. Painfully slow sound sample, lyrics and sheet music sample here.
*CH355 / VU210 / HPP81 / GC(II)525 / RS699 / CP630 You Lord Are Both Lamb and Shepherd (Dunstan) Beautiful words. Can be sung to many tunes. I like it to PICARDY or WESTMINSTER ABBEY. Sound sample, lyrics and sheet music sample here.
*Taize / CP563 In God alone my soul can find rest and peace / Mon Ame Se Repose (Berthier) A very beautiful chant from Taize. Music and sound samples for practice here.
FFS39 It all depends on where I'm going (Gibson) Good words of God's constant presence through all of life's travels, sung to a simple Celtic-style tune (TE HORO). Full music and lyrics here.
*CH716 / VU374 / FFS10 / SFFS 2128 / W&R477 / Cha575 Come and find the quiet centre (Murray) A good song for the beginning of worship. I would prefer to sing this to one of the more traditional melodies offered (Tune 1 in FFS) or BEACH SPRING (TiS 493).
*W&R655 / URW202 Come Away from Rush and Hurry (Dawn) Excellent words of resting in a sacred space to the familiar tune BEACH SPRING (TiS 493).
*Cha734 (I) / URW244 My shepherd you supply my need and holy is your name Responsive psalm with sung refrain to the tune of the first line of Brother James' Air.

Philippians 4:1-9
This reading has about a thousand different significant theological concepts in it, so I have listed only some possible songs that may not be obvious choices...
*Sound the Bamboo 289 / Sing with the World Now I know / Ey lou nis A beautiful and very simple call and response benediction from Cambodia. “Now I know by God’s own grace all of you are the children of God. So with hope go out in peace, bring good news to all people on earth." A sample in Khmer here.
GC(II)719 Let your gentleness be known / The Peace of God. A quite lovely song that picks up the images of purity without being overly pious. “Let your gentleness be known so that all may know the Lord is near. Do not worry, do not worry. Reach out to God in prayer” Sample sheet music and a fairly tacky sound sample here (look up Gather Comp. 2, number 719). It’s much better than it sounds in the sample.
ATW 485 Praying in the morning Good song for kids about praying all the time.
TiS 596 / AHB 515 Fill my whole life O Lord my God (Bonar) An older style hymn with inclusive language for God and a plea for praise in the whole of life. Verse 4 may be bothersome "poor though I be, and weak".
NCH55 / NCH71 / UMH160 / LBW171 / ELW430 Rejoice you pure in heart (Plumptre) A good solid joyful hymn. I prefer it sung to MARION – somehow it’s easier.
*Taize / AoV2-109 / CH772 / GA429 / SFFS 2195 / G(II)396 / GC566 / GC(II)546 / SP128 / W&R448 / URW381 In the Lord I'll Be Ever Thankful / El Senyor (Berthier) A joyful and bouncy Taize song. Works well in English, German and Spanish at least. Good for kids. Sheet music, translations into many other languages, sound samples.
*Taize / TiS 739 / AoV2-041 / ATOK 404 / VU290 / GA269 / SFFS 2054 / G(II)451 / GC639 / GC(II)626 / CP568 / W&R421 / URW388 Nothing Can Trouble / Nada te turbe (Berthier) Excellent and quite well known Taize chant. Spanish lyrics are not too hard for non-Spanish speakers. Sheet music, sound samples, lyrics and translations.
*Iona (Many & Great, There is One Among Us) /MV99 / GC(II)673 Stand O Stand Firm (Cameroon) I love having an excuse to sing this simple song from Cameroon. 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. Free sheet music.

Matthew 22:1-14
Who will come to the wedding banquet? God invites everyone!
*Tune In / NCYC 2009: God has laid a feasting table / Invitation (Whelan). Feminine imagery of God gathering her guests to a feasting table. Fun Cuban rhythm. Sample and songbook here.
*MV 145 / CP418 Draw the circle wide (Light) A great song about welcoming all people. Lyrics (downloads a Word document).
TiS 259 / NCH201 / Iona (LFB) Among us and before us Lord you stand Good if you are celebrating communion this week. The tune is simple and the words provide a fully inclusive welcome “Who dare say No, when such is your request that each around your table should be guest?”
*AoV1-012 / ATE 295 / CH623 / SFFS 2236 / HPP553 / G(II)539 / GC839 / GC(II)743 / CP465 / W&R649 / Cha284 / SP175 / URW054 Here in this place new light is streaming / Gather us in (Haugen). Excellent words, very well known. “Nourish us well and teach us to fashion lives that are holy and hearts that are true”
AoV1-071 / GC(II)742 Gather Your People (Hurd) Excellent words and eucharistic theology. Good if you are celebrating communion this week. Lyrics, sheet music and sound sample.
*ATA 138 I cannot come to the banquet / The wedding banquet This song from the Medical Mission Sisters lists all the excuses (I have married a wife! I have bought me a cow!). Lyrics and CD.
*ATW 475 / NCYC'01 / SP&P008 Come to the banquet there’s a place for you. An excellent song by Melbourne singer and songwriter Faye White. "Though you maybe have no money, though you maybe feel unworthy, in your strength and in your weakness you are welcome, come."
*AoV2-020 Come to the feast of Heaven and Earth / Table of Plenty (Schutte) “God will provide for all that you need, here at the table of plenty”. I love this song. It’s very straightforward and has excellent words.
*ATOK 351 You won't get a letter in the post (Mann) A bit silly with the spelling out the chorus bit, but you could have a lot of fun with it, especially if you have kids in your congregation. Lyrics here and mp3 sample here.
*TiS 544 / AHB 88 / Iona Since the world was young there’s a song that’s been sung / God’s Table. I wish this song wasn’t exclusively masculine for God. “God has a table, and he calls his friends to a feast that never ends. God has a table, and one day we’ll meet him there”. The tune is great though and the images are excellent, so I just sing it as it is, and try to balance it out elsewhere in the service. It’s very awkward to change it.

Songs for St. Francis Day / Blessing of the Animals (October 4th)

2011-09-21T17:32:00.000-07:00

Worldmaking.net All of us belong (Bruxvoort-Colligan) A very simple song, with two parts that can be sung simultaneously about welcoming all creatures into the church. I especially like the second part "We have wings and paws and tails and toes and instincts and souls". Sound sample and lyrics here.
HiOS022 Creator God, we give you thanks (Gibson) Fun song for kids and adults. The tune is very simple and joyful. "Creator God we give you thanks for those who live in nest or tank, in basket, kennel, bowl or shed, on sofas, perches, straw for bed."
NCH32 / UMH122 / VU229 / HPP32 / HPSS272 / CP414 / W&R29 / Cha070 God of the sparrow, God of the whale (Roeder) I like how this song asks questions about how animals might praise God. Lyrics.
TiS 100 / AHB 3 / NCH17 / CH147 / UMH62 / VU217 / LBW527 / ELW835 / GA395 / HPP261 / HPSS455 / GC534 / GC(II)523 / RS 670 / CP(E) / 250 / W&R23 / Cha022 All creatures of our God and King (Francis of Assisi) A good classic sing! Hymnals vary in how inclusive (or not) the lyrics are. Using only Alleluia Alleluia, eliminates the "Oh praise him" which makes it annoying male exclusive. Also "Sing your praises" can be used instead of "Oh praise him". NCH has "To you, O God, all creatures sing" and eliminates all kingly language. ELW has "All creatures worship God most high". Lyrics and sound sample.
ATN 66 / GGives1 If I were a butterfly (Howard) This is such a cute kid's song; I can't work out how to make it gender-inclusive for God when it gets to "But I just thank you Father for making me me!" Lyrics, chords and sound sample.
Cha697 Creative God You Spread the Earth (Duck) A song asking forgiveness for our disdain for the earth and animals. Sung to the familiar tune KINGSFOLD. The animals are largely European or North American, so maybe not great for Australians.
AoVK-35 O good and almighty Lord (Raimondo) Canticle of St. Francis. Good words of the earth.
TiS 607 / AoV2-126 / ATN 95 / CH528 / VU684 / StJ / SFFS 2171 / HPP406 / G(II)524 / GC726 / GC(II)721 / CP(E) 519 / W&R587 Make me a channel of your peace (Temple) An oldy but a very very goody, based on the Prayer of St. Francis. Although it doesn't specifically mention animals, I was really struck by how the words reflect behaviour more like a pet than a human

TiS 135 / AHB 70 / AoVK-110 / NCH31 / CH137 / UMH147 / VU291 / WoV767 / HPP35 / HPSS267 / RS 635 / CP415/6 / CP(E) 251 / W&R30 / Cha61 All things bright and beautiful A traditional favourite. Note to Australians, TiS has Australian imagery (wildflowers, billabongs, gorges, gum trees and waterfalls! English lyrics and ROYAL OAK tune, BRIGHT and BEAUTIFUL midi (this is the tune I know).
*TiS 671 / AoV2-121 Made in God's Likeness (Lewis/Spence) "Called to create a new world for the Lord". Excellent images of rainforest birds praising God. This is one of my very favourite songs. It is not difficult if you have a good musician at the helm. If it is new to your congregation, they will be able to join in on the verses by the time you get to the 3rd one. The change in tone with the verse really lifts this song. Lyrics (search for "Made in").

Recorded music: Sarah McLachlan has a very nice recording of the Prayer of St. Francis. Video here.

I'm sure Norm Habel will have written many songs that would fit. One example, including a whole order of worship for a similar service is here.