Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
Seeking God’s guidance to choose a leader (Matthias)
- Taizé / TiS 747 / ATE 214 / Iona (M&G) / GtG842 / PfAS027A / URW393 The Lord is my light, my light and salvation
(Jacques Berthier) A simple and very popular Taize chant. Note that this is really easy on
recorder if you have a kid in your congregation who is learning it. Try
to be brave and sing this without hymnsheets, overheads or
projected lyrics. I think it's better that way and it's not like it has
lots of words. Good for kids. Youtube.
- NCH355 / UMH648 / VU514 / GtG303 / PH523 / W&R149 God the Spirit guide and guardian
(Carl Daw) Excellent, inclusive Trinitarian lyrics of God's guidance and
blessing on leaders in the church community. Set to a variety of well
known hymn tunes including HYFRYDOL (my favourite!), JEFFERSON,
BLAENWERN and BETHANY. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
- TiS 569 / AHB 478 / NCH18/19 / CH167 / UMH127 / VU651 / LBW343 / ELW618 /
StF465 / A&M652 / HPP432 / GtG065 / PH281 / CP565 / CP(E) 455 /
W&R501 / Cha622 / 82Hml690 / StF465 / Lau960 / MP201 Guide me O thou great Jehovah / Redeemer (William Williams) A rousing hymn of God’s presence and strength and making it to the other side. "Bread of heaven, feed me now and evermore." Lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- NCH497 / SFFS 2208 / GtG741 / PH354 / G(II)508 / GC707 / GC(II)684 G(3)780 / CP513 / ZSS141 Guide my feet while I run this race
(African American) An excellent civil rights song. Would work well as a meditative prayer
for guidance or as an uplifting call to action at the end of the
service.You could also make up your own lyrics. Lyrics.
Good for kids.
- NCH416 / UMH464 I will trust in the Lord (Traditional
Gospel) Traditional gospel song, that could work well with this
passage. I like how it includes lyrics for Brother, Sister and Preacher.
Maybe even “Let us trust in the Lord” for a congregation that is making
decisions – except that “’til we die” bit doesn’t seem quite right. Lyrics.
- MV142 / SP&P209 Oh a Song must rise
(Paul Svenson) A song that speaks of voices being raised from
around the earth, from all people. A good song of unity. Quite
straightforward to sing, and a good prelude to Pentecost next week. "From the voices of our leaders...". Lyrics.
Psalm 1
They who trust in the Lord shall be like a tree planted by the water with roots in the stream and will fruit even in drought.
- Online resource Blessed are those who trust in God / By the stream
(Christopher Grundy) Oh my... this is just gorgeous! Best sung by a soloist for the
verses. The recording is so beautiful - it's easy to pull my
heartstrings with a cello and a mandolin... Youtube. Purchasing options.
- NCH Psalter001 My delight is in the law of God (Judy Hunnicutt) A very simple refrain and chanted Psalm.
- Online resource Like a tree by the flowing water
(Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) Lovely simple words of connectedness, and a simple chorus. Good for kids. Lyrics, sound sample and purchasing options.
- Linnea Good Strong as living Trees (Linnea Good) A lovely haunting chant. Good for kids and adults alike.
- 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. Good for kids. Lyrics and chords.
- Online resource Like a tree by the flowing water
(Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) Part of a series of songs based on Psalm 1, I
think the chorus of this is probably my favourite. In Australia, you
might want to use only the chorus because the word "rooted" means
something quite different over here. Sound samples, lyrics and purchasing options. Good for kids.
- NCH313 Like a tree beside the waters (James 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. Sheet music (go to page 3 of PDF). New words to old tunes.
- CP462 The hidden stream that feeds (Thomas 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." Lyrics (scroll through document).
- TiS
607 / AoV2-126 / ATN 95 / CH528 / VU684 / StJ / A&M725 / SFFS 2171 / HPP406 /
GtG753 / G(II)524 / GC726 / GC(II)721 / G(3)828 / CP(E)519/ W&R587 / Srce 462 / Lau898 / StF707 / MP456 Make me a channel of your peace (Sebastian Temple). Lovely. Nice if you can just start a capella... Youtube video of Sinead O'Connor singing it and lyrics
- URW223 Happy are they who delight
(Hal Hopson) A responsively read Psalm with an African-American spiritual refrain
"Like a tree that's planted by the water, we shall not be moved". I like
it. New words to old tunes.
- NCH438 / UMH377 / LBW346 / ELW785 / HPP390 / GtG840 / W&R428 / Cha561 / Srce784 / MP757 When peace like a river / It is well with my soul (Horatio Spafford) An older American hymn. Hymnals vary in how old fashioned the lyrics are, and only some include the chorus. Lyrics and tune.A nice recording by Audrey Assad.
- 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 and sound sample.
- PfAS001B Happy are they who trust (Robert Thompson) A simple psalm response that can also be used as a round. Good for kids.
- PfAS001E How blest the people / Feliz la gente
(Juan Espinosa) This will take a little while to learn, but the chorus is
very simple, so perhaps use a cantor to sing the verses. Sound sample (in Spanish).
- TiS 1 / PfAS001C Happy are they who walk in God's wise way (Erik Routley) Excellent tune from Thailand. Words are a reasonable paraphrase and slightly old fashioned but quite fine. Sound sample.
- PfAS001F / URW224 Happy is the one (John Bell) Quite straightforward and good hymlike paraphrase of the Psalm. Youtube.
- Public Domain Well I'm on my way to heaven / I shall not be moved / We shall not be moved Standard old folk song. You may also like this Johnny Cash version. History. Lyrics & chords. Thanks to Mark Kleiner for this suggestion!
1 John 5:9-13
“Whoever has the Son has life”
You
could sing any joyful “Alleluia” for this reading.
- Online Resource Come O God and visit us sick we pray / Your abundant life
(Dave Brown) A joyful song "Lead us into your abundant life". This has been
sung frequently by the musicians at BUC, but not by the congregation! Free downloadable songbook.
- AoV2-068 / VU695 God is passionate life (Colleen Fulmer)
Good simple round with a peace and justice focus. Easy to learn and
sing. Great for kids and adults. Sound sample.
- VU260 / CP428 God who gives to life its goodness (Walter Farquharson) Good words to a well known tune (ABBOT'S LEIGH) New words to old tunes Lyrics and sheet music sample.
- Traditional / ATA 124 / SLW42 / UMH494 / GtG472 / PH338 / W&R487 / Cha590 / PfAS079A Kumbaya, my Lord (African American Spiritual) I think this song is really beautiful sometimes. Sometimes it’s really
awful too, unfortunately. If we sing this as a song from an enslaved
community seeking the presence of God, it is much more meaningful than
if we sing it as a 1960s folk song. My thoughts and some helpful links.
John 17:6-19
Christ’s prayer for the protection of his followers (?)
- NCH047 O Christ Jesus sent From heaven (James Crawford) Formal words about church unity; rich imagery. Sung to a standard hymn tune (WESTMINSTER ABBEY) New words to old tunes.
- TiS 468 / NCH309 / PH436 We are your people Spirit of grace
(Brian Wren) I really like the lyrics to this one, but the tune is a bit funny
and the hymn is quite long. It needs something to stop people plodding
through it; maybe split the singing into male/female or different sides
of the congregation. Sheet music and lyrics.
- TiS 420 Holy Spirit go before us (Elizabeth
Smith) Great words of evangelism and justice to a simple lilting
melody. If you think your congregation can't cope with a new tune this
week, it can be sung to AUSTRIA (TiS 93). Frilly sound sample. New words to old tunes.
- Taizé / MV075 / StS079 / SFFS 2118 / GtG284 / GC(II)479 / G(3)547 / SP99 / URW395 Holy Spirit Come to Us / Veni sancte spiritus / Tui amoris (Jacques Berthier) Gobsmackingly beautiful if you have a cantor, but it works well if you don't, too. Sheet music (not the chanter part), translations, sound samples.
- Online Resource / TiS
749 / AoV1-154 / AoVK-131 / ATE 305 / NCH360 / Iona (SBL, Freedom is
coming) / CH800 / UMH497 / VU572 / WoV773 / ELW809 / GA493 / A&M481 / HPP340 / GtG746 / G(II)484
/ GC677 / GC(II)674 / G(3)776 / W&R713 / Cha447 / SP234 / StF782 Send me Jesus / Thuma mina (South African) You all know this one, right? If you don't - it's great - simple, repetitive, and meaningful.Good for kids. Sound sample, sheet music sample, purchasing options.
- ATOK 412 / Iona (SBL, Common Ground) / CH250 / MV212 / A&M482 / GtG747 / SFFS 2184 / Lau855 / StF239 Sent by the Lord am I / Sent out in Jesus name / Enviado soy de Dios (Traditional Cuban) Great rhythm, good words and not too hard to sing (provided you sing it a little slowly the first time!) I prefer the MV translation "Sent out in Jesus' name". Good for kids. Lyrics.
What will you be singing? Please add your thoughts in a comment below!
It's 16 years since I started this website! Hooray! I feel old now.
Acts 10:44-48
The Gentiles receive the Spirit and are welcomed with baptism
- MV145 / CP418 / SP&P123 Draw the circle wide (Gordon Light) A great song about welcoming all people. “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”. Youtube with lyrics.
- TiS 420 Holy Spirit go before us (Elizabeth
Smith) Great words of evangelism and justice to a simple lilting
melody. If you think your congregation can't cope with a new tune this
week, it can be sung to AUSTRIA (TiS 93). Lyrics (go to p13 of the pdf).
- TiS 411 / AHB 328 / NCH266 / UMH537 / VU194 / A&M633 / CP658 / CP(E) 425 / W&R331 Filled with the Spirit's power (John Peacey) Excellent inclusive words to a very well known hymn tune. I prefer it sung to WOODLANDS, which is not the tune shown in the linked sample. Lyrics and hymn tune samples. New words to old tunes.
- CH614 / AA043 / CP642 From the waiting comes the sign
(Shirley Murray) Lovely haunting song. Lines 1, 3 and 5 may be sung by a
cantor, with the congregation responding on the other repetitive lines.
Sung, this way, the repetition makes it quite good for kids. Lyrics and sheet music.
- CH206 / Online Resource Break not the circle of enabling love
(Fred Kaan) Lovely positive words about what Christian community should be
like "people grow, forgiven and forgiving", "words of freedom are with
humour spoken", "see eye to eye with laughter and elation". Set to a
lilting, simple, intuitive tune. Lyrics (and a different tune).
- VU324 / AA078 / URW426 Jesus come to our hearts (William Worley) A simple devotional song, with images of God in nature. Not all versions are inclusive. VU is. Lyrics.
- CH198
/ MV001 / HPP550 / A&M365 / GtG301 / GC753 / GC(II)741 /
G(3)850 / SP176 / URW058/ Lau458 / StF409 Let Us Build a House / All are welcome (Marty Haugen) 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.
- TiS 421 Where the Spirit is there's freedom (Per Harling) An excellent joyous upbeat song from the World Council of Churches. Lyrics.
- Taizé / MV075 / StS079 / SFFS 2118 / GtG284 / GC(II)479 / G(3)547 / SP99 / URW395 Holy Spirit Come to Us / Veni sancte spiritus / Tui amoris (Jacques Berthier) Gobsmackingly beautiful if you have a cantor, but it works well if you don't, too. Sheet music, translations, sound samples.
- Online Resource / Tune In Spirit of the Father, Spirit of our Mother / Alive in me Catchy boppy pop song about God's spirit within us and within the world. Music sample, sound sample and lyrics. Good for kids. Free downloadable music book with sound samples.
Psalm 98
All of creation singing a new song. Oh, there are a lot of songs about this...
-
Online Resource Shout for joy! (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A happy rocky song based on this Psalm. Good for kids. Sound sample, lyrics and purchasing options.
- PH274 O God of Earth and Space
(Jane Parker Huber). Excellent words 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. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / Tune In We will sing a new song to the world (Dave Brown) An energetic song about the gospel. Free downloadable music book with sound samples.
-
Online Resource / NCH36 / PH219 To God compose a song of joy (Ruth Duck) “The God of Justice comes to save; let earth make melody; For
God will judge with righteousness and rule with equity” Beautiful words.
I prefer this sung to the tune in NCH – the standard hymn tune RICHMOND
(TiS 425). Sheet music with lyrics (to a different tune) New words to old tunes
- MV180 Sing, Sing Out! (Sing a new song) (Jim 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. Lyrics. Good for kids.
-
TiS 166 / AHB 102 / GA398 / StB035 Sing a new song sing a new song (James McAuley) Excellent inclusive words from an Australian poet. The last verse annoys me a bit, but the rest is excellent. Lyrics.
- ATE 216 / Iona (SBL) / CH126 / StJ / ELW555 / PH472 / G(II)365 / GC527 / RS 671 / CP417 / W&R15 / StF042 O sing to the Lord / Cantai ao Senhor / Cantad
al Señor (Traditional Brazilian) A good, fun and simple song that is
easy to learn in Portuguese or Spanish too; note that not all versions
are inclusive. Sheet music samples.
Good for kids!
-
TiS 181 / AoV2-032 / GC(II)497 / G(3)577 / CP589 Come O God of all the earth / Sing Out Earth and Skies (Marty Haugen) Another big favourite. Sheet music, lyrics. Sound sample.
-
TiS
72 / AHB 42 / NCH27 / CH146 / UMH101 / LBW550 / A&M637 / HPP36 /
GtG327 / PH229 / CP344 / CP(E) 431 / Cha49 / PfAS117C / 82Hml-380 / StF075 From all that dwell below the skies
(Isaac 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! Oldy-but-a-goody. Lyrics and tune samples.
-
Online Resource / AoV1-019 / CH151 / GA397 / G(II)340 / GC493 / GC(II)498 / G(3)575 / W&R039 All You Works of God
(Marty Haugen) Joyful cantor and response with a rousing chorus. Also good for kids.Lead sheet and lyrics. Lyric video. Sheet music available.
-
VU888 / LBW558 / ELW731 / GtG026 / PH458 / RS681 / CP358 / W&R642 Earth and All Stars
(Herbert Brokering) 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. Lead sheet. Sound sample.
-
AoV1-080 / ATA 150 / GtG276 / G(II)384 / GC538 / GC(II)544 / G(3)607 / URW296 / Lau697 Sing a New Song Unto the Lord
(Dan Schutte) Good, joyous words and a simple joyous tune. It is not inclusive in all sources. Lead sheet and lyrics. Sound sample.
- Taizé / GC(II)533 Sing to God with joyful hearts / Singt dem Herrn (Jacques Berthier)
A joyful round. Works well in English and German, and probably other
languages too. Sound samples, sheet music and lyrics.
1 John 5:1-6
Many of the suggestions for last week's
reading will fit well. Repeat something!
- MV31 Pure love (Linnea Good) A
simple two-part chant that picks up the Psalmist’s idea of the purity
of God’s law “Pure love, pure truth, pure justice, God”. Would be great
if you can teach it to some of the congregation before worship starts. Lyrics. Good for kids.
- TiS
217 / AHB 148 / NCH43 / CH519 / UMH384 / VU333 / A&M721 / LBW315 / ELW631 /
A&M721 / GA463 / HPP48 / GtG366 / PH376 / GC622 / GC(II)613 / G(3)641 / CP485/6 / CP(E) 516 /
W&R358 / Cha517 / Srce457 / URW100 / 82Hml-657 / Lau801 / StF503 / MP449 Love divine all loves excelling
(Charles Wesley) A beautiful classic
song and most hymnals use a very inclusive version of this hymn, even
the AHB. Lyrics and sheet music.You may also like to give Rend Collective Experiment's version a listen (hard for congregations to sing, but nice for listening). Oldy-but-a-goody.
- TiS 693 / AoV1-031 / GA212 Come as you are that's how I want you (Deidre Browne) This song is beautiful, gentle, simple, and very well known. Lyrics and sound sample. A good song to start the service.
- TiS 697 All the sleepy should have a place to sleep
(Rusty Edwards) 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". Sound sample.
- AoV2-070 / ATW 496 / MV090 / StJ / G(3)719 Don't be afraid (John Bell)
Excellent. I love this song of reassurance. "Don't be afraid, my love
is stronger. My love is stronger than your fear". This song can be used
as a response to intercessions. Sound sample. Good for kids.
- GtB God is love and love is giving (Ross Langmead)
A simple kids' song about God's love. A round. Good for kids. Sound sample.
- CH115 / MV089 / Iona (Love from Below) Love is the touch of intangible joy (Alison Robertson) words of different kinds of love – deep friendship, romantic
love (Love is the lilt in a lingering voice), and the love of God. Each
verse ends with "God is where love is, for love is of God". Tune is
simple enough for a congregation to sing first go, and it has gorgeous
chords. Lyrics (loads a pdf).
- Iona (M&G) / ATAR609 / CH359 / MV033 / GtG137 / ZSS54 / StJ / ELW253 / GA293 / SFFS
2085 / G(II)276 / GC370 / GC(II)364 / G(3)429 / CP368 / W&R402 He came down that we may have love/ Jesus came bringing us hope
(Traditional Cameroon) A lovely simple song - you can make up words and
have a lot of fun with this if you also use some drums. For Brunswick
this year, this will be a nice reminder of Advent, when we sang this
every week. Video with sound and lyrics. Good for kids.
- TiS
640 / AHB 561 / ATE 310 / NCH498 / UMH432 / VU593 / WoV765 / ELW708 /
HPP446 / GtG203 / PH367 / G(II)296 / GC409 / GC(II)429 / G(3)505 / CP504
/ W&R273 / Cha600 / URW116 / 82Hml-602 / Lau241 / StF249 Jesu Jesu fill us with your love / Kneels at the feet of his friends (Tom Colvin & people of Ghana) A classic! Lyrics. Good for kids Oldy-but-a-goody.
- TiS
152 / NCH4 / UMH89 / VU232 / LBW551 / ELW836 / HPP22 / GtG611 / PH464 / GC529 /
GC(II)520 / G(3)614 / CP425 / W&R59 / Cha002 / URW065 / 82Hml-376 Joyful joyful we adore thee
(Henry Van Dyke) Note that this hymn is not always very inclusive. I
prefer more modern translations (e.g. TiS, VU, NCH, GC(II). Oldy but a goody. Lyrics.
- Taizé / CH801
/ MV170 / StJ / GtG205 / WoV665 / ELW642 / SFFS 2179 / GC408 /
GC(II)430 / G(3)500 / CP553 / W&R399 / Cha523 / URW394 / StF783 / Lau244b Live in charity / Ubi Caritas (Jacques Berthier)
Usually sung in Latin, but can also 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. Good for kids.
John 15:9-17
The command to love one another
- TiS 699 / AHB 571 / ATN 65 / WoV664 / GA318 / Srce35 / Lau920 / StF242 / MP001 A new commandment I give unto you
(Unknown) 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. Sound sample.Oldy-but-a-goody.
- ATW 487 Make your home in me (Fay White) A
simple beautiful invitation. “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”. Lyrics.
- ATN 68 / Various 1970s and 1980s sources This is my commandment (Keith
Green) Every now and then I like a good happy clappy chorus. This fits
the bill nicely. This must be all over the place. Lyrics are here (like you need them). Here's a video of some supercute little kids singing it. Good for kids.
- TiS 697 All the sleepy should have a place to sleep
(Rusty Edwards) 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". Sound sample.
- AoV2-054
/ Iona (T1AU, LFB) / MV077 / GtG414 / SFFS 2057 / G(II)438 / GC618 /
RS 736 / SP&P111 / PfAS046D / URW409 / Lau909 / StF019 Be still and know that I am God (John Bell
/ Graham Maule) This simple chant is beautiful. Works as a round or in unison. Sound sample. Good for kids.
- ATOK 311 / CH754 / GA401 Be still and know that I am God and there is none beside me
(Iona) A good alternative. I like the 2nd verse especially "I am the
one who calls you my friends, and there is none beside me". CH doesn't
have the 2nd verse. Sound sample.
Again, while not directly related to the Psalm, it is related and Good for kids.
- ATN 9 / NCH743 / CH755 / W&R450 / Srce68 / StF018 / MP048 Be Still and Know
(Anon) This is the old classic. Sources vary in the verses they have
and the level of inclusiveness in the lyrics. Sound sample.
- GtB God is love and love is giving (Ross Langmead)
A simple kids' song about God's love. A round. Good for kids. Sound sample.
- Taizé / MV075 / StS079 / SFFS 2118 / GtG284 / GC(II)479 / G(3)547 / SP99 / URW395 Holy Spirit Come to Us / Veni sancte spiritus / Tui amoris (Jacques Berthier) Gobsmackingly beautiful if you have a cantor, but it works well if you don't, too. Sheet music, translations, sound samples.
- TiS
640 / AHB 561 / ATE 310 / NCH498 / UMH432 / VU593 / WoV765 / ELW708 /
HPP446 / GtG203 / PH367 / G(II)296 / GC409 / GC(II)429 / G(3)505 / CP504
/ W&R273 / Cha600 / URW116 / 82Hml-602 / Lau241 / StF249 Jesu Jesu fill us with your love / Kneels at the feet of his friends (Tom Colvin & people of Ghana) A classic! Lyrics. Good for kids Oldy-but-a-goody.
- 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
590 / AHB 165 / AoVK-117 / NCH506 / UMH526 / VU663 / LBW439 / ELW742 /
HPP408 / GtG465 / PH403 / CP532 / W&R473 / Cha585 / Srce 776 / StF531 / MP746 What a Friend we have in Jesus (Joseph Scriven) 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. Lyrics.Good for kids. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- VU603 / Cha497 In loving partnership we come (Jim Strathdee) Excellent words about how to love God and each other. Lyrics.
What will you be singing? Please share your ideas in a comment below!
