Acts 16:9-15
Conversion of the first gentile by Paul – Lydia and family
- ATAR616 In my father's house
(Paul Somerville, Australia) A great song of unity, with an inspiring, and very
singable chorus. Highly recommended. I will suggest this again next week, so now's a good time to introduce it. Sound sample. Good for older kids & teenagers.
- TiS 411 / AHB 328 / NCH266 / UMH537 / VU194 / LBW160 / A&M633 / CP658 / CP(E) 425 / W&R331 Filled with the Spirit's power (John Peacey, England) Excellent inclusive words to a very well known hymn tune. I prefer it sung to WOODLANDS. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes
- TiS 648 / NCH388 / UMH560 / HPP289 / GtG754 / PH358 / W&R596 / Cha487 Help us accept each other
(Fred Kaan, USA) Very nice simple words about acceptance and love for all
people. The tune varies in each hymn book. I like the lilting tune
RUNNYMEDE in TiS, but if a more standard hymn is needed for your
congregation, it can also be sung to AURELIA (The church's one foundation). Lyrics and a different tune. New words to old tunes if you want.
- TiS 681 Lord let me see see more and more
(Ross Langmead, Australia) A prayer to see, hear, care, learn and love with God. Very
straightforward to sing. It can get a bit "ploddy". Might be a good idea
to use different instrumentation, alternate women and men for a verse
or two and definitely use an a cappella verse! If you don't do this
often, singing a verse without
accompaniment in a hymn with more than 4 verses gives the
congregation an opportunity to hear each other. Lyrics, sheet music and sound sample.
- ATFG561 / Tune In / Online Resource Community (Dave Brown, Australia) A song about being welcomed and part of a community. Free downloadable songbook, sound samples and lyrics. Good for kids.
- TiS 629 / AHB 558 / AoV2-136 / ATA 197 / CH544 / VU600 / Lau888 / StF256 When I needed a neighbor were you there
(Sydney Carter, England) 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. Good for kids.
- Tune In / Online Resource Kingdom Come (Matthew Lees, Australia) A
song about how things are not what we expect in God’s kingdom. Lots of
words and good images including "there's no blacklist or admission fee" Free downloadable songbook, sound samples and lyrics.
- Online Resource / 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, USA) 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 and purchasing options. Sound sample. New words to old tunes.
- MV145 / CP418 / SP&P123 Draw the circle wide (Gordon Light, Canada) A great song about welcoming all people. 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”. Lyric video.
- Recorded music Lydia (Justin Roberts, USA) A slightly silly kids song which would be good for Sunday Schools. Performance of the album! Album available here.
- Traditional Down in the river to pray (Traditional, African-American) Very well known and people love it. History.
Psalm 67
It could be good to use an Aaronic blessing in your service. I'm not sure why we always save it for baptisms. Here's my list of Aaronic blessings (scroll down, when you get to the page).
-
Online Resource / GWA010 Favour and bless us Lord
(Grayson Warren Brown) A beautiful reworking of this Psalm, set to a
tune that is very close to "Deep River" so will be readily sung by most
congregations. Sound sample, sheet music sample, and purchasing options (choral setting).
- Taize / TiS 731 /
SFFS 2017 / GtG155 / G(II)377 / GC557 / GC(II)535 / G(3)618 /
W&R212 / PfAS100G / URW383 / Lau691 Raise a song of gladness / Jubilate Servite
(Taize) Glorious, fun round. If your congregation balks at singing in
Latin, it can be sung in English as "Raise a song of gladness, all the
earth, Christ has come, bringing peace, joy to every heart, Alleluia
Alleluia, Joy to every heart (x2)". This is not a Gloria, but it has the
feel of one! Lyrics and sound sample. Good for kids (and kids like Latin sometimes!).
-
STB285 When time began God fashioned all of this world
(Unknown - Burma) The chorus to this is pretty fun, and is just happy
"non-lexical syllables" (i.e. "hey la la la" type things). It is set to a
traditional Kachin melody (Aw le le) and it would be good to sing this
to honour the Kachin people of Burma. Sound sample.
- VU786 / PfAS067C Let the peoples praise you (Henry Smart) Quite nice bouncy Psalm refrain with a read, cantored, or chanted Psalm. Good for kids.
- Linnea Good May every person, every creature, be an instrument of praise (Linnea Good) A very simple and quite lovely Psalm refrain.
- Cha744 O God be gracious come and bless us (Carl P Daw) Very simple refrain and responsively read setting of this Psalm.
- TiS 37 / AHB 117 Our God be gracious unto us (Phillip Charles Blake) A simple hymn setting of this Psalm. I would prefer to sing it to RICHMOND (TiS 425). Lyrics (PPT). New words to old tunes.
- NCH421 / UMH131 / HPP552 / GtG336 / PH559 / GC571 / GC(II)549 / G(3)638 / W&R81 / Cha276 We gather together to ask for God's blessing
(Traditional Dutch) A good song about living together as a community of
faith, sung to a very familiar tune (KREMSER). Sources vary, and some
are very masculine and old fashioned. Seek out the lyrics in the NCH, or
you may be left with these lyrics (the tune is the same though).
- TiS
106 / AHB 14 / AoV1-189 / NCH419 / CH182 / UMH102 / VU236 / LBW534 /
ELW840 / GA425 / A&M739 / HPP283 / GtG643 / PH555 / GC565 / GC(II)545 / G(3)636 /
CP399 / CP(E)
530 / W&R14 / Cha715 / 82Hml-396 / Lau945 Now thank we all our God / Nun Danket Alle Gott
(Martin Rinkart) A classic song of thanks. The language is not entirely inclusive in all
versions. Chalice has great inclusive words. It's in the public domain,
so changing the older English translation is quite acceptable. Older style lyrics and sound sample.Oldy-but-a-goody.
- NCH Psalter Let the peoples praise you O God (Peter Niedmann) A simple Psalm refrain.
- Emergent Psalter May God be gracious and bless us (Isaac Everett) A good refrain that can also be used as a round. Good for kids. Sheet music.
- Online Resource Food is blessing
(Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) Great words focussed on food security and being
faithful in the way we consume it. Sung to the familiar tune NETTLETON. New words for old tunes. Lyrics.
- Online Resource The earth has yielded its harvest
(Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) Lovely words for a modern approach to harvest thanksgiving. Lyrics, sound sample, and purchasing options.
Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5
John's vision of the Holy City
- Online Resource / GWA059 Listen for God who speaks within our hearts
(Andrew Brown / Jo Beesley) A lovely song, with 5 short verses, each
telling of different ways that God speaks to us, and a call to shape a new world. The congregation can
join in as it feels more familiar. Lyrics and sheet music for download. Sound sample.
- Tune In / Online Resource Making things new (Sheree Anderson). A groovy one about God doing miraculous things. Great for kids, and lots of fun. Free downloadable songbook, sound samples and lyrics. Good for kids.
- GtG376 / Cha703 / URW133 When All is Ended
(Brian Wren) Good words about the celebration of the new kingdom (wars ended,
peace declared, compassion shown). Sung to the familiar tune SINE
NOMINE or ENGELBERG. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
- AoV2-007 / AoVNG110 See I Make All Things New
(Monica O'Brien / Trish Watts) I really love this song. “New, as night turns to
morning, the spirit is calling I’m with you, I make all things new”. A nice acapella sound sample. I usually play it with more of a jazz feel.
- AoV2-085 / Iona (T1AU) / MV115 / A&M328 / SP129 Behold behold I Make All Things New (John Bell) A nice hopeful upbeat short song. Highly recommended. Sound sample (scroll down) Good for kids.
- VU718 / HPSS431 / W&R620 O God You Gave Your Servant John (Joy Patterson) Terrific words contrasting the wealth and poverty contrasts in earthly cities with the Holy City. Sung to ST. PATRICK'S BREASTPLATE or CANDLER. Lyrics and sheet music.
- Online Resource / AoV1-057 / G(II)485 / GC678 / GC(II)663 / G(3)766 / Lau824 Awake from your slumber / City of God
(Dan Schutte) I love the joyousness and sense of mission in this one. A really
positive song “Let us build the city of God, let us turn our morning to
dancing, for the Lord, our light and our love, has turned the night into
day”. There is a little bit of
non-inclusiveness in the middle "bridge" section; I usually just miss it, and that makes the song less confusing, too! Slow sound and sheet music samples, and purchasing options.
- TiS 671 / AoV2-121 Made in God's Likeness (Patricia Lewis / Alister Spence)
Excellent Australian imagery. 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. Lyric and sound sample.
- Online resource Behold I make all things new (Bruce Harding) A nice short song with a folky feel. Free sheet music and sound sample.
- Tune In / Online Resource You in all our worries / All will finish well
(Dave Brown) “In this world where injustice reigns, you are in the midst of
pain”. Excellent words of reassurance in a difficult world. Free downloadable songbook, sound samples and lyrics.
- Tune In / Online Resource Kingdom Come (Lees) A
song about how things are not what we expect in God’s kingdom. Lots of
words and good images including "there's no blacklist or admission fee" Free downloadable songbook, sound samples and lyrics.
- TiS
666 / AoV2-113 / AoVK-126 / ATOK 409 / NCH526 / Iona (Common Ground,
Freedom is Coming) / CH516 / VU646/647 / WoV650 / ELW866 / A&M483 / SFFS 2235 /
HPP153 / GtG853 / G(II)357 / GC513 / GC(II)516 / G(3)594 / Cha442 / SP235 / Srce737 / StF483 / MP954 We are marching in the light of God / Siyahamba / Caminando (South
African) A very popular chorus, with possible alternate verses,
depending on your source. Sometimes people get anxious about the word
"marching", but remember that this song comes from apartheid-era South
Africa, where people were protesting so that they could vote in their
own country. And the marching is toi-toing, much less militaristic than
what you may imagine. Sound sample.
- 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." Sheet music and lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- NCH613 / UMH726 / VU709 / GtG374 / PH453 / GC767 / GC(II)757 / G(3)863 / CP596 / 82Hml-582 O holy city seen by John (Walter Russell Bowie) Strong lyrics to a very familiar hymn tune (MORNING SONG). Lyrics.
New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / NCH576
/ CH706 / UMH428 / VU678 / A&M635 / GtG346 / GA513 / GC719 / GC(II)712 /
G(3)803 / CP576 / CP(E) 427 / W&R621 / Cha668 / Lau886 For the healing of the nations
(Fred Kaan) Excellent words seeking peaceful coexistence of the nations.
Can be sung to a range of tunes including the very familiar WESTMINSTER
ABBEY. Lyrics and sheet music for another tune. New words to old tunes.
- NCH598 / UMH724 / LBW36 / ELW249 / W&R519 On Jordan's Stormy Bank I Stand / On River Jordan's Bank I stand (Samuel Stennett) Even
though I don't dream of the life hereafter, there's something about
this old song that has meaning for me. Translations vary, NCH is most
inclusive. Sheet music and older lyrics.
- NCH597 / UMH723 / VU710 / LBW221 / WoV690 / ELW547 / GtG375 / HPP480 /
G(II)560 / GC774 / GC(II)761 / W&R522 / Cha701 / SgTJ1046 Shall we gather at the river? (Robert Lowry) Again, this old song has a lot of meaning for many. Translations vary. NCH is most inclusive. Oldy-but-a-goody.Lyrics and sheet music.
John 14:23-29
Jesus is going, but sends the Spirit
- BUC Song Project Take a deep breath / Deep in your soul (Sheree Anderson) "Let the spirit of love breathe your name..." A song about breathing in the spirit's renewing love.
- BUC Song Project Silent as the dawn / Spirit God you come (Elaine Loukes) A gentle song about God's spirit coming among us.
- 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. Sound sample (for a congregation, you would need to even out the timing and slow it down, but it will give you an idea).
- Unusual Source: Blow through me Breath of God (Miriam
Therese Winter) This chant is very beautiful. It takes a few listens
for the congregation to pick it up, or you could ask the musicians to
play it as a prayer for the congregation. "Like a pipe, like a flute,
like a reed making melody". It can be found in "Songlines, Hymns,
Songs, Rounds and Refrains for Prayer and Praise, Crossroad, New York,
1996" or "Womantalk Woman Prayer" (1987). Sound sample.
- TiS
398 / AHB 310 / AoV1-118 / NCH289 / CH489 / UMH475 / VU367 / GA375 /
A&M238 / LBW508 / ELW804 / GtG282 / PH313 / GC465 / GC(II)471 / G(3)556 / RS617 / CP645 / CP(E)
175 / W&R330 / Cha582 / Srce100 / Lau303 / StF372 / MP089 Come down O Love divine (Ralph Vaughan Williams) Old fashioned, but still inclusive and very well known. Lyrics. Hymnals vary a lot in the lyrics with respect to thees and thys and words like "vesture". Oldy-but-a-goody.
- Online Resource / AoV1-043 Breathing now the life of God / Warm Our Hearts (Jane 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! Warm
our hearts with peace. Warm our hearts with peace.” Short songs like
this are great for kids. When teaching a song that breaks into a round,
it’s best to work with as little accompaniment as possible; no
accompaniment is best. Sound sample, lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options. Good for kids.
- CH613 / WoV687 / ELW401 / GtG287 Gracious Spirit hear our pleading
(Wilson Niwagila) Good simple song from Tanzania about the Spirit working in a
community; probably too many verses (especially in GtG which has 5!)?
The refrain also works well on its own, and could be used as a prayer
response; GtG has the refrain in Swahili: "Njoo Njoo Njoo Roho mwema". Sound sample
- CH589 / A&M240 Come Holy Spirit / Breath of Heaven (John Bell) A lovely simple repetitive song. Includes cantored verses like "Come , Word of Mercy" and "Come to disturb us"…. Sound sample.
- ATAR656 Heavy our hearts (Trish Watts / Gabrielle Lord) A lovely soothing chant naming our heaviness and seeking God's shelter and healing
- TiS 710 / CH758 / Iona (Enemy of Apathy) / VU204 Come Holy Spirit gracious heavenly dove (John Bell) A beautiful and simple chant.
- Online Resource An open hand a willing heart (Adam Tice) Excellent thoughtful words about our call, together as a church, to follow. There are three possible tunes. I like this one by Sally Ann Morris best. Sheet music, lyrics and purchasing options (GIA has multiple versions of this song) .
- Taizé / TiS 713 / Cha296 Dona nobis pacem domine / cordium (Jacques Berthier)
A more solemn chant. Youtube.
- Online Resource Rest your body still your mind
(David Bjorlin / Benjamin Brody) This is an excellent acapella round
which would work well at the start of a service or as an introduction to
reading the scriptures. It also has a version of the lyrics for a
Benediction. You could use both! Sample sheet music, lyrics and purchasing options. Youtube.
- Online Resource Beautiful Spirit O comforter come (Adam
Tice) Excellent words seeking the Spirit to move us to action (and to
"loosen our bodies"). Set to the familiar tune SLANE. Sheet music sample and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
- AoV2-070 / ATW 496 / MV090 / StJ Don't be afraid (John Bell)
Excellent. I love this song of reassurance. "Don't be afraid, my love
is stronger. My love is stronger than your fear". This song can be used
as a response to intercessions. Good for kids. Lyrics and sound sample.
- TiS 412 / AHB 324 / ATE 251 / G(II)328 / GC468 / CP651 / W&R130 God sends us the Spirit to befriend and help us / Spirit Friend (People of Malawi / Tom Colvin) I
like this song from Malawi, but the lack of inclusive language for God
sometimes drives me a bit crazy. In Tom Colvin's book "Come Let us walk
this road together" he uses more inclusive language than many hymnals
that include this song. That is, he writes “God sends us the Spirit”
instead of “God sends us His Spirit” and "Spirit of our Maker" rather
than “Spirit of our Father”. Lyrics and sheet music.
- TiS 419 / NCH270 / CH592 / A&M252 / UMH544 / VU205 / WoV685 / ELW403 /
HPP222 / GtG285 / PH314 / CP635 / CP(E) 185 / W&R327 / SP92 / 82Hml-513 / StF389Like the murmur of the dove's song (Carl Daw) Excellent words and a simple tune about Christian unity. Each verse ends with "Come holy spirit, come". Lyrics and sheet music.
- TiS 737 / Iona (Common Ground, HSNW, T1AU) / A&M516 / SP142 / URW427 / Lau437Lord Jesus Christ lover of all
(John Bell) A beautiful and simple chant. Note that some versions (T1AU at
least) have a beautiful 4 part harmony arrangement with excellent moving
parts in the lower registers. Would work well during intercessions or during times of movement in the service. Simple sound sample.
- MV056 / STB001 O Come let us praise / Lajahle htaora Hp'ya (Shwe) A good song from Burma. Quite beautiful - will need to be taught to Western ears. Sheet music.
John 5:1-9
The sick man waiting at the pool
- Sacred Harp 34t The Gospel Pool
(John Newton) I don't imagine you will actually sing this, but if you happen to have
Sacred Harp singers in your church, the lyrics fit very well. Lyrics.
- Songs for a Hopeful Church How are you broken beloved? (Elizabeth Smith) If you have this book, this would be good. Thank you Alison for this suggestion.
- CH350 / UMH263 / VU358 / StS044 When Jesus the healer passed through Galilee
(Peter Smith) A simple song with many verses (you don't have to sing all
of them!), and a simple "Heal us, heal us today" refrain. This would be
good for kids or those who can't read, as they'll be able to join in
easily. The paralysed person in this story is not the same one, but that's OK. Lyrics and sheet music. Thank you Alison for this suggestion.
Good for kids.
- Taizé / TiS 741 / AoV1-017 / ATE 282 / LBW368 / ELW407 / GA431 / SFFS 2200 /
GtG471 / G(II)410 / GC586 / GC(II)566 / G(3)666 / W&R484 / Srce519 / URW390 / Lau929 / PfAS013A / PfAS102A / MP908
O Lord hear my prayer
(Jacques Berthier) A simple and very well known Taizé chant. Works well during
intercessions. Sheet music samples. Good for kids
- Online Resource / TiS 690 / CH259 / A&M557 / StS115 / SP237 / Srce54 / StF693 / MP806 Beauty for brokenness hope for despair (Graham 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”. It's a bit schmaltzy, but that never hurt anyone. Lyrics, sound samples, and sheet music purchasing options.
- Online Resource / TiS
638 / NCH175 / CH717 / A&M518 / GtG793 / PH380 / UMH265 / LBW380 /
ELW675 / PH380 / CP291 / CP(E) 346 / W&R638 / Cha503 / Lau430 / StF653 O Christ the healer we have come (Fred Pratt Green) Beautiful words and simple to sing. Good for intercessions. I like the tune INVERCARRY best, but it can also be sung to TALLIS' CANON if your congregation needs a more familiar tune. Lyrics and sheet music (of an alternative tune). New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / CH348 / StS001 / LBW196 / ELW843 / A&M762 / G(3)625 / CP397 / W&R93 / SP304 / URW090 Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness
(Rusty 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 and sheet music.New words to old tunes.
- Online resource I want to be made well (Bruce Harding) A nice little chant, with a groovy baseline. Free sheet music and sound sample.
What ideas do you have? Please join the conversation by adding a comment below...
Acts 11:1-18
Peter’s vision of the unclean animals; Acceptance of all who believe - church unity?
Note
that these songs will also fit next week's reading, so if you feel like
introducing a new song, this would be a good week to do it.
- ATAR616 In my father's house
(Paul Somerville, Australia) A great song of unity, with an inspiring, and very
singable chorus. Highly recommended. I will suggest this again next week, so now's a good time to introduce it. Sound sample. Good for older kids & teenagers.
- Online Resource Sing a new world into being (Mary Louise Bringle, USA) Great new words about building a new world of peace and justice where all are welcome. Set to a tune by Jane Marshall which should be quite straightforward but could also be sung to a known tune, like ABBOTS LEIGH. New words to old tunes if you want. Thanks to Taylor Sullivan for this suggestion. Lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options.
- Online Resource Gathered and Scattered (John Bell, Scotland) Excellent lyrics of all of us being part of the one body of Christ. Sung to a simple tune. Works particularly well for congregations still having hybrid services. Lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options. Thanks also to Taylor Sullivan for this suggestion.
- TiS 411 / AHB 328 / NCH266 / UMH537 / VU194 / LBW160 / A&M633 / CP658 / CP(E) 425 / W&R331 Filled with the Spirit's power (John R Peacey, England) Excellent inclusive words to a very well known hymn tune. I prefer it sung to WOODLANDS. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
- TiS 648 / NCH388 / UMH560 / HPP289 / GtG754 / PH358 / W&R596 / Cha487 Help us accept each other
(Fred Kaan, USA) Very nice simple words about acceptance and love for all
people. The tune varies in each hymn book. I like the lilting tune
RUNNYMEDE in TiS, but if a more standard hymn is needed for your
congregation, it can also be sung to AURELIA (The church's one foundation). Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes if you want.
- TiS 681 Lord let me see see more and more
(Ross Langmead, Australia) A prayer to see, hear, care, learn and love with God. Very
straightforward to sing. It can get a bit "ploddy". Might be a good idea
to use different instrumentation, alternate women and men for a verse
or two and definitely use an a cappella verse! If you don't do this
often, singing a verse without
accompaniment in a hymn with more than 4 verses gives the
congregation an opportunity to hear each other. Lyrics.
- ATFG561 / Tune In / Online Resource Part of a fam'ly / Community (Dave Brown, Australia) A song about being welcomed and part of a community. Free downloadable song book with sound samples and lyrics. Good for kids.
- TiS 629 / AHB 558 / AoV2-136 / ATA 197 / CH544 / VU600 / Lau888 / StF256 When I needed a neighbor were you there
(Sydney Carter, England) 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. Good for kids.
- Tune In / Online Resource Kingdom Come (Matthew Lees, Australia) A
song about how things are not what we expect in God’s kingdom. Lots of
words and good images including "there's no blacklist or admission fee"
Sound sample and lyrics.
- MV145 / CP418 / SP&P123 Draw the circle wide (Gordon Light, Canada) A great song about welcoming all people. 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”. Lyrics and a sound sample.
- Online Resource / 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, USA) 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”. Sound and sheet music samples, and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
Psalm 148
All creation sings God's praise
You might want to consider finding an inclusive language version of this Psalm for the reading! NCH has good inclusive texts for all Psalms in their Psalter.
- GWA023 Silver skeins of angel hair / Raise an Alleluia
(Margaret McClarty) Beautiful words to be sung by a leader with the congregation joining on Alleluias and the chorus. Some
Scottish words too! I am quite in love with the lightness and joy of it. Sound sample and lyrics (track 2).
- NCH766 / CH767 / CP324 / PfAS148G Hallelujah hallelujah
(Dumisani Maraire) A simple and joyful Alleluia in 3/4 in 3 parts. This one is
particularly good if you can get all three parts going. It's pretty
straight forward, and catchy. PfAS uses it as a Psalm refrain for Psalm
148, or you can just continue the joy of the Easter season and sing
some Alleluias somewhere else in the service. Or, you could choose an
Alleluia that your congregation knows as a refrain for this Psalm. So
many options... Good for kids Sound sample.
- PH274 O God of Earth and Space
(Jane Parker Huber) Terrific 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.
- ATW 422 / NCYC'99 And you sun and moon and stars (Canticle of Daniel) (Don Stewart) This is a big favourite in our congregation. It has wonderful energy and excellent lyrics. Lyric video.
- CH169 / VU245 / SFFS 2020 / HPP26 / CP309 Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpet (Natalie Sleeth) Fun. Good if you have extra instruments at your worship service. Careful not to let it get clunky. Lyric video. Good for kids.
- GtG017 Sing praise to God you heavens (Hermann Stuempfle) A fairly standard paraphrase of the Psalm. I just love the
singing planets, and the mountains thrusting skywards. Ah, it's a
good'un. Oh, and the sheep. I like those singing sheep. Sheet music sample and lyrics.
- NCH033 / UMH151 / VU251 / ELW738 / PH290 God created heaven and earth
(Traditional Taiwanese hymn translated by Boris and Clare Anderson) Excellent words of creation, sung to a Pi-po (Taiwanese)
melody. It will need to be taught, but it is not too hard. Inspiring story of this hymn. Lyrics.
- CH174 / GtG019 God of great and God of small
(Natalie Sleeth) Nice simple, children's song. Might work well with a cantor
and response on the chorus. Kids could then sing it without having to
read lots of words. Sound sample. Good for kids.
- TiS 715 / Srce2-112 Everything that has breath
(Traditional Czech) A lovely simple round, set to the tune of "Ah poor
bird". "Everything that has breath, praise the Lord of Hosts forever,
praise the Lord". Would be a really nice relaxing start to
worship.Good for kids. New words to old tunes.
- AoV2-120 / AoVK-9 God Is Good let the sun and moon and stars say "God is Good"
(Kathy Chan) Fun. Not easy, but probably worth the effort if you feel like
learning something new, or giving your musicians a challenge. Lyrics and sound sample. Good for kids.
- Online Resource / TiS 187 / AoV2-130 / CH149 / StS122 / A&M539 / SP247 Let all creation dance (Brian Wren) I just love the imagery of this one, and it's a very joyous and familiar hymn tune too. Lyrics and sheet music.
- 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) A very joyful song for cantor and congregation, or small group
and congregation; this is a big favourite in our church. Sheet music, lyrics and sound sample.
- Online Resource Creation opens up her heart / Creation's Hallelujah (Richard Bruxvoort Colligan) Not so much a congregational song, but one where the congregation can respond with the chorus. Sound sample and reflection (Youtube). Lyrics and music for download. Thanks to Bob Paterson-Watt for this suggestion.
- 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.
- 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.
- VU888 / LBW558 / ELW731 / PH458 / RS681 / CP358 / W&R642 / 82Hml-412 Earth and All Stars
(Herbert Brokering) Fun words of cosmic praise - great for the start of a school year or term. I thought this tune
was pretty straightforward, but my congregation struggled a bit with
it. I really like the
"boiling test tubes" bit, although this verse is not in all hymnals;
the lyrics vary between sources, and not all are inclusive. One example of the lyrics. Good for kids, especially if sung with some humour.
- All Creation Sings 1091 / GtG018 / PfAS148E Hallelujah sing praise to your creator
(Tilly Lubis-Nainggolan) Joyful words set to a traditional Indonesian melody
(NYANYIKANLAH NYANYIAN BARU). GtG is more inclusive than PfAS. Sound sample.
- 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) ). Older version lyrics and tune sample.Oldy-but-a-goody.
- Online Resource Creation sing out!
(David MacGregor) A new song about all of creation joining in praise of God. Lyric video. Lead sheet.
- TiS
755 / ATA 196 / CH804 / VU884 / SFFS 2278 / A&M484 / HPP219 /
GTG080 / CP662 / W&R710 / SP82 / Srcs830 / URW449 / Lau878 / STF487 / MP796 You shall go out with joy / The trees of the field (Stuart Dauerman) This is a good hand clappy foot stomping song. Fun to get faster. Lyrics and sound sample. Good for kids.
- ATE 216 / Iona (SBL) / CH126 / StJ / ELW822 / 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.
Revelation 21:1-6a
A new heaven and a new earth; death will be no more; See I am making all things new.
Many
of these songs will also be appropriate for the passage from Revelation
which will be read next week, so this may be a good time to introduce a
new song.
- GWA153 God the maker of the heavens and the planet that we share
(Sam Hargreaves, England) Excellent words about God's love and labour
over creation, and our call to care for it as God makes all things new. Sung to CONVERSE, one of the
tunes for "What a friend we have in Jesus" (it would also work for the
other tune). Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource Free us God from past mistakes (David
Bjorlin) A song seeking the renewal and freedom that comes from God's forgiveness. Set to
the familiar tune ARFON. Sheet music sample, lyrics and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
- AoV2-007 / AoVNG110 See I Make All Things New
(Monica O'Brien / Trisha Watts) I really love this song. “New, as night turns to
morning, the spirit is calling I’m with you, I make all things new”. A nice acapella sound sample. I usually play it with more of a jazz feel.
- AoV2-085 / Iona (T1AU) / MV115 / A&M328 / SP129 Behold behold I Make All Things New (John Bell) A nice hopeful upbeat short song. Highly recommended. Sound sample (scroll down) Good for kids.
- Tune In / Online Resource The desert will spring to life / Making things new (Sheree Anderson) A groovy one. Great for kids, and lots of fun. Free downloadable song book with sound samples and lyrics.. Good for kids.
- NCH613 / UMH726 / VU709 / GtG374 / PH453 / GC767 / GC(II)757 / G(3)863 / CP596 / 82Hml-582 O holy city seen by John (Walter Bowie) Strong lyrics to a very familiar hymn tune (MORNING SONG). Lyrics and sheet music sample.
New words to old tunes.
- TiS 671 / AoV2-121 Made in God's Likeness (Patricia Lewis / Alister Spence)
Excellent Australian imagery. 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 and slightly odd sound sample.
- Online resource Behold I make all things new (Bruce Harding) A nice short song with a folky feel. Sound sample and free sheet music.
- ATE 212 Hush now for I am your God (Carol Littlemore) A comforting song for kids. Lyrics (downloads a ppt for a full service).
- 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." Sheet music and lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- GA527 / G(II)540 / GC745 / GC(II)730 / G(3)847 / Lau1000 Jesus Christ Yesterday Today and Forever
(Suzanne Toolan) A very simple refrain in English and Spanish, and multilingual
cantor parts. That's fun! Works well without the cantor part too. Sound sample.
- 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) Can't possibly sing this song too often! A beautiful classic
song and most hymnals use a very inclusive version of this hymn, even
the AHB! Lyrics and sound sample. 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.
- AoVK-123
/ NCH3 / Iona (M&G) / UMH148 / VU308 / WoV794 / ELW837 /
GtG021 / PH271 / G(II)338 / GC499 / G(3)911 / CP407 / W&R26 / Cha58 /
URW232 / 82Hml-385 Many and Great O God are your works / Wakantanka Taku Nitawa
(Joseph Renville) Good words. Simple tune. Sounds great accompanied by a
good Native American-style drum beat, which is a great way to get people (especially kids) involved in music-making. Lyrics.
- StJ / GtG048 / GC(II)505 / W&R444 / G(3)582 / URW144 / Srce2-502 Rain Down (Jaime Cortez) A good simple gospel song. A very easy chorus, and good verses too. Sound sample.
- Online Resource / AoV1-057 / G(II)485 / GC678 / GC(II)663 / G(3)766 / Lau824 Awake from your slumber / City of God
(Dan Schutte) I love the joyousness and sense of mission in this one. A really
positive song “Let us build the city of God, let us turn our morning to
dancing, for the Lord, our light and our love, has turned the night into
day”. There is a little bit of
non-inclusiveness in the middle. We sing it much more energetically. Slow sound and sheet music samples, and purchasing options.
- TiS
666 / AoV2-113 / AoVK-126 / ATOK 409 / NCH526 / Iona (Common Ground,
Freedom is Coming) / CH516 / VU646/647 / WoV650 / ELW866 / A&M483 / SFFS 2235 /
HPP153 / GtG853 / G(II)357 / GC513 / GC(II)516 / G(3)594 / Cha442 / SP235 / Srce737 / StF483 / MP954 We are marching in the light of God / Siyahamba / Caminando (South
African) A very popular chorus, with possible alternate verses,
depending on your source. Sometimes people get anxious about the word
"marching", but remember that this song comes from apartheid-era South
Africa, where people were protesting so that they could vote in their
own country. And the marching is toi-toing, much less militaristic than
what you may imagine. Youtube. Good for kids.
- Tune In / Online Resource You in all our worries / All will finish well
(Dave Brown) “In this world where injustice reigns, you are in the midst of
pain”. Excellent words of reassurance in a difficult world. Free downloadable song book with sound samples and lyrics.
- Tune In / Online Resource Kingdom Come (Matthew Lees) A
song about how things are not what we expect in God’s kingdom. Lots of
words and good images including "there's no blacklist or admission fee" Free downloadable song book with sound samples and lyrics.
- Online Resource Grace beyond our brightest dreaming
(Adam Tice) Excellent words. I love the phrase "Share the grace of vibrant living". Lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options.
John 13:31-35A new commandment - to love.
- Online Resource Rise up now get going / Hope got out of that tomb
(Bret Hesla, USA) A joyful, hopeful call and response song. I think
this would be great at the end of an Easter Day service. Will need to be
taught a little bit, just as Bret does in the video at the link. This
song doesn't directly relate to this reading, but I think it works well
to remember the hope of resurrection often during the Easter Season and the words "Love's on the move" fit well with this reading, actually! Free sheet music, sound sample. Good for kids.
- Online Resource / GWA039 Love is patient love is kind / Love goes on
(Bernadette Farrell) Beautiful words, and a soothing simple tune, based on this reading and on 1 Corinthians 13. It
has 6 verses, so you may wish to alternate high and low voices, so that
part of the congregation can rest and listen. Sound sample, sheet music samples, and purchasing options.
- TiS 699 / AHB 571 / ATN 65 / WoV664 / GA318 / Srce35 / Lau920 / StF242 / MP001 A new commandment I give unto you
(Roy Crabtree) 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. Lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- Online Resource Sing a new world into being
(Mary Louise Bringle) Great new words about building a new world of
peace and justice where all are welcome. Set to a tune by Jane Marshall
which should be quite straightforward but could also be sung to a known
tune, like ABBOTS LEIGH. New words to old tunes if you want. Thanks to Taylor Sullivan for this suggestion. Lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options.
- Online Resource We will rejoice in love (David Bjorlin) A beautiful song about walking and working together in love as God's people. Sound sample. Lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options.
- MV172 God says
(Mary Bittner) A nice simple song about God asking us to be still, to look
up, to speak out for God, and reach out to those in need". Lyrics.
- Online Resource Gathered and Scattered
(John Bell) Excellent lyrics of all of us being part of the one body of
Christ. Sung to a simple tune. Works particularly well for
congregations still having hybrid services. Lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options. Thanks also to Taylor Sullivan for this suggestion.
- Online Resource Hear what I'm sayin' / Arms open wide
(David MacGregor) A joyful song about building an expansive community. Sound sample, sheet music samples and purchasing options.
- 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.
- 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.
- AoV1-130 / SFFS 2223 / HPP495 / GtG300 / G(II)533 / GC735 / GC(II)728 / G(3)835 / W&R595 / Cha494 We are one in the Spirit / They’ll know we are Christians by our love (Peter Scholtes)
A
classic 60's song of unity and being an example to others. It's still
pretty groovy, I reckon. Older version are really masculine. We often
syncopate it a bit at Brunswick. Note that the 3-6 Sunday School class
learned this song this term, so would be good to use.
Lyrics and pretty silly sound sample. Good for kids.
- ATW 498 / Iona (T1AU) / MV 196 / SP&P182 / URW438 We will take what you offer (John Bell) An
excellent simple short song that works well either as an upbeat chorus
or as a reflective chant. "We will take what you offer. We will live by
your word. We will love one another. And be fed by you Lord". Good for kids. Sound sample.
- TiS 670 / SiS569 / AoVK-138 / ATE 258 / CH692 / Srce385 / MP376 Jesus put this song into our hearts
(Graham Kendrick) A fun Yiddish tune that gets even more fun if you get faster
and faster as you go. Good for kids. Lyric video.
- 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. Scottish sound sample. Good for kids.
Any ideas you could add? Please join in and add a comment below!
