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.
- MV222 May the peace of God be your peace (Neil McLaren)
A lovely benediction where the congregation addresses each other. It's
one of those ones that makes me want to look around at the congregation
and sing it to each person there. It will need to be taught at first.
- 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!
- FFS05 Be their names remembered
(Shirley Murray) Simple chant, good for singing in response to a
list of names of those who have died (e.g. catastrophe, ANZAC day). "Be
their names remembered in the heart of God"
- VU526 Weep for the dead (Brian Wren) This song would be very appropriate for Peace Day, but also for Memorial Day / ANZAC day / Services of Remembrance. Sheet music and lyrics.
- Online Resource / HiOS061 Honour the dead
(Shirley Murray) This hymn has a tune that is familiar enough (by Colin Gibson)
for the congregation to join in as it is sung. There are 6 verses, so
perhaps invite them to join in as they get the hang of the tune. Lyrics. Sound sample (with a brass band!).
- Online Resource God who remembers (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) Based on Psalm 136, this simple chant could also
be good to use during the prayers of the people, or while people are
placing poppies somewhere, lighting candles, or reading the names of
those who have died. Lyrics and sound sample. Sheet music.
- StF131 By a monument of marble or a simple wooden cross (Marjorie Dobson) Memorial Day Thoughtful words that are appropirate for ANZAC day and other services of remembrance. I would use BLAENWERN for these words, though it is not the set tune. Lyrics.
- TiS 680 / VU527 / StF698 God as with silent hearts we bring to mind (Fred Kaan) Good words, with multiple tunes. The set tune in TiS (LAVENDON) is not easy, and the one in VU simple but a bit dull. It can also be sung to SURSUM CORDA (TiS 87) which is much more well known. Lyrics.
Congregation Songs that may be useful for a public memorial service where attendees may not be regular church attenders:
- TiS
10 / AHB 16 / AoV1-144 / NCH479 / Iona (Common Ground) / CH14/16 /
UMH136 / VU747/8 / StS099 / LBW451 / ELW778 / GA473 / HPP55 / GtG801 / PH170 /
CP519 / CP(E) 594 / W&R86 / Cha0789 / Srce662 / Lau806 The Lord's my Shepherd I'll not want / God is my shepherd
(Scottish Psalter) It's not inclusive, but I think it's more than a sentimental favourite
and will be meaningful for those remembering fathers, grandfathers,
uncles, aunts and mothers who died. Lyrics.
- TiS 650 / ATA 191 / CH694 / A&M604 / NCH539 / VU595 / ELW659 / AA08 /
SFFS 2222 / HPP442 / GtG727 / G(II)476 / GC683 / GC(II)661 / G(3)751 / CP500 / CP(E) 393 /
W&R391 / Cha490 / SP263 / URW117 / Lau924 Brother, sister, let me serve you / Won't you let me be your servant? (Richard Gillard) I think you all know this one. Lyrics. NCH has a nice turn on the lyrics with "Won't you let me be your servant?" as the first line.
- TiS
621 / UMH435 / VU677 / LBW416 / ELW748 / GtG756 / PH289 /
GC(II)717 / G(3)825 / CP593 / W&R626 / Cha680 / 82Hml-607 O God of Every Nation
(William Watkins Reid) Powerful words seeking God's redemption of the world. Can be
sung to LLANGLOFFAN or PASSION CHORALE, both very familiar hymn tunes. Lyrics and sheet music. Go look at the lyrics just to bring a smile to your face. So much hope!
Recorded
music or music that could be played by your musicians (pretty much all
Australian anti-war folk songs) for reflection. With thanks to Shawn
Whelan who plays most of these every ANZAC Day.
- I was only 19 (John Schumann) Written about
the Vietnam War, and its after effects on those who returned, this
poignant song manages to be both anti-war and pro-veteran and is known
by many. Lyrics. Chords. Youtube.
- Mothers Daughters Wives (Judy Small) One of those rare songs that presents the women's perspective on war. Lyrics & chords. Youtube.
- And the band played Waltzing Matilda (Eric
Bogle) A massive tear-jerker that realistically protrays the experience
of the returned soldier. Particularly appropriate this year for the
100th anniversary of Gallipoli. Youtube. Lyrics & chords.
- The Green Fields of France (Eric
Bogle) Another mournful anti-war song that questions what it was like
for those who died in the first world war. Particularly appropriate this
year for the
100th anniversary of Gallipoli. Youtube. Lyrics & chords.
- In Memoriam (Vic MacDonald) A New Zealand song reflecting on the decimation of and remembrance in many country towns for generations. Lyrics and mp3s.
