Nov 12, 2012

Advent Song: Take this light


Anglican parish priest Doug Chaplin (MetaCatholic blog) has written a song for the lighting of the Advent wreath.  It has five verses—one for each Sunday of Advent, and one for Christmas Day.  The suggested tune is Personent Hodie.  

Song for the Lighting of the Advent Wreath

Take this light, let it shine:
call of God, love divine,
summons old Abram’s line,
hope for all the nations
gift of God’s salvation.

Shine, O candles, shine,
Burn with love divine,
to the night,
comes the light
of the Father’s glory.

Take this flame, let it burn:
prophets called: “From sin turn,
come to God, evil spurn:
God will love and pardon,
bear away your burden.”

Take this wick, let it glow
for the one come to show
way of God, Christ to know:
baptise in the river,
new life to deliver.

Take this spark, let it blaze,
Mary’s called: girl amazed,
now says yes, God be praised.
In the womb of woman,
God’s Word now is human.

Take this fire, let it flame,
God is born in our frame,
sinless child tastes our shame,
sin’s might he is breaking;
new the world is making.

—posted on Bosco Peter’s Liturgy: Worship that Works blog. If used in worship, please credit Doug Chaplin.

Advent Song: Shine a Candle


Here’s a candle-lighting song for Advent from Lucy Graham. She writes:  Shine a candle was originally written to accompany the lighting of Advent candles. It is a song of gentle longing. This song may be sung any number of times, as required.


Shine a Candle

Shine a candle into the darkness,
breath new hope into our lives.
Wind your blessed peace around us
till the day when Christ arrives.
Shine a candle in the darkness,
wind your blessed peace around us.

~ written by Lucy Graham, and posted on 
Spirited and Singing. http://spiritedandsinging.blogspot.com/

Advent Song: In the Depth of Winter's Darkness


Here’s a contemporary hymn for Advent from Joy Patterson. You might try singing it to the traditional Christmas carol tune Oh, how joyfully (SICILIAN MARINERS), or Angels from the Realms of Glory (REGENT SQUARE)…or one of these other traditional tunes (in 8.7.8.7.8.7. meter):

LAUDA ANIMA (Praise, my soul, the King of heaven) 
NEANDER (Open now the gates of beauty) 

In the Depth of Winter’s Darkness

In the depth of winter's darkness,
     lost in gloomy shades of night,
all humanity stands watching,
     waiting for God's promised Light.
Alleluia, alleluia,
     come, Lord Jesus, quickly come!

Now the time of preparation--
     with repentance hope, resolve,
let us ready minds and spirits
     for the Christ who comes in love.
Alleluia, alleluia,
     come, Lord Jesus, quickly come!

Once he came, and still he's coming,
     mystery both new and old--
what the hour of his new Advent
     prophets have not known or told.
Alleluia, alleluia,
     come, Lord Jesus, quickly come!

Doing justice, showing mercy,
     praying, praising, let us wait
so that we may greet his coming
     ready for the Daystar's Light.
Alleluia, alleluia,
     come, Lord Jesus, quickly come!

~ written by Joy F. Patterson in Come, You People of the Promise. Words copyright © 1994 Hope Publishing Company. If you use this hymn in worship, be sure to report it on your CCLI license.  Text reprinted here by permission.

For many other new song texts for Advent, visit Hope Publishing Company’s Online Hymnody website. http://www.hopepublishing.com/

Advent Song: Welcome, Jesus


Here’s a contemporary hymn for Advent from Dan Damon.  The song is set to a tune called SWEETWATER (see it here).  Or—if your congregation would prefer to use a tune they already know, you might sing it to one of the following traditional tunes (or any other tune in 8.7.8.7. meter):

PEACE (Peace is flowing like a river) 
CROSS OFJESUS (Cross of Jesus, cross of sorrow) 
GILLARD (The Servant Song) 

If your congregation would prefer a more contemporary musical setting, you might consider using Brian Doerksen’s The River tune instead. If you decide to try that, you might make the last stanza the refrain. 

Welcome, Jesus, You Are Welcome

Welcome, Jesus, you are welcome
in this world made hard by fear;
loving reach us, living teach us,
Jesus, you are welcome here.

Welcome, Jesus, you are welcome
in the ghettos we have made;
give the tattered, bruised, and battered
winter shelter, summer shade.

Welcome, Jesus, you are welcome
with the wealthy and the poor;
give the broken love unspoken,
open wide each prison door.

Welcome, Jesus, you are welcome.
Let your loving light appear.
In our seeing, in our being,
Jesus, you are welcome here.

~ written by Daniel Charles Damon, in Fields of Mercy. Words copyright © 2005 Hope Publishing Company. If you use this hymn in worship, be sure to report it on your CCLI license.  Text reprinted here by permission.

For many other new song texts for Advent, visit Hope Publishing Company’s Online Hymnody website. 

Christmas Song: The Debut (to "Jingle Bells")

Here’s a new song for Christmas from Rev. Christine Sobania’s Freshly Squeezed Liturgy blog. It’s set to the tune of Jingle Bells.

Rev. Sobania writes: I wrote it a few years ago, and it was featured on the favorite Moravian Church publication known as "the bulletin back." I am often requested to share the words with others, so here they are. Celebrate!

The Debut
(to the tune of Jingle Bells)

Refrain
In this crowd sing out loud: Glory to the One!
God has made things personal by sending us the Son.
In this crowd sing out loud: Glory! Allelu!
Celebrate the birth of Christ --the day of his debut.

Stanza 1
The faithful waited long for God to intervene--
To rule with power and might, to give them what they dreamed.
What a big surprise! The Savior was a child!
The Christmas story goes to show God’s plans are really wild!
Refrain

Stanza 2
God’s love is for all, there can be no doubt.
The poor, the weak, the small--no one is left out!
The reason Jesus came: God wanted to be near;
God wanted to draw close to us, and that is why we cheer!
Refrain

~ written by Rev. Christine Sobania Johnson on her blog, Freshly Squeezed Liturgy.  http://freshlysqueezedliturgy.blogspot.com/

Advent Song: God Almighty, We Are Waiting


Here’s a contemporary hymn for Advent from Ann Bell Worley.  You might try singing it to HOLY MANNA (Brethren, we have met to worship) or NETTLETON (Come Thou Fount of Ev’ry Blessing)… or check the Metrical Index at the back of most hymnals for other tunes in 8.7.8.7.D meter.

If you're looking for a more contemporary setting, you might consider using the tune to Brian Doerksen’s The River. 

God Almighty, We Are Waiting

God Almighty, we are waiting for a savior to appear.
Meet us in our desert journey; give a sign that you are near:
burning bushes, parted waters, food aplenty in the wild.
As we look for signs and wonders, help us see you in a child.

God Incarnate, we are waiting for the feast day of your birth.
Looking back and looking forward to the Christ's return to earth.
Help us to proclaim the gospel, 'til the world is reconciled.
Let us set your holy table for each woman, man, and child.

God, the Spirit, we are waiting for your presence here and now.
Humbled by our sinful weakness, at your mercy we will bow.
Search our hearts and make us ready, speak in language strong and mild,
help each one of us, your people, to receive you like a child.

~ written by Ann Bell Worley, in New Hymns of Hope. Words copyright © 2005 Hope Publishing Company. If you use this hymn in worship, be sure to report it on your CCLI license.  Text reprinted here by permission. 

Christmas Song: Hear How the Bells


Here’s a contemporary hymn text for Christmas from Timothy Dudley-Smith. You might try singing it to LASST UNS ERFREUEN (All Creatures of Our God and King).  http://www.hymnary.org/tune/lasst_uns_erfreuen

If your congregation is more accustomed to singing in a contemporary style, why not use David Crowder’s setting of that tune (All Creatures of Our God and King)? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cObXwn-EgGY 

Hear How the Bells of Christmas Play

Hear how the bells of Christmas play!
Well may they ring for joy and say,
   O praise him!  Alleluia!
God has fulfilled his promised word,
born is our Saviour and our Lord,
O praise him!  O praise him!
   Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Let all the waiting earth rejoice,
lift every heart and every voice,
   O praise him!  Alleluia!
Sing now the song to angels given,
Glory to God in highest heaven!
O praise him!  O praise him!
   Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

As through the silence of the skies
shepherds in wonder heard arise,
   O praise him!  Alleluia!
So may we hear again with them
songs in the night at Bethlehem,
O praise him!  O praise him!
   Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

All nature sang at Jesus' birth,
Hail the Creator come to earth!
   O praise him!  Alleluia!
Sun, moon and shining stars above,
tell out the story of his love,
O praise him!  O praise him!
   Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Hear how the bells of Christmas play!
Well may they ring for joy and say,
O praise him!  O praise him!
   Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Come now to worship and adore,
Christ is our peace for evermore,
            O praise him!  Alleluia!

~ written by Timothy Dudley-Smith, and published in Beneath a Travelling Star. Words copyright © 1987 Hope Publishing Company. If you use this hymn in worship, be sure to report it on your CCLI license.  Text reprinted here by permission.

For many other new song texts for Christmas, visit Hope Publishing Company’s Online Hymnody website. http://www.hopepublishing.com/html/main.isx?sitesec=40.1.0.0

Sending Song: Christ has no body here but ours

There’s a song on Steve Bell’s excellent CD, Kin-dness, which would serve as a wonderful ‘sending’ song in worship. The text is by Teresa of Avila; the music was composed by Brian McLaren.  I first heard it used at the Institute for Worship Studies a number of years ago, and I’m really delighted that Steve is bringing it to a wider audience.

The song first appeared on the album, Songs for a Revolution of Hope, released in October, 2007 by Brian McLaren and the Restoration Project If you go to that site, you can hear that song—and fourteen others—done in their original versions, and view the lyrics and the guitar chords.

You can also find lyrics for the song on the CCLI website (look for "With Kindness").  A lead sheet is available on the Canadian Foodgrains Bank Fast for Change website. 

Here are some related passages of scripture that might be useful in leading this song: Romans 12; 2 Corinthians 6:3-6; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 4:1-6; Ephesians 5:1-2; Colossians 3:14-16.

Steve Bell’s Kin-dness CD is available on iTunes and on his website. 

Christ Has No Body Here But Ours
(Kindness)

Christ has no body here but ours
No hands, no feet here on earth but ours
Ours are the eyes through which He looks
On this world with kindness

Ours are the hands through which He works
Ours are the feet on which He moves
Our are the voices through which He speaks
To this world with kindness

Through our touch, our smile, our listening ear
Embodied in us, Jesus is living here
Let us go now, inspirited
Into this world with kindness.

CCLI Song No. 5094013  Brian McLaren © 2007 Revolution of Hope Music Group (admin. by Brian McLaren) For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use.  All rights Reserved. www.ccli.com

Advent Song: Hope is Dawning


If you’re looking for an Advent song to use during the lighting of the Advent wreath (or at another spot in the worship service), here’s a song from Johnny Parks, Matt Maher, Michael Gungor and Aaron Keyes.  The words are below. 

Visit http://www.worshiptogether.com/songs/songdetail.aspx?iid=1030051 to listen to the music; visit CCLI for the music/chords (song number 5444481).

Hope is Dawning
(Scripture references: Psalm 39:7; Lamentations 3:26, Isaiah 64:1)

Verse 1
Open up the skies and rain the heavens down, the heavens down
Father open up the skies and rain the heavens down on us

Verse 2
Open up our eyes to see Your glory found, it’s all around
Jesus open up our eyes to see Your glory’s all around

Chorus
We are longing
Hope is dawning
Heaven’s falling
Come Lord Jesus

Verse 3
Open up our hearts to say, “Have Your way, have Your way”
Spirit, open up our hearts to say, “Won’t You come and have Your way”



Copyright © 2011 Thankyou Music (PRS) (adm. worldwide at EMICMGPublishing.com excluding Europe which is adm. by Kingswaysongs) / Spiritandsong.Com Pub (BMI) (adm. at EMICMGPublishing.com) / worshiptogether.com Songs (ASCAP) (adm. at EMICMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission. 

Praise & Worship Songs for Transfiguration


Here are some contemporary Praise & Worship songs which would be suitable to use on Transfiguration Sunday (the last Sunday before the beginning of Lent).  You can find most of them on worshiptogether.com songs.  

Praise & Worship Songs for Transfiguration Sunday

All Heaven Declares, Trica & Noel Richards
Awesome is the Lord Most High, Jesse Reeves, Chris Tomlin
Be Still for the Presence of the Lord, David Evans
Beautiful One, Tim Hughes
Blessing, Honor, Eoghan Heaslip
Common Ground, Holy Ground, John Middleton/Jim Strathdee
Everything Glorious, David Crowder Band
Filled with Your Glory, Starfield
For Your Glory, Matt Redman
Give You Glory, Jeremy Camp
Glorious One, Steve Fee
Glory be to God, Matt Maher, Stuart Townend
Glory is Here, Gungor
Glory, Mark Hall
Glory, Reuben Morgan
He is Exalted, Twila Paris
Holy is the Lord, Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio
Hosanna, Brooke Fraser
How Great is Our God, Chris Tomlin
King of Glory (Your Face Outshines), Matt Redman
Let it Rise, Holland Davis             
Light of the World, Matt Redman
Lord, Let Your Glory Fall, Matt Redman
Majesty, Jack Hayford
O Come, Let Us Adore Him, Matt Redman, Teri Bryant
Oh the Glory of It All, David Crowder
Open the Eyes of My Heart, Paul Baloche
Shine on Us, Michael W. Smith
Shine, Jesus, Shine Graham Kendrick
Show Me Your Glory, Third Day
We Fall Down, Chris Tomlin
You are Near, Reuben Morgan

Praise & Worship Songs for Pentecost


Here are some suggestions for contemporary Praise & Worship songs you might use on Pentecost Sunday (the fiftieth Sunday after Easter. I’ve included CCLI numbers wherever possible, as well as whatever other links I could find to lyrics, scores and audio.

If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, try these other music resources for Pentecost Sunday:

As I Abide in You, Brian Doerksen CCLI 465833
AwakeningChris Tomlin
BelieverMatt Redman CCLI 1598912
Breath of God, Vicky Beeching
BreatheCharlie Hall
BreatheMarie Barnett CCLI 1874117 
Breathe on MeLucy Fisher
Breathe on MeDarlene Zschech 
Catch the Fire, David Fellingham CCLI 1535391
Church on FireRussell Fragar
Come and Fill Me UpBrian Doerksen CCLI 630307
Houghton CCLI 3383953
Come Holy SpiritTerry MacAlmon CCLI 393911
Consuming FireTim Hughes
Consuming FireThird Day
DelivererVicky Beeching
Father GodDave Bilbrough CCLI 1557379
Finding Who We AreWilliam Shamburger
Fire Fall DownMatt Crocker CCLI 4705200
Flowing River, Rita Baloche CCL 2504173
Freedom SongCharlie Hall CCLI 2057998
Gentle Sweet Spirit, Danny Daniels CCLI 2695549
GoKristian Stanfill
God is Moving, Marty Sampson CCLI 2798147
Give Us Clean HandsCharlie Hall  CCLI 2060208    
Healing Love, Ian White CCLI 2685676
Hear Our Prayer, Tanya Riches CCLI 2808037
Holy Spirit, Suzi De Faye CCLI 1105185
Holy Spirit, Darin Sasser/Jason Harrison CCLI 2728007 
Holy Spirit, Mike Guglielmicci, Same Evans CCLI 4442927 
Holy Spirit, Come, Jonathan Hunt, Sam Evans CCLI 5570403  
Holy Spirit, Come, Kate Miner CCLI 3052648
Holy Spirit, Come, Tommy Walker CCLI 5110557
Holy Spirit, Come, Geoff Bullock CCLI 1177979
Holy Spirit, Come, Kenneth Whitt CCLI 1806721
Holy Spirit Come Now, Jesse Manibusan CCLI 5358948
Holy Spirit, Breathe on Me, Eddie Smith/Jeff Nelson CCLI 1934531 
Holy Spirit, How I Love YouKate Simmonds/Stuart Townend CCLI 3922321  
Holy Spirit Song, Tommy Walker CCLI 926949
Holy Spirit, Rain DownRussell Frager 
Holy Spirit, Rise in Me, Geoff Bullock CCLI 1001186
Holy Spirit, We Welcome You, Chris Bowater CCLI 215942
Let the Fire Fall, George Misulia CCLI 50987
Let the Peace of God ReignDarlene Zschech CCLI 1839987
Let Your Presence Fall, David Willersdorf CCLI 1368946
Like a Gentle BreezeMaggi Dawn CCLI 722239
Lord, Let Your Glory FallMatt Redman CCLI 2526728
Make Us OneCarol Cymbala CCLI  695737  
Mighty Breath of God, Anthony Skinner & friends CCLI 3026148
O Holy Spirit, Geoff Bullock CCLI 1177962
Open the Eyes of My Heart, LordPaul Baloche CCLI 2298355
PeaceMiriam Webster
Presence (My Heart’s Desire), Tim Hughes & friends CCLI 4408215
Rain On Us, Carol Cymbala CCLI 1202459
Reign in UsStarfield  CCLI 5207587  
Ruach, David Fellingham CCLI 1075648
Send the FireLex Loizides CCLI 1075655  
Send Your Spirit, Brian Doerksen/Carl Tuttle CCLI 928954
Spirit FallChris Tomlin, Kristian Stanfill 
Spirit of the Living God/Fill Us UpMatt Redman/Daniel Iverson
The Risen ChristKeith Getty, Phil Madeira
The Spirit Has Come, Nicky Chiswell CCLI 3399868
The Spirit Lives to Set Us Free, Chris Tambling/Damian Lundy CCLI 4806051 
There is a RedeemerMelody Green
This is Our GodReuben Morgan
Welcome in this PlaceMiriam Webster
Welcome Into This Place, Orlando Juarez CCLI 661606
Welcome Sweet Holy Spirit, Eddie Espinosa CCLI 1346023
Where the Spirit of the Lord IsChris Tomlin, Christy & Nathan Nockels
You’ll ComeBrooke Fraser 

Praise & Worship Songs for Ascension


If your congregation celebrates Ascension Day (the 40th day after Easter), here are some contemporary songs that would be suitable. If you have a CCLI license, you can find most of the texts (and often the music) on the CCLI website.  You might also check worshiptogether.com and elsewhere online.

Above All, Lenny LeBlanc, Paul Baloche CCLI 2672885
Agnus Dei (Alleluia) Michael W. Smith CCLI 626713
All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name, Paul Baloche CCLI 2660093
All Hail, King Jesus, Dave Moody CCLI 12877
All the Earth Will Sing Your Praises, Paul Baloche CCLI 4037057
Alleluia to the King of Kings, anonymous
Arise and Sing, Sampson/Ingram/Brown CCLI 5409048
At the Name of Jesus, Cindy Berry (Phil. 2:10-11) CCLI 99467
Be Unto Your Name, Gary Sadler, Lynn DeShazo CCLI 2177476
Beautiful Savior, Stuart Townend CCLI 2492216
Before the Throne of God Above, Charitie Bancroft/Vikki Cook CCLI 2306412
Blessing and Honour, Gary Sadler, Jamie Harvill CCLI 798108
Blessing and Honour, Vicky Beeching & friends CCLI 5665002
Come, Let Us Worship Jesus, Graham Kendrick
Crown Him King of Kings, Sharon Damazio CCLI 206009
Father in Heaven, Dave Bilbrough CCLI 244463
Forever and Ever, Aaron Spiro, Charlie Peacock CCLI 4065995
Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me), Mark Hall, Michael Beaker CCLI 5638022
God is Great, Marty Sampson CCLI 3375851
He is Exalted, Twila Paris CCLI 17827
He Is Lord, Ben Fielding CCLI 5065918
His Name is Wonderful, Audrey Mieir CCLI 1122230
Holy Is Our God, Starfield CCLI 5207635
I / We Exalt Thee, Pete Sanchez, Jr. CCLI 17803
In the Lord Alone, Walt Harrah CCLI 173156
It Is You, B.J. Allmon CCLI 4915973
Jesus Is King, Wendy Churchill CCLI 56558
Jesus Is Our King, Sherrell Prebble, Howard Clark CCLI 1280
Jesus, Name Above All Names, Naida Hearn CCLI 21291
King of Kings, Sophie Conty, Naomi Batya CCLI 23952
Lamb of God, Rebecca St. James & friends CCLI 3606726
Lift Up Your Heads, Steven Fry CCLI 19777
Lord Most High, Sadler/Harris CCLI 2037688
Lord, I Lift Your Name on High, Rick Founds CCLI 117947
Majesty, Jack Hayford CCLI 1527
Marvelous, Miriam Webster CCLI 5720253
No Other Name, Robert Gay CCLI 141793
Open the Eyes of My Heart, Paul Baloche CCLI 2298355
You Are Holy (Prince of Peace), Marc Imboden CCLI 2332149
Reign in Us, Starfield CCLI 5207587
Savior of the World, Cantelon/Spiro/Peacock CCLI 5742169
Shine, Jesus, Shine, Graham Kendrick CCLI 30426
Shout to the North, Martin Smith CCLI 1562261
Sing to the King, Billy Foote CCLI 4010902
Sinless Savior, Aaron Keyes CCLI 5207587
Stronger, Reuben Morgan, Ben Fielding CCLI 5060810
Let Us Adore (The Heavens Declare), Reuben Morgan CCLI 4437846
There is a Redeemer, Melody Green CCLI 11483
Uncreated One, J.D. Walt, Chris Tomlin CCLI 4822516
We Crown You, Steve Fee, Eddie Kirkland CCLI 5625767
We Cry Out, Jeremy Camp, Brenton Brown CCLI 5808845
We Fall Down, Chris Tomlin CCLI 2437367
We Will Glorify, Twila Paris CCLI 19038
We Will See Him, Reuben Morgan, Robert Fergusson CCLI 5409048
You Are Crowned with Many Crowns, John Sellers CCLI 14411
You Are Lordanonymous
You Are My King (Amazing Love), Billy Foote CCLI 2456623
You Are the King Who Reigns, David Boyd CCLI 97452
You Reign, Millard/Graul/Curtis Chapman 2 CCLI 5138293
You’re Worthy of My Praise, (I will worship), David Ruis CCLI 487976