Epiphany 5A
- Iain McLarty
- Feb 1
- 3 min read
You can find a YouTube playlist here with many of the songs suggested below.
Gathering
With a strong theme of light in the readings you could begin with thinking about the morning light with songs such as Here in this place new light is streaming / Gather us in (CH 623), Jesus shall reign where’er the sun (CH 470 / MP 379), Creation sings the Father's song (MP 1268 / CCLI) or Bright morning maker as your sun breaks through (CCLI) which can be sung to Engelberg or Sine Nomine.
Word
The psalm is not one which has been widely set but How blest are those who fear the Lord (PFAS 112A / Hymnary) is probably the most widely published setting. Joy comes to those (This is our prayer) (Grace) offers an option in contemporary language set to the well known tune Lobe den Herren while Those who fear the Lord (Kimbrough) is a good option for bands.
Response
Songs of the theme of light are an obvious starting point for the Gospel and there are songs in a range of styles which can pick this up including hymns such as Christ is the world’s true light (CH 456), Praise the One who breaks the darkness (CH 348) and Christ be our light (CH 543 / MP 1201), worship songs such as You are the light (CCLI) and Great are you Lord (CCLI) and short chants such as Christe, lux mundi (Taizé) and Jésus le Christ (Taizé). Some songs with links to this specific passage include We’re the light of all the world (We are a rainbow) (GWA 207) and You are salt for the earth (Bring forth the Kingdom) (GIA) which can be easily picked up as a call and response.
The Epistle suggests two main themes. Firstly, there are songs about the guidance of the Spirit such as Spirit of truth and grace (CH 608), Holy Spirit, gift bestower (CH 590), Loving Spirit, loving Spirit (CH 597) and Holy Spirit, come confirm us (CH 640). Secondly, there are songs focused on wisdom such as Holy wisdom, lamp of learning (CH 604), The perfect wisdom of our God (Townend / CCLI), How happy are all they who hear (CH 686) and Wisdom cries out in the deep (GWA 28)
The passage from Isaiah is a call to respond to the injustice we see in the world around us and songs such as God of freedom, God of justice (CH 263) and Judge Eternal, throned in splendour (CH 264) can offer a general response while you can also pick up on the more specific calls with songs such as Beauty for brokenness / God of the poor (CH 259 / MP 806), We are called to welcome strangers (GWA 209 / Jubilate) and Cuandro el pobre / When the hungry who have nothing (CH 258). Bendice, Señor, nuestro pan / God bless to us our bread (CH 763 / Wild Goose) is a short chant from Argentina which could be a very effective sung response for prayers based on this passage, linking to v7.
Sending
Siyahamba / We are marching in the light of God (CH 516 / MP 954) is always a great sending song and would link again to the theme of light. Some other options to pick up this theme with a sending focus include Christ be our light (CH 543 / MP 1201), This little light of mine (Hymnary), Arise, your light is come! (Hymnary), How great is our God (MP 1227 / CCLI) and Running to the light (CCLI).
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