top of page

Proper 16C / 11th Sunday after Pentecost

Updated: Oct 4, 2022


You can find a YouTube playlist here with many of the songs suggested below.



Gathering


The theme of fire in the Epistle can link to songs where we call for the presence of the Spirit as we gather to worship, and there are option in a range of styles, from classic hymns such as Come down, O love divine (CH 489 / MP 89) and Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire (CH 586 / MP 90) to contemporary hymns and worship songs such as Be still for the presence of the Lord (CH 189 / MP 50), Fresh wind (CCLI) and the short chorus Come, Holy Spirit (CH 589).



Word


There are a range of decent metrical settings for today’s psalm with To You, O Lord, I come for help (Grace) sung to Dundee a helpful option as it has just the verses for today’s reading while God, my help and hiding place (PFAS 71B) is a wonderful combination of a contemporary paraphrase with a Japanese melody which is very singable as it’s written in the pentatonic minor. In you, O Lord, I put my trust (PFAS 71A) sung to Wareham and Lord, in You I've taken refuge (Grace) sung to Ebenezer are both worth considering as well, with the latter tune in particular suiting the tone well. Although not based directly on this psalm, Faithful one (MP 825 / CCLI) could be an option for a worship song which links strongly to it.



Response


When Jesus the healer (CH 350) is a lively song which looks at many different stories of healing in the Gospels and specifically references today’s story in v5. You could also consider songs which are prayers for healing such as Lord of life, we come to you (CH 782), O Christ the healer we have come (CH 717) and We cannot measure how you heal (CH 718). Worship songs speaking about healing was a bit of a gap but some more recent ones have focused more on this including Miracles (CCLI), God with us (CCLI) and Impossible things (CCLI).


The “city of the living God” is a strong image from the Epistle and songs which could link to it include Glorious things of thee are spoken (CH 738 / MP 173), Jerusalem the golden (CH 747) and There is a higher throne (MP 1116 / CCLI). The blazing fire and consuming fire are also a strong theme which could be picked up in Judge eternal, throned in splendour (CH 264 / MP 395), God, we fear your fire (GIA) or Consuming fire (CCLI).


Lord, speak to me that I may speak (CH 542 / MP 444) would be a great song for the Old Testament as it captures some of Jeremiah’s response to God while I have called you by your name (Hope / MV 161) would give a sense of God’s response. You could also use Lord, you sometimes speak in wonders (CH 606) to explore where we hear God calling us, O God, you search me and you know me (CH 97) to link to the imagery of being formed in God’s womb, or use songs of dedication such as Take my life, Lord, let it be (CH 502 / MP 624) or Take this moment (CH 501).



Sending


One option for sending is to link to God’s call to Jeremiah and to use a song about dedicating ourselves to mission such as As a fire is meant for burning (CH 252), You are called to tell the story (CH 680), I will follow (CCLI) or Build your kingdom here (CCLI). Alternatively you could use songs which link more to the Epistle reading and the vision of the “heavenly Jerusalem” such as Be thou my vision (CH 465 / MP 51), Ye holy angels bright (CH 179 / MP 783), This is amazing grace (CCLI) or Worthy is the lamb (MP 1109 / CCLI).


Recent Posts

See All
bottom of page