You can find a YouTube playlist here with many of the songs suggested below.
Gathering
The Gospel reminds us to love God with all our hearts, souls and minds and you could begin with songs which pick up on that such as I love you, Lord (CH 770 / MP 287 / CCLI), Praise, I will praise you, Lord / Je louerai l’Éternel (CH 175), Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim (CH 130 / MP 784), Give thanks with a grateful heart (CH 180 / MP 170), I will sing a song of love (WGRG) and Let Everything (Praise The Lord) (CCLI).
Word
O God, our help in ages past (CH 161 / MP 498) is actually a paraphrase of the psalm so a very good option to use here given its familiarity. There are other good metrical versions to consider though, including Lord, you have always been our home (CH 54), Wildflowers bloom and fade (PFAS 90D), God everlasting, at your word (Jubilate / PFAS 90A) which can be sung to Dunfermline or St Magnus, and From dust we came (GIA / link) while From everlasting (Psalm 90) (CCLI) would be a great option for bands with a hook and a chorus which congregations should pick up quickly.
Response
The Gospel invites us to sing songs about loving God and loving our neighbour with Love is the touch of intangible joy (CH 115), Let our vocation be love (GIA), I will sing a song of love (WGRG) and Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly (CCLI) some great contemporary hymns and songs to explore. There are also a few short songs that would link to this such as Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love (Hope) and He came down that we may have love (CH 359).
You could respond to the Epistle with songs about standing firm in the face of opposition and suffering to sharing the Christian message, such as Stand O stand firm (WGRG), O Jesus, I have promised (CH 644 / MP 501), Who would true valour see (CH 535 / MP 224) and Courage, brother! do not stumble (CH 513).
For the Old Testament reading, O God of Bethel! by whose hand (CH 268 / MP 907) or Put all your trust in God (CH 270) could speak to Moses’ journey in life and his faith in God. Your labour is not in vain (link) could be an encouragement to those like Moses who work hard to achieve a better world but who might not see it themselves.
Sending
A good way to finish would be by singing about how we show the love of God in the world and particularly to our neighbours. As a fire is meant for burning (CH 252) and We sing a love that sets all people free (CH 622) are good contemporary hymns about showing God’s love through our actions while Build my life (CCLI) and We are one in the Father’s love (CCLI) are good options for worship songs.
You could also consider songs which focus on proclaiming God’s message in the world such as Go to the world! Go into all the earth (CH 683), For my sake and the gospel’s, go (CH 248), Mission’s Flame (CCLI) or Murassala (WGRG / H 82) from South Sudan which calls on us all to be ambassadors of Jesus.
Comentários