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Proper 26A / 23rd Sunday after Pentecost


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


Gathering


Today’s psalm opens with the theme of God’s steadfast love which is always a good gathering theme and you could consider classic hymns such as Great is thy faithfulness (CH 153 / MP 200), God the Father of Creation (CH 113), New every morning is your love (CH 214 / MP 480), His mercy is more (CCLI / Getty) and Goodness of God (CCLI) or a couple of more recent songs from Scottish songwriters, Give thanks to God (CCLI) with it’s refrain of “His never ending love is steadfast and sure” and Let his praise be on our lips (Satellite).


Word


There are a range of fairly traditional paraphrases for the psalm this week which are worth considering including Give thanks unto the Lord our God (CH 71), Give thanks to God who hears our cries (PFAS 107A) and Give thanks to God, for He is good (Grace). For something a bit more imaginative Oh give thanks (Kimbrough) is a great option while Through the valley (CCLI) and Forever (MP 1046 / CCLI) aren’t based specifically on this psalm but have strong thematic links.


Response


You can link to the Gospel with songs which focus on the practical ways in which we live out the humility which Jesus calls us to such as Brother, sister, let me serve you (CH 694 / MP 1261) and Spirit of Jesus, if I love my neighbour (CH 621) or with songs which speak about the upside down or backward nature of Jesus’ message such as Make me a captive, Lord (CH 534), Let no ambition rule our hearts (GIA) and Simple kingdom (CCLI).


The Epistle ties together the proclamation of God’s word and the transformation of our lives when we receive it and songs which would link to this include Spirit of God, unseen as the wind (CH 600 / MP 1351), Speak O Lord (MP 1350 / CCLI / Getty), We come to hear your word (Resound) and Listen for God (link).


Guide me, O thou great Jehovah (CH 167 / MP 201) is a classic hymn which links to the story in Joshua. Looking to the promised land across the river Jordan is a theme that has also understandably been picked up in many Spirituals such as Deep river (Hymnary) and Wade in the water (Hymnary).


Sending


You can end by focusing on the better world we have been promised, linking to the promised land in Joshua or the world we will bring about if we follow Jesus’ teaching. Song to consider include Love divine, all loves excelling (CH 519 / MP 449), Come, thou long-expected Jesus (CH 472 / MP 102), Sing a new world into being (GIA), Hear the call of the kingdom (MP 1282 / CCLI / Getty), Let your kingdom come (CCLI) or Sent by the Lord am I (CH 250).


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