You can find a YouTube playlist here with many of the songs suggested below.
Gathering
The Gospel story this week is another account of the calling of the disciples, and the same songs as last week would work as an opening with Jesus calls us here to meet him (CH 510), Jesus call us o’er the tumult (CH 509 / MP 359) and Come now is the time to worship (CH 196 / MP 1040) some well known options while alternatives include In the name of Christ we gather (CH 677), Jesus lead us to the Father (Resound) and Rise and shine (CCLI).
Word
The confidence of the text of Psalm 27 has inspired many bold musical settings and there is a good selection in a range of styles. The Lord’s my light and saving health (CH 22) is a text from the Scottish Psalter with an excellent tune to match it. There are two options from the Wild Goose repertoire for this psalm, either The Lord is my light (WGRG / PFAS 27J) from the Czech Republic which is concise but full of character, or The Lord is my light (WGRG) by John Bell which is much more extended and best suited to a soloist or choir for the verses but has a wonderfully catchy chorus. If you wish to sing the psalm responsorially then there is a famous Taizé setting in two parts which would work very well, The Lord is my light, my light and salvation (PFAS 27A / Hymnary), while the The Lord is my light and my salvation (CH 23) looks complicated but is actually very simple for the congregation with just one line to sing and a good keyboard player can make it easy for the reader too. God is my light (link) would be a good option for bands while One thing I ask (CH 199 / MP 913 / PFAS 27I) and Psalm 27 (CCLI) are more reflective settings which take v4 as their starting point.
Response
Some of the same songs as suggested for the Gospel last week will be relevant for this week but also more which focus on fishing. Will you come and follow me (CH 533) and Lord, you have come to the seashore (CH 532) have both become modern classics while Come with me, come wander / Sing hey for the carpenter (WGRG / STF 462) is more explicitly about the calling of the disciples, although it can be a bit of a tongue-twister and probably better suited to a soloist taking the verses and the congregation joining in with the refrain. Jesus you have called us (Resound) or We say yes (CCLI) could be good options for worship bands. Two other possibilities are Dear Lord and Father of mankind (CH 485 / MP 111), which mentions the calling of the disciples in its second verse, and Would I have answered when you called (STF 674), which asks what our response would have been.
The Gospel also quotes the passage from Isaiah and The race that long in darkness pined (CH 290) is an obvious option on this theme as it’s a paraphrase of this passage. You could also consider songs on the theme of Christ as the light such as Christe, lux mundi (Taizé), You are the light (CCLI) and Great are you Lord (CCLI). Christ is the world’s true light (CH 456) and Praise the One who breaks the darkness (CH 348) are two other hymns to consider and both would also link to the theme of the Epistle.
The Epistle has a focus on Christian unity with a call to end divisions and be united in the same mind and the same purpose. Christ our peace (GIA) and Ososo / Come now O prince of peace (CH 275) are both beautiful songs focusing on peace and breaking down walls and this is also the culmination of Christ Was Raised (Resound). In Christ there is no east or west (CH 624 / MP 329), We are one in the Father’s love (CCLI), Draw the circle wide (MV 145 / link) and Together (link) can help us focus on finding unity in Christ with people of all backgrounds.
Sending
Siyahamba / We are marching in the light of God (CH 516 / MP 954) is always a great sending song and would tie up themes of following Jesus, light, and unity while Hear the call of the kingdom (MP 1282 / CCLI / Getty) also links some of these themes together and has an explicit response to Jesus’ call with the line in the chorus “we will answer the call, we will follow”. Christ be our light (CH 543 / MP 1201) is another good option on the themes of light and of following Jesus while you could also use songs of commitment such as O Jesus, I have promised (CH 644 / MP 501), I, the Lord of sea and sky (CH 251), Build my life (CCLI), Send me (CCLI) or I will offer up my life (MP 990 / CCLI).
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