You can find a YouTube playlist here with many of the songs suggested below.
Gathering
As we move towards the end of the church year, you can begin with songs which celebrate the Reign of Christ which we are waiting for with classic hymns such as Jesus shall reign where’er the sun (CH 470 / MP 379) and O worship the King all glorious above (CH 127) or Come people of the risen King (MP 1267 / CCLI / Getty) for a contemporary hymn, while worship songs you could choose include My Jesus, my Saviour / Shout to the Lord (CH 531 / MP 1003 / CCLI), How great is our God (MP 1227 / CCLI) and This is amazing grace (CCLI).
Word
There are a couple of metrical options for the psalm, with I lift my eyes to you (Jubilate) having a good original tune but it could also be sung to tunes such as Garelochside or Serenity, while Up to you I lift my eyes (PFAS 123B / link) can be sung to The Call. Psalm 123 (CCLI) by Ian White could be great fun for congregations who are comfortable with simple part singing. The music doesn’t appear to be available online but is simple enough to learn by ear (link). You could also sing the psalm responsorially using Nkosi, Nkosi, yiba nenceba / Lord, have mercy (CH 781), Our eyes are fixed on the Lord (GIA) or the Gospel song O Lord, have mercy (Hymnary).
Response
O God, we yearn for safety (Carolyn) is a direct response to the Parable of the Talents in the Gospel reading while you could also consider songs of dedication such as Take my life, Lord, let it be (CH 502 / MP 624), Take this moment (CH 501) and I will offer up my life (CH 503 / MP 990 / CCLI).
As with last week, the Epistle could link to songs about waiting for the coming of Christ, including ‘Thy kingdom come!’ - on bended knee (CH 473), Waiting here for you (CCLI) and Wait for the Lord (CH 276). Songs which could link to being children of light would also be options such as Light of the world / Here I am to worship (MP 1086 / CCLI), Longing for light, we wait in darkness / Christ be our light (CH 543 / MP 1201) and Siyahamba / We are marching (CH 516 / MP 954).
For the Old Testament you could focus on Deborah as a prophet with God has spoken by the prophets (MP 831 / Hymnary) or the first and last verse of Song of the prophets (CCLI) sung to Kingsfold. You could also use songs about women in the Bible such as There is a line of women (WGRG), sung to the Seven joys of Mary or O God of truth and glory (link), sung to Aurelia. On the broader theme of freedom you could also consider songs such as Freedom is coming (WGRG) or No longer slaves (CCLI).
Sending
The readings call on us not just to wait passively for the return of Christ, but to be active in our calling to God’s mission, and you can pick this up in songs such as Send out the gospel (CH 681), As a fire is meant for burning (CH 252), Sent by the Lord am I (CH 250), God of justice (MP 1174 / CCLI), God of all comfort (Resound), Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly (CCLI) and Hear the call of the kingdom (MP 1282 / CCLI / Getty) which echoes the Epistle in its call to be “children of light”.
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