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Writer's pictureIain McLarty

Proper 28C / 23rd Sunday after Pentecost


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



Gathering


The Canticle (Isaiah 12) invites us to give thanks to God, our strength and our salvation and you could consider classic hymns such as Stand up, and bless the Lord (CH 202 / MP 615), Glory be to God the Father (CH 110) and Praise my soul, the King of heaven (CH 160 / MP 560) or more recent songs such as Praise, I will praise you, Lord / Je louerai l’Éternel (CH 175), Let Everything (Praise The Lord) (CCLI), King of kings (CCLI) or Come and worship Christ the King (Resound), with some of these also leading towards next week’s theme of the Reign of Christ.



Word


It can often be a challenge to find sung settings of the less commonly used canticles but there are a few good options for Isaiah 12 with Surely it is God who saves me (Hope) a metrical version sung to In Babilone while We will say in that day (Kimbrough) would work well for bands and has a nice gospel tinge. The Taizé chant In the Lord I’ll be ever thankful (CH 772 / MP 865) would be a great responsorial option while You will draw water joyfully (GIA) and With God you shall draw water (GIA) are other possibilities for this where you could either just use the refrain or have a soloist or choir sing the verses.



Response


We can respond to the Gospel with songs which pray for the day of peace when all the conflict which is spelled out in the reading will end with songs such as For the healing of the nations (CH 706) and Kingdom coming (CCLI) or short choruses like Goodness is stronger than evil (WGRG) and Freedom is coming (WGRG). We can also sing about the hope we have because of Christ with songs such as Christ our hope in life and death (CCLI / Getty) and My hope is built on nothing less (MP 473 / Hymnary) alongside its two great reworkings - the Kenyan song Kwake yesu nasimama (GSW 34 / GIA) and the popular worship song Cornerstone (MP 1334 / CCLI).


Songs about the challenges of following Christ can connect to the Epistle, such as Courage, brother! do not stumble (CH 513) and When peace like a river (Hymnary / CCLI) while you could also consider songs which focus more on Christ walking with us, teaching us and acting through us such as I want Jesus to walk with me (CH 539), Teach me, my God and King (Hymnary) and Yet not I but through Christ in me (CCLI)


Isaiah the prophet has written of old (CH 241) links directly to the Old Testament reading while there are a range of songs which pick up the theme of a new creation including This is a day of new beginnings (CH 526 / GIA 1 / GIA 2) which has three different melodies to choose from, All things new (CCLI) from Elevation Worship, All things new (CCLI) from Hillsong Worship and Beautiful things (CCLI). Sing a new world into being (GIA) is a helpful text to make us active participants in creating a new world and has an original tune or which can be sung to Ode to Joy, while Behold, behold I make all things new (WGRG) is a great short song to teach in two parts and adds a sense of urgency by saying it begins today.



Sending


The readings all look ahead to a new and better world and hymns such as ‘Thy kingdom come!’ - on bended knee (CH 473), Sing a new world into being (GIA) and Love divine, all loves excelling (CH 519 / MP 449) would link while worship songs you could consider include Hear the call of the kingdom (MP 1282 / CCLI / Getty), Build your kingdom here (CCLI) and Let your kingdom come (CCLI).



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