Music - Sunday 31 October, 2021 – Reformation Sunday
Introduction
There are many music choices available each week. You will find music suggestions for each reading drawn from the Lutheran Hymnal, the All Together song books and Together in Song. In addition, we have selected the Top 4 Public Domain hymns, the Top 4 All Together and LHS songs under copyright and the Top 4 Contemporary Music suggestions each week. You may like to mix and match from these lists to suit your context.
Top 4 Public Domain
If you enjoy traditional hymn singing or your congregation does not have a copyright license, here are our recommended Public Domain hymns for the week:
If a title is hyperlinked, that means that modernised lyrics are available. MP3 backing tracks have been recorded for you to use.
Lord of creation to Thee be all praise- LHS 379 - Backing track
A mighty fortress is our God LHS 195 - Backing track
Nothing but the blood of Jesus AT 345 (Public Domain)
Thy works not mine, O Christ – LHS 332 - Backing track
Top 4 All Together and LHS songs under copyright
Copyright information for the following suggestions has been provided. Please ensure that you are reporting the use of any material under copyright.
Your strong word – LHS 823 (CCLI, One Licence)
A mighty fortress is our God LHS 195 - Backing track
God has spoken by his prophets LHS 822
Nothing but the blood – AT 345 red (Public Domain)
Amazing Grace My chains are gone / Tomlin
Top 4 Contemporary Music Suggestions
The following songs have been carefully reviewed, and are recommended for use in congregational worship, primarily because they point people to Christ and proclaim the message of his word in music and song for this Sunday in the lectionary cycle. They also fit well with other selection guidelines as highlighted in Tips for song selection and Fact Sheet 6: Music in Worship. While the use of a particular song by a band or organisation is not necessarily an endorsement of that group or the entire body of their work, we recognise that any scriptural song is a Spiritual song that can be used to complement a rich diet of worship for God’s people.
Please note, the hyperlinked Youtube clips are provided to give you a sense of how music can be performed or for personal use. You must always obtain permission from the creators of the music videos and the creators of the song before using clips in worship, unless permission is explicitly stated beneath the video.
Speak O Lord - Keith and Kristyn Getty - CCLI by Keith Getty Stuart Townend
Nothing but the blood of Jesus - Hillsong - CCLI by Peter King
This is amazing grace - Phil Wickham - CCLI by Jeremy Riddle Josh Farro Phil Wickham
Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me - CityAlight - CCLI by Jonny Robinson, Michael Farren, Rich Thompson
Song/Hymn suggestions based on the Lectionary readings
* = Modernised version available. Underlined hymns are hyperlinked to modernised lyrics. (please click here to go to the Modernised hymns page) ;G3, G4 . . . = Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . .; GS = Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH
First Reading: Jeremiah 31:27-34
LHS
299 My God, accept my heart this day G5
358 Renew me, O eternal Light* G3
862 As we step from the edge of morning GS
AT
101 As we step from the edge of morning (CCLI, One Licence)
184 Love is the law (CCLI, One Licence)
TIS
428 Help us, O Lord, to learn
430 Your words to me are life and health
485 My God, accept my heart this day
614 O God of love, whose heart is ever yearning
Second Reading: Romans 3:19-28– 4:5
LHS
83 Beneath the cross of Jesus
173 Before the throne of God above
270 The law of God is good and wise G3
312 In Thee alone, O Christ, my Lord
322 Dear Christians, one and all rejoice* G3 (see TIS 196)
323 Blessed are the sons of God* G4
324 Salvation unto us has come* G5 (see TIS 195)
325 Approach, my soul, the mercy-seat
327 Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness* G3
330 Rock of ages G6
331 My hope is built on nothing less*
332 Thy works, not mine, O Christ*
411 If God be my defender* G3
851 Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
852 God loved the world so that he gave G5
871 My heart is filled with faith and wonder
AT
130 I am covered over (Public Domain)
131 Amazing grace (Public Domain)
329 This kingdom (CCLI, One Licence)
345 Nothing but the blood of Jesus (Public Domain)
TIS
129 Amazing grace
195 Salvation now to us has come
196 Dear Christians, one and all rejoice
213 Father, whose everlasting love
222 Rock of ages
Gospel Reading: John 8:31-36
LHS
4 Once He came in blessing* G4 (see TIS 197)
197 Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy Word* G5 (see TIS 436)
379 Lord of creation, to Thee be all praise G6 (see TIS 626)
883 There’s a gladness in my heart
AT
32 Thou wilt rest him in perfect peace (Public Domain)
50 I will sing (CCLI, One Licence)
67 Let your word fill my days (CCLI, One Licence)
156 He sets us free (not available)
217 Shine, Jesus, shine (CCLI, One Licence)
232 He set me free (There’s a gladness in my heart) (not available)
332 We are sorry (CCLI, One Licence)
TIS
197 God’s Son came to bless us
261 Lord, you are the light of life to me
436 Lord, keep us steadfast in your word
626 Lord of creation, to you be all praise
675 Lord, the light of your love shining
Other Suitable Hymns and Songs:
LHS
185 Sun of righteousness divine* G3
188 Built on a rock, the Church doth stand* G4
191 The Church’s one foundation (see also TIS 457)
193 Jesus, with Thy church abide* G9 (alt tune 82, G5)
195 A mighty fortress is our God* G3 (see TIS 103)
196 Look down, O Lord, from heaven behold
198 Let us, O Father, never be confounded G6
199 Christ, Thou strong guardian* G9
200 Thou little flock, be not dismayed
258 O God our Lord, Thy holy Word G9 (alt tune 384, G9)
260 Lord Jesus Christ, with us abide* G3
266 God’s Word is our great heritage* G3
328 Now I have found for my salvation
329 By grace I’m saved, grace free and boundless
804 The church of Christ in every age G5
822 God has spoken by his prophets G6
823 Your strong word G5
824 Your word O Lord is gentle dew G7
AT
39 My word is like the snow and rain (CCLI, One Licence)
67 Let your word fill my days (CCLI, One Licence)
207 As we gather here (Not available)
246 Thy word is a lamp (CCLI)
337 The grass withers (CCLI, One Licence)
TIS
103 A mighty fortress is our God
158 God has spoken by his prophets
427 Lord, your word abiding
431 Thanks to God whose word was spoken
457 The Church’s one foundation
Psalms
PSALM 46
TIS 28, God is our strength and refuge, is a paraphrase of the psalm. AT 526, God is our shelter and strength is also a paraphrase of Psalm 46.
The following songs and hymns have some basis in Psalm 46 – although none of them are actually paraphrases of the psalm itself.
LHS
195 A mighty fortress* (* modernised version available) G3
854 Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side
AT
9 Be still and know that I am God
As the reader speaks the verses of Psalm 46, the congregation may respond after every few verses with the singing of the first verse of ‘Be still and know that I am God’ (LHS 885, ATN 9).
311 Be still and know that I am God Most appropriate for an opening song.
339 In you, O Lord, I found refuge
458 God is our refuge and strength
TIS
103 A mighty fortress
The following paraphrase of Psalm 46, by David Schütz, may be sung to the tune of ‘A mighty fortress’ (LH 195, TIS 103). If reproducing this version, please put ‘Words (c) David Schütz’ at the beginning or the end of the psalm.
God is our refuge and our strength
a present help in trouble.
And so we will not be afraid,
though all the earth may tremble.
Though mountains may fall,
though seas roar and foam,
though all the earth quakes,
still we are not afraid.
The Lord of hosts is with us!
A flowing river brings great joy
throughout God’s holy city,
for God himself is always there,
and it will not be shaken.
God’s help comes at dawn,
the nations will roar,
the kingdoms will fall,
his voice will melt the earth.
The Lord of hosts is with us!
O come and see the fearsome things
the Lord has made to happen.
He makes wars cease; he shatters shields;
he breaks the spears and arrows.
‘Now be still, and know
that I am your God.
Throughout all the earth,
I am exalted high!’
The Lord of hosts is with us!
OR, the following paraphrase by David Schütz may be sung to the tune of ‘Be still and know that I am God’ (LHS 885, ATN 9). If reproducing this version, please put ‘Words (c) David Schütz’ at the beginning or the end of the psalm.
A mighty fortress is our God,
A mighty fortress is our God,
A mighty fortress is our God,
And so we will not be afraid;
and so we will not be afraid;
and so we will not be afraid.
The Lord of hosts is with us now,
The Lord of hosts is with us now,
The Lord of hosts is with us now.
He makes wars cease throughout the earth;
He makes wars cease throughout the earth;
He makes wars cease throughout the earth;’
‘Be still, and know that I am God!’
‘Be still, and know that I am God!’
‘Be still, and know that I am God!’
Music Resources Vol. 3– Psalm settings – Psalm 46 p79 , Psalm 46 p80 , Psalm 46 p81
Contemporary setting of Psalm 46 by Monique Costa.
The song ‘Everlasting God’ is based on Psalm 46 and was written particularly for congregations to sing. It is useful as a general praise and/or proclamation of faith song and was used by some churches to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. The song echo’s the themes of Martin Luther’s ‘A mighty fortress is our God’ from our 21st century perspective and maintains the anthem feel of the original hymn.
Download free lead and choir scores and listen to the mp3 here.
Advice for Congregations Without Musicians
LCA Music Resources
OTHER HELPFUL WEBSITES FOR CHURCH MUSIC
While the LCA does not necessarily endorse the content of these websites, you may find them helpful in your worship planning.