Music - Sunday, 18 December 2022 – Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year A

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.

Music Suggestions for an Advent Readings and Carols service – click here for both Public Domain and Contemporary song suggestions. A fully stocked service order and PPTS are available on the Service order tab.

Light of the Nations – Advent version

Robin Mann has given permission for congregations to use his song ‘Light of the Nations’ as an Advent song, with suggested verse changes by Claire Kleinig to match the customary Advent Wreath candles of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.  Simply replace the phrase after Light of the Nations with the suggested phrase.

Light of the nations sight of the blinded
You are our freedom from ev’ry dark prison
Shine Your light on the world
Shine Your light on the world

Advent 1 – hope of the helpless
Advent 2 – peace for the troubled
Advent 3 – joy for the tearful
Advent 4 – love for the lonely

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.

LHS 733 Daughter of Zion, O rejoice - Backing track
LHS 14 Let the earth now praise (verses 1-5) - Backing track
LHS 36 Jesus name of wondrous love - Backing track
LHS 631 As each happy Christmas (second tune)

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.

AT 157 (blue) Jesus name above all (CCLI)
TIS 208 Jesus has come and brings (One Licence)
AT 520 Star child (CCLI, One Licence)
AT 141 (blue) Mary’s child (CCLI, One Licence)

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.

Here I Am To Worship - Maranatha! Music - CCLI by Tim Hughes
God With Us - Terrian - CCLI by Chuck Butler, Terrian Woods
Jesus Is His Name - Emu Music - CCLI by James McDonald, Judith Hickel, Liv Chapman
What A Beautiful Name - Hillsong Worship - CCLI by Ben Fielding, Brooke Ligertwood

Song/Hymn suggestions based on the Lectionary readings

First Reading: Isaiah 7:10-16

LHS

2       O come, O come, Immanuel G7
17    Come, Thou long-expected Jesus G6
19    Come, Thou Saviour of our race* G4
28    Immanuel, we sing Thy praise* (vv 1,2) G4

AT

17     Emmanuel, God is with us (One Licence)
157    Jesus, name above all names (CCLI)
514   Emmanuel Carol (One Licence)

TIS

265 O come, O come, Emmanuel
272 Come, thou long-expected Jesus
283 Long ago, prophets knew
295 Saviour of the nations, come

Second Reading: Romans 1:1-7

LHS

14       Let the earth now praise the Lord* G4
16       Hail to the Lord’s Anointed G6
232    Rise, Thou light of gentile nations (vv 1,2,3)* G4
733    Daughter of Zion, O rejoice G6 (Public Domain)

AT

133    Jesus set us free (Please use freely in worship with permission of the author)
308    We are called to follow Jesus (CCLI, One Licence)
349    There is a redeemer (CCLI)

TIS

241 So God loved the people of the world
275 Hail to the Lord’s anointed

Gospel Reading: Matthew 1:18-25

LHS

2       O come, O come, Immanuel G7
15    Jesus came – the heavens adoring* G6
17    Come, Thou long-expected Jesus G6
19    Come, Thou Saviour of our race*G4
35    To the name of our salvation
36    Jesus, name of wondrous love*
156    Jesus our Saviour, of true joy the giver* G3
782    At the name of Jesus G7

AT

17     Emmanuel, God is with us (One Licence)
58    Praise the name of Jesus (CCLI)
141    Mary’s child (CCLI, One Licence)
157    Jesus, name above all names (CCLI)
451    Saviour of the world (One Licence)
520   Star child (CCLI, One Licence)
599   It’s Christmas (CCLI)

TIS

208 Jesus has come, and brings joy as our Saviour
231 At the name of Jesus
265 O come, O come, Emmanuel
272 Come, thou long-expected Jesus
277 He who by a mother’s love
295 Saviour of the nations, come
328 Joseph, your love of life brought an engagement

Other Suitable Hymns and Songs:

LHS

AT

Emmanuel: God is with us 17
Come, Lord Jesus, come 20
Comfort, comfort 25
Vine and fig tree 36
His name is Wonderful 55
O Mary, don’t you weep 142
Help us, Lord 187
There’ll be peace 220
They were waiting 221
Christ is a-comin’ 229
My soul is praising the Lord 260
Soon and very soon 302
When the Lord returns 309
Christ, be our light 313
Come to us 314
Drawn to the light 315
Freedom is coming 355
Light of the nations 389
God has chosen me 402
Get ready 420
God moving 425
Sing out with joy, he is coming 434
When Jesus Christ worked here on earth 450
The world is waiting 453
Your God will come 454
Sing a New Song 468
It was me 499
Patiently waiting for you 502
Advent news 510
New beginning 519
Word of the Father 542
Life Overflowing 619
Advent Lamb of God 648
Lord, now let your servant depart 677
Jesus is beside us 678

TIS

Psalms

Psalm 80

Here is a metrical paraphrase by David Schütz of Psalm 80:1-7,17-19, which could be sung to the tune Nativity (LH 627 ,TIS 204) or Evan (LH 68ii). If reproducing this version, please put ‘Words (c) David Schütz’ at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

Shepherd of Israel, hear us now;
you once were Joseph’s guide.
Enthroned on cherubim, shine forth:
stir up your saving might.

Restore us once again, O God,
and show your smiling face.
O Lord of hosts, how long will you
be angry with our prayers?

You fill our cups with grief, and give
us bread of tears to eat.
Our neighbours laugh at us with scorn,
and smile at our defeat.

Restore us once again, O God,
and show your smiling face;
O God of power, O God of might,
show us your saving grace.

Give blessing to the one who sits
with you at your right hand;
and give strength to your chosen one,
the promised Son of Man.

Give us again your gift of life,
and we will praise your name.
Restore us, God, and let your face
shine on us once again.

Music Resources Vol. 3– Psalm settings: Psalm 80 p131 , Psalm 80 p132

Advice for Musicians

Advice for Congregations Without Musicians

Other Music Resources

LCA Music Resources

Downloadable Hymnal Resources (including downloadable backing tracks and lyric PPTs)
Modernised Hymn Lyrics
Hymnal Index (by tune and scriptural link) 
All Together Index (by tune, scriptural link and theme)
Five Songs of Faith

For further Music Resources click here.

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.

Together to Celebrate: lectionary based song and hymn suggestions from a variety of sources.
Singing from the Lectionary: has song and hymn suggestions based on the RCL from other hymnals.
Song Select: catalogues CCLI licensed music. You can search for more contemporary songs by theme. If your congregation has a paid subscription you can also download sheet music and other resources.
Hymns Without Words: mp3 downloads of hymn tunes.
Metrical Psalms by Dale Schoening : Psalms set to well known hymn tunes.