Church Music

This song from Gather 3rd edition is a joyful song of praise from Marty Haugen. He based the text on Psalm 146.

The sheet music that you can buy at GIA (the text is in their preview there) has an optional modulation from G to A that is not present on the guitar arrangement. Since it hits several “D”s a spoilsport like me would take down to F, or even Eb if you are tempted to do the key change. This is a very syncopated piece so if any of the syncopation police* are lurking in your assembly beware.

I used to post fail backings when I made egregious errors of taste in using BIAB. This one comes close but since it is just to sing along and learn the song I let stand.

* members of the assembly who automatically strip any syncopation from a tune as they sing, usually very loudly. However the Holy Spirit not only has autotune but can shift notes as well, so it is all praise.

This song from Gather 3rd edition was written way back in 1958 by Pablo Sosa from Argentina. GIA say it is a choral piece but it does sound such a fun song to sing, if your assembly wishes to express joy, why not. The text is available in Spanish and English.

GIA sell the sheet music and the text is in their preview.

This TAIZE chant from Gather 3 is attributed to the TAIZE community, rather than Jacques Berthier, for a change. The text is based on Psalm 136 and Luke 1:68-79.

It has Polish, Spanish and English texts with many alternative verses for the cantor to sing over the ostinato refrain.

GIA only have the handbell arrangement to download. TAIZE have the Polish version if that helps.

I just made a backing for the refrain, there is too many alternative cantor melodies to cover.

Goodness, a Marty Haugen song I haven’t heard before. This is an uplifting song of joy for times when that might be hard to find. The verses are designed as call and response between a cantor and assembly but it could just be sung straight through by parishioners if you don’t use a cantor. The tune has a hint of “Alouette” to it.

GIA sells the sheet music here and the text is in their preview. The first two verses can also be found here.

This is an interesting take on the Beatitudes with the sort of positive affirmation that doesn’t seem to be about much any more. Ah the 60s… It would make a great song for sending forth even when the text from Matthew isn’t part of the liturgy.

This was written by Jean A. Greif. His text is here. GIA only seem to have a handbell arrangement but the sheet music can be purchased at OCP.

This is only for Australia.

Entrance: Summoned By Love (O’Brien/Watts) AOV 2/18

Psalm 63 (McKenna)

My soul clings to you; your right hand holds me fast.

Gifts: The Cry of the Poor (Foley) AOV 1/83  

Communion:  Come to the Table (Burland) AOV NG 33

Thanksgiving: From Penola’s Plains (Herry) THAXTED

Recessional:  Send Down the Fire (Haugen) AOV 2/164

Entrance: Gather As One  (McKenna) AOV NG 48

Psalm 77 (McKenna)

The Lord gave them bread from heaven.

Gifts: Bread Broken, Wine Shared Bread  (Horner) AOV 2/155

Communion:  In the Breaking of the Bread  (Hurd) AOV 1/58

Thanksgiving: My Soul Is Thirsting (Angrisano) AOV NG 97

Recessional: All You Works of God (Haugen) AOV 1/19

Entrance: Gather Your People (Hurd) AOV 1/71

Psalm 144 (McKenna)

The hand of the Lord feeds us, he answers all our needs.

Gifts: Take and Eat (Russell) AOV 2/162

Communion:  Gift of Finest Wheat  (Westendorf/Kreutz) CWB II 651

Thanksgiving:  One Body (O’Brien- Watts) AOV 2/146

Recessional: All the Ends of the Earth (Dufford) AOV 1/76)

We are also observing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday.

Entrance: A Place at the Table  (Shirley Erena Murray – Lori True) AOV NG 1

Psalm 22 (McKenna)

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Gifts: Shepherd Me O God (Haugen) AOV 1/33

Communion:  One Bread, One Body (Foley) AOV 1/129

Thanksgiving:  Be Still, My Friends (Andersen)

Recessional: Hearts on Fire (Mangan) AOV NG 62

Entrance: The Summons  (Maule-Bell) AOV NG 149

Psalm 84 (McKenna)

Lord, show us your mercy and love, and grant us your salvation.

Gifts: A Trusting Psalm (Bates) AOV 1/115

Communion: Our Supper Invitation (Bates) AOV 1/185

Thanksgiving:  A Voice in the Wilderness  (Robinson) AOV 1/60

Recessional: Go Make a Difference  (Angrisano/Tomaszek) AOV NG 52