Sunday 15 January, 2023
2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
See below for hymns suitable for marking the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18-25 January).
Hymns marked with an asterisk (*) are suggested for more than one reading
As we gather, Father, seal us in the love that knows no fear (StF 570)
Best of all is God is with us (StF 610)
My heart if full of Christ, and longs (StF 506)
Praise to the God who clears the way (StF 183)
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord (StF 186)
The love of God comes close (StF 654)
Hymns echoing the psalmist’s theme
And I will wait now (website only)
*Lord, I come before your throne of grace (StF 58)
Through all the changing scenes of life (StF 638)
When I was lost, you came and rescued me (StF 367)
All praise to our redeeming Lord, who joins us by his grace (StF 608)
Called by Christ to be disciple (StF 660)
*Come let us join our cheerful songs (StF 743)
*Lord, I come before your throne of grace (StF 58)
Lord, we have come at your own invitation (StF 595)
May the mind of Christ my Saviour live in me from day to day (StF 564)
There’s a light upon the mountains (StF 188)
Behold the Lamb of God (StF 234)
*Come let us join our cheerful songs (StF 743)
Come, sinners, to the gospel feast (StF 401)
Come, my table is a meeting place (StF 581)
Have you heard God’s voice; has your heart been stirred? (StF 662)
Hear the call of the kingdom (StF 407)
Jesus call us! O’er the tumult (StF 250)
Jesus Christ – Perfect love (StF 325)
Just as I am, without one plea (StF 556)
Lamb of God, Lamb of God (StF 767)
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world (StF 787)
Lord of life, we come to you (StF 651)
Sent by the Lord am I (StF 239)
This week marks the beginning of Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18-25 January). The Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) theme this year is “Be-Longing: Praying for Unity amidst Injustice”. Using resources created by the churches of Minneapolis, the CTBI writers’ group has also focussed on the 30th anniversary of the murder of Stephen Lawrence, which we mark in 2023 (22 April).
The worship pamphlet and other resources (including a service PowerPoint <link> ) can be downloaded from CTBI in English, Welsh and Irish. Also see the resources suggested on StF's own Week of Prayer for Christian Unity page.
No hymn suggestions are made for the worship service, but the ones below may be useful for reflecting the readings.
General
Come, and let us sweetly join (StF 646)
Come, Holy Spirit, descend on us (StF 374)
For all he came, for all he lived (website only)
For the healing of the nations (StF 696)
Like the murmur of the dove’s song (StF 389)
Thou God of truth and love (StF 620)
The Methodist Church in Britain is currently exploring what it means to Walk with Micah. The StF hymn suggestions and other resources will be helpful for reflecting this Bible passage.
Also consider John Campbell’s Cry, 'I can't breathe!' (website only), which repeats words spoken by George Floyd while pinned down by police in Minneapolis in 2020.
Another useful resource is the sung refrain based on these words from Micah by Sally Buckner and Larry Schultz: We shall seek justice (website only)
Psalm 85: 5-12
Hymns echoing the psalmist’s theme
Beauty for brokenness, hope for despair (StF 693)
Being of beings, God of love (StF 490)
For the healing of the nations (StF 696)
Hark, my soul! It is the Lord (StF 426)
I will speak out for those who have no voices (StF 702)
Lord, we turn to you for mercy (StF 429)
The God who sings a new world into being (StF 714)
A new commandment I give unto you (StF 242)
God weeps at love withheld (StF 700)
Jesus calls us here to meet him (StF 28)
Show me how to stand for justice (StF 713)
The Church of Christ, in every age (StF 415)
When I needed a neighbour, were you there? (StF 256)
‘Who is my neighbour?’ asked the Scribe (website only)
Would you walk by on the other side (StF 257)