This question recently came in to The Hymn Society staff.
The Question
Hi Brian,
I’m looking for a congregational song as a response to this coming Sunday’s Micah 6:1-8 reading. (They are referencing the Revised Common Lectionary reading for this Sunday, January 29th, 2023). Any suggestions?
Signed,
Music Minister of Baptist Church in North Carolina
The Answer
Dear sibling in Christ,
Here’s a great song newly written for last year’s World Council of Churches Assembly. Great to weave in the scripture reading, prayers, or whatever inbetween each repetition. The instrumentalists in the recording are just riffing off of the chord progression, so no written instrumental parts. The composer is Iain McLarty of Scotland.
The copyright is graciously listed as “Music © 2022 Iain McLarty, Scotland. Permission is granted to reprint for use in worship services only (non-profit use)”
You can see it in the liturgy here:
Booklet Page 236 – Oasis-of-Peace_WEB_Pages MedRes.pdf (oikoumene.org)
Video at minute 5:30 – #WCC 11th Assembly – Morning Prayer: “Christ’s love moves us to be faithful” (6 September 2022)
I hope you love this song as much as I did. God be with you!
Brian Hehn, Director of The Center for Congregational Song