Congregational Songs

Showing 205–216 of 247 results

  • Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart

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    http://musicblog.gregscheer.com/rejoice_ye_pure_in_heart.mp3

    What I like most about this hymn tune is that it twists, turns, and teeters on the edge of chaos without ever losing its melodic momentum. I would be very pleased to turn this into a festive choral anthem with organ and brass. If your church commissions it, you get to name the hymn tune! Alternately, if you want to write a new hymn text (6.6.8.6 with refrain) to this tune, I’d be happy to collaborate with you.

    This hymn is a free download. If you sing this song in your church please report its use to CCLI or OneLicense.

  • Renew Us, O God

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    http://musicblog.gregscheer.com/renew_us_o_god.mp3

    This song was commissioned for the World Communion of Reformed Churches 2017 General Council. It takes the council’s theme (“transformed and transforming; renewed and renewing”) and puts it in prayer form: “Renew us, O God.” This prayer serves as a refrain that can be sung joyfully, as on the recording, or introspectively, like a Taizé chorus.

    An Indonesian translation by Ivan Santoso is also available for download.

  • Rhyme or Reason

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    [audio m4a="https://gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/tice-rhyme_or_reason.m4a"][/audio]

    I wrote this tune for a somewhat irregularly metered hymn text based on Ecclesiastes. Since the text talked about stretching and striving, I thought this rising melodic figure (with a chromatically descending bass) fit the theme quite well.

    This is an orphan tune, waiting to be adopted by a text to call its own. If you write your own lyrics for this melody or pair it with an existing text, please report its use to CCLI or OneLicense, and let me know how you’ve used it.

  • RUSTY

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    https://archive.gregscheer.com/sounds/RUSTY.mp3

    This is my homage to shape note singing. No, I won’t stack it against the timeless tunes of Sacred Harp or Southern Harmony, but it has a certain rustic charm that may be just right for your 8.6.8.6 text. It was first composed for Adam Tice’s text, “The Church of Christ Cannot Be Bound,” a rousing ode to the church’s mission outside its sanctuary walls.

    This is an orphan tune, waiting to be adopted by a text to call its own. If you write your own lyrics for this melody or pair it with an existing text, please let me know how you’ve used it.

  • Sanna, Sannanina – flute/piccolo descant

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    https://musicblog.gregscheer.com/sanna_sannanina-flute.mp3

    “Sanna, Sannanina” is a delightful South African song that is perfect for joyous Palm Sunday processions. Here I’ve added a flute descant that is almost as rhythmic as the djembe accompaniment. The recording above is an instrumental version with flute and djembe; this descant would also work over the congregation, choir, or praise team singing the song.

    Descants for flute/piccolo. Download also includes SATB hymn with both South African and English texts.

  • Savior of the Nations, Come (Nun Komm, Der Heiden Heiland) – string orchestra

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    http://musicblog.gregscheer.com/savior_of_the_nations_baylor.mp3

    This theme and variations for string orchestra was commissioned by Carlos Colón for a 2017 Advent service at Baylor University. The stout hymn tune Nun Komm, Der Heiden Heiland is stated, then volleyed back and forth between different sections of the string orchestra. It could be used as a stand-alone concert piece or used as a prelude or instrumental selection in a worship setting. It is especially appropriate for Advent and Lessons and Carols services.

    Score and orchestral parts for violin 1+2, viola, cello, and bass. Purchase price allows you to print as many copies as you need for your ensemble.

  • Semper Reformanda

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    https://musicblog.gregscheer.com/semper_reformanda.mp3

    This was a first attempt at a song for the World Council of Reformed Churches 2017 General Council. Since this song went unused (“Renew Us, O God” was chosen) I would love to see the tune used with a new text.

    This hymn is a free download. If you sing this song in your church please report its use to CCLI or OneLicense.

  • Seven Last Words

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    During Lent 2020, Fuller Ave CRC did a series on the seven last words of Christ. Each week’s sermon was followed by a new song. These songs don’t restate the seven last words. Instead, they are true “hymns of reflection” that meditate, pray, or imagine what the Spirit might be saying to us through the scripture.
    You can download a zipped file of all seven songs below or follow the links to hear, read about, and download each individual song:
    These leadsheets are a free download. If you sing these songs in your church please report their use to CCLI or OneLicense.

  • Seven Last Words: 1. Forgive Us

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    [embed]https://musicblog.gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/forgive_us.mp3[/embed]

    This is the first in a series of songs on the seven last words of Christ. It is based on Luke 23:34: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” With each of these songs, my goal is not to restate the words of Jesus but to let worshipers reflect on them. For this passage, I wanted to invite people to take to the posture of the repentant thief on the cross, offering a heartfelt confession.

    For all seven songs, visit the Seven Last Words page.

    This leadsheet is a free download. If you sing this song in your church please report its use to CCLI or OneLicense.

  • Seven Last Words: 2. By Your Side

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    [embed]http://musicblog.gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/by_your_side.mp3[/embed]

    “By Your Side” is song #2 in my Seven Last Words series. This one is based on Luke 23:43 “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” We understand what these words mean when Jesus speaks them to a criminal dying next to him on a cross, but what do they mean for us today? In this song, we respond to Christ’s words with dedication: “Yes, Lord, we want to be with you in life and death, in paradise or cross.”

    This leadsheet is a free download. If you sing this song in your church please report its use to CCLI or OneLicense.

  • Seven Last Words: 3. Love One Another

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    [embed]http://musicblog.gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/love_one_another.mp3[/embed]

    The Gospel of John tells the story this way: “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. (John 19:25-27)

    It is touching that Jesus was taking care of his mother even while he was dying, but it is not surprising; John’s Gospel is all about love, from the famous “for God so loved the world” to the new commandment of the last supper, “love one another.” So a song about these last words of Christ should make us consider who our family is and how we can love them best.

    This leadsheet is a free download. If you sing this song in your church please report its use to CCLI or OneLicense.

  • Seven Last Words: 4. Set Us Free

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    [embed]http://musicblog.gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/set_us_free.mp3[/embed]

    This fourth song of the “Seven Last Words” project has Jesus speaking perhaps the most desolate words of the Bible: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34) These words uttered from the cross are actually a direct quote from Psalm 22, where we read of a Psalmist surrounded by enemies but ultimately saved from the grasp of death.

    If Jesus could trust God even on the cross, certainly we can cry out for deliverance even in the middle of our pain, doubt, and despair.

    This leadsheet is a free download. If you sing this song in your church please report its use to CCLI or OneLicense.

Showing 205–216 of 247 results