Some suggestions for incorporating Singing the Faith into your harvest celebrations from Valerie Ruddle.

Come all you people (Iona Community) - 22

Come all you people (Iona Community) - 22
Start with solo voice singing this unaccompanied song once and add two or three more voices as it is sung a second time. Then they move around the congregation as they continue to sing, encouraging everyone to join in.

Come, you thankful people, come (Henry Alford) - 123
Of course there must be some of the old favourites people are expecting!

Amen, siakudumisa (We praise your name) - (South Africa) - 770
This can be sung by everyone unaccompanied as they bring their gifts forward.

Alleluia - 755, 756, 758
There are several setting of Alleluia which could be used as a prayer response.

Autumn days (Estelle White) - 121
This may be known to children through BBC programmes. Art work to match the verses could have been prepared the week before by all ages, including adults, during coffee time.

We plough the fields (Matthias Claudius tr. JM Campbell) - 130
Gather pictures from magazines for the under-8's to make a collage based on this hymn towards the end of the service when they are getting bored.

Praise God for the harvest (Brian Wren) - 126
These words from HP 351 are now set to a more appealing tune, but five verses with long lines can still be daunting. If the ladies and children are asked to sing every first line, men the second and all lines 3 and 4. it will be less monotonous.

Touch the earth lightly (Shirley Erena Murray) - 729
Based on Genesis 9: 7-17, this thoughtful text, set to Colin Gibson's gently tune, can be very moving. A few voices singing the second verse in the minor key as suggested can be very effective.

Always remember, never forget (Lynda Masson) - 70
Thanksgiving is probably the central theme of most harvest services and this jaunty tune calls for movement! The simple circle dance below for the refrain could be adapted to movement in pews. The verses should be sung standing still. Some new verses might be created.

Always remember, never forget - eight steps clockwise
Never forget to say - turn on the spot
Thank you - clap twice
Always remember, never forget - eight steps anti-clockwise
Always say, ‘Thank you, Lord' - turn on the spot and clap after Lord.

Sing of the Lord's goodness (Ernest Sands) - 65
A great hymn of praise to end! Don't be put off by 5/4 time!