Last week, I attended a boundary training where I befriended someone who knew my name for the liturgy I’ve written. “You used to write for Worship Ways, right?I always loved your words.”

I was humbled by this especially after receiving the annual reminder from WordPress that my domain would be charged again. I’d contemplated deleting it. I don’t write so much liturgy anymore. I’m starting to write other things and this little blog hasn’t felt worthwhile to continue.

Another friend reached out to ask about sung blessings at exactly that same moment. What did she say? She said I was the “queen of written liturgies.” Good lord. Her charm worked though. I’m keeping the domain and adding a collection of blessings to this archive. I confess that music is not my gift, though I do love it. I love what it adds to worship especially when those words are sung. It carries us differently than when those words are spoken by one voice.

My friend’s congregation has been using this refrain. She had thought it wasn’t something that could ever change but the worship committee is looking for alternatives. Maybe because we need more blessing than ever.

My first instinct was to offer this friend the gifts of the Convergence Music Project. They have a whole category of what they call sending songs in their collection.

Here are a few other songs that might be added to the end of worship to send everyone out with a blessing and a song. This list moves from more traditional to decidedly less so.

As We Depart (Heather Lynch)

This song, composed by the wonderful talents of the Porter’s Gate, has multiple verses. I would opt for the first or second to be the refrain that the congregation sings before or after the spoken benediction.

Nunc dimittis (Taize)

This is not the most uplifting song to end worship. It is a quiet and meditative version of the blessing Simeon bestows on the infant Jesus in Luke 2:29-32. Those words become a blessing from God as the congregation moves from the house of worship into the world.

The light of God to lead us (Philip Fox)

As with above, I think this one, from the talents of the Iona Community, is a bit too long for a blessing song. I would choose one verse. Maybe two that the congregation sings together.

Go now in peace (Natalie Sleeth)

I asked some of my United Church of Christ colleagues what they use for this moment in worship. This was the song several of them mentioned from the wonderful collection of good songs in Rise Up Singing.

La Paz de la Tierra (Guatemala)

Arranged by John Bell, this song is meant to be sung acapella. It might require a song leader. Or at least, that might build confidence in singing. The creation imagery in this song is just so gorgeous, which I could argue could work for almost every liturgical season of the year.

Yarabba Ssalami (Palestine)

In Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon, this song is more often sung as part of the passing of the peace than a blessing. I love the hopefulness that moves through the lyrics with a transporting melody.

May you run and not be weary (Handt Hanson)

With no mention of the divine in the blessing song itself, this might not work for every congregation. I love the scriptural reference though. I also like that it is so short. It is simple and would carry through the week. I like songs that live in a community and become lyrics that shape identity. This feels like that.

Sizohamba naye (South Africa)

I’d never heard this song before but I kinda love it. It reminds me of this other African song with its repetitive syllables. That wo wo wo in the song seems to allow space for worship to go deeper, even as the service is ending.

From This House (Ben Allaway)

This is another short one that doesn’t mention God at all, but it’s so beautiful.

Yeshu supriya (India)

I found this song from my time working on editing and collecting worship resources for Seasons of the Spirit. It’s another sung in another language with a lovely rhythm.

Na Jijuho (Benin)

This song is part of a collection of songs for children, which would mean that it’s probably easy to sing for any age. It offers peace in such a gentle way that it feels like it might be something to hold onto.

Wherever You Go (Barbara Hamm)

Another UCC colleague, actually the same one that I mentioned at boundary training, reminded me of this song in our denomination’s Sing Prayer and Praise. Her congregation changes the you to we when they sing this lovely little blessing at the end of worship.

I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me (African American Spiritual)

This song can carry a wide variety of moods. It can be sung slow and thoughtfully or can break out clapping and dancing down the aisles. The verbs could also change to match what is going on within that season of worship, or the particular mood of the congregation at that time.

Go on Your Way in Joy, My Friends (Kerri Meyer)

The sweet little Lutheran church I attend here in Alaska is using this one right now. It’s also Joy Lutheran Church. I have been delighted ever sine I started attending that joy is not just in their name. It’s how they define themselves, which makes this song more poignant for me. There have been percussionists to accompany us out with dancing. It’s most excellent and easy for kids to sing.

By My Side (Emoni Wilkins)

From the Porter’s Gate album entitled Sanctuary Songs, this is not specifically a blessing. It could be sung, however, to remember that we are not alone. For congregations that need help to hold fast of the miracle of the blessed community.

Love is Little (Shaker)

We sang this song for a season in the church I attended in Texas. It’s simple and is one of those wonderful songs that enters into your heart and expands it.

Hold On (Heidi Wilson)

This song was sung on the streets of Minneapolis as ICE raided the city. Neighbors were hidden behind locked doors and those that could stood on the streets and sang. I watched these videos through tears and still carry this song in my heart. We haven’t yet escaped this fear and need each other to remember to hold on. This might not work for every Sunday but it could be a powerful witness to our shared lament.

Several of these songs came from a collection of sending songs gathered by Music That Makes a Community that promotes congregational singing that doesn’t require any paper in hand. Their YouTube playlist of sending songs can be found here. I also borrowed from the wisdom of Natalie Sims and her endless gift of musical guidance in this larger collection of songs of farewell and benedictions on her blog Singing the Lectionary.

What would you add to this list? What songs has your congregation used as a blessing for courage and strength in the living of these days?