Songs for the Journey: Season after Pentecost

As I mentioned briefly the other day, we have now entered into Ordinary Time in the Church year. This time exists outside of the special seasons and consists of counted Sundays during which we read through the bulk of the year's gospel. Of course, at times, having long periods of Ordinary Time can begin to feel rather "ordinary." Some Protestant churches in particular decided to create some seasons to break up what they saw as the monotony of the Ordinary.

The period between the Epiphany and Ash Wednesday became know as Sundays after Epiphany and sometimes the season of Epiphany. This whole period was given over to the showing forth or revelation of Jesus to the world. The period from Pentecost Sunday until late august was know as the Sundays after Pentecost or sometimes the season of Pentecost. This period focuses on the ministry of the Church empowered by the Holy Spirit. The period from the last Sunday of August until Advent begins was know as Kingdomtide. This time during the Church year focused on the principles of the Kingdom of God here on earth and our social responsibility. For the most part, these separate "seasons" fell out of practice after Vatican II and the adoption of the Revised Common Lectionary (though there has been some reclamation of Kingdomtide in recent years).

Since I was looking for an easy way to break up Ordinary Time to continue my Songs for the Journey series, I decided to use the alternate calendar, which I was able to find in a 1964 Methodist Book of Worship. However, unlike my list for Lent, I did not match the songs for Pentecost to specific Sundays. Instead, I came up with a number of songs that speak to the theme for the season that gradually move towards the themes of Kingdomtide.

Trinity Sunday
Ben Harper - Blessed to Be a Witness
Dar Williams - I Had No Right
Sweet Honey in the Rock - We Are the Ones
Stereo MCs - Connected
Depeche Mode - People Are People
Bob Marley - Redemption Song
Collective Soul - Shine
Tracy Chapman - Change
U2 - Grace
Indigo Girls - Hammer and Nail
Ben Harper - With My Own Two Hands
Tears for Fears - Sowing the Seeds of Love
Jack Johnson - The Sharing Song
Vienna Tang - Soon Love Soon

I'll run through these with you in the coming weeks. Until then, Peace.