LiturgyTools.net: Hymns for the Sunday of Proper 20 (Ordinary 25), Year C (21 Sept 2025)

Hymns and song suggestions based on themes from the Revised Common lectionary for the Sunday of Proper Twenty (Ordinary Eighteen) Year C.

Most are free-to-use (ie public domain or copyright-free) so the words can be copied and sung to at least one tune with no concerns about copyright or performance licensing - sometimes in a limited setting. Many such hymns are old/traditional - but where possible a variety of styles and genres are included. A small selection of copyright hymns may also be included, if they are particularly relevant.

Suggestions about other hymns that could be included are welcome: leave a message in the Comments box near the bottom of the page.

Proper 19, Year C

Proper 21, Year C

Readings

First:

Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 - The prophet speaks of a time when the people are poor and in pain, and wondering if God has deserted them: "O that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears, so that I might weep day and night for the slain of my poor people!"

Amos 8:4-7 - A message against those who suppress the poor for their own gain: the Lord will not forget a single thing you have done.

Second: I Timothy 2:1-7 - There should be prayers offered to God for everyone - God wants everyone to be saved and reach full knowledge of the truth. There is only one God, and one mediator, Jesus

Gospel: Luke 16:1-13 - Parable of the dishonest / unjust steward: the children of the world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the children of light. ... The one who can be trusted in little things can be trusted in great ones: if you cannot be trusted with money, who will trust you with genuine riches? You cannot be the slave of both God and money.

Themes

Christ's concern for the poor, his defense of those who are manipulated for economic gain. Justice. Social issues.

Free-use hymns

A Charge to keep I Have - Wesley
A Mighty Fortress is Our God - Hedge, Luther
A Tender Conscience - Wesley
Abide with Me
All Things Come From Thee - Unknown
And Now O Father Mindful of the Love - Bright
At the Name of Jesus
Be Thou my Vision
Bless Thou the Gifts - Longfellow
Brotherly Love - Wesley

Called By Christ to be Disciples - Leckebusch
Dear Lord and Father of Mankind
Dona Nobis Pacem - Unknown
Father Eternal, Ruler of Creation - Laurence Housman (1865-1959) - free use in the USA
Father Hear the Prayer we Offer - Willis (1824-1908)
Father of Heaven Whose Love Profound - Cooper
Father Whose Everlasting Love - Charles Wesley
Firmly I Believe and Truly
Forth in Thy Name O Lord I Go - Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
God the Omnipotent - Henry F. Chorley (1808-1872) and John Ellerton (1826–1893)
Guide me O Thou Great Redeemer / Jehovah (Bread of Heaven)

Hark my Soul it is The Lord - Cowper
He wants not Friends that hath Thy Love - Richard Baxter (1615-1691)
Head of the Church Our Risen Lord - Conder
How Can a Sinner Know - Wesley
I am not Worthy Holy Lord - Baker
I Surrender All (All to Jesus I Surrender)
I Vow to Thee my Country - Cecil Spring Rice (1859–1918)
Jesus Calls us O’er the Tumult - Alexander
Jesus Lover of my Soul - Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Jesus Priceless Treasure - Catherine Winkworth
Jesus United By Thy Grace - Wesley
Jesus Where'er Thy People Meet - Cowper
Just as I Am Without One Plea

Let There be Light - Marriot
Lift Every Voice and Sing - John R Johnson (1873–1954)
Living For Jesus - Chisholm (1866-1960) - free use in the USA
Lord of all Hopefulness
Lord of Our Life and God of Our Salvation - Philip Pusey (1799-1885)
Lord Thy Word Abideth - Baker
Lord, Teach Us How to Pray Aright - James Montgomery (1771-1854)
More Love to Thee O Christ - Prentiss
Near to the Heart of God (There Is A Place of Quiet Rest) - McAfee
Nothing Between my Soul and my Savior - Tindley
Now Thank we all our God
Now to Him Who Loved Us

O Christ our Hope our Heart’s Desire - Chandler (1806-1876)
O For A Heart to Praise my God - Wesley
O God of Earth and Altar
O Jesus I Have Promised
O Love that Wilt Not Let Me Go - Matheson
O Master Let me Walk with Thee (You) - Gladden
O Thou in Whose Presence my Soul Takes Delight - Swain
Once To Every Man and Nation - Lowell
Praise my Soul the King of Heaven
Seek Where You May to Find a Way - Arthur P. Voss (1899-1955)
Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above - Cox
Son of God Eternal Savior - Lowry
Stand Up Stand Up for Jesus - Duffield (1818-1888)
Sweet Hour of Prayer - Walford

Take my Life and Let it Be
Teach Me my God and King - Herbert
The Head that Once Was Crowned With Thorns - Kelly
The Lord is King Lift up Your Voice - Conder
There is A Balm In Gilead - Unknown
There's a Wideness in God's Mercy (Souls of men, why will ye scatter) - Faber
This Little Light of Mine - Unknown
Thou Art the Way: to Thee Alone - Doane
Through the Night of Doubt and Sorrow - Baring-Gould (1834-1924)
To Thee Our God We Fly - William Walsham How (1823-1897)

Victim Divine - Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Walking with God - Cowper
We Believe In One True God - Winkworth
We Give Thee but Thine Own - How
What Shall we Offer Our Good Lord - Wesley
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Who is on the Lord's Side (Savior we are Thine) - Havergal
Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim - Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

Hymns which may still be copyright

All are Welcome - Haugen
All Who Love and Serve Your City - Routley
As the Deer - Nystrom
Behold a Broken World - Timothy Dudley-Smith (1926-2024)
Bind us Together
Christ is the World's Light He and None Other - Pratt Green (1903–2000)
Christ is the World's True Light - Briggs (1875-1959)

Do not be Afraid for I am With You (When you Walk through the Waters) - Markland
Father of Mercy God of Consolation - James Quinn (1919-2010)
Father we have Sinned in Word and Thought and Deed - Getty/Townend
For the Healing of the Nations - Fred Kaan (1929-2009)
Great is the Darkness That covers the Earth - Coates / Richards
God of Jeremiah Grieving - Wren