Rev Chris Crause has made available some free worship resources which can be downloaded as PowerPoint slides below. They are all set to very well-known tunes. You are most welcome to use them in public worship. “All I ask is that you keep the acknowledgement of my work on the last slide of each PowerPoint.”
All Creatures, Called by Love Divine
Can we believe and yet fully accept what science teaches us? These lyrics are set to a very well known, old tune. The connection between faith and science comes through.
Blessed are the broken ones
Ideally used with a message from the Beatitudes but can be used as a song of comfort and encouragement. The verses follow the beatitudes: 1. The Poor in Spirit. 2. The Mourners. 3. The Meek and Merciful. 4. The Peacemakers. 5. Blessed are we when persecuted.
We look to God when we feel alone
Slower tune. Lyrics reflect being alone and looking for God or use in context where people feel alienated and find hope in God.
A servant’s yes, a Saviour’s love
An Advent song emphasising that Mary was no glorious icon, but a humble, obedient servant. The melody is older than the versions by Boney M and Harry Belafonte. This version reads v1-2 chorus, v3-4 chorus, v5-6 chorus, v7 chorus. Can be broken up and sung in part with liturgical paragraphs in between.
Born to journey, born to belong
V1. Born in Australia. V2. Citizen of the world. V3 Born into humanity. V4. Reborn into God’s family.
Christ be our clarity
Song of praise for those being marginalised by post-modernism. Verse 1 is about discernment in a confusing world, verse 2 about living the Golden Rule, and verse 3 the Silver Rule.
Come all people to the table
For Holy Communion. Can be broken up and sung throughout the service as the different parts of the liturgy evolve.
From many a land
The first English lyrics I wrote after coming to Australia. Emphasising our cultural diversity and welcoming of the stranger. In verse 2 the last word, “Presbytery” is meant to be replaced by any three-syllable word (you community of congregation’s name?)
God with us, His love displayed
An Advent song that includes the shepherd and wise men and follows through to the cross.
God’s anonymous miracles
Set to Jingle Bells, meant to highlight the wonders of God’s creation in seemingly mundane little miracles. Examples are: The love of a grandparent, the innocence of a puppy, the exuberance of a Rainbow Lorikeet, and the forgiveness of a child.
I know who I am in God
Searching for our identity: V1. Created in God’s Image (Genesis 1:27). V2. Known and Called (Jeremiah 1:5). V3. Adopted as God’s Child (John 1:12; Romans 8:16). V4. A New Creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). V5. Chosen and Set Apart (1 Peter 2:9). V6. God’s Handiwork (Ephesians 2:10). V7. United in Christ (Galatians 3:28). V8. Remembering True Identity.
Choose the most relevant verses or break up into parts during a service.
I wandered through the empty spaces
Written when awaiting major surgery. Searching and going from darkness to hope and then to looking outside myself to caring about others.
If you’re happy
In John 10:10 we’re told that Jesus came to bring life in all its abundance. This is a non-PC song about the joy that we have in Jesus.
In humble wonder, come
Advent. A different take on Good Christians all, rejoice. Looking at the real, human, Jesus entering into our loves.
In work and rest, we live
Labour is not a punishment. Rest is part of God’s plan for our holistic well-being. Verse 1 – Labour as Part of Creation. Verse 2 – Sabbath as Rhythm and Rest. Verse 3 – Labour as Meaning and Joy. Verse 4 – Rest and Peace in God.
Joy to the marginalised
Advent. Luke’s Gospel focuses on Jesus’ compassion and love for those on the margins. A joyous tune with less repetitive lyrics.
Oh, the hope that shines so brightly
Works well with Psalms. Moving from dark and despair to hope. Work with TiS 590, but maybe better with the older What a Friend we have in Jesus.
Quiet hands that lift the flame
Advent. Taking Zechariah as an example, focusing on the so-called second fiddle people that enable ministry and mission to happen.
Rock of ages, walk beside me
A song about our journey through life with God: Verse 1. Childhood and Formation. Verse 2. Vocation and Wonder. Verse 3. Aging and trust. Verse 4. “Best before” reached but not expired. Verse 5. Enduring Worth and Peace
Through all my seasons God is near
Joyous to the tune of My Bonnie lies over the ocean. God is with us in every season of life. Verse 1. Winter. Verse 2. Spring. Verse 3. Autumn. Verse 4. Summer. Verse. 5 God is with me through all the seasons of my life.
Walking where His mercy flows
In the Bible names are often more than labels. They denote personality, purpose and sometime calling. V1. Timothy as an example of being faithful humble and a teacher. V2. James is the practical person that believes in doing rather than just talking. V3. Moses and others are examples of others we can learn from. V4. Inviting us all to live according to how we are called by name.
We know the power of Jesus’ Name
Less repetitive and more modern lyrics. The verses call on us to Name Him, Praise Him, Seek Him, Meet Him. In the final verse we do all of that.
When you see the creatures of God
Celebrating the wonderful and weird creatures God made in the land, Australia. Look at nature and see God at work.
Grace that Redeems
God’s grace is a gift that can soften scars.
It reaches the places where deep hurt lies.
So we are invited to dare to forgive, where we might then find healing and grow stronger.
God Plants the Hidden Dream
God often speaks through longing, imagination, and calling. Not everyone will understand or affirm your calling, but it doesn’t mean God isn’t at work. It might start out as unclear, but you will be sent out with more clarity.
Your light has broken
Coming from a dark place, seeing the light of God filtering through until hope dawns. Verse 1 – Weariness in a Time of Despair. Verse 2 – Searching for God and Meaning. Verse 3 – Hope and New Becoming. Verse 4 – Realism and Peace in God. Verse 5 – Faith, Richness, and Love.
Grace in the Shadows
1. God plants the hidden dream 2. Faithfulness is not about visibility—it’s about character 3. God’s timing often includes seasons of waiting 4. God’s presence is not limited to success—it dwells in obscurity 5. God shapes us in hidden places, preparing us for what’s ahead.
Wisdom from Heaven
1. Human wisdom has limits; divine insight is needed 2. God can bring you from being forgotten to being favoured in a moment 3. God’s gifts make room for us when the time is right 4. Restoration is not just for us—it’s for others too 5. God’s timing is perfect. Delay is not denial.
What would Jesus do?
Is it still legitimate to ask What would Jesus do? The song takes us through His example, our patience when things don’t go as we want, being obedient, to expressing love in action and finally Hope!
Grace grows wild in broken places
The title is borrowed form a quote by Oscar Wilde. Theodicy is not an abstract concept when we experience suffering or pain. The song takes seriously our struggles and looks at how God is present in our pain. You can either sing with a different chorus for every verse (as in PPT) or this chorus on repeat:
Grace is stronger than our grieving,
mercy deeper than our pain.
God is faithful in the shadows—
love will always rise again.
Doing the Word is remembering who we are
Doing God’s work is about justice, grace and mercy. Moving away from the militaristic lyrics but using this amazing melody. “Our lives become the sermon now, our hands the hymn we pray—
Your justice is our song!”
God of the Shadows
Sometimes we struggle to the light when all is dark around us. We want to know that God is not going to let us go and forget. Yet, if patient, we discover… “Doors will be opened, not by our hand— But by Your mercy, perfectly planned”
Sow, treasure, pearl
The parables of the Kingdom of God in Matthew 13. Verse 1. Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1–23) Verse 2. Parable of the Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13:44) Verse 3. Parable of the Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:45–46)
Wheat and the dragnet
The parables of the Kingdom of God in Matthew 13. Verse 1. Wheat and the Tares (Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43) Verse 2. The Dragnet (Matthew 13:47–50) Verse 3. Mercy abounds, but evil hearts will be unmasked.
Our cups run over
Many years ago, I asked elderly how lady how she was. She responded, “I drink from my saucer”… Asking her to explain, she replied “I’m so blessed, my cup runs over, so I have to drink from the saucer.” This is my attempt to bring that into line with Psalm 23 where the Psalmist sings, “…my cup overflows” (verse 5). The verses follow a journey of being blessed (being comprehensively happy):
Verse1. Psalm 1: Blessed in God’s Way.
Verse 2. Psalm 32: Blessed in Forgiveness.
Verse 3. Psalm 34: Blessed when trusting God.
Verse 4. Matthew 5: Blessed in the Kingdom.
Verse 5. John 10:10: Blessed in Abundant Life.