A new CHORAL OFFERING by Ken Medema! On this journey in life, we travel fraught paths. We endure unspeakable wounds, relentless threats, and deep sadness. But if we look closely, we see that God is with us through these untrodden paths as the Light that does not surrender and the Song that does not cease. God is always granting us a next verse and is always wrapping us up in encircling love. In this space, we are unbound, freed souls. This S.A.T.B. piece is a prayer of gratitude to God for that healing, redemptive space and steadfast presence in this life. It features original music by Ken Medema and text by Cathy Chamblee, arranged for choir by Ken and Cathy with piano accompaniment and optional cello. Because it was composed during the pandemic, there is no performance recording available, but you may enjoy a free MIDI-generated mp3 to acquaint yourselves with the anthem. This piece can be used in a variety of worship settings and is a MUST HAVE for its highly accessible choral writing and its compelling, lovely musical message. Learn More

• The lead sheet product includes lead sheet plus songleader's guide and congregational melody line. 
• The lyric sheet product is a chord chart.

"We've had our fill of hatred..." the song sings. "We look to you for mercy." This song is a reflection on Psalm 123, a prayer of surrender in the midst of honest struggle.

This song is licensed via OneLicense.net, CCLI and Worldmaking.net.

This song was written by Pastor Bryan Sirchio with some input from members and friends of the congregation he serves--McFarland UCC in McFarland, WI. The song is part of the "Not In Our Name" campaign that McFarland UCC has initiated to express its opposition to the separation of immigrant children from their families at U.S. borders. This song is not yet available in Mp3 form, but here is a link to a video of members and friends of McFarland UCC singing this song during a worship service on August 18, 2019. If you agree with the message of this song, please share this video in any social media forums to which you have access. https://www.facebook.com/NION.US/videos/1253920748148145/ The lead sheet, congregational bulletin insert, and piano arrangement for this song are available here on the CMP site at no charge. We encourage you to sing the song in your own communities. The "Not In Our Name" (N.I.O.N.) campaign's materials are available on the campaign's Facebook page. Search for "Not In Our Name" in your Facebook search bar and you will find the page. There is a petition that you can sign, and bracelets and T-shirts for sale. Proceeds from sales of these items and donations to the campaign will be used to support organizations that are monitoring human rights conditions in detention centers and/or doing the tedious leg work to help separated family members to find each other. Learn More

• The lyric sheet product is a chord chart.
• The lead sheet product bundles lead sheet, congregational melody line and songleader's guide.
• This song is licensed via OneLicense.net, CCLI and Worldmaking.net.
• This song is part of Richard Bruxvoort Colligan's intergenerational camp song album, "Branching Out: Neo Camp Songs."

The gospel of John has Jesus deliver this simple metaphor in chapter 15: I'm the vine; you're the branches; God's the gardener. This song unpacks it as an intergenerational upbeat song. Three simple lines can be learned easily and then sung together and simultaneously. Great for kids and youth in a camp, youth gathering or Sunday School context.

A brand new song from the amazing Ken Medema based on Jesus' words in Matthew 5:14-16.  Congregations will pick this up very easily and enjoy singing this catchy tune and lyric in many different liturgical contexts.  This one will also work well with children!

New CHORAL SETTINGS of “Come Thou Fount of Ev'ry Blessing” from Ken Medema offer your choirs a fresh “take” on this classic hymn! Ken’s energizing new melody is set with a rhythmic piano part with optional hand drums and body percussion so everyone can get involved in the performance! This joyous, spirited anthem, arranged by Ken Medema and Cathy Chamblee, is available for S.A.T.B. or for S.S.A. choir and is sure to become a favorite for your singers and your congregation. Because these two settings of this anthem were composed during the pandemic, a performance recording is not available, but you may become acquainted with this piece through the free MIDI-generated recording available on this website. Learn More

The lyric sheet product is a chord chart with lyrics and chords. The lead sheet product bundles lead sheet, congregational melody line and songleader's guide. This song is licensed via OneLicense.net, CCLI and Worldmaking.net. This song is part of Richard Bruxvoort Colligan's intergenerational camp song album, "Branching Out: Neo Camp Songs." This song explores John 15's words of Jesus and the church: "Abide in me and I'll abide in you" and "I'm the vine; you're the branches; God's the gardener." Good for a reflective campfire moment or a quiet moment in the worship service. Learn More

A very simple, straightforward, easy to play song written with kids and youth camps in mind about the way Jesus treated women.

Intrigued?  Give it a listen!  This is a lyric I want kids to grow up singing and learning by heart...  It was inspired by the account of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery in John 8. 

By the way, where was the man?   :)

This is one of 10 songs I (Bryan Sirchio) wrote recently to go along with the new "Branching Out" camp curriculum put out by the Disciples of Christ for the 2017 summer season.

The lyric sheet product is a chord chart with lyrics and chords. The lead sheet product bundles lead sheet, congregational melody line and songleader's guide. This song is licensed via OneLicense.net, CCLI and Worldmaking.net. This song is part of Richard Bruxvoort Colligan's intergenerational camp song album, "Branching Out: Neo Camp Songs." This song is designed for campfire or candle-lighting worship. It's a chant that is fun to do with hand drums or, at a faster tempo, with claps, knee slaps and finger snapping. Once learned, try it in canon. This song could also function as a prayer response sung amid petitions. Learn More

A hauntingly beautiful and very accessible song with a simple but profound lyric with layers of meaning. This will be useful in many different liturgical contexts. It's a prayer, an exhortation, a call to justice, and a tool for reflection all in one. From the artist and songwriter Tracy Howe, "We are God's hands and justice will come when it is embodied in us." Learn More

• The lyric sheet product is a chord chart.
• The lead sheet product bundles lead sheet, congregational melody line and songleader's guide.
• This song is licensed via OneLicense.net, CCLI and Worldmaking.net.
• This song is part of Richard Bruxvoort Colligan's intergenerational camp song album, "Branching Out: Neo Camp Songs."

Out of the grand tradition of mixer songs such as "Shake Another Hand," it comes. With verses encouraging running, playing, dancing, safe touch and general silliness, the song helps youth do what they want to do anyway-- get to know one another and stretch out with some healthy risks to do so. Perfect for opening night of camp. 

• The lyric sheet product is a chord chart.
• The lead sheet product bundles lead sheet, congregational melody line and songleader's guide.
• This song is licensed via OneLicense.net, CCLI and Worldmaking.net.
• This song is part of Richard Bruxvoort Colligan's intergenerational camp song album, "Branching Out: Neo Camp Songs."

"You did not choose me, but I chose you." Jesus' words from John 15.16 can be heard as claiming, community and commissioning all at once. A good cmapfire song as well as congregational piece.

“Joy of the desolate, light of the straying, hope of the penitent, fadeless and pure. Here speaks the Comforter, tenderly saying, ‘Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot cure.’” These words from this classic hymn take on new life in this meditative CHORAL SETTING by Ken Medema and Cathy Chamblee. A gentle, flowing piano accompaniment supports easy-to-learn four-part writing, making this anthem a meaningful addition to a variety of worship settings. This anthem is sure to become a mainstay in your choir’s repertoire! Because it was arranged during the pandemic, no performance recording exists, but you can acquaint yourself with the piece through the free MIDI-generated recording available on this website. Learn More

• The lead sheet product includes lead sheet plus songleader's guide and congregational melody line. 
• The lyric sheet product is a chord chart.

The title of this song comes form the Pledge of Alligience, whose presence and meaning has changed over the years for many people. Psalm 2 is about two ways for nations to live, and the song "Under God" laments the way that brings suffering. The song directly addresses the authorities and powers that make political decisions that effect people's life and livelihoods.

This song is licensed via OneLicense.net, CCLI and Worldmaking.net.

The lyric sheet product is a chord chart with lyrics and chords. The lead sheet product bundles lead sheet, congregational melody line and songleader's guide. This song is licensed via OneLicense.net, CCLI and Worldmaking.net. This song is part of Richard Bruxvoort Colligan's intergenerational camp song album, "Branching Out: Neo Camp Songs." Resilience, not happiness. Nothing wrong with being happy, but if that's the only goal for our kiddos, we will be forming grown-ups who understand seasons of unhappiness as failure and be unprepared for inevitable losses in a mature life of faith. Many outdoor ministry settings happen around woods, so this uses a tree's growth rings in the forest as a metaphor for how each person's stories is embedded in our daily life. Learn More

A grateful song for Holy Communion. Learn More

Ken’s NEW CHORAL OFFERING, “Song of the Refugee,” draws us into the lonely and often terrifying journey of the refugee in her strange new homeland. Threatened back in her native country, she knows no clear path forward for her life ahead. Who will welcome her here? Who will defend and befriend her? How will we as followers of Jesus respond? We hear the voice of the refugee sharing about her plight through Ken’s haunting melody and lyrics. This lovely and highly accessible S.A.T.B. anthem, accompanied by piano and optional cello, was arranged together with Cathy Chamblee and is ALSO available as a vocal solo with optional cello. Because it was arranged during the pandemic, a performance recording is not available for either the choral or the solo version, but you may become acquainted with this MUST-HAVE anthem through a free MIDI-generated recording of the choral version. This piece offers your choir or soloist the chance to be the voice of the refugee, challenging listeners about what it means to love the newcomer in their midst. Learn More

• The lyric sheet product is a congregational melody line.
• The lead sheet product includes the congregational melody line and songleader's guide.
• There is no musical accompaniment for this song.
• This song is licensed via OneLicense.net, CCLI and Worldmaking.net.
• This song is part of Richard Bruxvoort Colligan's intergenerational camp song album, "Branching Out: Neo Camp Songs."

A simple echo table grace.

• The lyric sheet product is a chord chart.
• The lead sheet product bundles lead sheet, congregational melody line and songleader's guide.
• This song is licensed via OneLicense.net, CCLI and Worldmaking.net.
• This song is part of Richard Bruxvoort Colligan's intergenerational camp song album, "Branching Out: Neo Camp Songs."

The Maundy Thursday words of Jesus' new commandment are haunting: Love one another. This slow blues shines the spotlight on moments of Jesus' ministry told in the gospels where he showed great love.