We (Lenora & Hannah Rand) wrote this song soon after the 2014 police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO, when cries of pain and anguish were rising up in that community and around the country, when words of hate and anger were burning hot, and when the racism and fear that has been quietly eating away at our country for a long time came out into the open. This song was born thinking about Jesus’ birth into “mud and blood and hay” and how long that night must have been for Mary and Joseph. We wrote it remembering God’s promise, repeated throughout the Bible, that God is on the side of the poor and oppressed, and that God is always, always where the hurting are. It’s both an Advent and Christmas song, and one especially appropriate for a Longest Night Service. Learn More

A gentle and soulful prayer to be open and receptive.  A simple and repetitive lyric, close to a chant, with a hauntingly beautiful melody and a lovely descant.

Another great new Advent Song by the worship band, "The Many." The text of this song is by Lenora Rand and is inspired by the Magnificat, Mary’s song in Luke 1. Gary Rand co-wrote the tune with legendary Gospel pianist and musical director, Elsa Harris. For many years, Elsa was the musical director for Jessy Dixon and plays piano on much of the recording work Jessy did with Paul Simon. Gary, Lenora, and Hannah Rand are the primary songwriters and arrangers of the music of The Many, and they have an entire Advent program put together which they make available through the organization they have founded called "The Plural Guild." Please contact them directly--the Plural Guild has a Facebook Page-- if you'd like to find out more about their Advent materials and the other fantastic music, albums, etc. they have to offer. Learn More

A community song about commitment to the Jesus Way, honoring other paths for other folks, too. Resonates with 'This We Affirm"' affirmation #1: pluralism. Learn More