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

Ken Medema’s CHORAL SETTING of this original text lets singers give voice to disappointments we all face in this life. If we could make our dreams come true, our world would have no pain, no injustice against the land or any living thing, and no war. How do we face the evils and injuries around us? This anthem encourages us to take up the call of charity, of courage, of shouting down the darkness—all possible when we call on God’s Spirit to infuse our journeys. Our dream world is our walk with God’s presence through this life. With music and lyrics by Ken Medema and the choral arrangement by Ken Medema and Cathy Chamblee, this very accessible S.S.A.T.T.B. anthem is supported by a lyrical flowing piano accompaniment. Useful in many different worship settings, your choir will enjoy challenging your congregation to take up the call of the Spirit in their lives. Because this anthem was composed during the pandemic, a performance recording is unavailable, but you may get to know this anthem 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.

"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 is a brand new song for Advent 2016 from The Many.  We're really excited about this one!  So timely in light of all that's going on in the world right now.  This beautiful, singable, easily accessible song could work as an anthem, a congregational song, or a solo.  It taps into the Advent themes of waiting and longing for God to come, act, and bring about Divine justice.  And yet it is also a call to action, love, service, and hope while we wait. 

Thanks for another GREAT song Gary, Lenora, and Hannah Rand!

"God of the Movements and Martyrs" was written in honor of the 85th anniversary of the North Carolina Council of Churches. the Council was formed in 1935 to address racial injustice, and continues to work for peace, justice, equity, and inclusion. The hymn honors Christians who have been working for a better world for generations, because of their faith, and invites all of us to join in that sacred work. Note: There are several different versions of this song on the CMP site. Each version has it's own product page and related downloads available. It is the same song done in several different styles by several different artists. Learn More

This song was originally written as a theme song for a retreat that took place during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend and that focused on the life and witness of Dr. King.  It underscores the fact that Dr. King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech was rooted in his understanding of the Dream of God.  In addition to working well in the context of worship and in several different liturgical moments in worship services, this song is also often used as a theme for church renewal programs, stewardship campaigns, and as music for videos dealing with issues such as hunger, racism, compassion for the poor, and social justice in a broad sense.

• The lead sheet product includes lead sheet plus songleader's guide and congregational melody line.
• "I Am For Peace" is from Richard Bruxvoort Colligan's album, "Love Stands With."

Psalm 120 is the voice of the psalmist desperate. At one point in the psalm, the psalmist throws their head back and wails, "I am for peace but whenever I open my mouth, they are for violence!" This is a song for sidewalk, street and capital steps. The rerfain may stand alone at a protest rally or the entire song can be sung to name moments of our lives ready for serious change. Particularly adventurous communities may invent verses that hit home at the time of singing.

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

A song exploring the mystery of prayer- prayer beyond words. Learn More

This simple but catchy chorus is based on the famous quote from Esther 4:14. This could be used as a stand alone chorus, a "short song" liturgical phrase in the context of a responsive prayer, or even on the street when protesting injustice. Learn More

From the first line, “The whole world is waiting, the whole world cries…” to the last, this new song for Advent gives us a way to sing about the realities we are living at this moment. It gives us a song to sing honestly in these days of devastating war, climate crises, political upheaval, hatred, exclusion and division. It gives us a way to cry out to God and look for hope. Originally written by Kate Hurley several years ago, Kate and The Many’s lyricist, Lenora Rand, got together recently and created a new version of the lyrics. When word of their work began to spread, our new friends, Flamy Grant, and Ben Grace of The Calendar Days, soon joined The Many and Kate to create the powerful and moving new recording included here on the site. This is the song we need to be singing this Advent and Christmas season. A song that assures us there is a God that hears the “cries for justice and the longing to be free.” Who “heals and shows us what can be.” And it also reminds us that love can change things. A reminder we all desperately need to hear right now. One License # 265086 CCLI #7229442 Learn More

This song was inspired by a story told by Rev. Traci Blackmon, a UCC clergyperson and National Church leader who was on the front lines of the clergy response to the KKK and white extremist violence in Charlottesville, VA. According to the story (which did not take place in Charlottesville), a 5 year old boy was going to say a few words in his church on Easter in front of the whole congregation. When the time came, he was too afraid to do it and refused. Eventually though he went ahead and spoke his piece. When the pastor then asked him to explain how he got rid of his fear, the little boy said, "I didn't. I just did it afraid." This brief chorus will work in many contexts, especially after the story that inspired it is told. Sometimes faith doesn't mean not being afraid--it means feeling the fear and yet doing what we're called to do anyway... Learn More

"God of the Movements and Martyrs" was written in honor of the 85th anniversary of the North Carolina Council of Churches. the Council was formed in 1935 to address racial injustice, and continues to work for peace, justice, equity, and inclusion. The hymn honors Christians who have been working for a better world for generations, because of their faith, and invites all of us to join in that sacred work. Learn More

This mid-tempo anthem-style song focuses on the river or prayer that is going on 24/7/365 around the world. It's great for World Communion Sunday, or Pentecost, or any time you want to invite people to step into worship. Verses can be sung by a soloist, with the congregation joining on the refrain. Suitable for a band or a single instrument. Rev. Dr. Christopher Grundy is Professor of Worship and Preaching and Dean of the Chapel at Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis. He's also an exceptionally gifted singer/songwriter and liturgical musician. "Stepping In" is the title track of his collection of over 20 songs for worship. One License #CGSi2004 Learn More

From Brian McLaren:  "This was another older song that I rewrote during my sabbatical.  It attempts to take prayer out of its box, and let a more mature contemplative spirituality invade and enrich all of our lives, so that we truly "pray without ceasing."  I'm especially happy about the line, "Death is my life praying" (along with the reference to death in "Praise to the One") because I think we need to get more comfortable with the reality of death, to integrate it into our spiritual lives, and to stop reducing it to an enemy.  It is, like all profound things, both an enemy and a friend."

From CMP: Brian McLaren was on a road Sabbatical for the first 8 months of 2016.  During this time away from the grind of constant travel and preparation for live events Brian wrote, rewrote, compiled, and recorded demos (not finished studio recordings) of 21 songs.  9 of these demos are currently available here on the CMP site, and we are in the process of creating lead sheets and piano arrangements for them.  If you would like to purchase this entire collection of Brian's demo's, lyrics, and some notes he wrote about each song (21 songs for $18), please email Bryan Sirchio, CMP Lead Designer, and he will send you a link you can use to purchase Brian's entire collection.

"You Are," by South African singer/songwriter, worship leader. and author John van de Laar is an upbeat, joyful, and moving song of celebration for all the ways God meets us as we are. "You Are" draws worshipers into praise and adoration, and adds meaning to the celebration of the Eucharist. It can also remind us of our diversity in Christ and that we are called to be those who include in our circle every "God-beloved life." CCLI No.: 5513178 Learn More

A beautiful song for Lent by popular worship band The Many that uses the powerful image "Lamb of God" WITHOUT getting into penal substitutionary atonement issues! A moving and accessible congregational song that will also work well for choirs as an anthem. This song has been on the CMP site for a while, but the files were all just updated with new recordings, arrangements, and video. Special Note: A gorgeous 4 part vocal arrangement is available for this song!!!! Learn More

A beautiful new piano based song that will work well as a congregational song or a choral anthem. The music and lyrics are a gentle and soulful reminder of God's presence and grace and how God leads us into healing and hope. The chorus is a prayer for God to "light my step" and to be open to the leading and guidance of the Spirit. Learn More

This song was written specifically to match the "Day 5" Scripture and Theme of the 2018 "Beyond Belief" Outdoor Ministries Camp curriculum published by Chalice Press. The Scripture is the amazing encounter of Jesus and the Syrophoenician Woman in Mark 7:24-30, and the theme for the day is "What If We Speak Up?" Sometimes speaking up is hard and requires courage and strength to "find our voices." This song is a prayer for that courage and grace and the ability to know when it's time to speak up. Learn More

A song to help us confess what's "off" in a way that's Real and True and soulful and kind of gritty. The verses are in spoken word format, and there is a sung refrain for the congregation. While the spoken word poetic form gives this a contemporary edge, the song ends with the traditional liturgical prayer of confession which many will recognize. Learn More