A wonderful new song based on the "Taste and See" text from Psalm 34.  This is widely used as an invitation to the Table and a song to sing during Holy Communion.
 

This a cappella song of resistance combines Epiphany themes of the magi avoiding Herod and going home by another way, alongside images from the song of Mary about the powerful being thrown down and the hungry being filled. An easy, catchy refrain with a Celtic feel is easy for groups to learn. The verses can be sung by a soloist or the group. Learn More

Singing the grace and generosity of Holy Communion. This song mixes longing with celebration and gratitude. Learn More

This brand new song by gifted composer and musicologist Mark Miller was written just before Mark underwent surgery to remove a tumor on his brain.  He was told that the surgery could wind up leaving him deaf, especially in one ear--no small matter for anyone--but especially huge for one who is called to teach and create and perform music.  Thankfully, the surgery went well, the tumor was benign, and Mark hears perfectly.  And we all received the gift of this beautiful song in and through the process!  This one will minister deeply to anyone facing uncertainty and risk and who needs to be reminded that God and the community of faith will always "surround us with love."

If and when Mark does a more produced version of this song in the studio we will make that available, but for now this simple demo is the only recording of this brand new song that exists.  Thanks so much for sharing it with us Mark, and we have a feeling this song is going to be widely used!

Sherry Cothran is an ordained United Methodist Pastor and singer/songwriter who enjoyed critical success a while back with a band called The Envirudes.   This one's less for group singing and more just for reflection and inspiration.  Enjoy her beautiful vocals and the lovely imagery of her lyrics...

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

CMP is thrilled to have Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, Musical Director Bryan Johnson, and songwriter Kevon Carter at the heart of our attempts to bring new music to congregations!  We'll soon be featuring some interviews with Rev. Moss and the music team of Trinity and look forward to their insights on how to use music in the context of transforming and vital worship.

This "Stay Connected" piece based on Jesus' words in John 15 is just the first of what will be many original songs from Trinity's Kevon Carter.  Piano arrangements and lead sheets will be coming soon!

Brian McLaren is known widely for his many books and his signficant role as one of the pioneers and theological framers of the "Emerging Church" movement.  But music and songwriting in particular has also been a passion of Brian's for many years.  Brian took a travel sabbatical for the first part of 2016 during which he composed a number of new songs for worship.  Many of these new songs of his will soon be available primarily if not exclusively through CMP!

No one is more humble and self-deprecating when it comes to his own playing and singing than Brian, so cut him some slack if his "Garage Band" demos aren't flawless.  We or others may redo some of these songs in a more studio polished format, but we want to begin sharing his new songs with the Church right away.  Few songwriters hit the lyrical heart and essence of what CMP is all about any more deeply and consistently than Brian.

"Spirit Running" is a fun, joyful, upbeat song proclaiming the call to do justice and to care for and honor the earth.  Enjoy!

A new arrangement of a song that has become a standard in many Universalist Unitarian congregations. This three part harmony version adds new power and emotion to themes of justice, peace, and the natural world. Learn More

A song about about using your voice, taking a risk when the moment comes. There's a time to be quiet and a time to Speak Up! Consider the moment when you witness bullying, injustice, someone in need or a time to simply be honest about your situation. Resonates with Day 5 of the "Beyond Belief" Inside Out curriculum. 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

Steve Schallert lives in Hawaii and works often with Youth With a Mission.  He is a soulful and passionate songwriter and artist who writes beautiful songs of longing, lament, and the call for biblical justice.  This simple but powerful "Song of Lamentation" will touch the hearts of many and give us all a deeply needed way to sing our prayers for healing and wholeness.

A common critique of "contemporary praise and worship music" is that it does not touch the brokenness of the world enough and that there are too many "happy clappy" songs and very few songs of lament.  Lament is a crucial step in response to the pain of the world and the processes of grieving, healing, and regrouping we all need both in our individual lives and in our communities of faith.  CMP is grateful and proud to have songs like this on our site and to point you toward the work of Steve Schallert.

This song is based on the life and teachings of Mother Teresa. When living with her order in Calcutta, India Mother Teresa would end each morning's time of worship by saying to her sisters, "Today let us do something beautiful for God." The song includes as many key teachings and insights that motivated Mother Teresa's work, such as "do something small where you are with what you've got." This song works great in congregational worship and can be done either with just piano or guitar or with a worship band. Learn More

A rousing "Call and Response" about the active nature of peace-making, Sing for Peace is both fun to sing and stirring in its message. It challenges the congregation to join together to be the people who make peace and move from the hate of the world to harmony in the midst of difference. Sing for Peace is an effective way to get people singing at the beginning of worship, as a response to the Passing of the Peace, or to put a punctuation mark at the end of a sermon or service. Featured Soloist: Harold Aldridge Learn More

From singer/songwriter Tracy Howe: "A song celebrating and cultivating intimacy with the Holy Spirit." Learn More

"We will seek the shalom of the city. We will work with each other, hand in hand. We will build, we will plant, we will pray, we will dream. Come, Shalom, to our cities, to our land." Ken Medema creates a poignant musical setting for this cry for all believers to join together to seek shalom--true peace--for our time. In these days when the world around us feels fractured and irreparably hateful, and many of us feel disillusioned, this song calls us to do the work of God in the world around us with great hope, knowing that we are joined in a holy endeavor that will one day bring peace to the land. This song is suitable for solo performance of congregational singing and can be used to complement a variety of worship topics, including community building, missions, outreach, hope, and faithful service. Learn More

This song was co-written by Brian McLaren and Tracy Howe Wispelwey and is based on the well known text of Micah 6:8. This would be a fun song for church bands to work with. A beautiful transition between verses that could be solo and an uplifting and accessible chorus for the congregation. Learn More

This song is in Spanish, is arranged for choirs, and is part of an "Oscar Romero Cantata" written by Tracy Howe Wispelwey. The Cantata is based on the homilies of Arch Bishop Romero who was assassinated in El Salvador in 1980 for speaking out against human rights violations and particularly defending the most vulnerable among the poorest of the poor. According to the composer, "this is a song repenting of materialism and recognizing God's will and blessing on all God's people." This could be a powerful choral anthem, and an entire service could easily be built around the themes in the lyrics. See the translation to understand the lyrics in English. Learn More

A beautiful acoustic guitar driven invitation to the Communion Table by "Dakota Road" (Larry Olson and Hans Peterson). Easy to play and sing and teach to the congregation. Lots of great inclusive and healing themes throughout... Learn More

This is an Advent/Christmas song which works all year long as a song about welcome and hospitality, particularly in relationship to refugees and immigrants. The chant from this song, “We are on this Earth to Love” has become the closing chant at most of The Many's live events. The closing chant is so catchy and soulful that the song is sometimes called, “Room for Us All: We are On this Earth to Love.” Learn More

This song features both a beautifully melodic and inspiring chorus for congregations to sing and also rap style verses with great theology.  A powerful anthem that can be used in many contexts.

Note:  Given the nature of this song there is no piano arrangement for it, but there is piano notation for a repetitive part that can be played underneathe the rap at the top of the lead sheet.

Looking for an Easter season song that takes a different approach? The Many, as we might expect, has written one. It's a call to follow Jesus and to rise up in solidarity! To rise up and live like hope is real, to live like there is enough to go around, to rise up and be the change we need! "We can rise up and be a holy Alleluia!" It's a song you can sing with soloists and choir, with a congregation singing at full volume and (maybe dancing?)... RISE UP! You can sing it anytime you're in that Easter spirit. NOTE: There is an accompaniment track available for this song (music without the lead vocal and also one without the lead vocal but with the backing vocals on it). If you would like access to these files please contact Bryan Sirchio at bryan@convergencemp.com and request them. Unfortunately at this point we can only make one Mp3 available for download on the product page). CCLI #7196806. One License #63fe4b9205629 Learn More

Can we be honest? Sometimes we wonder where God is and what God does. When horrible things happen in our personal lives and in our world we may not always say it out loud, but we think it...where were you God? Why don't you do something about this? We cry out like the Psalmists did in Psalm 10 "Lord, why are you so far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?" Or lament like the writer of Psalm 42: "My tears have been my food day and night, as people constantly question me, 'Where’s your God now?'" This song is about that - remembering some of the recent events that have left us in tears, left us heartbroken and undone. Where was God when children are put in cages on the U.S. border? Where was God when Laquan McDonald was killed or Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor or George Floyd? Where was God when the child is sent to conversion therapy or when we lose thousands and thousands of people in a pandemic? The answers don't come easy in this song...but as we cry out and ask God, "Why didn't you send help?" we sometimes hear God's still, small voice saying, "I did. I sent you." This song is on The Many's 2019 album "Love Greater Than Fear" which is available on iTunes and Spotify. You can learn more about The Many at: https://www.themanyarehere.com CCLI#: 7140930 Learn More

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