"Renewed by love and changed by grace to do God's will in every place! To know God and to make God known." Ken Medema sets these reasons to celebrate and this reminder of our task as witnesses to this cheerful, uplifting musical setting. The lyrics to this contemporary song recall the truth and light of God's Word and presence and the joy in serving God even in dangerous times. This piece can be performed as a vocal solo or a congregational song, accompanied solely by piano or with additional rhythm section instruments. Learn More

"I Will Sing of Your Love, Love, Love" was commissioned by the Missouri/Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ to support the "Three Great Loves" campaign of the UCC, but any congregation can enjoy singing it.  This easy, upbeat song has a simple, easy-to-learn format and a refrain that gets in your head and stays there. Based on Psalm 89:1, the song is fun to sing, and will work with a full band or just piano or guitar. It would work well for opening of worship, close of worship, or other places where you want to have some fun. The verses focus on three types of God's love, and our love for each other: love of neighbor, love of children, and love of creation. An optional descant can add complexity to the song, as well as an emphasis on working for, "a just world for all." Learn More

This brand new song from The Many is such a gift to us all right now. The song acknowledges some of the heartbreaking realities of injustice and cruelty that confront us, such as the separation of families at U.S. borders. The lyrics validate our sorrow and frustration with the fact that even though we pray and work for justice, we humans keep losing our way and causing each other so much unnecessary pain. But as always, The Many reminds us that God is with us and sustaining us and leading us in the midst of heartache and loss. In other words, God comes to us--"again and again"-- in the middle of our brokenness and bewilderment, and gives us courage and strength to keep living, loving, and working for change. There is a great video available for this song that is perfect for virtual worship! CCLI #716829 Learn More

Composer and UCC pastor James F.D. Martin (or "Jim" to most of his friends and colleagues) writes very catchy, easy to learn, upbeat and meaningful songs for worship.  Several of his songs are in the UCC's supplemental contemporary hymnal, "Sing!  Prayer and Praise!" and we are delighted to be sharing his music here at CMP.  

This one has a Latin feel and could be done in a number of different ways.  Jimmy Buffet worship anyone?

A simple but very useful benediction song from Pat Mayberry, one of our favorite contemporary hymn writers from Canada. Note: The Piano arrangement includes SATB parts!! Learn More

Three verses following the Lover/Beloved story in Song of Songs. Learn More

Ken Medema takes the familiar Ebenezer hymn tune and sets his original lyrics as a call to worship for many kinds of believers--those who are joyful, those who are broken, those without answers, and those who stand firm in faith. He reminds us that God asks us to gather in worship with our fears and our masks left at the door. Ken has created new music to lead us into each new verse. The hymn culminates in a prayer from the gathered for the journey ahead. This setting is highly suitable for congregational singing. Learn More

The popular youth event duo "Lost And Found" (Michael Bridges and George Baum) sometimes refer to their music as "speed wood" music.  High energy, great sense of humor, and yet some really nice content.   Usually they perform with just acoustic guitar and electric piano, and they are always lots of fun.  This one may not make it into Sunday morning worship in a lot of congregations, but then again who knows!  Teens and kids love these guys! 

No sheet music yet for this one...

From the Composer Sherri Hansen... "This is a very special song that was written for a friend of mine during a difficult time in her life. It draws from two of my favorite Psalm passages: 27:14 and 71:20-21. Its a song about longing and waiting for God when questions remain unanswered and pain and suffering appear endless. It can be used as either a congregational or solo artist piece during any season, but the theme of waiting is especially appropriate for Advent. The bridge which utilizes Psalm 71 could be skipped to the end chorus: “God give me patience, God give me strength.” I love doing it with an overlay of the initial verse: “I wait for you God, my soul waits” which I’ve had a soloist sing over the end chorus or divided it between the assembly. The sections also may be repeated as many times as desired. Hopefully, this provides several options and flexibility depending on your needs and circumstances." Learn More

This song has been on the site for a while, but we just added a wonderful video for it. Perfect for Advent 2020 virtual worship! In the midst of all the difficulties of our present time, this Advent song looks toward Christmas with hope. A laid back folk/pop chorus, it was written for Advent rites of candle lighting. Easy to play on guitar or keyboard, the song can also be used with a full band. One License #CGDN2014 Learn More

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!

“Healing of the Heart” is an earnest prayer of confession and hope for healing of the heart and soul. It captures the deep, hard-to-ignore wounds to our souls delivered long ago, wondering how we begin the journey on the road to forgiveness with those who have hurt us. Is God with us in this struggle? Ken’s lyrics confront this question and the very difficult task of healing these painful wounds. The personal nature of this song makes it suitable for solo singing accompanied by either piano alone or by a rhythm section. It is highly appropriate when worship topics center on forgiveness, personal struggle, resolution of conflict, and God’s presence when we take up the challenge to walk these difficult paths. Learn More

A beautiful new song for Advent by Ben Grace and Nicholas Zork based on the hymn by Henry Alford.  This is part of a collection of Advent songs they have released called The Calendar Years.

Sorry--no piano arrangement for this one yet, but we're working on it!

From singer/songwriter Tracy Howe: "This song reminds us the peace, hope, and love we are longing for to move in our world is also inside of us." Learn More

We Are a People of Hope can be used as a gathering or sending forth song. It's powerful refrain is easy for congregations to learn and sing. We are ALL the children of God, and we are ALL welcome at God's table. Learn More

An upbeat, fun song with three parts to be sung simultaneously. Great for kids choir and camp. Based on Psalm 103. Learn More

"More Light" is a catchy, simple refrain that has been sung in hundreds of worship contexts for more than a decade. It is most often used before or after a scripture reading, but it can be used anywhere that you want to emphasize the unfolding word. CCLI #5845190 Learn More

This is a brand new song from Gary, Lenora, and Hannah Rand and their worship band, "The Many."  Among other things this song is their powerful, soulful, and faithful musical response to the violence and death of Charleston, Paris, and Orlando.  The song is a lament, a proclamation of the biblical Truth that whatever we do to someone else, we ultimately do to ourselves, and ends with the hopeful reminder that God "so loves the world" that we can always "find our way to love."  

Piano arrangement coming soon!

Several times in the Bible, we're told to listen to creation ... to go to the ant, to consider the lilies of the field and the birds of the air, to listen as the stars preach to us. This song is an attempt to hear what our fellow creatures are trying to tell us right now ... about what we're doing to the world. It could be a performance song, but I dare to think that some brave congregations would be willing to have their congregations sing it too. 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.

A simple song that is immediately accessible and easy to pick up. Be sure to listen long enough to hear the beautiful vocal harmonies that Matthew Black uses to really bring this song to life. In a world where fear is used to manipulate and control us in so many ways, this simple reminder that when we are "in God"--we can rest and find deep peace and security. In fact Matt suggests that it is ONLY in God that we can "lie down and not be afraid." This song could be used in lots of different ways liturgically, and Matthew includes the vocal arrangement as a download. Learn More

This 4 part a capella arrangement holds a unique and much needed message--that there are gifts and truths given in the "dark." In addition to this being a powerful message in and of itself--that there is beauty and power and deep Truth to be experienced in the dark moments and realities of life (literally and metaphorically), there is also power in challenging the implicit racist implications in assuming that "light is good" and "dark is bad." This song could be a congregational song and/or a choral anthem. It could also be a piece to use on "Good Friday" during Holy Week. Lots of potential uses for this provocative chorus. Learn More

This song was written to go with the "Day 3" Scriptures and Themes of the 2018 "Beyond Belief" Outdoor Ministries Camp curriculum published by Chalice Press. The theme for the day is "What If We Hope?," and the Scripture is the story of a man's friends bringing a sick friend to Jesus for healing and cutting a hole in the roof in order to get through the crowd." This song is simple, accessible, but layered with meaning and will be useful in many different contexts, from Church camps and retreats to Sunday morning worship. Learn More

A hymn exploring the mystery of God and how we name this Mystery. Learn More