1. The Song Is Alive
    By: Ken Medema

    Ken’s new CHORAL OFFERING uses unique imagery to capture the opportunity that we have to point others to God. When we light the lights, till the soil, and raise the signs that point to home, we keep the Song alive for us all. This easily accessible and multi-purpose anthem, with words and music by Ken Medema and choral arrangement by Ken Medema and Cathy Chamblee, features a flowing piano accompaniment and logical S.A.T.B. voicings that your choir can readily learn. No matter how you use it in your worship service, this anthem will quickly become a choir and a congregational favorite! The mp3 recording of this piece is from an April 2022 performance by the Mercer Singers of Mercer University, Stanley Roberts, director. Learn More

  2. Sean Felices (That All Have Happiness)
    By: Tracy Howe Wispelwey

    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

  3. Only If We Learn To Share
    By: Ken Medema

    Ken Medema wrote this song to go with Day 4 Scriptures (John 6:1-14 ) and themes of the 2018 “Beyond Belief” Outdoor Ministries Curriculum Published By Chalice Press. The theme for the day is "What If There Is Enough?" Note: There are accompaniment tracks available (music recordings without the vocals) for all of Ken's 2018 Branching Out Curriculum songs. Learn More

  4. Stay Connected
    By: Trinity UCC Music Team

    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!

     

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  5. Deliver Us
    By: Richard Bruxvoort Colligan

    An upbeat rocking song with a catchy hook based on Psalm 58 that names systemic injustice and oppression.  This song has some guts and is a strong call for introspection and "uprooting corruption even when it serves us." 

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  6. Hope Will Rise Again
    By: Andra Moran

    This upbeat Easter song emphasizes hope and resilience and is a particularly good fit for this time in history. The chorus of the song includes the line "In the valley of the shadow, we're the candle in the window, saying Hope will rise again." This song includes springtime nature images in the lyrics. It can also be used throughout Eastertide. Stylistically, this is an Americana song and the chord structure will be accessible for a worship band. A video is available for this song making it particularly useful for virtual worship. This song is part of a package of resources for Holy Week Worship with virtual and in-person options from the award winning worship designers Andra Moran and Suzanne Castle at www.brimproject.com Learn More

  7. For God Is Here
    By: Troy Hatfield

    This is a very singable and easy to learn chorus by Troy Hatfield, one of the musical leaders of Mars Hill Church in Grand Rapids, MI.  The lyric is a beautiful reminder of Psalm 46:12 which tell us that because God is with us--especially in the midst of trouble--we do not need to be afraid. 

    Fear--it's being thrown at us and sold to us and used to manipuate and control folks in so many ways.  We all have our own personal fears as well.  We hope and pray that little choruses like this will help us respond to fear with Spirit-centered love and strength and freedom.

    Note:  The audio for this song is a simple live demo at this point.  Troy is finishing up a more produced studio version and we will use that as soon as it is available.  If you purchase this simple demo and want the studio version when it comes out please just let us know.  Also, the song was initially called, "For He Is Here."  Troy was very open to the suggestion that other pronouns and images for God be used so that the song is not exclusively using a masculine image for the Divine.  You'll see our suggestions (God, He, She)  on the lyric pages and sheet music, but the audio here only uses the original male pronoun.  Please "hear" beyond that and imagine repeating the song using "God" for the first verse, "He" for the second, and "She" for the third.

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  8. There Are Gardens Waiting
    By: Bret Hesla

    This is a song of longing for "Green hearts" and gardens that need to be planted. It includes spoken parts in between the repeatable chorus that could be done by various readers within a congregation. This would work well for traditional churches committed to eco-justice and lifestyle changes in order to address climate change and the integrity of Creation. Learn More

  9. This Is Us
    By: Christian McIvor

    A song of solidarity with the oppressed and excluded that celebrates commitment and full inclusion in the community of faith. Verses were written to be sung by a soloist and then the congregation sings the chorus together. Useful in many different liturgical contexts. Learn More

  10. Stepping In
    By: Christopher Grundy

    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

  11. Majestic Mystery
    By: Brian McLaren

    Many of us struggle with how to name God. So many of our old names and metaphors feel used up, small, and polluted with toxic associations. Yet if we give up on speaking to and about God, there are other terrible losses. This song grew out of that struggle and is an attempt to maintain a heart of hungry, thirsty openness to the Mystery who transcends all of our words and concepts. The song was written by Brian McLaren (brianmclaren.net) and this recording is by Fran McKendree, a gifted singer/songwriter you can learn more about here: https://franmckendree.com/ Learn More

  12. Here in This Place
    By: Christopher Grundy

    Another beautiful, singable, earth-honoring chorus. Easy to play on guitar. This song works well for outdoor worship, church camp, or any time you want to connect with the sacred around you. The song also turns the idea that God is somehow "up" on its head, using imagery of the Spirit rising from the ground. The song works well as a gathering song, introit, call to worship, prayer, or as a congregational hymn. Written by Dr. Christopher Grundy, Associate Professor of Preaching and Worship at Eden Theological Seminary. One License #CGHiTP2002 Learn More

  13. Lamb of God
    By: The Many

    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

  14. Imago Dei
    By: Richard Bruxvoort Colligan

    A song affirming each person's holy worth and our collective siblinghood. Learn More

  15. Drink Deeply
    By: David LaMotte

    Singer/Songwriter David LaMotte is a soulful lyricist and artist who has spent many years in contemporary folk music circles.  This very singable and easy to learn song with a great groove is from David's brand new release, "It's The Other Way Around."  This tune will bring new life and energy to many congregations as they celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion.

     

     

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  16. Arise
    By: Tracy Howe

    From singer/songwriter Tracy Howe: "Based on Isaiah 60, this is an upbeat gathering song declaring the promises of God that God's love brings God's people together." Learn More

  17. Your Love Is Here
    By: The Many

    A brand new song by CMP's number one selling artist, "The Many." This one is a prayer of longing to be able to trust and believe that God's Love is present and real despite all our questions, doubts, weariness, and fear. Learn More

  18. Just One Candle
    By: David LaMotte

    This is more of a solo song than a congregational piece, though the chorus is very easy to pick up and sing and this could be done by a soloist on the verses and then the congregation joining in on the refrain. 

    But for the most part this song of David LaMott'es is on the site as a "Singer/Songwriter (Solo) piece just for listening and for the beautiful message and artistry.   The lyric of the refrain is attributed to St. Francis:  "All the darkness in the word can't extinguish the light of just one candle." 

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  19. Remain In Me
    By: Andra Moran

    In John 15, we have the beautiful images of the vine and the vine grower reminding us of our deep connection in Christ and the gift of abiding in the love of God. "Remain in Me" is a meditative scripture song that is quick to teach a congregation. The chorus can also be used as a sung refrain in liturgy or scripture reading. This song works equally well for a congregation, soloist, or small ensemble. Learn More

  20. To Be Born
    By: Brian McLaren

    From Brian McLaren:  "The Great Spiritual Migration, like all of my books, suggests that we are at the end of a dying ear and at the beginning of something new.  A kind of vital spiritual receptivity is required in liminal times like these, and this song seeks to help us experiene that receptivity.  These lyrics emerged over several years, and they're among the favorite lyrics I've written."

    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 21songs.  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.

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