Singing about our ancient lineage of prayer: the people of God listen carefully for God's voice. A song for Prayer for Illumination, Gospel Acclamation, Communal Prayer or moment of Discernment. 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.

Ken Medema presents the traditional hymn, "All Through The Night," with a quiet piano accompaniment suitable for a reflective benediction. Learn More

A gorgeous song of praise and gratitude for God's presence and grace in the midst of struggle, questions, and the full range of experience. 

Ken Medema encourages us to be thankful for the adventure ahead of us, the tough pathways behind us, and the opportunity to serve others beyond the church walls, guided all the way by God's Spirit. In the middle of this lively song, Ken gives us a new text to the well-known hymn tune, Wye Valley. The new text is a prayer for God's Spirit to guide the "living out" of our faith each day, knowing that the testament of our lives proves God's grace. This piece can be accompanied by piano alone but can also have guitar, synthesizer, drums, and organ added. It is suitable for topics related to our witness in the world and the way in which God's Spirit guides our steps. The hymn inserted in this song can be performed as a separate congregational hymn and is entitled, "Holy Spirit, Guide Us" (separate catalog item). Learn More

This is a great benediction/sending song written by Brian McLaren and performed by Tracy Howe Wispelwey. Easy to play and teach the congregation. And let's face it--kindness, in addition to being one of the 3 things named as "required" by God in Micah 6:8, is something we simply can't proclaim, embody, and offer enough. The lyrics of this song are also based on the words of Teresa of Avila that we are Christ's hands and body in the world. 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

A gentle prayer of surrender and service. Learn More

This song is vintage Christopher Grundy and really deserves to be used more widely.  Great invitation, call to worship, prayer, or "short song or response" based on Jesus' invitation to come and find rest in Matthew 11:28.