"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

"Whatever Is True" is based on Philippians 4:8-9. Functionally, it makes a great benediction song, sending the congregation out into the world with a reminder to set their minds on truth, kindness, and noble things, and to remember that we are all held with love. The line, "love for a stranger, love for a neighbor, seeking the Christ" is also a powerful text to sing in light of the current crises of immigrants at the southern U.S. borders and the recent heartbreaking reality of refugees from Afghanistan. Learn More

Tear Down the Walls is part protest song, part lament and and part personal confession. It gives voice to our laments and our anger at the real world walls that divide us while at the same time allowing us to sing our confession for the walls we build between ourselves and others. The last line of the song is a prayer for our churches, our nation, and our personal relationships. “Tear down the walls … so I can see you… So you can see me, too.” 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

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

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

We (Lenora & Hannah Rand) wrote this song soon after the 2014 police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO, when cries of pain and anguish were rising up in that community and around the country, when words of hate and anger were burning hot, and when the racism and fear that has been quietly eating away at our country for a long time came out into the open. This song was born thinking about Jesus’ birth into “mud and blood and hay” and how long that night must have been for Mary and Joseph. We wrote it remembering God’s promise, repeated throughout the Bible, that God is on the side of the poor and oppressed, and that God is always, always where the hurting are. It’s both an Advent and Christmas song, and one especially appropriate for a Longest Night Service. 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

"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 those whose faith has called them to work for peace and justice, past, present, and future, and invites all of us to join in that sacred work. The hymn has been interpreted by several different musicians in different genres and styles. Please explore Convergence Music Project to hear other versions of the hymn. Learn More