Ben Johnson leads a lot of the music at Solomon's Porch Church in the Twin Cities.  Ben says that often he will sing a song that the gathered community will listen to, and then sing along either with a refrain or just as they learn the song after repeated hearings over time. 

This beautiful composition of Ben's is a great example of a song that is both singer/songwriter in the verses and then community song in the refrain and ending.  We look forward to making more of Ben's music available as well as to interviewing him (for our blog and Facebook posts) in order to learn how Solomon's Porch uses music in the context of worship.

Note:  There is no sheet music available yet for this piece, but the guitar chords are listed with the lyrics in the Lead Sheet product slot for this song.

Lots of folks are talking these days about an epidemic of not-enoughness. All of us are daily bombarded with the message that we aren’t enough. And this belief, that we are not enough, often leads us directly to the notion that there is not enough to go around. It seems like much that is wrong in our world — hatred, greed, exclusion, violence, climate devastation — is related to these widespread feelings of inadequacy and scarcity. So The Many’s songwriters, lyricist, Lenora Rand and music writer, Hannah Rand, have written a song that we can all sing (maybe on a daily basis...) and that we hope will be helpful. The chorus is a simple affirmation: You are enough. I am enough. Breathe in the love. We are enough! CCLI Song #7218151 Learn More

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 is a brand new song from the worship band, "The Many." It reminds us of a simple but powerfully transforming and urgently needed truth--Love is greater than fear. In this pandemic world of so much uncertainty, division, and obvious reasons to be fearful, this is a truth we need to embrace more deeply than ever. Learn More

This song is built on some quotes from Dorothy Day and Mother Teresa. It feels especially relevant in times when the world is falling apart . . . and it invites us to dare to believe that these unsettling times create the conditions for a new world to be built by loving hands and loving hearts. Brian McLaren (brianmclaren.net) wrote the original song, and then Fran McKendree offered his magic with this arrangement and recording: https://franmckendree.com/ Learn More

This is a brand new song for Advent 2016 from The Many.  We're really excited about this one!  So timely in light of all that's going on in the world right now.  This beautiful, singable, easily accessible song could work as an anthem, a congregational song, or a solo.  It taps into the Advent themes of waiting and longing for God to come, act, and bring about Divine justice.  And yet it is also a call to action, love, service, and hope while we wait. 

Thanks for another GREAT song Gary, Lenora, and Hannah Rand!

A beautiful new piano based song that will work well as a congregational song or a choral anthem. The music and lyrics are a gentle and soulful reminder of God's presence and grace and how God leads us into healing and hope. The chorus is a prayer for God to "light my step" and to be open to the leading and guidance of the Spirit. Learn More

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 was written specifically to match the "Day 5" Scripture and Theme of the 2018 "Beyond Belief" Outdoor Ministries Camp curriculum published by Chalice Press. The Scripture is the amazing encounter of Jesus and the Syrophoenician Woman in Mark 7:24-30, and the theme for the day is "What If We Speak Up?" Sometimes speaking up is hard and requires courage and strength to "find our voices." This song is a prayer for that courage and grace and the ability to know when it's time to speak up. Learn More

Ken Medema captures the anguishing prayer of the servant who longs for God's justice in frustrating times and who trusts in God against despair and fear. The song concludes with a comforting reminder that we belong to God. This bluesy song is a setting of Psalm 56 and is best suited to be performed as a vocal solo with piano accompaniment. Look for these additional psalm settings in this series by Ken: "All My Life (Psalm 73)," "It's Good to Give Thanks (Psalm 92)," "We Will Raise Our Eyes (Psalm 121)." Learn More

“Do Not Fear” is a song of God’s love from Lenora and Hannah Rand, as recorded by The Many. There are so many scary things happening all around us, affecting our lives and the lives of those we love. Fear seems to be hard to avoid these days. Here’s a quiet song to sing whether you’re just sitting alone with your fears or you are gathered in community facing these challenging times together. In words inspired by Isaiah 49: 15-17, it is God’s word of assurance to us. Love is greater than fear. God’s love will sustain us. “Can a woman forget her own baby and not love the child she bore? Even if a mother should forget her child, I will never forget you. I have written your name on the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:15-17). Learn More

A song of hopeful lament that reflects on the need for relationship and togetherness both during and after communal suffering and loss. Learn More

A brand new song released for Advent 2020! No artists are helping individuals and faith communities these days to both lament and hold on to the hope for Divine Transformation more effectively than The Many. This song helps to name the pain and longing that so many are experiencing at this point in history, but it also invites us to dream new dreams and reminds us that God uses those who dream to change the world. 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

This song was written specifically for Maundy Thursday, the last night of Jesus's life, and yet it is useful for any time people feel "up against it." One of the Gospels says that after the Last Supper and the foot washing, and after Judas left the table to betray him, Jesus and his disciples sang a hymn together before they left for the garden of Gethsemane. A song that would give Jesus strength to face what he knew the next day was going to mean for him. It is our hope that this song will be a source of strength and courage for those facing a difficult tomorrow. Learn More

A song for Advent wreath lighting. Each verse draws attention to one of the candle themes: peace, hope, joy, and love. Learn More