This lament invites the community to sit with their experience of longing. 1 Listen to my sighing. Holy One, hear my cry 2 In the morning, hear my voice with the sunrise 3 Wait and hope; we wait and hope The song can be taught by one practiced leader, inviting the assembly to listen to each section of the song and then repeat before moving on to the next. To sing the song with the three parts sung simultaneously, the song is best taught with three leaders, each leading one of the three parts of the song. Words and music by Richard Bruxvoort Colligan ©2019 Worldmaking.net (ASCAP) Licensed via OneLicense.net, CCLI and Worldmaking.net Permission and blessing is grated for use. If you have a license, please do your reporting as usual. Thank you. Audio and sheet music: https://www.psalmimmersion.com/psalm-5 Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxE6ZY0-XUo

This adaptation of my favorite Hafiz poem was made around the time of my father's death, and it became a kind of mantra for All Saints that year. Even death now will have no power to quiet your name from beating wildly in our hearts The song is likely best taught through repetition by practiced leadership. There are two distinct parts that can be sung simultaneously if desired. Audio and sheet music: https://www.worldmaking.net/even-death-now Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrS9Fc2dNyU Poem by Hafiz Music by Richard Bruxvoort Colligan © 2017 Worldmaking.net (ASCAP) Licensed via OneLicense.net, CCLI and Worldmaking,net Permission and blessing is granted for use. If you have a license, please do your usual reporting.

This simple song came out of a text immersion with pastors during the pandemic from Olive Branch Community in Rochester, MN. 2 Corinthians 4 sees the Apostle Paul describe a heart-wrenching season of life with a trust that his and Timothy's lives and ministry has purpose and meaning. Do not lose heart Do not lose heart Life is at work Do not lose heart Take courage, friends Take courage, friends Lean into love Take courage, friends Words and music by Richard Bruxvoort Colligan ©2020 Worldmaking.net (ASCAP). All rights reserved. Licensed via OneLicense.net, CCLI and Worldmaking.net. Permission and blessing is granted for use. If you have a license, please report usage. The song is probably best learned by the community through repetition from practiced leadership. ASL or hand gestures may help embody and amplify the meaning. Audio and sheet music: https://www.worldmaking.net/do-not-lose-heart Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT_J9-sLoME Video with meditation on courage and resilience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51qLJqcxLpw

This simple melody by Richard Bruxvoort Colligan first took shape at a Music that Makes Community event in Minneapolis. 

He suggests singing through the first half of the song and inviting the assembly to echo. Do the same with the second half, then put the two pieces together.

"Going out and coming in the Holy One keeps us. 
Going out and coming in the Holy One sings."

Richard's music is licensed through CCLI, OneLicense.net and Worldmaking.net. Be sure report use of the piece if you print the text or music for your community.

This song of prayer surrender from the first lines of Psalm 25 was written by psalmist Richard Bruxvoort Colligan. Richard suggests lining out the song in its entirety, then inviting the community to join in. 

Accompaniment supports and adds to the experience of the song.

"I lay one my whole life to you,
trusting you, O Holy One."

Richard's music is licensed through CCLI, OneLicense.net and Worldmaking.net. Be sure report use of the piece if you print the text or music for your community.

This poignant song based on a line from the Sufi poet Rumi was shared with the MMC community by Ana Hernández. The intuitive melodic shape makes it easy to teach, and groups are quick to sing and harmonize. 

Ana suggests using the piece for centering and meditation practice. She also blogged about her experiences using the song in a 12-step community.

It can be sung unaccompanied or with guitar or keyboard.

"There is some kiss we want with our whole lives.
The touch of spirit on the body."

We Are Coming, Lord, to the Table is joyous communion song from Sierra Leone transcribed by Greg Scheer, a composer, author, and speaker with roots in the Reformed Church. It was carried to MMC by Paul Vasile, who learned it at a Calvin Institute of Worship symposium at the Chandler School of Theology in Atlanta, GA.

Because each section of the song repeats, it's easiest to teach the community through call and echo. In the second section, the word changes from "bread" to "wine" on the repeat, so it can be helpful to call it out a few beats ahead. Once learned, harmony can be invited. Drums and other rhythm instruments can also be added, but be sure they support the group's learning.

"We are coming, Lord to the table.
(We are coming, Lord to the table)
With the gift of bread we are coming, Lord.
(With the gift of wine we are coming, Lord.)
Oh, we are coming, Lord.
(Oh, we are coming, Lord.)

We are coming, Lord to the table.
(We are coming, Lord to the table)
To receive the bread, we are coming, Lord.
To receive the wine, we are coming, Lord.
Oh, we are coming, Lord.
(Oh, we are coming, Lord.)"

Copyright for the song is held by Greg Scheer. A CCLI license is required to print or project the music or lyrics.

This Eucharistic response by psalmist and singer-songwriter Richard Bruxvoort Colligan invites the community to partake in the bread and wine. It's a straightforward melody that can be taught phrase by phrase through call and echo patterns. 

"The gifts of God for the people of God, 
Come now for all is prepared. 
The gifts of God for the people of God,
The Gospel is among us.

Richard's music is licensed via CCLI, OneLicense.net and Worldmaking.net. Be sure report use of the piece if you plan to print the text or music for your community.

Psalm 141 is commonly used during Vespers or Evening Prayer. This setting by psalmist and singer-songwriter Richard Bruxvoort Colligan invites the community to sing a refrain which alternates with solo verses.

Use call and echo patterns to teach the refrain phrase by phrase. Weave them together when the community is ready and proceed right into the psalm setting without breaking the flow.

Refrain:
Our breath is incense, sweet smell rising.
Our hands are open, lifted up in the evening. 

Verse 1: 
I call out to you Come and hear me 
Give ear to my voice, my God, and quickly. Refrain 

Verse 2
Watch the door of my mouth for integrity 
Guard my lips and keep my heart from turning. Refrain 

Verse 3 
Let the elders guide and correct my way 
Keep my words and actions true I pray. Refrain 

Verse 4 
Watch the farmer's plow turn the blessed earth 
Bones of death and signs of rising birth. Refrain 

Verse 5
You are the earth, I am a seed 
Hide me, grow me, love and never leave me. Refrain

Richard's music is licensed via CCLI, OneLicense.net and Worldmaking.net. Be sure report use of the piece if you print the text or music for your community.

This new musical setting of a Shaker text is by organist and composer Daniel Schwandt. It was written at a Music that Makes Community Composers Retreat in Brattleboro, VT in 2013. It has been used in many different contexts: as a call to prayer, for Ash Wednesday and during the Lenten season, for services of healing and reconciliation, and even at funerals or graveside services.

The melody has strong call and echo features, and some leaders teach the song this way. Others line it out line by line, adding simple movements to help the group better remember the text.

"Lay me low, where the Lord can find me.
Lay me low, where the Lord can *own me.
Lay me low, where the Lord can bless me.
Lay me low, oh, lay me low."

*MMC leaders frequently substitute 'hold' for 'own.' We find the original word carries baggage painful to many, especially communities of color with direct connection to the American history of chattel slavery. We honor the Shaker tradition from which the song emerges while also seeking to name and heal painful legacies of oppression.