Jesus Christ is the light of the world (echo)

The light no darkness can overcome (echo)

Stay with us Lord for it is evening (echo)

And the day is almost over (echo)

Let your light scatter the darkness (echo)

And shine on your people here (echo)

Song form: echo

Composer Name: Benjamin Leese

Lyricist Name: ancient text

Year Composed: 2008

Place of Origin: York Springs, Pennsylvania

Biblical Reference: John 8:12

Copyright Holder Name: Benjamin Leese

Terms of Use: share and share alike

Paul Vasile wrote this song in December of 2015 at St. Lydia's Lutheran Church, and it's sweeping melody often elicits lush harmony when invited.

Written by John Bell as part of the St. Bride setting, this paperless response incorporates call and echo learning to encourage community participation. The melody rises and falls gently, inviting a quiet, focused energy. When learned well, the piece can be sung as a canon in as many as four parts (with groups entering each measure).

It could sung a cappella or accompanied by a drone instrument (a shruti box or a soft unison or open fifth on the organ) to support the community's voice. 

"Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world,
have mercy on us. 

Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world,
have mercy on us. 

Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world, 
grant us your peace."

Teaching note from Paul Vasile: Practice the response before worship and encourage the community to trust your gestures, even if they seem to be too soon. The overlapping parts generate energy and the confidence of the community will grow in time.

This call and echo Sanctus was composed for the Iona Community in Scotland. It can be sung unaccompanied or with a drone instrument (like a shruti box).

"Holy, holy,
Holy Lord of pow'r and might.
Heaven, earth,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
All glory to your name.

Blessed, blessed,
Is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Blessed, blessed,
Is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest!"

Teaching note from Paul Vasile: The echo comes quite quickly and there is slightly overlap between the leader and the assembly, so be ready to cue them with a clear, inviting gesture.

Copyright for the piece is held by GIA Publications, Inc. so you'll need a OneLicense membership to print the text or music.

This South African Song in Xhosa is roughly translated “Go with us, our Savior” and comes from the repertoire of anti-Apartheid Freedom Songs written in the 1970's and 80's. It was shared with the MMC community by Paul Vasile, who learned it from Pamela Warrick Smith. In the spirit of music from many African contexts, the song invites opportunities for improvisation and adding actions/themes specific to the community's needs or experiences.

We have seen leaders share it as zipper/pocket song (i.e. Go with us, Lord, and give us your love/joy/peace) or deepen its communal spirit by crafting new verses (i.e. Come walk with us and share in our bread/...and join in the song). It makes a powerful sending song.

"Hamba nathi Mkhululi wethu"

There are several poetic translations of the song into English, not all faithful to the original Xhosa:  

1. You Are Holy, You Show Us the Way
2. God With Us, Lord, and Set Us All Free
3. Come Walk With Us, the Journey Is Long (Anders Nyberg)

Teaching note from Paul Vasile: When you lead Hamba nathi, make sure that you keep a steady beat so the group feels the syncopated rhythm of the tune. I teach the tune first and once that's set offer the bass line. If folks don't intuitively add harmony (almost every group I've taught this to has), outline parts.

This song is originally from Ghana, and the version we've sung at many MMC events is from a setting by Marty Haugen and Marc Anderson. You can find the sheet music and a recording of the song at GIA Music.

This layered song by psalmist Richard Bruxvoort Colligan is based on Psalm 31. Each part can be taught to a different part of the community or choir. When each is secure, they can be combined to create a rich, textured space for prayer.

The song can be sung a cappella or can be accompanied. It could be useful in Taizé-style services, and the text also invites it to be sung during Holy Week, especially Good Friday. 

Part 1:
"Into your hands I place my life."

Part 2:
"Oh, loving faithful God."

Part 3:
"Oh, my life is yours."

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 joyful sending song was composed by Chad McKenna at an Music That Makes Community workshop in Chicago in 2011.

This song was composed by Pat Humphries and Sandy O. You can hear a clip, as well as buy a recording or the sheet music on their website Emma's Revolution. Here's a clip of AnnaMarie Hoos teaching it at an MMC event at Holy Cross Monastery in September of 2015:

http://emmasrevolution.com/listen/album/one/9-peace-salaam-shalom/

This song was composed by Richard Bruxvoort Colligan. See Richard's public MMC profile here.