In response to the Worshiping Into God's Future initiative survey, Local Church Ministries is developing a new praise and worship music song book -- Sing! Prayer and Praise.  Pastors, musicians, and other worship planners indicated a great need for praise and worship music which speaks to the covenantal values of the United Church of Christ, along with attention to expansive language and theological challenge and depth.

Sing! Prayer and Praise will contain over 200 songs.  The Praise Song Advisory Team (PSAT), the diverse group of individuals brought together to bring the book to life, has evaluated hundreds of songs from both published and non-published sources.  Several hundred new songs, many from our UCC musicians, were submitted for consideration. 

Thank you for all of the submissions to the praise and worship music song book.  The deadline for submissions has passed.  The PSAT is no longer accepting songs for consideration, except for those requested by the team.

The composers of the songs selected for the book will be contacted in October 2008.  The collection is set to debut at General Synod in Grand Rapid, Michigan in June 2009. 

The Worship and Education Team of Local Church Ministries began the "Praise and Worship Music Project" in the Fall of 2006.  A Praise Song Songwriting Competition was held as a kick off for the development of the new resource. 

Two winning songs were selected -- "Hush" by James F.D. Martin, and "You Are" by Mark Unbehagen.  Copies of the music are available for download.  United Church of Christ congregations and entities are free to reproduce the songs for use in worship and at other gatherings, provided the copyright included on the music appears as written.

Interested in becoming an arranger for the project?  Individuals with innovative piano arrangement skills are being sought.  The deadline is October 15, 2008.  For more information: ressmans@ucc.org

Praise Song Songwriting Competition resources:

Lead sheet for "Hush" by James F.D. Martin

Accompaniment version of "Hush" by James F.D. Martin

Lead sheet for "You Are" by Mark C. Unbehagen

Accompaniment version of "You Are" by Mark C. Unbehagen

What is a praise music?

The Praise Song Advisory Team, the eleven member team responsible for constructing the Praise and Worship Music Book, for the purposes of the Praise and Worship Music Project, has defined praise music as follows:

"Praise music is a memorable, melody-based composition which is musically accessible without being simplistic; it has a fresh sound incorporating less-traditional rhythms and harmonization.  Praise music makes one 'feel' something with a goal of establishing a deeper relationship with God.  It can move one to thought, action, and reflection based on the text or theme.

The language of praise music is inclusive and accessible.  It encompasses traditional religious vocabulary; explores non-traditional, contemporary images of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit; and draws from the rich imagery found within sacred Scripture.

Praise music seeks to embody the covenantal values of the United Church of Christ: Justice and Peace, Multiracial/Multicultural, Open and Affirming, Accessible to All -- as we seek unity; celebrate diversity; honor inclusion; hope for relational, loving communities; and explore multiple images and understandings of God." 

(Adopted by the Praise Song Advisory Team, Sunday, July 22, 2007)