“Blue Christmas” services, which take place to support people struggling emotionally during the holiday season, are becoming more common. This song was written for such services. Ken Janzen sings and plays the instruments.
read more4 Advent Video Hymns written for the Worship Design Studio, which created its own separate videos. Recordings and videos by Ken Janzen
read moreAn old hymn of mine, recently rewritten slightly. Recorded here by the Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Choir.
read moreSuitable for progressive/inclusive/justice-focused Christian congregations. Written for The Fountains, a UMC congregation in Arizona.
read moreInspired by my March 2023 visit to The Fountains UMC in Arizona; written with a very simple melody and small range to maximize small congregations’ ability to learn and sing the piece.
read moreThis Communion hymn, commissioned by the First Congregational Church, Branford, CT, is appropriate for progressive/inclusive Christian churches.
read moreThis progressive Christian hymn images Jesus as healer, teacher, and prophet, and invites all people (regardless of their religion) to be healers, teachers, and prophets in our time.
read moreWritten for the installation of Rev. Mallory Everhart as Co-Pastor at Vista Grande Community Church UCC; the images under the final verse are related to the congregation, inspired by Hebrews 11-12.
read moreA COVID-19 song about our pain, resilience, and ability to care for each other in impossible times. We were called for just such a time as this.
read moreA gentle Communion hymn usable with Emmaus text.
read moreWritten for the Reconciling Ministries Network; this video centers Pride and inclusive church images.
read moreLead vocals by Rev. Kate Penney Howard. Other vocals, instruments, and engineering by Ken Janzen. New hymn text, set to the tune of Ar Hyd Y Nos; a reflection on how the sacred works in the …
read moreThis was written for an Evolution Sunday service and incorporates ideas from process theology.
read moreSwing version of my stewardship hymn From Our Abundance We Give. Appropriate for inclusive Christian, Unitarian Universalist, and other congregations.
read moreThis upbeat sending-out song or closing hymn is based on words adapted from a famous John Wesley quote.
read moreThis upbeat sending-out song or closing hymn is based on words adapted from a famous John Wesley quote.
read moreAmanda wrote this for an inclusion campaign within the United Methodist Church and also did a Pride version of the video.
read moreAmanda wrote this piece when churches were closing their doors early on in COVID as a reminder that church is more than a building.
read moreA Pentecost social justice song. And a prayer for any day of the year for those dedicated to building Beloved Community. Winner of the 2021 United Church of Christ Musicians Association Hymn Writing Competition
read moreA short closing or sending-out song appropriate for all forms of inclusive worship.
read moreThis hymn is appropriate for Earth Day and other environmental worship services. Recording and video by Ken Janzen.
read moreThis simple prayer is inspired by the writings of Brian McLaren.
read moreThe religious traditions of the world affirm that we should treat others as we wish to be treated, but too often our laws are cruel.
read moreGod abundant, God of wonder, God of every living thing,
God of justice and of righteousness, empower us as we sing.
read moreA Beatitudes hymn text with a suggested public domain hymn tune.
read moreInitially written as a somber a cappella piece for a worship service, this version is musically full and rich, leaning toward hope while still acknowledging the grief so many of us feel from deaths caused by gun violence.
read moreHoly One, lover of all, knowing that you desire that all people should live in joy and
wellness, we ask today for strength and guidance in the work we do to build a just and peaceful
society.
When all is burned away by violence, fear and greed
We tremble in our terror that we’ve lost the things we need.
A pretty, simple Easter Hymn: Love Will Have the Final Laugh
read moreAs we enter Holy Week, we remember the holy work of Jesus in order to take up that work in our own lives and for our own time.
read moreA new hymn by Amanda Udis-Kessler for The Blessing of The Animals Services
read moreA progressive Christian encounter with the Easter story that situates it within the longer story of sacred love and within our lives today.
read moreA solemn Palm Sunday hymn based on the book The Last Week by Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan
read moreDo all the good you can by all the means you can
In all the ways you can in all the places you can
At all the times you can to all the people you can
As long as ever you can (John Wesley)
Amanda Udis-Kessler shares LBGTQ+ hymns along with the sheet music – just click on the title of the hymn to open the PDF Sheet Music.
read moreAmanda Udis-Kessler shares 8 hymns along with the sheet music – just click on the Title of the Hymn to open the PDF Sheet Music.
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