Dina Datsko de Sánchez wrote this new poem for the re-imagined Homecoming Sunday at First Congregational Church, Long Beach.
read moreAmanda 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 moreNational anthems are often barely singable tunes with bombastic, jingoistic words. Doesn’t that fit the “Star Spangled Banner?”
read more“Leaning In: A Prayer of Intention” is a sung prayer of intercession that aims to break down the distinction between the typical “us” and “them:” of such prayers. It also shifts away from petition (asking …
read moreHere’s a collection of 10 church songs that come from some pretty famous and influential secular artists. They’re easy enough for most people to sing along to, come in a printable format and are pretty straightforward to play, too.
read moreCovid-19 has separated us from our officially-sanctioned holy places and sacred things. The members of our church in Los Angeles yearn to get back to our beloved worship space. But we are seizing this opportunity to turn the church inside out. We are finding the sacred in the relationships we maintain with each other on computer screens, in the elements of communion we assemble from donuts and crackers and orange juice and coffee, and in the urban, indoor, and natural environments that have become our sanctuaries.
read more“Ocean” is a song of finding comfort in divine presence, yet still embracing some anxiety. A high-quality song download is FREE to the first 200 people.
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.
read moreWhen we realized because of COVID19 we couldn’t sing together, we refused to give up the use of music in our Gatherings; it is just too important. So we turned to the only source of music we thought could offer the same experience even if it didn’t involve singing along: YouTube.
read moreCrises drive us from our comfort
to the edge of vital choice,
children speak the words we’ve hidden,
simple words we’ve failed to voice.
In his lifetime Jesus taught us
To observe and then reflect
On the laws that nature teaches
If we pause and then inspect,
Senses sharpened in the silence,
gently, quietly, feel your breath,
know God’s love will never leave us,
now, or in our time of death.
Franklyn Schaefer is a singer-songwriter, guitarist, arranger and composer. He published his first musical album in 2008 (Keep on Smiling) and has published two more albums and several single songs since.
read moreDiscover new words for a familiar hymn and a progressive interpretation of the 23rd psalm.
As the world is coping with the COVID-19 pandemic, the 23rd psalm seems particularly relevant. Drawing from this psalm, The Trail considers, not so much how we gain protection or deliverance from a powerful God, but rather, how we find comfort and inspiration from a God who is the source of beauty and goodness in the world, even as we go through dark valleys.
Even during this global pandemic,
a walk around the block
yields moments of healing and beauty.
We tune our hearing to silence.
We wait on the source of being.
Our minds release the roar of thoughts.
Join Ashana and James and the crystal bowl for a gentle return to healing calmness and peace. Find your center, quiet your mind and allow your body to open to deep healing with the soothing sounds of alchemy crystal bowls and Native Hawaiian wisdom.
read moreA hymn text specifically for congregations currently doing virtual worshipping. It is to the tune of Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (Nettleton 8.7.8.7.D.)
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