Music Resources for Today’s Christian Worship
(Updated 18 February 2009 after total musical update on 16 September 2008 - now playing “ O Jerusalem)”.

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WHAT’S NEW? | DOWNLOAD | COPYRIGHT INFO | LINKS | MIDI EXPLANATIONS
STRAIGHT TO THE WORSHIP MUSIC LIST | CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC
SEARCHING FOR A SONG? | THEMATIC INDEX OF SONGS
ABOUT REFLECTION | DETAILS OF REFLECTION RECORDS

 Proven guitar and keyboard-based contemporary music for Christian worship in sheet music and MIDI format(either
 unpublished or not widely known), made available as efficiently, effectively and freely as possible - that’s the main
 purpose of this site. But if your church has a Christian Copyright Licensing International licence for reproducing lyrics
 and/or music for worship use (and legally and morally, if it does either, it should have!) do please report any use.

There’s a wide variety of music here, in very varying styles. Most of it is for worship and is listed below (and, at last, thematically, on the new “Song Themes” page. There is a separate page, “Contemporary Christian Music”, for Christian songs that wouldn’t fit easily into worship. The relevant songs are listed on that page.

The sheet music is in gif format, and together with the MIDI files of varying complexity, can be downloaded in “zipped” files from each page. You will also find an increasing number of MP3s from past Reflection albums, live presentations and my own computer recordings.

If you have an older computer and find that individual pages load too slowly, there is a separate download page without embedded sound) where you will find each of the zipped files separately as well as two early master files - one of much of the music and MIDIs and the other with just the MIDIs. Unfortunately, it’s far from up to date with the latest files, but that will be put right within days.

The early MIDI files here were written against the background of a wide variety of soundcards, from the very cheap with only false-sounding FM synthesis to the higher end using wavetable synthesis. Whilst much has changed, it’s still true that no two soundcards will produce quite the same result in terms of instrumental sound and balance. In the fortnight up to today (16 September 2008) all the MIDI files have been remixed and rebalanced. In many cases they have also been significantly revoiced to give a better and consistent listening experience. It has been a time-consuming and tiring process, but rewarding! I've just completed uploading the files, and if you find anything that I have overlooked or just got wrong, do please let me know.

If the files generally sound poor on your system (missing notes, poor balance etc) please read MIDI explanations and advice, and feel free to make adjustments for your own use with whatever music software you have available.

If you want to be notified when this site is updated, ChangeDetect (a replacement for URL-minder that I used to use) was a superb, free and secure service which sent you an e-mail whenever the “What’s New?” page changed. Simply enter your e-mail address below. It is guaranteed not to be made available to anyone else - even me - and I confidently use it myself!

Unfortunately, but inevitably, like most things it gets more commercial, and tries to push you up the ladder into paid services. But there is still currently a more limited free option after the initial trial period.

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List of Music

Although many of these songs were written by Michael Lehr and used by Reflection over a number of years, the aim is to be wide-ranging, and music by other writers is being added to the list as permission for inclusion is obtained.

A page with links to other Christian music sites was added some years back. Although it now needs serious updating, it might serve as a starting point for finding other interesting and informative sites, including those concerned with MIDI and copyright issues.

Music currently available is:

• God Is Our Hope And Our Safety An interesting upbeat setting of a Paul Merchant psalm 46 paraphrase either for a straight contemporary hymn/song or a five part choral piece!

• In The Past God Spoke Another excellent set of worship lyrics from John Hartley which I've set to contemporary music. Based on Hebrews 1 and 2 they provide a much-needed teaching contrast to the images of the baby and manger which seem so dominant. There is also an MP3 of John singing to my accompaniment.

• Sing High With The Holly A very striking, original and haunting Christmas carol, with lyrics by Dr A.J.Lewis. It blends traditional imagery and contemporary thought. There are also MP3s from the “Nativity” album and a live recording with choir backing.

• His Cross Stood Up On Stony Ground (Broken) This is a passionate (but in parts stark) communion hymn-song with words and basic melody written by Kim Ilene McDaniel. With MP3.

• We Believe In God The Father Almost a creed paraphrase but not quite, as it’s based on the declaration of Peter to Cornelius in Acts 10. John Hartley wrote the words, and I think he’s very gifted. With MP3.

• Christmas Is Real A brand new set of Andrew Pratt lyrics for Christmas, as good as ever. This musical treatment owes a debt to the late Sydney Carter.

• God, Forgive Our Shallow Praise Andrew Pratt is an imaginative writer with much published work in a traditional format. This musical treatment aims to take it away from that approach.

• I’m A Child Of The King A family worship song that came rather rapidly out of the Christian Songwriters’ Gathering in Townsend TN in Jun 2006. With MP3s of live and home computer recordings.

• You are the Image of the Unseen God (A new worship song/hymn based closely on Colossians 1, verses 15-20).

• Ashes Or Gold (A solo song exploring the alienation of those who feel outsiders in certain churches).

• Jesus, Pour Your Healing On Us Now (A worship song exploring healing needs, starting from the Gospel reading for 16 February 2003 - Mark 1.40-45).

• Shalom, My Friends (Based on the traditional Hebrew round, but hopefully with just a little more content than some of the other published versions). With an MP3 from the “Reflection On Hymns Of Our Time” album.

• O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Plainsong is not much in fashion in churches these days, although it’s apparently very popular in recordings. This setting makes a traditional Advent hymn more accessible).

• The Lord Bless You and Keep You (A four-part unaccompanied setting of the Aaronic blessing from Numbers 6, verses 24-26, which can also be used as a unison setting with accompaniment).

• May Your Holy Word (A new hymn-song on the theme of the Bible, based on 2 Timothy 2, verses 14-17).

• Lead You To Your Home (A gentle but powerful new song with prayerful lyrics by Jason Mitchener). With an MP3.

• All The Ends Of The Earth (A contemporary liturgical setting of psalm 22, verses 22-30).

• An Eagle’s Wings (I Was Not Made A Butterfly) (A slow solo ballad with inspirational lyrics by Jenn Erickson). Now with piano arrangement (31.10.08)

• We Need Your Rain To Come Down! (A new song of yearning for revival with excellent lyrics by Jason Mitchener and a strong repeated congregational chorus)

• We Are All Called To Be Saints (An energetic worship song specifically written for all-age worship on All Saints Day, but the message is hardly date-specific!)

• I Talked To The Trees (A joyful song about the glory of creation, perhaps for a children’s choir)

• Benedictus (This setting of the Morning Prayer canticle, the Song of Zechariah in Luke 1,68-79, was written for congregation and soloist/soloists. Optional harmonies are available on request)

• Novocaine (A fastish rock song/hymn on the Christian response to pain and suffering). With an MP3.

• Resurrection Day (An urgent “Easter season” song/hymn for adventurous churches, developed through the Christian Songwriters’ Group mailing list from original lyrics by John Merrick). With an MP3.

• The Prize Is Worth It All (the title says it all - a powerful country-style song/hymn by Tim Barber, linking 1 Corinthians 9 v24 with central themes from Revelation)

• I Thank God For You (an excellent Christian wedding/love song by Phillip Wages, written specially for the marriage of close friends)

• Carols, All Too Familiar (a thoughtful but passionate song with lyrics by Janie Ivey reflecting on the experience of Christmas)

• Your Prayers, Your Love, Your Witness (a gentle ballad of Christian support and fellowship)

• You Are The Christ (a vigorous new hymn by Paul Lepine based on Peter’s words in Matthew 16:16 and John 6:68)

• The Coming Of The Light (a great “Advent” song of celebration by Tim Barber)

• Break Not The Circle (a visionary hymn with a “celtic” feel - words by Fred Kaan). With an MP3 from the “Question Of Caring” album.

• When The Herald Angels Sang (a new carol with excellent words, linking the old to the new) - new MIDIs and an MP3 of a live recording.

• It’s Jesus, The Lover Of My Soul (a slow-paced guitar-based worship song by Tim Barber). Now with a great MP3 of a Tim and Shelly Barber recording.

• Take Comfort, My People (a gentle but prophetic song for Advent).

• The Gleneagles Service (a congregational guitar/keyboard-based setting of the Holy Communion Service, originally for ASB Rite A but developed for Common Worship). New MIDIs.

• In The World That God Has Made (A rock-style hymn/song on the problem of evil, relating to Matthew 5, 43-48)

• Now It Begins (A meditative song exploring Mary’s feelings after the Annunciation). With an MP3 of a live recording.

• Thank You, My Jesus (A gentle song of thanksgiving by Larry Holder)

• Love Is The Word (A very different song by Ken Okines - see “Take The Bread” - this time an exuberant song of faith with a rousing chorus)

• Don’t Let Me Walk Alone (A hymn for times of trouble)

• O My Land, If Only You Could Know (A hymn of lament and hope for the nation)

• Caribbean Lord’s Prayer (Perhaps hardly new, but a fresh treatment of a setting that often sounds turgid and lifeless). With an MP3 from the “Reflection On Hymns Of Our Time” album

• Don’t Break Me Open (A powerful ballad on risking the way of the Cross - try it with “I And I Alone”). With an MP3 of a studio recording.

• We Approach Your Throne, Lord (Again something a bit different - a hymn of approach in the making, to which your own contributions are invited!)

• Two Thousand Years (A finger-picking electric folk-style song on the relevance of the Crucifixion and Resurrection today)

• Son Of Man (An excellent Sydney Carter song that deserves to be much better known - deals subtly with the paradox of Jesus being both God and man)

• Arrangements of Traditional Hymns (Something a bit different - “Immortal, Invisible”, “All Creatures of our God and King” and “Be Thou My Vision” in new settings of the well-known tunes)

• Son Of The Carpenter (Be There) (A hymn of prayer for God’s forgiveness and Jesus’ presence - by Ivor Sperrings and Peter Sharrocks). With an MP3 from the “Reflection On Hymns Of Our Time” album.

• In The Beginning (A driving “rap-beat” hymn exploring God’s creation and man’s denial of him).

• You Walk Together (A meditative song of mutual support in the love of Christ). With an MP3 from the “Question Of Caring” album.

• Be At Every Family Table (A hymn of prayer for God’s presence in every part of life). With an MP3 from the “Reflection On Hymns Of Our Time” album.

• Everybody, Praise The Lord! (A Caribbean-style praise song, suitable for children).

• O Worship The Lord In The Beauty Of Holiness (Not the traditional hymn, but a new responsorial praise song).

• Now They Are Taken (A slow meditative solo song for during or immediately after communion).

• My Strength Shall Be Renewed (A new worship song by Barry Adams, based on Isaiah 40:31).

• O Jerusalem (a strong ballad, ideal for Palm Sunday, with imaginative lyrics by Derrick Barber).

• Feed Us Now (a challenging folk-rock hymn by Peter Allen - good, thought-provoking words). With an MP3 from the “Reflection On Hymns Of Our Time” album.

• When I Look Around Me (a fast-paced communion hymn - one of the last by the late Fr Gerard (Geoffrey) Beaumont, with excellent words by Lesley Ellison). With an MP3 from the “Beaumont Meets Reflection” album.

• Take The Bread (a folk-style communion motet for soloist/choir - deceptively simple but powerful words)

• So Many Things (a medium-paced hymn exploring the meaning of Holy Communion)

• What A Surprise! (a children’s action song, based on St Paul’s conversion)

• Lord, Make Me Love (a medium-paced modern hymn, based on I Corinthians 13). With an MP3 from the “Reflection On Hymns Of Our Time” album.

• Lord, I Believe (a rock song in Beach Boys style, based on Matthew 16 verses 24-26)

• Moths into a Flame (a medium rock song exploring the central paradox of Christianity - “losing life to gain it”). With an MP3 from the “Question Of Caring” album.

• Hymn of Creation (a modern hymn for soloist/choir/congregation based on a prayer of St John Chrysostom and originally written for a “naming and blessing” service)

• Shadow of Calvary (a contemporary song/carol by Rob Cox, bridging the old and new). With MP3s from the “Nativity” album and a live recording.

• Father in Heaven (a modern setting of a new Lord’s Prayer paraphrase)

• So Hard to Stay Close (a driving rock song exploring the pressures of Jesus’ situation). With an MP3 from the live “Hosanna - A Portait Of Jesus” album.

• What Does The Lord Require? (a folk-rock setting of a strong hymn based on Micah 6)

• I Don’t Know Where I Am Going (a folk-hymn of confession). With an MP3 from the “Reflection On Hymns Of Our Time” album.

• Let Every Tongue Confess (a four-part round for worship use)

• I and I Alone (a song in three-part harmony with excellent lyrics). With an MP3 from the “Question Of Caring” album.

The sheet music may be freely copied (unless otherwise indicated), but only for personal and church use. Where publishers have generously given permission for inclusion of their copyright material the restrictions they request should be respected.

If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I love hearing from people and making new web-friends! However, I don't claim to have an expert and comprehensive knowledge of new or old Christian music, and if you are searching for lyrics or music for other published songs, you are unlikely to find them legitimately available for downloading on the Internet, and I am very rarely able to supply them. Try looking at my SEARCHING FOR A SONG? page for hints.

michael.lehr@zetnet.co.uk

since 18th October 1996

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