08Jun 2025 by Luke McGinnis

Music in Worship: Repertoire Suggestions

Amanda Weber
MWACDA Lifelong Choirs Regional Coordinator

Olam Chesed Yibaneh
Rabbi Creditor Menachem, arr. Micah Hendler

“I will build this world from love” is the simple message of this profound arrangement, which weaves together Hebrew, Arabic, and English text. This song is effective in any level of choir; it could be simplified to melody only, with percussion or guitar, or expanded with harmonies and lengthened to feature rap or spoken word in a middle vamp section. Performances of this piece support the Jerusalem Youth Chorus, a choral and dialogue program for Palestinian and Israeli youth in Jerusalem, led by Micah Hendler. To see and listen to this piece, click here.

In the Morning, In the Evening
Bex Gaunt

This powerful anthem features a text by Adam Tice and was set to music by composer Bex Gaunt as she connected with her sister in a time of crisis. In the style of a lullaby, this piece lilts beautifully with piano or guitar, with an optional solo part C instrument. The text lends itself to almost any season, offering comfort and reminding us that all are God’s beloved children. To see and listen to this piece, click here.

Love Is Welcome Here
Catherine Dalton

“Only love is welcome here…” is a relevant text in places of worship this season! Catherine Dalton collaborated with spoken word artist Joe Davis to create an uplifting piece that could be used in both sacred and secular settings. Composed in 2020, Davis wrote that his poem is “a reflection on what it means to commit to creating spaces of vulnerability and compassion, where we can bring our full selves without fear of judgment or shame.” His poetry is woven between musical refrains – a bright and joyful pairing that surely won’t be the last! To see and listen to this piece, click here.

Do Not Be Daunted
Nancy Grundahl

For piano, cello, and SATB choir, Nancy Grundahl’s piece from 2016 is ever more relevant today. The text is a commentary on Micah 6:8, which says: “Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly now, love mercy now, walk humbly now, with God. You need not finish the work, but neither can you abandon it.” Grundahl’s skillful part-writing results in a piece that is both attainable and satisfying for church choirs of many abilities. To see and listen to this piece, click here.

Draw Us Near
Joel Thompson

It seems many church choirs have yet to uncover this gem of an anthem! Joel Thompson, composer of the Seven Last Words of the Unarmed wrote this short piece in 2016, dedicated to the memory of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile and to the members of the Upper School Chorus of Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School (2016–17). Subtitled “a hymn for peace,” Draw Us Near features two nearly identical verses with poignant text-painting and jazzy harmonies. The repeated mention of “Spirit” suggests this anthem to be a powerful Pentecost prayer. To see access this piece, click here.

Come Unto Me
Bernice Johnson Reagon

The world lost several powerhouse female composers this year, including Bernice Johnson Reagon of Sweet Honey in the Rock. A civil rights activist who used her voice to sing out for freedom, any and all of Reagon’s music can preach in a worship setting (see Ella’s Song, if you are not yet familiar). Her piece Come Unto Me evokes the weariness of these days and offers an alternative setting of a familiar text. Whether sung in the Advent season or in the depths of winter, this a cappella, call-and-response piece will bring warmth and comfort. To see access this piece, click here.

A Carol for All Children
Adolphus Hailstork

If you need an anthem for Christmas Eve, A Carol for All Children is a perfect anthem by Adolphus Hailstork. This SATB, a cappella anthem speaks directly to baby Jesus and all children, praying for peace, love, and joy. The repetition of verses make this a not-too-challenging anthem, while the compositional unfolding gives the piece shape and climax within the structure of a lullaby. Hopefully, this piece sends you down the rabbit hole of Hailstork’s work, much of which is fitting within the worship setting. To see access this piece, click here.

Joyous Light
J. David Moore

If, like me, you are dreaming ahead of summer, start looking now at J. David Moore’s bluegrass-style evening prayer liturgy, Joyous Light. The service, in full, is roughly 20 minutes in length, though several movements would work well on their own. (Moore has reworked the last movement, in fact, as an SATB anthem titled Mighty Wind of God.) Whether you have a full bluegrass band at your fingertips, or simply a committed cantor and guitarist, this service is a lively contrast to a chant-based evening prayer. Click here to learn more.

About the author

Amanda Weber

Recognized by the Yale Institute of Sacred Music as a conductor “of exceptional promise and achievement,” Amanda Weber is passionate about uniting music, art and community through her work as a conductor, teacher, performer, artist and social activist.

Weber currently serves as Director of Worship and the Arts at Westminster Presbyterian Church in downtown Minneapolis, where she oversees a wealth of arts programming.

Weber’s role in this position is as eclectic as her skills – conducting a wide array of repertoire, curating the Westminster Performing Arts Series, serving as lead vocalist in Westminster’s Bluegrass Band, developing an Artist-in-Residence program, and collaborating in worship planning.

Her work explores the intersections of art, spirituality, and justice and their impact on community. Her publications related to these topics include a recent article in CrossAccent (Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, 2020) and contributions to Hear My Voice: A Prison Prayerbook (Augsburg Fortress, 2019).

With a deep love for teaching, Weber has served as adjunct professor for Concordia University (St. Paul, MN, 2019 and 2021) and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (2019). She co-facilitated a Social Justice and Music January-term course at St. Olaf College (2017) and was a Vocal Instructor for theology students at Yale Divinity School (2015). Weber also taught high school at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts in Hartford, CT (2013-2015).

Weber is the Founder and Artistic Director of Voices of Hope, an organization that builds choral singing communities in correctional facilities in the state of Minnesota. Weber’s doctoral dissertation, which focused on this work, was awarded the Julius Herford Dissertation Prize in 2018.

She has presented on the topic of incarceration and choral singing at numerous conferences and was also invited to speak for a TEDx Minneapolis Salon in 2016. Weber’s research has been published in the Choral Journal (American Choral Directors Association, 2021) and, soon, a chapter in the Oxford Handbook of Community Singing (projected release, 2023).

Weber’s interest in using music as a tool for social justice grew through her work at Luther Place Memorial Church in Washington, DC, where she founded Bethany’s Women of Praise, a choir for homeless women. Weber led this group from 2008-2011 and received recognition from Chorus America, the American Choral Directors Association, Yale University, and Al Jazeera English.

Weber received a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Minnesota in 2018, a Master of Music Degree in Choral Conducting at the Yale School of Music and Institute of Sacred Music in 2013, and a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Art at Luther College in 2008.

Beyond her identity as a professional musician, Amanda finds deep joy in her family. She resides in South Minneapolis with her partner Zeb and soon-to-be 2-year-old, Jacob. They love to travel, cook (eat), spend time outdoors, dance, and rest.