New songs for worship, rich in Christian theology. Contemporary hymns, psalms, songs of lament and praise written by members of the Louisville, KY-based Sojourn Community.

Last November I blogged about Sojourn worship arts pastor Mike Cosper's sermon "Music and Worship," and provided a link to hear the streaming audio (read the original post, which contains sermon notes and reflection questions for study and discussion). This sermon is now available on our podcast, Sojournmusic.com Radio, available through iTunes and other podcast directories. This week on sojournmusic.com: * my notes on the Sunday, June 1 music set list at Sojourn's ... Continue reading »

The writer looks to the Lord for forgiveness in the 25th psalm with these words: Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord. - Psalm 25:6-7 The great truth of assurance is that the Lord God shows us compassion and forgets our debt to him through the ... Continue reading »

At Sojourn we say that we are "created for community."  It should come as no surprise then that artists can create in community, although this rubs against the modern, pagan notions of the artist as an elevated, mystical being who can only create in isolation.  This has long been one of my core convictions as pertains to the arts.  So imagine my pleasure when I ... Continue reading »

Sojourn Community Church of Louisville was proud to host the 2008 Cultivate Beauty Festival a few weeks ago at our home, The 930 Art Center.  One of my favorite events during this time was a Saturday morning breakfast and Q&A panel on "Thoughts for Christian Artists and Musicians," which you can now hear by clicking the play button below, or by subscribing to our podcast, Sojournmusic.com Radio, from iTunes ... Continue reading »

This old story is about the lost art of song interpretation, a bad side-effect of the rise of the singer-songwriter (let it be said that I see more good side effects than bad).  Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits ... artists like that were great in so many ways, but one unfortunate side effect has been that we now think that for a music artist to be a "real" artist, ... Continue reading »

By now many of you have heard that Sojourn's follow-up worship music project to last year's Before the Throne, rated 5-stars by Christianity Today, is actually a two-CD set of songs based on the hymns of Isaac Watts.  Known as the author of "Joy to the World," "When I Survey The Wond'rous Cross," "Alas! And did my Saviour Bleed?" and many more classics, ... Continue reading »

Sojourn Music 009Originally uploaded by bobbygilles The Sojourn band played to an enthusiastic packed house at Hard Rock Cafe in Louisvlle's downtown entertainment district, Fourth Street Live. The 9-song performance was part of the Takin' It To The Streets series, an inter-church effort that places worship bands in venues outside ... Continue reading »

This week, six of our seven songs came to us either from Sojourn's latest CD, Before the Throne, or our upcoming worship project -- two CDs based on the hymns of Isaac Watts (an interview about this project with worship arts pastor Mike Cosper is coming Tuesday, here on sojournmusic.com). 1. My Maker and My King, hymn text by Anne Steel, music and lyrical adaptation ... Continue reading »

Here in the United States we're getting ready to celebrate Memorial Day this Monday, the 26th, a national holiday to remember and honor those who have died serving in our nation's military.  Here is a memorial poem by the great American poet, Walt Whitman: Dirge For Two Veterans, by Walt Whitman THE last sunbeam Lightly falls from the finish'd Sabbath, On the pavement here, and there beyond it is looking, Down a new-made double grave. Lo, ... Continue reading »

Most of you are aware that Christian recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman's five year old daughter Maria was killed in a tragic accident Wednesday night in the family driveway.  If you would like to send condolences, learn a little more about Maria and view a "goofy" blog video shot with her dad just two months ago, you can do so at this site that has been set up for this occasion.   The ... Continue reading »