Music Spotlights
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As we prepare to welcome Sarah Hart at Hope Fest, our Music Spotlight will feature songs written by Sarah!
Mother Mary, Pray For Us
“Mother Mary, Pray For Us” is a beautiful song that appeals to Mary to intercede on our behalf. The text speaks of the heart of Mary, full of mercy, suffering, wisdom, and love. The structure of this song is similar to a litany (we heard this as well in her song “Give Us Your Peace”) with three verses that each conclude with “Mother Mary, pray for us.” May we seek Mary’s intercession and follow her example of faithful service.
Listen to "Mother Mary, Pray For Us"
May You Walk
“May You Walk” was composed by Sarah for her daughter’s Confirmation. The text of the refrain “may you walk ever in the Lord” is a reminder for not only the newly confirmed, and newly graduated, but all of us, to remain grounded in the Lord as we journey forward.
Click below for a brief interview with Sarah about her inspiration for this song and her performance of it:“You Alone” is another song that reminds us of our dependency on God. God alone is the source of our peace, and God alone is the source of love and mercy.
Listen to "You Alone"
Give Us Your Peace
“Give Us Your Peace” is a song of petition for God’s peace during all trials. The structure of this song is like a litany, a structured call-and-response prayer between the clergy and the people. The repetition of “give us your peace, O God” supports the repetitive structure of litany prayer and emphasizes that true peace comes only through God. May we continue to pray for peace in our own lives and throughout the whole world.
Click below to listen.
“You Are the Light” is another song by Sarah that reminds us to always look to God. When it is dark, when we are lost, when we need direction, God is the Light that we should look to for guidance.
Listen to "You Are the Light"
Drawn to You
“Drawn to You” is a Preparation Song that speaks of the ways in which we long for God and are drawn into worship. We are drawn to this feast by the love that God has for us, the faith that He will accept and sanctify the gifts we bring to Him, and the Eucharist given to us by the sacrifice of Christ. The final text of each verse, “receive our prayer,” is our collective petition to God.
Click below to listen.
If you’d like to hear another song by Sarah about prayer, listen to “Petition.” This song asks God for mercy and peace, particularly for those in challenging situations and those who care for those in need:
Listen to "Petition"
All That We Have Seen
“All That We Have Seen” is a song about going into the world and sharing the message of Christ with the world. This has been our sending forth song the past two weekends as we have heard the Gospel message not to be afraid, but to have faith. We are called to share the love and mercy of Christ with everyone we encounter – “all we have received may we freely share!”
Click below to listen.
If you’d like to listen to another song by Sarah about sharing the Good News of Christ, listen to “Alleluia! Love is Alive”:
Listen to "Alleluia! Love is Alive"
The Body of Christ
“The Body of Christ” is a communion song that emphasizes the unity of the Body of Christ. Our hunger is satisfied only by the Body and Blood of Jesus, and when we receive Him, we then go into the community and share Christ with others (“share so that others may live.”). The refrain text “we are one in the Body of Christ” echoes the message of last week’s songs that the Kingdom of God is for everyone.
Click below to listen.
If you’d like to listen to another song by Sarah about this Eucharistic unity, listen to “The Feast Meant for Everyone”.
Listen to "The Feast Meant for Everyone"
The House That Love Is Building “The House that Love is Building” reminds us that, in God, there is welcome and love for everyone.
As Christians, we need to be the leaders of this message of inclusion. The Kingdom of God is for everyone!
Click below to listen.If you’d like to listen to another song by Sarah about the building of the Kingdom, click below to listen to “Blessed Are You,” Sarah’s setting of The Beatitudes.