Free Stuff
My sheet music and other free resources are available here. Just follow this link.
These things are under a Creative Commons license that allows you to download them and copy them freely—for any non-commercial use.
Enjoy!
Store
I have books, CDs, and a video series for sale from my store page. (I wish I could just give everything away, but one must eat!)
I’m especially excited about my new book, now available: My Burden Is Light: A Pastor’s Plea for Rationality, Honesty, and Humility.
About
Merry, Mystical Missives
Here you’ll find everything I’ve sent out to the mailing list for The Merry Mystic.
I Remember
I think my hymn “I Remember” is a good one for Lent and Easter. This week, I made a revised version, with a new fourth verse that I like better than the original. I wrote a different accompaniment, too: simpler and more contemplative, and thus better suited to a solo performance.
The video is my daughter Fern Athena Webber, singing “I Remember” as part of our Zoom church service at the Open Prairie United Church of Christ.
I remember how he spoke, How minds were shocked And hearts unlocked. He made me see How I could be Like him. My soul awoke. I remember how his touch Could heal the sick. How very quick Was his response To human wants! Could I not do as much? I remember how he prayed Alone, apart, With open heart. Am I not free In prayer to be Restored, renewed, remade? I remember how he died, His body torn, His love reborn, His heartbeat stilled, His love fulfilled. May his way be my guide.
As usual, sheet music for this version (in E minor) is available in our Free Stuff area.
Strong Man
Many of us here in the USA, and many people around the world, were shocked and dismayed last week to see rioters breaking into the US Capitol building. People have been asking me for advice: what can we do to help move our country toward health and wholeness? The general answer hasnt changed, I believe: live lovingly. Seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. But as for more specific actions? Im not really sure. Im thinking and reading and praying a lot these days, just trying to understand what the heck is going on here.
In the middle of all this thinking and praying, Ive written a song. Its political, its harshly ironic, and its not suitable for children. Ill understand, Merry Mystics, if you want to skip this one. But if you want to know what Im writing these days, here it is:
P.S. My son Fox and I are working on a video to go with the song. Stay tuned.
Separation at Thanksgiving
Separation hurts; there’s no getting around it. But, news flash: those who love us never really leave us, and even the experience of separation is temporary. In my not-even-remotely-humble opinion!
Spirit Friend, Be With Us As We Pray
I wrote some music this week, something to lead into a time of prayer during my church service on Sunday morning. I used an ancient melody: some plainsong that I remember from my childhood in the Episcopal church. Here’s my wife Kelly Autrey-Webber singing it; the organist is Charlie Gebeck.
As always, the score is available in our Free Stuff area.
(If you’re a Merry Mystic in the USA, you may have expected me to be posting something about the election, now just four days away. Believe me, I’ve preached and sung about it, and voted early! But at this point, I just need some prayer. I hope this helps you too.)
These are the (mostly video) messages sent out to The Merry Mystic mailing list.
Sermons and Such
Every week, I preach in the Open Prairie United Church of Christ in Princeton, Illinois. I’m not sending most of these out to The Merry Mystic mailing list; but on the outside chance you’d like to see a sermon, here they are.
Help for the Sower
Who ever heard of a farming operation like that? Sower, we can help!
Cherishing Truth, Personal and Systemic
Jesus taught us to cherish the truth: seek truth, speak truth, and stand up for truth in our institutions.
Letting Worries Go: Personal and Systemic
Jesus’ teaching against worry has both a personal side (where we work on our own worries) and a systemic side (where we work on the big systems that inflict worries on all of us).
Of Christ and Politics
The Way of Jesus is an invitation to personal change; it’s also an invitation to systemic change.
Jesus Saves
The miracle stories in Matthew may not be strictly accurate, but here’s something that is: Jesus saves!
Answers in Genesis
The first creation story in Genesis is beautiful poetry, and also has some deep truths in it.
Ascension
Luke and Acts tell the story of Jesus rising up into heaven. But how far away that makes him sound!
Care of the Soul
Why church? It’s not because God needs anything from us…
My Irresistible Hunch
Like our faith ancestors, we have many different ideas about what happens to us after death. Here’s mine.
The Earth Care Commandment
Love the earth, as I have loved you—said no biblical prophet ever. Luckily for us, God is still speaking.

