Hymnody

The Hymnal 1982 is a treasure trove of excellent poetry and music.

It ranges from Gregorian chant to contemporary metrical hymnody and includes reformation hymns, African American spirituals, Hebrew folk songs, etc. Hymns allow people to voice praise and prayer together. Singing hymns connects us to the community of worshippers past, present, and future, around the globe.

Hymns serve a specific role according to their placement in the liturgy. Generally, the Processional Hymn gathers people into one voice to praise God; the Gradual Hymn opens people to hear the Gospel proclamation; Offertory Hymns highlight preparation for the Communion rite, as well as giving and receiving to and from God; Communion and Post-Communion Hymns are expressions of gratitude, reflections, and aspiration; and the Recessional Hymn sends us off to be God’s presence in the world.

The Hymns used for worship services are chosen to reflect and support the Scripture of the day. Reading through the text of the hymns during the prelude or quiet times during the service can enhance the meaning of the liturgy.

The Hymns are also chosen to highlight the Liturgical Season or Feast of the Day. For example, we are now in Easter season, which will finish on Pentecost, June 9. Hymns now highlight resurrection and new life. The hymns on Pentecost will celebrate the wisdom, compassion, and activity of the Holy Spirit.

Additional criteria which are important in choosing hymns are the frequency which hymns are used, and familiarity. We want to keep a balance of growth and learning with ease and comfort.

At the beginning of Fall 2018, an invitation went out to the congregation to participate in a short survey of hymns. Participants were asked to choose their 40 favorite hymns from the Hymnal 1982 (excluding Christmas and Easter). Twenty-four people responded, and 261 hymns were cited as favorites. If you would like to participate in the survey and have not as of yet, please let me know. Your input is welcome.

We are truly blessed to have this excellent body of hymnody at our fingertips.