Hymns form a significant element of much worship. Although spontaneous singing can occur, most hymn singing is planned in advance. We should not assume that everyone is familiar with the conventions of communal singing, so the following suggestions may be helpful for those who are entrusted with preparing and leading worship. Announcing hymns How do worshippers know that a hymn … Read More
This topic can be addressed from various angles such as hymns in general, specific hymns and the use of hymns in worship. The relevant resources do, however, overlap. Finding out about hymns generally Online resources The leading digital resource is The Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology, edited by J.R. Watson and Emma Hornby (https://hymnology.hymnsam.co.uk/). A paid subscription grants access to a wide … Read More
How Choirs Contribute to the Singing and Interpretation of Hymns Sing, choirs of angels’; ‘Sing, sing, ye heavenly choir’; ‘How shall I keep from singing?’ Choirs, harmonious and heavenly Hymns are eminently flexible and can be sung by individuals or by larger groups of people making up a congregation. What, then, is the role of a choir in the singing … Read More
Ministering to people who have reached that stage of life when ‘mind and memory flee’ presents serious challenges which cannot be ignored. This short paper draws on the author’s experiences as a part-time Chaplain to a local hospital in which worship amongst geriatric patients (many of whom suffered from dementia) was conducted regularly (but informally) by clergy and volunteers from … Read More
Here are half a dozen ideas about hymnody which may – or may not – contain a grain of truth … as seen by a self-confessed hymn lover. Myth: Hymns are old, songs are new Or maybe not … Beginning in what came to be called the “hymn explosion” in the 1960’s, huge numbers of new hymns in English have … Read More
Ordinations and commissioning services happen in a variety of contexts, and are a cause of great celebration and spiritual power. Liturgies and traditions notwith-standing, the singing of hymns on these occasions plays a crucial role, and their selection is, therefore, not to be undertaken lightly. Contexts Approaches taken towards the discernment, vocation and formal commencement of a person’s authorised ministry … Read More
‘Confirmation’ covers various approaches to Christian initiation and commitment. When adults make a commitment and are received into membership of the church, the act of worship surrounding it can be a celebratory, evangelistic, sacramental expression of unity, and the hymns have a vital role to play in the blend of joy, hope and affirmation that a Confirmation should be. Adult … Read More
Baptism can occur in different contexts and at different stages in life, yet the fundamental spiritual and ecclesiological purpose and outcome of such initiation is the same. Nevertheless, each context and understanding of baptism demands its own approach if they are going to be not only welcoming celebrations of commitment but opportunities to preach and sing the faith of Christ … Read More
Christian funerals take place either in a church or at a crematorium or cemetery chapel. While the circumstances are different the issues surrounding the picking of hymns are similar. Hymn singing at funerals is in decline, so even greater care needs to be taken in using hymns to enhance the hope of a funeral, rather than increase the discomfort. The … Read More
Many couples still choose to marry in church, yet the combined impact of more choice and the increasing lack of prior knowledge of hymnody has made it increasingly more difficult to accommodate their needs and desires with Christian integrity and wisdom. Tunes are the key to wedding hymns. The current state of affairs Notwithstanding the decline in the number of … Read More
The New Testament encourages believers to sing ‘Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs’, suggesting the Body of Christ needs a range of sung material. As well as hymns, the imaginative use of short songs of various kinds can enrich worship; this paper explores the repertoire of shorter songs and suggests ways of incorporating them into services. Chorus is the name which … Read More
The hymnal, or hymn book, is a significant Christian book for many believers; but while it is handled frequently, we perhaps understand little of what we really hold. It is actually far more than a songbook. A good hymnal immerses us in Biblical language and the Biblical message. Scripture is the raw material of the best hymns. An effective and … Read More
To write one or more hymns and have them used by a congregation to which you belong is one thing; to have these hymns published commercially is another matter. This paper looks primarily at hymn texts but similar principles apply for music. Before Publishing Write, check and re-write. The first draft is rarely the finished article. Let someone else see … Read More
‘Nothing changes here’ or ‘All the changing scenes’? Why would we ever ‘revise’ the words of familiar hymns? We do not change a Shakespeare sonnet or a Beatles song; but we do adopt new Bible versions and modify ancient prayers. In which category do our still-beloved hymns belong? Unlike poems, hymns are for singing together by churches which may be … Read More
Developments in technology have expanded the range of ways in which hymns can be presented during a service. No longer is it automatically assumed that hymn and service books will be handed out at the door. Even where they are, the time will come to replace these books—and then other options can usefully be explored. Among other possibilities, two of … Read More
It is a truism that words and music fit together like a horse and carriage and that each relies on the other for its effect. But in common English parlance hymns are known by their words (‘Onward, Christian Soldiers’) rather than by their tune names (SAINT GERTRUDE). However, it is usually the tune which remains in the memory and which … Read More
Even with a single hymn book, a typical congregation probably has more hymns at their disposal than they can realistically use; add a supplementary book and access to online resources, and the choice rapidly becomes unmanageable. It is, however, possible to tap into these diverse sources and construct a workable repertoire for a congregation’s use. Here are some hints and … Read More
Some services are designated as ‘all-age’. What does this imply? Ideally, all worship should be suitable for everyone in a worshipping community. ‘Our Father’ should mean what it says, without alienating people because of their age or cultural background. So, the term ‘all-age’ usually means a service for both adults and children, with a special emphasis on families. The potential … Read More
New hymns and songs can be introduced in a variety of ways, depending on both the style of the item to be taught and the musical resources available. Tunes with some repetition, or at least similar musical phrases, and a predictable rhythm will be the most easily learnt. Less memorable and more difficult ones will need a more carefully thought-out … Read More
“The Holy Communion” is generally recognised as the distinctive act of Christian worship, arising as it does from the actions of Jesus at the Last Supper with his chosen disciples on the night he was betrayed. For many churches, the Holy Communion service (known by various names) is the central act of worship on Sundays and principal Feast and Festival … Read More
The pastoral use of hymns covers both the occasional offices of the church – baptism, weddings and funerals – but also those relating to healing and healing services. It is also necessary to examine the pastoral impact of hymns in ordinary and seasonal acts of worship. Here are some principles which may be applied in various contexts. General pastoral criteria … Read More
Successful congregational singing entails careful, imaginative organisation. We need not emulate the local choral society but our singing must be the best we can offer; nothing less will be good enough. Plan ahead Distinguish between general and seasonal material; the familiar and the unfamiliar; and music for intimate gatherings and for more formal liturgical celebrations. Consider who might feel challenged … Read More
The Psalter is Scripture’s own hymn book; its contents speak to a vast range of human emotions and experiences. Therefore they should not be ignored. Traditionally the psalms have held an honoured place in Christian worship, but there is no universal agreement within the church as to how best or how often they should be used. Different denominations, different approaches … Read More
Hymns for worship usually follow a general pattern, either being necessary at a particular place in the liturgy or, in some circumstances actually providing the framework for the liturgy itself. Nevertheless there are some occasions when hymns on specific subjects are sought. These may be of a seasonal nature, church or secular, or related to a particular theme. Most hymn … Read More
Answering this question inevitably contains a subjective element: a hymn which one person finds comforting can seem mawkish to someone else, while one believer’s treasured old favourite can sound dated to another Christian. Here, as food for thought, are five balances and five contrasts which may help to identify hymns of quality… Five Balances A good hymn balances… Theology and … Read More
Some ideas to be shared with worship leaders Have a suitable range of hymns available to illustrate the session. A group of well prepared musicians is a great asset! You must involve the audience throughout and be sensitive to people’s interests and concerns. Encourage participation and aim to stimulate discussion which leads to positive outcomes. These notes represent one way … Read More
Some hymns are obviously ill-suited to certain services, or to certain parts of a service. It would make little sense to sing ‘Go forth and tell! O church of God, awake!’ as an opening hymn, or ‘Come, ye faithful, raise the anthem’ at the end; ‘We plough the fields and scatter’ is unlikely to be appropriate during Advent. Here are … Read More
Have you been asked to put together a worship service, such as a Sunday morning or evening church service? Then here are some questions to use in reflecting on what you have chosen; not all questions will be appropriate for every occasion. Our various responses to God 1. Do these particular hymns and songs give a sense of the holy … Read More
Once, it was “hymns”. In recent years, many churches have adopted “worship songs” – sometimes alongside hymns, sometimes instead. Inevitably, however, the picture is far more complex than this. There are many different genres available for congregational use; here are a few of the main types and some of their strengths. Traditional Hymns Traditional hymns began to be written in … Read More
Hymn-singing as an activity is admittedly nowhere near as common as it once was, and that is probably true inside churches as well as beyond their walls. So what is the point of singing hymns? Here are ten benefits worth bearing in mind. Hymn-singing is Physical This may seem a strange thing to say, yet it is true. When we … Read More