The hymns, psalms and spiritual songs that we sing are at the very center of the church’s ministry through music. We sing songs of the faith in Sunday School, church social occasions, church camps, retreats and in private devotions. The hymns and songs sung by a worshiping congregation must reflect the theology as interpreted by their faith tradition. Therefore, it is important that the hymns and songs included in any hymnal present a sound theology, informed by scripture grounded in historical context and tradition. The advent of any new hymnal is a time of anxiety. We find comfort and security in the hymns we know and find it jarring when familiar songs are amended, updated, or omitted.
This fall the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is publishing a new denominational hymnal. St. Stephen was among the first congregations to order this book more than a year ago. We anticipate arrival in late September. It is an occasion for great celebration as we sing familiar hymns and songs and begin to learn new ones.
“Glory to God – The Presbyterian Hymnal” (2013) is an exciting reflection of the diversity of Presbyterians around the world and of other Christian traditions. This book contains several hundred hymns and songs including ethnic songs, world music, contemporary Christian choruses, Taizé chants, Iona Community songs, Asian hymns, gospel hymns (some appearing in a Presbyterian hymnal for the first time), African-American spirituals, folk hymns and songs from the American tradition, South African freedom chants, Latin American, folk songs and many more.
The new hymnal was a major influence in selecting music for the 2013-2014 season. We will be intentional in learning new songs and hymns as well as singing those with which we are familiar. Many events are planned which focus on this new publication. Much of the choral, handbell and instrumental music you will hear has been chosen to introduce new hymns and songs. In corporate worship services, weddings, memorial/funeral services, church social gatherings, youth events, children’s events, and special programs, we will navigate through the book exploring how to make good use of it. The minister of music will offer a series of Sunday School classes in November centered around the new hymnal. With over 700 entries, we cannot sing them all nor can anyone be expected to like every hymn or song. A denominational hymnal must serve many purposes in addition to Services for the Lord’s Day. Not every hymn or song is appropriate to every occasion. Indeed, this is one of the strengths of the book. With such a large body of the songs of our faith, there will be plenty to like, old and new.
A hymnal is a reflection of a specific time and place. What was familiar to us at the beginning of our Christian pilgrimage may still hold a special place in our memory, partly because of our familiarity with the texts and music therein. “Glory to God – The Presbyterian Hymnal” (2013) will become such a book for today’s Church guiding us into the future.
This congregation has had only three denominational hymnals in the past 63 years! This is phenomenal considering the service life of a hymnal is 20-25 years. In 1950, St. Stephen purchased the 1933 Presbyterian Hymnal (green) which served us through the production and publication of two later denominational hymnals: in 1955 (burgundy), and 1971 (blue). In 1990, we bridged a chasm of 53 years when we purchased the 1990 book we currently use. Think of how much our world HAD changed and IS changing and so must we to keep the Good News relevant to today’s Christian. The motto of the Presbyterian church, Reformed and always Reforming, continues to shape and guide us as we grow in faith and understanding of the unchanging God who gives us life and free grace.
The 2013 book is a beautiful, deep purple. When we sing our songs and hymns we join other Presbyterians and Christians of other traditions in worshiping the One, Sovereign GOD of all and for all. Events are planned at St. Stephen and other Presbyterian churches in our community designed to familiarize us with “Glory to God–The Presbyterian Hymnal” (2013). Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord!
. . . Mark Scott, June 2013