I decided to come out in my workshop this evening to play my cello and thought it would be so wonderful to play some hymns. This morning in church, we actually sang a hymn! I can’t remember which one, but what was really great is that our music director decided not to use the overhead for the words, but instead, he had us all open up our almost forgotten hymnals, tucked in the racks that are in every pew right in front of us.
We sing lots of praise and worship songs. All of the time. So much so, that I fear my grandchildren will not even know what a hymn is. As a child, I remember the comfort I received listening to these old hymns from my grandpa’s church (he was a pastor…or in those days, he was called a preacher). Then as I got older, I loved singing them. What rich blessings these old hymns have!! And do you know how comforting it is to share a hymnal book with a loved one, hearing one another sing the words of long forgotten hymns such as “Are You Washed in the Blood?” or “Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine”? And the harmony! Jim and I love to sing and we miss singing together with my daughters …as we all use to have different parts to sing.
- Lord, I’m Coming Home (I’ve wandered far away from God, now I’m coming home…)
- Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing (tune my heart to sing thy grace…)
- Down at the Cross (where my Savior died..)
- Standing on the Promises (of Christ my King…)
- God be with you til we meet again (By His counsels guide uphold you..)
- God Will take care of you( Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you…)
- Victory in Jesus (I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory…)
- He Hideth my soul (A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord..)
- Higher Ground (I’m pressing on the upward way, new heights I’m gaining every day…)
- Heaven Came Down (Oh what a wonderful, wonderful day..day I will never forget…)
I should get a group together some Sunday evening for a hymn fest! Wouldn’t that be great? What a way to renew your heart to God’s grace He has richly bestowed on us! They always say that you bring people closer when they share a meal together, but what about when they sing together??
I’ll come over and sing alto!
I was just talking to my children about this. The churches they attend in college use nothing but the modern praise songs, so they aren’t really familiar with the rich poetry and sweet melody of the old hymns. My daddy was a Baptist preacher, so I grew up with the Broadman Hymnal. I miss singing from it.
Thanks for visiting my blog. I’ve enjoyed yours. I was interested to read about your taking up the cello. Believe it or not, I also have harbored a yearning to learn the cello. Every time I listen to Yo Yo Ma, I vow to learn the cello someday! Good luck to you in your efforts!
Thanks for writing Beth. I’ve also enjoyed your blog…you are a very talented photographer!! And I encourage you to take up the cello! It is a hard instrument, but is so rewarding. Plus it keeps my mind actively working!!
I was both saddened and heartened by your post. Saddened that a church would be so forgetful of its heritage. But heartened by your own love for our traditional hymns and gospel songs.
I have been teaching and writing about these songs for over 40 years. And as a “preacher” I have visited churches like yours where hymns are rarely sung any more. (Now, many of them see me coming and pull out the hymn books! Bless ‘em!)
Sometimes we hear the argument that folks don’t understand those “old-fashioned” hymns any more. But my response is: Don’t capitulate. Educate! We don’t throw out Shakespeare or Dickens because they use some words that are new to us. Why discard our hymns for that reason?
Gathering some folks for a hymn sing is a great idea! You might find there are many like-minded who would be delighted to participate. I’ve conducted many Community Hymn Sings over the years, and have found they draw in folks from miles around.
I invite you to check out my daily blog on hymn history, Wordwise Hymns. I’m sure you’ll find many things there to bless and encourage you. Happy singing! And God bless.