Adult Bible Class -- Why We Sing What We Sing

Beginning on Sunday, April 12, we will consider the music and hymns that we use for our worship.  Not everything that is labeled Christian music is usable for Christian worship.  Not everything emphasizes Lutheran theology.  

So, what makes a hymn good or bad?  What determines if a hymn qualifies for use in Lutheran worship?  We will consider these questions as we look at some hymns we use and some popular hymns that we don't use.  

Adult Bible Class is on Sundays at 9:00 AM.

 WHY WE SING WHAT WE SING

A Study on the Hymns of the Church

April 12          Songs of Praise and the Reason We Sing

April 19          Hymns of the Liturgy

April 26          The Season of Christmas (Advent, Christmas, Epiphany)

May 3             The Season of Easter (Lent, Easter, Pentecost)

May 10           The Season of the Church (Various Themes)

May 17            Songs of the Church (Church Militant, Church Triumphant, Funerals)

Hymn Notes for HymnFest (October 13, 2024)

There will be many hymns we will enjoy for our HymnFest, but a few are newer and may not be familiar to everyone.  In order to be a little better prepared for some of these newer hymns, you can preview two of them below.

His Robes for Mine (Hymn 568) was written by Christ Anderson and music is by Greg Habegger.  This hymn highlights God's Great Exchange--that Jesus takes our sin and gives us his righteousness.

I Run to Christ (Hymn 833) was written by Christ Anderson and music is by Greg Habegger.  This hymn encourages us--in the face of fear, tears, strife, or temptation--to run to Christ for refuge and comfort.

Afflicted Saint, to Christ Draw Near (867) was written by John Fawcett (1740 - 1817) and the music was written by Constance Dever.  This hymn reminds us that, no matter what affliction we endure, we find refuge and peace in Christ alone.  No affliction can destroy this peace.

Hymn Notes -- His Robes for Mine (for Sunday, October 15)

Below is a hymn which we will sing on Sunday, October 15.  The hymn is His Robes for Mine (text by Chris Anderson; music by Greg Habegger), #568. 

The version of this hymn is a choral arrangement sung by the Martin Luther College Choir and will give a very good idea of what our hymn will sound like, the four-part harmony perhaps going beyond our efforts.

Hymn Notes -- Fall 2023

With our new hymnal, we will encounter many new hymns.  This post will enable you to preview some of them in order to get acquainted with them.  I intend to not introduce more than one new hymn on any given week, but a few goofs may have made it into the hymn selections.  In addition, a few hymns which appear to be familiar by looking at the title have had their tunes either altered or changed entirely.  I will do my best to limit the surprises.

Below is a list of new hymns which we will encounter throughout the fall.  The YouTube versions of these hymns are generally much more elaborate than we will hear on Sundays here.  They are professional recordings rather than congregational hymns.  The purpose of this post is to make you aware of the melodies so that, if you choose to view them, they will be somewhat familiar when you come on that particular Sunday.

We will still be encountering new Psalm settings.  I hope to have more challenging settings introduced by members from choir.

Here you go.

Sunday, September 24 -- Jesus, Ever-Abiding Friend (text and music by Keith Getty; Steve Siler)

Sunday, October 15 -- His Robes for Mine (text by Chris Anderson; music by Greg Habegger)

November 26 -- See, He Comes, the King of Glory (written by Laurie Gauger, music by Jeremy Bakken).  This rendition is just the tune, no lyrics; but it will sound similar to a Sunday service setting.

Hymn Notes -- Afflicted Saint, to Christ Draw Near (867)

With our new hymnal, Christian Worship (c) 2021, we will encounter many new hymns.  This post introduces a hymn which we will sing on Sunday, September 3 -- Afflicted Saint, to Christ Draw Near (867) by John Fawcett; refrain by Constance Dever.  

The YouTube version of this hymn is more elaborate than we will hear in our Divine Service.  It is a professional recording rather than a recording of a congregational hymn.  The purpose of this post is to make you aware of the melody so that this hymn will be somewhat familiar when you come on Sunday, September 3.

Hymn Notes -- I Run to Christ (scheduled for July 9)

On Sunday, July 9, we will be introducing a new hymn, "I Run to Christ," words by Chris Anderson, music by Greg Habegger.  

The YouTube version of this hymn is a bit more elaborate than we will hear on Sunday. It is a professional recording rather than a congregational hymn.  The purpose of this post is to make you aware of the melody so that it will be somewhat familiar when you come on July 9.

July 9 -- I Run to Christ (Hymn 833), words by Chris Anderson, music by Greg Habegger.  

Hymn Notes -- Beneath the Cross (scheduled for July 2)

On Sunday, July 2, we will be introducing a new hymn, "Beneath the Cross," by Keith and Kristyn Getty.  

The YouTube version of this hymn is a bit more elaborate than we will hear on Sunday. It is a professional recording rather than a congregational hymn.  The purpose of this post is to make you aware of the melody so that it will be somewhat familiar when you come on July 2.

July 2 -- Beneath the Cross (710) by Keith & Kristyn Getty.

Hymn Notes -- Summer 2023

With our new hymnal, we will encounter many new hymns.  This post will enable you to preview some of them in order to get acquainted with them.  I intend to not introduce more than one new hymn on any given week, but a few goofs may have made it into the hymn selections.  In addition, a few hymns which appear to be familiar by looking at the title have had their tunes either altered or changed entirely.  I will do my best to limit the surprises.

Below is a list of new hymns which we will encounter throughout the summer months.  The YouTube versions of these hymns are generally much more elaborate than we will hear on Sundays here.  They are professional recordings rather than congregational hymns.  The purpose of this post is to make you aware of the melodies so that, if you choose to view them, they will be somewhat familiar when you come on that particular Sunday.

We will still be encountering new Psalm settings.  I hope to have more challenging settings introduced by members from choir.

Here you go.

July 2 -- Beneath the Cross (710) by Keith & Kristyn Getty

July 9 -- I Run to Christ (833) by Chris Anderson

July 30 -- Your Kingdom, O God, Is My Glorious Treasure (859) by David W. Rogner

August 6 -- Across the Lands (549) by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend

September 3 -- Afflicted Saint, to Christ Draw Near (867) by John Fawcett; refrain by Constance Dever

CW21 -- A New Hymnal

PURCHASE OF THE HYMNAL

Based on discussions at our November Open Forum and the decision of the voters, Good Shepherd has decided to adopt the new hymnal, Christian Worship (c) 2021, usually referred to as CW21.  We will be purchasing the following items so that we can take full advantage of all that has been produced for our use in worship.

     Hymnals (130 hymnals at $24 each) = $3,120
     Organist accompaniment for hymns = $230
     Organist accompaniment for liturgy = $120
     Altar Book = $100
     Agenda = $50
     Psalter (15 copies for choir at $22 each) = $330
     Psalter accompaniment = $230
     Musician's Manual = $30
     Gospel Acclamation settings = $20
     ===================================
     TOTAL = $4,265 plus shipping and handling

This is a sizable purchase for our worship, but a worthy investment for quality worship.  These hymnals and all the resources will serve us for a generation or more.  Future worshipers will appreciate our commitment to our Lutheran, liturgical tradition.

Look for special envelopes for you to offer a gift to defray the expense of these new materials.  We will be collecting this special offering through March 2023.

INTRODUCTION OF THE HYMNAL

Our target date for using the CW21 hymnal will be Sunday, February 5.  While Setting 1 of the Divine Service bears some resemblance to The Common Service in our current hymnal, there will be a few differences.  Some of the canticles have been rewritten, and we will want to practice those before we utilize them for the entire service.  A tentative schedule for the rehearsal of these canticles is here:

Sunday, January 8
     Dedication of the CW21 Hymnals and resources

Sunday, January 15
     Responsive "Lord, have mercy" (Kyrie)
     NOTE: Glory be to God on High (Gloria in Excelsis) is the same as The Common Service
     Gospel Acclamation for the season

Sunday, January 22
     Gospel Acclamation for the Lenten season
     Preface for the Sacrament
     Holy, Holy Holy (Sanctus)
     NOTE: O Christ, Lamb of God (Agnus Dei) is the same as The Common Service

Sunday, January 29
     Review all parts of the liturgy

May God bless our worship for the glory of his name and for the edification of his people.