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Featured Hymn for May 28: When in Our Music God is Glorified

The content of the hymn centers on the power and necessity of music in worship. Similar to the great reformer Martin Luther, Fred Pratt Green believes that music is an integral part of our faith practice. He boldly states that music can open new dimensions that bring profundity to our lives. All people who have a voice should lift in song.

View worship notes, composer biographies, historical information and more about this featured hymn at www.hymnary.org.

Featured Hymn for May 4: There Is a Fountain

When William Cowper, who had suffered from severe depression since the death of his mother when he was just six years old, was faced with the prospect of a final law examination before the House of Lords, he experienced a mental breakdown that he never fully recovered from. Having been sent to St. Alban’s asylum for eighteen months, he began to read the Bible, which brought some peace to his mind, and he was able to leave and live with his good family friend, famed author of “Amazing Grace,” John Newton.

Featured Hymn for April 13: God, Be Merciful to Me

Confession is one of the most important practices of the Christian faith, and it is emphasized in this hymn based off King David’s Psalm 51. In Psalm 51, David cries out to the Lord for mercy, begging for cleansing and renewal. We see the pleas of a fallen man, desperate to make things right with God. It does not hold back any sin, but confesses all. This hymn is powerful both in and out of scriptural context. It takes the confession of an ancient king, and applies it to all sinners in every age.

Featured Hymn for March 19: Ah, Holy Jesus

John records in his gospel the long discourse Jesus gave before his Passion, where Jesus foreshadowed what was to come. First, he foretells Peter's denial: “Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!” (John 13:38b, NIV). Later, he describes what he will do: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13, NIV).

Featured Hymn for March 2: Go to Dark Gethsemane

As this hymn is sung, contemplate the lessons we can learn from Jesus through His Passion. Consider how Jesus prayed fervently in the face of certain death that He would do God's will, and how He warned His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation” (Luke 22:40, ESV). In the scene of the mock trial in the second stanza, see how much pain Jesus accepted without a murmur. Jesus went even further in His selflessness in giving up His very life (st. 3). Meditate on how Christ calls each of us to take up our cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23).

Featured Hymn for February 15: For All the Saints

After the great “Hall of Faith” passage in Hebrews 11, the writer to the Hebrews calls the saints who are still on earth to emulate those who have gone before: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us …” (Hebrews 12:1, ESV).

Featured Hymn for February 3: Bread of the World, In Mercy Broken

The first two lines of this hymn refer to the bread, representing Jesus' broken body, and to the wine, representing Jesus' shed blood. Later, the parallel structure of the lines referring to the broken heart and shed tears of repentant sinners emphasizes the sorrow of the believer over the sin that necessitated Christ's suffering. Through our confession of sin and participation in Communion, we remind ourselves that it is only “by Thy grace our souls are fed.”

Featured Hymn for January 16: Count Your Blessings

Bulletin Blurb: Perhaps the reason this song has been so universally included in hymnals is that it reminds discouraged Christians of the grace they have been given. It is often easy to take a negative view of life, but when we remember the things we have been given, we cannot deny that we are blessed. The hymn proclaims that all power belongs to God, and that he desires to bless us. The lyrics for this hymn are related to several scripture passages: Psalm 40:5-6; Psalm 107:31; Ephesians 1:3; and 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

Featured Hymn for December 31: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

One theme of this hymn is the contrast between the message “peace on earth, good will toward men” proclaimed by the host of angels at Christ's birth (Luke 2:14) and the war and oppression that dominate the earth. As this hymn is sung, think about the coming time when God will make all things new and bring His peace.

This hymn is suitable for the Christmas season. Such a well-known hymn can be used in a variety of ways.

Featured Hymn for December 14: In the Little Village of Bethlehem

Also known as "The Birthday of a King"

This Christmas song contrasts the humble little village of Bethlehem with the glory and greatness of Jesus Christ, who was born there. The refrain focuses on the wonderful appearance of the host of angels, and how that was a fitting celebration for the birthday of a King.

View worship notes, composer biographies, historical information and more about this featured hymn at www.hymnary.org.

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