I spent most of my childhood attending a church that sang what I think are some of the meatier contemporary worship songs, such as “In Christ Alone” and “How Deep the Father’s Love”.
Julia, I love your perspective and thoughts on hymns. I grew up in the Romsn church, and we and their hymns, though I paid them no attention, [maybe a good thing], it wasn't until after seminary had I been challenged to enjoy historic hymn and for their value as teaching biblical truth. And I enjoy the new songs in the Lord, to the degree you wrote of them.
Saw this article come into my feed and was like, "oh, this better be good!" And it didn't disappoint...my next thought was, "I bet Gabe Sternberg would enjoy this." Then I notice it was written by his lovely bride.
We miss y'all!!! Good stuff.
I would only add...
1. these hymns are essentially mini-sermons : shame on the pastor or musician that decides to arbitrarily cut a verse out here or there.... to ( vomit ) save a bit of time.
2. as an accomplished out-of-tune-singer myself... sing 'em out... sing 'em loud... sing like you believe what's written.
Thanks for your feedback Mac! Good to hear from you, I hope KY is treating y'all well! Definitely agree with you-- good hymns compliment the readings and the sermon by being mini sermons themselves. And Mr. Sternberg will forever be trying to convince people that God delights just as much in the off-key singing of his saints! Miss you guys.
I remember it being said somewhere that by means of good hymnody, we sing the faith into our hearts.
Julia, I love your perspective and thoughts on hymns. I grew up in the Romsn church, and we and their hymns, though I paid them no attention, [maybe a good thing], it wasn't until after seminary had I been challenged to enjoy historic hymn and for their value as teaching biblical truth. And I enjoy the new songs in the Lord, to the degree you wrote of them.
Saw this article come into my feed and was like, "oh, this better be good!" And it didn't disappoint...my next thought was, "I bet Gabe Sternberg would enjoy this." Then I notice it was written by his lovely bride.
We miss y'all!!! Good stuff.
I would only add...
1. these hymns are essentially mini-sermons : shame on the pastor or musician that decides to arbitrarily cut a verse out here or there.... to ( vomit ) save a bit of time.
2. as an accomplished out-of-tune-singer myself... sing 'em out... sing 'em loud... sing like you believe what's written.
Bravo
Thanks for your feedback Mac! Good to hear from you, I hope KY is treating y'all well! Definitely agree with you-- good hymns compliment the readings and the sermon by being mini sermons themselves. And Mr. Sternberg will forever be trying to convince people that God delights just as much in the off-key singing of his saints! Miss you guys.
oh... and this list is solid gold
https://www.gottesdienst.org/gottesblog/2024/2/1/ways-lutheran-hymns-train-for-martyrdom-hymn-list