Presbyterian Hymnal Project Blog

Of Kings and Crowns

The new Presbyterian hymnal, Glory to God, will be released in two cover colors: red and purple. But what's behind the choices? Some lament that red is back. Others wonder, "What's up with purple?" Here are some reasons why we use these two colors in church:

* Both red and purple demarcate liturgical seasons and are thus used in decorations -- paraments, vestments, and other worship adornments. Red is used during Pentecost, while purple is used for Lent and Advent.

* Both red and purple are associated with the color of blood. We remember Christ's sacrifice, as well as those of early Christian martyrs.

* Red also symbolizes the Holy Spirit's presence as tongues of fire over believers' heads on Pentecost.

* Purple was historically used (and biblically referenced) as a color for royalty. This is often the color artists use when depicting Christ as King of Kings.

* Red continues to be a favorite color for liturgical resources. Dozens of hymnals, including the 1955 Presbyterian Hymnal, have red covers. The current Evangelical Lutheran Worship book is also red.

* Purple is the color of the current Church of Scotland's hymnal, Church Hymnary IV.

* Red and purple were the top color choices on surveys taken about the new hymnal.

The cover designs will be released in January. Until then, stay tuned for more news...

Glory to God: the Presbyterian Hymnal

The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation is pleased to announce the title for the next Presbyterian hymnal, Glory to God: the Presbyterian Hymnal.  One edition will be published in red; another edition will be published in purple.  Here are samples of the cover colors:

 

 

 

 The hymnal will be published in Fall 2013, with pre-orders beginning July 1, 2012.  The following prices will be in effect:

• $15.00 for orders and pre-payment by June 30, 2013
• $17.50 for orders by June 30, 2013, with payment due upon publication
• $20.00 for post-publication orders and payment

The hymnal project began in 2004 when the General Assembly authorized research into a new denominational songbook.  The Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song (PCOCS) formed in 2008 under the leadership of Hymnal Editor, David Eicher, and Committee Chair, Dr. Mary Louise Bringle.  Time was spent analyzing other denominations’ hymnals, contemporary praise and worship trends, global music, and previous Presbyterian hymnals, among other categories.

The PCOCS will hold their last meeting in January 2012. A final list of hymns will be presented to the 220^th General Assembly (2012) in Pittsburgh. A new hymnal sampler will also be used in worship at General Assembly, then mailed to every Presbyterian congregation.

For more information about the Hymnal Project, visit the website (www.presbyterianhymnal.org).

Field Reports

Thanks to everyone who participated in the first "Many Voices, One Song" sing-along!  Here are three stories from congregations:

From Rev. Dr. Laura Mendenhall, at the Presbyterian Church in Lake Travis, TX:

At the end of a congregational meeting, while waiting for the count of votes as to whether this small young congregation would step up to build its first church home, we sang “Bless be the tie that binds.”  We knew that other Presbyterians were singing with us.  We knew that in our little congregation we were anxious, eager, determined that no matter what the vote, even if some found the risk too great to take, we’d stick with one another and continue to be the church in our rental property.  As we finished singing the final verse, the Clerk announced the vote as “Unanimous to build.”  We will build a church and keep singing, “Bless be the tie.”

From Agnes Doyle-Kalland, pianist for two yoked congregations in West Virginia (Alexander Memorial and Liberty Presbyterian churches,

“Little churches don’t get to be in everything,” she said. “This is something that our little church could be a part of the larger church.”

Here is a picture of Alexander Memorial Presbyterian Church :

            

And from United Church in Westside, Iowa, here are the faces and voices who contributed to the song:

 

 

Please join us for the next sing-along on Sunday, October 30 (Reformation Sunday), when we sing, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God".  A complete schedule and other information may be found on our website http://www.presbyterianhymnal.org/