Presbyterian Hymnal Project Blog

Large-print editions

We need your opinion!  As we make plans for a large-print edition of the hymnal, there are several options available.  Please tell us which format would be most useful/helpful to people in your congregation:

• Words only; printed and bound, the same size as other pew editions.
• Words and music; printed and bound, larger than pew editions.
• Words and music; loose leaf with binder.
• Words and music; loose leaf for binder you provide, files downloaded from website.

Each has its own strength.  We are aware that the weight of the book is important.  We also want the format to be compatibile with Braille translators and other devices.

Remember that we will publish an electronic version of the hymnal.  It will be formatted for projection with words and music (whenever possible).  This has been one solution for easier reading and singing in some congregations.

Thank you for your help.

Good work in Columbia, SC

Another field report to encourage you in congregational song.  From Elizabeth Blevins at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC:

In preparation for World Communion Sunday, we taught "Halleluia! We Sing Your Praises" to our Children's Choir. On October 2, the children sang the verses and the congregation joined in the chorus as several church members carried breads from around the world to the Communion table. Several  children kept the beat with maracas as we sang, and 2 adults joined in on African drums.The entire church family sang the hymn again as our closing hymn for that service. We heard many positive comments about the hymn and the service. I have been able to introduce the topic of new hymnal/new hymns--the "whys" and "hows"--to many people in our choirs and congregation. And, yes, we will be singing "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" on October 30!

A field report

Here is an exciting field report from Rev. Jenny Spivey, an Advocate from Martinsville, VA.

We had a Presbytery Leadership Event last Saturday, and for the opening and closing worship times we used songs from the sampler, and found that a one-time license from OneLicense.net covered the ones we wanted to use for a reasonable fee. We sang "Jesus Calls Us", "Miren Que Bueno/O Look and Wonder," "We are Called," and "Go to the World." On the back of the worship bulletin we printed the information that I got from the sampler and the website! Finally, we had a display table with some of the info again from the website, info about the "Many Voices, One Song" initiative, and copies of previous hymnals and songbooks. We heard many positive comments about the songs in worship and I hope we have built some excitement for people to learn more!

Jenny's display table:

Let this be an encouragement to you in your sharing.  Keep the ideas coming!

Sneak Peeks coming!

Beginning October 18, a weekly sneak peek of Glory to God will be posted on our website. These will include contents (individual songs, hymns, and service music) and facts about the book. Each sneak peek will be posted for one week only. Be sure to check the website regularly to see each week's peek!

http://www.presbyterianhymnal.org/sneakpeek.html

Share video and pictures

We want to see and hear you singing!  Please take video, pictures, and/or audio of your congregation singing "A Mighty Fortress" on Sunday, Oct. 30.  Send files to mflannagan@presbypub.com .

Check out this video of September's "Many Voices, One Song" sing-along: