The Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song (PCOCS) has been hard at work for more than a year to build the new collection. We are reviewing the contents of the 1990 Presbyterian Hymnal as well as previous Presbyterian hymnals, other hymnals published since 1990, and new submissions that are approaching 2,000 items. Sifting through all this material is exciting and exhausting, but the committee members find themselves lifted by the prayers and support of the church and by the possibility a new collection brings for the renewal of worship in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
The Presbyterian Hymnal Committee held its first meeting at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville September 22 and 23, 2008. This meeting was an opportunity for the newly appointed committee to meet each other and begin the process of developing a plan for working together over the next few years. One of the highlights of the meeting was a service of commissioning that took place in the Presbyterian Center Chapel.