Every now and then I get a question about the hymns that we sing. Let me begin by saying that there will never be any way to please everyone with the hymn selections. So, I don’t even try to do that. I choose hymns in the following manner.
I follow the lectionary for my sermon texts. The lectionary is based upon the liturgical seasons and in three years will takes me through the major themes of the Bible. Each week, there is an Old Testament, a Psalm, a New Testament, and a Gospel reading. The United Methodist Church publishes a book that ties songs from the hymnal with texts each week in the lectionary. So, I simply go to the book and see which songs from the list that are linked to the text are known by me and by the congregation.
Sometimes, the songs I know are not songs known by the choir (They are my sounding board on this matter. Sometimes I listen to what they say, and sometimes I do not.) I might choose and unknown song because it goes well with the theme for that particular Sunday. I feel that stretching ourselves in song is something that is worthwhile. At other times, I will give in to the advice from the choir and change a song.
In a nutshell, that’s how we get our songs on Sunday morning. The other way that we choose songs is Favorite Hymn Months (July and August). During June you are given the chance to vote on the hymns that you would like to sing. During those months all of the selections come from you votes.
