The Presbyterian Church (USA) is in the process of publishing a new hymnal! It’s due to be out in 2013.
OK, I realize that most of you just rolled your eyes at me, but I’m still excited about it.
Today, the contents of said hymnal have been made public for the first time. Here is a link to the page:
CONTENTS OF THE 2013 PRESBYTERIAN HYMNAL, GLORY TO GOD
I’ve only given the list a brief once-over, but here’s my initial “best and worst” (one of each):
Best: Gather Us In by Marty Haugen
Love this song. Don’t know why it wasn’t in the last one. Good tune, good lyrics, reaches across the theological divide. Good pick, committee!
Worst: Kum Ba Yah
Seriously? Who is still singing this? If it’s you, then STOP. Right now. I mean it. Maybe I watch too much Walking Dead, but I’m convinced that this song is an infected zombie who has risen up to feast upon the flesh of the living.
The only way to stop it is to shoot it…
in the head…
without mercy.
OK, I said I was only going to do one of each, but someone once told me that you should give two compliments for every criticism, and this hymnal deserves it:
Another Best: Glory to God, Whose Goodness Shines On Me
A great new Gloria Patri that Katie Boardman pulled out for us at a Presbytery meeting last year. More rhythmic and energetic than our classic plodder, you might actually believe that the people who sing this are glad they’ve been redeemed.
That’s all for now! Since the contents were released today, I’m sure the Presbyterian Internet (do we have one of those?) will be abuzz with everybody whining about what they don’t like. With that in mind, say a prayer for the committee that put it together. I’m guessing they might be feeling rather anxious, since all their hard work is going on display.
With that in mind, let me be among the first to thank and congratulate the Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song for their hard work and the fine product they’ve given us!
For more on the theological rationale used by the committee, check out this document:
Hopping Hadrian's Wall 
I want one, in purple. Even if it does contain Kumbayah.
Me too! But I want the red…
There’s some very cool stuff in the new hymnal – red or purple. First Pres Cooperstown was a “test” congregation. We sang and rated a pile of hymns being considered over about a year. Lots of fun. A hymn sing or two is in our future.
Its got good stuff in it- purple or red. First Pres Cooperstown has been a “test” congregation for the new hynnal. We got to sing and rate several batches of hymns in consideration over about a year. Lot of fun. Hymn sings are in our future.