The following piece is written in dialogue between Paula Mangum Sheridan and Beverly Howard. The initials PS indicate Paula’s words, while the initials BH indicate Beverly’s words. PS: During my junior year of college, I interned as a social work student at…
How to use ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel’ for daily reflection beginning Dec. 17
The season of Advent may present a challenge for worship planners whose congregations clamor to sing Christmas carols rather than Advent hymns. After all, our ears have been beset with Christmas music since October in retail stores, restaurants and on…
What if we sang our prayers of thanks before meals?
In her recent opinion piece, Mallory Challis reminded us of the importance of saying grace over a meal. Singing grace is another fulfilling way to express our gratitude for food and other blessings. The ritual and spiritual discipline of singing…
Hymn stories: ‘The Church’s One Foundation’
I believe in the holy catholic church, the communion of the saints. Hymn writers frequently relate varied inspirations for their texts. Great hymns of the church may be borne out of personal life events, societal or world events, or, as…
Hymn Stories: ‘Will You Come and Follow Me’
Do you remember singing the children’s Sunday school song “I will make you fishers of men”? Often it accompanied learning the biblical narrative of Jesus calling his first disciples, Simon Peter and Andrew. This stirring song so captured our imaginations…
Hymn stories: ‘Christ is alive! Let Christians sing’
Listen! Can you still hear the echo of our Easter Sunday “alleluias” and “Christ is risen. He is risen indeed”? As we journey through Eastertide, these ecstatic outbursts and responses may be growing fainter. “Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing”…
Hymn Stories: ‘I Danced in the Morning’
Dance, then, wherever you may be, I am the Lord of the Dance, said he, And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be, And I’ll lead you all in the Dance, said he. During Ordinary time in the Christian…
Hymn stories: ‘There is a balm in Gilead’
There is a balm in Gilead, To make the wounded whole. There is a balm in Gilead, To heal the sin-sick soul. Healing is a word saturating our culture from the media promoting products to heal or relieve a myriad…