In advance of tomorrow’s hymn sing, we asked the staff to share some of their favorite hymns.

 

Anne’s Pick - Crown Him With Many Crowns

(ELW 855)

It’s impossible to choose a favorite hymn, I love so many! But for today, my choice is Crown Him With Many Crowns. I love the strong even beats and beautiful melody and more importantly I love the feeling of comfort that washes over me when I sing it. It makes me think of family, especially my parents. I can hear their voices in my head when we sing it. It's a classic in my eyes.

Deb’s Pick - On Eagle’s Wings

(ELW 787)

Other than the fact that I love eagles and the tune, this song is one of comfort. It reminds me that God is there for me always, protecting me and giving me comfort. It also is a song of hope, light and fresh starts. And I have a picture in my head of being held in God's hands.

Megan’s Pick - What Wondrous Love Is This

(ELW 666)

My favorite hymn is "What Wondrous Love Is This." It was the hymn I chose for my confirmation a long time ago. I love the words: "And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on...and when from death I'm free, I'll sing God's love for me." More than playing the organ and piano, I love to sing, and to sing with other people. As a child, I attended a small country church, and I was surrounded by adults singing out with strong voices--not necessarily pretty and not always on tune (bless you, mom)--but they sang with gusto and conviction.

Nate’s Pick - Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life

(ELW 816)

Every time I hear “Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life,” something happens. My breath struggles to catch up with my heart as Ralph Vaughan Williams’s gentle, folk-like melody floats over a somewhat jarring harmonic progression—a perfect tension that draws out the stunning, simple, and sometimes challenging truths of George Herbert’s poetry. How so much beauty and possibility can be expressed in just three verses always leaves me wanting more.

And that is what wondering about God does for me. Endless beauty and mystery in the simplest things, it almost hurts. So many little miracles waiting to be noticed.

One of my favorite church musicians, Paul Zach (composer of the Porter's Gate) recently recorded and released his version of the hymn. Take a listen and enjoy!

Nick’s Pick - You Are Mine

(ELW 581)

While I generally lean towards camp songs or praise songs, my favorite hymns change based on mood, season, or just what’s on my mind (Come, Thou Fount of Ev’ry Blessing; Lift High the Cross; Be Thou My Vision; and Here I Am, Lord all frequent that list for various reasons). But this hymn is my favorite because it is a source of support and direction when life is overwhelming or the next step seems unclear.

Pastor Sarah’s Pick - Sent Forth By God’s Blessing

(ELW 547)

Between the bounciness that the tune invites and the words which send us into the world to be God's hands and feet, this hymn makes me smile. It is my prayer that our lives reflect the hymn writer's words, "with your [God's] light now lead us; unite us as one in this life that we share."

Pastor Sonja’s Pick - Beautiful Savior

(ELW 838)

One of my favorite hymns is Beautiful Savior: yes, I love the lyrics and the tune! I grew up attending the Concordia College Christmas Concerts at Orchestra Hall. The final song for many years was “Beautiful Savior.” I relished the special ritual: being enthralled by the soloist singing of woodlands and meadows “robed in flow’rs of blooming spring,” looking forward to the bass line– grounding us, and listening to my mom’s stories from her time singing in this same choir (ask me about the lightbulb shenanigans). I realize now that my family was handing down an appreciation of musical excellence, handing down the belief that we are called to share our musical gifts with our community, and that music creates joy and love. And don’t forget humor: for many years, the choirs were backdropped by colorful, expansive, intricate, communally painted annual murals. The 1987 mural hid a baseball in honor of the World Series Twins!

Tony’s Pick - How Great Thou Art

(ELW 856)

I just like it.