Hymnal Introduction Resources
Several resources are available to help people gain an understanding of some key new hymnal features and to help pastors orient people when the books are first used.
Presentations
Various presentations serve a widely varied audience:
- People in churches that have already decided to begin using the new hymnal in Advent 2021,
- People in churches that are undecided,
- People in churches that won’t realistically consider the new hymnal until 2022 or later, and
- Individuals wanting to learn more about new hymnal resources or about some broader worship topic.
Introductory Scripts and Dedication Rite
Suggestions are provided beginning with the first Sundays in Advent after the hymnals are first placed in the worship space. These begin on November 28 and are coordinated with the Year C Planner (available in PDF or Excel). If introduction begins on a Sunday other than November 28, local adjustments will be needed. A dedication rite is included for the first Sunday.
Hymnal Introduction - Introduction Scripts and Dedication Rite
Hymn Sing and Concert Videos
The first two items below were prepared for National Hymnal Week, September 19-26, 2021. But if a congregation did not participate, these may still be publicized to build interest and excitement for some of the wonderful new (and old) texts and music.
Grace, Milwaukee Hymn Sing. (Video Link) (Service Folder) This is an example of what one large congregation with strong musical resources did to introduce some new hymns. Granted, few congregations have similar resources. If your church offers something similar (though on a more modest scale), this website can share your worship folder and video link for the benefit of others.
The Service—Setting Three: Canticle Recordings
The hymnal introduction committee received permission this week to post these recordings of the three main canticles from The Service—Setting Three. Congregations following the Year C Planner (available for download in The Foundation worship planning resources) are learning this new setting during Epiphany. These recordings may be especially useful to help organists to understand optimal tempos and to become comfortable with the music. (But for the first usages of the “Gloria” and “Sanctus,” perhaps a slightly slower tempo until people become comfortable matching syllables with notes.) Recordings may also be shared with members and LES classrooms to help boost familiarity. Note that each song ends with an audio fade. These free recordings are not meant for actually leading the singing during worship. Later this year they will be available for use via the Service Builder Playlist add-on.
CW Setting 3 Gloria
CW Setting 3 Sanctus
CW Setting 3 Agnus Dei
The Service—Setting Five
Hymnal Introduction - The Service-Setting Five
More Resources
Hymnal Introduction Program - More Resources
Hymnal Highlights
Hymnal Introduction Program - Hymnal Highlights
Christian Worship: Service Builder
Interested in Christian Worship: Service Builder? Learn more in the videos below.
View past Service Builder webinars on the Northwestern Publishing House website.
Christian Worship: Psalter
Hymnal Introduction Program - CW Psalter
Christian Worship Shipping Updates
Check the NPH website for the latest information about when various hymnal suite resources will become available. This information is subject to change.
Year C – Epiphany 6 – Definitions Uncovered – Jeremiah 17