Looking Back at the Old Year: Hymns Sung in 2021-2022
Happy New Year!
According to the liturgical calendar (see https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/) the Old Year ends with Christ the King Sunday, this year on November 24, and a New Year begins with the first Sunday of Advent this year on November 27. New Year’s is a natural time to reflect and consider what has been done and so, in that spirit, I present to you the Annual Hymn Use Summary! Let me explain why I find this important enough to keep these records throughout the year and present them to you.
We Value the Individual
In Western culture, we have a high regard for autonomy and an obsession with individualism. Think of almost any classic Western movie you’ve seen. The lone, rugged hero is the protagonist and always saves the day. For me Clint Eastwood, John Wayne, and Alan Ladd come to mind in these roles. In the same way, Baptists also highly value individualism. Soul competency is a fundamental tenet of the Baptist faith. Neither our family, friends, church, nor any religious authority can determine our relationship with God. Each individual is responsible before God.
We Are Called to Community
Conversely, we Christians are called to community. Think about the many communal concepts and analogies used to describe key persons and Christian principles. The One God has three distinct persons. Humanity was created as a pair; it was not good for us to be alone. The New Testament church is expressed as many parts making up one body. Christ goes and finds the one, lost sheep and returns it to the flock.
Congregational Singing Transforms
So individuality and community are both important to our faith. We are individually responsible before God but we are called to live and thrive in community. This is why I believe congregational singing is important. It exemplifies both these ideas. We give our individual, unique voice to the community expression of worship through song.
The Belief Statement of The Hymn Society expresses the value and power of congregational song beautifully. We believe that the holy act of singing together shapes faith, heals brokenness, transforms lives, and renews peace (https://thehymnsociety.org). What we sing reflects who we are and what we believe as individuals and as a community. But it does more. The work of God’s Spirit and the act of singing together shape us and transform us as the unique community of faith of Parkway Baptist Church. I look forward to singing with you in the New Year!
Annual Hymn Use Summary
Hymns Sung in 2021-2022
One hundred and one different hymns were sung.
Used 4 Times
Have Thine Own Way, Lord
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Used 3 Times
Breathe on Me, Breath of God
I Am Resolved
More Love to Thee, O Christ
O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart
Spirit of the Living God
Take My Life, and Let It Be Consecrated
The Solid Rock
Used 2 Times
All Creatures of Our God and King
All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
Angels from the Realms of Glory
Arise, Your Light Is Come
Be Thou My Vision
Because I Have Been Given Much
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Go, Tell It on the Mountain
Good Christian Friends, Rejoice
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
Holy, Holy, Holy
I Am Thine, O Lord
I Surrender All
Jesus Calls Us O’er the Tumult
Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners
Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come
Let Your Heart Be Broken
Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Silent Night, Holy Night
Teach Me, O Lord, I Pray
There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
To God Be the Glory
Trust and Obey
We Are Called to Be God’s People
We’re Marching to Zion
– Carey Huddlestun