WORLD METHODISM

‘Worship ＆Song’

blends old

and new tunes

NASHVILLE (Tennessee) – From the rousing “Jesus, Jesus, Oh, What a Wonderful Child” to the prayerful “Open the Eyes of My Heart”, the newly-released “Worship & Song” collection offers something for just about everyone.

Jointly developed by the United Methodist Board of Discipleship and the United Methodist Publishing House, “Worship & Song,” contains 190 hymns and worship songs, including old-time Gospel favourites and popular contemporary praise songs. New worship-planning resources in the collection supplement The United Methodist Hymnal and other songbooks.

“There is always good, new congregational music being written,” said Mr Gary Alan Smith, Senior Music Editor at Abingdon Press and project director for “Worship & Song.”

“Worship & Song” is actually two publications in one – a songbook and a collection of prayers, litanies, liturgies and short items for worship planners, pastors, leaders and musicians.

Musician Bryan R. Dunn, 30, said: “I like that ‘Worship & Song’ takes some of the old hymns from Cokesbury and puts a new twist on them. This new book has a very eclectic variety of musical styles so it can be used in any church service at any church.”

One of the most popular Charles Wesley hymns is “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing,” which he wrote in 1738 to celebrate his conversion. That classic – with few exceptions – has been the opening hymn of every Methodist song collection worldwide. It opens “Worship & Song” as well. But contemporary composer Mark Miller’s rendition gives the song a contemporary, “can’t-get-the-tune-out-of-one’s-head” flavour while retaining the grandeur and beauty of the original hymn.

The Rev Delores J. Williamston of the First United Methodist Church in Independence, Kansas, said the songbook breathes new life into worship by blending old favourites with newer, less familiar songs.

“This is a great tool for a more multicultural ... as well as multigenerational worship experience,” she added. – United Methodist News Service.

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