Crowd pleaser

Prepublication orders for new hymnal exceed expectations

January 8, 2013

Presbyterian News Service

Bethany Daily

LOUISVILLE

With prepublication orders from more than 600 Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations, demand for the new hymnal has exceeded expectations fivefold.

The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation began taking orders for the hymnal, Glory to God, in the summer of 2012. The hymnal will be sent to the printer this summer and will be published in September, said the Rev. Meg Flannagan, hymnal advocacy and relations coordinator

“The enthusiastic response to prepublication orders has been in stark contrast to the ‘doom and gloom’ predictions of many who doubted whether congregational singing is still vital or simply a relic of the past,” said hymnal editor David Eicher in a press release.

Flannagan attributes Glory to God’s high demand to its contents.

“I think that the contents of this new hymnal are very balanced musically and theologically,” she said.

The hymnal includes traditional favorites like “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” alongside newer and perhaps more challenging songs.

“There really is something for everyone,” Flannagan said.

The hymnal project was initiated in 2004 by the 216th General Assembly, which authorized research into a new denominational songbook. The Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song formed in 2008 and spent time analyzing and selecting hymns, presenting its final list of contents to the 220th Assembly (2012).

A full list of Glory to God’s contents is available here.

  1. As a musician, I want to use a hymnal! I personally don't like looking at words on a screen. I want to hold the hymnal in my hand and read the words and see the music. I am looking forward to our new hymnal.

    by Fawn Pace

    April 7, 2013

  2. Why has the PC(USA) spent all this time and money on a new hymnal? Innovative 21st century churches don't use hymnbooks anymore. Is anyone trying to design a better pay telephone? People in the 21st century don't use pay telephones anymore. They use cell phones. Just one more example of the way most PC(USA) churches are becoming museums for the way people did church in the 19th and 20th centuries.

    by Jim Caraher

    January 17, 2013

  3. Our congregation in Cooperstown, NY is one of the 600. We're excited about the new hymnal. We were a test congregation for tunes being considered for Glory to God.

    by Katie Boardman

    January 13, 2013

  4. Hedwig, hymnals may be ordered online at http://www.thepresbyterianleader.com/Products/CategoryCenter/PHYM/hymnal-products.aspx . You may also call Customer Service at 1-800-533-4371. The main hymnal website is www.presbyterianhymnal.org . Thank you for your interest.

    by Meg Flannagan

    January 10, 2013

  5. How much are these hymnals? Can we preorder? I'd like 2 if they are affordable.

    by Hedwig N. Lodwick

    January 9, 2013

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