Calculate the Value

Over the past five years, a hymnal project executive committee and a team of about seventy others have been carefully examining thousands of hymns and psalm settings. They’ve studied and produced numerous rites and service settings, and they’ve reviewed and refreshed the calendar of weekly Scripture readings known as the lectionary. Through it all they’ve sought feedback from worshipers across our church body. The end result is a codex of carefully curated content: Christian Worship Hymnal. Through it all, the aim has been to assist congregations and individuals by providing the best of corporate worship resources old and new, while encouraging the following of good worship principles that apply in a broad way in a variety of local settings.

Let the gospel predominate

While giving voice to every area of a Christian’s heart and life, the primary focus of the services and hymns in Christian Worship: Hymnal is the eternal rescue won for us at the cross of Christ and delivered to us week after week by means of the gospel in Word and Sacrament.

Let the people participate

Rather than assigning congregations the role of an audience and catering to niche groups with their own style of music, Christian Worship: Hymnal and its supporting resources enable all of God’s people to speak and sing together the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord.

Let the experience of the Church be honored

Christians of the past have much to say to worshipers of the twenty-first century. By studying the best practices of the church throughout history, Christian Worship: Hymnal offers a tangible connection between the generation yet unborn and the believers who have gone before us.

Let God’s best gifts be used

The people in your local setting are blessed with a wide variety of gifts suitable for corporate worship. When you combine the accompaniment edition of the hymnal with instrumental and vocal settings available through the Musician’s Resource, and when you explore the hundreds of psalm settings available in Christian Worship: Psalter, you will find variety that is creative, healthy, and practical for any congregation, large or small.

Plan for the Expense

Now is the time to consider including hymnal resources in your budget planning. Start with a plan for what you would consider ideal in your local setting. If the cost for this plan is too much for your people to handle all at once, consider a staged approach. Spread the materials and their expense over two or three years. For example, if you aren’t able to purchase Christian Worship: Psalter for the whole congregation in the first year, consider purchasing enough books for your worship planners and musicians (perhaps enough for the choir) and adding more later.

Early planning enables you to offer the people in your local setting an opportunity to support the new hymnal with special gifts. Put the hymnal on a wish list and publish it. Share the wish list with people who are asking for memorial ideas after a Christian funeral. Invite your people to make special, non-budgetary gifts: $96 buys four books.

Pricing details below are estimates subject to change.