If you've been around scripture and worship music as long as I have you probably do the same thing I do (at least I hope I'm not alone).
When someone starts reading scripture aloud you can think of several different worship songs or hymns that fit that scripture.
Of course, that's not usually the case when you're sitting down to plan a worship service ... usually I would sit there when the scripture for the message is being read (AFTER we're done with most of the singing) and think ... Oh THAT would have been a perfect song for that scripture.
If you ask anyone that knows me they can probably tell you that I don't have any favorites. I don't have a favorite color, or a favorite food, and definitely don't have a favorite song/hymn. But that doesn't mean that I don't think there are some songs/hymns that are better than others. And today's hymn is definitely better than many others, for a number of reasons.
To get things started on this new site I think it best to get a good foundation related to what we are about as worship leaders ... our purpose. Because the resources and discussion here in the future will all center on this central premise ... the reason why we are doing this.
To facilitate others in Worshiping the one triune God
as revealed in the Old and New Testaments.
Of course, this might get word-smithed in the days ahead, but the premise should remain the same throughout the life of this site (no matter how long- or short-lived that might be).
In the days ahead I'll build that out and try to explain it more (and possibly slightly revise it as that process happens).
Welcome to the site and glad you've decided to join me in this discussion.
I had never heard of this hymn tune until college when we played a handbell arrangement (and where it got the nickname 'PigsGutts").
Recently I included it in worship to find that very few of our (baptist) group knew the hymn (tune or text). I should have guessed that based on the fact that I could only find it in a few select hymnals - and not in any versions of 'The Baptist Hymnal' that I have here (and I have several versions).