A Wonderful Contemporary Hymnal for All Ages
926005
This is our hymnal of choice for youth meetings and for the early morning  Sabbath worship service at our church.  The songs are mostly contemporary and some of the old ones for good measure. The songs are musically easy to sing and the range of most of them is very moderate making them vocally suitable for most voices.
699142
I LOVE this handy little book.
If you are a pastor or worship leader, your people will enjoy hearing the "history behind the hymns". Though our worship style is a mixture of contemporary and hymns, this little book has proven to be a wonderful resource.
You can use it before or after a congregational worship service to give your people a real eye-opening experience. Our congregation loves to hear the stories that gave birth to some of these great songs...songs like the doxology (written in the 1600's by Thomas Ken), or "It is well with my soul" (written by Horatio Spafford after the tragic death of ALL 5 of his children), or "Amazing Grace" (written by John Newton, a former slave ship captain who after being saved worked to abolish slavery)

These stories are inspiring, and serve to connect people with the history and roots of their favorite Christian tunes. I'm so thankful for this inspiring little book!
2719293
By Robert J. Morgan (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2011)

Filled with a plethora of hymns, consisting of both the words and music notes, this book hits a high note on overall design elegance, abundant content, and overflowing information. Some of the songs you will find familiar and some might be new to you, but all are beautiful hymns.

Reading about each hymn's history is refreshing and a joy to learn about the inspiration behind the words. Compiled with hymn origination dates and stories about the writers, this book will encourage you to lift your voice in praise and worship to God.

Embracing the front cover is a peaceful picture of nature that wraps about the back of the book. The thick durable pages of this book are cut to look old fashioned, but supply this book with the look of an antique hymnal.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255vf: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
3747325
This is sung beautifully. Love all the contemporary songs. They are so uplifting  and all come from the Psalms.  I would love to get a whole album of the favorite songs.
944846
I'm 32 years old, and I have four kids. This 2-CD set has been a blessing for all of us.  We attend a Vineyard church, and a lot of the music is familiar to us because of that.  But if you're new to worship music, this is a great selection.

I have read that many of these songs are available on other compilations and that there are few new tracks.  In my opinion, the songs chosen for this set and the order even is perfect.  Again, check the list of tracks before you buy it--in case you get duplicates--but it's a wonderful heart-lifting set to get immersed in the music deidicated to God.
1146181
Michael Morgan, organist at Central Presbyterian in Atlanta, has painstakingly paraphrased all 150 Psalms beautifully capturing the sense and style of each with a poetry that makes them mean something in our  vernacular.  This book may be read as devotional poetry, or sung to popular  hymntunes.  Mr. Morgan has included an index of meter and suggested tunes  that will encourage congregational singing.  While using inclusive  language, the texts do not suffer from a forced lack of pronouns (as so  many biblical texts do) but are very true to the original psalmists intent.  This is a powerful and important gift to the church at large and should be  on the shelf of every minister and church musician.
1737175
I am a secret hymn listener!  Yes, new music is important, but the Golden Age of Hymns will never be out of style for content, melody and 4-part harmony
4097957
"Before the Amen" is a beautifully produced volume which will be of value to anyone involved in planning worship, and for those seeking worthy companions with whom to traverse the Christian year.  Among the book's 19 chapters are  "A Clutch of Stars" (on Christmas),  "Awash in the Light" (Epiphany), "The Ragged Beginning" (Lent), "A New Day has Begun" (Easter), "The Storied Fires of God" (Pentecost), and "The Wide Window of Our Spirits" (for so-called "Ordinary" Sundays).

There are also chapters such as "Under Our Roof" (prayers for home, marriage and companion animals), "Under Our Steeple" (prayers for the community of faith), "On the Street" (on civic concerns), "At the Crossroads" (on justice and respecting sexual diversity), "Of Healing and Hope," "Of Earth and Sky," and "On Our Hearts."  A phrase from one of this reviewer's own poems provides the title for the chapter on Baptism, "Breathe Deep the Beckoning Sea."

With prayers, readings, poems and worship pieces from some four-score contributors, it is the successor to the popular worship anthology "Touch Holiness," edited by Ruth Duck and Maren Tirabassi.
1730883
I am very pleased with this book and CD combination.  A selection of hymns and devotionals that focus on the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ and his resurrection.

For each hymn the author is presented, a devotional beautifully relating the spiritual truths the hymn's contain in a way that is understandable for children.  Be prepared to cry.

Also included is music, complete lyrics, a bible verse to contemplate/memorize, and a prayer.  There is also a beautiful illustration accompanying each hymn - truly lovely, realistic paintings, full of light (and often children).

The music on the CD is wonderful, a combination of children singing and a female vocalist.  Some of the songs sound a bit keyboardy or synthetic, I can't quite put my finger on it, but they are very lovely.  Be prepared to cry.  My daughter is always more encouraged to sing when there are children singing on a recording.

The only things I could have wished for are the historical background of the hymn (I suppose that would have made the book too long, and I do have some other resources I can use to hunt this information down), and the scripture presented in KJV (our family uses the KJV exclusively - and particularly for memorization).

We have been able to introduce some of these hymns in our church fellowship (I can't read music, so I learn by ear), as we sing hymns (seems to be a fading practice in many churches), and many are in our hymnal - as these are true classics.  Our favourite is At the Cross.

Recommended for both adults and children, any Christian family, and particularly homeschoolers!  I'm now slowly purchasing the rest of the series.
1667527
"Be Still My Soul" by Randy Peterson is a beautiful treasury of 175 best loved hymns and the stories behind the hymns. Plus individual biographies of 12 hymn writers such as the Wesley brothers, Fanny Crosby and Isaac Watts.

I found this volume a real pleasure to read. As a lover of history and the beautiful hymns of our Christian heritage I can honestly say this is a book I would read over and over again throughout the years to come. The stories behind each and every song were such a blessing to read. I enjoyed how the author wove together the history behind how the hymns were inspired, and how they impacted believers in the years to follow. For example "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" written by Helen Lemmel was inspired by a quote Lemmel had read by Lilias Trotter. Though little is know about Katharina von Schlegel, the writer of the hymn "Be Still My Soul", this book explores how the hymn impacted the life of Eric Liddell, the famous missionary and athlete. There are so many touching stories within the pages of this book, it was very hard to put down.

I also found the quality of the book itself to be worth mentioning. The cover art and rough cut pages were a real treat! Plus each hymn is presented on the left hand page with the story behind the hymn on the corresponding right hand page.

Overall I would highly recommend this book. It is a real treasure. Well written and researched.

"Let me exhort you to "sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, as you praise the LORD with all your heart" (Ephesians 5:19). Keep hymns and spiritual songs by your bedside with your Bible and carry them with you to read. They will enrich your faith, invigorate your hope, and keep warm and tender your love." Samuel Logan Brengle

*I received a complimentary copy of Be Still My Soul from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review*
4350174
I am so excited to use this in worship!  The leaders edition has larger print so that you can see what's printed well leading.  The songs and new prayers are wonderful and are from so many varied sources. I am not very musically gifted but the songs look easy to sing, and reflect the songs that want to be sung today.
 But what makes this version top noch in my book are the wonderful indexes in the back that describe each song and have suggested themes (advent, celebration, confirmation, lent, ect.) to help you plan.  I think that this will become just as loved as the UMC hymnal.
2127348
We use this CD in our Church at various times.  We love the old Hymns.  I hope to purchase Volume 2.
3399304
Our children's choirs have a hymn memory aspect in choir, and those who learn all their hymns get a CD.  This is
perfect for the ages of our children.  I wish there was a CD for pre-teen aged kids!
2256870
This is a great hymnal for those who want a resource for hymns in the Black church.  There's lots of wonderful music that is nicely laid out:  traditional hymns found in the Church as well as those only found in the Black church and other similar traditions.  The engraving is clear and easy to read.  I'd highly recommend it to those who are considering picking up a copy!
3911495
If I had to pick only one book to bring to play in a church service, it would be this one hands down.  No contest.  This is the best and most versatile hymnal I have ever used.  It has all the standard traditional hymns that people expect, and so many of the modern fun choruses that make the worship experience appealing.  The hymns are crisp, all in the same font, easy to play and it has literally saved my tush many times when I had to suddenly "Play something!" to cover or stretch some part of a service.

It also has the keys next to the titles in the index which makes it super easy to find songs in the same key for seamless transitions.

I currently play for an Episcopal deep old school traditional style church.  I have played for the Southern Baptist traditional/old fashioned congregations, a Southern style black congregation, and the typical contemporary non-denominational church band.  This hymnal is hands down the best and most useful book for congregational worship I have ever used.

(I have had a copy of it stolen, so I usually take it home with me - if that tells you anything about the book!)

Sample Song List:
Spirit Song
You Are My All in All
Come Into His Presence
I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb
We Will Glorify
Crown Him King of Kings
I Exalt Thee
No Other Name
God will Make a Way
Humble Thyself in the Sight of the Lord

Sample of Super Hymn Arrangements for Congregational Singing
Crown Him With Many Crowns  (Modulates nicely into another key)
Hallelujah Chorus  (3 pgs long SATB easy fun arrangement/piano solo)
Holy, Holy Holy  (Fabbbbbulous and could easily be used by a small choir)
Come Thou Found of Every Blessing  (goes from 2 sharps to last verse 3 flats)
Amazing Grace  (modulates from one sharp to 4 flats - beautiful arrangement)
Christ the Lord is Risen Today  (makes Easter fun and sounds ohhhh so good!)
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah  (another nice arrangement)
3465256
I am not familiar with this arranger other than this book. I purchased it after hearing Mary McDonald play a couple of selections from it at a Sacred Piano Reading Session which a local bookstore holds every year. Ive come to enjoy this book very much. There is a nice variety in the song selections as well as in the different styles of the arrangements. The standouts for me are Jesus Loves Me and Christ the Lord Is Risen Today. Jesus Loves Me is a fun, playful arrangement. While it is the one of easier songs in the book, it will take a more advanced player to do it justice. Unlike the other selections in this book, Christ the Lord Is Risen Today is a driving, very rhythmic piece. In the course of 5 pages it changes time signatures about 40 times! It is my favorite arrangement of this hymn.
While Alfred Music Publishing tends to overrate the skill level of their books, this book is appropriately labeled as advanced. While these arrangements are not virtuosic, the plentiful use of octave passages and keys like f-sharp and g-flat keep this from being rated intermediate.
The arrangements are:
1) This Is My Father's World
2) Simple Gifts
3) What a Friend We Have in Jesus
4) Jesus Loves Me
5) Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
6) Amazing Grace
7) It Is Well with My Soul
8) Come, Christians, Join to Sing
9) Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
10) Standing in the Need of Prayer
2844770
We went online looking for children's hymnals and didn't find much.  This was by far the best option we found.  I love that the melody line is printed and that children can learn "when the notes go up, your voice goes up. . ." because so much of our congregational singing is without printed music.  I liked the colorful cover and the size.  It fits easily with a child's Bible. The author printed a brief," The Reason We Sing" and "Affirmation" with each song, and these are useful.  However, I'd still like to duplicate more public domain hymns for my class and replace this very good but incomplete resource.  Of the 80 hymns and songs, only 30 are hymns.  We liked it enough to buy copies for all our primary Sunday School students.  If you want a good mix of hymns and choruses you would give this 5 stars.