I thought it might be fun - for those of us who keep tabs on the current top 40 - to suggest ideas on how they might use a specific song during worship service. I realize the the list changes weekly so this might create some challenges for us in keeping us.
If you were attending a summer hymn sing, what would get your feet tapping, move your spirit, make you feel the Presence?
I post this because I heard a group sing "Sunny Side"the other day and smiled the whole way through. A friend came in to church the other day singing "O Happy Day" and then I heard a woman in the grocery store softly singing "Down By the Riverside"....
Many of us who grew up in the United Church in the 1960's and 70's were well acquainted with the songs of Avery and Marsh. "I Am the Church, You Are the Church", "Every Morning is Easter Morning" and a joyful version of the Doxology were staples of camps, retreat centers and Sunday worship. Several of their hymns were included in the Hymn Book and, I believe, Songs for a Gospel People. Alas, none of the Avery and Marsh hymns made the cut for Voices United and none are included in More Voices. We are all the poorer for that omission.
I've been intrigued by the recent posts quoting hymns and asking people's responses and memories about them. Just wondering what you think or remember about this one:
I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses
He speaks, and the sound of his voice is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
and the melody that he gave to me within my heart is ringing,
