I usually try not to think of hymnody that way; I'm responsible for worship planning for a congregation, and try hard to be faithful to my mandate...that hymns should be:
- theologically Lutheran
- well-constructed and singable by a congregation
- illuminative of the day's texts
- beloved by some in the congregation (and which "some" must vary); "heart hymns" for elderly worshipers, child-friendly, ethnically diverse, etc.
- representative of a variety of musical styles/traditions within a worship service (but still theologically Lutheran)
- representative of a variety of angles of approach from a theological or textual perspective
- danceable (Yes, Kat, sometimes!)
What I like shouldn't really enter into it. I know I have biases, but I try hard to be aware of them.
- Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service--my all-time number one: I like the tune BEACH SPRING and I love the vision of Christian mission
- O Day Full of Grace--just covers the freakin' Lutheran waterfront
- Children of the Heavenly Father--it always puts me in my Grandma Vale's lap, ear pressed against her sternum, listening to her sing
- Silent Night--the only Christmas carol I never tire of hearing or singing
- The Summons--changed my life; opened my heart in a very difficult time
- Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery--love the tonality and the imagery
- By Your Hand You Feed Your People--brilliant text (big fan of Susan Briehl), perfectly married to its tune and well-harmonized; particularly love the part that goes "we become what we receive: Christ's own body, blest and broken..."
- Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds--ascending, ascending, ascending...BOOM!
- I Want Jesus To Walk with Me--perfect "walking around" hymn, in terms of tempo and simple text; it becomes what it aspires to
- Of the Father's Love Begotten--we come from love...a really vast, deep, timeless love
- O Sacred Head, Now Wounded--mournful, penitent, beautifully crafted text/tune/harmony
- Hallelujah! We Sing Your Praises!--FUN, and has several off-book versions that were written for me/Ro and for some other members of our congregation on particular celebratory occasions
- Draw Us In the Spirit's Tether--wonderful text, and "touch we now your garment's hem" is an allusion to my personally most vibrant gospel story
- Veni Sancte Spiritus (Taizé, with the descant)--easy to slip into, invocative, soaring descant
- Praise to the Lord, the Almighty--great, crashing gloriousness
- Go, My Children, with My Blessing--such sweetness, AR HYD Y NOS in four-part a cappella by my congregation; it's truly a benediction
- Now Thank We All Our God--because sometimes you need to holler your thanks
- Away in a Manger--childhood sweetness and trust
- This Little Light of Mine--childhood faith and commitment
- What Wondrous Love Is This--simple and mysterious; just lovely
- We Know that Christ Is Raised--that last "alleluia!"
- God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens--HOLY MANNA is a cheerful perpetual-motion machine; text--well, "spangled heavens?" Come on, how great is that?
- Thy Holy Wings--female imagery for God (which, let's face it, is kinda rare in hymnody) and a reminder of a dear friend and mentor
- It Came upon a Midnight Clear--absolute stunner of a text, especially the later stanzas--but not the tune that everyone knows; instead, the one that Russell Schulz Widmar wrote. I really dislike the ELW tune, and since this is my party...
- Simple Gifts (Shaker tradition)--sunny serenity
- Come to the Table (by my friend Daniel Pederson)--another friend describes it as "musical candy"--it's gorgeously singable and I really love watching the people of all ages in my congregation sing this in four parts on their way to Communion each Sunday. We commissioned a liturgy around it.
- Before the Marvel of This Night (With One Voice)--stunner of a text, beautifully set
- I Wonder As I Wander (With One Voice)--see "What Wondrous Love Is This"
- Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child (trad. Spiritual)--as laments go, this is a hard one to top
- Magnificat from Holden Evening Prayer--I love Mary's courage and faithfulness. This seems like the sort of tune she might have sung if this were all unfolding today.
- "Watch, O Lord..." from That You May Have Life--beautiful tune, sensitive to the text, and love the call-and-response nature of the verses
- I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy (trad. Spiritual)--my favorite tune from my own VBS experience (where? down in my heart! where?)
- Digo Sí, Señor (Gather)--also a call-and-response one, with a beautiful melody, affirming of faith and mission
- Send Us Your Spirit (Gather)--just love the tune, esp. the canonical chorus and the leap into the verses
- We Have Been Told (Gather)--lovely tune, lovely harmony
- Behold the Wood (Gather)--solemn, reflective Good Friday piece