SEND FORTH | Healing Hands Worship Series, week 2
July 8, 2018

The following selections are congregational songs chosen from this week’s Hymn Suggestions, with notes on key, tempo, and instrumentation, along with some practical and creative considerations in singing.

Healer of Our Every Ill

Source: The Faith We Sing, 2213
Recommended Key: D
Tempo: 84-92 bpm
Instrumentation: Piano, organ, or guitar
Notes: We recommend the use of this hymn as a theme throughout the entire “Healing Hands” series. Marty Haugen has created a hymn in which the text and tune are both comforting. For the first four weeks, sing the refrain, one stanza each week, and the refrain. On the final week, sing the entire hymn. This will teach the hymn to the congregation over time and closely tie it to the theme of the series.

There Is Power

Source: CCLI #7026322 »
Recommended Key: B♭
Tempo: 80 bpm
Instrumentation: Piano, guitar, or full band
Notes: If you are in a setting with a band or modern worship music style, we recommend the use of this hymn as a theme throughout the entire “Healing Hands” series. Singing this every week will help the congregation learn and sing with vigor by the last week. The recommended key is a bit lower than the original setting to accommodate for congregational singing.

Guide My Feet

Source: The Faith We Sing, 2208
Recommended Key: G or A♭
Tempo: 104-108 bpm
Instrumentation: a cappella, piano if needed
Notes: With most spirituals, the preference for authentic and appropriate performance practice is to sing the song a cappella. Add clapping on beats two and four. The melody is easily learned, and the congregation can sing in unison while a choir sings in parts. If the congregation can also sing parts well, invite them to join on the written notes or improvise within the harmonic structure. If you have a song leader or soloist comfortable with improvisation, it is also recommended to have her or him sing between phrases to prompt the words in the next phrase.

Send Me, Lord

Source: The United Methodist Hymnal, 497
Recommended Key: E
Tempo: 80-84 bpm
Instrumentation: a cappella, djembes, shakers, or other added percussion
Notes: Since only one word changes each stanza, this song is especially easy for a congregation to learn. As a traditional South African song, it is preferable that it be sung a cappella; but if a piano is necessary, it works as well. However, it is recommended to not play the exact rhythm as written in the UMH. I would omit all eighth notes, and instead play quarter notes in their place (for instance, on the first two notes, I would play one B quarter note instead of two B eighth notes). This will make it less choppy and more of a true, musical accompaniment.

Enviado Soy de Dios (Sent Out in Jesus’ Name)

Source: The Faith We Sing, 2184
Recommended Key: E minor
Tempo: 116-120 bpm
Instrumentation: Piano, guitar, percussion, and winds/strings
Notes: This traditional Cuban song presents lots of creative options for singing and accompaniment. Have an intergenerational choir sing while processing out of the sanctuary or worship space and/or surrounding the congregation before departing. Any number of instruments can be used to accompany it, including organ or even accordion. Authentic to the tradition, percussion is essential to add rhythm within the phrases. Options include congas, bongos, shakers, maracas, or even the back of a guitar! Allow winds or strings to double the melody or add harmonies in thirds where appropriate.

The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve

Source: The Faith We Sing, 2241
Recommended Key: F
Tempo: 132 bpm (quarter note)
Instrumentation: Piano or organ, solo wind
Notes: This tune resembles common pentatonic folk melodies until the second half of the tune, when the fourth degree of the scale (Bb) appears. I mention this because often there is a plethora of accompaniment options with pentatonic tunes. Using Orff instruments to accompany children, for instance, would be an option here, but accommodations would need to be made when the Bb notes appear. Regardless, the feel of the folk melody can influence the style of the accompaniment. The range is ideal to have a flute play the melody up one octave as an introduction and during the singing. A beautiful setting of LAND OF REST for flute/violin and organ/piano is included in The United Methodist Hymnal Musical Supplement II.
Resources: History of Hymns: "The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve" »

Whom Shall I Send?

Source: The United Methodist Hymnal, 582
Recommended Key: B♭
Tempo: 116-120 bpm
Instrumentation: Organ or piano
Notes: This defiant hymn calls us to go out with a spirit of boldness. The call here is similar to Jesus when he sent the twelve, giving them “authority over the unclean spirits” (Mark 6:7, NRSV). Singing this hymn gives the congregation the opportunity to answer the call by providing the words, “we dare to answer: Lord, send me!” Singing this is important, and it can be a means of accountability to the call of God (“Do you remember when we sang these words? Did we mean them?”)

Lord, Reign in Me

Source: Zion Still Sings, 42
Recommended Key: C
Tempo: 92-96 bpm
Instrumentation: Full band, piano, or guitar
Notes: This song is a prayer for guidance and renewal as we go forth in ministry to the world. “Reign in me” is a request for God to dwell in us, which is a great word to offer before we leave worship! The vocal parts are laid out well in Zion Still Sings, and they would be accessible for any choir or praise team. Parts of the song are repetitive enough to assist the congregation in learning the song quickly.

Send Me Out

Source: CCLI #5621778 »
Recommended Key: G
Tempo: 120-138 bpm
Instrumentation: Full band, piano, or guitar
Notes: The recommended tempo is such a wide range because it would be possible to set this a number of ways, depending on the energy sought and the ability of the congregation. It is possible to sing this energetic song a bit slower than the original recording and keep it interesting! The song is a prayer of sending forth.