Hope

Dwellings Worship Series, week 1 — HOPE
November 4, 2018 — All Saints Sunday

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

Better Is One Day

Source: CCLI #1097451
Recommended Key: E
Tempo: 72-76 bpm
Instrumentation: Full band, piano, or guitar
Notes: One of the most popular CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) songs to have come from the 1990s, Matt Redman’s classic has been adapted across cultural lines and in different styles. We recommend this song of adoration as a possible theme song throughout the “Dwellings” series. Keep the rhythm of the accompaniment simple while the congregation sings the chorus, which resembles a rhythmic chant.

Soon and Very Soon

Source: Songs of Zion, 198; The United Methodist Hymnal, 706; Come, Let Us Worship, 385
Recommended Key: F–G
Tempo: 64–76 bpm (half-note)
Instrumentation: Full band, rhythm section, piano, or organ
Notes: This well-known gospel song of the late twentieth century is another suggestion for a theme song for this series, especially considering the hope found throughout these scriptural narratives, beginning with All Saints and ending with the Reign of Christ. The wide tempo suggested is based upon the variety of contexts in which it can be used.
Resources: History of Hymns: "Soon and Very Soon" »

Dwell in Your House

Source: CCLI #3001637
Recommended Key: A
Tempo: 92–100 bpm
Instrumentation: Full band, guitar, or piano
Notes: Another suggested theme song, this work from Hillsong turns the image of “dwelling” into where we may dwell with God. Inviting the congregation to sing the entire song or just the chorus are both appropriate approaches to this modern worship song.

Lord Reign in Me

Source: CCLI #2490706
Recommended Key: B♭–C
Tempo: 92–96 bpm
Instrumentation: Full band or guitar with percussion
Notes: The final suggested theme song for this month, this text brings together the images of God’s dwelling place and the Reign of Christ into one song. The rhythmic, memorable chorus will “dwell” in your ear long after the sending forth is concluded. Using a percussion instrument with whatever is used for pitched accompaniment will help make the rhythmic syncopation throughout the song more accessible for the congregation.

Arise, Shine Out, Your Light Has Come

Source: The United Methodist Hymnal, 725
Recommended Key: F
Tempo: 52–56 bpm (half note)
Instrumentation: Organ or piano
Notes: This hymn is fittingly paired with a tune (DUNEDIN) that rivals the majesty of the tune JERUSALEM (UMH 729), though in a shorter form. Though based upon the opening statement from Isaiah 60, the Revelation-esque images of the new Jerusalem are also found in this text. Especially appropriate for this series is the phrase, “as dwellings of salvation rise,” in the fourth stanza. Sing boldly and full of hope!

Beautiful Things

Source: CCLI #5665521
Recommended Key: D
Tempo: 78–82 bpm
Instrumentation: Full band, guitar, piano, or small ensemble of any kind
Notes: The bridge of this modern song effectively recalls the text from Revelation 21:5 (“See, I am making all things new”). The simplicity of the tune longs for a simple accompaniment as well. If you are familiar with Gungor’s original recording, you will note that it begins with a piano, guitar, and cello. This would be a beautiful accompaniment throughout if desired. Full band can be used, but don’t feel like you have to use all the instruments all the time. Find ways to show creativity with the instrumentation you may have within your church. Even though we recommend the key of D, it is important to note that the original melody leaps an octave in the second chorus, which is far too high for a congregation to sing. Though the timbre will be different, you can accomplish the same effect by having a male voice on the stanzas and opening choruses before the leap, and then supplement with a mezzo female voice at the leap. When a congregation hears a male voice singing that high, the immediate thought is, “I can’t sing that,” and the voice oftentimes shuts down instead of continuing singing an octave lower. A female voice in the same frequency range assures the congregation that it is ok to not strain and leave the voice in a lower range when singing.

Marching to Zion

Source: Songs of Zion, 3; The United Methodist Hymnal, 733; The Upper Room Worshipbook, 139
Recommended Key: F–G
Tempo: 48–68 bpm
Instrumentation: Organ, piano, or rhythm section
Notes: The wide tempo variance suggested with this classic hymn is offered to reflect a wide variety of performance practice among different cultures. Any tempo in this range is appropriate, but if you should choose the slower tempo, it is also effective to use hand claps on beats 2, 3, 5, and 6.
Resources: History of Hymns: "Marching to Zion" »

For All the Saints

Source: The Faith We Sing, 2283
Recommended Key: G
Tempo: 60–64 bpm
Instrumentation: Organ, piano, plucked guitar, possible wind and string instruments
Notes: For congregations who are used to singing the classic text “For all the Saints” with the SINE NOMINE tune (UMH 711), it may be a good time to try a new text built upon the same title. Hymn writer John Bell offers a series of statements of thankfulness for the saints. Both the text and tune have a different character than the more familiar selection. Add wind or string instruments on the melody or an improvised obbligato.

Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken

Source: Come, Let Us Worship, 256; The United Methodist Hymnal, 731
Recommended Key: E♭
Tempo: 86–92 bpm
Instrumentation: Organ or piano
Notes: This hymn by John Newton (well known for the hymn “Amazing Grace,” UMH 378) recalls stories from Scripture about Zion—its strength, protection, and promise of a new day. The tune offers confidence and strength to the text, but it also has an interesting history. Be sure to read the History of Hymns article to learn about the origins and scandals of the tune.
Resources: History of Hymns: "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken" »

Joy in the Morning

Source: The Faith We Sing, 2284
Recommended Key: Em–Fm
Tempo: 92–100 bpm
Instrumentation: Organ, piano, or guitar
Notes: Taken from a choral work of the same title, this short chorus is an effective way to open or close a service during this season or the season of Advent. Keep the tempo moving forward with crisp sixteenth notes (a la snare drum) and an appropriate measure of bounce in the melody.

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Source: The United Methodist Hymnal, 384; The Upper Room Worshipbook, 100
Recommended Key: B♭ (BEECHER); F (HYFRYDOL)
Tempo: 104–112 bpm (BEECHER); 108–116 bpm (HYFRYDOL)
Instrumentation: Organ or piano
Notes: Arguably the most prominent Wesleyan hymn in our collections, this hymn serves as a cornerstone for our hymnody and speaks of the Wesleyan understanding of grace in ways other hymns simply cannot. Lots of discussion has been made about the ideal tune for this hymn, and in many situations, it depends on your context. The two resources listed above contain the tunes most often used.
Resources: History of Hymns: "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" »
Other resources »