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Hymn Society Short Guides

Here are a number of brief papers on different aspects of hymnody which may be of interest and use to anyone with a love of hymns, but in particular to those who have responsibilities for choosing, leading or teaching hymns, whether clergy or lay. Please feel free to download these papers for local use; and please do come back, as further titles are in preparation for this series. Feedback would also be welcome - is there a specific aspect of hymnody on which you would like to see a Guide like these? We may be able to help!

The Short Guides are produced under the remit of the Hymn Society's Publications Committee.

Simply click on the title below to download the PDF

No 1 - What Is The Point Of Singing Hymns?
No 2 - What Types of Hymns And Songs Are Available?
No 3 - Which Hymns And Songs Should We Use?
No 4 - Which Hymn Belongs Where In The Service?
No 5 - How Can We Encourage The Use of Hymns In Worship?
No 6 - What Makes A Good Hymn?
No 7 - What Are The Best Places To Find Hymns On Specific Subjects?
No 8 - How Can We Use The Psalms In Worship?
No 9 - Our Musical Resources Are Limited; What Can We Sing?
No 10 - What Are The Pastoral Considerations When Using Hymns?
No 11 - Using Hymns With Holy Communion
No 12 - How can we Introduce New Hymns and Songs?
No 13 - Using Hymns in All-Age Worship
No 14 - Building a Hymn Repertoire

Newly published by the Hymn Society
Praying Thrice: Prayers from Hymns
by Gordon Giles

This collection of prayers contains around a hundred items, many of which have previously appeared in the author's Hymn Meditation column in Church Music Quarterly (RSCM) or in Gordon's books The Music of Praise and O Come Emmanuel (both published by the Bible Reading Fellowship). Gordon recalls St Augustine's dictum that anyone who sings, "prays twice" and therefore offers these prayers written in response to hymns "which might enable us to pray not so much twice as thrice!"

Available from the Secretary at £4.00 (£3.00 for Society members) including postage.

More publications from The Hymn Society