This is the time we would normally be having a Festival Songs of Praise – so here is an online version. Some of the congregation have chosen a hymn and written a few words. Thanks to all those who contributed. Join in the signing!
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Simon Fraser has chosen Now thank we all our God.
“As a small boy I sat in Sherborne Abbey on VJ day. That lovely church was full and we sang with a favour I still remember.’
He also says ‘It was also sung by Prussian troops when the reached Belle Alliance, recently evacuated by Napoleon when he was defeated at Waterloo.”
Lesley Gordon has chosen In Heavenly love abiding.
“When I was at school I sang in a madrigal choir and we performed this in harmony at the wedding of my music teacher. I loved its positivity and optimism, so although it can be thought of as a funeral hymn we chose it for our wedding. The swell of lovely singing from the congregation and guests in St Fillan’s that day was heart warming.”
Bill Henderson has chosen Be still my soul the Lord is on you side.
“I was at boarding school during the sixties. It was sometimes very difficult to find a quiet place at School. One place I found was the Assembly Hall which also acted as the Church for the School. One beautiful summer evening I was there seeking peace and quiet when our organist started to play this tune. He had lost his wife and children in a bombing raid over London. I spoke to him after he had stopped playing and he explained that he got great comfort from this hymn. Since that time I have found the words so comforting at some difficult times in my life.”
Colin Campbell has chosen Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy.
“The words are so positive talking of hopefulness, joy, eagerness, faith, kindliness, grace, gentleness and calm. It sums up what I think we should all strive for in our faith. If we all followed these thoughts might there be peace in all our hearts at the end of the day.”
Ewart McSkimming has chosen And can it be.
“My reason for choosing this particular hymn is that I love all Charles Wesley hymns but this one in particular with its rousing singing and the second line of verse 5, “Jesus, and all in him is mine”! epitomises our Christian faith.”
Isobel Clegg has chosen We plough the fields and scatter.
“Coming from a farming background this hymn brings back happy childhood memories of when we would attend harvest thanksgiving as a family.”
Helen Jamieson has chosen Immortal, invisible God only wise.
“When I was leafing through my hymn book it opened, and memories came back at hymn number 12. This is the favourite hymn of my primary 3 teacher, Mrs McDonald and she drilled it into us. She was a wonderful teacher and helped me a lot and I remember her together with this hymn.”
Andy Bastow has chosen Courage, brother! do not stumble .
“The process of choosing always creates some trepidation in the final choice when there are so many options, however we do like a rousing hymn the tune of which should not be ‘ploddy’. One thing that has been sorely missed during the pandemic has been rousing hymn singing. So, our choice on this occasion is Hymn 513 to the uptempo tune Ebenezer – (used in hymn 338 in CH4) – its rather Jewish in style actually, as the name might suggest.” Sorry – I could not find this hymn & tune on YouTube.
Sue Farrar has chosen In Christ Alone My Hope is Found.
“Like most people, if not everyone, I have found these last 18 months difficult, both personally and professionally. After one particularly challenging day, I came home and listened to some music on YouTube. ”In Christ alone my Hope is found” was being sung by a colleague in her Church’s on-line service. This hymn has become my ”go-to” hymn during Covid times. The words and music reassure and uplift me.
Through this time of change and challenge when, as the author of the song says, ”our sense of safety and security has been torn apart”, the powerful words and melody engulf me in the knowledge that Jesus constantly journeys with us all, everyday and everywhere. I hope you too can immerse yourself in this song and gain comfort knowing that Jesus is our solid rock.”
If you have enjoyed this – watch the previous Festival, Christmas 2020 & April 2021 Songs of Praise