The Song Report

Every January I look back through the records of the liturgies for the year to review the songs we have used at Reformation Covenant Church. 

This year we sang 145 different hymns, which is a little up from last year at 131.

We sang 84 different Psalm settings, but 11 were duplicates (we know different versions of one Psalm, or we know different portions of one Psalm in different settings-like Psalm 119). So we sang 73 different Psalms last year. Not as good as the Medieval monks who sang through the Psalter every week, but we are making progress (we sang 64 different settings last year). Most of the 84 different settings are metrical Psalms, but we also know a few through-composed Psalms and an Anglican-chant setting or two.

In the future I would like to see that number of Psalms go up at a faster rate compared to the hymns, and eventually get the numbers closer to equal and maybe even more Psalms than hymns.

RCC "Top Ten Hits"

A couple weeks ago I was given the "RCC Top Ten List" of songs we use in worship. This is a list compiled by one of the long time members of Reformation Covenant Church.

1. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
2. Psalm 98
3. O Sing a New Song to the Lord (This is the same song as above...?)
4. From Heaven O Praise the Lord (Ps. 148)
5. Now Shall My Inward Joy Arise (Africa)
6. Lorica (St. Patrick's Breastplate)
7. I To the Hills Will Lift My Eyes (Ps. 121)
8. Before Thee Let My Cry Come Near (Ps. 119-Russia)
9. Holy, Holy, Holy
10. TBA

I don't believe that what the congregation "likes" is what is always absolutely best, or even best for them, but I find this list helpful in understanding what resonates with the congregation (one member at least). I found it interesting that nearly all of these Psalms and hymns are set to American music (with the exception of the Lorica, and possibly Ps. 121). The music is mostly 18th and 19th century hymn and Psalm tunes with a couple of good fuging tunes thrown in. I was happy with the high percentage of Psalms! 5 out of 9, if you count Psalm 98 twice.
I should ask more people in my church for their list of favorites and see how they compare.