Putting a fresh face on Jesus

Sing the Story. Hymnal: A Worship Book Supplement II.
Faith & Life Resources, 2007.

Reviewed by Mark Diller Harder

This past summer Mennonite Publishing Network (MPN) released Sing the Story, the second of a two-part supplement to Hymnal: A Worship Book. The 124 songs in Sing the Story are organized and focused on the life of Jesus, corresponding to the Church Year from Advent through Easter. It includes a helpful index at the back organized under the same Acts of Worship as the original hymnal.

Congregations have already been enjoying Sing the Journey, the first supplement—published in 2005—that explores the life and mission of the church. Both supplements have vibrant hymn texts, whose strong, evocative images and contemporary language give voice to the joys, struggles and issues of faith in our time.

This second supplement makes the story of Jesus come alive again. Often fresh new texts are given for music already familiar from previous hymnals; for example, “Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness (No.1), whose 1987 text is set to an American folk melody published in 1813. It also includes Kenneth Nafziger’s adaptation of a provocative text by Menno Simons (“O God, to Whom Then Shall I Turn?,” No. 61). Seventy-nine creative and imaginative worship resources—prayers and readings—close the supplement.

The music comes from a wide mix of styles, genres and time periods. Roughly 20 percent of the 124 hymns use music familiar from previous hymnals or full hymns rediscovered. There are even two Bach chorales set to new texts. Most of the remainder use more recent musical styles or arrangements of melodies, with the notable lack of many Christian contemporary worship band songs, often due to copyright restrictions.

There are a number of songs coming out of the African American gospel and spiritual tradition, including “Jesus, Jesus, Oh, What a Wonderful Child” (No. 19), as well as a wonderful jazz lament (“How Long, O Lord,” No. 82). Songs from around the world are present, although not as prominent as in the first supplement. There are also fewer John Bell songs. There are a couple strong Taizé songs and various folk melodies from different traditions, including an Irish melody used in the 2007 Advent series from the Leader magazine (“My Soul Cries Out,” No. 124).

Once again, MPN has produced an inexpensive collection of accompaniments in loose-leaf pages. This resource, which also includes extra verses and instrumental parts, is essential for congregations.

Overall, Sing the Story is a solid addition to congregational singing in the Mennonite Church. It expands our musical options during times like Christmas, Holy Week, Easter and Pentecost, although this focus on the Church Year may also limit its use at other times.

The strongest section may be the songs for Lent and Holy Week. Sing the Story is perhaps less musically accessible than Sing the Journey, as some of the music takes creative effort and some of the accompaniments and styles need an advanced level of piano accomplishment.

Mark Diller Harder is a pastor at St Jacobs (Ont.) Mennonite Church and an avid church musician.