In our most recent stake priesthood meeting, the stake men's choir sang one of my favorite hymns, "I Need Thee Every Hour" (#98, #334). For me, the tender words and plaintive melody evoke a feeling of reverence and humility. My appreciation for this hymn deepened when I learned a bit about its origin.
"I Need Thee Every Hour" was written by Annie Hawks, a member of the Park Avenue Baptist Church in Plainfield, New Jersey in April 1872. It was first published in 1873 in a collection of hymns edited by her pastor, Robert Lowry, who composed the music. Of this hymn, Annie is quoted as saying: "It was not until long years after, when the shadow [of a great loss] fell over my way...that I understood something of the comforting in the words I had been permitted to write" (Our Latter-Day Hymns: The Stories and the Messages, K. L. Davidson, 1988).
Teaching members of your congregation about the hymns they sing can create a deeper sense of reverence and a greater desire to participate in hymn-singing. Consider the following suggestions:
- Add a hymn's background information or scripture references to your printed sacrament meeting bulletin
- Occasionally have your ward music director take a moment to introduce a hymn before the congregation sings it
- Invite those presenting a special musical number to briefly introduce it
Feel free to comment below and share ideas you may have on this subject.
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